Linguistic DNA - Concept Modelling Demonstrator

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
king_n	write_v	year_n	yoke_n	32	3	9.1036	4	false

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A09567	A famouse cronicle of oure time, called Sleidanes Commentaries concerning the state of religion and common wealth, during the raigne of the Emperour Charles the fift, with the argumentes set before euery booke, conteyninge the summe or effecte of the booke following. Translated out of Latin into Englishe, by Ihon Daus. Here vnto is added also an apology of the authoure.; De statu religionis et reipublicae, Carolo Quinto Caesare, commentarii. English	Sleidanus, Johannes, 1506-1556.; Daus, John.	1560 (1560)	STC 19848A; ESTC S115937	985,386	980

Wherfore if you thinke it good and that it be oure destinie that a foreine prince shall at this time weare oure Crowne vpon his heade certenly I thinke mete to preferre the Frenche kynge before the Spanishe But if the lawe do prohibite vs to chose the Frenchekinge letthe same take place in the Spanishe kinge and let vs not throughe a subtill interpretation accompt king Charles a Germanie but let vs espie out amonges all the Princes one whiche hath no mansion but in Germany which is a Germanie in birthe language maners and dispotition My lorde of Mentz supposeth that suche an Emperour shoulde for his small abilitie be dispised but if we chose a mete man Germanie is riche and stronge enough to beare vp this burthen Raffe the xj Emperour before Maximilian was a man but of Small power but he excelled in vertue And he restored TheÌ„pire that was ful weak and sore afflicted with great warres in such sorte that all the kinges about him did feare him What a good opinion had also foreine princes and amonges others Lewes the xij king of Fraunce of themperor Maxilian onely for his wit vertue I suppose you knowe righte well For doubtles the princes of Germany haue bene euer of muche estimation And as yet their noble fame is not extinguished but florisheth stil And amoÌ„ges others at this day there be thre principal houses in Germani the house of Bauar Saxonie BraÌ„denburge And of these houses also diuers worthy meÌ„ Wherfore if we chose one of theÌ„ assist him with our aides as surely we are bouÌ„den we shal nede to feare no strauÌ„gers so that we be all of one minde and will althinge shal be in saftie Therfore setting a part straungers let vs create some one of our owne couÌ„treymen it shal proue right wel for there be many domestical examples of vertue wherof I shall recite one Matthias kinge of HuÌ„gary a stout warriour a fortunate proclaimed warre vpon a time againste your father my lord of Saronie but wheÌ„ he perceiued a sufficient armie prepared againste him his anger was sone pacified So mighte now also the meanes be founde that an Emperor of our owne nation being elected might mainteinehis estate and authoritie both at home and a broad Thirdly spake the duke of Saxonie who after he had proued the Frenche king to be excluded by the lawe king Charles to be a Germayne Prince to haue an habitation in Germany he said the common weale had nede of some mightie prince but he knew noue to be compared with Charles therfore he was contented that he should be declared Emperor but yet vpon certen conditions that Germany shall reteike her libertie and that those daungers which were mentioned should be eschewed Finallye when the rest had approued this sentence the Archbyshoppe of Treuers saydeâ— I see the fatall destenye of Germany and the alteration euen nowe at hande not withstandynge for asmuche as it semeth so good to you I will confourme my wyll vnto your iudgemente This was the xxviij daie of Iune when it was darke night Wherfore they departed and mette agayne the next daye There they began to treate what conditions should be propounded to the Emperour the matter was in debating certein daies at the lengthe when they were agreed vpon they were written out and sent to his Ambassadours to Mentz Whan they had receiued them all theyr voices were committed to writinge as the maner is and sealed the daye before thempire was offered to Friderick duke of Saxonie but he with a stout courage refused it gaue his voice vnto king Charles whose Ambassadours for his so doynge offered hym a great suÌ„me of money which he vtterly refused would not suffer his meÌ„ also to take one farthing After this tharchbishop of Mentz calling the nobilitie comon people into the church of Saint Bartholomew in his sermoÌ„ declareth Charles Archduke of Austrich king of spaine to be king of Romanes in the stede of MaximiliaÌ„ departed And for that he was chosen with such a coÌ„sent he saieth they ought to geue God thankes exhorting theÌ„ to shew to him all fidelitie obeysauÌ„ce speaking much in his praise he declareth why they chose him before all others Than thambassours which were comen with in a myle were sent for Those were Matthew the Cardinall of Salisburge Erarde Bishop of Liege Barnard Bishoppe of Trent Fridericke countie Palatine Casimire Marques of BraÌ„deÌ„burge Henry Erle of Nasso MaximiliaÌ„ of Sibebouge certeÌ„ others of his couÌ„sel WheÌ„ they were comeÌ„ they coÌ„sulted howe the common wealth be gouerned vntill suche tyme as he came him selfe into Germany Howe Casimire the Paulsgraue should leuie a force of men place them in garisons and foresee that the state take no harme Afterwardes the Princes Electours sente Ambassadours with their letters to king Charles to declare the whole matter The chief of theÌ„ was Fridericke the Paulsgraue Howbeit in the meane time diuerse messengers went into Spaine amonges other one went froÌ„ Franckefurth to Barcelona in nine dayes The Countie Palatine arriued there at the ende of Nouembre deliuereth the Princes letters the content wherof was this That he would receiue thempire offered him and all delaye sette a parte repaire into Germany so soone as he mighte He aunswereth ryght curtesiye by the mouthe of Mercurine Cattinar that all beit there was muche trouble towardes him what by the Turkes and what by the Frenche men yet this not withstondyng he sayd he neither coulde nor woulde faile the common countrie chiefly syns that so noble Princes had such an opinion of him required him so to do Wherfore he receiueth their honour offered him right thankefully so shortly as may be will imbarke him self to come to the borders of thempire And in maner with the same wordes he writeth to the Princes Electours and sendeth home Fridericke honourably rewarded Thus was he made Emperor the fift of that name being than xxj yeres of age The Frenche kyng toke the repulse the more greuouslie for that he perceiued a greater dauÌ„ger to hang ouer his state seing the power of his enemie whom before he suspected herby to be muche increased for he had rather any man els had bene chosen than he He had geuen great sommes of money to haue bene coÌ„sydered And so did they of FlauÌ„ders in like case as it is reported but herein I can affirme nothing certenly Here will I declare the Petiegre of kinge Charles Charles the fift surnamed wise king of FrauÌ„ce gaue the DukedoÌ„ of BurguÌ„dy which fel vnto him to Philip his yongest brother which Philip maried afterwards the lady Margaret thonly daughter of Lewes Erle of FlauÌ„ders had by her a sonne called Iohn And he had a sonne named Philip the father of Charles the stoute warriour which was slaine before Nancey leauing a daughter called Mari an inheritour of many great couÌ„treis She was maried to MaximiliaÌ„ sonne to theÌ„peror

into his handes The Frenche kyng whiche was retourned home leauing his children for pledges in Spayne sayde the conditioÌ„s of peace were vnreasonable Wherfore sendyng Ambassadours to and fro the byshop of Rome and the Uenetians enter into league with hym the effect wherof is this That for the defence and quietnes of Italy they shall fynde an armye of .xxx. thousand fotemen of men at armes and lyghthorse men syxe thousande They shall also prouide an Nauie of two and thirtye galleys with Shippes of bourthen that what tyme they shall haue vanquyshed the enemy in Lumbardye and Italye they shall muade the kingdome of Nayles both by sea and lande which beyng ones woÌ„ne to remayne in the power of the churche of Rome yet so as .lxxv. thousande duckates be payde yerely to the Frenche kyng which claymeth a tytle in it That the dignitie of the house of medicees be maynteyned in the citie of Florence The Frenche kyng leaueth the Duckdome of Myllan to Fraunces Sfortia whome the Emperours men besegyng in the Castell of Millan constrayned to rendre and promiseth him his owne ayde and the Swycers to helpe hym also a wyfe in Fraunce of the bloud royall yet vpon this condition that he shal paye vnto him therfore yeare fyfty thousande crownes and fynde his brother Maximilian whiche is prysoner in Fraunce After this the byshop of Rome wrytyng his letters to the Emperour recyteth his benofites towards hym what goodly offers he refused at the Frenche kynges handes for his sake howe that when the kynge was taken he gaue a hondreth thousande Duckates to his captaynes vpon certayne conditioÌ„s that he hath vttered vnto hym oftentymes the couÌ„sels of his enemies that what time his men dyd besege Frances Sfortia in the Castel of Millan and certen men of great power moued hym to ioyne in league against hym he would not heare them For all the whiche thynges he is full euyll recompensed For his souldiours haue wrought suche iniuries shame and mysery to hym and the churche of Rome as hathe not bene hearde moreouer that neyther the condicions are fulfylled nor his money restored how it appeareth what good wyll he beareth hym whiche woulde not make hym prinie vpon what conditions he concluded with the Frenche kynge that he vtterly reiected his suite intercession made for Sfortia howe he sent the Duke of Burbon froÌ„ the siege at Marseilles to reyse vp a newe kynde of warre in Italye for the whiche causes he is of necessitie constrayned to make a league with suche as loue the quiet and wealth of Italy Wherfore if he wyl also be content to embrace peace well and good if not he shal not waÌ„t force and power to defende Italy and the common wealth of Rome In this league was comprysed the kyng of England and with great promyses was desyred to be the protectour therof Unto this epystle Cesar aunsweryng at Granato the .xviii. of September reaccompteth his desertes and benefites done vnto hym Howe that by his sute and meanes he was made byshop of Rome howe before that tyme he gaue hym an yerely pension of ten thousande duckates out of the reuenewes of the Archebyshop of Toledo when he was legate to byshop Leo notwithstandyng that he had conspyred against hym with Albert prince of Carpes to haue dispossessed hym of Naples and Sicily When the Frenche men were dryuen out of Italy by the conducte of Bourbon he could not deny him but that he myght warre in FrauÌ„ce or els where to recouer of the Frenche kyng his owne he graunteth the kyngdome of Naples to be holden of hym not withstandynge in case sayeth he you should make any warre there you shoulde thereby lose all your right and tytle for euen for the same causes that the Cliente loseth the benefite graunted for the selfe same also doth the Patrone lose his prerogatiue Before the kyng was taken you entreated of a peace but it was to the intent you might haue inioyed the Dukedome of Millan And therfore the Uenetians and Florentines withdrewe their ayde through your motion from my captaynes against their league For the Frenche kyng confesseth openly howe throughe your prouocation he entred into a newe league before he went out of Spayne And I knowe by certayne reporte that you haue dispensed with him for his othe wherby he is bounden to me Furthermore you haue moued warre before the letters wherein it was proclaymed were vnto me deliuered seking not only to dryue me out of all Italy but also to depose me from the dignitie of the Empyre For all this am I able to proue by the letters of Ferdinando Daualle Marques of Pistare whome you would haue entysed in to your league promising hym the kyngdome of Naples I haue tytle to Millan by mo wayes than one yet for the quiet of Italye I suffered Sfortia to enioye it And whan he was greuously syck I would haue placed in his steade the Duke of Bourbon for that I sawe it pleased you well and dyuers others in Italy And the cause why Sfortia was besieged in the Castel of Millan was that he had committed treason against me by ioynyng in league with you wherof beyng detected he would not delyuer to my captaynes the Castelles of Cremone and Millan neyther make his pourgation nor come to any talke in the matter Your request was that I should forgyue hym altogether whiche I neyther coulde nor in deede ought to doe lest by an euyll example I shoulde gyue an occasioÌ„ vnto Clientes to offende against their patrones Touchyng the peace concluded with the Frenche kyng I kept nothing secret from your Ambassadours for the condicions be suche as I would not haue concealed for they tende to a publique peace and to the resistauÌ„ce of Christes ennemies But se the vnworthines of that thing Ther commeth more money yearely to Rome out of my Realmes and prouinces than doth from all other nations That is to be proued by the requestes of the Prynces of Germany what tyme they complaynyng greuously of the court of Rome desyred a reformation Whose coÌ„plaint at that tyme I neglected for the zeale I bare to the churche of Rome Whiche thynge considered and for as muche as I haue geuen you none occasion of offence I do instantly requyre you to lay down your armies And I wyll doe lykewyse And seynge we are bothe appoynted of God as two great lyghtes let vs endeuour our selues so as the whole worlde maye be lyghtened through vs and not that by reason of dissention there should aryse an Eclypse Let vs regarde the publique weale and attempt to dryue out the Turkes to quenche the secte and errours of Luther For this appertayneth vnto Gods glorye and hereof ought we to begynne and after to debate other controuersies you shall haue me ready vnto all these thynges which if I can not obtaine but that you wil nedes perseuer to play the man of warre I do proteste here that I

suspected company these that are called Cannons departed thence in great displeasure Ambrose Blaurer was preacher ther who was a gentleman borne but had professed him selfe a Monke in the Abbey of Alperspacke in the Dukedome of Wyrtinberge whyche by the readyng of Luthers workes chaunged his mynde and his cote together returnyng home agayne to his frendes His Abbot woulde haue had hym agayne and wroote earnestlye to the Senate of Constance for him Wherfore Blanrer expresseth the whole matter in writyng and propoundeth certen conditions where vpon he was conteÌ„t to retourne but they were suche as the Abbot refusyng he remayneth styll at Constance Where after the disputation at Bernes Images Aultares Masse and Ceremonies were vtterly abolyshed Lykewyse they of Geneua in remouinge their Images and ceremonies dyd imitate them of Bernes wherfore the byshop and clergie forsoke the citie in anger The Religion being thus altered they of Bernes renouÌ„ced the league made with the Frenche kynge prohibitynge the hyred warfare as they of Zuricke had done and were contented with that yearely pension that the kyng payeth them to kepe peace And wrote the daye and yeare wherein they forsoke the Popyshe religion vpon apyllour in golden letters that it myght be an euerlastyng memory all to their posteritie I shewed you how the Cardynal of Yorke was sent into Fraunce When they were agred vpon the matter both kinges sent their ambassadours to the Emperour And the Frenche king requireth to take his raunsome delyuer his sonnes that were pledges The kyng of Englande agayne his debte to be payde him which is threfolde first thre hondreth thousande Crownes that he lent hym secondarely fyue hundreth thousande for not obseruing the contracte of Matrimonie thirdly foure yeares pension whiche the Emperoure promysed hym as before in the third boke is declared When the Emperour hereunto had aunswered not after their myndes the kynge of Englande also sent hym defiaunce by an Herault of Armes who at the same tyme was consultynge howe he myght be deuorced from Catherine the Emperours haunt and Marry an other whiche he did afterwardes as shal be recyted in his place the Emperoure in his letters to other kynges accused the Frenche kyng moste greuously that he kept not his fayth and promyse and had ofte tymes sayd so muche to the Frenche Ambassadours Where vpon the kynge in his letters wrytten at Paris the .xxviij. of Marche which he sent by an Herault By the talke sayth he whiche thou hast had with some of myne I perceiue that thou braggest certen thinges that founde to my dishonour as though I had escaped thy handes against my fidelitie And nowe al be it that he whiche after the compacte made hath put in pledges is hym selfe quytte from bonde so that I am hereby sufficiently excused yet neuerthelesse in the defence of my honour I thought to wryte this briefly vnto the. Therfore if thou blame this facte of mine and my departure or sayest that euer I did any thyng contrary to the dutie of a noble Prynce I tell the playnly thou liest For I am determined to maynteyne myne honour and estimatioÌ„ whylest I haue a day to lyue We nede not many wordes therfore and if thou wylt ought with me thou shalt not nede hereafter to wryte but appointe the place where we may fyght hande to hande For if thou darest not mete me and in the meane tyme ceasest not to speake euyll of me I protest that all the shame therof belongeth vnto the for by our combat all the stryfe shall be parted I tolde you before of the contention betwene kynge Ferdinando and the Uayuode of Transiluania Whan the same burst out in to a cruell warre and Ferdinando was of the greater power the Uayuode in the moneth of Apryll wryting his letters to the states of The empyre After the lamentable death of kyng Lewis sayeth he I was by the common assent of the nobles chosen and crowned kinge of Hongary except three whome pouertie hatred and hope of better fortune had seduced that forgettyng the wealth of their countrey they subscribed to Ferdinando kyng of Boheme And what tyme I was wholy addicted to succour my countrey to recouer that was lost and by the same meanes to procure your quiet beholde he inuadeth my Realme with violence taketh certen Townes and by those whiche were of his faction was created kyng at Posonye I marueled not a lytle and it greued me also exceadingly that this nation should be molested by hym whiche ought moste of all to succour and releue the misery of the same It had not bene harde for me at that tyme to haue gyuen hym the repulse but I would not hasarde rashely the remnant of the power lefte of so manye shypwrakes and losses of that Realme hath had of late I complayned vnto Clement the seuenth to FrauÌ„ces the Frenche kyng to Henry kyng of England and to SigismuÌ„de kyng of Pole And in dede the kynge of Pole sendynge his Ambassadour without my knowledge entreated him that he wold not in this daungerous tyme make away through ciuile discorde to let in the foreyne enemy whiche after neyther he nor yet any other should be able to kepe out but that he would kepe peace with me ioyne his power to myne to resiste the common ennemye And where as Ferdinando answered that he would attempt nothing against ryght and equitie it was agreed vpon that a certen daye fytte men should be sent to debate the matters of controuersie I was content and sendyng also my Ambassadours vnto you and submytting my selfe vnto your arbytriment I made request that you woulde gyue none ayde to myne aduersarie but what tyme they came into Ferdinando his countrey beyng taken and deteyned as prysoners against the lawe of all natioÌ„s they could not declare their commission And from you they shoulde haue gone to the Emperour And al be it that this same was an extreme wronge iniury neuerthelesse at the daye appoynted by the kyng of Pole I sent certen others that were very desyrous of peace both of themselues and also by my commaundemeÌ„t Notwithstanding Fardinando his men propounded thinges so farre out of reason that ther could be nothyng concluded Whylest these thinges were a workyng certen of the nobilitie entysed by the crafte and polycie of FerdinaÌ„do breake their fidelite which before they had gyuen me And for somuche as the waye is layde that I can neyther come nor sende vnto you I thought good to declare vnto you by my letters howe vniuste warre he attempteth peraduenture intending to recouer the same that his auncetours Frederick and Maximilian Emperours haue lost here to fore for the one of them when he was triumphyng and thought hym selfe sure of the kyngdome of Hongary myne vncle Emeryck expulsed out of the whole countrey And my father Stephen Sepuse when Matthie was kyng did disconfite them both in suche sorte as he adioyned Uienna to Hongary And I

in the meane tyme ã€ˆâ—Šã€‰ a thousand The kyng the quene with theyr familie serued what tyme they had eateÌ„ wel and that supper was almoste done the king him selfe reacheth bread vnto euerye one with these wordes take eate shewe the death of the Lorde And the Quene geuing the Cuppe sayeth drynke and shewe the Lordes death This done the Prophete before mentioned goeth in to the pulpet and demaundeth of them whether they wyll obey Gods worde Whan they had all sayde yea It is the heauenly fathers commaundement saith he to sende forth preachers of his worde to the numbre of twenty eight whiche going into the foure partes of the worlde may preache the same doctrine that is taught in this Citie Than he reciteth their names and she weth whether eche man shall go Wherfore sixe were sent to Osenbridge as many to WarreÌ„dorfe eight to Soest and as many to Cosâ—elde And than the kynge and the Quene suppe with the rest of the seruitours and the Preachers that were appoynted to be sent forth In supper tyme the kynge ryseth vp and sayeth he hath a little busines that the father hath communded him it chaunced that a souldiour was taken prysoner whome the kyng accuseth of treason as an other Iudas and beheaded hym his selfe After this he retourneth to his supper and telleth merely what he had done After supper these foresaid eight twenty were sent away about nyght and besydes their charges euery man had deliuered him a piece of golde whiche they were commaunded to leaue in suche places as would not admitte their doctrine Whiche should be a token of their destruction and death euerlasting for refusyng of peace and holsome doctrine offered Who setting forth whan euery man came to his place they cried throughout the townes that men shoulde repent and do penaunce or els they should shortly be destroyed they spread their clothes vpon the grounde before the Magistrate and threwe down vpon the same the pieces of golde whiche they had receiued affirming how they are sent of the father to offer them peace which if they wyl receyue thei bid theÌ„ to communicate their ryches But if they refuse so to doe than do they by this sygne witnesse their acte and vnthankefulnes For this is the same tyme that all the Prophetes haue spoken of before wherin God would haue ryghteousnes obserued through out the whole vniuersall worlde And whan the kyng shal accordyng to his duty haue brought the matter so to passe that iustice shall reigne in all places than shall Christ deliuer vp the kyngdome to his father What tyme they had spoken thus they were apprehended and fyrst by gentle meanes and afterwardes by tormentes being examined of their beliefe and kynde of lyfe and the fortification of the citie They make aunswere howe they only haue the true doctrine and that woulde they witnesse and stande to the death For since the Apostles tyme hitherto the worde of God was neuer preached ryghtly neither hath there bene any iustice And that there be foure Prophetes wherof two are iuste Dauid and Iohn Leidane and two vniuste the byshop of Rome Luther who is worse than the other is Being damauÌ„ded why they did expulse the innocent people out of the citie contrary to their fidelitie and promyse taking their goodes their wyues and their childre and by what place of Scripture they could proue and defend this their iustice They say that nowe is the tyme come wherin Christ sayd how the meke should possesse the earth And that after the same sorte in times paste God gaue the goodes of the Egiptians vnto the people of Israell Afterwardes speakyng of the numbre of men and victualles within the citie they affirmed that diuerse and many had aboue fiue wiues Moreouer howe they loked dayly for a greater power out of Hollande and Friselande So sone as they should come the kyng would marche forwarde with his whole Armie to subdue and coÌ„quere the world destroying kinges and Princes for that they had not ministred iustice After their racking whan they perseuered styl in their purpose and would acknowledge no Magistrate besides their owne kynge they were rewarded with the losse of their heades Neuerthelesse one escaped But nowe was the citie on euery syde so narrouly and straightlye besieged that there was no waye to go out Wherfore the citezens fearing famine being carefull for their owne perill thought to apprehende the kynge and sende hym to the byshop bouÌ„de But the king hearing therof chose out twelue amonges them all whiche he thought were moste faithful vnto him and called them Dukes and appointed to euery of them a garde and some part of the towne to kepe lest there should aryse anye tumulte amonges the people Than maketh he promyse to the multitude howe at Easter they should be deliuered both from siege and penurie But vnto the twelue Dukes whiche he chose he promised more ample thinges a great deale telling them howe they shoulde haue the chiefe rule and gouernment namyng also what couÌ„treis townes and Castels he would geue vnto euery one of them He sayd he would only spare the Lantgraue for that he trusted that he woulde take his parte at the length I shewed you before of the assemblie appointed at Confluence in the moneth of Decembre for the states of the prouince of Rhine Unto whom also Friderick the Prince Electour of Saxony annexed him selfe of his owne accorde In this assemblie after consultation had was decreed to ayde the byshop of Munster immediately with thre hundreth horsemen and thre thousande footemen for syxe monethes ouer the whiche garryson and the whole warre also Wiricke Countie Obersted had the charge They decreed moreouer to sollicite the residue of the states imperiall for their ayde And because the Emperour was in Spayne to entreate king FerdinaÌ„do that against the moneth of Aprill he assigne a generall metyng for the same purpose After this they admonishe them that were beseged by their letters earnestly wrytten that they should leaue forsake theire enterprise whiche was so dishonest and wicked as nothynge could be more And vnlesse thei would obey and submit them selues vnto their laweful magistrate they do proteste that the byshop who nowe besegeth them shal not wante the ayde of the whole Empyre This was at the ende of Decembre And at the Ides of Ianuary in the yeare a M D. xxv Thei write again with many wordes in dede but to smal purpose yet so as they coÌ„mended and mainteined their quarel but vnto that whiche was obiected vnto them for makynge of a kynge they aunswered nothynge at all Howe be it in theyr letters to the Lantgraue they go about to excuse the matter speakinge many thynges of the salle and destruction of all wickedmen and of the deliuerauÌ„ce and kyngdome of the Godly in this lyfe And sende him withall the booke of Restauration before mentioned admonyshyng him to amende and that he attempte no

of Germany bryng al other states into their subiectioÌ„ it is by many of their doings so well knowen that it nedeth no further declaration For verely vnder the swete name of Religion they haue allured into their coÌ„federacie the chiefest cities of Germany through their force furniture haue gotteÌ„ the landes possessioÌ„s of others How they now also go to worke compelle other Princes subiects to take their partes and disturbe many in their religion and inforce them to another kinde of lyfe cast also diuerse in pryson and fetters and threaten them cruelly and robbe and spoyle churches the thyng it selfe declareth For this is the very cause why they couet to haue them in their league that by this meane being made stronger they might the more easely accomplyshe their pretensed purpose he doubted not but they also perceiue these thinges and vnderstande ryght well what incommoditie or discommoditie they may loke for by their societie And seing the matter is thus and inasmuche as they ar not ignoraunt both of his good will also of the causes of the warre he trusteth that they wyl refuse their league and kepe their soldiours at home and call home suche are gone to serue into the warre vnder a set penaltie and doe nothing contrary to the auncient leagues and by the example of the residue obserue peace and amitie For this shall both redounde to theyr owne prayse and shal be to hym also ryght acceptable vnto the which letters they wryte again after the same sort as they answered thambassadour before and desire him to accept in good part their delay in answering And in asmuch as he affirmeth that this war is nether to oppresse Religion nor yet the libertie of the countrey they say how they will do again none other wyse thaÌ„ shal become theÌ„ For if any be gone out of their confynes a warfare the same is done without their leaue and knowledge as oft times it chaunceth And their maner is not to call theÌ„ again that go forth without their liceÌ„ce but what time they retourne home to punish them And as they did moue the Swisses so likewyse the Duke of Saxon and the Lantgraue sollicited the Bohemers but thei made such aunswer as it appered wel that their myndes were alredy perswaded through thaccusation of king Ferdinando Whan they perceiued this by their letters about the end of August they wryte again and shewe them manifestly that this war is attempted against religion and sent vnto them the bokes whiche haue bene lately set forth concerning the same and require theÌ„ to worke no displeasure against them and last to signifie vnto theÌ„ what they intend to do About the same time also thei publish a wryting wherin they say how they are aduertised by them that are credit worthy how the bishop and Antichrist of Rome an instrument of the deuil authour of this war who in certen yeres past by his hired ministers set many townes of fire in Saxon hath now sent forth impoysoners to infecte their welles and standing waters to thintent that the same which war and that sword can not distroy these may dispatche with their poyson Wherfore they do admonish vniuersally al meÌ„ but chiefly their owne subiectes to waite narrowly that such men be appreheÌ„ded and being put to torture whan they shall haue tried their mischief that they suffer accordingly And within a fewe days after the Duke of Saxon his sonne Iohn William in his letters published geueth warning to his couÌ„trey that they take diligent hede to theÌ„ selues For lately not far froÌ„ Weynmar a town of Turing a certen Italian was taken of suspicioÌ„ who coÌ„fessed that he diuerse others had money giueÌ„ them at Rome in the byshops name that they shuld with fiering poyson do as much hurt in Germany as they possible might CoÌ„cerning their outlawyng how themperour sent a copy therof to the Duke to the Lantgraue I haue shewed you before Wherfore whaÌ„ they had receiued it in their caÌ„pe at Ingolstad the secoÌ„d day of SepteÌ„ber in the defeÌ„ce of their honor estimatioÌ„ they answer in a very loÌ„g wryting That he so highly coÌ„mendeth his zeale good wil to-many it is nothing but dissimulatioÌ„ for since the time he was first chosen Emperour he hath always sought meanes how to bring it in bondage For this was verely the cause why he leauing Spaine and his other countreis hath retourned so oft in to Germany and bene at so importunate charges Of like sort is the same which he speaketh of religioÌ„ For his purpose hath bene alwayes the hauing oportunitie he might oppresse the sincere doctrine For so oft say they as he grauÌ„ted peace vnto vs our religioÌ„ he did it craftely for a time only vntil we had giueÌ„ money to serue the publique vses necessities of thempire After he called the decrees made in doubt into question helde the matter so long in suspence till he had made peace with the French king taken truce with the Turck that the bishop he espiyng a time conuenient had appointed the counsell of Trent concluded vpon a league but hereof wil we bring probations Fiue yeares past at Regenspurg he made a decree of religion and wher as in diuerse pointes we misliked the same he declared his minde more at large and gaue it vs in wryting sufficiently The same in other assemblies after his deputies king Ferdinando did coÌ„firme And yet two yeres since in the coÌ„uention at Spier whan mention was made therof he sayd how he did remeÌ„ber no such declaratioÌ„ The last yeare in the coÌ„uention at Wormes the Byshop of Hildesseme said openly before al the Princes how themperour promised the catholikes that the decree of Spier shuld take no place after the FreÌ„ch warres A few monethes past when he went to the conuention at Regenspurg Granuellan spake it to me sayth the Lantgraue in the presence of the Paulsgraue of my counsellours the Ambassadour of the Duke of WirteÌ„berg how that decree of Spier was applied vnto the time And that now themperour can not longer mainteyn the same against the other states Sixe yeres past at Hagenaw king Firdinando whan he sheweth his commission to the catholiques said that vnto vs should no decrees be obserued For they were made for fear of the Turkish warre what time he had nede of our ayde What thinke you Was not this a goodly cause and a fetch to supplant vs our felowes They confesse the craft theÌ„ selues wherby they licked vs of our money Therfore it is playn that he intended alwayes the distructioÌ„ of religioÌ„ as the late coÌ„federacie declareth taried but only for a time to serue his purpos because he wold appere to haue the matter lawfully decided he was euer in haÌ„d with vs that we shuld submit our selfs to the bishop of Romes couÌ„sel but why we might not so do it is

sufficieÌ„tly declared iÌ„ our bokes set forth of And his purpose was to maintain execute the decrees of the counsell for the accomplishement wherof he had longe before sollicited certen forrein Princes but fearing lest by this mean he should set in his top all that cleaued to religion he pretended an other cause and fained rebellion that he might withdrawe our fellowes and whan he had vanquished the chiefest myght after compell the residue to obey his commaundement And albeit that he and his brother thought to kepe maruelous secret this their subtill and craftie counsell yet through the singular goodnes of God it commeth to lyght dayly more and more For the Bishop himselfe by his Ambassadours declared to the Switzers the cause of the warre and copie of the league Wherby it is manifest that not they alone but al other that professe the same doctrine are in the lyke daunger that this is their indeuour to restore papistrie in all places Let all men iudge therfore how truly this matter was handled when lately in the conuention at Regenspurg they went about to perswade and coÌ„cluded also that for the appeasing of religioÌ„ they would vse lawfull and quiet remedies He tolde me hym selfe sayth the Lantgraue lately at Spier that he was in no league with the Byshop The same affirmed Granuellan This is verely that same fatherly mynde and affection This is that zeale and loue of peace wherof they speake so muche Did euer man heare of the lyke thing that he wold perswade the Princes quite contrary to that whiche he hath had so long prefixed in his minde We know right well what dutie the Princes owe vnto the Emperour and againe what he ought to perfourme vnto them For as we are bounden to hym so is he againe bounden also vnto vs And wher as our cause not heard he doth outlawe vs and seketh to put vs besides our laÌ„des and possessions in that he breaketh the bonde of the ciuile lawe wherby the patrone is bounden againe to his cliente Nowe where he chargeth vs with rebellion it is nothing and he him selfe knoweth that he doth vs wrong For euen for the same cause saith the Lantgraue he gaue me thaÌ„kes lately at Spier for that I haue omitted no diligence to appease religion But where he sayth that I prepared warre punyshed certen states by the purse I denie it not and there was iust cause so to do Neuerthelesse it is openly knowen how through the mediation of Lewys the Paulsgraue and Richard the Archbyshop of Treuers all this matter was quietly ended he him self also writing his letters all be it he had taken the matter displeasauntly yet for as muche as I had discharged mine armie signified that he required no more Again what time he spake to me of the same sixtene yeares synce at Auspurg I made my purgation in suche sorte before king Ferdinando Friderick the Paulsgraue and certen others that he was conteÌ„t and satisfied Wherfore he ought not to make that mattir any part of occasion of this warre And where as I restored Ulriche Duke of Wirtemberg at the intercession of George Duke of SaxoÌ„ and The Archbishop of mentz I was for that matter reconciled by composition which he ratified And after at Regenspurg vpoÌ„ his faith and assuraunce he toke away cleane and abolyshed al displeasure Now he speaketh also of the warre with the Duke of Brunswick but the cause therof we haue expressed in wrytting and after that in a moste frequent audience of the Empyre he him self being also present we declared more at large two yeares paste The Duke that tyme made answere but the Emperour refused to heare our confutation of the same And why wold he not heare and examine dewly the whole matter and by the aduyse of the Princes haue taken some ordre in the thing Certenly because he desyred ayde for the Frenche Turkyshe warre of a purpose he let it slepe and wold haue it put to gardens and herein we fulfilled his desire at Wormes were content that Frederick the Paulsgraue and his Cosin Iohn Simmer should kepe and gouerne the prouince by vs taken vntill such tyme as the matter should be lawfully decided and determined That done he assured vs that the Duke of Brunswick should also assent to the same and wryting his letters charged hym earnestly that he should obeye but he coÌ„temning his commaundement raysed warre against vs and was taken therin as it appereth by a wryting set forth by me and Duke Maurice Therfore did we nothing in this warre contrary to our dutie nothing against the lawes and herein we appeale to egall iudgement But here by it is to be sene what fauour he beareth to Religion For albeit that the Duke of Brunswick contemned his commaundement most rashely although at what tyme he heard of the sequestration he spake of Themperour many lewde and opprobrious wordes yet because he was a moste bitter enemy of our Religion he did althyngs vnpunyshed Where he sayth that we haue brought certen vnder our subiection it is farre otherwyse and we haue ofte made aunswere to the same This in dede may be wel verified of him whiche hath brought vnder his iurisdiction diuerse prouinces of the Empire and also Byshoprikes and against this present warre hath assembled nobles and gentlemen that he might al lure them to him for our distruction This verely we graunt that we haue receiued diuers into our tuition fidelitie that if they should be in daunger for the doctrine of the Gospell we should defende them And that we suppose to be our duty for God commaundeth to succour the afflicted And none haue more nede these many yeares nowe of helpe and defence than those that are taken for Lutherians But in other things that do not concerne Religion we defend them not no we haue always exhorted them to geue the magistrate their right and honour due He obiecteth to vs that we should haue exhorted som not to repare to the Assemblie But that is both vayne and absurde For where as our Ambassadours wer lately assembled at Wormes and he went to Regenspurge we commaunded theÌ„ that al other thinges set a part they should go also to that assemblie Unto all other assemblies of th empyre ether we haue comen our selues or always sent our Ambassadours Concerning that he sayth of the chamber and iudgement it hath ben ofte confuted heretofore Moreouer he maketh mention of an Heathen Magistrate to declare that we might not resist hym But we haue not only done our duty but also more than we ought to do haue geuen him more than euer our auncesters haue accustomed to our great losse and hinderaunce And that he hath no cause of complaint at all it shall appere by that we shall here recite A certen Ambassadour of the Frenche kyngs sent vnto hym lately by occasion fell in talke of this warre He saieth it is a very great enterprise that he taketh in

in nomber in comparison of their ennemies had bene all either taken or slayne and so they let not to saye them selues afterwarde But themperour who knewe not what force they were of and supposed them to be many mo thaÌ„ they were was nothing hasty on theÌ„ And the same night commaunded he the fotemen to marche forward and followe him to the intent verely that he might haue foughten with them the next day But they as I said goyng secretly away by night were nowe come to their Army Wherfore the Emperour retourneth to his Campe and there made his abode two daies to refreshe his soldiours After because he supposed that they wold wynter in Franckonie a fertile and a plentifull countrey he thought to preuent them After therfore that he had taken by rendring Bophing Norling the cositie of Oeting and Dingelspulle he hasteth with great expedition to Roteburg a citie of the Empire standing by â—he Riuer of Duber The Lantgraue going to the Duke of WirteÌ„berg after he had deliuered his force to the Duke of Saxony retourneth home And at the kalendes of December came to Franckfurt But the Duke of Saxon although he wanted the Senewes of warre yet marching forwarde with his army he battred Gemund a towne in Sweden and hath it rendred to him and causeth the Senate to geue him a somme of money whiche was gathered of euery man After the twelfth daye of December he came with his Army before Frankefurt and getteth of theÌ„ nyne thousand crownes And imposeth to the Archbyshop of Mentz fourty thousand And proceding on styll he handleth the ryche Abbot of Fulden and certen others of the Romishe Religion after the same sorte The Lantgraue returning home sendeth his letters to Duke Maurice his sonne in lawe signifiyng that he wyll come to him so that he wyll assure him by saufe conduite For he woulde intreate a peace betwixt him the Duke of Saxon. Duke Maurice doeth assure him in dede sendeth him letters of the same but therin were so many conditions that he thought not good to goe but sent Ambassadours Herman Hundelsuse Henry Lersuer And all be it they laboured the matter ernestly yet could nothing be coÌ„cluded Whilest Maurice said he might not accorde wtout TheÌ„perours coÌ„sent the Duke of Saxon which had his army ready wold haue no delay but that he wold atteÌ„pt war against him Therfore whan there was no hope of peace the Lantgraues soldious retourne home Howbeit Recrode that brought fotemen of Almaines out of Fraunce as before is sayde remayned styll with the Duke Whan the Emperour was at Rotburg he sendeth away the Erle of Bure and gyueth hym in charge to fynde some meane to get Franckefurte After about the Ides of December wryting his letters from thence to Ulrich Duke of Wirtemberg Al beit saith he that for the war which certen yeares past the Lantgraue and you attempted against my brother kyng Ferdinando and taking of the Dukedome of Wyrtemberg reason would that I should haue punyshed both him and you extremely yet did I forgeue you al the iniurie and penaltie and shewed you all fauour And nowe of late about the begynning of this warre although your desertes were farre otherwyse in as muche as you exercise Tyranny not only vpon your owne people but also ouer certen states and cities of the Empyre neither will obey any lawe or iudgement I sente to you an Ambassadour a man of honour whiche shold declare vnto you the cause why this war is enterprised and also requyre you to sit quiet and than should you loke for all fauour at our handes But al these thinges neglected and not regarding the allegeaunce that you owe vnto vs you haue associated your self with outlawes and their confederates and haue incurred the lyke cryme of Rebellion as they haue done and first hast taken certen townes of my brother Ferdinando and of other states than of myne also and of the Empyre vpoÌ„ the soden with men of their owne faction And not content with that whan these thinges were a workyng you denounced warre against vs by a certen mallaparte boldenes and with moste opprobrious wordes haue hurte our fame and estimation goyng about to take from vs this degree of hyghest honour and dignitie and deniyng vnto vs the fidelitie streyghtways with your conspiratours durste leade forth an Armie against vs doynge outtrage vnto many clientes of my brother Ferdinandos and myne Wherby you haue fallen into the penaltie whiche is dewe vnto periured outlawes and conuictes of hygh treason And seyng it is thus and all be it we haue iuste and lawefull cause to be auenged on you moste extremelie accordynge to your demerytes yet for our accustomed clemencie and that the myserable people maye be spared We strayghtely charge and commaunde you that immediatlye vppon the syghte hereof you doe submitte vnto vs your selfe your countrey all that you haue in the world without condition or exception that we may ordre and vse the same at our pleasure For vnles you shall obeye the same we shal persecute the and thine with sworde and fyre For those letters whiche you sent foure dayes synce doe not content vs neyther be they sufficient to pourge or excuse thyne offence He sendeth a copie of the same his letters vnto his subiectes also and chargeth them to obeye hym no longer but sende Ambassadours vnto hym to know further of his pleasure he releaseth also their allegeaunce and othe wherby they are bounden to hym This if they wyll doe he wil prouide he sayth that they shall lyue in a better state hereafter If not he threatneth them with lyke punishement What time the Emperour wrote this the Duke of Alba was with his armie at the borders of the countrey of Wyrtemberg But Duke Ulriche was goyng to his Castell of Tuel standing vpon an high hyll without the Region and where the Emperours letters were delyuered vnto hym by the way the .xx. day of December he wryteth vnto hym moste humbly and with great submission For that he is brought thus into his hygh displeasure he is most hartely sory neither could there any thing haue chaunced vnto him more greuous And where as diuerse had intreated for him and he him selfe also acknowledge his faulte craued pardon he had good hope that his displeasure should haue bene appeased And the same hope he reteyneth styll for that he hath tried and experienced his clemeÌ„cy which he is wonte to vse towardes all suppliauntes For hereof armo examples than one shewed not many yeares since vnto certen Princes whiche happely gaue somwhat more occasion of displeasure than he hath done But in case he wold haue heard his Ambassadours he doubteth not but that he woulde haue wrytten muche more gently Wherfore he craueth his mercy and besecheth him for Christes sake to forgeue hym and not worke any extremitie against hym beyng a myserable Prince nor yet against his poore subiectes About this tyme came

content with xxx thousand crownes and demaunded not aboue .xii. pieces of ordenaunce The Prince Electour of Brandenburg was an ernest suter for the Lantgraue and also preferred the matter to kyng Ferdinando But the conditions were moste vnreasonable Those were that he should allowe without exception al the decrees of the Empyre to be enacted hereafter that he shuld geue one of his sonnes for a pledge That he should release the Duke of Brunswicke Henry and his sonne and here in stande to the Emperours arbitrement That he should ayde hym against the Electour of Saxonie and his fellowes with certen centaynes of horsemen and eight enseignes of fotemen at his propre costes and charge for the space of syx monethes That he do submitte hym selfe to the Emperour and coÌ„fesse his faultes openly But these conditions he refused and vnlesse they were mitigated in as muche as he can not with his honour assente vnto them he signifieth in his letters to his frendes that rather he wyll abyde what fortune soeuer happen Themperour the same daye that he accorded with them of Strasburg departed from Norlinge towardes Nurrinberg And the next day after adressing his letters to the States of Duke Maurice for as much saith he as Iohn Friderick that outlaw retourning home by flight hath not only recouered those places whiche Maurice Prince Electour toke from him by our commaundement but sutch also as my brother Ferdinando had seased in those parties for that they were vnder the tuition of Boheme We are entred verely vpon our iourney to represse his boldnes and rebellion Wherfore we will that you first foresee that in suche places wherby we shal passe with our armie there want nothing that is necessary and that the souldiours be wel vsed Moreouer that contemning all the others coÌ„maundementes you perfourme vnto your Prince al loue and due obedience as in dede you haue done hetherto For euen for this intent haue we taken this warre in hande that his fiersenes being oppressed peace quietnes may be for you recouered The same daye also he wryteth to the counsellours and gouernours of Prage How he is prefixed to be auenged vpon Iohn Fridericke according vnto his demerites Let them prouide therfore that his campe may be vitayled out of their countrey The .xxiiii. of Marche the nobles and cities of Boheme whiche had lately made a league whan they were assembled at Prage as it was determined they make warlike lawes and suche as are requisite for the warres if nede requyre and committe the chief gouernment to Caspar Phulgius About this tyme king Ferdinando Duke Maurice and his brother Augustus came with their forces to Priccie Whiche the Bohemers toke in displeasure that thei were entred already vpon their Frontiers Wherfore they requyre Ferdinando by their letters that he woulde not suffer straunge nations to inuade their countrey For the example is straunge and perillous They wryte moreouer to Duke Maurice and his brother Augustus that they departe immediatly out of their limites without any hurt doyng For otherwyse wyll they doe as their counsell shall serue them Wherunto Ferdinando aunswereth the .xxvi. daye of Marche howe they shall not nede to feare For they are come only into those parties to the intent they might ioyne them selues with the Emperour nowe approching Againe he wryteth to them of Prage that they bestowe no superfluous coste For the Duke of Saxon is retyred The electour had sent into the land of Boheme an Ambassadour Nicolas Minquit to renew the auncient league But he falling sicke by the way whan he was not able to go to Prage wryting his letters desyred them to sende some meÌ„ of credit to him with whom he may treate coÌ„clude Whan these letters were receiued the Noble men of Boheme wryte to the Duke of Saxon from Prage the .xxviii. daye of Marche signifieng what Minquit required and howe desyrous they be to gratifie him herein and graunt that reason would it should so be Howe beit they are impeched by reason of this troublesome tyme and present disquietnes For Duke Maurice and his brother are come with their force into Boheme intending to doe some mischief and all through the procurement of kyng Ferdinando praying him not to take this so as though they would not that the league should be renewed For they wyll both kepe the same and perseuer in the olde amitie as well as if it were already renewed They wyll also doe their indeuour that it shal be confirmed again as sone as may be For therfore is this power lenied force prepared against them for that they refuse to breake the league to moue war against hym They require him therfore that in case Duke Maurice do procede he wyl vouchsaufe to ayde them If he shal this do there is no daunger so great that they wyl refuse to venter vpon for his preseruation They saye how Ferdinando is nowe at Priccie and from thence wyll marche with his armie into the Uale of Ioachime as it is reported If he so do they ar purposed a fewe daies after to marche with their armie and leade the same thether as nede shall require The last day of Marche sauing one they wryte to the Lordes of Morauie exhorting theÌ„ according to their mutuall league that they would take armure and come to them with spede to the intent their common countrey may be defended from that wicked and Sodomiticall kynde of men the Spaniardes and Hussars buggerers which the Emperour and kyng FerdinaÌ„do bring with them Fraunces the Frenche kyng whan he had reigned .xxxii. yeares he ended his lyfe the last daye of Marche at Rambolet whiche is a dayes iourney from Paris Whome his sonne Henry succeded a man about .xxviii. yeares of age He immediatly sendeth for the CoÌ„stable Annas Momorancie who had for the space of sixe yeares liued a priuate life out of fauour and restored him to his former dignitie and had him in great estimatioÌ„ Againe such as were in chiefest authoritie before partly grow out of fauour partly are displaced and committed to prison Those were the Cardinall of Tournon Anebalde the Admiral Grinian the gouernour of the Frenche prouince the Duke of Longeuale Bayarde Poline especially she whiche had bene the kinges darling Madame Destampes The death of kinge Fraunces chaunced vnfortunately for studentes learned meÌ„ For he loued all liberal sciences no man better or that shewed more liberalitie to auaunce the same Through long vse custome he had gotten muche knowledge For dining supping his talke was commonly of learning and that moste earnestly vsing many yeares for the same purpose Iames Coline a learned man and in the vulgare tonge moste eloquent And after him Peter Castellan Of these two had he learned whatsoeuer was wrytten in the bokes of Poetes Historiographers Cosmographers Moreouer he knew perfitly whatsoeuer Aristotel Theophraste Plinie and suche other like haue wrytten of the nature of Plantes

and the decrees be red openly that done the bishops are demaunded whether they allow the same They answer all that they please them well And so the deuines declare what is theyr opinion of euery matter but the bishops only and with them a few other mitred men haue authority to determine that thing which is thus decreed they commaund to be sacred and holy and call those decrees Canons These thinges in dede are thus done outwardly but those that are better acquainted with Romish matters wil affirme that all those articles of doctrine are written before at Rome by the bishops commaunment and sent to his Legate in time that the deuines may in their reasoning folow that prescript and ordre For the Bishop finedeth ther diuers of them and many bishops also and therfore it is commonly spoken by a fond prouerbe that the holy ghost commeth many times from Rome to TreÌ„t inclosed in a male For this cause verely that the bishop sendeth ofttimes letters in poste signifying to his Legates there what he woulde haue done The fourth day of Septembre Erle Hedeck commeth to Maidenburge by him duke Moris did so mitigate the conditions before propounded that they thought mete to proceade in the treatye In the meane while was truse taken which was after also prolonged for many daies as I shall hereafter declare The French king hauing his mind alienated from the bishop of Rome publisheth a wryting and speakinge many thinges of thiniury done vnto him of the cause of the warre of Parma and whye he receiued Octauius into his tuition commaundeth vnder a great penalty that no mony from henceforth be conueied to Rome for considering that the sinewes of warre consisteth in mony what madnes were this with his own mony his subiectes to maintaine the force of his aduersarye and strengthen his power how it is the peculiare office of the bishops of Rome to appease he controuersies of kings this verely did Paule the third who being almost worn for age came to Nice in Ligurie to make a reconcilement betwene his father and themperor but Iuly followeth cleane an other wates and hauing lately called a counsell very necessary in dede for the common weale hathe stirred vp war against him surely of a set purpose that he mighte exclude all the french church which is one of the principall so that ther can not be holden a lawful counsel wherin both therrors of the prelates and ministers of the church mighte be refourmed and their faultes amended This proclamation of the king was openlye proclaimed at Paris the vii day of Septembre whereas a few daies before ther was an other most hainous proclamation setforth against the Lutheranes whiche partly confirmed such like decrees of former yeres partly where they semed not to be diligently enough writteÌ„ sharpned them omitting nothing that concerneth great seueritye and such as wil vtter any thing are promised great rewards whiche thing in dede the king was thought to haue done for this inteÌ„t that he might bridell hereby such as in Fraunce desired to haue an alteration of Religyon leaste by reason of thys dissention of hys with the bishop they should take ouermuch libertye And againe least they whiche beare a reuerence to the Churche of Rome shuld conceiue any apinion of him that his minde should be altered concerning Religion Finally that both the bishop him self and the Senate of Cardinals might see that they might be receiued into his frendship whan they wold Than out of themperours court came forth a wryting wherin is recited the original cause of the warre of Parma and how iuste an occasion of displeasure the bishop of Rome hath against Octauius and the Earle of Mirandula and of what an vnquiet mind the FreÌ„ch king is which seketh all manner of occasions and bendeth his whole force that he maye impeche and defeat the most noble enterprises of themperor how beit themperor being nothing moued withall these thinges wil so much the more couragiously and stoutly procede Octauius preteÌ„ded as though he had come of necessity into thobeisance and tuition of the French king for thiniuries and laying in wayt of FernaÌ„do Gonzage But that is confuted by this wrytinge For if there were any cause of feare the occasion was geuen of him selfe who hath ofttimes laid wait for the life of Gonzage After it is recited how Placence came into the hands of themperor For Peter Aloise the bishop of Romes bastard sonne whan he had obteined Pirma and Placence gouerned the common wealth cruelly and like an other Nero and accomplished his wicked lust not only vpon womeÌ„ but on men also wherfore he was slain at home and murthered of his citezens which could no longer abide so great crudelitye after the townes men for that they saw a present daunger prepared against them in case they shuld come again into the iurisoiction of the Bishop and church of Rome had this only refuge to saue them if they gaue them selues to themperor especially consideringe also howe they were once fre citezens of the Empire so therefore they moued Gonzage and desired him that they mighte be receiued into themperors tuition For otherwise wold they prouide them aid and succour elsse wher Therfore it is vntrue that he shuld faine him selfe to be a fraid For themperor hath imploid many benefits vpon the Farnesians He hath chosen Octauius to his sonne in law gaue to his father Aloise the city of Nouaria for euer and honored hym with the dignity of a Marques but great hath bene their vnthaÌ„kfulnes both at other times and chiefly whan through the pretence of frendship they aided him in punishing certain rebels of Germany their whole endeuor was to haue taken from him Genes and Lumbardy For verely in the same tumult was slain ful wickedly amonges others Ioannine Aurie a man of an excellente vertue whilest he both did themperor faithful seruice and repulsed pearil from his country After came forthe an answer to these thinges in the French kinges name Wherin is made mention how themperor to haue the frendship of the bishop of Rome Paule the thyrde gaue vnto his sonne Peter Aloise the title and degre of a Marques how he toke vnto him Octauius the sonne of Peter to be his sonne in law how he preferred his other sonne Alexander to many ecclesiasticall promotions how afterward he made a league with the bishop wherin it was prouided that the decre of the Senate of Cardinals that was made concerning the gouernment of Parma and Placence themperor shuld confirme to the house of the Frenesians but what time themperor made war in Germany and preteÌ„ded as though he moued not the same war for Religion but to punish the rebellion of certain this deuise was displeasaunt to the bishop for that he saw how by this meane he went about his priuate affairs and to procure to him self rule gouernment neither was he disceiued in his iudgement For the war being

not be repressed but also his violence hath so farre proceded that hauing taken in Hongary and Slauonie many townes Castels Fortes he hangeth now ouer that neckes of vs it is doubtles to be thought that this is the manifest vengeaunce of God whiche plageth vs for sinne and afflicteth vs for that we amende not our life and so in dede afflicteth vs that vnlesse his worde be receiued the amendement of life followe the losse not only of lyfe and goodes but also of eternall saluation is like to insue For although the whole worlde toke armure against that ennemie yet so long as it shall remayne in that state of lyfe there is no hope of victory but rather of destruction and slaughter as it is euident to haue chaunced some tyme to moste florishynge kyngdomes We treated of the same matter also in the laste assemblee and prayed you that we myght not be compelled to do any thyng against our conscience But you referred the matter to the counsell of Regenspurg How be it you may coÌ„sider most mightie king howe greuouse it is to them whiche thyrste for the health of their soules to be differred to a tyme vncerteÌ„ For in the meane time the mynde is in angwishe and in this angwyshe and perplexitie many thousandes of meÌ„ ende their life Doubtles the worde of God whiche through our Sauiour Iesus Christe is opened to vs should be the only rule whiche the church ought to followe And in case any thing coÌ„trary to gods worde haue crept in although it be grounded of great antiquitie it must be reiected For God wil be honored worshipped as he him selfe prescribeth coÌ„maundeth not as men wene and fayne But with how horrible greuous plages he reuengeth the neglecting of his coÌ„maundemeÌ„t the obseruation of meÌ„s traditions both the Empires of fourmer time do shewe also the freshe and domesticall calamities of people next vs declare Therfore after moste diligeÌ„t searche there appereth to vs none other remedy than that those manifest errours and deprauations brought long since into the churche being caste away the pure doctrine may be receiued and frely preached to gether with suche administration of the Sacramentes as Christ him selfe did institute for to departe tourne away from the worde of God so manifest and so plaine we may not as we haue ofte shewed you at other tymes For firste we must seke for the kingdome of God Whiche being done God assisteth vs with his spirite and gouerneth our counselles and doinges To the ende therfore that he would deliuer vs from al these daungers that he would be the counseller of the warre and enseigne bearer that he may assiste vs in battel discomfite thennemies force in moste humble and earnest wyse we beseche your highnes euen for the death of Christe for our saluation and for the last iudgement that we shall abyde for as muche as this thing apperteineth to the perpetuall felicitie of you and your children and al your Realme that we which are spotted with no secte may by your leaue and permission remaine in the pure and sincere Religion vntyll a free generall counsell and that we may inioye the same benefite of peace whiche in the laste assemblee of the Empyre you haue made with the fellowes of the confession of Auspurge For seyng we be all Baptized in Christe we beseche you that our State and condicion be not worse than theirs nother that you woulde denye vs the thynge whiche you haue graunted to diuerse other of your Prouinces but that you woulde call in those Proclamations of yours sette forth concerning Religion and woulde delyuer vs from thys carefulnes wherwith we are bounde Moreouer we beseche you that you woulde set forth by proclamation that the ministers of the church that teache after the wrytinges of the Prophetes Apostels after the same maner as before is said doe minister the Sacramentes be not molested nor yet suche schomaisters Neither that they be imprisoned nor banished before they shall pleade their cause before a lawful iudge If you thus do as we trust you wil in this extreame daunger there is no doubt but God will rewarde the same moste aboundantly also the states of the Empire will sende you more ayde than they haue done hitherto And we likewise will not be behinde with our dutie but with moste willing mindes will bestowe geue what so euer shall apperteine to the coÌ„mon defence preseruation of our couÌ„trie and wil throughly satisfie your demauÌ„des so muche as shall lie in our power and habilitie to do At the selfsame time the Ambassadours of themperour and the Frenche king had met And where the controuersie coulde not be finished by a peace the fift day of the moneth of February they take truce for fiue yeares by Sea and lande as well in Flaunders and those partes as also for Italy and all other places Euery one kepeth the possession of those thinges whiche he hath gotten in the tyme of the war Themperour excepteth the exiles of Naples Scicilie He compriseth the Pope in the first place as doth also the Frenche king afterward euery maÌ„ his frendes allies as the maner is The same truce not long after the king caused to be proclamed both throughout Fraunce and at Metz also but the Emperour somwhat later in his couÌ„tries A brute went that the Pope toke it in snuffe that this truce was made and went about afterwarde to perswade the Frenche king to breake the same Others thought coÌ„trariwise that it was made chiefly through his aduise that he might make warre against the Lutherians Touching prisoners nothinge could be concluded in this truce amongest whome the chiefest were the Duke of Arescot a Bourgunnion and MonmorauÌ„ce the Conestables eldest sonne takeÌ„ thre yeres before at Terwin When they of Austriche as I sayde before had on this wise the day before the Kalendes of February put vp their supplication to king Ferdinando in wryting the king the eight day after aunswereth and speaking first of his good wyll towardes the common wealth and of the common calamitie and miserie of times and of Gods wrath whilest I consider saieth he and way mine owne state and place diligently whilest I thinke howe I haue euer from my yought hitherto followed the preceptes of the christen and catholique churche after the maner of my progenitours of whome I haue receiued this Religion and discipline as it were deliuered by hand I do surely finde that I may not assent to you in that whiche you require Not that I would not gladly gratifie my people but for that I see it is not lawful that I should be preiudiciall to the Christe church shoulde alter the lawes of the same and the holsome decrees at my pleasure where I must rather heare it as Christ coÌ„mauÌ„deth How beit for as much as I know by long experieÌ„ce what occasion of great euils this bitter contention about Religion

venery displeased eodem Fredericke Counte Palatines death 465 French king taken prisoner 43 Faith of Abraham obtained greate benefites of God 56 French league against themperor 71 Frenche kinges letters to the Prynces of Germany 73 French kinges inuentions against the Emperour 79 French kinges oration 120 French kinges letters eodem French warreth againste the Duke of Sauoy 38 Frenche kinge kissed the Popes ryght fote 159 French king geueth counsel to the Duke of Wittemberge 166 French kinges answer to themperors letters 199 French king coÌ„pared to the Turk 207 French king hated of all men for the Turkes societe 211 Frowardnesse of the Duke of Brunswicke 225 French king is receiued into Paris 235 French dischargeth his army 410 French kinges Proclamation against condemned of thinquisition 452 G GRece and Bohemes happines 3. Gerson of Paris 8 Gesmer captain of the boures 54 Gods power appeareth in fewest men 56 Gods wrath is slow but yet sore 58 George Duke of Saxon hateth the gospel 67 Godlines is not to be sought for in the Court 68 Great ghostly fathers 89 God bridleth the power of Sathan 134 Great execution done at Gaunt 171 Granuellans oration at Wormes 174 George of Austryche apprehended at Lions 184 God offreth hys worde before he Plageth 185 Gropper commended Bucer 187 Gwelphians eodem Gibellines whiche were names of the Emperiall eodem Geneua 192 Grashopper in Germany and Italy 193 Gropper forsaketh the gospel 202 Greate Princes sue for the Popes fauour 305 Griniam the French ambassador 309 Granuellan his answer to the Lantzgraue 409 General counsel promised 72 Great slaughter 105 Great alteration in England 113 Great assemble at Regenspurge 176 Gonzage gouerne of Millane 501 God is not the author of wrong 263 Gropper had the spoile of Frede. 277 Godly preachers flie 315 Ganimede nourished by the pope 348 God woundeth and healeth 357 Germany the fortresse of Christendom 394 George duke of Megelburge slain 408 Great frendship betwixt duke Maurice and Marques Albert. 422 George Earle of Mount Pelicart marieth the Lantzgraue daughter 453 Gospell is slaundred wyth rebellyon 63 Godly constancye of the Duke of Saxons children 322 H HEbrue bookes of thre sortes 20 How the scripture muste be handled 22 Honoures chaunge manners 23 Henrye King of Englande wryteth against Luther 34 How the yoke of Papistes is to be shaken of 48 Henry Zutphan put to death 50 How the magistrate should deale wyth the Papistes 58 How wicked dominion is to be shaken of 58 Hunting hauking and fishinge prohited 60 How ministers should be ordained 62 Hipocrisy of bishops 75 How scripture should be expounded 82 Hugh Capet Earle of Paris 101 How a free counsell is to be vnderstaÌ„d 111 Hirman Stapred 128 Heldus the Emperoures ambassador 143 Heldus Oration at Smalcald eodem Harlots honored at Rome 157 Hatred betwixt counsellers 170 His arme discomfited 184 Howe the Turkes atcheued the Empyre 187 His death 194 His weakenes before the king 202 Holy men haue had leagues wyth men of contrary Religion 211 Hermon leueth his Bishopprick 277 How miserable is it for the Quene for to marry with a straunger 311 He that doth against his conscience procureth him self hel fire 316 Hallowing of churches 333 Hallowing of Belles 334 Hallowing of altares 334 Hedeck and Mansfield discomfyted by Duke Morice 352 How much the papistes esteme Scripture 383 Heldius answer 147 I IHon Tecel a Dominican Frier set vp conclusyons at Frankfurt 1. Indulgences to be vsed after the Canon law 2. Iames Hogestrate wrote againste Luther 3. Ihon Wickliffe an English man 32 Ihon Husse a Boheme eodem Ihon Husse appealeth froÌ„ the pope eo Ihon Husse and Ierom of Prage burned eodem Iniquity procedeth froÌ„ the priestes 40 It is not lawful for vs to kil any maÌ„ 43 Images burnt at Zurick 48 Ihon Fredericke of Saxon marrieth Sthel of Cleaue 74 Ihon Uaivodes letters to the states of th empyre 76 Ihon Uayuodes ambassadors takeÌ„ 77 Images put downe 80 Images burnt on Ashwedensday eod Inas king of Brittain 114 Idle Nunnes marchant women 120 Ihon Leidan an Anabaptiste 128 Ihon Mathew the high Prophet 130 Iesting punished eodem Ihon Leidan inuadeth the kingdoÌ„ eo Ihon Leidans pompe 131 Ihon Husse at Constance 199 Ihon Caluin and Peter Bruly superintendantz of the Colledge of Stras borough 168 Ihon Isleby chief of the Antimo 172 Inuectiues vnmete for princes 174 Ioy in France at themperors losse 185 Ihon Miners president of the Counsel at Agnes 219 Iustus Ionas asked whether we shall know eche other in the life to come 232 Ihon Diaze a Spaniard 233 Ihon Isseby a Reuolt 310 It is daunger to vse forain aides 311 Ihon Marques of BraÌ„deÌ„burge refuseth thinterim 315 Isseby rewarded of themperor 320 Inquisitions of Uergetius 320 Iuly the third consecrated bishop 343 Interrogatories for the Ministers of Auspurge 383 Ihon Sleidan ambassador for Strausburg to thempire 373 Ihon Frederick demaundeth laÌ„ds and dignities 423 Ihon a Laisco a Polonian 432 Interrogatories Ministred to the Abbot of Newstat 436 Ioy at Rome for Englande reduced to the Romish church 443 Indulgences graunted by the Pope for the conuersyon of England eodem Ihon Fredericke the electours Sonne marieth 451 Ihon Gropper made Cardinall 461 Ihon Sleidane dieth 470 Iudges of the chamber trouble the protestauntes 123 Ihon Laydon parradocsises 131 Iudges of the chambre 144 Ignorannce of the people is gaine full to the priestes 150 Iudges of the chambre shal kepe theyr place 212 Ignoraunce of the people for lacke of teachinges 237 Interim permitteth Priestes to keepe theyr wines stil 313 K KInges of Naples paye Tribute to Rome 11. King Henry the eighte calleth hys mariage in question 113 Kingdoms destroid for Idolatry 185 Kinges of Fraunce moste addict to the Pope 200 King HeÌ„ry banished the Pope but not Popery 278 King Ferdinando moueth the Bohemers to warre 279 King of Fraunces fautour of â—ear 282 King Fardinandoes letters to the Bohemers 286 King Fardinando requyreth mouye of the states 314 King Phillip inuested in Flaun. 337 Kinges haue long armes 279 King Edward sore sicke 408 King Fardinando proclaimeth warre against Albert. 408 King Phillip arriueth in Eng. 437 Kinge Phillippe came to his father to Brurels 453 King Phillip entreth into And. 462 King Fardmando goeth into Boheme 466 King of Denmarke slieth 41 King of England wryteth to the princes of Sarony 44 Kinges sonnes are pledges 69 King of Hongary slain 71 King Henry hated againste the Pope 114 Kinges supper and murder 132 King of England patrone of the Protestauntes league 139 King Edward the .vi. borne 154 King of Englande refuseth the Counsell eodem King of Englande hated of the Pope eodem King of England maried the .vi. wife 187 Kinges purgation 191 King of Denmarke warreth vppon the imperials 266 King of England warneth the Protestaunts of the daunger 227 King of Denmarke aided not the Protestauntes 275 King is apparelled like a deacon 292 L LUthers letters to the Bishoppe of Mentz 1. Luthers questioÌ„s at

wherevpon by the way is spoken of Iuly his actes and of the sayd counsell In the meane while the Diuines of Louayne condemne Luthers Bokes In his defence the articles of Picus Erle of Mirandula the Questions of Ockam and the controuersie of Rewcline with the same Diuines are recited Seyng him selfe assayled with so many enemies he writeth to themperour and shortely after to tharchbishoppes of Mentz and of Marseburge Duke Fridericke beyng aduertised that he had cuill will at Rome by reason of Luther he maketh his purgation by letters Luther in lyke case And yet this notwithstanding the Pope by an extreme Bulle doeth excommunicate Luther who contrary to a decree of Mantua by the waye recited maketh his appellation hauinge set forthe in Print a Boke of the captuitie of Babilon The emperour at the same tune goeth to be crowned at Acon the solemnities and maner whereof be there recited The Pope beginneth agayne to sollicite Duke Fridericke agaynst Luther but nothing preuailyng he causeth Luthers workes to be burnt and likewise Luther burneth the Popes Decretals and sheweth the cause why afterwarde he aunswereth Ambrose Catarine who had written agaynst him WHen Charles Meltice that was sent from Leo the tenthe vnto Duke Fredericke with the golden Rose perceiued howe Luthers doctryne was so farre spreade abroade and so highly estemed of many that it shoulde be hearde and almost vnpossible to quench it he sought all meanes possible to heale the wounde with a plaster of reconciliation Wherfore after longe conferens with Luther and his frendes at the last the meanes was fouÌ„de that Luther should write his letters to the Bishop reportyng of hym muche honour And so did he at the request of his Frendes aboute the syxte day of Aprill The tenure of his letters was this that albeit he had appealed from him to the Counsel Yet neuerthelesse he ceased not to make his prayers vnto God for his healthe And for as much as he is sore blamed to haue hurt and offended his name and dignitie he is hartely sorye to be so charged and this to be the cause of his writinge at this present signifiynge that in dede he hathe bene earnest in rebukyng of vice and errours but hath euermore written of him right honorablie as it is to be sene in his bokes And in that he doth so frankely taunte false doctrine he doeth it by the example of Christe his Prophetes and Apostles but that such reprehensions and holsome admonishementes can as yet take no place to be long of naughtie flatterers which tickle men in the eares And that he regardeth gods glory and seeketh onely that the truth might appere if he may this obtaine to be willinge ynough to giue place in other matters but to leaue of the professyng of Gods veritie he can by no meanes Then commeth he to the Court of Rome as they call it and sayeth it is more corrupt wicked then euer was Sodome or Babilon and that there caÌ„ be no more mischiefe wrought then is there no not of Antichrist him selfe wherefore he is sory that he is there as a Lambe amonges manye Wolues For Rome is not worthy to haue so good a man to gouerne it that it were muche better for him to be content with a meane benefice or to liue of his owne landes and reuenewes farre from suche pestiferous slatterers whiche to serue their owne lust and ambition do depraue his name and dignitie he addeth that Barnarde bewailed the state of Eugenius when Rome was better then it is at this present but now for asmuche as it is the most filthy sinke of al the places in the Uniuersall worlde and a rakehell heaped of all mischief he ought much more to be lamented And this to be the cause why he inueighed so soore agaynst it whiche appertayneth nothing to his reproche but rather to his saluation and he would wishe that all learned men woulde set on with touch and nayle to ouercome that Monstre Touching the thing it selfe whan he had set forth certeine litle bokes and sawe that his attempt was vayne he was willyng to haue left of his enterprise imployed all his frudye to the profite of his bretherne in the same house but than rose vp Eccius who disturbed all these quiet cogitations and desyred leasure wherin he did nothing els but more aptely disclose the shame wickednes of Rome After he toucheth in fewe wordes howe he was vsed before Cardinal Caietane who he saieth might haue appeased all the matter if it had pleased him vnto whom the faulte is to be imputed if any thinge be a misse not to him And that afterwarde came Charles Meltice who had quieted the kinge had it not bene for the importune disputation of Eccius whiche prouoked him to reason matters agaynst his will and is in dede his enemie which fyrst of all men kindled this fyre And nowe for asmuch as he was requested by Melticius others his betters to write to him in the waye of submission he would refuse nothing that appertained to reconcilement First therfore he required him that his aduersaries might kepe silence not raile vpon him as they did secondarely that he were not driuen to recante or bounden to interprete the scriptures after the prescript of maÌ„ for the doctrine of the Gospell which bringeth libertie to the myndes of men can not be bounden within any certen limites if these thynges may be graunted him he is content to do any thinge so that it lyeth in him nowe to ende the strife if he will vnderstande the matter commaunde either partie to silence But herein he must chiefely beware of flatterers and with a deafe eare sayle besydes theyr songes as the enticementes or daungerous rockes of the Sirenes which ascribe vnto him a godlines and affirme him to be the head of all the world preferring him aboue all generall counselles for there is nothing more pestiferous than is this kynde of Parasites but that he credite them rather which admonishe him of his dewtie and put him in remeÌ„braunce that he is a man and this to be the dewtie of a very frende Finally he dedicateth to him his booke which he had lately written of Christen libertie commendinge the same in fewe wordes for that it conteyned the summe of trew doctrine In the begynning of the springe time Themperour taketh shippinge in Spaine to sayle into Englande where he was royally receiued of kynge Henry the eight who had maried hys Aunte Katherine which amonges other kyndes of his princelike liberalite builded a goodlye lodginge purposely for him vpon the Riuer of Themse called Bridewell and from thens he sayled into Flaunders where he was ioyefully receyued of almen About the same time duke Fridericke fell sore sicke Wherfore Luther compiled a boke to coÌ„forte him and in his letters to him he saith it is the coÌ„maundemeÌ„t of Christ that amonges other workes of Charitie whiche we oughte to

Religion that excepte their Bybles all other Bookes shoulde be burned This was in the yere of our Lorde a thousande fiue hundred and ten Reuchline which was both a lawier and right skilful in the Hebrewe tongue when he had receiued the Archbishoppes letters he wrote againe his mynde and said how the Hebrewes bokes were of three sortes there were Histories Bookes of Phisicke and of Prophecies and these laste to also of dyuers sortes in the whiche albeit there were many fonde and supersticiouse thinges yet are they for this purpose profytable for that they will serue well to confute their Errours and their dotages This his opinion he sente to the Archebyshoppe sealed After that Phefercorne knewe this he made not a lytell a doe but set oute a Booke agaynste him callinge hym the fautoure and defendour of the Iewes Reuchline in the defence of his estimation aunswereth him with another by the which he offended certein vniuersities but especially Collen in the which were then of moste reputation Iames Hogostrate and Arnolde ToÌ„gre who wrot an Inuectiue against him in like case as Phefercorne had done dedicating the same to theÌ„peror MaximiliaÌ„ And after that they wente to the lawe with him before the Archebyshoppe of Mentz and Hogostrate was plaintife whome Reuchline as his ennemy resused And first aunswered the vlatter by attourney and in fine came him self to Mentz accompanied with diuers gentlemen and other learned men whiche Ulriche Duke of wirtemberge had sent with him but after they had soughte meanes to haue quieted the matter and coulde not he appealeth vnto Rome The Bysshoppe of Rome committeth the hearyng therof to George Palatine Bishop of Spires commaunding that no maÌ„ els shoulde medle with all This notwithstandyng they of Colon condeÌ„ned Reuchlines boke and burned it in the moneth of February in the yere M.D.xiiij This did the Bishoppe of Spires take in maruelous euil part And because the Plaintife beynge called at seuerall tymes as the maner is appered not he geueth sentence with Reucline approuynge his Booke to be good and condemneth this Hogostrate in costes and domage But he to the intent to make this sentence frustrate trauayleth to Rome In the meane time his fellowes at home labored and wrot to Paris and to Lewis the Frenche kinge by the mediation of Erarde Marchiaue Byshoppe of Liege who was at the same tyme greate with Lewis the twelfeth Wherofore the Uniuersitie of Paris after longe debatynge of the matter condempned the booke also as worthye to be burnte and the author to be dryuen to recant and those Hebrews bokes to be brent in like maner as they haue bene in times past This was in Auguste followynge The Duke of Wirtemberge had intreated them by his letters And Reucline him selfe wrote vnto them gentely for that he had bene there studieÌ„t and sent them the Copie of the Sentence pronounced by the Bishoppe of Spires but all was in vaine When this Hogostrate had sued at Rome three yeres and could not preuaile he retourneth home againe as he wente For diuers of the Cardinalles vnto whome Leo committed the hearynge of the matter loued Reuchline intierlye for hys excellente learnynge and amonges others Adrianus that wrote a booke of the Latin tounge He was also commended vnto them by Erasmus of Roterodame whose Epistles in hys behalfe do yet remaine Before the menne of Louaine hadde publyshed theyr sentence of Luther they tooke theyr aduise of Adriane Cardinall of Derthuse in Spayne a Hollander borne and brought vp amonges them at Louaine by whome they were boldned to do it Wherefore when Luther had so manye and so greate ennomyes he wrote an Epistle to the newlye created Emperoure Charles the fifte and fyrste crauynge pardone that beinge a manne of so lowe degree he shoulde attempt to write to so highe a Prince he saithe the matter is weightye that causeth him to doe it and altogether suche as appertaineth to the glory of Christ signifying how he had written certaine bokes whiche had procured him the displeasure of manye through no desert of his for he was broughte into this contention by his aduersaries agaiust his wikhe had muche rather haue setten still but this hath bene his chief and only studye that the pure doctrine of the go spell might appere against the false traditions of men and that many good and excellent learned men can beare witnes of the same And this to be the cause of all the hatred disdaine reproches pearils and displesures that he hath bene in these thre yeres that he had done as much as lay in him that the matter might be taken vp But the oftner that he sought quietnes the more were his aduersaries offended and where he hath oftentimes required them to shew him wherin he had erred and to teach better thinges hitherto they haue aunswered in maner nothing but by railing wordes and cruell iniuries sekinge only how to quench both him and the doctrine of the Gospell For the which causes he is now constrained to vse the last remedy and after the ensamples of Athanasius to flie vnto him for succour besechynge him to take vpon him the tuition of the christian doctrine and to defende him againste all violence and iniurie till the matter be further knowen that he will desyre no defence in case he be proued to maynteyne an euill cause but desyreth onely that the thing may be tried and knowen and nothing to be determined before That this apperteineth to his office and for this cause hath he this highe power geuen him of God to minister Iustice and to mainteine right and equitie And to defende the pore and weake agaynst the iniuries of the stronger In like effect he writeth after that to all the states of the Empire reciting in fewe wordes howe vnwillynge he was to fall into this contention howe desyrous he hathe bene to haue it taken vp what conditions he hath offered and yet doeth the same Not longe after he writeth to the Archebishop of Mentz Cardinall with greate submission beynge sory as he saieth that he is complained vpon to him by suche as were wont to praise his doinges But he admonisheth him to gyue no credit to talebearers and to beware of Flatterers by the example of kynge Dauid disceaued by the flatteter Siba that he would set a part all sinistrall suspicion of him and of his workes vntill suche time as he had leasure to reade them him selfe for there were two kindes of men that condemned his writinge one was of them that neuer red them another of suche as read them in dede but with a malicious minde these did depraue his doynges wherin if any man coulde fynde any errour and teache him that were better he woulde be glad to folowe it and hathe oftentymes so protested And for asmuche as he trusted well in his great humanitie and was borne and brought vp in the same prouince that he hath cure of he coulde not but write thus vnto hym The

black Freres And he againe affirmed it to be agreable to the Scriptures that he was able to proue the senate of Zuricke called a coÌ„uocation of all the priestes within their Jurisdiction at the .xxix. of January for the controuersie about ReligioÌ„ at what time all men shal be heard there so much as shal be requisite They require also very louingly by theyr letters the Bishop of Constance that either he would come him selfe or sende his deputie Where thefore there came many at the dai appointed amoÌ„ges others Iohn Faber the Bishoppes deputie The Borowmaster speaketh these wordes Forasmuche as great dissention is rysen about Religion therfore this assemblie is called to the inteÌ„t that if any maÌ„ hath ought to say against that doctrine of Zuinglius he may speake the same frely Now had Zuinglius before comprised his doctrine into certein common places and Themes to the nuÌ„bre of .lxvij. and had published the same in all places to the intent men might come to the disputation fournished and prepared And what time the Borowmaster had done speakyng he propouÌ„ded the same againe desyring them to ioyne with hym in disputation There whan Faber had shewed the cause of hys commyng he goeth about to perswade that the place was not mere to decide matters of Religion but that the same apperteineth to a generall counsell whiche he trusted should be shortely But Zuinglius required him to dispute and if he had any thinge to saye not to dissemble the matter he said he would confute his doctrine by writyng After many wordes had betwixt them when neither he nor any other would come forth to dispute the Senate breakynge vp the assemblie commaundeth that throughe out their dominions the traditions of men layde a syde the ghospell should be taught syncerely out of the Bokes of the olde and new Testament â§ The fourth Booke of Sleidanes Commentaries concerning the state of Religion and the common Weale during the Empire of Charles the fyfte â§ The argument of the fourth Booke POpe Adriane by his Ambassadoure vttereth manye thinges and confesseth the wickednes of Rome The Princes of Germany answere him and propounde conditiond of the counsell An alteration is in Denmarke Christierne the kyng sleeth He speaketh of the impostes ouer Germany of the fyrst fruictes and the tenthes Of the dere Mantel of the Archbishops Of the burning of two Austen Freres Of the decree of Norinberge expounded by Luther and of certeine bokes written by him Of the complaint made of him by the kyng of EnglaÌ„d Adriane dieth Clement succedeth him Trouble in Swysserlande for Ê’ uinglius doctrine at Strasbourgh for the mariage of Priestes At the assemblie of Norinberge Cardinall Campegius came Ambassadour from Clemente who prayeth Duke Friderike to be there After hauinge spoken to the Counsell the princes make him aunswere and replie Troubles arrise in Swiserlande againste them of Ê’ uricke who rendre a reason of theyr doctrine to the Ambassadours sent by the other CaÌ„tons The Byshop of Constance defendeth Images and yet not wythstandyng his wrytyng Images were beaten downe through out al the dominion of Ê’ uricke To the foresaid assemblie of â—orinberge themperor sent his Ambassade They of Strasburgh and their Byshop vtter theyr controuersie to Campegius After the sayde assemblie Kynge Ferdinando and others make a league agaynst the Gospell The warre of the Bowres BEsides the former letters Bishop Adrian had prescribed to his Ambassadour what he should furthermore saye and expressed the same in writing Fyrst that he should accompt before the Princes what a grief it was to him that Luther shoulde styrre vp this trouble and sedition for that the thing concerned the losse of soules and destruction of the flocke committed hym of Christ to kepe secondly that it hath chasised in the same cuntreye where he hymselfe was borne which nation was euer furthest of from all suspecion of Heresye Wherfore he desyreth greatly that they would helpe to remedye the matter so soone as might be lest through longer delaye the same thinge happen vnto Germany as dyd to the lande of Boheme Affyrmyng that he wyll neyther spare cost nor labour herin beseching them that they will euerye man after his power do the lyke there beynge many weightye causes whie they so oughte to do Fyrste for the glory of Gods holy name which throughe this Heresye is chiefly obscured the Rites and Ceremonies of the Churche defaced and in maner quite abolished the loue of oure neighboure vnto whom Charitie bindeth vs to shewe the right waye For Germany which was wont to haue the chiefe prayse for Religion now by reason of this reuolting theyr fame and estimation groweth in contempt and ignomie For where they might easely haue dispatched Luther also quenched his heresies they would not degenerating herin from their auncestours which left a notable example of theyr vertu at CoÌ„stance Is it not a most open wronge that he doeth both to them and also to theyr elders For where as they folowed the Religion of the catholick churche of Rome nowe by his iudgement that condemneth the same Religion they are all damned Let them wey and consyder with them selues what these fellowes do purpose and intende Uerely vnder pretence of the libertie of the Gospel to subuerte and take away al lawes and Magistrates And albeity t Luther semed in the begynning to impugne onely the ecclesiastical power as tyrranical wicked yet is this his intent that after he hath once perswaded that Christians are by no lawes bounden to obeye the Magistrate he maye open the waye vnto all men to worke what mischief they liste And therfore greate daunger hangeth ouer them also Hitherto they do craftely and traiterouslye hyde theyr purpose and flatter the Magistrate to the intent they may frely vtter theyr malice vpon the clergie but when they be oppressed they wyll doubtles atteÌ„pt further For they may see already by experience what grudge hatred tumultes offences this Heresie hath alreadi brought into the common wealth Whiche euyles vnlesse they be suppressed in time it is to be feared lest God who hathe gyuen them the power of the sworde wyll plage this theyr so great negligence bothe with their owne priuate and also with the common destruction of all Germany For Luther differeth not muche from the secte of Mahomet which permitteth men to mary many wiues and after to forsake the same by the whiche policie that mischieuous man bewitched and allured the greatest part of the worlde whiche thing thoughe Luther permitteth not yet doth he aduise all them to mary which haue vowed chastitie gyuing the reignes of lybertie to mans lust and concupiscens that he maye haue the mo of his confyderacie to the vtter destruction of the common wealthe namely of Germany He sayd therfore to be theyr partes to put in execution the decrees of Leo and Cesar to the intent they may auenge Gods glorye auoyde the sklaunder of the countrey and

before a noble yong man Whom Muncer against the lawes of Armes had slayne wherwith the princes being more displeased caused the trompettes to souÌ„de to the battel set their meÌ„ in order ThaÌ„ Philip Lantzgraue of Hesse though he were yongest of them all ryding vp downe froÌ„ one coÌ„pany to another exhorted the soldioures to be valcauÌ„t And although the thinges were trew wherof they were accused yet were it not lawfull for the subiectes to rebell against their princes or magistrats vnto whom God hath giuen the sword wold haue them obeyed as may be proued by sundry places of Scripture He wente not aboute to execuse eyther his owne faultes or any other Princes but to confesse theyr fault graunt that many thinges ought to be amended yet ought the people neuerthelesse to absteyne from all seditioÌ„ For where they alledge that they are not permitted to haue the doctrine of the Gospel it is no iust cause to make any rebellion Whan Peter stroke with the sworde he was rebuked of Christ if any Princes do persecute the trew religion they ought to beare with them yea suffer death rather than to resist by force of Armes They take the name of the gospell for a cloke but theyr intent is in dede to take other mens goods to sley the Magistrates to force other mens wiues that no crimes should be punished and for asmuche as they pretende the name of holynes in these so shamefull deedes there is no doubte but God wyll plage their Hypocrisie and reuenge the blasphemie of his holye name When he had with these and suche other like wordes encouraged hys men to fyght they gaue the charge on theyr enemies and fyrst wente of the ordinaunce And the other poore wretches standyng all amased and as men rauished of theyr wittes neither defended them selues nor sought theyr saftie by flight but songe in Duche mytre requiringe the aide of the holy ghost For many trustyng to Muncers promise looked for helpe from heauen When the greate peces were shotte of and that they entred theyr campe and had slayne many at the laste they fled towarde the towne of Franckuse others went againe to thother syde of the Hill and in the valley beneth skirmished wyth certeine horsemen and slewe two or three of them For the Horsemen scattered them selues when theyr enemies fledde and folowed the chase oute of a raye But when they missed of their company they wer in such a rage that to reuenge theyr felowes death they slewe fyue thousand And immediatly after the battell was the towne taken and thre hundreth there beheaded Muncer was fled into the Towne and hyd him selfe in a house not farre from the gate Hither by chaunce came a gentleman and his seruaunt goyng vp to see the house founde in a chamber aboue one lying in his bed He asketh what he is and if he be not one of the rebels that fled He sayd nay he had layue there sycke a good whyle of the Ague His Purse as it chaused laye vpon his bed that chatcheth vp the other thinkyng to haue a pece of money After he had opened it he fouÌ„d letters which Albert Countie Mansfelde had sent to Muncer admonishynge him to cease from his enterprise and styrre not vp the people to rebellion When he had red the letters he demaunded of him whether the letters were written vnto him He denied it thother threatened him then he desyred him to be content and confessed that he was Muncer Then was he led to duke George of Saxonie to the LaÌ„tz graue and beynge demaunded of them why he had thus abused the poore and simple people He aunswered that he had done nothinge but his dewtie And that the Magistrates whiche can not abyde Godes word ought thus to be punished The Lantzgraue replied and proued to him by Scriptures howe God hath commaunded the Magistrate to be honoured and obeyed howe he hath forbidden all sedition and that it is not lawfull for anye Christian to reuenge his owne wronge Wherunto he aunswered nothing And beynge examined vpon the Racke when he cried oute for paine The duke said vnto him thou art nowe Muncer in payne but remembre againe the losse of so many men as beyng wickedly abused thys day haue bene distroied Then with a greate laughter he saide they would haue it so Afterwardes being led to Helderunge a towne of the couÌ„tie MaÌ„sseldes vpon the Pymebanke there he appeached many companions confederats of his conspiracie which were beheaded at Mulhuse and amonges others Phifer before mentioned When he should be executed he was not hable to receite his belefe but as Henry duke of BruÌ„swicke saide it before him But when he shoulde die he acknowledged his offence and error And beynge inuironed with soldiours he exhorted the Princes that they would shewe more mercy to poore men and reade ouer diligently the bokes of Scripture that are written of kynges He had no souer spokeÌ„ thus but the sword was in the neck of him and for an exaÌ„ple his head set vp on a pole in the middes of the feldes What time he was banished out of Saxonie as I saide before wanderyng from place to place and at the last as it was reported purposed to come to Mulhuse Luther hearing thereof wrote his letters to the Senate admonishyng them in no case to receiue Muncer For he was a sedicious parson and imagined nothing but murther and mischiefe signifiyng what thinges he had attempted at Alstet and other places Moreouer his doctrine to be fonde and pernicious whereof he wylled them to beware for shortly would his craft be knowen with other frendly wordes which he saide if they contempted and fell after into misery he shold be without blame that had so diligently warned them and they should repente them to late Likewise before anye tumolt was in Germany And yet all thynges lyke to come to suche a passe Luther set forth a boke wherein he warned all men to abstayne from sedition declaryng that the same is not the way to refourme the tyrrany of the Clergie which shall fall and be confounded by no force of men but by the spirite of God and commyng of our Sauior Christ as appere in Daniell and sainct Paule This to be the grounde of hys opinion and to be right well assured that they that seke to redres the thinge by force of Armes shall trauaile in vayne Yet for so muche as some great tumult and daunger haÌ„geth ouer the Cleargie the thing requireth counsell he wyll Franckly declare his opinion And fyrst to be the Magistrates dewtie to foresee that the people susteine no hinderaunce through the fault of others And that trew religion be not defaced by false doctrine This to be theyr propre office to vse all theyr power that is giuen them to the glory of God and welth of the people But for as muche as they do the contrary and let one

therfore departing from Wittenberge as before is mentioned had kept familiaritie with those secrete teachers that fayned themselues to see visions and to haue talke with God for the whiche causes the Dukes of Saxony had banyshed hym out of his countrey And he had set forth bookes against Luther and his fellowes callyng them newe flatterers of the Romyshe byshop and suche as taught amysse concernyng the masse confession of synnes Images and other thinges And those wordes of Christ This is my body he interpreted thus here sytteth my body and rayleth on the Duke for exylyng hym but layde all the blame in Luther Whereunto Luther aunswered at large defendyng his opinions and affirmed the cause to be iust wherfore the prince had banyshed him Now after this sedition was opressed the armies of the commoners discoÌ„fited and many executed dayly in al places Carolostadius beyng afrayde of his own parte coÌ„pyleth a booke wherin he pourgeth him selfe ryght dilygentlye affirmynge that they doe vnto hym great iniurye that reporte hym to be one of the authors of this seditioÌ„ And writiÌ„g his letters to Luther desyreth hym earnestly to set forth this same booke to defende his innocensie that he be not vniustly condempned and neuer come to his aunswere Luther wryting an epistle that all be it he dissented much from hym yet for asmuche as in this distresse he fleeth vnto hym for sucour he sayeth he would not disceyue his expectacion herein considering chiefly that this is the very dewtye of a Christenman Wherfore he desyreth the Magistrates and all others in generall that in so muche as he vtterlye denyeth the thyng that is layde to his charge and refuseth not to come to his answere before any lawful iudge the same might be grauÌ„ted him whiche standeth both with equitie and iustice After this Carolostadius sendeth Luther an other boke wherin he protesteth that suche thinges as he wrote of the Lordes supper was not to defyne or determine any thing but by way of disputatioÌ„ to searche out the truth Luther admitteth the excuse but he warneth al men to beware of his opinion for so much as he is doubtful in it him selfe or els if thei doubt in lyke case to suspende their iudgement tyl such tyme as it be certenly knoweÌ„ what to beleue therin for in thynges that we must beleue we ought not to doubte or wauer but to be so certen that rather than to forsake our opinion we should not refuse to dye a thousand tymes In those dayes Luther maried a Nunne wherby he gaue occasion to his aduersaries to speake euyll of hym For than they sayd playnly he was madde and became the seruaunt of the deuill At this tyme Zwynglius the minister of the congregation at Zurick agreing with Luther in all other thynges dissented from him touching the lordes supper For those wordes of Christ this is my body Luther vnderstode barely and symply after the texte of the letter admitting none other interpretation affirming the bodye and bloude of Christe to be verely in the bread and wyne and so to be receyued with the mouthe also but Zuinglius taketh it to be a trope or a fygure as many others mo are to be found in the Scriptures and expouÌ„deth the wordes thus This signifieth my body Wherunto subscribed Oecolampadius a preacher at Basill interpretyng it thus This is a signe of my body The matter was haÌ„dled on eyther syde with much contention wryting The SaxoÌ„s held the opinioÌ„ of Luther the Zwicers of Zwynglius There followed others which did expouÌ„d it otherwise but they all agreed in this opinion that the body blud of Christ is receiued spiritnally not corporally nor with the mouth but with the hart This coÌ„tention endured the space of .iii. years at the last by the meanes of the Lantgraue they came to a coÌ„munication at Marburg as hereafter you shal here Also the couÌ„sel of thempire appointed a litle before at Auspurg because few came thither by reason of the tumultes in Germany was proroged to the first of May in the next yeare folowyng at the which time Ferdinando put theÌ„ in hope that the Emperour would be there him self and the place was appointed at Spyres Neuerthelesse it was decreed that in the meane tyme the preachers should expound the scriptures to the people after the mindes of the doctours whiche the churche had receiued and not to teache sediciously but so as Gods name may be gloryfied quietnes maintained Whilest Fraunces the French kyng was prisoner in Spayne Ales his mother had the gouernment Who to kepe in the byshop of Rome signified vnto him by letters messagers what a zeale and affection she bare towardes him and the churche of Rome Wherupon ElemeÌ„t the seuenth writing to the court of parliament in Paris signifieth how he vnderstode by her that certen heresies began to spring vp in Fraunce against the auncient faith and religion how they haue wittely forseing the thing chosen certen men to punishe such offendours whiche thing he confirmeth also by his authoritie wyllyng them to be diligent herein both for Gods glory and also for the welth of the Realme With many other faire wordes of exhortation to perseuer in so doing Which letters being dated at Rome the xx day of May were deliuered to the Senate at Paris the .xvij. daye of Iune Moreouer in the kinges absence the diuines of Paris had so euill entreated Iames Faber of Stapulles who hathe written dyuers workes both of Philosophie and diuinitie that they droue hym out of Fraunce Wherof the kyng being certified by the lettres of his sister Margaret which loued Faber for his vertue writeth to the Senate of Paris in his behalfe geuyng him a Godlye testimony for his learnyng and vertue and that he is in much estimation amonges the Italians and Spanyardes wherfore he wileth them to surcease and let the action falle till his retourne or his pleasure further knowen beyng assured that it is by euyl wyll commenced against hym by the doctours of Serbone for the matter was heard before his commyng from home These letters being dated at Madricea town in Spayn the .xij. of Nouembre were delyuered at Paris the .xxviij. of the same moneth It was a thyng geuen to the deuines in tymes paste to rayle vpon learned men the cause was that they sawe their ignoraunce dispised This yeare was the state of the common wealth altered in the lande of Pruse the vttermost prouince in Germany bordering on the We shall repete the matter from the beginninge In the Empyre of Henry the syxth the sonne of Frederick Barbarosse what tyme the Christians warred to recouer Hierusalem there was instituted an order of Knyghtes of Germany whiche because they fought for religioÌ„ did weare the whyte crosse on their garmeÌ„ts as a badge of their profession This was the yeare of our Lorde M. C. and foure score and ten The first maister of that order was chosen

as it is reported in the Campe before the cytie of Ptolomais After wardes dyd they subdue Pruse lande when Frederick the second was Emperour And after they had kept warres of long tyme with the kynges of Polande beyng vanquyshed in battell they became subiect geuyng their fidelitie by an othe to Casunire kyng of Pole the father of Sigismund From the first maister to the Marques Albert of BrandeÌ„burg were thritty and thre This Albert being chosen the yeare of our Lorde M.D.xi. kept great warres for two yeares together with Sigismunde kyng of Polle And in the yeare M.D.xxi. there was a trewce takeÌ„ for .iiij. yeares In this tyme Albert sued oft to the Emperour and the states of the Empyre for ayde and commyng to the councell at Nurrenberg wherof we haue ofte tymes spoken had his place amonges them as a Prynce of the Empyre For the cause of the warre was that he wold not be sworue to the kyng But what tyme the Emperour was empeched with the Frenche warres and the Turke inuaded Hongary and Germany was so tourmoyled with the sedition of the communaltie that no ayde was to be looked for from thence and the tyme of the trewce was expyred he maketh peace with the kyng of Pole geuyng hym him his faythe as to his suprome Magistrate receyue the doctrine of the Gospell alteryng the order he taketh Pruse for his own And he that before was maister no we by the kynges assente is called Duke of Pruse And shortly after he maried Dorothe the daughter of Frederick kyng of Denmarke and foundeth the vniuersitie of Conningsberge called the kynges mount Wherby he had the displeasure of all the order for al be it he kept the countrey and was supported here in by the kyng of Pole yet by a common assent was chosen in his rowme Walther Cronberge which shold represent the auncieÌ„t name and dignitie who after in all assemblies complayned vpon hym greuously Againe he defended his cause by wrytyng declaryng howe he was dryuen by extreme necessitie beinge vtterly forsaken of the Empyre to submytte hym selfe vnto the kyng There is an epistle of Leo the tenth to Sigismunde and Alberte exhorting them vnto concord and eyther to committe their matter to his legate whiche he wold sende or to the counsell of Laterane for that it is moste conuenient that the coÌ„trouersies of Princes shold be decided and determined by generall counselles âœš The syxthe Booke of Sleidanes Commentaries concerning the state of Religion and the common Weale during the Empire of Charles the fyfte â§ The argument of the syxth Booke LUther wrote to the kyng of England and to Duke George but thei both reiected the same Christerne kyng of DeÌ„marke had moued Luther to do so the sycknes of the Frenche king duryng his imprysonment hasted the treaty of Madrice The king being deliuered his two Sonnes were geuen as pledges Whylest the estates were assembled at Spyres aboute matters of Religion the Turke entreth into Hongarry A disputation was hoÃ¯oen at Baden in Swycherlande Pope Element and the Frenche kynge make a league The Emperour and the kyng complayne sore the one of the other Rome is sacked by the Duke of Burbon The Frenche kyng sendeth Lawtrecke into Italy The secte of Anabaptistes beginneth A disputation is kept at Bernes for a reformation A contention betwyxt Ferdinando and the Uayuode Paccius is beheaded at Andwarpe The Emperour and the Frenche kyng offer them selues to the combat The Masse is abolished at Strasburge Troubles at Basyll for relygion The CaÌ„â—ous Papistes make a league with Ferdinando An assembly is holden at Spyres where the name of Protestauntes hath his begynning Ciuile warre emonges the Swychers a treate of peace at Cambray Uienna beseged of the Turke The sweatyng sycknes The Protestantes make a league YOu haue heard heretofore howe the kynge of Englande wrote agaynst Luther and Luther agaynst hym But when he had hearde certen thynges that sounded muche to the kynges coÌ„mendation delighted with that reporte he writeth to hym with great submission Doubting not but he had sore offended his hyghnes by setting forth his booke neuerthelesse he dyd it not so muche of his own accorde as by the instigation of others And where as he is so bolde to trouble hym with hys letters at this present it proceadeth of his Prynclyke humanitie whiche is hyghly commended of manye Moreouer for that he vnderstandeth howe the bookes set forthe agaynst hym were not of hys owne doynge but wrytten of certen Sophisters whiche full craftely tooke an occasion And speakynge here by occasion of the Cardinall of Yorke he calleth hym the plage of Englande And that he heareth moreouer to his great comforte howe that his grace mislyketh that naughtye sorte of men and gyueth his mynde to the knowledge of the truthe Wherfore he besecheth hym to pardon hym that one facte And that it woulde please hym to remembre that syns he is a man mortall he ought not to beare ennemytie immortall And if he shal commaunde him he wyl confesse his faulte openly and commende his pryncelike vertues in an other worke After he exhorteth his maiestie to gyue no eare to sklaunderous tales that reporte him to be an heretyke For the chief point of his doctrine is how al we must be saued by fayth in Christ whiche bare the punyshement of our synnes on his necke shoulders and al his body who dyed for vs rose agayne reigneth with his father for euer And this to be the doctrine of all the Prophetes and Apostles This foundatioÌ„ ones layde he teacheth the dewty of charitie what one ought to do for an other howe we must obey the magistrate and applye our whole lyfe to the profession of the Gospel If there be anye errour or wyckednes in this doctrine why do not his aduersaries shewe it hym Why do they condeÌ„pne and banyshe him beyng neyther examined nor conuicted where as he writeth against the byshop of Rome and his adherentes he doeth it for that they teache contrary to Christ his Apostles for their owne gayne and lucre to the intent they may coÌ„maunde all men lyue lyke gluttons in all voluptuousnes for vnto this ende tende all their denises and doinges whiche thing is so well tryed and knowen that they them selues can not deny it but in case they wold amende their liues and not leade this idle beastly lyfe to the losse iniury of manye the stryfe myght sone be quieted Diuers prynces and cities in Germany haue embraced his doctrine acknowledging it reuerently to be Gods benefite and he woulde gladlye wyshe that he myght also be accoÌ„pted in that nombre And where as the Emperour and certen others do attempte thynges agaynsthym it is no newes For Dauid hathe prophecied longe synce that kynges and other people should conspire and imagine many thynges agaynst the Lorde and his annoynted reiectyng his lawes and commaundementes So that when he considereth suche places of Scripture he maruayleth

that there is anye Prynce that should fauour the doctrine of the Gospell Fynally he requyreth hym that he may receyue a gentle aunswere And not longe after he wryteth also to George Duke of Saxony signifyinge howe God hath accustomed in the beginning to chastise meÌ„ seuerely sharpely but after geÌ„tly louiÌ„gly to embrace the same he was aterrour a feare to the Iewes whaÌ„ he gaue theÌ„ the law by Moses but after by the preachig of the gospel he shewed theÌ„ great ioye gladnes that he hath followeth the same maner in haÌ„dling some ouer roughly euen him for one but yet since hath he writteÌ„ other thingesful of fruite coÌ„solatioÌ„ wherby it is easy to se that he taketh al this payn to profit others of no euil will but of a zeale he beareth to the truth And where as he heareth that he relenteth nothing in the displeasure that he beareth hym but increaseth his malice against him daily more and more that is the cause whye he nowe wryteth vnto hym desyryng him to surcease to persecute his doctrine whiche is consonaunt to the writinges of the Prophetes and Apostles he admonysheth him also to haue no respect to the basenes of his persone for the matter is not his but Gods almighty Al be it that all men should fret fume therat yet shall this doctrine continue for euer And therfore it greueth him the more that he is so muche offended with the same which he may in no wise forsake and yet for that he seketh to gratisie him he desyreth to be forgeuen if he hath spoken any thing sharpely against him he wil agayne craue pardon of God for him in that he hath persecuted the Gospel doubteth not but he shal obtein so that he leaue of in time seke not to extin gwishe that great lyght of the Gospel that appereth nowe vnto al the worlde For if he so procede he will pray for Gods helpe against him doubteth not but his prayer shal be heard whiche he taketh to be stroÌ„ger than all the craftes of the deuyll which alwayes is his refuge and moste assured defence Whan the kyng of Englande had receiued Luthers letters he made a sharpe aunswer defendeth his boke whiche he sayeth is well accepted of diuers good and well learned men And where as he hathe rayled on the reuerend Father the Cardynall of Yorke he marueyleth nothing therat which can not abstayne froÌ„ the contumelies both of men sainctes he sayth the Cardinall is a necessarye instrument for hym and his whole Realme And where he hath loued hym before dearelye well nowe wyll he set by hym ten tymes more consyderyng that he myslyketh hym For amoÌ„ges other thinges this doeth he forsee with great dylygence that none of his Leprosye contagion and heresye do infecte any parte of his Realme After he casteth in his teeth his incestuouse marryage whiche is a vyce moste detestable This Cardinalles name was Thomas Wulsey a Buchers sonne of Ipswyche but in hyghe authoritie wyth hys Prynce Lykewyse Duke George made Luther suche an aunswere as a man myght well perceyue what mortall hatred he bare hym When the Ambassadours of Fraunce whiche were sent into Spayne for a peace amonges whome was Margaret the Frenche kynges syster a wydowe could brynge nothyng to passe Ales his mother whiche had the gouernaunce for her ayde and defence founde the meanes to bryng into her league and amitie Henry the kynge of Englande whiche was done in the moneth of Auguste The fyrst and chiefest poynt of this league was that the violens of the Turkes and the pestiferous secte of Luther should be dryuen kept out which is no lesse daungerous then the Turkes be The Cardinal of England whiche might do al at the tyme was thought to haue perswaded the king vnto this league for he bare the Emperour no great good wil for that he toke him to haue bene thonly let that he was not choseÌ„ bishop of Rome after the death of AdriaÌ„ as in dede certeÌ„ of theÌ„perours haue expressed in their writinges Whan Luther red the kyng of Englandes aunswere in printe and sawe that he ascribeth to him vnconstancie as though he had chaunged his opinion considering how this did not concerne his owne priuate iniurie but the professioÌ„ of the gospel he toke the matter heuely that to gratifie his frendes he made so humble a submission In lyke maner he intreated geÌ„tly both by word and writing Christerne kyng of Denmarck that he wold receiue the pure doctrine trusting to haue preuayled with gentlenes and nowe he perceiued how farre he is abuse The lyke thinge happened vnto him in Cardinal Caietane in George Duke of Saxonie in Erasmus of Roterdame vnto whome he hath written frendly at the request of others and hath obtayned therby nothynge els but made them more fierce cruell to be fondely done of him to thinke that he coulde haue fouÌ„de godlines in the courtes of Princes that sought for Christ wher sathan ruleth or loketh for John Baptist amonges theÌ„ that were clothed in purple Wherfore seing that he can not preuaile by this gentle and freÌ„dly kinde of writing he wil take an other order froÌ„ henceforth The frenche kyng for that the treaty of peace toke not place through a great thought and pensiuenes fel syck but comforted again by the gentle talke of the Emperour who bad he should be of good chere he began to be somewhat better The Emperour also waying with hym selfe what a pray he should lose if any thyng chaunced vnto him other wise then wel inclyned his mynde to peace daylye more more wherfore the .xiiii. daye of January then concluded of all thynges at Madrice in the whiche wryting emonges other thynges is this recited that the Emperour the kyng haue this respect chiefly that the ennemies of the christian religion and the heresies of Luthers secte should be extyrped and that the peace being concluded they shall set an ordre in the common welth and moue warre against the Turkes and Heretikes that be out of the communion of the churche for this is verye nedefull and the byshop of Rome hath often warned them and bene in hande with them to applye this thing diligently wherfore the rather to satissye his request they are determyned to entreate hym that he would appoynte a certaine daye in some place conuenient for the Ambassadours of all Prynces to assemble in hauyng ful power authoritie to agree vpon all suche thynges as shal be good and requisite as well for the Turky she warres as also for the wedyng out of Heretikes In this peace makyng was Elenor the Emperours syster which had bene maryed to Emanuell kyng of Portugall beyng espoused to the Frenche kynge the Emperour promyseth to gyue hym for her dowery two thousand ducates certen landes in high Burgundy For the which they were at controuersie And the kynge shall within two monethes

appeale to a general counsell in the same maye all griefes be decyded and I requyre that the same maye be called so shortlye as may be Where he speaketh of two lightes he followeth herein the wordes of Innocentius the thyrd which applieth the two great lyghtes that God created the one to guyde the day the other the nyght to the byshops and princelyke dignitie But that whiche ministreth Godly thinges to be muche more excellent then that which gouerneth polytike matters only And loke what different is betwyxte the sonne and the mone so great a diuersitie is there betwyxt the office of the high byshop a kinges office Whan Cesar had made this aunswere to ClemeÌ„t he wryteth also to the coledge of Cardinalles the sixt day of October signifiyng that he is not a little sory to heare that byshop Clement is confederated with the French kyng who reneweth warre agaiÌ„st him afreshe how the bishop hath sent him letters of defiance which he supposeth were writteÌ„ by their coÌ„mon assent wherat he marueleth not a little considering there is no kyng that beareth more loue and affection to the churche of Rome than he Witnes Parma Placence whiche being cities of the Empyre and plucked from it of late he hath not withstanding restored to the churche all be it he was by no ryght bounde so to do And the princes and states of Germanye coÌ„playned vnto him at Wormes of sondry iniuries done by the courte of Rome and required a recompence but he for a singular loue naturall inclination towardes the churche of Rome passed ouer their requestes with deaf eares And where as great sedition and trouble ensued therupon through out all Germanye and the Princes there had appointed another counsel he for the indemnitie of the bishop church of Rome countremaunded the same vnder a great penaltie and to appease their myndes he put them in hope of a general counsell to be holden out of hande Wherfore the byshop hathe done hym great iniury whiche hath done so muche for his sake that he hath by the same meanes lost the good wylles of the princes of the Empire he desyreth them therfore to admonyshe the byshop of his duty that he appointe a counsell and perswade hym to incline his mynde to peace rather then to warre whiche if he refuse and wyll differre the counsell that then they would call it for if the christian coÌ„mon wealth susteyne any losse or dammage eyther for the want of a counsell or for long delaye of the same it ought not hereafter to be imputed to him After the newes came out of Hongary of the great ouerthrowe there the prynces set forward their Ambassade appointed at Spires to the Emperour with the great spede And for the more expedition they intreate the FreÌ„che kyng to graunt them a saufeconduicte to passe into Spayne through Fraunce whiche he graunted prescribing them a certen tyme to passe in and toke an occasion hereby to wryte vnto them the .vj. of Octobre That for the losse of Hongary the death of Lewis the kynge and the daunger that approched Germany he had conceiued an inwarde sorowe in his minde and nothyng lesse lamented that the publique wealth also peryshed through ciuile warres it was not surely loÌ„g of him that Christome is not quiet but this to be the Emperours faulte who refuseth al honeste and reasonable conditions of peace And for so much as he is neither moued with the coÌ„mon losse destruction nor with the moste vnworthy death of his brother in lawe king Lewis nor yet with the miserable estate of his owne sister now a wydowe nor coÌ„sidereth not in what daunger standeth Austriche they shal do wel according to their dutie if they can exhorte perswade him vnto peace to kepe loue amitie with kinges that dwell nere hym and refrayne this vnmeasurable couetousnes for this should be more honorable for hym than if he styll endeuour to get other mens landes and possesse all him selfe alone his progenitours kynges of Fraunce haue often times fought many battelles with the ennemies of christentie the same myght nowe be done with their powers ioyned in one if the Emperour be so mynded wherfore in case they can deuise to bring this thing to passe he wyll bestowe on the Turkyshe warre al his force and him selfe also but if not no man blame hym if he assaye to recouer by force of armes suche thynges as by good wyll he can not for it staÌ„deth him vpon rather to seke for peace which is nerer the Turkes daunger thaÌ„ he is Whan Cesar was aduertysed of these letters the .xxix. of NoueÌ„bre he writeth to the Princes and first he rehearseth howe mercyfully and gently he vsed the Frenche kynge prysoner howe he set hym at lybertie howe he gaue hym in marriage his eldest syster to hym in degree of succession the seconde And where as he all thynges beyng quyeted as he supposed was takynge his iourney into Italye to the entent he myghte bende hys whole force agaynste the perpetuall ennemyes of the Christiane Religion he breakynge his fidelitie and makynge a league wyth Byshop Clement and certen others and deuydynge emonges them the kyngdome of Naples whiche they had alreadye in hope conceyued to be theyr owne Renewed mortall Warre By meanes whereof he coulde not delyuer the countrey of Hongary from the violent fury of the Turkes being forced to defende his owne limites And where as he pretendeth to lament the death of kyng Lewis and destruction of Hongary it is a playne dissimulatioÌ„ to the intent he myght by some meane put to silence such as founde his letters and do constantly affirme that the Turke atteÌ„pted this warre through his instigation When he was in Spayne and synce his retourne home also he confirmed by his letters the obseruation of conue nauntes but for as muche as he hath his kingdome liyng in the middes of all Europe he is carelesse and seketh warres contention therby to make his profite Besides the wrytinge before mentioned there came forth in the French kinges name an Apologie in his defence declaring the causes why he staÌ„deth not to the peace of Madrice Wherunto an answere was made in the Emperours behalf at large For as muche as the Turke had Buda with a great parte of Hongary oppressed the people miserably being a great terrour to Germany CerteÌ„ princes of the Empire consulted at Eslyng to write spedely to the Emperour intreating him to repaire into Germany as shortly as might be in consideration to the great daunger that than hanged ouer the Empire in these letters written the .xix. of DeceÌ„bre they make mentioÌ„ of the Ambassade that they were determined to haue sent vnto hym but because they should haue trauailed through Fraunce the kynge wold graunt them saufe conduict but only for .iiij. monethes wherof one was past before the Ambassadours should mete together the time wold be much shortned Therfore to

auoyd the daunger they haue determined to differ the same vntil the next assemblie of the Empyre whiche they haue appointed at Regensburg the first day of April next folowyng to treate of the Turkysh warre trusting the either by that time they shal haue some better occasioÌ„ to sende or that he shal haue some intelligence of the thing in the meane time Al be it that Cesar wrote thus to the byshop of Rome his Cardinals yet wold it preuaile nothing but the coÌ„federatours sending vnto him Ambassadours as was agreed vpoÌ„ require him to depart froÌ„ his armies to restore Sfortia Duke of Millan to receiue the money for his raunsome send home the kyngs sonnes whome he deteineth as pledges to repay the money that he borowed of the kyng of England hereunto answered the Emperour at Ualolete the .xij. of February That he caÌ„ not dismisse his armies in any short time notwithstaÌ„ding he wil not refuse to take truce for thre yeres or more to seÌ„d the armies on both partes agaiÌ„st the Turke our coÌ„mon ennemie in the meane time to treate of peace Sfortia holdeth his landes of the Empire and is accused of treason he can not therfore be restored before his matter be examyned Wherfore let hym answere to the lawe and his accusers and he wyll appoynt hym indifferent iudges To restore the kynges chyldren vpon the receipte of the money he can not and the same is agaynste the kynges promesse othe and fidelitie Where they require him to repaie the kinge of England his money he marueleth not a litle consydering they haue no coÌ„maundement of him in this matter for the kyng he be such frendes as a mony matter can not breake their frendshyp Wherfore seinge the requestes be vnsitting he willeth them to bryng forth others for his part he wyl do nothyng obstinatly but shal be content to beare with many thinges for the coÌ„mon wealthes sake Wherfore the Ambassadours thus departing without any thing concluded they renewe the warres againe with all their force power In those daies Iohn Frederick sonne heire to the prince electour of Saxony married Sibille daughter to Duke Iohn of Cleaue the lady Catharine that Emperours yongest sister was promysed him writinges made of the same But when this alteratioÌ„ of religion chauÌ„ced in Saxony they swarued froÌ„ their couenauntes And Hawnart which was then Emperours Ambassadour in Germany sayd plainly that there was no promise to be kept with Heretikes following herein as I suppose the fote stepes of the couÌ„sel at Constance as in dede the Duke of Saxony reciteth in a certen writing EmoÌ„ges others of themperours captaines was Charles Duke of Bourbon who going with a certen power to Naples by the way toke the citie of Rome sacked it the next daye after he there arriued being the sixt day of May. ClemeÌ„t the byshop the Cardinals and other prelates fleing in to Castell aungell were beseged a certen tyme being trenched in on euery syde whiche after they had endured siege seuen monethes were at the laste deliuered by the Emperours commaundement It is harde to expresse with wordes the great crueltie and oultrage of the Germanes and Spanyardes at Rome For besydes the cruell slaughters destruction spoyling and raueshynge of women they left of no kynde of contumelious reproches mockinges of the bishop and his Cardinalles The Emperour excused the facte diligently affirmyng that it was not done by his commauÌ„dement And chiefly he wrote therof to the king of England that albeit he supposeth the thyng to haue happened vnto hym by the iust iudgement of God who auenged the wronge and iniurie done vnto hym yet he sayeth he wil so vse the matter that this same calamitie shal be the beginning and occasion of the helth of the common wealth Whan newes were brought into Spayn of the sackiÌ„g of Rome Cesar immediatly coÌ„mauÌ„ded to cease froÌ„ playing of pageantes interludes whiche were theÌ„ set forth for ioy of his son Philip newly borne The king of EnglaÌ„d answe red nothiÌ„g to themperours letters and the bishop of Rome being captiue vnto whom he bare a great zeale reuerence themperours power increasing daily he fixed his mind vpoÌ„ warre sending the Cardinal of yorke ambassadour into Fraunce To the couÌ„sel of RegeÌ„sburg came the Prynces but sent their Ambassadours only Wherfore there was nothing coÌ„cluded sauyng that they sent letters to the Emperour the xviij day of May signifiyng that for diuers causes his presence were requysite and nedefull In this tyme sprange vp a newe kynde of doctryne of suche as are called Anabaptistes They condempne the baptisme of infantes and are baptysed agayne them selues teachyng that all thynges should be common Against these wrote Luther Zwynglius and diuers others And the magistrates punished in euery place They boaste of visions dreames and at Sangal a town in Swycerlande one of them cut of his brothers head in the presence both of father and mother whome he had perswaded that God had coÌ„maunded hym so to do but being apprehended of the magistrate he suffered the lyke punyshment Now how muche they increased and what coÌ„motions they styred vp in Germany hereafter shal be declared This yeare the Senate of Strasborough decreed that none shoulde from henceforth be buried within the citie and appointed certen places for the buriall of the dead without their citie When the Frenche kynge heard that Rome was taken makyng league with the kyng of Englande he sent a great armie into Italy by the conduicte of Lautrech a Gascon to rescewe the byshop Who comming into Lumbardy and ayded by the Uenetians taketh first AlexaÌ„dria and after Pauie partly by force and partly by composition but the souldiours in their rage and fury for that the king was there taken after a wouÌ„derful slaughter of the townes men spoyled the citie The .xxvij. day of Iuly Charles Duke of Burbon lately stayne in the assaulte at Rome was condempned at Paris by the court of parliameÌ„t of treason his name and memoriall accursed his Armes plucked downe and his landes and goodes confiscated Anthony Prate Chauncelour gaue the sentence This Duke bare a mortall hatred to the kynge and what tyme he went to besege Marseilles as is mentioned before in the fourth boke for because at the same tyme the kynge of Englande toke the Emperours parte he wrote to the Cardinall of Yorke emonges other thinges that he would spare no paynes nor peryll that kyng Henry might by his helpe recouer the ryght and tytle that he hath to Fraunce For Englyshe men doe clayme all Fraunce to be theires for a two hundreth yeares since and aboue especiallye Normandye Gascoyne and Gwyne In these letters therfore did Bourbon prouoke the kynge to clayme and chalenge his ryght Whiche letters the Frenche kyng afterwardes chauncing vppon conceyued muche more hatred against hym There was in the dukedome of Bauarie one Leonarde Cesar a professour

my selfe beyng very yonge gaue the repulse to Maximilian whan he moued warre against vs wold haue done the lyke to his enemy also but that he contendeth with me rather by craft and subtyltie than he doth by power and manhood Hytherto haue I borne with this iniury as I might But thinke with your selues moste noble Prynces howe greuous a thynge it is to be cast downe out of the hyghest degree of power dignitie to the state of a priuate man I suppose there can none be found so mylde and patient that sufferyng so many iniuries woulde not loke about hym on euery syde for all the ayde he myght get Wherfore seyng that at no tyme synce I receyued the gouernment of the commoÌ„ wealth I haue refused any conditions reasonable nor wyll not yet doe and had rather doe any thyng than styre vp cyuyle warre and myne aduersarye proceadeth obstinately I doe proteste that it ought not to be layde to my charge as blame worthy if for myne owne defence I seek the best meanes I can For in case the common wealth doe susteyne thereby any dommage that maye not be ascribed vnto me that hath soughte all wayes to haue peace but to myne ennemie whiche inuadeth an other mans Realme through great iniury He hathe layde dylygent wayte in all wayes and passages that nothynge be conueyed vnto you Notwithstandynge I suppose you haue hearde howe he forsoke his brother in lawe kyng Lewys vnto whome beyng ofte and earnestly requyred he sent neyther men nor munition nor any other ayde agaynst the violence of his ennemie And why for he loked after his death to be kyng Moreouer the common ayde of the Empyry appoynted for Hongary he sent to his brother to disquiet Italy Where as I sent to kynge Lewys at the same tyme my brother with three thousande men of myne owne costes and charges and woulde haue bene at the battell my selfe had I not bene commaunded by the kyng to remayne in Transiluania My brother dyed in the battel ryght valeantlye Ferdinando promysed by an othe that vnlesse he dyd fyrste recouer Belgrade and certen other castelles of the Turkes he wold not take vpon him the gouernment but his fayth fayled herein for the Turkes haue inuaded further destroyed and spoyled the couÌ„trey and haue wonne the castell of Iaice the chiefest fortresse of all Bosna Whiche Castel kyng Matthias with a great losse of his men recouered in times past of the Turkes mine vncle Emerick defeÌ„ded the same afterwards induring a long sege the kinges haue fortified synce that time to their exceading great charges now lost by our valeauÌ„t captaine that made so many goodly promises and I thinke not loÌ„g to he wil for very necessite cal vpon you for ayde as though he stode in dauÌ„ger for the defence of Germany but his mynde is an other waye For he intendeth not to warre vpoÌ„ the Turke vnto whom he is coÌ„tent to pay tribute yearely hath sent his Ambassadours thither for the same purpose but he myndeth with your men and money to helpe his brother in Italye to destroye me and brynge the Realme of Hongarye into bondage And seyng the matter is thus I most earnestly beseche you to forsee that this priuate iniurye donne vnto me turne not to the great hynderaunce of the common wealth And after a whyle he wrote also to the Emperour muche lyke to this in effecte exhortinge him to appease his brother And thus much for the defeÌ„ce of his case but FerdinaÌ„do grounded him self vpoÌ„ the coÌ„position whiche themperour Maximilian had made with the Hongarians and their king Ladislaus in the yeare M. iiij C. xci by the whiche it was prouided that if Ladislaus died without heire male that then Maximilian and his heyres descending in of the right line shold possesse that kingdome Wherfore whan Lewys the sonne of Ladislaus was dead without issue as I tolde you before Ferdinando nephewe to Maximilian by his sonne Philip and Archeduke of Austriche and moreouer hauiÌ„g maried the syster of kyng Lewys affirmed the kyngdome to be his by good right And this selfe same tyme the Lantgraue of Hesse and the prince electour of Saxony mustering their meÌ„ prepared theÌ„ selues vnto warre the cause therof was this One Otto Paccius a Lawer and a gentle man borne one of the chiefest councellours about George Duke of Saxony by occasion of talke admonyshed the Lantgraue to loke to his owne thynges For nowe of late had Ferdinand the Marques of Brandenburge the Cardinall of Mentz and Salisburge George the Duke of Saxon William and Lewis Dukes of Bauer and certen byshops as Bamberge and Wirciburge made a league to destroye him the Duke of Saxon electour and Luthers religion And for the more credit of the thing he shewed him the copie of the confederacie promysing hym also the principall Whylest they leuie their Armies make preparation for the warres all men marueled muche wherfore it was and what would come of it some sayde one thynge and some an other as in suche cases is accustomed Whan they had all thynges in a redynes sendyng abroade their letters and messengers into all partes thei published the copie of the coÌ„federacie which was brought vnto them and wrote also vnto them whiche were thought to haue made this league and sent their Ambassadours to knowe what their intent was But they al pourged them selues euery man seueral and sending abrode their letters affirme it to be a forged matter and that it can not be proued And Duke George the Lantgraues father in law vrged him chiefly to bryng forth the partie that tolde hym whiche if he did not he wyll thynke none other wyse but that it is his own deuyse to styre vp stryfe and disturbe the quietnes of German ye Their fyrst attempt shoulde haue bene to haue set vppon the byshoppes that were next them and therfore they toke vp and waged men as many as they could get vpon suche a soden But when Paccius coulde not shewe the dede it selfe according to his promyse Than the Lantgraue begaune to waxe colde in the busynes And at the laste by the mediation of countie Palatine and Richarde Archebishop of Treer they dimysed their armies vpon condicion that the byshoppes shoulde paye vnto the LaÌ„tgraue for the charges of this warre a huÌ„dreth thousand ducates the Archebyshop of Mentz fortie thousande Wirciburge as muche and Bamberge twenty thousande Afterwardes what tyme the Ambassadours of the prynces did mete at a day prescribed whom in dede this accusation did touche Paccius whome the Lantgraue there presented was conuicted of falsihode Yet by his meanes put at lybertie whan he had wandered in straunge countreis certen yeares at the last was beheaded at Andwerpe When the matter was thus pacified the prynces confederated of the Sweuicall league accused the Lantgraue that he had done wrong and iniury to their felowes And where a new sturre had lyke to haue growen vpon the same

the matter in fine was quieted at Wormes about the ende of Decembre by the intercession of the Palsgraue There be some that thinke it was not altogether nothyng that he had spoken of the conspyracie And the assemblie of certen princes at Regensburg foure yeares before that encreased the same suspicion Wherfore it is supposed that some suche thing was conceaued but not brought to perfection nor fully determined Whiche thyng I doe not here affirme for a certentie but leaue vnto euery man his owne iudgement The assemblie of the Empire which I shewed before shold haue bene in the beginning of the spring tyme at Regensburg was in this warlyke preparation not at all the Emperours deputie sending worde that they should not come there The Frenche kynges letters wrytten in the later end of Marche the Emperour receiued the seuenth daye of Iune Afterwardes sendyng an aunswer by an Herault of armes the .xxiiij. day of Iune froÌ„ MouÌ„tison I blame the not sayeth he nor accuse the for departing home for the same was done by my leaue and permission but for that thou diddest not returne againe into my custody captiue as thou diddest promyse me by thy fayth thou wouldest vnlesse thou fulfillest the conditions of peace lyke as in dede it is to be proued by wryting subscrybed with thyne owne hande This in dede if thou haddest done thou haddest played the parte of a Iuste man and of a worthye Prynce But nowe for so muche as thou hast herein broken thy faith I affirme and that without any lye that thou hast done shamefully and wyckedlye And where as thou desirest to haue a place appointed for the coÌ„bate I am content and do assigne the place by the Ryuer that runneth besyde fount Arabie and Andey whiche thou oughtest in no case to refuse For if thou diddest their credit thine owne lyfe and thy chyldrens two yeres past what tyme being set at libertie to retourne home thou gauest them to me for pledges thou mayest aswel now also committe thy selfe to the same assuredly And to the intent it be not differred by long delay let noble men be sent thether on both parties that are skilfull in suche matters whiche shall espye out a place conuenient and agree vpon the kynde of weapons and appoynte a certen daye But in case I receyue none aunswere from the within fourty dayes after the receipt of my letters what thy mynde is herein the fault of the delaye and all the shame shall remayne towarde the and to the cryme of falsifying thy fayth shall this be added also These letters the Emperour delyuered vnto the Herault that he goyng into Fraunce should reade them before the kynge openly or if he refuse to heare them than he coÌ„maundeth him to deliuer them to the kyng to reade When the Herault came at the lengthe the kynge syttyng at Paris hearyng of a sermon with his nobles about hym demaunded of hym if he had brought the maner of the combat He sayde he had both that and somwhat to saye besydes that and more howe he had in commaundement to reade it before hym or els to delyuer it to his owne handes whiche he besought hym that he myght doe But the kynge vnderstandyng ryght well the Emperours request herein and lothe to haue the thyng read openly fallyng at woordes with the Herault arrose and would neyther heare hym speake any more nor receyue anye letters of hym as in deede the Emperours men affyrme in theyr wrytinges The firste of August the Emperour wryting his letters from Ualolete calleth a counsell of the Empyre of Spyres against the beginning of February to treate of Religion and the Turkysh warre He excuseth hym selfe by certen affayres by meanes whereof he can not be there present appoyntyng of his deputes his brother Ferdinando Friderike Palatyne William of Bauer the byshop of Trent and of Hyldesseme Lantrechus the Lieutenaunt of the Frenche kynges Armie after he had taken Pauie and Alexandria as you haue hearde wyntered he and his Armie at Bononie And in the begynning of the spryngtyme went forewarde and beseged Naples whiche was kept and defended by Alphonsus Daualus Ugo Moncada Ferdiando Alarco Philibert prynce of Orenge and Ferdinando Gonzago But in the moneth of Iuly a sore Pestilence consumed a great part of his Armie and Lantreth hym selfe also in the moneth of Auguste and before hym Mounsour Uaundemont brother vnto Anthony duke of Lorayne whiche serued the kyng in hope to attayne to the kingdome of Naples for that the house of Gaunte whereof the house of Lorayn hath also his ofsprynge affirme it to be their ryght After the disputation of Bernes Religion was altered in sondrye places wherupon the preachers at Strausborongh emonges other errours of the bishop of Romes doctrine taught chiefly that the masse was wicked and a great blasphemy to Gods holy name wherfore it ought to be abrogated the right vse of the Lordes supper instituted vnlesse they could proue these thinges by the testimonies of holy scripture they wyll refuse no kinde of punishment Againe the byshops ministers taught otherwyse which bred no smal contention whom afterwardes the senate for bycause they refused to dispute or conferre with the others coÌ„maunded to sylence The byshop in his letters to the senate exhorted them to perseuer in the auncient religioÌ„ of their elders The Senate desyreth hym agayne as they had done oftentymes before that suche thinges myght be set forth as appertayned to the trew seruice and glory of God and the residue taken away and abolyshed for the same belongeth to his office But he notwithstandinge that he would some tyme appoynte a metynge and a daye for suche matters would do nothyng in ded but only put them in feare with his letters wherin oftentimes he mingled with intreatinges threateninges that they should alter nothyng And when he was almoste in dispayre of the thynge he intreateth the Senate of the Empyre whiche was at that tyme at Spyres by their authoritie to set in foote in the matter Who sendynge their Ambassadours solemnely at the later ende of Decembre requyre them not to put downe the Masse for that it is neyther in the power of the Emperour nor of other states to chaunge the auncient Religion of theyr forefathers but eyther by a generall or els by a prouinciall counsell whiche if they supposed to be farre of or ouer long to that they would differre it at the leste vntyl the next assemblye of the Empire and there put vp their requestes where they doubted not but that they shoulde receyue a reasonable aunswere for it is forboden by the lawes that a priuate Magistrate may vndo such thinges as be agreed vpon by the common consent of the whole worlde wherfore it is reason that they should obtayne this at their handes For if they should obstinatly procede in their enterpryse and worke by force and violence both the Emperour theyr hyghe Magistrate and kynge Ferdynando also his

be first heard to make their purgatioÌ„ especially seyng they make alwayes offer that if they maye be more ryght instructed by the scriptures they wil do nothyng obstinatly or against their dewty Wherfore they desyre hym to accepte theÌ„ in to his defence and protection and as shortly as may be to aunswer them mercyfully and louyngly by wrytyng And because the whole matter can not be declared by mouthe as he hath also commaunded therfore haue they comprehended in wrytyng what thynge so euer is nedefull for the further knowledge of the matter whiche they delyuer vnto him the Emperour aunswereth them by an interpretour that he hath heard what their sute is and lyketh well also the obsequiens seruyce that they offer in theyr Prynces behalfe wherfore whan he hath talked with his counsell he wyll make them an aunswer reasonable Fynally the twelth of Octobre he gaue them an aunswere in writing as their request was That he vnderstode by kyng FerdinaÌ„do his brother and the residue in commission with hym of the decree made at Spyres before thei came to him and howe he is ryght sory for the dissention that is amongest them And for as muche as it is his dewtie to forsee that suche thynges happen not or at the leste whan they are chanced to see them refourmed therfore after longe delyberation had with priuie counsell of the whole matter he findeth howe the same decree was made to the intent nothyng hereafter should be altered that there should be no place for any newe secte from henceforth as there be many al ready euyll fauoured enough and that peace and concorde myght be had throughout the Empyre Therfore the Duke of Saxon and his fellowes ought of ryght to haue consented to al these thinges for both he and other Prynces set as muche by the healthe of theyr soules and tranquillitie of their consciences as they doe And he for his parte no lesse desyreth a generall counsell for a staye to the common wealth than they do whiche not withstandyng were not all together so nedefull if the lawes and decres as that of Woormes and others whiche are made by comon assente of all states myght be obserued as they them selues wyll graunte that suche decrees oughte to be fyrme and stable Whiche thynge considered and seyng that the vse and custome is that loke what the more parte of the states of the Empyre do decree the same may not be disolued by a fewe persones therfore hath he in his letters to the Duke and his fellowes commaunded them that they doe accepte this decree as ratisfied and attempte nothyng against it but obeye the same vpon theyr allegeaunce that they owe vnto hym and the Empyre If not it wyll come to passe that for aucthoritie and examples sake he must punyshe them extremely but he supposeth that his letters be already delyuered vnto them or wylbe shortelye and that they wyll obey his coÌ„maundemeÌ„t wherof he wold be ryght glad especialy at this tyme wherin he is credibly infourmed howe the great Turke the common ennemy of christendom is at this present marchynge through Hongarye with all his power into Germanye Wherfore it were now requysite to haue domestical concorde to the inteÌ„t this myghty and cruell ennemy myght be repulsed against whome he intendeth so sone as he shal haue stayed all thynges in Italy to bende all his force and power wherfore he trusteth that they consyderyng well the daunger wyll doe that whiche they are bounden of dutie What tyme the Ambassadours had red this aunswere they delyuered an appellation whiche was ready made to Alexander Schneissie callyng wytnes to the thyng as the maner is Who at the fyrst would not receyue it but in fyne he was content to take it and caried it to the Emperoure and the same daye at after none he retourneth and hauyng ended his other talke he sayeth howe the Emperour commaundeth them not to styre one foote out of their Inue that they wryte nothing home nor sende any of their men til he bring them further newes in payne of for fayting life goodes if they should do other wyse Why left this charge was geuen it fortuned that Michaell Cadene was not within his lodging and being hereof immediatlye certified by a seruant he wryteth the whole matter to the Senate of Norinberge and dispatcheth awaye his letters with great expedition for he was not bounde vpon fidelitie as his fellowes were At the length the last daye sauyng one of Octobre at Parma whether they were coÌ„mauÌ„ded to folowe Nicolais Granuellane who executed the office of Cardinall Mercurine lieng sicke she weth them that all be it The Emperour taketh in euyll parte the appellation that was sent hym yet doth he neuerthelesse permytte them to retourne home in to their countrey But he commaundeth Michaell Cadene to remayne styll vnder payne of death if he disobeye the cause wherof is this The Lantgraue when he came forth had geuen hym a booke fayre garnyshed whiche conteyned briefly the somme of the Christiane doctryne to the intent he should delyuer it to the Emperour He vpon an occasion when Cesar went to Masse did present it and the Emperour agayne delyuered it to a certen Spanyshe Byshop to vnderstande what it was He fortuned to lyght on the same place where as Christ warneth his Disciples that they desyre not soueraignitie for the same is not theyr profession but the kynges of the gentyls doe vsurpe vnto them such authoritie that place had the authour emoÌ„ges other things expounded declaryng the dutie of suche as be ministers of the church but he lokyng vpon it superficially when the Emperour asked hym what it was he made aunswere as though the booke toke away the authoritie of the sworde from the Christian Magistrate and permitteted only the Gentyls to vse it whiche were farre from the Christian Religion And for this cause was he stayed Granuellan sayde this moreouer howe the Emperoures pleasure was that he shoulde delyuer the lyke booke to the Byshop of Rome And where he sought to excuse his doynges and receyued no pleasaunt aunswer perceyuyng by the wordes of Granuclane what dannger he was in he tooke his horse priuely and roode to Farrare in poste and from thence goyng to Uenyse retourned home When the Senate of Norenbergh had receyued Cadenes letters before mentioned immediatly they certified the Duke of Saxon the Lantgraue theyr fellowes therof the. xxiiij of Octobre the matter being debated they agreed to mete at Smalcaldia about the ende of NoueÌ„bre Thyther came the Duke of Saxon and Iohn Frederick his sonne Erneste and Frances brethren Dukes of Lunenburgh Philip the Lantgraue and certen counsellers of George Markes of Brandenburgh moreouer these cities Strausborough Norinberge Heilprune Rutelynge Constance Menynge Campodune Ulmes and Lindaue It is mentioned before how the Prynces and certen of these Cities differed in opinion touchynge the Lordes supper wherfore they of Strausborough had already made

of Rome woulde abolyshe all his kyngdome If they condempne our doctryne whye seeke we an vniformitie If they do allowe it why do they mainteyne their olde errours But they condemyne it openly Wherfore it is dissimulation and falshode whatsoeuer they go about they labour sore as it appereth about their ceremonies but let them fyrst restore the doctryne of fayth and workes Let them suffer the churche to haue Ministers that wyll doe their dutie They requyre that Monkes maye be set agayne in possession let them restore to vs agayne so manye innocent Godly men as they haue murthered let them restore so many soules destroied through their wicked doctrine let theÌ„ restore those great rychesse gotten by fraude disceiptfully let theÌ„ restore Gods glory with so many contumelies dishonored Whan they shall haue made satisfactioÌ„ for these thynges we shall than talke with them vnto whome the possession belongeth Where as Luther and certen others differed only in opinion touching the Lordes supper whiche the catholykes reioysed at and the rest muche lamented Bucer by the Duke of Saxons procurement went from Auspurge to Luther for an agrement and receyued suche aunswere as he mislyked not in so much as he went theÌ„ce to Zwynglius and the Zwycers to the intent they might be ioyned nerer in mynde and opinion When the state of thynges stoode thus all was full of displeasure The Lantgraue maketh a league for syxe yeares with the cities of Zuricke Basill and Strausborough that if any be attempted with force for Religion they shoulde ayde one an other This was concluded in Nouembre The same tyme the Emperour addresseth his letters to the Duke of Saxon commaunding him to be with him at Collon the .xxi. of Decembre for certen weightie affayres of the common wealth Whiche after he had receiued the same the .xxviii. of Nouembre the same daye came a messenger with letters from the Archebishop of Mentz wherein was wrytten how the Emperour had required hym to cal to an assemblie to Princes Electours to create a kyng of Romaynes Wherfore he cited him to appeare at Collon the .xxix. of Decembre for this appertaineth to the byshops office as before hath bene declared Whiche thinge ones knowen the Duke of Saxon dispatchyng his letters to the Lantgraue and to all other Prynces and cities that were Protestantes prayeth and exhorteth them to mete at Smalcalde at the .xxii. of Decembre Neuerthelesse in the meane tyme he sendeth spedely to Collon Iohn Frederick his sonne and with hym certen of his priuie counsell to be there at the daye appoynted by the Emperour By whome he declareth how this citation of the archebishop of Mentz is not rightly nor orderly done how by this creation of the king of Romaines the right and libertie of the Empyre is infrynged and also the lawe of Charles the fourth broken wherfore he wyl not allowe nor ratifie their enterprise After that all were assembled at Smalcalde they deuise a league not offensiuely but defensiuely Unto this subscribed immediatly all the Princes and moreouer Albert and Gebart Erles of Manssteld Maidenborough and Bremen But Strausborough Ulmes CoÌ„stance Lindaue MeÌ„ming CaÌ„pedowne Heilbrune Ruteling Biberack Isne do receiue it in such sorte as first to infourme their cities therof within syx wekes to make an directe answere what they wil do herein It was furthermore decreed to follicite by their Ambassadours the king of Denmarke the Dukes of Pomerane Megelbourg the cities of Embeck NortheÌ„me Franckfourth Brunswick Gotinge Minda Hannobria Hildesseme Lubecke Stetine other hauon townes When the byshop of Rome vnderstode what was that end of the assemblie at Auspurg he wrote his letters to the kyng of Pole others how he had trusted assuredly that the authoritie presence of the Emperour should either haue quenched or quieted Luthers heresie for vpoÌ„ this hope for this cause chiefly he came to mete the Emperour at Bononie to the intent he might encourage him forward who notwithstanding of his owne accorde was wel willing for if this thing had ben brought to passe religioÌ„ had bene staied many mens soules saued which through this heresie are nowe in dauÌ„ger then might remedy haue ben fouÌ„d against the Turkish fury but where as he vnderstaÌ„deth al well by theÌ„perours as also by the letters of his legate how they can not only be in no wise reformed but are waxed also more obdurate he which through that wyll of God gouerneth the shyp of Peter in a time so teÌ„pestuouse susteyneth the greatest part of the whole care for the same consultinge with his Cardinals caÌ„finde no better remedy thaÌ„ the which his predecessours haue vsed that is a general couÌ„sel wherfore he doth admonish hym synce the matter is brought to this issue that either hym selfe presentlye or els by hys Deputes woulde further so holye a cause For he entendeth so shortly as may be to appoynte one in Italy in some place conuenient These letters were dated the first daye of December The xxiiii daye of Decembre the Prynces confederated at Smalcalde wryte vnto the Emperour howe they heare it commonly bruted that he pourposeth to create his brother Ferdinando kynge of Romaynes who maketh great sute for the same But what authoritie and ryght the Princes Electours haue herein by the lawe of Charles the fourth howe when the Emperour is dead an other is to be chosen in the name of the whole Empyre it is knowen to all men Notwithstandinge he being alyue and in helth and no suche chaunce happened howe the Archebyshop hath cited them to Collon against the prescripte of the lawe and agaynst the custome of the Empyre They heare moreouer howe the residue of the Electours wyll come thyther at his requeste to accomplyshe the sute of Ferdinando as it were by conuenaunt and promyse for this report is spread farre and neare Wherfore they haue thought good to admonishe hym of certen thynges And al be it they had leuer abstayne from suche kynde of talke yet for as muche as they loue both hym and theyr conntrey and especiallye the lybertie therof which they haue receyued of their auncesters agayne for because now in this later ende of the worlde many thinges are done captiously and crastely they can not otherwyse doe Fyrst therfore he knoweth ryght well how circumspectly howe depely with what wordes and bondes he bounde hym selfe to the Empyre how he gaue his fayth by an othe that he woulde obserue the lawe Carolyne whereupon the lybertie of the Empyre chiefly dependeth howe he promysed coÌ„firmeth by an othe that he would neither him self do any thing against it nor suffer any other to do And certenly these conuenauntes may not be infrynged broken or chaunged without the consent and aduyse of all states But nowe in case during his lyfe and prosperitie a kyng of Romanes shuld be chosen and that his naturall brother makynge suite and labour for it

he seeth hym selfe howe directly it were againste the lawe againste the ryght and lybertie of the Empyre agaynste promyse and conuenaunt and the fayth that he oweth to the common wealth confyrmed by a solemne othe Moreouer howe incommodiouse also it were for hym and howe chargeable to the whole Empyre to haue two Rulers at one tyme whome they must obeye And because they woulde be sory if any suche thynge shoulde be layde to his charge for breakynge his fidelytie or also vnto them for their sloughtsulnes in defending the coÌ„mon wealth therfore do they ernestly beseche him to impute this their writing to the loue of him their couÌ„trey and to the world that now is that he would call to his remembraunce thynges past and by his office and aucthoritie prohibite the creation of this new kinge that he woulde consyder well wyth hym selfe to how many euils mischiefes this thinge wyll hereafter geue occasion vnlesse it be forseen signifyeng howe they wryte also touching the same matters to the resydue of the electours trusting that they wyll worke for the profit of the coÌ„mon wealth and do their endeuour that there be no diuision made amonges the states of the Empyre for the rest they will doe as muche for his sake as their habilitie and power wyl extende to Afterwardes the Duke of Saxon writeth his seuerall letters to the Prynces hys colleges that for as muche as he was somoned to Collon by the arche byshop of Mentz therfore hath he sent thither his sonne and certen of his couÌ„sayle which shal do in his name that shal be requisite He requireth them to leaue of their enterprise and to waye with them selues what a preiudice and discommoditie this wil be vnto theÌ„ and al theyr posteritie for to breake the right libertie and honour of the Empyre he desyreth them also that in suche thinges as his sonne and counsellours haue to treate with them of they woulde so vse them selues as it may appeare and be perceiued that they loue the common wealth of their countrey The Duke of LuneÌ„burge the Lantgraue Counte Anhald and the Erles of Mansfelde wrote vnto the Electours at the same time long letters of the same effect admonishing them righte ernestlye that they doe not suche an open wronge to the lawes to their countrey sayeng howe it is reported that the matter is handled with brybes and promesses whiche is also openly agaynst the lawe Caroline After this the laste of Decembre as well the Princes as cities before named by coÌ„mon assent wryte their letters to the Emperour wherin they recite the treatie of religion at Auspurge how long they sued for peace what aunswer he made also what maner of decree was there made afterwarde And al be it he him selfe did mitigate the wordes of the Electour of BrandeÌ„burge affirming that he had made a compact with the rest of the Princes for his owne defence only and not to offende others Yet if that authoritie be committed to the chambre imperiall as the decree purporteth to whome can it be doubtful but that the same thinge apperteyneth both to force and violeÌ„ce but seyng that both they and their auÌ„cesters haue shewed many testimonies of great good wyll to him and his progenitours they beseche him in as muche as he hath mitigated the saying of the Electour of Brandenburge he woulde also qualifie in deede and take away the terrour of confiscation to the intent they may be assured that vntyll the ende of a Godlye and free counsell they shall nede to feare no violence The causes which the Emperour alledged to create a king of Romains at the first coÌ„munication with the princes in ColloÌ„ were these First because that he had the rule of sondry realmes nations could not be always in Germany agayne for that the state of christendom was troublesome namely in Germany by reason of the dissention in Religion and for the violent power of the Turkes for the late sedition and rurall warre and for disobedience within the Empyre Wherfore he thought it very necessary and for the profit of the common wealth that there should be a kyng of Romaynes chosen vnder hym as it were an other head of the Empyre in his absence which should be wyttie cyrcumspect industrious of great power that loued peace and concorde and were skilfull in matters of the Empyre and in euery poynte suche a one as he myght repose his whole truste and confideÌ„ce in And he knoweth none more mete for that charge than his brother Ferdinando king of Boheme and of Hongary For his realmes and dominions are a defence vnto Germany against the Turkyshe oultrage The Princes electours after delyberation had intreate the Emperour that he woulde not forsake Germany but to sette and plante himselfe there but where he persisteth stiffe in his opinion conferrynge their counsels together The fyft daye of Ianuary they proclayme Ferdinando kynge of Romaynes The Duke of Saxon as muche as laye in hym by his sonne protested that this election was faultie and shewed the causes why and that he coulde not allowe it Longe before they departed from Auspurge The brute was that Ferdinando should obtayne that dignitie Afterwardes they went all from Collon to Aquon where FerdinaÌ„do was crowned kyng the .xvj. day of Ianuary and streightwayes were letters dispatched into al partes of Germany to signifie the same Cesar also commaundeth by his letters patentes that all men shall acknowledge him for kyng of Romaines and therof sent his seueral letters to the Protestantes This done from Aquon the Emperour weÌ„t to Brussel in Brabant âœš The eyght Booke of Sleidanes Commentaries concerning the state of Religion and the common Weale during the reigne of the Empyre of Charles the fyfte â§ The argument of the eyght Booke THe Protestauntes from Smalcalde sent letters to the kinges of Fraunce of Englande agaynst sondry false reportes and sollicite the kyng of Denmarcke and the cities by the sea coaste to entre into their league Into this league the Swycers are not admitted The kyng of Fraunce who is descended of the Almaines aunswereth their letters so doeth also the kynge of Englande About the strife of the creation of kyng Ferdinando An assemble was holden at Franckforth where was also debated the controuersic betwixt the byshop of Bamberge and George Marques of Brandenburge The Emperour appointeth a metyng at Spyre whether the Duke of Saxon being moued to come excuseth hym selfe Conditions are put in wryting whiche graunted the Protestauntes offer them selues to be there The fyue Cantons geue battell to them of Ê’ uricke wherein Ê’ wynglius is slayne Shortly after dieth Ecolampadius A peace is graunted to the Protestauntes vntyll a counsell Christierne kyng of Denmarke is committed to pryson The Turke inuadeth Austryche but he is thence repulsed The Pope by his Ambassadour sent to Duke Iohn Fredericke who had lately succedeth his father the conditions of the counsell The Duke and his associates

after deliberation make hym ã€ˆâ—Šã€‰ full aunswere by wryting IN the first assembly at Smalcalde this emoÌ„ges other thynges was agreed vppon that for as muche as their aduersaries did aggrauate the cause and profession of the Gospell with manye sclaunders and broughte it euerye where in to great hatred they shoulde wryte pryncipally to the kynges of Fraunce and of Englande that they would not credite nor be perswaded herin Wherfore the .xvj. daye of February the Protestauntes wryte their seuerall letters to them both of one effecte How they knowe vndoubtedly of the olde complaint that hath bene of long tyme concernyng the vice and faultes of the clergie whiche many notable men and of late memory in Fraunce Iohn Gerson and in Englande Iohn Colet haue sore noted reprehended the same thing hath happened of late yeares in Germany For where as certen freers weÌ„t about with indulgences pardoÌ„s whiche they so highly coÌ„mended to the great contumelie of Christe no lesse daunger of mens saluation that they got a shameful an vnreasonable gayne therby And being geÌ„tly admonyshed by certen good wel learned men that thei should not so do did not only abstayne from suche vsage but also cruelly condempned them for Heretykes whiche gaue them good counsell in so muche that they were constrayned to stande in the defence of the trewthe vpon whyche occasion many other thynges were espyed and repreheÌ„ded but the aduersaries whiche through their impudent marchaÌ„dise gaue occasion of offence woulde neuer be in quiet tyll this doctryne whiche reuealyng their crafty iuglyng was without dewe examination condempned for wycked And to the intent they might wholy oppresse it haue brought it into great hatred with the Emperour and other kynges Neuerthesse the truthe breakyng out lyke the sonne beames discouered the faultes moste manifestly whiche of euyl customes and preposterous iudgementes were crepte in to the churche in so muche they could not be denied by the byshop of Rome hym selfe wheÌ„ they had bene exhibyted before to the Emperour by the states of the Empyre in the assemblie at Wormes and after had bene treated of in all assemblies of the Empyre all men iudging for certentie that for reformation therof there were no waye better than a free and a lawfull counsell wherewith the Emperour was also content But at his commyng out of Spayne into Germany through Italy he was addicted wholy at Auspurge to quiet the matter without a counsel And so thei discourse the whole treaty at Auspurge as hath bene before rehersed and howe for the sore decree there made they were compelled to appeale to a free and Godly couÌ„sell lest they should both haue hurt theyr conscience and offended God moste greuously Afterwardes thei confute the false opinions and sclaunders that theyr aduersaries ascribe vnto them to bryng them into hatred with all men and chieslye that the doctrine whiche they do professe is against the authoritie of Magistrates and dignities of lawes but their confession exhibited at Auspurge doth fully aunswere this matter wheren is the office and state of a Magistrate by theyr doctrine declared to be of Gods ordinauÌ„ce and agayne the people taught to owe all due obedience to the Magistrate for Gods coÌ„maundement and for coÌ„science sake so that it may be truly sayde that the learned men of this tyme and doctrine haue more hyghly commeÌ„ded the dignitie of lawes and Magistrates than any former age hath done for els seing they are also appointed of God to haue rule and gouernment of others What madnes were it for theÌ„ to permitte that doctrine whiche should geue licencious lybertie take awaye obedience and styre vp the people against them Wherfore after this and dyuers other thynges they saye howe that for so much as these sclaunders are reported by them and howe it forceth very much for the coÌ„mon wealth of christendome that they beyng kynges of such wysdome and authoritie should be ryghtly infourmed in the matter therfore haue they thought good in their owne purgatioÌ„ to wryte this much vnto them earnestly desyring them to geue no credit vnto sclauÌ„ders nor to conceaue any sinistre opinion of them but to keepe theyr iudgement in suspence tyll they may come to the place where to make theyr purgation openly whiche thing they chiefly desyre they beseche them also to exhorte the Emperour that for the weyghty importaunce of the matter and the profit of the whole churche he would call a godly and a free counsell in Germany so shortly as myght be And that he woulde worke no extremitie against them vntyll suche tyme as the cause may be lawfully decided determyned For hitherto haue they alwayes done their duty to the common wealth of the Empyre and nowe that they professe this doctrine they are brought in daunger of no selfe wyll nor obstinacie but for Gods worde and glory whereby they haue the better hope also that they wyll graunte to theyr requestes herein For it were hyghe prayse worthy if they coulde throughe theyr aucthoritie and mediation bryng to passe that these controuersies be not decided by force of armes but that an vpryght iudgement be had that abuses maye be remoued the Churches reconciled and no force or violence done vnto mens consciences Finally if they maye vnderstande by their letters of theyr good wylles towardes them it shall be to theyr great coÌ„forte In February the Duke of Saxon summoneth all his fellowes to be at Smalcade the .xxix. of Marche to coÌ„sulte howe to resiste the force of their ennemies if any thynge be atteÌ„pted againste them those were the Prynces and cities before mentioned But the Duke being discrased sent thether his sonne Iohn Frederick At the former meting it was agreed to sollicite Fredericke the kyng of Deumarke and the cities by the sea coaste of Saxonie touchynge their league And nowe that they met agayne rehersall was made what had bene done in the meane tyme and what aunswere euery one made And the kyng in dede saide howe he fauoured the doctrine of the Gospel but in his realme were so many bishoppes of great power and aucthoritie by reason of their rychesse clientes and noble kyndred that he coulde not enter into this league as kyng but as concernyng his other countreis lieng within the Empyre he was conteÌ„t Henry the Duke of Megelburge excused the matter for that his deputes had subscribed to the decree of Auspurge notwithstandinge he would be no ennemy to them Berninus Prince of Pomerane was not against it but that his elder brother had as yet in maner that whole gouernment They of Lubecke refused not but for as muche as they had bene at great charges in the warres they desyred that the same myght ve consydered And if it fortuned that Christerne kyng of DeÌ„marke whome thei had holpe to dryue out of his realme should warre against them they desyred to knowe what ayde they should looke for agayne at theyr handes The citie of Lunenbourge sayde that

free and Godly counsell for to haue the controuersie decided by waye of disputation rather then by that sworde lyke as theyr requeste is so semeth it vnto him also to be both more honeste and profitable for the common wealth whiche shall suffer great misfortune in case the matter come to handstripes Where he speaketh of the familiaritie and alliaunce betwyxt Fraunce and Germanye thus it is The Germanes of Franconie bordering vpon Swaues in times past makyng inuasioÌ„ into Gawles subdued the people about Treers Gelderlande Cleauelande and so down to Terwen and Tourney and vanquyshed Amiens Beanuois and the Soissons setlinge them selues at the last in that parte of Gawles which is yet called Fraunce vnto this day the chief citie wherof is Paris And where as many of their kynges there reigned and enlarged their dominioÌ„ at the last the gouernemeÌ„t cam vnto Pipine also to his sonne charles which was after for his worthy actes called Charlemaigne All people saluted hym with the tytle of the Emperour Auguste he possessed Germany Italy and Fraunce Afterwarde his sonne Lewis and his ofspryng were kinges of Fraunce Wherunto kyng Fraunces doth ascribe his originall and sayeth howe he is lineally descended of the stocke of Frankons The same perswasions vsed he also what tyme after the death of the Emperour Maximilian he did seke the dignitie of the Empyre For knowyng that by an auÌ„cient lawe no strauÌ„ger myght attayne the crown imperiall he went about also to proue hym selfe a Germayne But in dede the laste kynge of Fraunce of the heyremales of Charlemaigne was Lewys the fifte who died without isshewe in the yeare of grace nyne hoÌ„dreth foure score and eyght whan that possession of that kingdome had remained in the same familie two hondreth and eight and thyrty yeares After his death the succession had descended by ryght to Charles Duke of Lorayne vncle to kyng Lewys But Hughe Capet Erle of Paris as they reporte whose mother fetched her petygrewe from great Charles discomfiting and takynge the Duke of Lorayne prysoner vsurped the kyngdom and left it to his sonne Robert whose heyres males continued afterwardes vntill kyng Fraunces Some there be that saye howe that this Hughe Capet was of lowe and base hyrth but the moste parte of the wryters of Frenche Cronicles recite his originall as I haue sayde heretofore Henry the eight kyng of England writeth to them agayne the thyrde day of Maye That he hath red their letters to his great coÌ„tentation for as muche as they be inclined and bent that true religion remayning styll saufe and peace conserued the faultes and abuses of the churche and clergie maye be refourmed and all suche thynges redressed as haue bene eyther by the wyckednes or ignoraunce of men corrupted and depraued Moreouer howe he toke great displeasure to reade ouer the whole discourse of their procead inges That a reporte in dede went of them that was not very good as though they should maynteine certen franticke personnes whiche sought to disturbÃ© and tourmoyle all thynges vpsyde downe But he gaue therunto no credite first for because that ChristiaÌ„ charitie doth so requyre secondly knowyng for certentie that suche kynde of sclaunder can take no place in meÌ„ of suche dignitie Nobilitie and wysdome And all be it he would neuer haue beleued anye suche reporte before he had certenly tried and knowen it to be true Yet for as muche as they haue thus pourged them selues he is glad for thys cause that he was not disceaued in his opinion and iudgement And where as they desyre a refourmation in that they doe agree with his mynde and the opinion of all other good men For the state of worldly thynges is after suche a sorte that lyke as mans body so also in the coÌ„mune wealth and publique administration there is nede of continual remedies wherfore they deserue great prayse that can lay to such medicines as wyll so heale and cure the disease that they doe not brynge to an outrage the matter And doubteth not but that their endeuoure tendeth to the same ende Notwithstanding howe they had nede to take diligent care of that sorte of men who seke alterations woulde haue all men a lyke and brynge the Magistrate in contempt For he hath had certen of that secte within his Realme whiche came thether out of Germany And for because in their letters they meÌ„tioned of the obedience vnto Magistrates therfore he thought good to admonishe them at fewe wordes that they geue no man ouermuche lybertie For if they beware of this and seke a reformation they shall doubtles doe hygh seruice vnto the common wealth Howe he also desyreth chiefly a generall counsell besechyng God to styre vp the hartes of Prynces vnto this desyre And hath so good an hope of them in all thynges that there is nothyng that he wyll not ve glad to doe for their sakes And wyll be a peticioner for them to the Emperour that meanes of peace and concorde may be founde and wyll worke so herein as they them selues shall from tyme to tyme thinke best for theyr purpose When the daye came of their assemblie at Franckefourth the Ambassadours of the Cities as it was agreed vppon declare what they thought touchyng the creation of the kyng of Romanes And after long consultation they founde that it was not expedient for the title style of king Ferdinando to enter in to any sute or trouble For so long as the Emperour lyueth or is within the lymites of the Empyre the whole power is his And in his absence it commeth in dede to Ferdinando but as to the depute or lieutenaunt of the Emperour They haue at sondry tymes promysed to do what so euer laye in their power And nowe in case they should resiste the creation of the kynge many woulde iudge that promesse to be vayne and therfore would beare theÌ„ the lesse good wyll and woulde also worke against them whiche els woulde haue done nothyng at al against the cause of Religion It is also to be feared lest suche as would haue ioyned them selues vnto this league wyll be affcayde nowe of this and withdrawe them selues For that which cause they may not be against the election of kyng Ferdinando but holde it indifferent as it is But if Ferdinando shall commauÌ„de any thyng coÌ„trary to Gods worde they wyll not obeye it or if he atteÌ„pte any force then wyll they worke after the prescripte of the league and defend to the vttermoste of their power But the Prynces wrote vnto the Emperour and Ferdinando that they could not allowe that thing which was done against the custome and lybertie of the Empyre nor attrybute vnto hym the tytle of kyng of Romaynes The Duke of Saxon in his letters to the Emperour added this moreouer that if the matter might be lawfully vsed he would not be vnlyke his auncestours As concernyng the Swycers whome the citie would gladly haue receyued into

written vpon certen of his Prophetes whiche of learned men are muche commended At the .xxix. daye of December the Ambassadours of the Protestauntes mete agayne at Frankeforte to finishe vp the rest concernyng the preparation of their defence In the which assemblie the cities of Goslarie Embecke were receiued into their league a litle be fore that they also of Eslyng But George the Marques of Brandenburgh and the citie of Norinberg Campedown and Hailbrune were absent For all be it they professe that same Religion yet were they not of that league The Emperour in the begynning of Ianuary toke his iourney from Bruselles to go to Regenspurge for the assemblie before mentioned By the waye when he came to Mentz at the begynnynge of February the Archebyshop there and the Palsgraue intreate hym agayne for peace whiche the Emperour grauntinge vnto they aduertyse the Duke of Saxon and the Lantgraue wyllynge them to doe the lyke Wherfore by theyr letters sent to and fro they appoynte to mete at Schwinfurte a towne Imperiall by the Ryuer of Moene at the begynning of Apryll There dyd they begynne to treate of a peace whiche shoulde continue vnto the generall counsell The Prynces that were intercessours were there present and by ordre geuen by the Emperour do propounde these conditions That besydes the writyng exhibited at Auspurge touching Religion they should alter nothing teache nothyng nor publyshe any thing but remayne in those boundes vntyll the tyme of the counsell so as they haue nothyng to doe with the Zwynglianes and the Annabaptistes Neither that through the occasion of Religion they do allure vnto theÌ„ other Prynces subiectes and permitte any of their Ministers to preache out of their owne countrey that they abstayne from wordes of reproche that they disturbe not the iurisdiction rytes and ceremonies of the churche that they geue their ayde agaynst the Turke and obey the decrees of the Empyre whiche concerne the common wealthe and politike gouernaunce that they be obedient to the Emperour kynge of Romaynes And if they haue made any league againste the Emperour kyng or other states of the contrary Religion to abolyshe the same If they wyl thus do they truste how the Emperour and the king wyll leaue and forget all displeasure paste The Duke had sent thether his sonne Iohn Fridericke being him selfe sore sicke There was also Fraunces Duke of Lunenburg and Counte Anhalde agayn the Ambassadours of other Prynces cities whereunto came also the Nortusians and Halbestans of Swelande After muche debatyng the intercessours aduertise by their letters the Emperour of the whole matters who was than at the assemblie of Ratisbonne to knowe his further pleasure in matters Unto that demaunde whiche was that the Duke of Saxon and his fellowes should obey the kyng of Romains They wryte an aunswere to the Emperour what lacke they fynde and what they woulde requyre hym to doe therein and deliuered the same sealed to the intercessours the .xvij. daye of Apryll the effect wherof was that Ferdinando should not take vpon hym to be kyng of Romaines but in case the Emperour had nede of a coadiutour that than by the aduyse and counsell of the Prynces Electours he should so interprete the lawe Caroline makyng an acte therof for euer the it myght be done lawefully after this sorte That as longe as the Emperour lyueth there should neuer hereafter be chosen a kynge of Romaines vnlesse the seuen Princes Electours and sixe other Prynces of the Empyre ioyned with them iudge it so mete to be done And what tyme it shall appeare to be for the profite of the common wealth that than the Archebyshop of Mentz shall appointe the rest of the Electours syxe other Prynces to mete in a place conuenient for a further consultation to be had therin And whan they shall haue considered the whole matter diligently that than the Prynces Electours only with the kyng of Boheme shall haue authoritie to electe a kyng of Romaynes who so long as the Emperour lyueth shall gouerne the coÌ„mon wealth in the Emperours name onlye and otherwyse to take vppon hym none aucthoritie or gouernment That the Princes and states of the Empyre be not bound to him by any fidelitie or othe except it be after the Emperours death And whan a newe kynge shall be created that he be sworne after the order of the lawe Carolyne and that it be not in the Electours power to alter the same He that shal be proued to haue done contrary to that othe or els be had in great suspicion therof and maketh not his purgation shal be depriued of all ryght of Electourshyp for euer Moreouer that there be not chosen three kynges successiuelye of one house of Prynces that none be chosen kyng of Romaynes except he be of some house of the Princes of Germany Suche thynges as are establyshed by the lawe Caroline concernyng the kynges election neyther the Emperour nor kynge of Romaynes maye chaunge Whan it shal seme good to the electours to create a king of Romaines that they shall not nede to signifie the same before to the Emperour Neither that it shal be lawfull for the Emperour in this case to commauÌ„de the Archebyshop of MeÌ„tz to assemble the Princes electours but what tyme there shall appeare iust cause to electe a kynge of Romaynes duryng the lyfe of the Emperour that the Archebyshop at a certen daye call his company to Franckfurth And that it lie not in his authoritie to appointe the assemblye els where vnlesse his collegues doe vpon weyghtie considerations permitte hym that the Archebyshop of Mentz shall not demaunde the Crowne Scepter and other ornamentes of the Empire of them of Norinberge but by the consent of his peres Neyther that he diminishe anye parte of thre monethes which after they be sommoned is grauÌ„ted to the Prynces to haue coÌ„ference together for it may be daungerous to the Empyre and coÌ„mon wealth if one or two comyng not in tyme should be absent That whilest the Electours consulte at Frankeforth all others be shut out If any of those matters be infrynged that theÌ„ the Electours be not bonde eyther to repare thether or there to remaine and what soeuer is there done to be voyde and of none effect That neyther the Emperour nor king of Romans in Italy FrauÌ„ce or other places do permitte harmes of the Princes Electours to be borne before hym or their offices to be executed but by the Electours them selues or their deputes That the kyng of Romaynes do not solemnyse his laste coronation vnlesse eyther the electours or their deputes be present that neyther the Emperour nor kyng of Romaynes be a let to the Ambassadours of foreine kynges and Princes wherby they may not come to the counselles of the Empyre there to propounde their matters for that this apperteyneth both to the lawe of nature and is also a thyng full of humanitie ciuile dutie That neither the Emperour nor kyng

Emperour his vncle The chiefest consultation in this assemblie was about the Turkyshe warre And whan newes came daylye by letters messengers howe the Turke had sent before great bandes of horsmen to the Ryuer of Danubius and also the Ambassadours of Austriche and of other countreys nere had declared in what daunger they werein they decreed to geue their ayde so as al the states of the Empyre shuld ayde not with mony but with soldiours Wherfore the .xxvj. daye of Iuly ended this assembly and al men prepared them to warre At the Ides of Auguste the Duke of Saxon Prynce electour ended his lyfe and Iohn Fridericke his sonne did succede him Whan Solyman the Emperour of Turkes was come to Belgrade he taketh the waye on the left hande and attempteth the towne and castell of Giunte in vayne being manfully defended by Nichas Iurixe after that he sent forth Captaine Cason with fiftene thousande horsemen to spoyle the countrey who inuaded the countrey as far as Lintzie aboue Uienne and destroying all farre and nere leaueth no kynde of crueltie vnpractised but in his retourne he fel in to the lappes of our horsemen which were made out to kepe hym from the spoyle and so beyng fought with in sondry places to his vtter destruction at the lengthe hym selfe was slayne Solyman tournyng more and more on the left hande marcheth vnto Gratin a towne of Stiria Whiche thynge ones knowen the Emperour beyng than at Lintze taketh aduisement what was beste to be done At the last it was determied that he should encampe with his whole armie at Uienna abydyng his ennemie there Thus in fyne SolimaÌ„ retyreth without any notable exploict done The Emperour had intreated the Frenche kyng for ayde but he made him aunswere as the Emperour that tyme reported that Germanye was able enough to resyste the Turke alone The kyng of Englande also wrote agayne somewhat doubtfullye The byshop of Rome Clement sent hym ayde by the conduicte of Hipolitus a Cardinall of the house of Medices The Swycers beyng requested by the Emperour would not for all that styre one fote This yeare was sene a blasyng Starre in Septembre and Octobre before the sonne rising After the Turke was retyred with his armie the Emperour mislykyng their aduyse that thought good to pursue the ennemye dischargeth his armie for that wynter was at hande and from Uienne toke his iourney into Italy And being at Mantua he appointeth in his letters wrytten to the states of the Empyre that his brother kyng of Romaines shall gouerne the coÌ„mon welth in his absence he was for weightie causes gone in to Italy and there woulde treate with the byshop of Rome concerning a counsell as it was decreed at Ratisbone He wylleth all menne therfore to maynteyne the peace whiche was of late proclaymed and be as obedient to his brother as they would be to him selfe Departyng from thence to Bononie he entred into talke with Clement the seuenth deuysynge amonges other thynges of Religion and a generall counsel He maketh also a legue with hym and with the resydue of the Prynces in Italy in wordes to mayntayne the peace and quiet of Italy But in verye deede to kepe out the Frenche men The Embassadours of the Frenche kyng were sore against it but the byshop admonished them not to be so ernest priuely signifiyng that it should not long endure for the Emperour had brought with hym a great nombre of Spanyardes which the byshop wold fayne haue dispatched out of Italy And for this cause made the league obser ã€ˆâ€¦ã€‰ g the occasion of tyme. The Emperour shortly after sayled into Spayne in the moneth of Marche And not longe after that the byshop of Rome sendeth a legate into Germanye Hughe Rangon byshop of Rhegio And whan he came to the Duke of SaxoÌ„ accompanied with the Emperous Ambassadour he made a long oration the effect wherof was this How after muche and long conference had betwene the byshop and the Emperour about the controuersie that is in Religion in fyne they concluded that for the remedy therof there is no waye better thaÌ„ a generall counsell wherof they perceiued the Prynces of Germany to be also very desyrous And this to be the cause of his message euen to declare vnto hym and the other Prynces how both the byshop and the Emperour are determined to haue a counsell free and common for all men suche as the olde fathers were accustomed to haue in tymes past whose myndes vndoubtedly were gouerned by the holye ghoste prouided alwayes that suche as shall repare thyther make faythfull promesse to obserue the decrees therof for els should all their labour be spent in vayne if they should make lawes whiche none woulde obserue and kepe As concerning a place both for holsome ayre and plentye of victuall commodious the byshop thinketh either Placence or Bononie not vnmete for the purpose or els Mantua whiche is a citie of the Empyre nere vnto Germany of a goodly situatioÌ„ and plentiful of all thynges necessary of the whiche thre it shall be lawfull for them to chose one Whereunto if the kinge of Romaines he and other Prynces of Germany woulde make some reasonable aunswere Than the byshop consulting also with other kynges would cal the same within this halfe yeare to begynne within one yeare after to the intent suche as dwel very farre of may prepare theÌ„ selues to take their iorney Whan he hadde spoken this and more he deliuereth certen Articles comprysed in wryting to the Prynce Electour from the byshop of Rome Afterwardes the Emperours Ambassadour speaketh on this wyse For as muche as in al former assemblies the recoÌ„ciliation of religion hath bene hetherto atteÌ„pted in vayne is supposed that by a couÌ„sel the matter might be pacified therfore hath the Emperour of late obtayned that same of the byshop of Rome that is to say that it be holdeÌ„ after the same maner time place as his Ambassadour hath declared And therfore is he sent of the Emperour to beare witnesse that the byshop of Rome is content to haue a counsell and because his Ambassadour hath spoken sufficientlye of the whole matter he nedeth to saye no more but to desyre hym to credite his tale and make hym a frendly aunswere The Duke of Saxon sayeth that because the matter is weightie he wyll take delyberation this was at Weymer After a fewe dayes the Duke aunswereth that where the Emperour and the byshop haue agreed vppon a counsell he is exceadinge glad for the state of the common wealth doth chiefly requyre such a one as ofteÌ„times the Emperour hath promised the Germanes wherin the cause may be duely examined according to the prescripte of Gods worde Whiche if it might be he would nothing doubte but that all thinges should go wel he wil both pray vnto God to graunt this and also admonishe the people vnder his iurisdiction to do the lyke he will applie his whole studie hereuÌ„to

certen of the chiefest in all the citie that fauour red them moste and tell them what an heuy case is chaunced at theyr house yet do they not vtter what it is but entreate them to take the paynes to come to their seruice at night When they came and the seruice was begonne he that was a lost made a great noyse Beinge demaunded what he would and who he was he signified that he could not speake than is he commaunded to aunswere to their interrogatories by signe there was an hole made where by laying to his eare he might heare and perceyue what the coniurer sayde Than was there a table at hande wherupon being asked a question he clapped beat so that he myght easely be heard beneth Wherfore he was fyrste demaunded whether he were any of them that haue bene buried there After that rekening vp their names in order whose bodies had there bene buried at the laste they come to the Mayres wyfe there by a signe made he sheweth that he is the spirite of her Than they questioned with her whether she were dampned and for what deserte or offence Whether it were for couetousnes pryde or letchery or that she did not the workes of charitie or els for this newe sprong vp heresye and Lutheranisme Furthermore what she ment by this noyse disquietnes Whether that her body being buried within holy grounde shoulde be digged vp and caried to some other place Unto all these thinges he aunswered by sygnes in like case as he was commaunded wherby he affirmed or denied any thynge in so muche as he stroke vpon the table twyse or thryse And wheÌ„ he had thus sygnified that Luthers heresy was the cause of her dampnation and that her body must be taken vp the freers desyre the citezens that were present to beare witnes of such thynges as they had sene and heard set their handes to it in wryting But they taking aduisement lest they should both offende the Mayor and bring them selues in trouble refused to subscribe NotwithstaÌ„ding the freers take the pyxe with the hoste as they terme it and all the reliques of sainctes and cary them to an other place and there say their Masses Which thing is acustomably done by the bishop of Romes lawe what tyme a churche is suspended and must be hallowed againe And when the byshops iudge deputed whome they call officiall heard of this he came thether to vnderstande the matter better and associatynge hym selfe with certen honest men coÌ„maundeth them to coniure in his presence would haue chosen certen to go vp into the Uault to se in case any spirit doth appere there But Steuen of Aras was sore againste this thinge and exhorted them instantly it might not be sayinge that the spirite ought not to be molested And albeit the official did earnestlye vrge them to coniure before hym yet coulde he not bryng theÌ„ to it In the meanetyme the Maior makynge his frendes priuie what he would doe went to the kynge and enfourmed hym of the whole matter And for as much as that freers by reason of their priuileges refused to come vnto iudgement the kyng chose certen out of the court of Parliament at Paris to examine the matter and gaue themfull authoritie The same did also Anthony Prate Chauncelour and the Cardinal that was the byshop of Romes Legate in Fraunce Wherfore hauing no exception they were caried to Paris and constrayned to make answere but they woulde confesse nothyng Yet were they kept a parte and the Nouice whiche Fumeus a Senatour had at home with him being often tymes examined woulde vtter nothyng fearyng leste he shoulde after be murthered of them for sclaundering their ordre but when the iudges had promised hym that he should escape free should come no more in the Freers handes he declareth the whole matter in ordre and brought before the others aduouched the same They albeit they were conuicted and in maner taken with the deede yet refused their iudges and bragged of their priuileges but that was in vayne for they were condempned in open iudgement that they shoulde be caried agayne to Orleaunce and put in pryson And afterwardes brought openly to the Cathedral churche and so to the place of punishment where malefactours are executed and there shoulde confesse their owne wyckednes But euen at the same time chaunceth apersecution against the Lutherians which was the cause that the same sentence albeit it was to gentle for so great an offence was not put in execution For because the name of the Lutherians was moste odiouse they feared lest the punishment of these men should not haue bene so muche thought dewe for theyr offence as done to the reproche of the ordre And what soeuer misfortune happened vnto them many iudged that the same woulde be a moste pleasaunt syght and spectacle for the Lutherians And this ordre of Franciscanes was of the common people estemed holye And what time they were caried out of Paris certen women moued with pitie followed them vnto the gate of the vniuersitie with manye teares and syghinges After they came vnto Orleaunce and were bestowed in seuerall prysons they beganne to boaste agayne of theyr liberties and pryueleges and at lengthe after longe imprysonment they were discharged and set at lybertie without any punyshement Whylest they were prysoners they wanted nothynge but hadde all thynges ministred vnto them aboundauntly especially of women Had not these persecutions and fyrynges before mentioned letted the thing the kynge had determined as in dede it was reported to plucke downe all theyr house and make it euen with the grounde But in the Romyshe kyngdome were wonte to be very many spyrites For it was beleued certenly that dead mens soules dyd walke after they were buried Wherefore they shewed that eyther they were dampned or els for a tyme were tourmented in the fyre of purgatory and woulde sollicite their nerest kynsfolkes and frendes to sucour them And moste commonly requyred them eyther to performe their vowes and pylgrimages which they had behight to some sainct in their lyfe tyme or els to cause a trentall of masses to be sayd for theÌ„ Whiche thynge increased maruelously the opinion of Purgatory and brought the masse in to highe authoritie and was to the priestes gainful aboue measure But after that Luthers doctrine was spred abroad and knowen those spirites by lytle and lytle vanyshed cleane out of syght For Luther taught by the scriptures howe the soules of dead men were at quiet rest loking for the last daye of iudgement and that suche terrible noyses and visions were styred vp by the deuyl who letteth none occasion slyppe to confirme mens myndes with idolatrie false opinions and to quenche the benefite of our sauiour Christe Whan the Lantgraue had bargayned with the Frenche kynge in the begynnyng of the spring tyme he leuied his armie And than wrytyng their letters both vnto kyng Ferdinando they declared the cause

mother holy churche An therfore the people beleue that there is nothynge more hurtfull and wicked in all the worlde than this kynde of people And it is coÌ„monly seen there that whan they are burning in flammes of fyre the people wyll gnashe theyr teeth at them and euen in the myddes of theyr tourmentes wyl curse and deteste theÌ„ as wicked and vnworthy to loke vpoÌ„ the sonne And where as the Turkes Ambassadours were at the same tyme in Fraunce and the kyng hymselfe had heard that he was for this same cause brought into hatred and suspicion throughout Germany And that this fyryng had offended manye the first day of February he addressed his letters vnto all the Prynces and states of the Empyre excusyng both the commyng of the Turkes Ambassadours into FrauÌ„ce by the example of others whiche haue sent receyued Ambassadours from the Turke in lyke case And also the burnyng of Lutherians saiyng that he was constrayned to be seuere against his owne nature wyll by reason of the rashenes of certen whiche vnder the pretence of Religion intended the destruction of the common wealth and so excuseth the matter as though it had bene for rebellion and not for Religion that these men were executed At the first beginning of the spring tyme the Lantgraue went vnto king Ferdinando as in the yeare before it was agreed vpon for a full reconcilement and there founde he Peter Paule Uerger newly come thither from Rome Who vpoÌ„ this occasion did his message to the Lantgraue concerning the counsel before mentioned but he taking deliberation made him none other aunswere After that Uerger traueling to the rest of the Princes applied his busines with diligence And a fewe monethes after the Lantgraue Duke Ulriche also went vnto kyng FerdinaÌ„de For where as it was conuenaunted that they should both come and aske him pardon commyng at seueral tymes it was easely graunted Howe beit Duke Ulriche was sore offended both with the Lantgraue and also with the Duke of Saxon that they had consented that he shoulde holde his landes of the house of Austriche and was of long tyme doubtful whether he woulde ratifie the peace made or no at the lengthe by the perswasion of his frendes he went to Ferdinando according to the conuenauntes In the moneth of Aprill the Emperour tooke shippinge at Barchin and transported his armie into Barbarie And whan he had wonne the citie of Tunnes and taken the castell of Golete he restored the kynge of that countrey Muleasses being of Mahumetes ReligioÌ„ whome Barbarossa the Turkes admirall had before expulsed byndyng hym to paye him tribute and after he had fortified the Castell with a strong garnyson he sayleth into Sicilie Unto this warre byshop Paule sent certen Galleis furnyshed by the coÌ„duicte of virginie Ursine also did permit him to take tenthes of the clergie in Spaine Barbarossa through our mens negligence and ignoraunce steppynge asyde escaped And first he fled to Hippon and from thence to Argiers where he repared his nauie and returned to Constantinople In Englande were two notable men Iohn Fysher byshop of Rochester and syr Thomas Moore knyght both very well learned For the fyrst wrote sondrye bookes against Luther and Moore also whilest he was Chauncelour whiche is the chiefest office there extremely punished suche as were suspected to be of Luthers doctrine They neither approued the kings diuorsemeÌ„t much lesse the act of ParlameÌ„t which denying the byshop of Romes supremacie affirmed the kyng to be head of the church of EnglaÌ„d wherupoÌ„being both apprehended wher they perseuered obstinatly iÌ„ their opininioÌ„ thâ— yere in the month of Iuly they were beheaded The byshop of Rome had made Rochester Cardinall whylest he was prysoner in the Towre which thyng was supposed to haue kyndled more hatred against hym Afterwarde about the ende of Octobre Fraunces Sfortia Duke of Millan died without issewe whiche gaue the occasion of a newe warre as shal be shewed hereafter In the meane tyme the Emperour came out of Sicilie vnto Naples and in his letters written the laste daye of Nouembre to the Protestauntes he sayd in dede that he wold obserue the peace of Norinberge notwithstandyng he was informed howe thei had taken churche goodes and did withholde the same and whan iudgement was geuen that they should make restitution they refused alledging the pacification of Norinberge which appereth vnto hym vnreasonable and can not but discontente and offende hym About this time also went the prince Electour of Saxony vnto kyng Ferdinando in Austriche and hauing dispatched his busines for the whiche he went thether in his retourne home at Prage the chief citie of Bohemy met him the byshoppes Legate Peter Paule Uerger who declared vnto hym his message touchyng the generall counsell whiche the byshop Paule intended as he sayed to holde at Mantua free Godly and lawfull without any condicions whereunto al other Prynces had consented for he had bene with them all namely in Germany Wherfore if he should nowe refuse it men woulde suppose that nothinge could contente hym When both the Emperour and kynge Ferdinando are willyng with the thing and the place and the byshop so ernestly desyreth the same that vnlesse he brynge it to passe he wyll doubtles be wery of his lyfe Therfore nowe the tyme requyreth that he should declare howe muche he loueth the aduauncement of Gods glory and the common wealth willing him not to let passe this preseÌ„t oportunitie whiche he should hardely at any tyme hereafter recouer And albeit he woulde nothynge further the counsell yet neuerthelesse should it procede and Christ they trusted would not fayle them Wher vnto the Duke of Saxon sayd whaÌ„ he had deuised with his fellowes he wold make him an answere requiring him to deliuer vnto him such thinges as he had spoken in wrytinge Wherfore at the kaleÌ„des of Decembre exhibiting a wryting he declareth thinges more at large and otherwyse than he had spoken before howe other Ambassadours were sent vnto other kinges and he vnto king Ferdinando the Princes of Germany how Mantua is the place agreed vpon by the Emperour other kynges that Germany is ful of SacrameÌ„taries Anabaptists and suche other sectes that it is to muche daunger for other nations to kepe a counsell emonges them for they are for the moste parte Franticke and without all reason Agayne such as supposed that the byshop woulde gyue place in his ryght that hath bene of so longe time confirmed to be farre disceaued And they also that beleue howe the Emperour can holde a prouinciall counsell of Germanye agaynste the byshops wyll are as muche abused And where as they talke of a saufe conduicte and pledges for theyr commyng into Italy there is no cause why it should so be For Mantua is a Citie of the Empyre nere vnto Germany and nexte the dominions of the Emperour and the Uenetians wherfore there is no daunger Finally he

Ambassades For he proueth that the same doth tende to theyr owne hynderaunce and bondage sayinge that there is no people so stronge that can long prosper and floryshe vnlesse they be mainteined by the league and amitie of theyr neyghbours But the frendshyp of the kynges of Fraunce and the Prynces of Germanye hath bene of suche auncientie and both nations procedinge of one originall and lye so borderynge together that they maye be not onlye an ayde and strengthe but also an honour and beautie the one vnto the other Therfore whan the kynge hearde saye howe the Germaynes dyd hardely agree amonge them selues he was ryght sorye and as muche as in hym lyeth wysheth a reconcilement fearyng lest this dissention in Religion should come to some sorowfull ende Wherfore vnderstandinge that for theyr owne preseruation they were nowe here assembled the kynge had sent hym to declare vnto them his aduise to be thus That for as muche as a free and general counsel could not as yet be obtained the Germains within theÌ„ selues shold assemble altogether come to some vnitie concord for the furtherauÌ„ce of the which cause in case they be so contented he will chose out certen well learned men and experte diuines in Fraunce and sende them into Germany to be at the same reconcilement or els if they woulde sende some of theirs in to Fraunce for the lyke purpose they should do him a maruelous great pleasure In the meane tyme he doth exhorte them to be at peace amonges them selues knitte their mindes with mutual consent brotherly loue and the king wyl neuer ayde their ennemies neyther with his helpe nor counsell in case they continue their good wyll towardes hym as they haue done alwayes hitherto In the beginnyng of this booke I shewed you howe the iudges of the imperiall chamber contrary to the Emperours decree made out proces against the Protestauntes For the iudges in dede wer of the Romish religioÌ„ and what tyme the Emperour was retourned from the warre of Austriche into Italy they at the suite of the clergie whiche had complayned on the Protestauntes attempted the lawe against them And albeit the Emperours proclamation were to the contrary yet did they proceede against them The protestauntes wrote herein to the Emperour And the Duke of Saxon him selfe traueled to kynge Ferdinando who coÌ„maunded the lawe to cease and ratifieth the peace made by the Emperour but that would not staye them Than did the Protestauntes vtterly refuse their iudgement as suspected and their enemies declaryng the causes wherfore But that would not be admitted for they were encouraged by the Emperours letters whereby he gaue them authoritie to iudge whiche were matters of Religion and which not so that after that they proceaded not onlye in doubtfull causes but in suche also as concerned religion and nothyng els After this the Duke of Saxon obtayneth a newe commaundement from the kyng Ferdinando but all was in vayne Finally after muche adoe Ferdinando consented that he would fynde the meanes to staye all matters in the lawe whiche the Duke and his fellowes had touchyng Religion coÌ„prysed in the peace of Norinberge Unto suche thynges as the French Ambassadour had spoken this answere was made Albeit that of the execution done reportes went diuersly yet for that he sayeth how thei went about sedicion they can not be muche offended with the kynges doynges herein whiche in deede woulde suffer no suche thynge them selues in their owne countrey Neuerthelesse they woulde wyshe the kynge should haue a respecte vnto suche as do professe the pure doctrine of the Gospell whiche they protested in the assemblye at Auspurge and not to punyshe them with the rest for it can not be denied but many false and wicked opinions are crept into the churche which vnlearned and malicious persones do defende with great crueltie to maynteyne their lucre and Authoritie and they through a maruelous polycie do forge oftentimes great crymes vpon the good and innoceÌ„t persones to exasperate the kynges mynde agaynst them But seyng that it is the propre office of kynges and Princes to seeke Gods glorye to pourge the churche of crrours and to inhibite vniuste crueltie they desyre instantly that the same moste mightie kyng would wholy applye him selfe hereunto for if he so doe than wyll they suppose that he beareth a frendly and louyng mynde towardes them which they wyshe to be lucky and fortunate to his highnes to the churche Touchinge the auncient alliaunce and frendshyp betwixt the kynges of Fraunce and the Prynces of Almaygne all his talke was to them ryght pleasaunt and they wyll to their powers endeuour that the same mutuall loue and amitie may long continue And as concernyng the reconcilement of opinions in religion they desyre nothyng els but that the matter may be heard indifferently and determined by a lawfull counsell And for as muche as it is not the office of the byshop of Rome only to appointe the counsell but that the same thynge also concerneth other kynges and Princes they desyre the kynge to forsee that there be no violent counsell called in a place suspect perillous to the intent that vnder the name of a counsel the true doctrine be not extinguished but that in so weyghty matters as concerne the preseruation and peace of the vniuersall churche and euery particular persone free disputations and vpright iudgement be had accordingly Whiche thinge should get the kyng immortal fame and thankes not only in this present age but also in tyme to come so longe as the worlde should endure As for the conferens to be had betwene the learned meÌ„ of Fraunce and Germany it requireth a long deliberation and diuerse coÌ„missions extende not to suche matters But so sone as any thyng may be determined herein they wyll aduertyse the kyng by their letters For they desyre nothyng more than that holsome doctrine myght be set forth and auaunced last of all where he sayde howe the kynge would geue none ayde against them they were very glad to heare thereof wherfore in all thynges that concerne not the Emperour and the Empyre they also wyll assist no man against hym The Ambassadour had also priuate talke with Pontane with Melancthon with the Lantgraues learned men and with Iames Sturmins of sondry doctrines and declared what was the kynges opinion in euery article and the myndes also of other learned men in Fraunce especially of Paris Of the byshop of Romes supremacie of the Lordes supper of masse of the inuocation of sainctes of Images of free wyl of purgatory of iustification of monastical vowes of marriage of priestes And that in moste of these thynges the kyng agreeth with the booke that Melancthon hath wrytten of common places touchyng the byshop of Rome the kynge is wholy of Philippus opinon that he is not chief supreme by Gods lawe but by mans lawe as he affirmeth but the kyng of England denieth both And certenly the

for that the kynge hath lately deliuered his realme of Englande out of that moste fylthie bondage and restored it vnto lybertie that Idole Antichriste is nowe starke madde and where as he can work no mischief openly he goeth about fraude and gyle and with false forged sclaunders to incense kynges against hym And al be it he woulde do any thynge to mainteyne his authoritie yet is this his deuyse and polycie to styre vp cruell warres and set one in an others toppe And the kynges pleasure was that he should thus declare vnto them not for that he stode in feare of the byshop for he was so furnyshed with all thynges that he cared neyther for hym nor yet for all his adherentes but to the intent they might clerely perceyue what Antechristes purpose is chieflye at this present tyme whan he pretendeth to holde a counsell but in his mynde intendeth farre an other thynge The kyng doeth confesse and graunte that a lawfull disputation were very profitable and expedient for the common wealth But yet for all that it ought to be forseen in any wyse that ther be no such couÌ„sel had as shal intreate only to establysh the bishoppes authoritie Wherfore he requyreth and admonysheth them that they wyll allowe no counsell before a common peace be made through out christendome Moreouer he wisheth that Gods true Religion and seruice maye be restored whiche thinge to accomplyshe and mayntaine he is content to ioyne hym selfe with them And that these are the thynges which they were commauÌ„ded to declare vnto them And moreouer required theÌ„ that they might hereafter haue further conference in these matters priuately with certen appointed persones For the kyng bare suche an affection towards them and their Religion that he would employ herein al his treasure and hym selfe also Whereunto they made aunswere and commending the kinges good wyll do shewe howe their chief desyre is that the doctrine of the Gospell myght be spred far abrode And whatsoeuer they do herein to be done of dutie And all be it they haue suffered for the same great rebukes and iniuries and although thei haue procured theÌ„ selues hereby moste heinous displeasures and haue oftentymes endured the malice and threatnynges of many yet haue they nothynge relented nor slacked therfore their enterpryse in settyng forth that moste holy thyng And the only cause of so great hatred Malice was that they had forsaken wicked errours and false doctrine Now where the kyng promysed his ayde herein so ample maner where also he hath expulsed and banyshed out of his Realme the tyranny of the byshop of Rome from whence as out of a well sprang all wicked idolatrye they are glad and ioyful to heare it and beseche God that he may thus procede Moreouer where he doeth admonyshe theÌ„ to beware that there be no dissention in their doctrine they gyue hym harty thankes but doubtles there is no controuersie at all they doe perseuer in the same doctrine whiche they professed at Auspurge For as concernynge the Anabaptistes they be with theÌ„ extremely punyshed vnlesse they come to amendement And that they also reigne chiefly in those places wher the doctrine of the Gospell is prohibited The talke also of the byshop and of his craftie dealynge pleased them very muche and that the byshops legate is nowe in Germany makyng promyse of a counsel to be holden at Mantua and howe he had talked herein with the Prynce Electour of Saxony But what deliberate aunswere they made vnto his demaundes is comprised in wryting whiche he shall haue deliuered vnto hym to beare vnto the kyng to the intent he may vnderstaÌ„de what is their mynde herein for the kynges societie and coniunction wherof he spake they yelde him harty thankes And also to the intent that this so holsome doctrine may kepe his ryght course they wil spare neyther paynes nor peryl and doubte not but God wyl gouerne these affayres although their aduersary doe neuer so muche contende and spurne against them And for because he desyreth to conferre of these thynges more at large with some men priuatly they haue chosen certen for the same purpose with whome he may coÌ„municate his things praying him to reporte of them so vnto the kynge as theyr good wyll towardes hym may appere the better through his commendation Whan the Duke of Saxon was retourned from kynge Ferdinando to Smalcalde the twelfte of Decembre on Christmas euen a decree was made that the league whiche lasted one yeare longer shoulde be renewed for ten yeares and howe the reste of their furniture shoulde be prouyded and were agreed to receyue into the same league such as were wyllynge and desyrours so that they professe the doctrine propounded of them at Auspurge and woulde beare with them scot and lotte Emonges whome were the Prynces of Pomerane Ulriche Duke of Wyrtemberge Roberte Bauier Prynce of Bipounte Aulpurge Franckeforte Kempten Hamborough and Hannobria And herein toke ordre howe to withstande defende themselues againste the vniust iudgement of the Emperiall chambre At the same tyme also was William Erle of Nassowe admitted into the league And albeit that the Lantgraue by reason of the controuersie that was betwixt them for the lande of Chattes did not assente yet if any wrong were offered him for the profession of the Gospell he sayde he woulde not fayle him in case he desyred his ayde This yeare also the Senate of Auspurge all dissention at the length taken cleane awaye receyueth the doctrine of the Gospell and wrytinge their letters vnto Luther intreate hym that he would sende them faithful ministers of the churche and amonges others Urbanus Regius âœš The tenth Booke of Sleidanes Commentaries concerning the state of Religion and the common Weale during the reigne of the Empyre of Charles the fyfte â§ The argument of the tenth Booke THe citie of Munster through the preachyng of Barnarde Rotman receaued the Gospell wherupon the clergie with theyr byshop forsoke the place neuerthelesse a reconcilemeÌ„t was made by the Lantgraue There came thether out of Hollande an Anabaptiste called Iohn of Leiden who hauing wonne Rotman and diuers others infected the whole citie with his poyson in so muche as they of that secte being set on mischief became stroÌ„ger had all thinges in common and married many wylles Iohn of Leiden after the death of Iohn Matthewe is declared the chiefest Prophet and shortly after kyng vniuersall hauing his cheyalry and power of life and death The citie being beseged a metinge was appointed at confluence to enforce the siege The Anabaptistes had sent letters to the Lantgraue and a booke of their doctrine whiche Luther than impugned The citie being in extreme famine at the last was surprysed and wonne The kyng and his companions were taken prisoners whose execution is after recited About this busines of MuÌ„ster was an assemblie appointed at Wormes The Duke of Sauope besegyng Geneua is repoulsed The kyng of Fraunce prepareth

warre against them as other wycked Prynces doe for they are holy men and good people The Lantgraue readinge ouer their booke and their letters noted what he thought blame worthy and coÌ„maunded his learned meÌ„ to aunswer it And for as muche as they had in fewe wordes and those abscure written that their king was not so muche of theirs as of Gods appointment he demaundeth of theÌ„ wherfore they did not expresse those places of Scripture wherby they thought it lawefull thus to doe And why they dyd not confirme the thynge before with signes and wonders For of the coÌ„minge of Christe God had declared longe before by all the Prophetes so euidently that it was well knowen not only of what house or familie but also whan and where he should be borne They had also requested that the matter might be heard wherunto the Lantgraue answered that the same might not now take place For so much as they had takeÌ„ vpon them the aucthoritie of the sworde and had bene the workers of so muche mischiefe For all men see what marke they shoute at certeÌ„ly to subuerte all lawes and common wealth And lyke as their intente is wicked and detestable so is nowe their requeste to haue their cause heard fayned and dissembled He doubtles sent vnto theÌ„ faythful preachers and ministers of the churche of whome they were ryghtlye instructed And where as they nowe conteÌ„pning their doctrine do resist the magistrate take other mens goodes mary sondrye wyues haue chosen them a newe kynge Where also they denye that Christe toke the humane nature of the virgyn Mary where they affirme that man hath free wyll where they compell men to make their goodes coÌ„mon where they saye there is no remission for a sinner that falleth all these thynges are against the lawes both of God and man Whan this answer was brought vnto theÌ„ they wryte agayne and sende a booke with all compyled in the vulgare toÌ„gue of the misteries of Scripture And againe in an Epistle they amplefie their cause and defende their opinions And in this booke they deuide the course and tyme of the whole worlde into thre partes the fyrst age from Adam to Noe they saye was destroyed with the Deluge of water the secoÌ„d wherein we are nowe at this daye shal be consumed with fyre but the thyrde shall be cleane a newe worlde wherein iustice shall reigne neuerthelesse before this last tyme shall appeare this present age must be pourged by fyre but that shall not be tofore that Antichriste shall be reuealed and his power vtterly abolyshed ThaÌ„ shall it come to passe that the scate of Dauid whiche is decayed shal be newly erected and Christe shall possesse his kyngdome here in earth and the wrytinges of the Prophetes shall be accomplyshed And that this present worlde now is lyke the tyme of Esaw For iustice kepeth silence and the Godly are persecuted But as after the captiuitie of Babylon so nowe also the tyme of restauration is at hande to delyuer vs from all these myseries and to rendre vnto the wycked aboundantly after their demerites as in the Apocalipse is declared And that in this same Restauration goeth before the worlde to come to the intent that all the vngodlye beynge destroyed the house and seate of iustice myght be prepared and beautified Whan the Lantgraue had red this booke he set in hande the Ministers of his churche to wryte against it The residue of the states imperial assembled at Essinge do mislyke the doinges of them that were at coÌ„ffuence affirming that they had no authoritie to impose or charge them with any burthen vnlesse it had bene by the consent of the Emperour and all states In the moneth of February Corne within the citie waxed very scarse in so muche that some also died for honger and wante of meate It fortuned that one of the Quenes pitieng the people had sayde to the rest howe she supposed that God woulde not that men should peryshe thus with famine The kyng whiche had his stoore houses furnyshed at home not only for necessitie but also for riot and voluptuousnes after he knewe it brought her forthe in to the Market place and all the reste with her and commaundynge her to knele downe stroke of her heade and whan she was dead vttered her to haue played the whore This done the residewe syng and gyue thankes to God the heaueÌ„lye father After that the kynge daunceth wyth them and exhorteth the rest of the multitude whiche had nothynge lefte them but breade and salte to dauncynge and mery pastymes Whan Easter came and no deliueraunce appered at all the kyng whiche had promysed so stoutely to inucnte some excuse fayned him selfe sicke for the space of syxe dayes After he commeth abroade amonges the people and telleth theÌ„ howe he hath ryden on a blynde Asse and that God the father hathe layde vpon his backe the synnes of the people Wherfore they are now made cleane and delyuered from euery spotte And this to be the deliueraunce whiche he promysed wherwith they ought to holde them coÌ„tented Luther amonges other thynges whiche he set forth in the vulgar tongue about this tyme wrote also of this tragedye of Munster Alas sayeth he howe should I complayne or lamente those wretched men for the thynge it selfe declareth that there dwell deuylles thycke and threfolde but yet ought we to praye the infinite mercy of God herein and haue good cause so to doe For albeit that for the contempt of the Gospell the reproche of Goddes holy name and the shedyng of innocent bloud Germany hath iustly deserued to be plaged yet hathe God hetherto restrayned the force and violence of Sathan and hath not permitted him to haue the reignes at libertie but mercifully admonysheth vs and by this tragedye of Munster nothinge at all artificious calleth vs to the amendement of lyfe For vnlesse God had brydeled hym and holden hym backe I doubte not but that moste subtille fynde and wylie artificer would haue handled the matter farre other wyse But nowe that God hathe made a restraynte he rageth and tourmoyleth not so muche as he woulde but so much as he is permitted For the wycked spirite that seketh the subuersion of the Christian fayth goeth not this way to worke to perswade the marriage of many wyues For seyng both the vnlawfulnes and the fylthye beastlynes of the thynge is apparent in the syght of all men he perceiueth well enough that men woulde abhorre it In dede the politicke and ciuile gouernemeÌ„t may through this meane be disturbed but the kingdom of Christ must be attempted with other weapons and Ingines He that would circumuente and deceaue men maye not affectate rule and gouernment and playe the tyraunt For all men disalowe this and see playnely what his intente is But he must attayne thereunto by secrete meanes as it were by certen bypathes To goe in olde and euyll fauoured apparell to

this decree was made the byshop of Munster deliuereth his armie vnto Obersten But where as the money was ouer negligeÌ„tly leuied and almost in dede to late there coulde no notable exploicte be done And the captaynes them selues for lacke of money were oftener than ones in daunger of their lyues through the sedicion of the souldiours What tyme the matter was brought to suche an extremitie within the citie that many died dayly for famine many also departed thence and went a broade so pyned and hongerstoruen that their very ennemies had pitie and compassion vpoÌ„ them The Captaines sent worde to the townes men that in case they would deliuer the king certen others they should haue no harme Whiche albeit the citezens woulde fayne haue done yet were they so afrayde of the kynges crueltie vigilaÌ„cie that they durst attempte nothynge for he was so obstinate that so loÌ„g as any thyng remayned for him selfe a fewe others to eate he would neuer rendre Wherfore the captaynes wryte againe and bidde them sende out no more from hence forth not so muche as women or childreÌ„ This was the first day of Iune The next day they wrote an answer complayning that their matter could not be heard and said they were afflicted without desert of their parte For if any man coulde detecte them of errour they would do as should become them After this they doe expounde a certen place of Daniel of the fourth beast which was much more cruell than all the rest The conclusion of their letters was that they would through Gods helpe perseuer styl in this confession of the veritie All whiche thinges were thus wrytten after the kynges mynde But whan thynges were brought to a maruelous extremitie in the citie two certen men escaped out the one of them was taken of the souldiours the other vpon his fidelitie came to the byshop and eyther of theÌ„ shewed the meane how to wynne the citie Countie Obersten and the byshop hearyng bothe their tales the two and twenty of Iune sommoned the towne charging the citezens to rendre it vp and yelde them selues that the people might be saued and not perysh thus for honger They cause Rotman to aunswer on the walles the kynge standing there by in suche sorte as they would not relent nor chaunge their purpose Two dayes after about aleuen a clock in the nyght the fotemen were brought closely to the citie and certeÌ„ chosen souldiours through the conduict of the two men escaped got ouer the dyche vp to walle and slewe the watche others followyng theÌ„ fynde the posterne gate open and about fiue hondreth with certen captaynes and ensignes entred the citie Than the tounes men being assembled together stayed the reste that would lykewyse haue inuaded and longe it was or euer they coulde put them backe and shut the gate that done they geue charge by and by vpon those that wer come in and slew many of them And whan they had foughten sore by the space of one houre or two the souldiours that were enclosed stept to the next gate that was kept with a small garde and breake it open perforce and so made way for their fellowes without which immediatly pressed in with a stroÌ„g power And wheras the townes meÌ„ at the first made resistaunce and kept the market place whiche they had wel fortified for their own defence at the last the matter being desperate and many of them stayne at the first encountre they craued and founde mercy But the kynge Cnipperdoling were taken at the same instante Botman being out of all hope to liue running amoÌ„ges his ennemies where they were thickest was stayne lest he should come into their handes alyue Whan the Citie was won the Byshop toke to hym selfe the munitioÌ„ and half the spoyle after discharging his armie he reserueth to him selfe two enseignes only to asiste him in the citie Than followed an other counsell imperiall at Wormes in the moneth of Iuly wherin kyng Ferdinando by his deputes propounded and demaundeth whether that the citie beyng nowe taken they shall treate furthermore howe to destroye all the Anabaptistes He admonysheth them also to call vpon the Byshop of Rome for a counsel Thei saye that as touchyng the Anabaptistes it hath bene all redy set forth by diuers proclamations what is mete to be done And the Byshop hath bene oft enoughe sollicited for a counsell euen by the Emperoure hym selfe neyther can they doe any thinge more therein In the same counsell the byshop of Munster requyreth to be recompenced for his charges and coÌ„playneth that the money promysed was not yet paide Whan nothyng els could be concluded and very fewe states also wer there present An other metinge was there assigned against Nouembre wherin they shoulde take ordre for the accomptes and charges of the warre and howe the commoÌ„ wealth of Munster hereafter should be gouerned Whan the daye was come Ferdinando his Ambassadour in fewe wordes repeteth the causes of that assemblie and that amonges other thynges they myght deuise also how the citie lately taken maye remayne from hence forth in the olde religion After this the Byshoppes Ambassadour declareth what charges he hath bene at all this warre tyme what great somes of money he hath borrowed and Howe after the citie was taken for the auoyding of tumultes and â—ut ther daunger he was enforced to buylde two fortes in the citie and to manne them Of all the which thinges he desyreth that a coÌ„sideration might be had Hereunto aunswere was made that the byshop had the greatest part of the spoyle all the munition also the citezens goodes All the whiche thynges do in dede apperteyne to the common wealth of the Empire wherfore reason would that of al these thynges an estimate should be made and so much be out of the charges diducted and than the ouerplus to be aunswered accordinglye After it is decreed that the byshop of Munster should be vnder the Empire according to the olde custome that all the Nobilitie of the citie should be restored the citezens also that are fled awaye so that they be not Anabaptists Touching Religion the Byshop shall take ordre therein accordinge to the decrees of the Empyre that in the spring of the next yere following the Ambassadours of the Prynces should go to Munster and vnderstande the state of the citezens that they saue the innocent people and destroye all the fortifications made by the Anabaptistes and that the byshop shall also caste downe the two fortes whiche he hath buylded within the citie And that he execute immediatly the king Cnipperdoling and Crechtinge prysoners according to their demerites and kepe them no longer To that point concerning ReligioÌ„ the Duke of Saxon the Lantgraue the Duke of Wirtemberge and Countie Anhalde protested openly that they would neuer assente to The cities also professed the same neyther would they haue the olde fortification defaced for the newe they were not against The

Ascanius Wherof Lewis inuaded the Dukedome and begot two sonnes Maximilian and Fraunces The Duke of Orleaunce had by Ualentine Charles Philippe and Iohn Charles was father to Lewis Duke of Orleaunce whiche was after king of Fraunce the twelfth of that name Philippe died without issewe Iohn Erle of Engolesme had a sonne named Charles father to kyng Fraunces who toke Maximilian Sfortia prisoner and subdewed all Lumbardie But Leo the tenth and the Emperour dispossessing hym agayne restored Fraunces Sfortia an exile Who being nowe dead kyng Fraunces to reclayme his ryght as he saieth and to be aueÌ„ged moueth warre agayne For that after the death of Sfortia the Emperour had taken the possessioÌ„ of Lumbardie by Anthony Leua whoÌ„ he left his depute there what tyme he sayled into Barbaria as before is mentioned Wherfore so sone as he had anye knowledge of the kynges enterpryse he leuieth immediatly all the power he myghte in Germanye and other places to come into Italy And coming froÌ„ Naples to Rome in the beginning of Aprill within a fewe dayes after his repayre he required that a Senate might be called wherin before the byshop and a great numbre of Cardinalles and the Ambassadours of foreyne Prynces he had a graue and a vehement oration against the Frenche kyng who breakyng league of an olde hatred and malice hindreth impecheth his moste worthy and Godly enterprises The ende of his oration was to declare that he was ready to fight with him the combat to the intent that through the priuate losse of one of them two rather than by publique domage of the whole worlde the warre might ones haue an ende Before he departed from Naples The Uenetians entred into league with him against the Turke the rather for that they hoped well that he would delyuer the possession of Millan to some priuate man For the states of Italy chiefly the Uenetians wouldneyther that the Emperour nor yet the Frenche kyng should enioye the goodly Dukedome of Millan And therfore in these former yeares they conspyred oftentymes one whyle against the Frenche kynge an other whyle against the Emperour that Fraunces Sfortia myght be restored of whome they supposed to stande in lesse daunger For the league which Clement and the Uenetians made against the Emperour ten yeares before was for this cause only Thinkyng that the Emperour hauyng displaced Sfortia would haue kept to his owne vse all Lumbardie whiche in dede they supposed would be to their great hinderaunce And where at the intercession of Byshop Clement sixe yeares past he restored Sfortia at Boloigne la grasse he got him wonderfull fauour and great good wyll At Naples also the Emperour finished vp the mariage of his bastarde daughter with Alexander Medices whome he had made Duke of Florence as I tolde you in the seuenth booke This Alexander was the bastard sonne of Laurence Medices which had to father Peter whiche was drowned in the mouth of Lire as in the last boke is mentioned You haue heard howe Uergerius was sent into Germany Whan the Emperour was arriued at Naples the byshop calleth hym home againe who returning with great expedition whan he came to Rome declareth his Ambassade how the protestauntes required to haue a free and a Christian counsell and that within the precinct of the Empyre in a place conuenient as the Emperour had made them promyse Of Luther and the rest there is no hope vnlesse they be dispatched out of the way And as concerning the king of Englande the Protestauntes wyll not assente to it and the reste of the Princes are very colde Howe George Duke of Saxonye affirmeth that there is great daunger of the Lutherians whiche can not be otherwise eschewed or auoyded vnlesse the Emperour and the Byshop make warre against them ryght shortly Whiche thynge whan the Byshop vnderstode he sendeth hym to Naples with all spede to recite these thynges to the Emperour especially concernyng the warre to be attempted agaynste the LutheriaÌ„s Aterwardes whaÌ„ the Emperour was come to Rome he was earnestly in hande to haue a counsel called and coueted greatly to cary with hym the letters patentes of the same The Byshop said he was content notwithstaÌ„ding he woulde chouse some citie in Italy and prescribe therein certen conditions necessary for the churche of Rome Hereunto the Emperour so that he woulde do it ones he cared for no more For he would bryng the greater parte of Germany to followe hym herein so therfore the Byshop chouseth out nyne of that nuÌ„bre to make the wrytte Those were Campegius Cesius Simonet Ginucius CoÌ„tarene Poole Cardinals The Archebishop of Brunduse the Byshop of Rhezo and Uergerius thaÌ„ made byshop of Modruse and not long after of Instinopulis All these together first in the Byshops presence afterwardes seuerally by them selues deuise the forme of Somoning the counsell You haue heard before of the Ambassadours of Englande with whome it was accorded at Smalcalde vpon certen conditions that the kyng should set forth the pure doctrine of the Gospell whiche they professed at Auspurge and maynteyne the same with them in a lawefull counsell if any suche shal be that neyther of them admitte the calling or place of a counsell but by coÌ„mon assent Neuerthelesse if it may appere by certayne and manifest reasons that any suche counsel is like to be as hath bene declared to Peter Paule Uerger the Byshoppes legate that it be not refused but in case the byshop continue his purpose that than his enterpryse be letted and by open protestation be refused And lyke as the kynge hath ioyned hym selfe to their religion so lykewyse to ioyne with them in league also and to be called the Patroneand defendour of the same That common opinion of the supremacie of the Byshop of Rome to be vtterly reiected for euer If anye warre be attempted against other parte for Religion or other cause that no ayde be geuen vnto hym that inforceth the same That for the defence of the league the kyng shal paye one hundreth thousand crownes wherof the one halfe the confederatours shall and may employe whaÌ„ nede shall requyre the rest of the charges to be borne of their own money whiche they shall contribute amonges them but if the warre shal longe endure and the force of the ennemy driue them to it thaÌ„ the king to disburse two hundreth thousand crownes for as much as they if the lyke chaunce should fortune stande also bounde not only to speÌ„d their goodes but their bloud and lyfe also And of this somme also the like consideration to be had as before and that it be not emploied to any other vse than to defende the league and the remainder to be restored whan the warre is finished That the Ambassadours shall wryte to the kyng hereof and whan they knowe his mynde to aduertise the Duke of Saxon and the Lantgraue therof that after a commoÌ„ Ambassade maye be sent vnto hym Whan

Byshop had lately appointed at Mantua And for as muche as the Emperour had oftentymes promysed them a free counsell in Germany and especially in the peace concluded at Norinberge and what this shall be they can not perceiue by the wryting they desyre hym that he woulde see the matter myght be indifferently heard and vsed In this same moneth the byshop of Rome publysheth an other wryting and sayeth howe in the meane tyme tyll the counsel begynne he wyl refourme the holy citie of Rome the head of all christendome and maistres of doctrine maner and disciplyne and washe it cleane from all spottes and vyce to the intent that his owne house being first well pourged he may after more easely take ordre for the rest and because the nature of man is full of imbecillitie neyther can he do so great a thing alone and also dispatche other affaires of the common wealth therfore hath he chosen certen Cardinalles whome the liuing God hath ioyned to hym as the coadiutours and companions of his cure and of office to be the workers of this necessary and holsome busynes the Cardinall of Ostia Sauseuerine Ginute Simonet and with them thre byshops whome he commaundeth all men to obeye vnder a great penaltie In the moneth of Octobre the Emperour imbarketh him selfe at Genes to sayle into Spayne The Frenche kynge came afterwardes to Paris and on new yeares day gyueth in mariage madame Magdalene his eldest daughter to Iames the fift kynge of Scottes who came into Fraunce in Autumne before And in maner about the same tyme Laurence Medices through treason in the nyght murthered Alexander Medices Duke of Florence of his owne kyndred and familie whan he had allured hym home to his house putting hym in hope to enioye a noble matrone that was his neyghbour who in beautie honest fame farre excelled others Who being slayne the gouernment came vnto Cosmus Medices which after by the Emperours consent married Elenor daughter to Peter Toletane Uiceroy of Naples At the Ides of Ianuary the kyng of Fraunce came in to the court of Parliament at Paris whiche thinge is seldome accustomed And there in a great audieÌ„ce he maketh a sore complaint of the Emperour and declared causes why the countries of Flaunders and Artois whiche the Emperour holdeth of the kynges of Fraunce as his elders haue done also ought to be called againe to the patrimony of FrauÌ„ce The speaker hereof was Capell the kynges aduocate and he named hym not Emperour but Charles of Austriche In the meane tyme the cities of Zuricke Bernes Basyll and Strausborough make sute to the Frenche king for such as were imprisoned for Religion intreating hym that the exiles myght be restored the kyng graunted partly vnto their requestes but yet accomplished not their desyre Wherfore whan they had receyued their aunswere the foure and twenty of February by Annas Momorantie the Conestable and suspected that the kynge through his impulsion dealt the lesse frendly with them the Ambassadours vsed afterwardes the helpe of the Quene of Nauarre the kinges owne syster a very good ladye and whiche bare a great zeale to the true doctrine In this meane whyle the kyng hauing mustred his men in the beginning of Marche leadyng his army towardes Arras besegeth the towne and strong castell of Hesdine whiche he had rendred to hym within a moneth At the selfe same tyme came to the kynge an Ambassadour from the byshop of Rome Reignalde Poole an Englysh maÌ„ borne of the bloud roial lately made Cardinal The cause of his ambassade was thought to be to worke some mischief against the kinge of Englande About the same tyme that the kyng of Scottes maried the Frenche kynges daughter the byshop had sent him for a present a fayre sworde riche well wrought and did exasperate him against the kyng of Englande For the byshoppes are accustomed on Christmas daye at nyght amoÌ„ges other thinges with certen ceremonies to consecrate as thei terme it a sworde whiche after for an honour and token of beneuolence they geue or sende vnto some man to whome it lyketh them Sixtus the fourth was first authour of this custome as is mentioned in the booke of their ceremonies Afterwardes Cardinall Poole wrote a booke whiche he had intitled a defence for the vnitie of the churche And he addresseth his style and speache vnto king Henry and repreheÌ„deth him sore that he toke vpon him to be head of his churche for that title to be longe only to the Byshop of Rome whiche is the Uicar of Christe and the successour of Peter whome Christe appointed Prince of the Apostles For he it was only that aunswered how Christe was the sonne of God vpon hym as vpon a Rocke Christe buylded his churche And howe Christe prayeth for his fayth that he being conuerted myght also conuerte his brethren And that Iohn after Christes death did euer obeye Peter And what tyme they made haste bothe to Christes Sepulchre he wold not go in before but gaue him this honour The cure and charge to fede the shepe was committed chiefly to hym of Christ And the nette also ful of fysshe whiche many were not able to hale vp was drawen vpon the shore by Peter alone Than hath he a long discourse of the deathes of the byshop of Rochester and syr Thomas Moore detestinge his crueltie Moreouer howe the kyng had afflicted all the states of his realme And into how muche mysery he had brought a moste floryshynge kyngdome what daunger he stode in of the Emperour for the diuorsement of his Aunt and subuersion of Religion and sheweth hym how he neyther can nor ought to loke for any ayde eyther of his owne subiectes or any other men whiche hath deserued so euyll of the common wealth And tourning his tale to the Emperour with many wordes stireth him vp prouoketh him and prycketh hym forewarde to auenge that notable reproche done vnto his familie and sayeth howe the Turkyshed seede is sowen abroade in Englande and in Germany signifiyng the doctrine that is contrary to the byshop of Rome Finally after many opprobrious wordes and sharpe rebukes he prouoketh hym to regentaunce telleth hym howe there is none other remedy but to retourne agayne to the bosome of the churche whiche ones he defended by setting forth of bookes greatly to his honour This booke printed at Rome bearyng no date was of long tyme kept close and at the last after manye yeares it came to one or two in Germany And he sayeth the cause of his wrytinge therof was for that the kynge had desyred hym to wryte his opinion And albeit that certen learned men in Englande whiche had done the lyke had lost their lyues yet could not he whiche was so muche bounde vnto hym dissemble what his opinion was neyther ought it to be imputed to hym as raylynge or cursed speakynge for he doeth both of his naturall disposition and also by a certen ordre

of life cleane abhorre that vice But in that he endeuoureth to reduce him agayne into the waye which deceiued by flatterers was strayed farre out of the ryght pathe he geueth hym a great benefite Kynge Henry had brought him vp in his yought in good letters and done very much for him But whan this alteration was in Englande whiche I haue spoken of and he myslyked it Paule the thyrde through the commendation of Contarene made hym Cardinal and sent for hym to Rome They that are familiarly acquaynted with him say how he knoweth ryght well the doctrine of the Gospell and suppose the cause to haue been why he wrote so against kyng Henry to auoyde the suspicion of Lutheranisme He caused the booke to be printed at Rome of his own coste and charge as they reporte And taking to him selfe all the Copies gaue it to reade only to the byshop him self and to the Cardinalles and others of his dere frendes for vnto such he wold be commended and feared on the other syde leste if it should be red openly of all men he should incure the rebuke and obloquie of them that had oftentymes heard hym speake the contrary âœš The eleuenth Booke of Sleidanes Commentaries concerning the state of Religion and the common Weale during the reigne of the Empyre of Charles the fyfte â§ The argument of the eleuenth Booke THe Protestantes hauing declared to the Emperour by ambassade three poyntes Heldus coÌ„ming to Smalcald maketh them answer to the which they reply and vrge a fre counsel such as was promised vpon this the Pope sendeth the Bishop of Aste The Protestants set forth an Apologie vpon the refusal of such a counsel and writ therof to the French king The king of England writeth against this couÌ„saile of the Pope I Spake of the Citie of Auspurge in the nynthe booke and of the chaunge of Religion there for the whiche cause the Clergie being for the moste parte of noble house forsoke the citie Wherupon the Senate in a writing directed to the Emperour kyng Ferdinando and all the states of the Empyre declareth the cause of their doynges howe frendly they dealte with them how many thynges they suffered and howe scornefully they behaued them selues and howe often they went about to stire vp sedition in the citie Whereunto not long after Christopher the byshop aunswered for him selfe and the reste and after many contumelious wordes exhorteth the Emperour and Princes that for as muche as the daungers concerneth aswel them as him self they would loke to it in time You haue heard in the last booke of the Ambassadours which the Protestauntes sent to the Emperour in Italy to whom they gaue commaundement chiefly thre thynges to treate of First to confute the brute whiche was raysed vp that they shoulde haue made a league with the kynge of Fraunce and of England secondly that the Emperour would restrayne the iudgement of the counsell chaumbre thirdly that suche as were come into their league since the composicion of the peace at Norinberge myght inioye the same peace Whiche requestes the Emperour in dede hearde but being wholy occupied with warelyke matters he sayde howe he woulde sende his Ambassadour into Germany who should make them aunswere Wherfore at his departure from Genes into Spayne he sent Matthie Helde his vicechauÌ„celour into Germany Whan the Protestauntes vnderstode that by their Ambassadours nowe retourned they appoynte a generall metyng at Smalcalde the seuenth daye of February And because the daye of the counsell approched nere neyther was there any doubte but that the Emperours Ambassadour would haue some talke of the same they were agreed also to bring with them their chiefest diuines Wherfore at the daye assigned besydes the Prynces Ambassadours of the cities came thether Luther Melanchthon Bucer Osiander and diuerse other Whan the Ambassadour was come to Smalcalde the fyftene daye of February he speaketh thus before them all Howe the Emperour had commaunded hym to doe his message only to the Duke of Saxony and the Lantgraue But for as muche as they haue thought good to make their consortes also partakers of the same he is contente to followe their mindes herein he saith in dede that he knoweth not al the Ambassadours of the league wherfore in case there be any amongs them whom this answere of the Emperous doth not concerne there is no cause why they shoulde suppose that any treaty is made with theÌ„ but chiefly they of Auspurge which haue oftentymes sollicited the Emperour both in Italy and Spayne about ReligioÌ„ and nowe also lately at Genes by their Ambassadour Unto whome the Emperour sayde howe he would sende his Ambassadour into Germany whiche shoulde make them an aunswere And they not abyding his commyng haue altered the state of Religion not without both the contempte and also making of the Emperour Therefore whan he came to Auspurge beinge constrayned of necessitie to chaunge his purpose he treated with them nothynge at all and hath wrytten to the Emperour the whole matter as it standeth After whaÌ„ he had exhibited the testimoniall of his Ambassade he procedeth And where they had so diligently pourged them selues of the Frenche and Englysh league the Emperoure was ioyfull to heare it whiche doeth both credit them also coÌ„mendeth their vertue that they haue so wittely eschewed the Frenche practises full of disceirfulnes Afterwards discoursing the warre of Sauoy and speakynge many thinges of the Frenche kyng sayde that he was not only a lette vnto the Emperour that he could not bende his whole power against the Turke but also that he consulted with the Turkes prouoked theÌ„ to inuade Cristendome And that this is also his daily practise to styre vp stryfe and ciuile warre in Germany and nowe endeuoureth al that he may to perswade them that the Emperour wyll not kepe promyse with them He desireth them therfore not to credite his crafty counselles For the Emperour to be of suche honour and vertue that he wyll not shrinke from his promyse And that may they well perceiue by mo experimeÌ„ts than one As touchinge the iudgement of the imperiall chambre The Emperours commaundemeÌ„t was they should meddle with no cases of Religion But they aduertised him by their letters that there was oftentymes controuersies whiche partely concerned religion partlye not And therfore the Emperour coÌ„maunded theÌ„ that of such matters as thei supposed were sequestred from religioÌ„ thei should iudge indifferently For it were pitie but the lawe should haue his course And seyng the Emperour hath commaunded them to surcease from determining matters of Religion they ought to be contente there with And if the iudges haue done ought contrary to the Emperours decre they shall not escape free but shal be punished according to the lawe made at Regenspurge But the Emperour againe admonished them that they would do nothing rashely neither prescribe the imperiall chambre For this thinge is neither lawfull nor voyde of seditioÌ„ and

should seme to be done in contempt of the Emperours iurisdictioÌ„ and to the reproche of the iudges whiche ar partly men of noble houses and partly of excellent learning and vertu And therfore requireth them not to hynder the lawe Unto their thirde requeste whiche is that suche also as be not comprised in the peace of Norinberge shoulde inioye the benefite therof he sayeth the Emperour can not with a safe conscience graunte it for that they haue promysed and subscribed to the decrees of the Empyre whiche are contrary to this Religion And if eche man should be suffered to swarue from his promyse whan he liste that wer the ready waye to breake the pacification of Norinberge Wherfore whan the Emperour shall knowe more certenly of their procedynges he wyll do than as shall seme ryght and reason In the meane tyme he requyreth them to obserue the peace them selues and to see that it be not broken of others whiche his truste is they wyll doe considerynge that the counsell is so nere whereof they haue wrytten to the Emperour and is the fourth thyng whiche he hath in commaundement to treate with them of And after vseth a great and long perswasioÌ„ with them that seing the Emperour and all other kynges and nations intende to be there and to further it they wyll not refuse nor be agaynst the same wherein the Emperour desyreth to vnderstand playnly their myndes For in case they should refuse take exceptions and make delaye The Emperour thynketh both that a most Godly purpose shold be stopped in the middes of the course and that straungers woulde also conceaue of them a suspicion that they loued rather the vexation of the common wealth than peace and quietnes And seyng the Emperour hath this respect only that Gods glory be set forth and the saluation of men be consydered he exhorteth and earnestly requyreth them that they would satisfie herein his desyre and the common wealthes also He hath also in commission that if anye controuersie shall happen in this matter he shall solute and appease the same wherunto his wyl and diligence shal be ready If they desyre also any further declaration of his talke with them he woulde not refuse The next daye after he had thus spoken he treateth seuerallye with the Duke of Saxony howe the Emperour beareth him an especiall good wyll but the lette that he hath declared not thesame hitherto hath bene the dissention about Religion But seing that there is great hope that all that matter shal be quieted by the counsell already called he desyreth hym to further the same and to sende his Ambassadours thether to the intente that all discorde taken awaye he may declare his good wyl towards hym For if he refuse and take exceptions what displeasure wyll come of it he knoweth well enough Moreouer for as muche as the Turke maketh great preparation to inuade Germanye he requyreth hym to sende hym the ayde decreed at Regenspurge against the Turkes force or if chaunce that the Turke come not to the field nor attempte Germany that then he woulde sende hym the same ayde agaynst the FreÌ„che kyng who hath inuaded Sauoye a prouince of the Emperour Last for because the Emperour hath borne the whole charges of theim periall chambre of long tyme alone and hath consumed great treasure in his warres he requyreth that after the olde custome of the Empyre he would be contributary for the portion of money hereunto beloÌ„ging as the residue of the Prynces haue also promysed The Duke sayeth that in as muche as these thynges concerne not hym alone but his coÌ„sortes also he wyll take deliberation After the .xxiiij. daye of February all the confederatours make aunswere together And first wyshynge vnto the Emperour longe health and preseruation as concernynge them of Auspurge they haue heard the whole matter by their Ambassadours and say howe they can not sequestre them from theyr fellowshyp Touchyng the Emperours warre with the Frenche kyng they are not a lytle sory seyng the same to be commodious for the Turkes the ennemies of the Empyre For that the Emperour hath taken in good parte their purgation and mynded to kepe the peace made at Norinberge they are ryght glad and thanke hym But touchynge the Iudgement of the Imperiall chamber where he sayde howe sore it should greue the Emperour to stoppe the course of the lawe They shew how there was a difficultie in the thinge what time the Archebishop of MeÌ„tz the Palsgraue were intercessours How after much long deliberation there appered no surer way to establish the coÌ„monwelth than to grauÌ„te peace to religion to al matters annexed to the same till either a general counsell of Europe or a prouincial counsel of Germany migh be had For vnlesse it might so be except that all maner of matters that procede of religion might be coÌ„prised together howe lightly occasion of trouble may be geuen was both than considered nowe may be also perceiued The wordes also of themperours proclamation set forth at the same time declare this sufficiently And that it was neuer their minde to pretende any other cause saue only matters of religion neither are the iudges of the counsel chaÌ„ber in their opinioÌ„ able to proue the coÌ„trary But now where he sayth how themperour gaue them authoritie to iudge of qualitie of matters it is to them greuouse For they accoÌ„pt al those actions to concerne religion whiche in dede can not be decided vnlesse the controuersie of religion be first in a lawful counsel determined Which thing they haue many times signified both to themperour and kyng Ferdinando by letters Ambassadours For this question of ReligioÌ„ is preiudiciall ought to be determined by a counsell before suche matters be examined as depend vpoÌ„ the same And seing that benefites are imployed for desert dutie they can not suffer that those which wtin their dominions folowe a coÌ„trary religioÌ„ froÌ„ their doctrine to enioye the goodes of the church in as muche as either they wil not or can not execute their dutie And for so muche as the matter coÌ„cerneth the coÌ„scieÌ„ce of the mynde there remaineth no place to right of possessioÌ„ or of restitutioÌ„ And seing that wheÌ„ the coÌ„positioÌ„ was made at NoriÌ„berg they expresseli named al actioÌ„s sutes which hanged then eyther in the chaÌ„ber or other courtes of iudgemeÌ„t exhibiting theÌ„ to the intercessours as matters of religioÌ„ who promised than to fynde the meanes that themperour should exempt theÌ„ froÌ„ iudgement The same thing also king FerdinaÌ„do toke vpoÌ„ him in thasseÌ„blie of Cadane by those wordes of proclamatioÌ„ where theÌ„perour cutteh of all ple all authoritie to iudge of the state of matters was cleane taken away froÌ„ the iudges of that imperial chaÌ„ber And although they wold not report euil of theÌ„ yet many seyng theÌ„ ready to geue sentence agaynste them wer incouraged to rather to comeÌ„ce their actioÌ„s which thing is to be prouoked

worlde condempned and excoÌ„municated Albeit that he contended Liberius to be one man emoÌ„ges all others that sought to disturbe the publique quiet Yet neuerthelesse did he relent nothyng and than whan the Emperour had denied the same a long time after the errour of Arrius reigned but in fine the doctrine of Athanasius had the vpper hande and preuayled for euer And who is able to recite what bloud was spilte in the quarell of his doctrine And the condition of their Religion to be like vnto the same whether aconuenient place be geuen or otherwyse For a lyke cause also suche as were at the counsell of Basill refused Ferrare where as Eugenius the byshop had summoned an other counsell The Emperour Henry the seuenth had a great sute and coÌ„trouersie with Robert kyng of Sicilie had cited hym to appere to Pisa but the same was thought vnreasonable to the byshop Clement the firste whiche bothe defended the kyng also shewed reasons wherfore he was not boside to come thether nothynge so weighty as these of ours Therfore wher they no we refuse suche maner of counsel the faulte ought not to be imputed vnto them but to the byshop For so ofte as they haue referred their matter to a counsell they ment it of suche a counsell as the Emperour and states of the Empyre had decreed For they were not ignorant that in case the byshoppes might be permitted to haue the whole orderyng of the matter but that they would worke all to their owne auauntage and oppressing the true doctrine woulde establyshe theyr owne wyckednes And yet for all that doth Paul the thyrde so collour the matter with wordes to the Emperour as though he woulde vse the thynge vpryghtly and sincerely where he intendeth the contrary Moreouer what counsell they requyred thei haue declared by writing to Peter Paule Uerger the Ambassadour not only of Clement but also of Paule the thyrde And where as he sayth that the Emperours mynde is that errours and vices might be reformed there is none apparence therof at all in the byshops wryting For in case he intended a true and a nedefull reformation he would not haue coÌ„dempned theyr doctrine before they were heard And albeit they distruste not the Emperours equitie and are so muche the more sory that they can not gratifie hym herein yet are they nothing furthered through this his good wyl and diligence For albeit the Emperour him selfe be present at the counsell yet is it well enough knowen what authoritie the bishoppes wyll permitte eyther hym or other kynges also to haue in suche maner of cases For the moste that they wyll graunte to shal be perauenture to vse their counsell in matters for as to determine any they wyll not permitte them but reserue that authoritie to themselues only to the entent that in case the Emperour and ciuile Magistrates went some thynge to farre they myght hereby as with a bridel hamper them in in fine determine al thinges at their own pleasure They desire therfore that the Emperour would not be offeded with them in that they seke to eschew these snares of the bishop where with he wold intrappe them For this is geueÌ„ naturally euen vnto brute beastes to shunne the place where they knowe they are layde in wayte for to be taken Furthermore it is commonly knowen howe the matter was handled in the counsell of Constance with the Emperour SigisinuÌ„de For albeit he had graunted a saufeconduicte to Iohn Husse yet did the byshops deminishe his authoritie saying howe it was lawfull neyther for him nor no man els to prescribe or measure them in this behalf wherwith the Emperour being vaÌ„quished gaue place to their authoritie whiche they chalenged to them selues not with out sighinge in their opinion but yet to the miserable destruction of hym who trustinge vppon the saufe conduicte fell into that calamitie Wherby it appereth euidently how muche the Emperour is able to helpe theÌ„ herein though he wold neuer so fayne after they haue ones intrapped them and enclosed theÌ„ as it were in a pinnefolde therfore must they worke circuÌ„spectly and yet for all that lest any thyng should be imputed to them they are ready not only to abyde lawfull iudgement but also moste earnestly beseche the Emperour to waye and pounder these so weightie matters diligently and to call a lawfull counsell in Germany wherin neither the byshop nor his consortes shall occupie the place of iudgemeÌ„t And if the byshop wyl let or impeche the Emperour in so doing and shal not permitte a sincere counsel to be holden in Germany they do proteste opeÌ„ly that the faulte is not in them that the matter is not brought to a coÌ„corde What incommoditie also shall arise therof the same to be wholy ascribed to the Byshop in conclusion they requeste hym to make this same reporte vnto the Emperour and declare their good wylles and dutie to wardes hym Whan the matter was thus decided amonges them And Heldus had promysed them to make relation to the Emperour of all thynges the Protestauntes decree also howe to mainteyne the ministers of their churches in lyuing for the erecting of free scholes that their churches and common wealth might neuer want learned men last of suche thynges as concerne their league and defence As concerning the Turke they had aunswered the Ambassadour before that if they and theirs might haue quietues in other matters they would be glad and wyllynge to ayde the Emperour against hym but nowe the brute went howe kyng FerdinaÌ„do prepared warre against John Uayuode and therfore requyred ayde In the whiche perplexitie lest haply they should not do theyr dutie to the common wealthe it was decreed in the absence of Heldus that the Duke of Saxon and the Lantgraue sendynge abroade espialles of the common charges should get intelligence what thynges were a brewyng if the Turke entended to inuade Germany that they should than assemble agayne to consulte what eche mans dutie is herein Moreouer to the entent that all men myght vnderstand what iust cause they had to refuse the counsell they condescended to compryse the whole matter in wryting Whiche after wardes they set forth in print and speaking of foreine kynges and nations Paule the thyrde saye thei hath sent forth his bulles of late to sommoÌ„ a counsel at Mantua to begynne nowe at the .xxiij. daye of May and alledgyng certen causes therof Moreouer he hath sente his Ambassadours to kynges and Prynces as well Germanes as others to aduertyse them of the counsell and to exhorte them eyther to come thither theÌ„ selues or send their protectours And where he moued vs also by his Ambassadour here vnto and so did the Emperour in lyke maner the thynge it selfe requireth that we should therfore declare what peryll and losse it were not for vs only but also for the whole common wealth of Christendome if men should obeye hym herein And notwithstandyng that the cause

Prynces also to geue their assistaunce after the forme of the league What time these thinges were thus come to light because there was great daunger towarde and the occasion of warre was sought of them the LaÌ„tgraue furthwith wrote his letters to his father in lawe Duke George and declaringe the whole matter as it stoode sheweth how he hath great wrong offered him how he maketh no preparation for warre About the same time Matthias Helbus rode in great post haste through FrauÌ„ce into Spayne to the Emperour Afterwardes the Lantgraue wrote to king Ferdinando and to his syster Mary Regent of Flaunders to the Princes Electours the Dukes of Bauier after the same sorte as he did to Duke George his father in lawe and maketh his purgation Whan the Duke of BruÌ„swicke perceiued that the matter was disclosed and heard of the Lantgraues letters he aunswereth that he hath not susteined wrong at his handes only whiche nowe hath taken his Secretary but also by the Duke of Saxon the last yeare whan by the commaundement of kyng Ferdinando in the Emperours name he went to Duke George of Saxony and againe comming home from Norinberge what tyme the league was made than did he laye wayte for him Unto this the Duke of Saxon aunswereth For as muche as he denied him and his fellowes saufeconduicte whan they went to brunswicke against the lawe and custome of the Empyre he coulde thinke none otherwyse of hym but to be his ennemye he had dyuerse tymes before gone with two or thre with hym disguysed in seruauntes apparell that he should not be knowen through his and his brothers countrey priuely neyther did he whiche knewe this well enough empeche or lette him But after he would haue the passage stopped for hym and his league frendes why should he thinke to haue more libertie with other men than he wyl graunt vnto them Wherfore vpon this occasion they began to write one against an other which not long after ended in most sharpe and bitter inuectiues hauing in dede the beginning of the Duke of Brunswicke whiche after a rare example amonges Princes let passe no kynde of raylyng and opprobrious wordes as bokes set forth in prynte doe declare Whylest these thynges are a workynge dieth Iohn Duke of Cleaue leauyng William his sonne and heyre whome Conradus Heresbachius from his chyldhode had instructed in good letters and maners What tyme they were come to Franckefurte in the moneth of Februarye accordyng to the appoyntment After much sondrye and sharpe debatynge of the matter they concluded at the last the nyntene daye of Apryll vpon these conditions The Emperour to the intent a coÌ„munication of learned meÌ„ may be had coÌ„cerning religion graunteth to the coÌ„federatours of the doctrine professed at Auspurge whiche are nowe in that numbre truce for .xv. monethes and commaundeth that in this meane tyme they be not molested in any case concernyng Religion The peace of Norinberge and the Emperours decree at Regenspurge are also for this tyme ratified And if duryng the tyme of this truce they can not fully agree in Religion yet shall that peace be of force vntyll the nexte assemblie of the Empyre And if perchaunce there be an assemblie before the truce be expyred yet neuerthelesse that peace shall take place vntyll the other assemblye In the meane whyle during the tyme of this truce the Emperour doeth suspende all suites and actions in the lawe commenced againste the Protestauntes and also the outlawyng of the Cytie of Myndin and if anye thynge be otherwyse done he commaundeth it to be frustrate Where it is wonte to be obiected vnto them as though for the profession of this Religion they myght not consiste in iudgement the same shall take place no longer but they shall enioye the benefite of the lawe without exception Agayne the Protestauntes shall moleste no man and durynge this truce shall take none in theyr league yet so as no man susteyne anye wronge in the quarell of their Religion The Emperour shall also forsee that no man be receyued more ouer in to the contrary league The Protestauntes shall permytte the clergie to enioye all those yearelye profites whiche they haue at this daye By the consent of the Emperour a daye shall be assigned at the kalendes of Auguste at the whiche daye should mete at Norinberge the Cathoqliues and ProtestauÌ„tes such as were good men and desirous of peace and not contentions or frowarde Those shal chouse out a certen numbre of diuines whiche quietly and frendly may conferre of religion with them also shal be ioyned others that professe not diuinitie but yet experte men and sobre Moreouer the Emperour and kynge Ferdinando if they lyste maye haue their deputes in this conference and what soeuer shall there be agreed vpon by consent of eyther partie shal be signified to the states that be absent who approuing the same the Emperours Ambassadour also shal ratifie it or els the Emperour him self in the next asseÌ„blie of thempire after he shal haue coÌ„firmed shal coÌ„maund to be kept inuiolate Both parties shal lay away the preparatioÌ„s vnto war he that shal seme to go about any thiÌ„g shal be enforced to shew the cause why he doeth it yet so as no maÌ„ be inhibited to kepe a defeÌ„ce necessary in al other thiÌ„gs the law of theÌ„pire shal be of both parties obserued In this truce are coÌ„preheÌ„ded neither Anabaptists nor others that followe a doctrine coÌ„trary to the coÌ„fessioÌ„ of Auspurg The protestaÌ„tes shal haue in a redines ayde for the Turckish warre that ther be no delay And whan the Princes Electours and other principall states shall at the Emperours commaundement sende their deputes to Woormes at the .xviij. daye of May the ProtestauÌ„tes shall sende theirs also that they may consulte of soden ayde against the Turke and what someuer there shal be agreed vpon by the consent of the more parte to the same shall they also subscribe And if the Turke shall moue warre duryng the tyme of the truce they shall resiste hym with the reste And these thynges to be ratified in case the Emperour within syre months shall allowe the same begynning from the kalendes of May. And in the meane tyme that agrement concerning the truce and not to augmente the league shal be of force And in case the Emperour do not declare his mynde within the same tyme â—yet shall the peace of Norinberge be in as full strength and vertue hereafter as it was before The Emperours depute here was Iohn Archebyshop of Londe for Heldus was gone into Spayne as before is sayde And kyng Ferdinando also sent thether his Ambassadours The Protestauntes were there many and the Duke of Saxon him selfe and the Lantgraue whiche brought with them certen diuines The Palsgraue and the Marques of Brandenburg both Electours did intreate as meanes The Duke of Saxon amonges other thynges protested this at that tyme that he would not attribute to Ferdinando the title of

Religion About this tyme in the moneth of May appered a blasyng starre and shortly after departed Isabel wyfe to Charles the Emperour for whome the Frenche kyng so sone as he heard therof kepte a solempne funerall at Paris as the maner of kynges is I shewed you before of the counsell of Uicence whiche the byshop of Rome had proroged tyll Easter of this yeare But seyng than that none would come he publisheth his letters the tenth of Iune wherin he prorogeth the counsell no more but suspendeth it at his owne pleasure and senate of his Cardinalles The kyng of Englande had certen monethes before set forth another wryttyng touching this Synode of Uicence and declareth howe the Byshop deludeth the whole worlde For where he excused hym selfe by the Duke of Mantua it was a playne mockery For seing he taketh vppon hym so great anothoritie why did he not compelle hym If he coulde not wherfore shoulde he commaunde men to come to a place vncerten and the whiche is not in his power Nowe albeit he hathe chosen Uicence for the same pourpose yet is there no doubt but the ã€ˆâ€¦ã€‰ enetians men of so great wysdome wyll no more suffer their citie to be pestred with suche a multitude without garmsons of Souldiours than woulde the Duke of Mantua and that in fyne there wylbe as small resorte thether as was to Mantua There fore it is but delusion what so euer he doeth neyther oughte he to be permitted in this dissolute lybertie any longer There is nothynge in dede better nor more commodious than a lawfull counsell But whan they are applied vnto priuate lucre and commoditie and to the establyshynge of certen mens aucthoritie they brynge a wonderfull destruction to the common wealth Whan the name of the counsell and of the churche was nowe common in euery mans mouthe Luther setteth forth a booke of either of them in the vulgare speache And fyrst he treatefh of the assemblie of the Apostles at Hierusalem whiche is mentioned in the .xv. of the actes After he reciteth the contrary opinions of the Doctours especially Austen and Ciprian concernyng baptisme by the same occasion he maketh mention of those lawes that are called the Canons of the Apostles and proueth by manifest reasons that thei be false and countrefeated and those that geue them that tytle to deserue death Than doeth he recite in ordre those foure counselles which were of chiefe authoritie the counsell of Nyce Constantinople Ephesus and Calcedonie And declareth for what causes they asseÌ„bled ther and what they decreed in euery of them After he commeth to the principall question and sheweth what is the aucthoritie of a. counsell Wherfore he sayeth howe a counsel maye not confirme any newe doctryne nor commaunde any newe worke neyther bynde mens myndes with newe ceremonies not to intermedle with ciuile gouernementes nor to make any decrees to establysh the authoritie of a few But the dutie therof to be to abolyshe and condemne newe opinions contrary to holy Scripture and newe ceremonies whether they be superstitious or vnprofitable for the churche And suche thynges as are brought in controuersie to examine and determine after the written text of Gods worde After this he diffineth the churche sheweth by what tokens it ought to be knowen and by a comparyson made declaring what Christe and his Apostles taught he sayeth howe the Byshop of Rome whiche hath brought into the churche a farre coÌ„trary doctrine and by wicked meanes hath pylled the whole world with intollerable exactions ought to be condempned and dryuen to make restitution Amonges diuerse other thynges wherby in the same boke he declareth what blyndenes men were led into vnder the Byshop of Rome and howe shameful and vyle was the Religion he sayeth how it was come thus farre that a monke or a freers wede was thought to be sufficient to bryng a man to eternall lyfe And manye not onlye meane folkes but also great Prynces would be buried in a freers garment Those that shall come after peraduenture wyl not beleue it but yet is it true and wont to be commonly done in Italy And in our me mory Fraunces Marques of Mantua the seconde of that name put into his last wylle that he myght be buried in a gray freers cote The same did Albertus Pius Prynce of Carpes in Paris And Christopher Longelie a Bourgonnion buried at Padwey a man excellently learned and a great Ciceronian who also wrote an Oration against the Lutherians in lyke case as Alberte did diuers against Erasmus of Roterdame Immediatly after the death of Duke George Henry the Duke of Brunswycke rydeth to the Emperour into Spayne thorowe Fraunce About the same tyme Henry the eyght kyng of Englande calleth a Parliament wherein amoÌ„ges other thinges were enacted certen decrees for ReligioÌ„ called the syxe Articles as followeth that vnder the four me of bread and wyne was the true and natural body and bloud of Christe and that after the wordes of consecration there remayned no more substaunce of bread and wyne that the receiuing of the whole supper of the Lorde was not necessary to saluation and that Christ is wholy coÌ„teyned vnder both kyndes How it is not lawful for priestes to marry That the vowes of chastitie ought to be perfourmed That priuate masses were to be reteyned That auricular confession is good and necessary To suche as thought and did otherwyse was appoynted punyshement dewe for heretikes And the same tyme the kynge stoode in termes to marry the Lady Anne of Cleue a mayde of an excellent beautie which after she was affianced within a few monthes was sent to Caleis whether the kyng had sent the Lorde Admirall others with his shyppes to receyue her and transporte her into Englande But he hymselfe accompanied with all the Nobles and Gentlemen of the Realme receiued her vpoÌ„ blacke Heath and brought her to Grenewitche where shortly after they were married by the Archebyshop of Canturbury Some saye howe the Bishoppes had perswaded the kyng to coÌ„sent to the syxe Articles to the intent they myght bring the Archebyshop of Cantorburye and the Lorde Crumwell whiche were great fauourers of Religion out of aucthoritie creditie This yeare in the moÌ„th of August Barbarousse the Turkes Lieutenaunt taketh by assiege Castelneufe a towne in Slauonie borderinge vpon the Goulfe of Uenise and sleying all the Souldiours leadeth awaye many captiue A yere before in the moneth of October the Emperour and the Uenetians beyng of one confederacie had wonne it And the Emperour in dede put in a garrison of foure thousand Spanyardes and made captayne Fraunces Sarmiento Whiche chaunced to the Uenetians contrary to their expectation for that they sayde the town standing in that coaste ought rather to be theirs Therfore not longe after when they more more mislyked this societie and sawe it wold be very daungerours for them aske truce of the Turke and obteyne it In maner at the same tyme arose

a sedition at Gaunte Whiche citie is of great force and aucthoritie in those parties and hath oftentymes made many sore bickeringes for their lybertie with the Gouernours of Flaunders in whose dominion it standeth The Emperour hauing intelligence hereof where he firste had thought to haue gone through Italy into Germany he altered his purpose and determined to passe through Fraunce seyng the kyng required hym instantly so to doe and promysed hym all thynges franckely In the meane tyme the Palsgraue and the Marques of Brandenburge intercessours addressyng their letters to the Emperour of the pacification at Franckfurte had requyred hym to permitte a conference of learned men to be had at Norinberge But he sayde that the death of his wyfe and certen other affaires would not suffer hym to entende suche matters Whan the intercessours had sent a copie of these to the Duke of Saxon and the Lantgraue and yet had not signified whether the Emperour had confirmed that truce of .xv. monethes The .xix. daye of Nouember an assemblie was appoynted at Arustet a towne of Turingia Here they consulted to augmente their confederacie for their nedefull defence in case the Emperour wyll not allowe the peace makyng at Franckefurte for well disposyng the churche goodes to sende Ambassadours into Englande touching the syxe Articles and to mitigate the kinges mynde to moue the Frenche kynge that innocente persones be not tormented for ReligioÌ„ Moreouer to sende Ambassadours to the Emperour so sone as they shall vnderstande of his commyng into Flaunders And for because certen of the confederatours were absent and other some had not commission to determine of certeÌ„ matters an other daye was assigned at Smalcalde at the kalendes of Marche wherin to treate of the reste Here were receiued into the League the men of Rigen a citie in Linonia whiche were at coÌ„tencion with their Archebyshop lyke as many others were in Germany Neyther wer they receyued vpon other condicion than to be defended in the counsel chaÌ„ber by the commoÌ„ procurers therfore payed to the confederatours a thousande and fyue hundreth crownes Henry Duke of Saxon was taken into the league two yeares before without any charge because he was but poore but yet vpon condition that if he were at any tyme enriched he should beare like charge with the reste Nowe therfore that he was auaunced to this goodly inheritaunce in this Assemblie they treated with hym touching the same whiche assemblie ended the tenthe of Decembre The Prynces were not there present but had sent their deputes And the Duke of Saxon had sent Iohn Dulcie and Fraunces Burcarte vicechauncelour into Englande in the moneth of Nouembre to be is his name present at the marriage betwene the kynge and the Lady Anne of Cleane for he had married her syster Sibille as is mentioned in the syâ—â— booke Wherfore vpon this occasion they were enioyned at Arnstade to treate with the kyng in the name of the ProtestauÌ„tes for these matters before sayd The Emperour receyuing a saufe conduictetoke his iourney with a small company in the moneth of Nouembre Whan he came to the frontiers of Fraunce borderynge vpon Spayne he met the kynges two sonnes Henry and charles which were come thether in poste and the Constable which was gone thether long before with a great parte of the nobilitie of Fraunce of whom being receyued and conduicted through the myddes of Fraunce the greatest cities whaÌ„ he came to Loche in Burges he mette with the kynge hym selfe who was than scarcely ameÌ„ded of a late disease After passyng through Or leaunce on Newe yeares daye rydynge in the myddes betwene the kynges two sonnes he entred into the citie of Paris and the Constable bare the sworde before him For no kinde of ioyful myrth and gladnes no honour or solemnitie that the mynde of man coulde delight in was left vndone Thether came the Byshoppes Legate Alexander Farnesius Cardinall who together with Cardinall Bellaye the Byshop of the citie Receiued the Emperour into the Cathedrall churche at Paris Where the Emperour remaining seuen dayes afterwardes departeth the kynge hym selfe accompanying hym into Uermandois and his sonnes brought hym as farre as Ualencenes a towne in Henaulte The kynge was brought into a great and almoste a sure hope to recouer Millan but it chaunced farre otherwyse as hereafter I purpose to declare What tyme the Emperour was with the Frenche kynge in Fraunce they sent both their Ambassadours to the Uenetians moste nobly accoÌ„panied The Emperour sent Alphonse Daualle gouernour of Millan and the king Claudie Hannebalde Lieutenant of Piedmonte These exhorted the Senatours with a longe discours to ioyne them selues in amitie with these two most myghty Princes and to put to theyr good willes and power to ouerthrow the Turke But they whan they had most honorably dimissed the Ambassadors considering the thing more diligently thought mete to reconcile them selues to the Turke with whom they had trewce already Wherfore concluding at the last to rendre vnto him Nanplia and Epidaurum they obteyned at his hande peace Some saye that the Frenchemen albeit exhorted them openly as did themperours Ambassadour yet secretly whispered in their eares that they should prouide for themselues not enter into such a daunger for the which they were fyrst like to smarte the king him selfe in an Apologie against themperour reporteth that the common wealth of the Uenetians of him destroyed was through his meanes releued and recouered Aloisius Bardnarius the Ambassadoure of the Uenetians sente to the Turke for peace ã€ˆâ—Šã€‰ as commaunded fyrst to offer al other conditions and reserue those two cities for extreme necessitie But the Turke which by priuie espiall knewe the determination of the Senate longe before did expostulate with him that he did not declare his commission plainely and directly And without those two places deliuered would not conclude Who beyng amased seyng the priuities of the common wealth were bewrayed full sore againste his will permitteth him to haue them at laste But whan he was retourned to Uenise and had declared the whole matter the Senatours greatly astonied after moste diligente inquisition apprehende certen and fyndynge them giltie cut of theyr heades One of them was fledde into the Frenche Ambassadours lodgyng the Bishoppe of Mompelier as into a Saintuary wherefore officers were sent to haue searched all the house But whaÌ„ they might not be suffered to enter the Senate commaundeth certeine great pieces to be fetched out of theyr ordenaunce house to ouerthrow the lodging Wherupon the Frenchmen consyderinge theyr owne daunger bring him forth vnto them The Senate afterwarde wrote vnto the kinge the cause why they so dyd lest he shoulde thynke his Ambassadour had susteined wrong When themperour came into Flaunders kyng Ferdinando comming out of Austriche met there also After the Protestantes Ambassadors as it was condescended at Arnstad who the xxiiii daye of February beyng admitted to the Emperours speach at Gaunt

welcome him into the low countrey pourge them selues of the euill reportes of theyr aduersaryes and complayne of the Duke of Brunswike and the Iudges of the Chaumber declare how desirous they be of peace and by howe many waies they haue sought it which they nowe desyre him to graunt and establishe for euer The Emperour telleth them before Granuella that after he hath consulted of the matter he wyll make them an aunswere And in maner about the same tyme that they sent this Ambassade to the Emperour they wrote also to the Frenche kynge reioysinge muche at the great good wyll and amitie betwene the Emperour and hym And with a long proces intreate hym in this coÌ„sent of mindes to further the cause of Religion and publique quiet to the Emperour At the kalendes of Marche the Ambassadours of the Princes cities of Protestauntes met at Smalcald as was appointed with whom also came these diuines Ionas Pomerane Melancthon Cruciger Bucer And they were inioyned to deuise a fourme in wryting wherwith they shoulde thinke mete to treate with their aduersaries for the coÌ„ciliation of religion In this assemblie they coÌ„sulted of such matters as were left vndiscussed at Arnstad as before is said In the meane time Dulcie and Burcarte were returned out of Englande the seuenth day of Marche they make reporte at Smalcalde of the state of Religion in England that for the decrees made the yere before there is no great punishement notwithstanding Hugh Latimer byshop of Woorcester and Shaxton byshop of Salisbury are deteined in prison for ReligioÌ„ and as yet not released The Lorde Cromwell whiche is in moste authoritie doth appease and mitigate the kynges mynde and that also the kyng him selfe in familiar talke opened vnto them his mynde supposeth thus that the diuines of the Protestauntes thinke not rightly coÌ„cerning the mariage of priestes the lordes supper vnder both kyndes and of the priuate masse requireth them to write vnto him of these other necessary questions at large alledging the causes and reasons of their opinions And he wyll see agayne that the learned men of his Realme shall wryte an aunswere that thus a waye may be made to come to the knowledge of the truthe Moreouer Cromwel and certen others thinke it mete and expedient to sende a great Ambassade to the kinge and Melancthon with them For if any meane agrement in religion might be had the kynge woulde bestowe a great somme of money vpon a league that he purposeth to make with them not onlye in the cause of Religion but in generall for the kyng marueleth greatly why they are confederated for Religion only for the tyme wyll come that they shal be attempted with warre vnder a contrary title And a fewe dayes after the diuines exhibite their wryting the some wherof was this Not to swarue from the steppes of the confession at Auspurge and the Apologie afterwardes annexed to the same Which sentence afterwardes all the diuines that were absent did approue by their letters sent thether This tyme came Henry the Duke of brunswick to GauÌ„t The day before the Ides of March theÌ„perour answereth the protestaÌ„tes Ambassadours by Cornelles Scepp geÌ„tly so so but yet in suche sorte as it coulde not be wel perceiued whether he would graunte them peace or not Wherfore the Ambassadours by the Emperours leaue going a litle asyde by and by retourne and desire hym to inhibite the processe of the Imperiall chamber and graunte them peace whereunto the Emperour sayde he had no more to aunswere them at this tyme he woulde take further delyberation This aunswere was recited at Smalcalde the tenth daye after And on Easter munday which was than the .xxix. of Marche came thether the Princes them selues That tyme was a certen contention and hatred betwyxte Granuella and Heldus which in fine came to this ende that Heldus being displaced departed from the courte and lyued a priuate lyfe For the other was aboue hym in authoritie and brought Heldus into hatred and obloquie for that he was ouer vehement in counsell matters and other affaires and had constreyned the Emperour thinkyng nothyng lesse to haue warres in maner against his wyll And whan Granuella had geuen certen manifeste instructions of his wyll and mynde to be inclyned to peace and concorde beynge requested of the Protestauntes he perswaded the Emperour also to the conditioÌ„s of peace And he hymselfe at the begynning as though it had bene in his owne name sent to Smalcalde intercessours and Ambassadours Theodoricke Manderschitte and William Nuenarie Erles men of great wysdome and dignitie notwithstanding the first taried by the waye sore sycke Their demaundes were reasonable enough neuerthelesse they signified this that the Emperour was almost perswaded as though they cared not for Religion neyther desyred peace in theyr hartes but altogether sought to conuerte the churche goodes to theyr priuate vses delyghted in discorde bare him no good wyll but were more addicte to take their partes that were his open ennemies And these things were reported to the Emperour partly by their aduersaries partly by the Frenchemen as it is sayde for a certentie For what tyme the Emperour went through Fraunce and all thinges were lyke to growe to a perfite frendshyp then were certen thinges disclosed and the Protestauntes letters vnto the kyng shewed vnto the Emperour some do impute this to the kyng him selfe and other some to the Constable who was than of chief authoritie sought al meanes possible to quiet and agree the Princes and dyd beare the Protestantes no good wyl because of Religion âœš The thirtene Booke of Sleidanes Commentaries concerning the state of Religion and the common Weale during the reigne of the Empyre of Charles the fyfte â§ The argument of the thirtene Booke THe Protestauutes make aunswere to the Emperour demaundes shewyng how they haue more regarde to Religion than to churche goodes They confute also the argumentes of the kyng of Englande touchyng the syxe Articles The Emperour hauing punyshed them at Gaunt sendeth letters to assigne a metyng for the protestauntes against whome speaketh Alexander Farnese the Popes Legate who had followed the Emperour out of Fraunce In the meane tyme the Frenche kyng made a league with the Duke of Cleane whose syster the kyng of Englande than refused At the assemble of Hagenawe certen poinctes of Religion were agreed vpon the resydewe were referred to the conuention that kyng Ferdinando assigned at Woruies Whether Granuellan sendyng first Naues came afterwarde also hym selfe and made an Oration And after hym Campeigius the Popes Legate The conference brake offe and all was differed to that Iourney of Regenspurg In this meane whyle Luther answereth a booke set forth by the Duke of Brunswycke where is spoken of the dere mantell of the Archebyshoppes The counsell beyng begonne at Regenspurge Granuellan presenteth the booke of the Interim The Duke of Cleaue commynge into Fraunce marrieth the

vnto them the cause of that assemblye And because the Prynces came not them selues whiche the Emperour thought verely they woulde haue done he wylleth them to she we their commission and aucthoritie After he nameth intercessours Lewys the Paulsgraue Iohn Archebyshop of Treuers Lewys Duke of Bauier and William Byshop of Strasborough When they were contente with them they beganne the treaty Thether came also the diuines of the Protestantes a great number Iustus Menius Pistorius Urbanus Regius Bucer Brentius Blanrer Osiander Shirepsius and many others MelanchthoÌ„ fell sore sycke by the waye These preached at home euery man to their company but chiefly what tyme al the Ambassadours mette together to consulte vpon any matter But Ferdinando whan he vnderstoode it forbade them the Ambassadours agayne shewed hym howe they preached not openly but only priuatly neyther was there anye cause why he should be offended The Duke of Saxon and the Lantgraue were about to come in case the talke had gone forwarde and taried vpon the froÌ„tiers to the entent that hearing newes therof they might haue bene there by and by The intercessours requyre the ProtestaÌ„tes to deliuer them in a brief somme the Articles that are in controuersy they say how they did exhibite the somme and confession of their doctrine ten yeares synce at Auspurge an Apologie to the same whiche they sticke vnto and to none other beyng ready to make aunswere if any man fynde lacke therin And for because they knowe not what thynge chiefly their aduersaries do reprehende therin they haue nothyng to exhibyte but the same is rather to be requyred at their haÌ„des to shewe what they suppose to be contrary to Gods worde Whiche if they doe and that the matter come to disputation as was thoughte mete at Franckefurte they wyll not be against a coÌ„corde They shew them againe within a fewe dayes after that forasmuche as they dwel styll in their confession exhibited at Auspurge they doe fynde in readinge of the treaty there that certen thinges were brought to a conciliation and certen not Nowe that the reste also myght come to a reconcilement they wyll doe their endeuours and desyre them to vtter their myndes herein The Protestauntes agayne saye that there was in dede a talke of certen Articles but nothyng concluded nor anye agrement at al made there Thus the matter being debated to and fro where the Protestauntes requyred that they myght come to disputation and they againe sayd howe it was coÌ„maunded them by the king and the Emperour that they should procede accordinge to the treaty at Auspurge Kyng Ferdinando the .xvi. daye of Iuly callyng them al before hym forasmuche sayth he as the matter standeth thus that nothyng can nowe be determined and that chiefly for the absence of the Duke of SaxoÌ„ the LaÌ„tgraue an other day must be appointed wher in the Ambassadours learned men of both partes shall mete of lyke number to conferre of the Articles professed at Auspurge And than after a longe controuersie betwyxt the kyng and the Protestauntes for the peace of them and all their confederatours about the restitution of churche goodes and the iudges of the chamber Ferdinando the .xxviij. daye of Iuly maketh a decree and reciting the whole matter appoynted the day for a coÌ„munication to be at Wormes the. xxviij daye of October vpon condicion that the Emperour be so content The Prynces Electours the Dukes of Bauier and the Duke of Cleaue and the byshoppes of Madenburge Salisburge and Strasburge are commaunded to sende thether their counsellours and the Protestauntes also theirs so that there be eleuen on eyther part And also as many Scribes to wryte diligently what euery man sayeth the conference to be had of the Protestantes doctrine professed at Auspurge and that request be made to the Emperour that he wyll call a counsell of the Empyre And in the meane tyme he commaundeth all men to obserue peace and abstayne from violence vnder a great penaltie appointed by the Emperours commaundemeÌ„t Prynces before mentioned at this assemblie were Christopher the byshop of Trent Henry Duke of BruÌ„swycke but he went home before the matter was ended The greatest peace makers in this assemblie were the byshop of Collon and the Paulsgraue Electours and also the byshop of Auspurge For all the reste were extreme agaynst the Protestauntes Duryng this assemblie died Iohn Uaiuode kyng of HoÌ„gary leauing behinde hym a younge sonne Stephen whome Isabell daughter to Sigismunde kyng of Pole had borne hym a lytle before whiche was a cause also that kyng FerdinaÌ„do beyng aduertysed therof by letters hasted homewarde About this time also were certen townes and villages of the Protestantes set on fyre in Saxony there aboutes and burnt vp cleane This wicked acte was sayde to be done by the Duke of Brunswyck as shal be declared hereafter The seconde kalendes of Iuly Robert Barnes Doctour of Diuinitie was brent at London in Smithfield He was for a certen tyme fled out of Englande for the doctrine of the Gospell and what tyme he vnderstode howe kynge Henry gaue his mynde to the knowledge of the truthe he retourned home agayn and was after in the Ambassade sent into Germany and was one of them whiche treated with the diuines at WitteÌ„berge touching the kinges diuorsement as is wrytten in the tenth boke But where as the kyng had exiled the name of the byshop of Rome but kept styl his doctrine this man whiche loued the truthe was chieflye by the meanes of the byshop of Wynchester this daye executed after he had protested hys fayth openly there in the place of execution And with hym also were brent two others of the same Religion And the same daye in the selfe same place were three others hanged vpon the Gallowes that helde with the supremacie of the byshop of Rome so that neyther raÌ„ke Papists nor ernest Protestauntes escaped punishement In the moneth of August ended his lyfe at Paris WilliaÌ„ Budey maister of the requestes a man of great learning and worthy to be had in perpetuall memory for this cause only that he and Cardinal Bellaye byshop of Paris did counsell and perswade Fraunces the Frenche kyng to do a moste noble acte that is to appoint great stipendes for the readers of tongues and good artes at Paris For out of this welspryng no maÌ„ can beleue what clere and plentiful ryuers flowe out not only into Fraunce but also into other countreis The lyke hath Henry the eight done in Englande both in Cambridge and Oxforde And Buden would be buried without any solemnitie This yeare was notable by reason of an intollerable heate and drought Than also was excellent good wyne In the meane tyme the kyng of Fraunce dispatchyng abroade his letters to all his byshoppes commaunded them to go a procession in all places For albeit he had peace with the Emperour whiche he would not willingly breake yet feared he greatly leste

confirmyng of the lordes supper of penaunce absolution matrimony vnction of the bond of charitie of the dignitie of the churche and of the authoritie to establishe the weale publicke of images masse and ministration of the sacramentes of the discipline of the churche bothe for the ministers and the people In the moneth of May the Protestantes wryting their letters froÌ„ Regenspurg to the Frenche kynge entreate for such as at the same tyme in Fraunce for the profession of the gospell wer partly in prison partly in exile partly hyd in corners and led a miserable lyfe And because many were receyued into fauour incase they woulde abiure they require that he woulde release them from that condicyon declarynge howe heynous a matrer it is to wounde the conscience The cause of thys persecution was by a sentence geuen agaynst the Merindolans in the prouince by the president Bartholomew Chassanie a lawyer which beyng terrible and cruell beyonde measure put the poore men in a wonderful feare not withstanding the full execution therof was differred tyll an other tyme and the persecution of thys yere was but a balle playe in comparison of that whiche followed foure yeares after as shal be recited in hys place Whylest these thynges were done at Regenspurge the Duke of Cleaue hauing themperour hys heuye Lorde for the possession of Gelderlande goeth priuely into Fraunce appoynting such as he would haue with hym a day and a place wher they going an other way should mete hym what tyme therfore he arryued at Paris aboute th ende of Aprill being receiued of the kynges officers and conducted throughe Orleans the sixte daye of Maye he came to the kyng at Ambose a towne in Turin by the Riuer of Loire who imbracing him none otherwise than the father would his owne sonne sent word immediatly to the kyng of Nauarre and hys syster that they shoulde repayre vnto hym with all expedition and brynge theyr Daughter with them for they wer the same time in Gascoigne And after they wer coommen the kyng by and by began to entreate of the maryage And albeit the parentes than did not greatly lyke it and the yonge mayde also was somewhat vnwyllyng not somoch of her owne iudgement or contempte of hym as by the whispering and perswasyon of sertayne whych dispysed Germanye as rude and barren in comparison of the delycacye and pleasauntenes of Fraunce yet vanquished by the kynges authoritye whiche iudged the same affinitie very fit for hys pourpose at the last they gaue place Wherfore at the Ides of Iune the maryage was solemnised the kynge hymselfe leadyng the bryde hys nece to the churche and the Cardinall of Turnon played the prest The kynge gaue them a goodly dyner And ther were thambassadours of Roome Englande Portugall Uenise and Saxonye For themperours had made an excuse After a fewe dayes the Duke retourned homewarde leauing his yong spouse in Fraunce whom her mother woulde haue to remayne with her tyll she wer of rype yeares for a man Before the Dukeof of Cleaue came into Fraunce the kyng had enlarged the Admirall that we spake of before and sent hym home to hys owne house and after in the moneth of May commaunded hym to come vnto hym whom receiued most gently he restored to hys former dignitie and called as it wer out of hel into light agayne and after a straung example and seldome heard of made the sentence geuen agaynst hym by all the princypal iudges of hys realm cleane frustrate partlye for hatred of the constable as it is thoughte and partly at the requeste of madame Destamps whych was allyed to the Admirall by a new affinitie Therfore Memorancie the Counstable which loued not thadmirall his egall and was oute of the kynges fauoure for themperours passage as before is sayed beyng had in contempt gotte hym home and led a priuate lyfe where before he had ruled the Kynge wholye hymselfe alone âœš The fourtenth Boke of Sleidanes Commentaryes concernyng the state of relygion and the common Weale duryng the reigne of the Empyre of Charles the fyfte â§ The argument of the fourtenth Booke IN the processe of the communication they treated of an order to be establyshed in the churche sondry aduyses and aunswers bee there gathered Eckius dispray syng the booke there presented accuseth hys fellow collocutours Themperoure hauing intellygence of the Turkes commyng remitreth thys colloquie to the counsel Fregose Rincon thambassadours of the French kynge to the greate Turke at taken and slayne Wherupon the Bastarde of Maximilyan is arested The Turke taketh possession in the cytie of Buda TheÌ„peroure arryueth at Argiers The plage is in Germany and great calamities in Austriche A supplication of the princes of Austriche to kynge Ferdinando that they myght haue the Gospell Wherunto he aunswereth After the ouerthrowe in Hongary an assemblye was holden at Spires where Oliuier beeing for the French kynge made a longe Oration Cardinall Maron the Popes Ambassadour offereth a counsell at Trcent Luther Wryteth a booke intitled the sermon of Soldiours comparyng papistry with the Turkes Alcorane The warre beyng proclaymed betwene the Frenche kyng and the Emperour Marten van Rossem inuadeth Brabante decrces are made in Fraunce agaynste the Lutheranes Farell preacheth at Mentz ABoute the ende of Aprill the disputation began as I shewed yon before but Eckius was vnpatient and froward for both he abhorred the booke and mislyked hys fellowes and a lyttell after fell into an agewe so that he coulde not bee there yet went his fellowes to him and conferred with hym of al thynges And certen places of the boke exhibited were throughe conference amended by common assent but of some other they coulde not agree of the churche and authoritie therof of the sacrament of the body and bloud of Chryst of the recytall of synnes of satisfaction of the vnitie order of thecclesiastical ministers of sainctes of masse of the vse of the whole sacramente of the single lyfe So was the booke deliuered vp to themperoure as it was corrected and the Diuines of the Protestantes had written theyr mindes vpon these forsayd opinions which were leafte in controuersy this was the last of Maye Themperoure commendeth theyr good endeuour and lyketh it well And incase the matter herafter do so require he exhorteth theÌ„ to shew the like good-will and dilygence Than in the eyght day of Iune in the consistorie before the Princes and other states he maketh relation what hathe ben done and howe farre they haue proceded howe the collocutours haue handled the matter dilygentely and haue reconcyled dyuerse weyghty articles of doctryne And touching the rest that are not yet agreed vpon the diuines of the Protestantes haue opened they re myndes After he exibiteth vnto ether of them boothe the wrytinges requiring them that so shortly as may bee they woulde consulte thervpon and vtter theyr mindes in either of them And moreouer would consyder howe the state of the weale publike

is the head of the churche and of counselles yf in dede they omitte the same vnto whom agayne it woulde bee displeasaunte in case they should not do it for the same would styre vp great stryfe and offence not onlye in Germany but also in other countries This he doeth admonisshe them of bothe by the commaundement of the Bysshoppe and also of hys owne dewtye The same day the Princes make hym aunswere howe the Bysshop maye auoyde all offension in case he will call a counsell whyche hathe been so longe promysed Yf not the state of Germany to bee suche as they muste of necessitie fynd some other waye to salue the sore And therfore require him earnestly that he wold of hys wysdome and gentlenes so further the cause to the Byshoppe that a remedie might be founde Moreouer the diuines of the Protestantes doe confute those letters and reasons of Contarene by a longe wrytyng and proue manifestly how it apperteyneth vnto all prouinces to establishe gods trewe seruice and Religion This done themperour causeth a decree to be made and red the xxviii of Iuly he referreth the conference of the learned men and the whole treatie vnto the counsell to the Synode of all Germany or of the states imperial in hys Iorney into Italy he promiseth to intreat diligently the Bisshop of Roome for a counsell And yf neyther generall nor prouinciall counsell can be obtayned than wyll he call a convocation of th empyre within .xviii. monethes for to quiet the cause of Religion and will deuyse that the Bifshop shall also sende hys legate thither he chargeth the ProtestaÌ„tes that they attempt no new thing besydes the articles alreadye accorded and the Bisshoppes that they should clense their churches of theyr faultes and enormities In that decree were certen articles that Religious houses shoulde not be defaced that the churche goodes shoulde not bee put to prophane vses that no man should be allured to a contrary Religion of the iurisdiction and Iudges of the chamber Whiche thinges whan the Protestants dyd mislyke themperour in a certen priuate wryting declareth seuerally what his opinion is herin In the doctrine not as yet conciliated he doth prescribe vnto them no measure Monkes houses wold not in dede bee pulled downe but yet mete to bee reuoked to a godly reformation the lyke is to bee thought of the churche reuenewes no man that is of an other iurisdiction oughte to be intysed to theyr Religion and so bee mayneteyned but yet shall it bee lawefull for them to receyue any that will come vnto them vncalled furthermore the decree of Auspurge concernynge relygion and doubtfull causes of the same for a common quyet he suspendeth tyll the cause be determined eyther in a counsell or other assemblie and commaundeth that no maÌ„ shal be reiected of the Chamber for a contrarye relygion but that the lawe shal be ministred vprightly vnto all men What tyme they had these thynges confyrmed vnder themperours seale they promise hym ayde agaynste the Turke of whose commynge it was bruted daylye more and more And the Ambassadours of Hongary and Austryche were commen thither which with greate intreaty required ayde So was there a sodayn ayde of Almaignes sent into Hongary by the coÌ„duict of Friderick countie Fursteinberg In thys assemblie Themperoure the thirde day of Iuly before al the states had a greuous complaynt of wyllyam Duke of Cleaue for the possession of Gelderland He exhibiteth also a booke vnto them wherin he declareth hys ryght tytle to the same and sayeth how he willed hym to haue ben there but he tooke a contrary waye signifyinge couertly Fraunce as before is sayd There were present the ambassadours of Cleaue which excused theyr prince and when they proceded to declare his title themperour xiseth vp and departeth The .xxi. day of Iuly the Princes and states all go to themperoure intreate him for the Duke of Cleaue and request hym that he wold receyue him in to the tuition of thempire permit that the case may be decided freÌ„dly and promise to take paynes in the thynge and in case they cannot make an ende in it they beseche hym to make clayme to it and to recouer his right by the law Wherunto themperoure maketh aunswer by Iohn Nauie Forasmoche as this assemblie is called for the common welthes sake to th entent that all dissention and discorde taken a waye Germany myght be restored to quyetnes and herin hath moch tyme ben consumed and yet nothyng concluded by reason of contention and diuersitie of myndes vnto his greate griefe and hinderance of hys owne affaires he sayeth he marueleth greatly that in this on cause which is properly hys they can so wel agree Thus he sendeth them awaye not withoute displeasure The next day Raymunde the Frenche kinges ambassadour in a longe oration written reciteth the cause of expulsing Charles Duke of Sanoye who a few daies before had accused the kinge to the Emperoure and al the states Durynge this assemblie the Frenche kynge sendeth Cesar Fregose an Italyan of Genes and Anthony Rincon a Spaniarde exiled Ambassadours to themperour of Turkes who sayling on the Riuer of Po towards Uenise wer taken and flayne abont the kalendes of Iuly That time was William Bellaye the kynges lyeutenaunt in Piedmount who beynge sertifyed of the thynge as he was maruelous circumspecte and industrious immediatly aduertiseth the kyng and also the fyfte day of Iuly wryteth from Turryn to Alphonsus Daualus marques of Piscare than gouernoure of Millan and all Lumbardie that he woulde see that the kynges Ambassadours which wer taken might be restored whom he knewe for certentie that hys menne had apprehended or els for the same cause shoulde the trewes be broken which was made thre yeares past by thintercession of the Bisshop of Rome And he required they might be restored eyther for because at the first he knewe not els dissembling that he knewe not what had hapned to them The Marques maketh it very straunge as though he knew nothing of the matter and to pourge himselfe sendeth Counte FrauÌ„ces Ladron Ambassadour to the kynge Langeus in a certen epistle whych he wrote to the Marques the eleuenth of Iuly I would not doubte sayeth he in the counsell of the whole worlde to speake of diuine matters and that as aptely as euer did your kinsman and auncestre Thomas of Aquyne yf I were as experte in diuinitie as soom of youre familiars are perfit and priuie to this murther For Alphonsus hys graundfather called Indicus the sonne of Rodorick a Spaniard maryed a great inheriter of the house of Aquinas And this Alphonsus was cosyn germane to Fernando Dauall of Piscare a most worthye captayne The. xx day of Iuly the king answereth Alphonce by letters from Liner a Towne of Burges admonisshing hym to regarde hys honour and estimation and sheweth hym that vnles they be restored he can not neglect the iniury done to hys men Many

soeuer they lyghted they eate vp bothe grasse and corne Concerning the Duke of Brunswicke of his moste bitter inuectyues against the Duke of Saxon and the Lantgraue and of the burnyng of certen places in Saxony I haue spoken oftener than once And nowe where he vexed with continuall inuasions and robberies Goslarie and Brunswicke cities of the Empire inlincked with the Protestantes and would not obeye the decrees of the Emperour and kynge Ferdinando who at their request had commaunded him to cease from all violence the Duke of Saxon and the Lantgraue in the name of al their confederates make warre against him and with in a short space brynge all his countrie into their subiection and his strong castell of Wolsebutell standing not farre froÌ„ the citie of Brunswycke wherein he put all his truste they wanne by composition he taried not long hymselfe but whan they began to inuade he fled with his eldest sonne Charles Uictor to the Duke of Bauier In that forsayde castell were founde sondrie letters wherby it was evident to see what thinge he and the Duke of Bauier the Byshop of Mentz Heldus and diuerse others went about but that shal be after repeted in place conuenient The Protestauntes in a wrytyng set forth declare a Large the causes of this their doinge and shewe howe they dyd not begynne this warre but of necessitie defended their fellowes In the fourmer assemblie at Spier they had intreated kyng Ferdinando that in the Emperours name and his own he would coÌ„maunde him to suffer the Goslarians to lyue in rest by hym Ferdinando followed their myndes who at the same tyme had nede of their ayde agaynste the Turke and sendyng his Ambassadours warned hym sharpely to surcease but he aunswered contemptuously and proudlye and would not leaue whereupon ensued this desension before rehersed for they had shewed kyng FerdinaÌ„do at Spier that vnlesse he obeyed his decree they would not suffer their fellowes to susteyne this wrong At the Ides of Iuly was an other assemblie of the Empyre at Norynberg for so it was decreed at Spier because of the warre in HoÌ„gary Kyng Ferdinando was present and the Emperours deputies were Fridericke the Palsgraue the Bishop of Auspurge Fridericke counte Furstemberge Hugh Monforte Iohn Nauie Ferdinando propoundeth howe the Emperour toke it in very good parte that they sente an army into Hongary who had purposed to haue bene at the same warre him selfe with all his power and therfore had called an assemblie of the states in Spaine but in this coÌ„futation he fell into a great sickenes and so was constrayned of necessitie to differ it tyll an other tyme And whan he was nowe fully resolued of the matter and how to haue sent his force out of Italy and Burgundye before than brake foorthe thenterprises of hys enemyes in so much that he hath cause to feare some perill not only in Iâ—aly but also in Flaunders and Artoys Wherof notwithstanding he hath geuen none occasion who chieflye loueth the comon tranquillitie but as they knowe well enough how thenemies haue euer sins the assemblie at Spier endeuoured to leuie men in Suyserlande in Germany to begin the warres thus is the Emperour against his mind impeached and letted so that he can neyther come hym selfe nor send his force which he hathe nede of for his owne defence neuerthelesse he is fully mynded before the nexte yeare goe aboute to retourne into Germany and accomplishe the warre in hys mynde so long intended And that he will haue on the Sea also a nauie well prepared furnisshed that the Turke beyng assayled with double warre maie not bende hys whole power agaynste Hongary Moreouer whan he cometh into Germany he wil leaue nothyng vnattempted that maye make for the godly and tollerable reconcilemeÌ„t of Relygyon And after complayning that almen did not obey the decree of the last assemblie for some sent no soldiours others sente but not the full nombre som were sent foorth without money there wanted also of the munitioÌ„ furniture that was promysed which thinges for because the captaynes made complaynte of he vewed himself and sawe it was so And for that the whole iorney was letted herby to the detriment daunger of the empire he is commen vnto this assemblie not without his losse hinderaunce to require theÌ„ that in so nedefull a time they would not faile the coÌ„mon wealth Before FernaÌ„do toke his iorney from Uienna to come to the assemblye at Norinberge beeing aduertised of the war of Brunswick he sent a messager to exhorte theÌ„ to surcease And now that he was comen to Norinberge by coÌ„moÌ„ aduise were sent Ambassadours the soÌ„me of whose oration was this that they should not try the matter by force of armes especially at this time for in case they did it were to be feared lest the Turkish war should behindered ciuil warrestered vp in Germany Unto this the Duke and the Lantzgraue made aunswere the .xi. of Auguste oute of theyr campe before the Castell of Wulfebuttel recyting the causes of this enterprised defence declare that the thyng might not otherwise haue ben doon And that albeit they were dryuen of necessitie to take thys warre in hande to theyr greate charges yet haue they neuerthelesse sent ayde to the Turkishe warre fully as moche as they wer boundeÌ„ neyther wolde they fayle also to dooe the lyke hereafter And yf all other men wold doe the same ther should be no nede to feare the dissolution of the armie But the lacke that is in many men is reported by the mouthes and letters of diuers which seing it is so and forasmoche as the Duke of Brunswick coulde by non other meane be quieted contemning both the Emperours and kyng Ferdinando his coÌ„maundement and also the decrees of the Empire they desire them not to misconstre this their doyng for they seeke no man by this warre but him only neyther doe they refuse whan thinges be appeased to sende al their force to the aide of HoÌ„gary as much as they are able to make This assemblie ended the sixe and twenty daye of August a penaltie was set for suche as obeyed not the decree of Spier and certein other thinges for the warre requisite were enacted There were no Prynces there sauinge Walter the Master of Prussia and the Bishops of Bamberge Eistet and Trente and themperours deputes before named You haue harde before of Cardinall Contarene He for hys ambassade had no greate thanke of the Bishoppes and Cardinalles and was charged that he was not vehemente enoughe in resystynge the Lutheranes and that he had almoste brought the common welth of Roome in daunger Where as many blamed hym sore in hys absence Cardinall Fregose only stode in hys defence Retournyng out of Germany into Italy he came to Lukes where the Bisshop Paule attended for the Emperours comming to goe into Barbarye Than going with the Bisshop to Roome he was shortly after created Legate of Bononie where

at the last he departed thys yere in th end of August not without the suspicion of poison Whan his frende Cardinall Fregose was also dead a little before they that knowe him well say that he beleued ryghtly touching mans iustification he was a man excellently learned and wrote a boke of the Magistrates comon welthe of the Uenetians In this same moneth the Chaunceloure of FrauÌ„ce williaÌ„ Poret by the kings coÌ„maundement who went thaÌ„ to Perpignan was taken in the night as he laye in his bed carried to prison What time the brute therof came to Paris al men reioised exceadingly For in those foure yeres that he had ben in that office he had offended all sortes of men and from some lady of the kynges courte came this misfortune to him The condeÌ„nation also of the Admiral augmeÌ„ted the hatred as before is said He was in a great in maner an assured hope to bee made a Cardinall therfore two or three monethes before he wold nedes take holy orders which thing notwithstaÌ„ding som meÌ„ saied he did that forasmuch as he was in the hatred of mani he might the better beare it escape the daunger of his life in case that heat should at any tyme breake out boyle ouer This was the third mockeri of fortune that chaunced in FrauÌ„ce with in a few monethes together For where these three before mentioned the Constable Admirall and Chauncelour were in the highest degre of dignitye They burned in mutuall mallice declared by theyr ensample the disceiptefullnes vncertentye and slyppernes of woordly thynges At this tyme Otto Henry the Palsegraue embraced the doctryne of the Gospell The same dyd they of Heildessem I tolde you before of the counsell the Byshop sent immediatly letters and Bulles therof to the Emperoure into Spayne Wherunto Cesar aunswereth the fyue and twenty daye of Auguste Fyrst he coÌ„mendeth his endeuour and zeale towardes the common wealth but it greueth hym that the Frenche kyng should be compared vnto him for he is that prodigall chylde but for hym selfe which neuer swarued from his dutie he sayeth he ought more derely to be imbraced for he hath refused no paynes peryll nor coste that a counsel myght once be had that the whole common wealth beyng pacified they myght sette vpon the Turke on all handes Contrary wyse he mynded euer an other waye wherfore he fyndeth some lacke in his letters The other was wonte to make his boaste that he had the Cardinalles at hys becke Wherfore he doubteth whether the thynge be trewe or countreseared But howe soeuer it be he resteth vpon a good conscience both their doinges are openly knowen He hym selfe hath bene ouergentle to hym and fauoured hym a great deale to muche For all the labour he hath taken these many yeares is in vayne he hath ofte bene warned of his dutye sondrye great iniuries haue bene remitted leagues with hym haue often tymes bene remoued but with all these thynges he is waxed worse and vtterly doeth abuse his lenitie and patience Who brake the league and gaue the occasion of warre he hathe declared at Rome What hathe happened since he wyll vtter now also For how frendly desirous of peace he hath bene hereby may easely appeare that after the truce taken at Nice he came into talke with him at Aegnes mortes coÌ„mitted him self vnto him the yeare followyng he passed through Fraunce to the great admiration and not without the reprehension of many For seing he hath oftener than once broken his fayth and is fickell vnconstant in all his counselles it was sure a great daunger to hazarde his persone vpoÌ„ his fidelitie promesse Moreouer he knoweth for certeintie that thei deliberated to deteine him at the same time And where as many say that for the rebellion of Gaunt he must nedes passe that waie that was nocause at all For that rebellion was stired vp of a very fewe that of the basest sorte of men al the couÌ„trey remayned in their allegeaunce and fidelitie the quene his sister could haue remedied those matters How beit where he was prefixed to retourne into Germany through Italy he was moued by his intreaty to chaunge his purpose went through FrauÌ„ce which thing he is able to proue by his own letters by the letters of his soÌ„nes nobles For he requested this thing of him so ernestly that he rekened he should be dishonoured in case he toke any other way than through Fraunce And what tyme he was with hym in Fraunce he affirmed many times that he wold obserue the truces made But after he began to complayne that Millan was not redred vnto him according to the promesse where not withstandinge vnto the same promesse was added thys condicyon that he should restore hys vncle the Duke of Sauoie and doe serten other thinges And yet syns that tyme hathe he practised agaynste hym in sondry places in Germanie in Italy with the Turke with Iohn Uaiuod and his wyfe the widdow and with certen noble men of Hongatye by whose meanes the Turke had the citie of Offen And yet in the meane season he coulde full well cloake hys mallice promise hym greate frendshyp through a subtill fetche and polycie that he myght tracte the tyme and set vppon hym vnware And than tooke he first occasyon what tyme hys ministers Fregose and Rincon were intercepted In the which thing how he wolde in dede haue satisfyed hym he hymselfe can tell whiche was chosen vmpere in the arbitrement betwene them This therfore dyd he pretende to bee the cause of a newe trouble and disturbaunce of the weale publicke whan he had prefyxed it long before But what Fregose and Rincon attempted by hys commaundemente in Italye and Turkie and what seruyce they had oftetymes donne hym was knowen well enoughe For they wente aboute throughe treason to haue broughte the Christen common welth into great daunger therfore coulde not they inioye the benefyte of the peace Nicene whyche had them selues infrynged the publycke peace Agayne they wente by stealthe and priuelye throughe Lumbardie with a companye of oute lawes whyche is deathe by the custome of the countrye He blameth sore the Marques of Piscare but he offered to abide iudgment And whye he shoulde refuse it and also forsake other satysfactions it is not vnknowne he certenly thinking he had been satisfyed passed ouer into Barbarie and sendynge hys Ambassadoure commended vnto hym the publycke peace and queyet And albeit hee made fayre promises yet did he attempte diuerse thinges agaynste hym in Germany Denmarke other places he inteÌ„ded also to inuade Nauarre Agayne in the assemblie at Spier he did what he coulde to nurryshe stryfe in religion whilest he promysed seuerally to eyther partye hys amytie and fauour he indeuoured moreouer to diswade the states of the empire from the Turkisshe warre he sollycited the Turke he sent a power into Italye and mooued warre agaynste hym

many thinges of the Roades invasions of the Turkes craueth aide After this immediatly the Duke of Saxon the Lantzgraue with their confederates addressing their oratioÌ„ to theÌ„perour you know saye they moste victorious Emperoure howe we haue offered oure selues euer syns the beginnynge to declare before this moste honorable Senate the cause of our defence taken agaynst Henry of Brunswicke And be yet also of the same will and mynde doubtyng not but when the matter shal be hearde there shall appeare vnto you weyghty and iust causes wherfore we were dryuen to it of necessitie and that it is not lawfull for hym to be present here in the counsell of Princes Howbeit because we see hym put hymselfe in prease to occupie a place in thys most noble consistorye moche agaynste oure willes in as moche as we can or maye we doe protest that wee neyther take hym nor acknoweledge hym for a Prynce of Thempire neyther will that any right of oures shoulde through hys presence be diminished Wherunto the Duke of Brunswicke aunswereth streyghte waye by hys Chauncelour The Duke of SaxoÌ„ sayeth he the Lantzgraue and theyr fellowes breakyng both gods law and mans law infringing the statutes of thempire and the faythe publicke by violence and open wronge haue spoiled me of my countrey For the which cause I haue accused theÌ„ to the Iudges of the chaÌ„ber And seeyng it is so they ought to haue no place in the Senate of Thempire and yf they had any they haue nowe lost the same by committing that acte and are worthye whose companye all men shoulde eschewe But if it so be that I muste nedes syt by theÌ„ in comon counselles I protest that I do neyther attribute this place vnto them nor will therfore that the same should be preiudicial to my case The Protestantes were verye desyrous euen than to haue recited the cause of theyr enterpryse and the whole matter in wrytynge leste hys complaynte shoulde appere to be trewe or settle in mennes heartes But TheÌ„perour by Fridericke Palatyne and by Nauius required them forasmoch as the day was farre spent that they wold differre it affirming also that he wolde assigne theÌ„ a day for the pourpos and so they followed hys mynde And because as the Princes sat in counsell it fortuned that the Lantzgraue sate next to the Duke of Brunswicke the Prince of Palatine Iohn Suner for the auoyding of stryfe arryseth out of hys place and sytteth downe in the myddes betwixte them bothe protestyng before that the same shoulde bee no preiudice to hym or to his familye Yt was thought he did it at TheÌ„perours request The day before the Duke of Saxon and the Lantzgraue had intreated Fridericke the Paulsegraue and Iohn Nauie that they wold so deuise with Themperour that the Duke of Brunswicke might not come in the comon assemblie but it could not be obtayned Themperour alledging that he might not be excluded vnlesse the causes were fyrst declared The Frenche kyng knowing for certeÌ„tie that Themperour wold make a greuous complaynte on hym to the Prynces determineth a most honorable Ambassad Iohn Bellaie Cardinal Fraunces Oliuer chauncelour of AlensoÌ„ Affricane Malley presydent of Diuion whan these wer commen to Nance a Towne in Lorayne they remayne there lookyng for Themperours saufcondict For the king had sent before to Spier an Heraulte for the same cause with letters to Themperour and seuerall letters also to the Princes Electours wherin he required saufe conduite for hys Ambassadours And when he came to Spier about the ende of Februarye in hys rich cote of armes as is accustomed he was stayed by Granuellan vnto whom he delyuereth the kyng his maisters letters written to Themperoure whan he myghte not otherwyse doe and declareth the cause of hys comyng requyring that Thambassadours which are not farre of maye accordyng to the law of Armes haue saufconduite beyng coÌ„maunded to tary within and dilligeÌ„tly watched that no man should come to speake with hym the fourth day after he was dismissed with most sharpe wordes that he had played a fond part and was in dauÌ„ger to haue lost hys head whych durste presume to come thyther For the kynge beyng enemy to Germany hathe not to doe with in the lymites of Th empyre neyther is he worthy to enioye the law of Nations let hym retourne home therfore and tell the kynge thus Howe ther is no cause that herafter either he or any other may comefor him And nowe in dede this fault is forgiuen and perdoned more of themperours clemencie than of his desert but let him take hede from heÌ„ceforthe or els he wil not escape vnpunnisshed For he hath don against the law of armies neyther was it laweful for hym to haue comen into Themperours habitation without his leaue and permissioÌ„ And touchyng the letters whyche he sayeth he hath the kyng hath so well deserued of the Christen publicke weale and chefely of Germanye that in thys present state of thynges Themperour neyther wyll nor ought to receyue them lest by hys accustomed maner of writing and promises eyther he or also others myghte be disceaued This aunswer was delyuered vnto hym wrytten in Frenche And thus was he sent back with the kynges letters wrytten to Themperour and Prynces and certen horsemen were sente with hym to conduite him to Nance To this were not the Princes made priuie And many thoughte it was done agaynst the custome of th empyre Thys thyng knowen the Ambassadours were in a pecke of troubles and toke great thought how to retourne home without daunger and vsing the counsell of Authony Duke of Lorayne they went a waye secretly in the nyght season and so retourned into FrauÌ„ce Whylest they yet remayned at Nance Christine the Dukes daughter in lawe was sente to Spier that the thing which neither he could nor certen others that might she which was Themperours Nece by his sister through her intreaty teares and by a certen commendation of her kind obtayne but yet was this in vayne For Themperour was wholy bent to haue warre And hys counsellours sayde he muste so doe to mayntaine hys estimation and dignytie The Duke of Lorayne albeit he was addicte to neyther had long syns couenaunted with them both that he myght be a newter yet for asmoche as the warre was to be kepte vpon hys frontiers and sawe howe that coulde not be done without hys greate losse domage was verye carefull for peace The .ix. daye of Februarye certen Priuces through Themperours motion wryt letters froÌ„ Spire to the Bisshop of Roome partely commendyng hym for that the laste yere he adioyned hys force with Themperours to rescue the Castell of Nice partly requiring him that for as moch as the enemye is now reparyng his nauie at Tollone to repare agayne to Nice and to win that Castell which shoulde be a greate shame and a sore anoyeaunce vnto Italy the Churche of Roome all the common welth he which is the

together for the cloth was so shapeÌ„ that it couered also the otherpartes which were of wood The body therfore being thus ordered and lapped in the wynding shete is layed foorth on the floure streyght waies cometh one of the womeÌ„ to the parlour dore where the Captain was and declareth how Eue is dead He by and by commaundeth a coffin to be made to lay her body in And to make men affrayde that no body should come nere hir they fayne that she dyed of the plage and perfume the house with the graines of Iuniper other sauoury thinges After is the corps brought foorth and with a solemne pompe caryed to the graye Freres Churche And there was honorably buried with messe and dirige And the Freres pray for her al the yere long and desyre the people in theyr sermons to doe the same Moreouer by the Dukes commaundemente there was a funerall made for her in the Chapell of the Castell where it was sayde she dyed and lykewyse in hys head Castell of woulsebutell whiche is not farre from the Citie of Brunswicke for thither came also the reporte of her death And at this Obite or exequie was his wyfe the Dutches with her women trayne of maydens all in mournynge apparell thithere came manye Pristes that were sente for oute of the contrye whyche had a dyner made them and monye geuen in rewarde to euery man somewhat after the olde accustomed maner amonges the papistes In the meane tyme Eue whose deathe so many bewayled liueth and fareth well in the Castell of Stansseburge where oftentymes the Duke visiteth her and syus that tyme hath had by her seuen children he perswadeth hys wyfe also to sygnyfye to her parentes and frendes that Eue is dead But when it was bruted abrode that she was alyue and kepte in the Castell of Stansseburge hys wyfe which had also an Inkling therof conceaueth a vehement suspicion inquyreth of the seruauÌ„tes howe the matter stoode but he forbad that any man shoulde come at her of those that knewe any thyng but thys suspicion sticked faste in her mynde so longe as she lyued and wryting ofte vnto hym bewayled her miserye Thys fact of hys was recyted emonges others in the same presence to th entent all men might vnderstande what opinion he had of hys owne relygion The conclusion of theyr accusation was this to proue for howe iuste necessarye causes they attempted war agaynst hym who contemnyng the Proclamations of Themperour and of kinge Fernando had disturbed the Publicke peace and had wrought all kynde of Iniurye to theyr fellowes and confederates The Duke of Brunswicke was not present at thys action Themperoure so willing it For the Protestantes desyred that he myght haue ben presente and herein had moued Themperour On Easter Monday which than was the .xiiij. day of Aprill Themperours soldiours led by the Marques of Piscare foughte a battell in Piedmont with the Frenchemen at the Towne of Carignane and lost the felde and many thousandes of them were slayne The generall of the Frenche armie was Angian Duke of Uandosme before mentioned Whanreport came of that ouerthrow many men supposed that Themperoure wolde not haue refused the treatye of peace but he was ernestly bent to haue warre made preparation accordyngly The Duke of BruÌ„swicke aunswereth to the accusation of the Protestantes the .xxiij. day of Aprill And powryng out a greate heape of reproches obiecteth vnto theÌ„ conspiracie rebellion treasoÌ„ extortioÌ„ societie wirth the Turkes and Frenche men and touching the letters founde in his castel he excuseth as well as he maye and yf theyr closettes were searched he saieth there might a great deale worse stuffe befounde But the matter concernyng Eue hys darlyng he toucheth but a little to this reproche the Protestantes make aunswere agayne And whan Themperoure wolde suffer the matter to be pleaded no more openly they exhibite a wryting the same afterwardes doth the Duke of Brunswicke The xxvij day of Aprill Charles the Duke of Sauoye agayne by hys ambassadoures accuseth the French kyng and besydes the violence and iniuryes of the foormer yeres he sayeth how he hathe styred vp the Turkes lieutenante Barbarousse who beyng ayded by the Frenche men hath taken by composition hys Citie of Nice and agaynst his fidelitie and promesse spoyled it and leadyng many awaye into captiuitie hath sette it on fyre he requireth therfore that they would help hym in thys hys extreme miserye especiallye seeyng the enemies are fully prefixed to retourne to the sege of the castel He hath craued ayde of the Bishop of Roome and he hath graunted hym only that trybut whiche the clergie are wonte to paye hym yerely But that is a verye smal reliefe in thys hys pouertie where he scarsely possesseth the tenth parte of hys dominion And that he came not hym selfe to the counsel he excuseth hym by hys age the longe Iorney and the iminent daunger of hys enemye And saieth moreouer how he is not hable to beare the charges whiche hath scant somuche as wyll fynde hym hys soÌ„ne hys familie Aboute th ende of Aprill the Swises assemble at BadeÌ„ make aunswer to the letters of the states of th empyre Howe they re captaynes beyng demaunded the question affirme that they saw no band of Turkes in the Frenche campe nor hearde any thynge therof For than woulde not they haue serued And that the Frenche kynge beyng of them moued herin doeth complayne that when he sent Ambassadours the last winter they coulde not be admitted which if they myght haue ben hearde speake coulde easely haue confuted thys slauÌ„der And that if Themperoure refuse not peace he promiseth both the Bohemers that wrote to hym in Februarie and also the Germanes hys ayde agaynst the Turke Nowe as touching themselues somme of them in dede are bounden to serue the French kyng in his warres by composition some agayne are only in league of amit ã€ˆâ€¦ã€‰ with hym haue ben these many yeres out of whose dominions if anâ— runne into Fraunce it is done contrary to theyr will and knowledge as the lyke may also happen in some places in Germany But they rekon it beste that the kynges Ambassadours shoulde be hearde and peace establyshed Wherin if they may do any good they wil with al their heartes This tyme did the kyng of England send a great Nauie into Scotlande Who chauncynge of a good wynde whan they were arriued take fyrste Lythe a notable hauon after Eddenborough the head cytie of Scotlad And when the Castell was kept agaynst them which for the situation was vnprenuable they burnt it in the begynnyng of the moneth of May. In thys Assemblie Themperoure with a solemn ceremonie created woolfang Master of Prusse openly and gaue him the armes aperteynynge to that office whyche Alberte of Brandenburge the brother of George and Casimire had enioyed many yeres marieng a wyfe vsurped the same to hym selfe was therfore oute lawed by the chaÌ„ber twelue

the law were ministred indifferentli and how that should be don it was in the last conuention at Spier decreed They for theyr partes are redy to accomplissh the same Therfore if these two partes may be decided they wil not refuse to consulte of the Turkisshe warre The reste of the prynces and states amonges whom were the archebisshopes of Mentz and Treuers do determine that the case of religion shal be referred to the counsell already sommoned and the chamber to be establisshed according to the auncient lawes of th empyre and iudgement to be geuen after the law written and that certeÌ„ should be chosen out of the whole nomber to conferre of the Turkish warre To that of the Protestantes kyng Fernando the Emperours deputes make aunswer howe the decree made at Spier touchinge peace pleased them well enough than without exception where as the counsel was that tyme called and should beginne shortly after In to the Senate of the Chamber also shoulde mete men be receyued accordyng to the decree made at Spier And seyng it is thus reason wolde that they shoulde requyre no more but conferre with the reste of the Turkyshe warre They againe saye how it was inacted at Spier first that ther should bee no troubled moue for Relygion secondlye that thys dissention should be accorded through a godly and frendly disputation For vppon thys foundation resteth the peace of Germanye neyther wolde they haue founde any lacke at all yf the matter myghte thus haue remayned But nowe inasmoche as the Bysshop hathe called a counsell to let and disturbe this reconcilement wherin he alone with hys adherentes hathe power to determyne by whose decree also moste men affirme that the foormer pacification shoulde bee finished they haue nede of a further assurance howe they haue euermore refused that by solemne protestation the Bisshoppes counsell and haue many yeres synce set foorth bookes declaryng the causes of the same Nowe albeit there were non exception made of thys thyng at Spier yet in case they should haue warre with the Turke it is requisyte that first all thynges be quyet at home For the people must pay monye to thys warre But by what equitie or by what countenaunce can a man exact mony of his coÌ„mons vnlesse he put them in a sure hope that they with there wiues children shal liue safely at home in their Religion For euen for this cause doe they warre agaynst the Turke that euery mans goodes the coÌ„mon welth and trew religion may be coÌ„serued But to warre with the Turke in the meane seasoÌ„ to be in daunger at home what great differente is betwixte these two Therfore haue they iust cause to demaund a further suerty CoÌ„cerning the chamber they are conteÌ„ted as they haue sayed that it be established accordinge to the decree of Spier And touchiÌ„g the charges of the same they wil consult with the rest They contended about these thinges froÌ„ the begynning of Aprill til it was the .vii. day of Maye And than hearing that Themperour had taken his iorney king Fernando differred theÌ„ tyll his coÌ„ming and also requyred them in the meane tyme to consult with the residew of the turkish matters The princes were not there present neyther Protestantes nor catholyckes saue only the Cardinal of Auspurge The French kyng sent thither his ambassadour Grinian the gouernour of the prouince in Fraunce In whose absence arrose great persecutioÌ„ in those parties Ther be in the French prouince a people called Ualdois They of an aunciente custome doe not acknowledg the bishop of Rome haue had alwayes somwhat a more pure doctrine after that Luther florished gotte vnto theÌ„ gredely a more ample knowledge For this cause were they ofte coÌ„playned vpon to the king as though they conteÌ„ned the magistrate wold make a rebellion For this kinde of accusation many vse nowe a daies more odious than trewe There is of them certen Townes Uillages amonges the which Merindolum is one Sentence was geueÌ„ against theÌ„ fiue yeres paste at Aignes which is the high iudgmeÌ„t place of the prouince that all should bee destroyed without respect that the house should be pulled downe the village made eueÌ„ plain with the grouÌ„d the trees also should bee cut downe the place made altogether a desert Howbeit though it were thus pronounced yet was it not thaÌ„ put in execution by the meanes of certeÌ„ men that perswaded the king to the contrary amonges theÌ„ William Bellaye who was at the same tyme the kinges Lieutenaunt in Piedemount But at the last this yere the .xii. day of April Iohn Miners presideÌ„t of the counsel at Aygnes calling the senate readeth the kinges letters coÌ„maunding theÌ„ to execute that senteÌ„ce geuen Which letters this Miners had obteined by the meanes of cardinal TournoÌ„ through a fyt sollicitour Philip Cortin Therfore where he receiued theÌ„ in the moneth of Januarie he shewed them not by and by but kept them for a tyme coÌ„uenient to worke the feate When the letters were red certen of the Senate wer chosen to execute the matter when the Presidente Miners promised to assist for that in the absence of Grmian the gouernoure of the Prouince he ruled the common welth Now had he euery where by the kinges coÌ„maundemeÌ„t mustered men before for Thenglish warres but he vsed them for this his pourpos Moreouer at Marselles Aygnes Arles other great Townes he toke vp all that were able to weare armure Then had he ayde sente hym oute of Auingnon and the places there aboutes of the Bisshop of Roomes dominion Wherfore the fyrst impression was made not vpon the Merindolanes but on the countrye aboute the Towne of Peruse And at the Ides of April Miners garded with a company of nobles and captaynes commeth to Cadenet but in the meane season certen Centurious set vpon a village or two by the Riuer of Druence and there distroying al with slaughter spoilyng and fyrynge dryue awaye a greate nomber of Cattell The lyke also did others in sondrye places at the same time The MerindolaÌ„es seyng all burne rounde aboute them leaue theyr houses and flee in to the wooddes and with a wonderful feare reste alnight at the vilage of Sanfalese And than were the inhabiters there readye to flye also For the Bysshop of Cauallon deputie to the Bishops Legate had appoynted certen captaynes to go and slaie them The nexte daye they-go a little further and hide them selues in the woodes For there was daunger on euery syde and Miners had commaunded vnder payne of deathe that no man shoulde ayde them with any thynge but that they shoulde bee slayne withoute redemption whersoeuer they were founde The same proclamation was of force also in the Bisshop of Roomes dominions therby and it is sayde how the Bisshops of that Countrie did fynde a great part of that armie Wherfore they wente a werye and a paynefull Jorney carying theyr children

touchyng the rest he will conferre with the Duke of Saxon and hys fellowes The Ambassadours whyche I tolde you before were sente by the Protestantes into Fraunce and Englande doe as they had in coÌ„mission but at the same tyme also TheÌ„peroure sought to make a peace appoynted a daye at Bruges for the Ambassadours of both kinges to mete And the Frenche kynge sente Mounser Annebalde the Amirall and the kyng of England Stephen Bisshop of Winchester But they could not accorde In the meane season the Ambassadours of the Protestantes wrought so moch that bothe the kynges were content to haue a further treaty Therfore they send ambassadours the FreÌ„ch kyng to Arde the kyng of EnglaÌ„d to Cales and Guysnes They mete in the mydde waye betwixt Arde and Guysnes the .xxvi. daye of Nouember in tentes pitched in the playne felde And whan the Ambassadors of the Protestants had propounded certen coÌ„dicions of peace the matter was longe and moche debated betwyxt them The FreÌ„ch meÌ„ wolde haue Bologne restored especially vrged that the Scotes myght be comprised in the peace But both these did the Englishmen vtterlye refuse Than was the matter reported by letters and messagers to eyther kynge but after moche intreaty ther was nothyng fynisshed Wherfore the syxte day of Ianuary the Ambossadours of the kynges and Protestantes depart and retourne home The next daye after the Frenchemen vitayled theyr forte that the kyng had builded nere vnto Bologne When the Englisshemen would haue letted that they fought together and many were slayne on bothe parties and after was the fort vitailed What tyme these aÌ„mbassadours of the Protestantes were in Englande the kynge by waye of communication tolde them howe they were lyke to haue a fore and a mortall warre therof was he moste certen He warned theÌ„ also to wryte of the same to theyr confederates And after one of hys counsellours whych was than in hygh fauour declared as moche to one of the Ambassadours naming also certeÌ„ practicioners messagers by whose meanes chiefly the thing was wrought Moreouer the king semed to take in maruelous euill parte that Themperour had the yere before made peace with the French king and was so moch the more offeÌ„ded for that as he sayd he made warre with the Frenche king throughe his procurement by reason of the Turkisshe league In the moneth of Ianuarye the Protestantes conuented at Frankeforthe there they consulted of the counsell of Trente of augementyng theyr league for the charges of the warre of Brunswicke howe they will not forfake the Archebisshop of Collon howe to solicite Themperour in the assemblie of theÌ„pire that he wyll graunte peace for relygion and refourme the iudgment of the chaÌ„ber In thys coÌ„uention the Ambassadours of the archbisshop of Collon complayne of the iniuryes of the Clergye and of the commaundementes and citations bothe of Themperour and also of the Bisshop of Roome In the meane season the Paulsegraue prynce electour ordeyned euery where ministers of the church and preachers of the Gospell he permitteth also the whole supper of the Lorde and the Mariage of pristes And the tenth daye of Ianuary in stead of the Popissshe Masse was seruice sayde in the head church of Nedelberg in the Duche tongue Wherfore the Protestantes sending an Ambassade reioyse therat and geuinge him thankes that he aunswered the Archebisshop of Collon his Ambassadours so frankelye they exhorte hym also to procede to professe the doctryne confessed at Anspurge and to doe hys endeuour that in the nexte assemblye at Regenspurge the peace and lawe maye be establysshed Wherunto he aunswereth that he hath beÌ„ euer desyrous of peace and wil be so long as he liueth for the Archebisshop of ColloÌ„ he is right sory that he is thus molested especyally in hys olde dayes Therfore what tyme they shal send their Ambassadours to Themperoure and to the Clergie and Senate of Collon to intreate for hym he wyll also sende hys with them he had trusted these many yeres to haue had some agrement in religion but in as moch as he seeth how the matter is daungerously differred neither is theire any greate hope he coulde no longer delaye the wisshe expectation of hys subiectes Therfore hathe he begonne a reformatyon of relygion whych he pourposeth to anaunce furthermore and to professe it openly At the seuententh daye of Ianuarye at Wesell mete the Ambassadours of the Prynces electours which are named of the Rhine those be Mentz Collon Treuers the Paulsegraue or CouÌ„te Palatyne for the dominions of all these stretche vnto the Rhine The Paulsegraue vrged the Archebishopes of Mentz and Treuers that they wolde sende theyr Ambassadoures with hys and with the Marques of Brandenburges to intreate for the Archebisshop of Collon but they fearynge to get displeasure refused it At thys tyme a rumour was noysed abrode that Themperour shoulde secretly mynde warre Wherfore the Lantzgraue wrytyng hys letters to GranuellaÌ„ the .xxiiij. of Ianuarie sayeth howe it is reported not onlie in Germany but also sygnyfyed oute of Italye and otherplaces that Themperoure and the Bisshop of Roome make preparation to warre vpon the Lutheranes and wyll maynteyne the counsell and beegynne the warres in the sprynge of the yere and howe they intende to set vpon the Archebysshop of Collon with the force of the lowe contrie of Germany vpon the Saxons out of Boheme to inuade high Almaigne with the power of Italie How Themperour wil also haue ten thousande foote men and certen trouppes of horsemen to garde hym and conduicte him to Regenspurge This brute is not only spread abrode commonlye but is also reported of head Captaynes and Centurions wherof some make theyr boast that they haue receyued money of theÌ„peroure already And seyng Themperoure hathe peace with FrauÌ„ce and hath also taken trewes with the Turke as some do affyrme many men doe maruell to what vse and pourpose he shoulde wage men to warre Neyther he nor hys consortes whylest they consyder the peace makyng of Norinberge confyrmed after at Regenspurge Spier and other places can be easelye perswaded to beleue it shoulde bee trew especially synce they haue done ryght good seruice bothe to theÌ„perour and to kynge Ferdinando agaynst the Turke and other enemyes also Howbeit he thought good to declare these thynges frendly vnto hym whych are sygnyfyed to hym and hys fellowes by many letters and messagers For it maye be that the like thinges are reported to Themperoure by malycious persons of hym and hys confederatours whyche maye rayse a suspicion cause trouble and put them bothe to charges he doubteth not but that he wyll make hym an auÌ„wer And in asmuche as he hathe ben euer hitherto a counselloure of peace he desyreth him that from henceforthe also he wolde perswade Themperoure to the same Granuellan wrote an aunswer to thys the seuenth day of February How Themperoure hathe neyther made any compacte with the Bisshop leuyed soldiours nor geuen

Chauncelour whan he had tolde him the cause and occasion of hys comming It is not in one place nor in Germany only but also in foreine Nations reported moste myghty Emperoure that throughe the Bysshop of Roomes procurement you shulde mynd great displeasure to the Protestantes There goeth abrut also that at the conclusyon of the peace you shuld haue perswaded the French kyng to ayde you in punnisshyng the same Moreouer that you sollicite the Turke for a trewes that you may so muche the easelyer brynge youre pourpos to passe and therefore they saye the Bisshop hathe called and coÌ„maunded a counsell that vpon the decrees made in haste the matter myght be put in execution it maketh vs the rather to think this report to be trewe to see howe ernestly and busyly the suite procedeth againste the Archebisshop of Collon And certenly forasmuche as we haue ayded you chargeablye against the French kyng and the Turk and offered to doe more as was declared at Spier because we haue donne more also then euer our aunceters were accustomed moreouer inasmuche as you haue graunted vs large warrauntes concerninge the peace and the law bothe at Regenspurg at Spier these thinges chaunce to vs now beyonde all expectation Yet we trust that before you departe out of Germany you wyll cause that relygion be established after the prescripte of Goddes woorde by a prouinciall counsell of Germany and in case the dissention can not be throughly accorded yet that the peace whiche was promised vs at Spier you wold commaunde to be wholy obserued in suche wyse as it bee neyther chaunged nor taken awaye by the decree of any counsell Hereunto Themperoure aunswereth by Nauius Howe sondrie reportes haue commen to hys eares of them also that they should attempte some enterpryse yet wolde he not credite the same especiallye after he had hearde hys letters written to Nauius and nowe also beleueth it muche lesse As concernynge that whyche he spake of the Frenche kynge there is no man able to proue it he hathe pease with him only and nothynge els It is the guise of Fraunce to braue and bragge of matters that bee vayne he moued the Turke of a trewes chiefly for the loue of Germany for seyng that in sondrie assemblyes of Thempire they complayned of the greate charges and the pouertye of the people he thought this the best waye to relyeue them that duryng the tyme of the trewes they myght consulte how to make war agaynste him and to set an order in Religion but herein as yet is nothyng determyned for hereof must he conferre with hys brother Fernando the Counsell which they haue so many yeres requyred of him is nowe throughe hys greate suite and labour assembled And what so euer he hathe done therin he hathe donne it of a good affectyon to the publicke weale And where some perchaunce taketh it otherwise it is not well donne of them he hathe vsed the Archebisshop of Collon frendlye but he coulde abyde no delaye at all What is hys preparatyon to warre he seeth preseÌ„tly there is no man with him but his housholde seruauntes neyther doeth he gather any power And the cause whie he sent for him is for that he supposeth him to be a man that desireth peace And therfore requireth him to declare his fantasye howe Relygion may be appeased or what he thinketh maye be obteyned of his fellowes And if he list not now he wil appoint of his couÌ„sel to coÌ„ferre with him in the matter TheÌ„ the Lantzgraue speaking himselfe yf it laye in me noble Emperoure to doe anye thynge for the welthe of Germanye and maynteynge of Amytye beetwene you and the states of Thempire certenly I wold spare no paines for this cause chiefly came I hither I wisshed surelye to haue had some moe of my fellowes here but that could not be for shortnes of tyme. The Duke of SaxoÌ„ is to farre of and Iames Sturmius is troubled with sicknes I beleue ryghte well that you haue hearde sondrye reportes but doubteles the trewthe is so as I wrote to Nauius for there was no consultation had agaynst you at Frankefurte but we treated onlie howe we myght bothe perseuer in oure relygion and also repulse vniuste violence Of the French king it was shewed vs that for the affinitie of the Duke of Orleans the king had promised you ayde against vs Many wise meÌ„ marueled that you sued to the Turke for trewes and supposed that no lyght cause moued you so to doe especiallye hauyng peace with the Frenche kyng but now forasmuche as you saye it is done for the common welthes sake I haue nothyng to obiecte against it For Germany had nede longe synce to haue ben vnburthened of suche charges we desyred a counsell the treweth is so but the same to be free godly and holded in Germany And why we doe not esteme thys of Trent to be suche we did sufficientlye declare it vnto you at Woormes For to shewe any waye howe to accorde relygion I maye not withoute the aduise of manye fellowes and I perceyue well I should haue but small thanke of neyther partie yet will I not refuse to conferre with your counsell herein so it be not preiudiciall I haue in dede no hope in the counsel where all others secluded the bisshoppes onlye and such others as be the Bisshop of Roomes sworne men shall determyne all thynges but I suppose a synode of Germany shulde not be vnprofitable for as yet other nations differ muche from vs in opinions and doctrine And the thyng is so farre entred in Germany that it can not be altered Therfore were there nothyng better than yf you woulde permit relygion there to be free yet so as all men shulde obserue the peace I suppose you ordeyned the colloquie at Regenspurge of a verye good intent but I heare by som that were present howe there be certen bitter Freers which call agayne in questyon the articles already accorded and be of so naughtye a lyfe withal that there is no good to be looked for at theyr handes The Archebisshop of Collon is doubteles a goodman And what so euer he dooeth in thys matter he supposeth it to bee hys dewtye especyallye syth the decree of Regenspurge inioyned hym to refourme his Churche And that reformatioÌ„ he caused to be made as temperately as might be taking awaye no more thaÌ„ was nedeful in the church goodes he altered verie littel And his boke is agreable to the holy scripture coÌ„firmed with the testimonies of the auncient Doctours TertuliaÌ„ AusteÌ„ Ambrose others which wer nerer the time of the apostles wherfore if any violence should be offered hym for thys matter the same might be awarnynge to others that had altered a great deale more Than sayeth Themperoure I leaue the treaty of Franckfurte for I neither beleued the tales that wer tolde me neyther haue I geuen anie occasyon that it shoulde so be And I haue not procured the counsell

man be admitted to the office of reading but of whose learning maners and lyfe the Bishop or Abbot be certayne of And because the preachyng of the Gospel is nothyng lesse necessarye than the readyng it selfe the Bisshops and al other prelates of the churche are commaunded to instructe the people or yf they haue any lawful impedimeÌ„t to substitute others that shall Moreouer the headpristes pastoures of the people are charged at the lest euery sondaye to declare vnto men those thinges that are necessary for saluation and that they exhort them vnto vertu and feare them from vice and syn And a penaltie appoynted for such as neglect their dutye The Bisshops also are admonished to note dilligentlye what thinges are taught and incase heresies or absurde opinions be sowen abrode to vse the remedie by the lawes prescribed After are decrees made of originall synne and saye that the whole spot thereof is taken awaye through baptisme And that there remayueth in dede in them that be baptised a motion to synne or concupiscence And albeit Paul sometyme calleth it synne yet is it not done because it is synne in dede and properly so but because it inclineth to sinne But the Uirgin Marye is not comprysed in thys decree and that is to be obserued which in tyme paste was ordeyned by Bysshop Sirtus the fourthe of that name Than is the nexte daie limited to sit in the .xxix. of Iune Now did this Sixtus the fourth make a decre wherin he did excommunicate them as heretickes whyche teache that the Uirgyn Mary was conceaued in oryginall synne and that the daye consecrated by the churche of Roome in the memoryall of her conceptyon oughte not to be kept holy Thys decre is written in that part of the Byshops law that is called extrauagaÌ„tes In this foresayd counsell sitting Peter Danese ambassadour to the French king made an oration and speakynge many thynges of the desertes and godly zeale of the kinges of Fraunce towardes the Churche of Roome begynnynge from kynge Clodowey declareth howe kinge Fraunces descendinge of the same progenitours is in no kynde of dewtye inferyour to them who was lynked with Leo the tenth in a continuall bonde of amytie and likewyse with Adrian Clement and now with Paull the third whyche in all this tempestuous storme of Religion hathe ben well ware that no alteration hath ben within hys dominions for that he wold haue the whole iudgement of the matter to be referred to the church for albeit he be of hys owne nature moste mercifull yet hathe he put them to most greuous tormentes which by a certen priuate rashenes haue assayed to diminyshe the state of the church through the which dillygence and seueritie he hath this obteined that he deliuereth now vnto them all Fraunce in peasable wyse For in it is no new nor strauÌ„ge doctryne which is not of auncient custome and olde discipline confyrmed And where he hathe alwayes thought it profytable for the publycke weale that in the church there shuld be one namely the bisshop of Roome as the successour of Peter vnto whom all others as to the head myght referre all theyr doynges he hath ben euermore carefull that thys magistrate myghte styll kepe the supremacye and albeit he hath often times with large offers ben moued to the contrary and to followe thexample that an other hathe shewed before hys eyes yet coulde he neuer bee remoued from hys pourpos and of late whan the counsell was called that he hearde howe certen fathers were there assembled forthewhich he commaunded certen of hys cheife Bisshops to repayre thyther whan after a few decrees were made brought into Fraunce he appointed hym and his fellowes to come and declare hys lykyng opinion touchyng the same Therfore his fyrst request is that they wold ones establishe in generall what thyng in relygion is to be followed and beleued And agayne that for thecclesiasticall persons they wolde prescribe a moste sharpe disciplyne of lyfe maners What so euer they shal decree let theÌ„ put no doubte but that through hys commaundement it shall be obserued in all Fraunce Moreouer for as muche as the kynges of Fraunce haue done very muche for the churche of Roome that they wolde not suffer any thyng to be dimisshed or altered the possession wherof the kynges of Fraunce haue had euer synce Lewis surnamed Pius the sonne of great Charles Finally that of all the Frenche Churches whereof he hathe the patronage left hym of hys elders they wolde confyrme all ryghtes priueleges and lybertyes With the letters before mentioned and with further credite also came Lazarus Schuendius to Strasburge the .xxiiii. daie of Iune when he had by the waye spoken with the rest of the cytyes But the Senate sendyng hym awaye not long after wrote vnto theÌ„peroure and for that they made no directe aunswer to Lazarus they saye it was for the straungenes and difficultie of the thing which did not concerne theÌ„ only but others in lyke case Nowe where he saieth that he beareth such a loue to Germany they geue hym great thaÌ„kes and besecheth hym to perseuer in the same and suffer not hym selfe to be styrred vp to ciuyll warre where he complayneth moreouer of certen that doe not theyr de wtie neither shew theyr dew obedience they were sory to heare it yet they trust that there be none of theyr Religion culpable in so greate a crime For the fault hath not ben in vs saye they that relygion hath not ben accorded For you knowe ryght wel noble Emperoure howe willinge and confyrmable we haue been to haue a recontilemente bothe fyue yeres paste at Regenspurge and also synce and before at all tymes where certen others through thaduise and perswasion of the Bishop haue refused the same and referred althinges to Roome But the Bisshop intendeth through violeÌ„ce and power to reteyne styll those greate errours for the whyche arrose all thys dissentioÌ„ in the church doeth so handle the matter in al thinges that we maye not coÌ„mit the cause vnto his iudgment wherby it may wel be perceyued that we susteyne wrong yf any man shulde lay the blame in vs that thys controuersye is not appeased And where it is obiected vnto them that they shulde seke to plucke the church goodes in to theyr owne handes vnder the pretence of relygion it is vnfrendly sayde For you haue heard and knowen Cesar why oure fellowes coulde suffer no longer that monkishe lyfe in theyr dominions which was growen so farre out of order and howe they haue conuerted the same to better vses as fyndyng of Scooles and releuing of the poore Where agayne it is well knowne howe men of the contrary relygioÌ„ heape vp the churche goodes and abuse them to all voluptuousnes yet nothyng spokeÌ„ of furthermore you your selfe haue made decrees bothe at Regenspurg and lately at Spier how for a common quiet those goodes oughte to be vsed Nowe incase there

came not our selues to RegeÌ„spurge we haue bothe made oure excuse the Duke by hys Ambassa dours and I by presente talke with hym at Spier But what is then the lybertye of Germany or state of the publicke weale yf we must haue warre therfore whan bothe in others heretofore and also in this conuention nowe at Regenspurge many other Prynces are absent And as for the warre of Brunswicke we are not to bee blamed For it is lawfull for all men to saue them selues from violence We haue often tymes desyred in sondry assemblies that hys vyolence myghte be restreyned but more than wordes letters we could obteyne nothing And yet in those letters whych Fernando at our request wrote herof to Duke Henry openly wer other letters inclosed wherby he myghte easely perceyue that he neded not to obeye the others These Letters were founde in the castel of Wuolsbuttell subscribed with the kinges owne hande and are foorth commynge and nede be But in case the lyke seueritie had ben extended to the Duke of Brunswicke as themperoure sheweth nowe vnto vs albeit we haue not deserued it there had ben no warre at all But in asmuche as he impugned vs who for the profession of the Gospell doe susteyne greate hatred they coulde winke at hys myscheuous actes And TheÌ„peroure knoweth how we commytted the prouince taken to gardience and for the defence takeÌ„ in hande we offered our selues to abyde the order of the lawe and arbitrement by hym appoynted yf he would haue taken the same way and had not forsaking the Arbiterment and contemnyng Themperours order atteÌ„pted a new warre but wolde haue tryed the matter with vs by the lawe the way had ben easy enoughe For if we being conuict in iudgement had not obeyed than shulde Themperour haue had iuste cause to put the lawe in execution but nowe that he shulde thus doe he hath not at al. Finally from the time that this Duke and his son were taken themperoure did neuer demaunde thing of vs for the same therfore there is no cause wherfore we should be accused for negletynge oure dewtie And in case it shoulde bee ascribed to vs as though we shuld impeache the law then haue we to muche wronge For in asmuche as of many yeres now those only were receiued to be iudges of the chamber whych hated our religioÌ„ most bitterly for that the same iudges all coÌ„positions set a part gaue sentence against vs our fellowes in matters of religion also in ciuill causes wolde let vs haue no iustice we did as we myght doe euen by order of lawe necessarely and lawfully refuse them as suspected our aduersaries protestyng that we wold declare more at large the causes of the refusal before chosen iudges Therfore can there nothing be imputed vnto vs in this be halfe Moreouer two yeres past it was decried at Spier that the chamber shuld be establyshed vprightly why it was not so don it caÌ„not be ascribed to vs nor our fellowes And it is not vnknoweÌ„ to themperoure how the last yere in the asseÌ„blie at Wormes ther did no man resist this decree of his more than they themselues whiche wyll seme to be loyall obedient princes for this intent verely that where as they be oure aduersaries they myght be oure iudges also We doe heare moreouer that this is layed to our charge as much blame worthy that we seke to allure vnto vs certeÌ„ of the Nobilitie But maruell it is that we should be reproued for this matter For it is to be founde proued that this hath ben alwaies the maner in the dayes of oure forefathers that they should ioyne vnto theÌ„ not only the gentelmen of their owne couÌ„tries but the bishops also And though there wersom fault therin it is therfore lawful to moue warre against vs our cause not heard and albeit that in the league of in heritaunce which is betwene the houses of Saxon Brandenburg Hesse themperour is excepted yet ought this to be so taken if he do not abuse his authoritie Wherfore let Albert Iohn of Brandenburge cosins who haue promised to serue Themperour against vs consider with theÌ„selues dilligently what they doe remeÌ„ber their othe wherwith they ar bouÌ„deÌ„ we wold they shuld haue this knowledg and warninge as they also which being our clientes take wages vnder theÌ„ in this war Neither are they excused if haply they wil say how theÌ„perour is pourposed to punnish certen princes for disobedience For they knewe themselues howe there can be no such thing imputed to vs iustly But if Themperoure had accused vs of any crime as reason wold haue requyred that we could not haue confuted the same he shulde not haue neded to vse all these polycies and sollicite our fellowes to withdraw themselues from vs. For yf he coulde haue shewed our offence they wolde haue forsaken vs of theyr owne accorde and in a cause that had not ben good few wold haue a biden the commoÌ„ daunger Furthermore what tyme we with the rest gaue hym ayde two yeres synce against the Frence king he promised than that when that warre shulde be finished he wolde goe into Hongary hymselfe agaynst the Turke And nowe doe the Turkes inuade Hongary and the places ther aboutes with great force power as in dede it is reported of many doubteles therbe in those parties both at Offen and Pest great garnisons of Turkes But the poore mens liues of that countrie are neglected which are now cast vnto theyr enemyes as a praye and in the meane while they seke howe to make slaughter in Germanye and that all thynge maye swymme full of theyr blud that professe Chryst And seing it is so we trust surely that moste men will pitie and lament our case and wil not assist our aduersaryes whiche seke only to extinguish the doctrine of the Gospell as they haue donne in all others places of they re dominions and bring vs into extreme bondoge but wil be content for reasonable wages rather to followe oure campe than theirs wherin is the Romish Antichriste and his adherentes whose chyfe endeuour is thys that euen with the slaughter of all Germany they maye establish agayne and confirme theyr wicked and deuelishe doctryne And in asmuche as after muche intreatinge for peace beyng of no crime as yet coÌ„uicted we are enforced to warre to defend our selues from violence we trust that God will assist the treweth agaynst lyes and in thys hys cause wil be our hygh Emperour enseigne bearer againste the wicked deuises of the bishop Unto him verely doe we commit the whole matter and beseche hym to confounde the cruell counselles of blud thirsters and euer more and more to auaunce the maiestie glory of hys name The same daye they wryte to Iohn Marques of BraÌ„denburge And because he is bothe in the league of the Protestantes as by his owne letters can be proued and agayne in priuate confederacie

irritated the thing it selfe requireth that with a certen humble submission he do craue pardon Wherfore let hym haue a respect to him selfe and his chyldren and to the common multitude and dryue not the nayle to the head neyther bryng the matter in to extreme daunger He wryteth also the same in effecte to the Duke of Saxonie The Emperour a lytle before that the Protestauntes departed in Nouember had appointed certen to leuie streight wayes a newe Armie and to make warre in the next partes of Saxonie leste the States and Cities there should ayde the Duke and the Lantgraue Ouer this Armie whiche was to the nombre of .xxi. thousande fotemen and a thousand and two hondreth horsemen he made general Ioyce Grunninge Gouernour of Selande They compell Conrade Erle of Deckelburg in league with the Protestauntes and the cities of Osnabruge and Mynden and the Erle of Lippen with certen others to obeye their coÌ„maundement and take the Castell of Ritberge and marche from thence to Breme This was in the moneth of February Here serued the Emperour Philippe Ebersten Erle Christopher Urisberger Frideriche Spedie Whan the Electour of Saxonie hearde of the Emperours successe addressing his letters to the Senate of Strasburge the .xiii. daye of February he signifieth vnto them howe he hath recouered his owne and wonne almoste all that Duke Maurice had in the countreis of Thuring and Meyssen caused his Nobilitie to be sworen vnto him hath allotted vnto him the by shoprick of MaideÌ„burg And where as the Duke of Wirtemberg and the most part of that cities in vpper Germany haue compounded with themperour vpon conditions moste vnreasonable omitting the mention of religion haue promised themperour ayde against him his fellowes that hath chaunced vnto him beyond al expectation and is altogether repugnauÌ„t to the maner of the league How be it he heard say how they remained constant that was great pleasure to him Wherfore let them holde on and fainte not doe as becometh confederates and if the thing require so let them defende maintein theÌ„ selues with the ayde of the Swisses and the French king his desire is assuredly to shew them alloue and fidelitie but he is letted by domestical warre wherin if God will make an ende to his coÌ„moditie they shal not want his helpe The Ambassadours of the states cities of Saxony be already assembled at Maydenburg with whom he treateth of those matters for the which the conuention was appointed at Franckfurt and his trust is that they will perfourme their dutie especially the cities wil not forsake the coÌ„federatie At the Ides of February cometh to Strasburge an Ambassadour from the Frenche kyng Mendoza a Spaniard an exile promiseth largely But the Senate had already decreed to send to themperour an Ambassade for peace And so he departed with out any thing done The Ambassadours to theÌ„perour were Iames Sturmius Matthie Pharrer Marke Hagie The cause of their Ambassade was that going to Ulme thei should know for certentie vpon what conditions themperour might be coÌ„pounded with Themperour had than of his counsel Anthony bishop of Arras For his father GranuellaÌ„ was gone to Besanson Nauius the same time had chauÌ„ged his life for death In whose roume afterward succeded George Selde a Ciuilan to him were annexed by reasoÌ„ of so much busines as was in Germany Iohn Marquard of BadeÌ„ Harry Hasie who had bene consellour before to the Paulsgraue very lately to the prince of Bippount right expert in matters of Germany Kyng Ferdinando to the intent he myght styre vp the Bohemers that refused to serue as I saide before the sixte daye of February marcheth forth with Ferdinando his sonne and commeth to Letmerice a Frontier towne of Boheme What tyme he taried there a day or two for the nobles and states of the realme he had a longe Oration And for as muche as Duke Maurice desyreth his helpe he exhorteth them to put on Armure as wel for the auncient league betwene both the people as also for that they are theÌ„perours clicÌ„tes And because diuerse say that their libertie herby is infringed he promiseth theÌ„ assuraÌ„ce that it shal be no hinderauÌ„ce to theÌ„ in time to come The states whiche than were present say how they can determine nothing with out the consent of the rest They require him therfore so shortly as he can to call them altogether Certen others of them promise their seruice duty Those were gouernours of townes vnto whome the king gaue thaÌ„kes and to the others declared at large how this was no time to stande in question when the thing it selfe requireth a present remedy against the ennemie What time the warre shal be finished he wyll not refuse to call an assemblie will deminishe no part of their liberties wherfore let them stande content and follow him At the length fearing his displeasure whan the king had taunted theÌ„ somwhat sharply thei gaue their assent also and in case thei serue not in persone they promise to finde others About the Ides of February the nobilitie and men of Prage writing their letters pray the king in so muche as he perseuereth in his coÌ„maundemeÌ„tes after a new and straunge example that against the .xx. daye of Marche he wold coÌ„maunde all the states to be at Prage Or if he can not in case they do assemble than and determine some thing they desire him not to take it displeasauntly He again reciteth what was done at Letmerice and promiseth an assemblie against the .xviii. day of April and warneth them in the meane time that they attempt nothing neither assemble together in any wyse The fourth day after they had thus wrytten thei make a league to maintein their libertie After that Marques Albert was come into Saxony Duke Maurice assigned him to lie in the towne of Rochlice The reuenues wherof had the Lantgraues syster a wydowe daughter in lawe to Duke George That knowen Iohn Fridericke Prince Electour who was than at Aldenburge three myles from the same at the kalendes of Marche sendeth before Ernest Duke of Luneburge and Uolrate Erle of Mansdfelde with certen guydoÌ„s of horsmen and after them Recrode with his legion of fotemeÌ„ by night He him selfe with the rest of his armie followeth after In the next morning before it was day lyght a few horsemen sent before to escoute did set vpon the watche and some they toke the rest fled into the town In the suburbes were foure enseignes of fotemen They accompanied with certen horsemen going forth as sone as day appered giue the charge But hauing the repulse they retourne back into the suburbes But whan the Electour was come with the rereward and shot of his ordenaunce into the town from the next hill by the fotemeÌ„ also entring perforce fyred the suburbes Those forsaid enseignes of fotemen flye awaye by the brydge the horsemen also through the Riuer of Mulda

there be commaunded to remain till thei receiue further aduertisemeÌ„t The same was thought to be done for this inteÌ„t that through their meanes the Byshop might be wholy inclined to the kynges frendship and if he should fortune to dye for he was already foure score yeare olde an other myght be chosen that fauoured the kyng of Fraunce Howbeit some saide this was wrought thorowe the policie of the Conestable to get them out of the way that he might rule the king alone for they all in a maner wold be at the kinges heles whethersoeuer he went The Byshop had a litle before sent his legate into Fraunce Hierome Romane with a moste large commission to grauÌ„t many thynges whiche are forbidden also by the lawes and decrees of the counsell He created also Cardinall at the same tyme Charles of Guise the sonne of Duke Claudie Archebyshop of Rains in whom he knew the kyng delighted much Again the FreÌ„che king to purchase further amitie offreth in mariage his bastarde doughter about .ix. yeres of age to Orace Farnese the Bishops granchilde by his sonne The Emperour remouing from Hale cometh to Bamberge that being so nere he might be a greater terrour to the Bohemers and a strengthe vnto his brother Whilest he was here the third daye of Iuly he calleth an assemblie of the Empire and coÌ„maundeth that all mete at Auspurg the first day of Septembre the Princes them selues in persone the residues Ambassadours with full authoritie And saieth he was letted by the warres that he helde not a coÌ„uention at the kalendes of February last past as he had determined at Regenspurge But now that he hath the authours of trouble in his custody he would no longer differ but that the corrupt members of the commoÌ„ wealth may be healed And the consultacioÌ„ shal be of suche matters as should haue bene treated vpon at Wormes and a yeare synce at Regenspurge This conuention should haue bene at Ulme but for the infectioÌ„ of the plage the place was chaunged as before is also mentioned After from Bamberge he goeth to Norinberge As he there was he receiueth into fauour certen cities of Saxony and the .xvi. daye of Iuly he publisheth a wryting wherin he declareth what hath bene done with the Lantgraue and vpon what conditions he hath pardoned him And because that he is carefull leste that many should haply through ignoraunce worke violence to his landes and subiectes therfore at his request doth he straightly charge and commaunde all men to absteyne and if they haue any matter against him to trie it by the lawe In this self same tyme Duke Maurice sendeth for Melanchthon Pomerane Cruciger diuines of Wittemberge and receiueth them ryght gently at Lipsia and speaking muche of his zeale towardes religion committeth vnto them the order both of the church and Scoole also requiring them to procede after their wonted maner he appointeth them stipendes as they them selues wryte sendeth theÌ„ away not without great rewardes For Pomerane in a litle boke that he set forth after commendeth highly his liberalitie and gentlenes The Frenche kyng that succeded his father at the kalendys of Aprill the .xxv. day of Iuly cometh to Rains to be crowned And being receiued before the cathedral churche with thr ã€ˆâ€¦ã€‰ Cardinalles he is led to the hyghe aultar and after he had kissed there the relickes of saintes enclosed in gold said his prayers he goeth to supper After supper retourning and making his prayers againe whan he had confessed his synnes to a priest he departeth and goeth to bedde The next day he sendeth certeâ— of the nobilitie to intreate the Abbot of saint Remige that he would bring the boxe of holy oyle whiche they say came down from heauen After resorte to the churche those that are called the Douzeperes of Fraunce which are twelue in nomber The Byshop of Rains Landune Langres Beauuois Noion and Challon Than the kyng of Nauarre the Dukes of Uandome Guise Niuerne Mompenser and Anmalle These represented the Dukes of Burgundie Normandie and Guienne moreouer the Erles of Tolouse Flaunders and Champaine Of the Byshoppes were chosen two Langres and Beauuois also two Cardinalles to go fetche the kyng to the churche Whan they came into his chamber after certen prayers sayde they lift vp the kyng liyng on his bedde as the ceremony is and accompanied with a multitude of priestes leade him to the church and the Conestable beareth before him the sworde drawen The king what tyme he had prayed before the aultar was led by the Byshoppes to his seate And in the meane whyle tyl that boxe cometh the Archebyshop of Rains After he had finished the prayers conteyned in the boke of ceremonies sprinkleth with holy water the kyng and all the reste And whan worde was brought that the boxe was coming whiche in the absence of the Abbot the Prior of the monkes brought sitting vpon a white hambling palfrey and accompanied with the Monkes of hys order and the Noble meÌ„ that the king had sent for it as before is sayd the Archebyshop with the other byshops goeth to mete him at the churche dore with the crosse borne before him ther receiued of him the boxe deliuering hym a gage to restore it againe And whan he came agayn to the aultar the king rysing out of his seate doeth him reuerence After the Archebyshop goeth into the reuestrie and there being solemnely decked in his pontificalibus cometh forth and taketh his othe and fidelitie of him by the whiche after an auncient custome kynges are bounde to the churche Than is the king led to the aultar by two Byshops There putting on other garmeÌ„tes he kneleth downe and is girded with a sworde which he as thei terme it hath consecrated with many prayers After this the Archebyshop prepareth the oyle in a redines whylest the other priests synge their seruice prayeth softly with the kyng lying both grusselyng on the grouÌ„d Than he annointeth the kinges head breste and both shoulders and the elbowes of either arme in saying that accustomed prayers That done the kyng hath put on him new garmentes like a minister of the church and is annointed in the palmes of his handes After he layeth both his handes on his breste and putteth on hallowed gloues as they call them But the Archebishop putteth a rynge vpon his fynger and deliuereth him the Sceptre in his ryght hande And in the selfe same moment the Chauncelour calleth forth the Douzeperes In their presence the Archebyshop taketh froÌ„ the aultar the crown of Charles the great and whan the Peres haue touched it setteth it on the kinges head and bringeth the king into a roiall throne whiche is made in an higher place the whole company of Nobles followyng And there hauing ended his prayers kisseth him Likewyse do the Peres and Nobles making a great shoute and acclamation pray all God saue the kyng and to reioyce mens hartes the Trompettes blowe After is gold

the byshops in maner beare no authoritie And in this dissolute oultrage and coÌ„fusion of things innumerable thousandes are in daunger of their saluation Briefly through this same pestilent euill is infected corrupted whatsoeuer before was clere the states of thempire plucked a sonder do obserue no frendship amoÌ„ges them selues In these so many and great euils their only refuge is to the Apostolicall churche Wherfore they hartely pray him euen for the wealth of Germany that he would restore the counsell Whiche if he would there is nothing but he myght loke for at their haÌ„des But if not they caÌ„not see from whence they should seke remedy For stormes and tempestes arrise on euery syde whiche all to repulse God hath ordained the holy churche of Rome as a certen bulwarke and rocke moste strong Let him haue therfore a consideration of their requestes and thinke no lesse but it may be except he prouide for the contrary that some other meanes and deuises may be founde to dispatche this matter For the rest they pray him to take these thinges in good parte For their duty and state of tyme compelleth them so to wryte In these dayes also the Englyshmen vanquish the Scottes in a maigne battell and slewe of theÌ„ many thousandes at the conduict of the Duke of Somerset the kinges vncle The cause of the warre was the same that was before during the lyfe of kyng Henry that is to witte for that the Scottes would not geue their Quene to wyfe vnto king Edward as their promise was After this victory the Englishe nation wan a great part of Scotlande and enlarged their limites farre Concerninge the Emperours demaundes all men were not of one opinion For the Electours that were of the clergie do vrge the counsell of Trent without conditioÌ„ But the Ambassadours of the Paulsgraue Duke Maurice and Marques of Brandenburg refused not the same sobeit it were fre and Godly wherin the Byshop should not be iudge and should release other Byshops of their othe and that their diuines also might haue licence to reason and the decrees already made be retracted But all other Princes and states were desirous that the counsell might be continued that the Protestauntes going thether by saufeconduict may be heard constrained to obey the decrees of the counsell Themperour hearing al their mindes the .xviii. day of Octob. answereth desireth them al to submit them selues to the couÌ„sell and treateth with the Paulsgraue and Duke Maurice seuerally that they shuld geue their assent And the Paulsgraue in dede was put in feare vnlesse he consented by reason of the late offence in the yeare before where as that sore was not throughly healed Duke Maurice again which both coueted that the Lantgraue his father in lawe shuld be deliuered And was also muche auaunced of late by the Emperour sawe wel he must nedes do some thing Wherfore whaÌ„ themperour had by messengers seÌ„t betwixt promised largely of his good wil towards theÌ„ and desired instauntly that they would committe the thing to his fidelitie they at the last the .xxiiii. day of October consente therto The rest were only cities whiche sawe what a daungerous matter it were to submitte them selues to the decrees of the couÌ„sell without exception With them did Granuellan and Hasie intreate longe and muche And the meane whyle it was bruted throughout the citie howe they were franticke and out of their wyttes that refused the thyng whiche all the Princes had than approued There were heard moreouer threatnynges that they should be scourged worse than they were of late In fine a meane was founde that both the Emperour was satisfied and they also assured For being called before the Emperour They saye it is not their parte to correcte the aunswers of Princes and delyuer hym with all a wryting wherin they testifie vpon what conditions they doe admitte the counsell The Emperour hearynge their tale aunswereth them by Seldie howe he is verey glad and ioyfull that after the example of others they referre the matter vnto hym and geue their coÌ„sent with the reste So did he attribute more vnto them than they desyred For they did not assente to the reside we but to auoyde displeasure they woulde finde no faulte with the sentence of the Princes And yet leste any thyng should be preiudiciall to them hereafter they declared by wryting in what sort they lyked the counsell that in tyme to come myght remayne a testimony of their myndes This was about the ende of October And the same tyme came thyther Kyng Ferdinando and after also the Electour of Brandenburge The Emperour therfore immediatly in the beginnyng of Nouember sent the Cardinall of Trente to Rome in poste to moue the Byshop to call agayne the Synode to Trente In the moneth of Nouember Christine wyfe to the Lantgraue his sonnes and certen choise counsellours in their letters wrytten to all the Princes and States of the Empyre declare by what meanes he was taken at Hale commyng thyther vnder saufe conduite And in as muche as all the condicions by the Emperour prescribed that could or ought to be perfourmed are accomplished the monie payd the Duke of Brunswick his son set at libertie al the letters of the confederates exhibited the oth of the nobilitie assurasice of the suerties made al his munition deliuered his fortes rased Moreouer in as much as thei are ready neither refuse thei to be pledges theÌ„selues vntil such time as the rest be fulfilled also they can not wout the gret grief vexatioÌ„ of mind se him in this miserable case For before he went to Hale he was in no suche case but that he might haue kept his castelles an honest tyme against the force of the ennemy And that also can the Emperours commissioners whiche sawe the thinges afterwarde testife But for the compassion he had of the people chose peace before war Wherfore they moste hartely praye them to intreate the Emperour in his behalfe and fynde the meanes that being shortly restored to libertie he may retourne home For in case he should be longer dâ—teined it would be doubtles to the vtter decaye of his health And to haue the better successe in their sute the Lantgraues wyfe came her selfe to Auspurg And both her selfe and also by Duke Maurice and the Electour of Brandenburg solliciteth the Princes to sue for him Whiche thing knowen the Emperour before intercession was made the .xxv. day of NoueÌ„ber declareth to the states that he heareth what report is made vnto theÌ„ And in as much as the talke of men is diuerse he wil declare vnto them the plain truthe of the matter so reciteth from the beginning how ofte and by whome the Lantgraue had bene sued for And howe he aunswered theÌ„ al that he shuld yelde and submitte himself without condicion rase his castels and deliuer his munition and than he tolde Duke Maurice and the Marques of Brandenburg that he should

committed in charge the tuition of all counselles But you went so hastely away that you reiected suche as sayd how you ought first to aske aduise of the Emperour and Byshop And if you must nedes haue remoued at the lest you should haue obserued the decrees of holy counselles and haue remayned within the borders of Germany to the intent the Germaines whose cause was chiefly in hande myght come to the counsell safely But nowe haue ye chosen Bononie a citie in the middes of Italy and subiect to the churche of Rome whether you are assured that the Germaines will not come And therfore haue you chosen the same that to the decaye and reproche of the vniuersall weale the counsel myght either be dossolued or handled and vsed at your pleasure The Emperour therfore requireth that moste earnestly that you wold retourne to the same place whiche before contented all men especially synce all thinges are safe and quiet neither remaineth there any further cause of feare Whiche thyng if you shall refuse I doe here in the name and by the commaundemeÌ„t of the Emperour proteste this remouing of the counsell to be vayne vnlawful and the whole doyng to be voyde of none effect And do also testifie the answer of yours to be fond full of lies and the the coÌ„modities that hereafter shal insue to the coÌ„mon wealth ar not to be ascribed to theÌ„but vnto you and affirme moreouer that you haue no authoritie to remoue the counsell And in asmuch as you haue neglected the publique health of men the Emperour as Protectour of the churche wyll take charge therof so far forth as he may by the lawes and and decrees of holy fathers Whan he had red these thinges he deliuereth the copie of the Protestation written and requireth that it maye be recorded for matter of recorde There Cardinall Mountane by the consent of the Fathers speakyng grauely declareth that they are not well vsed and taketh God to witnesse and saieth howe they are ready to dye rather than to suffer suche an example to be brought into the churche that euer the ciuile Magistrate should at his wyll and pleasure comptrolle the counsell The Emperour in dede is the eldest sonne of the church but neyther Lord nor Maister But he and his colleges are Legates of the See Apostolicke refuse not presently to reÌ„der an accompt both first vnto God after also to the Byshop of their Ambassade And that more within a fewe dayes their Protestation shal be aunswered In maner to the same effect and about the same tyme Mendoza whan letters were come from the Emperour wherby he was commauÌ„ded to procede did proteste at Rome before the Byshop and Cardinalles callyng therunto as he was cemmaunded the Ambassadours of foreine kynges and Princes âœš The twenty Booke of Sleidanes Commentaryes concerning the state of Religion and the common Weale during the reigne of the Empyre of Charles the fyfte â§ The argument of the twenty Booke THe treaty is of a controuersie whether the lande of Prusse belong to the kyng of Poole or to the Empyre The Pope maketh an ample aunswere to the protestation before made by Mendoza Wherof the Emperour being aduertised leauing all hope of a counsell begynneth to set forth his Interim The Protectour of Englande wryting to the Scottes in ample wyse demaundeth their Quene Uogelsberge is beheaded The Emperour in his campe before Wittemberge gaue to Duke Maurice the ryght of Electourshyp and nowe createth him with all solemnities Bucer refuseth to subscribe to the Interim The Pope himselfe coÌ„demneth the Interim Lykewyse do some of the Electours and Prynces Certen also refuse it al though that the Emperour had caused it to be proclaimed The Duke of Saxon prysoner with great magnanimitie refuseth it The Lantgraue by letters set forth in his name maketh semblant to consent therunto to be deliuered Whilest the Masseis abolished in England the cities and townes of Germany are sollicited to accept the Interim and aboue all others Strasborough yea with threatchynges IN the fourmer bokes is declared howe Albert of the house of Brandenburge did homage to the kynge of Polle howe he altered the state of the coÌ„mon welth in Prusse and was therfore outlawed of the chaÌ„ber Againe howe the kyng of Polle in commoÌ„ assemblies of the Empyre had oftentymes sued to the Emperour and other States that in as muche as he was his Cliente they would reuerse his outlawerie But where as nothynge was obtayned vnto this daye and in this great victory of the Emperour it was to be feared lest the matter should haue come to further daunger the kynge of Polle vnto this assemblie sendeth an Ambassade the chief wherof was Stanislaus Lascus He in the moneth of Ianuary deliuereth to the Emperour and Senate of Princes an Oration wrytten the effect wherof was this Howe the cause of Prusse had bene oftentymes debated But for as muche as it hath bene alwayes differred vntyll other assemblies he is nowe coÌ„maunded agayne to declare the same And the kinges truste is that inasmuch as they haue at al times made him geÌ„tle answers the cause it self being rightful they will haue some consideration and mynde of hym yet not not as Iudges but as Prynces worthy all honour and reuerence And first of all sayeth he I wyll speake diuerse thynges of the order of Prusse to the intent the thyng may be manifest In times pait the kynges of Polle gaue a great part of Prusseland to the order of knighthode in Dutche land vpon coÌ„dicion that they might haue their seruice against the enemies of christendome But they very vnthankefull breakyng conuenauntes tourned their force against ther owne Lordes So had they oftentymes warre and oftentymes their conuenauntes were renewed Which by reasoÌ„ of antiquitie it is not requisite to rehearse But that whiche in maner chaunced in our memory I shall recite Kyng Casimire father vnto Sigismunde subde wyng them in a great battell brought them to conditions of peace Than amonges other thinges it was accorded that from henceforth they should acknowledge the kynges of Polle for their Magistrate geuyng theÌ„ their fidelitie by an othe But afterwardes certen Maisters of that order brake conuenauntes geuynge them selues in to the tuition of others Of the whiche Albert of Brandenburge was one who being bounde by conuenaunt to doe homage vnto the kyng his Uncle within the half yeare wold not Wherfore the kyng albeit he loued peace yet was of necessitie constrayned to attempte warre And albeit they neuer ioyned in battell with their whole forces yet by Roades made fyryng spoyling and escharmoushing was much harme done in so muche that Alberte being to weake came vnto the kyng to take truce But at the selfe same tyme came a force of Germaines to ayde hym For the whiche cause he departed without concludyng the same and began to renewe warre But not long after beyng of them forsaken where he dyd but dissemble before than

was he constrayned in sadues to intreat for peace Whiche being ones concluded by the mediation of certen it was conditioned that he should geue his fayth to the kyng by an othe and doe all thynges as becommeth a faythful and trusty Cliente It is certen therfore that the lande of Prusse hath euer synce the memory of maÌ„ and from the tyme they fyrst receiued the Christen Religion both by the lawe of armes and also by sondry conuenauntes aparteyned to the Realme of Polle For if any others haue made any title or claime to it the same hath ben through the arrogancie wrong of the maisters of thorder who being through yâ— kinges permissioÌ„ Germains borne haue about oftentimes to intitle others in the ryght of Prusse Whiche thing assuredly hath bred muche distention betwixte the Germaines and Polonians and caused also this same decree wherin Duke Albert was outlawed But what ryght haue they to outlaw an other mans cliente For in that he came not to iudgemeÌ„t when he was sited not of his iudges that ded he by the kynges commaundement vnto whome all the faulte is to be imputed in case there be any at all But if he should be outlawed for this cause that he acknowlegeth the king for his Magistrat that were very vnreasonable that any man should suffer punishemeÌ„t for doing his duty Wherfore most triumphaÌ„t Emperour and states most noble the king doeth hartly requyre you that this vniust and vnlawfull decree of outlawery prescription may be repressed Neither is there any cause why any man should thynke that the kyng would for any ambition or desyre to enlarge his kyngdome bryng Prusse vnder his subiection For he that hath refused most Goodly prouinces that haue bene frely offred him how should he come then into the suspicion of this matter Certenly that couÌ„trey is not so much worth vnto hym but that if he myght with his honour he coulde be content to forgoe it But sith it doth properly belong vnto his dominion he can not other wyse doe For the cause why oftentimes trouble coÌ„teÌ„tion hath riseÌ„ about it was euer through the faulte of the Maisters of the order as I shewed you before And God in dede hath often plaged their bolde enterpryses And these thinges knew ryght well most noble Emperour and king FerdinaÌ„do your grandfather Maximilian who remembring the iniuries which he and his father Friderick receiued of them made a faithfull promyse to kyng Sigismunde what tyme they met at Uienne promised as well in his owne as in your names also that he woulde geue no maner of ayde vnto this order And this dyd Maximilian after no newe example but followyng the trade of his auncestours For both the Emperour Sigismunde metyng with kyng Ladislaus graÌ„dfather to the king my Maister did not this much only but also promised aide against them And the Emperour Friderick your great graÌ„dfather ioyned his force and power with Casimire the father of king Sigismund against Matthie kyng of Hongary and this foresayd order of one coÌ„federacie And although that kyng Casimire being let impeched with the warres of this ordre could sende themperour Fridericke that time no ayde of men yet did he ayde him with monie so much as his couenaÌ„t was Wherby it is euident how this order hath always ben enemies to the hous whiche hath euer bene linked to Polle with bondes of leagues and affinities Wherof king SigismuÌ„de requireth you to haue some consideration For in case there be any of the same order that thinke them selues bounde to fight for the christian faith and Religion there is nothing for them to do in Prusse For all that be round about it doe professe the christiane religioÌ„ Therfore must they seke vnto other places where they may exercise them selues For now of many yeares Hierusalem is possessed of a barbarous ennemy for the defence of the whiche place it is said how this order was in times past instituted Constantinople also is kept of the same nation Here lieth their worke busines Or if this be thought ouer olde or to far of there are many strong cities of Christendome wonne lately Why do not these worthy knyghtes go thether that thei might either recouer that is loste or defende the rest froÌ„ the ennemy But if they delight more in ciuile warre than euery man may iudge howe vnworthy they are of that name But thus the case standeth this order hath bene alwayes without order For the whiche cause also they were expulsed not out of Prussie only but out of Boheme lyke wyse well nexe an hondreth and fiftie yeares past And yet hath no man hetherto desyred the same places out of the whiche they were expulsed as common and vacant to be geuen them But only Polle sement fit to be molested herein whiche ought moste of all to be fauoured For albeit that order hath offended many yet hath it done moste hurt of all to the Realme of Polle For sauing a few of the first scarsly were there any maisters of that order that did their duty but contrariwyse for the moste part leauing the Barbarous ennemies haue tourned their weapons against their Magistrate kynges of Poolle And not that only but haue brought into their confederacie also the Tartarians a cruell kynde of people and mortall ennemies to all Christians as is wrytten of Michell Cochmester Wherfore if any man would make the rekening coÌ„sider the paines perilles charges warres tumultes battails slaughters desolations wherof this order hath chiefly bene cause of he shal find that it is hardly so much worth And the kinges desire is that there myght ones be an ende of these euils For if any man should attempte warre against Albert Duke of Prusse the kyng wyll not altogether sit styll and see hym take wrong for as muche as he is both Uncle to hym and Patrone There are threateninges and menaces brought to the kynges eares whiche doubtles he is sory to heare For he loueth peace and quietnes but chiefly the concorde of Christendome Howe be it in case any man shall attempte violence he wyll in dede vnwillyngly put on Armure yet for all that wyll he doe it to defende him and his He desyreth the frendshyp of all Prynces but chiefly yours moste mighty Emperour and kyng FerdinaÌ„do and wysheth the same to continue for euer He hath often times heretofore intreated you by letters and messengers that the prescription decreed against Duke Albert might be abolyshed But where the same is not done hetherto he doeth not so muche impute it vnto you as to the aduersitie of tyme. But nowe that alwayes are made playne and lettes taken awaye he supposeth you haue occasion now to perfourme the thyng whiche you haue right franckely promysed whan not by one lettre or two you haue signified how that you were more ready in wyll than in power to gratifie hym But in case this order wyll not cease but steare vp warre and

complaintes hereof to the Byshops of Rome and Emperours yet haue they bene constrained to sweare And certenly Prussie remained in the tuition of the Empyre till Friderich of Saxon and Albert of Brandenburg were Maisters of the order For they would do no homage to the kynges of Polle for that neither the Byshop nor the Emperour had confirmed that coÌ„position of king Casimire And that in the yeare M. CCCCC the Emperout Maximilian in the assemble at Auspurge made a decree wherin he commaunded them to geue their fayth to the Empyre only And where after to appease the controuersie Maximilian had appointed a daye at Passawe in the yeare a M D. x. sending thether Ambassadours there could be nothing at all concluded WherupoÌ„ ensued that last warre Moreouer Albert him selfe .xxiiii. yeares past in the conuention at Norinberge as a Prince of the Empyre had his place amonges others and signed the decree there made Wherfore it is euident that the king of Polle hath no right to Prusse and that it was not lawfull for Albert to withdrawe him self vnto his tuition and protection Nowe where the Ambassadour reproueth my ordre of vnthankefulnes and breakyng of conuenauntes herein he doeth vs wrong and it is to be proued by olde wrytinges that scarsely haue any kinges of Polle kepte touche and promesse with vs. Was there euer wryting sene confirmed with mo Seales than the same wherby we accorded with king Ladislaus might there any more assuraunce be made And yet breaking the seales and wryting the warre was renewed against vs. This recompence had we of them for restoryng vnto them Sarmatie a great part of Lituania He named certen Emperours of fourmer tyme and sayeth how they were offended with our order But the truthe is farre otherwyse For Sigismunde did not only sequestre strife and geue sentence with vs as before is meÌ„tioned but also gaue vs ayde against the enemie Againe the Emperour Fridericke what tyme the people rebelled as I said before shewed vs all the fauour that might be and banyshed the coÌ„spiratours and for the same cause helde an assemble of the Empyre at Norinberge in the which conuention a decree was made to ayde vs. The lyke good wyll and fauour did Maximilian she we vs. For he neither would that we should sweare to the kyng of Polle and therfore both in his owne name and also of the whole Empyre he wrote sondry letters to kyng Sigismunde and made than a decree for vs right honorable This oratour procedeth and in the waye of mockery demaundeth of vs why we do not recouer Hierusalem and such other like places surely I am not so cleane without experience but I could taunte againe neuerthelesse by reason of this honorable audience I wyll refrayne wil aske him but this question only First why the kyng of Polle doth not recouer those places which the Prince of Moscouia hath taken froÌ„ him within these fewe yeares Whiche are in comparison as muche as all Prussie Againe why in so great fortune he doeth not defende his owne limites from the dayly inuasions of the Tartarians Uerely these are plages for breaking his fidelitie He sayeth our order in tymes past was expulsed out of all Boheme Why he should thus saye I knowe not vnlesse that by this example he would shewe that they myght also lawfully spoyle vs of our goodes and tourne vs out of landes and possessions For the distruction of the tyme touched not only our order but pearsed also through out all the lande of Boheme and was extended vpon theÌ„ chiefly which followed the olde Religion what tyme great tumultes were reysed there for the doctrine of John Husse Dur order hath warred with kinges of Polle I confesse it but that euer they gaue the occasioÌ„ of warre I denie vtterly For they neuer attempted warre but either to defende their right or els to recouer their owne He sayeth we haue made leagues with the Cartarians This may well be verefied of them For it is manifest that they haue vsed their ayde against men that professe the Christen religion Againe the situation of the countrey declareth easely whether the Tartarians lie more commodious and nerer vs or them And that whiche he spake laste of the cities Danske and Eluinge is grounded vpon no reason For eyther citie is of our dominion belongeth to the Germane Empyre neither hath the kyng of Polle any other title there than that whiche he hath obtayned through the rebellion and treason of the citezens as it may be proued by sondry reasons And seyng these matters are thus moste redoubted Emperour most mighty kyng and States most honorable I besech you that the senteÌ„ce already geueÌ„ may be put in executioÌ„ For this to obtein at your handes ought both the equitie of the cause and dignitie of the Empyre and State of Religion and the honour all so coÌ„moditie of the Nobilitie of Germany The Ambassadour of Polle had prepared a contrary wryting but did not exhibit the same For whan the reasons were heard on both partes certen were chosen out of the whole noÌ„bre to examine the matter whose determination was that the sentence pronounced against Albert should be maynteined But yet consideryng the great difficultie that would be in the execution of the same they referre all to the Emperour And shortly after kyng Sigil munde departed for pure age whan he had reigned .xlii. yeres He was sonne vnto king Casimire as before is sayde He had thre brethren Wherof Ladislaus was kyng of HoÌ„gary and Boheme the father of kyng Lewys and Anne Iohn Albert and Alexander whan they had reigned in order after their father Casimire leauing behinde them no children passed ouer the gouernment to their yongest brother Sigismunde Unto whome nowe succeded his sonne of the same name who had maried the daughter of Ferdinando kyng of Romaynes I shewed you of Mendoza in the fourmer boke how he protested at Rome concerning the counsell Wherunto at the halendes of February followyng the Byshop calling a Senate of Cardinalles made this aunswere What tyme Mendoza thou saidest how the Emperour had commaunded thee to make protestation against the counsell thou madest vs right sorowfull But after we had more diligently wayed the letters of thy commission we were comforted agayne And first I wyll speake of the cause of our grief heuines For that maner of protesting is after an euill example and chiefly vsed of suche as are either reuolted wholy from dewe obedience or haue begon to wauer therin Therfore did it greue me exceadingly whiche haue alwayes borne a fatherly loue to the Emperour and as becommeth the pastour of the church haue euer desyred concord And it greued me and the Senate of Cardinalles so much the more for as muche as at this time we loked for nothing lesse For the Emperour hath made warre with his aduersaries and the ennemies of the churche and hath done it through the ayde of myne armie And

him heretofore but whan inquisition was made there coulde nothinge in a manner be founde Neuerthelesse he will do what he can to knowe the certaintye For no man shall escape vnpunished that hathe oughte offended At this time also the states do graunte that the Emperor maye at his pleasure constitute the iudgemente of the Chamber and ioyne vnto them other iudges for assistaunce And they them selues promise to beare the charges of the same Of the treatye begonne concerninge a league before saide the winedinge vp was this that the Emperoures prouinces whiche he hathe in Germanye and lowe Dutchlande and all that belonge to the house of Burgundy should be vnder the tuition and defence of the Empire and be contributaries vnto publicke affaires yet so as they maye vse their owne lawes and iurisdiction And that Germanye shall againe looke for the like aide and defence of the Emperoures Prouinces âœš The .xxi. Booke of Sleidanes Commentaries concerning the state of Religion and the common Weale during the reigne of the Empyre of Charles the syfte â§ The Argument of the .xxi. Booke THe authoures of the Interim are rewarded which neuerthelesse many impugned whereof the Duke of Saxon is accused They of Constance were so vrged to admit the Interim that ambushes of fotemen were laied to surprise the Citie whiche at the laste receweth the Interim They of Strausboroughe make theyr purgation to the Emperoure A commotion chaunseth at Bourdeux The dispaire of Spiera is recited and the conuersion of Uergerius The Scottishe Quene transported into Fraunce Maydenbourge is setforth for a praye The Admirall of Englande is beheaded they at Strausboroughe are at contention with their Byshop They of Wittemberge are accused to be Adiphoristes to wit indifferent or newters A disputation in Englande touchinge the Lordes Supper Ueruine is beheaded in Fraunce Pursute against them of Maidenburge the death of Pope Paule and the horrible actes of the same The description of the place of election at Rome and the maner of chusinge the Pope Masse againe at Strausborough a proclamation in in Fraunce against Lutheranes Pope Iulius and his little Cardinall THe last day of Iune the conuention was dissolued In the. xix boke I shewed you howe the Emperor perswaded all men to submit them selues to the Counsell and that on his warrantise who wold se that thaction shuld be lawfull Nowe therefore a decre is made that the counsel shuld be continued at TreÌ„t and the Emperour saith he will deuise that it be there recommeÌ„ced so shortly as may be Which thing whaÌ„ it shal be brought to passe he requireth that they all especially of the clergy of the religion of Protestants which come thither vnder his saufeconduit for he wil take order than the whole matter shal be godly and christenly decided and determined according to the holy scriptures and doctrine of the fathers all affections laid apart and that they theÌ„ selues also shal be hard speak so much as shal be thoughte requisite After are other decrees red as is accustomed especially that of religion a strait charge geueÌ„ that al men obey the same as was also before declared at the Ides of May the .iii. authors of the boke are before named of whoÌ„ IhoÌ„ Islebie receiued for his paines taken a liberal reward bothe of the Emperour and also of king Ferdinando And Michel Sidonie afterward was made bishop of Merseburge in Saxony Wherof arose a iest how they defended the bishop of Romes oyle chresme as an holy thing and necessary to saluation to the intent they them selues might therby be the better gresed auoynted Not long after the Emperour sent his letters to the princes that were absent especially vnto those where he thought most nede was commandeth them immediatly to obey this decre And the teÌ„th day of Iuly he wryteth to Erasmus bishop of Strausburge to see the thinge which he had brought to passe through his great trauel put in execution if he wanted conuenieÌ„t ministers to take them els wher The report of this decree was incontinentlye spread abrode farre and wide And the Uenetians make proclamation the .xix. daye of Iuly that whosoeuer haue any bokes wherin is any thing wrytten against the catholicke faith they bringe them vnto certen men within .viii. daies for after shall inquisition be made and suche as haue deserued shal be punished to the promotours they promise a reward and to kepe their counsel The Bishop of Rome hath his ambassadours there continually as in kinges courtes also They with the eies and eares of many do se and heare muche and oftentimes are causes that such decrees be made but yet the Senate of Uenise vseth this prouision that they suffer not the Bishops or inquisitors of Rome to geue sentence of iudgemente but ioyne with them alwaies their officers and lawyers which shall heare the examination and se that nothing be done malitiouslye or cruellye against any man within their iurisdiction This law made they in the yere of our Lord M.D.xxi. what time those inquisitours vsed great cruelty against pore men in the countrye aboute Brixia as though they had bene inchauntors and had medled with the deuil and now sence Luthers doctrine was depely roted spred abrode the same law is of force stil though the bishops gnashe their tethe at it and wold neuer so fain haue it abolished About this time did the French King send aid into Scotland against the English men and amonges others the Ringraue with a force of Germaines But the Emperoure banisheth the Earle of Bichlinge Huberte and Sebastiane Scherteline al in one wryting and shortly after the Ringraue counte Hedecke Recrode and Riseberge and also desireth all foreine Princes that they would not maintaine them but gratify him herein and biddeth them whan occasion shal serue to loke for the like at his hand The Ladye Iane daughter to the King of Nauerre which was affianced and Maried .vii. yeres before to the Duke of Cleaue as we haue specified is now ioyned in Mariage with the Duke of Uandome a Prince of the bloud royal Elenor the French Quene sister to the Emperor leauing FrauÌ„ce goeth into Flaunders Duke de Ammalle sonne to the Duke of Guyse whan he had bene a longe suter to the Emperoures Nece the Duchesse of Lorayne he marieth the Daughter of Hercules Duke of Farrare About this time Lewes Auila a Spaniard setforth in print the history of the Germane warre done by the Emperoure wrytten in the vulgare tonge where he speaketh of the takyng of Marques Alberte at Rochlice he sayeth how he was so intangled with the wantounesse of women that he coulde not prosper The same booke came forthe afterwardes in Italian Latin and Frenche Althoughe the Emperoure had moste straightlye commaunded that no man should in any wise impugne the boke set forth concerning Religion yet were diuers wrytinges published whiche did condempne the whole Doctrine thereof and

the Lutherians by conuenasit promesse or othe from all those bondes to absolue monkes that be falleÌ„ into heresie and haue forsaken their houses and to permitte them chaunging their coates to serue in an other vocation of the churche Moreouer to geue pardon to eate milke butter chese egges and fleshe hauing a respect to the place and persone Finally to permit theÌ„ to receiue the whole Supper of the Lorde who laying asyde all other errours shall allowe the decree of the counsel of Constance whiche will openly confesse that there is as muche receiued vnder one kynde as vnder both and that the churche erred not for making that decre of one kynde only And that this may be graunted them for a certen tyme as shal be thought mete yet so as they them selues doe this seuerally at an other tyme and place and not at the same tyme whan others doe receiue vnder one kynde only Lastly they haue authoritie to compounde with the possessioners of churche landes for the fruictes receiued and spent so as they wyll departe from the possession from hencesorth Furthermore to punishe obstinate persones by the censure of the churche and herein to craue assistaunce of the Magistrates And lykewyse to chouse and substitute Byshoppes throughout Germany whiche shall put the thing in execution These Ambassadours of Rome followynge this commission in such places as they thought moste nedefull did substitute Byshops wherof the Byshop of Strasburg was one whome they commaunded to execute thinges before rehersed And so finally to receiue into fauour ecclesiastical persons if they first would forsake and put away their wyues And meÌ„ saye howe they went to the Emperour to haue coÌ„ference with hym touchyng the measure and maner of execution And after they vnderstode that it was not possible for them to go vnto al places whiche had nede of remedy of necessitie they suborned others This graunte or indulgence as they terme it of the byshoppe of Rome the Emperour sendeth immediatly to the byshoppes of Germany and warneth theÌ„ all seuerally to handle the matter gently and peaseably and that they first trye and and assay al wayes by fayre speach exhortations and praiers before they come to excommunication and cursyng Wherfore the Archebyshop of MeÌ„tz addressing his letters both to diuerse others also to the gouernours counsellours of that LaÌ„tgraue And speakyng many thynges of his cure and charge pastorall and of the Emperours fayth and dilygence requyreth them to exhibite this order sent from the Byshop of Rome to the ministers of the churche commaunding them to obeye the same The preachers being moued herein saye how their doctrine is consonant to the doctrine of the Prophetes and Apostles the lyfe it selfe in dede doeth not aunwere to the profession but yet do thei acknowledge no errour in their doctrine Wherfore thei haue no nede of the Byshops indulgence They haue preferred mariage before the filthie sengle lyfe accordinge vnto Gods worde neither can they forsake their children wyues whome Christ him self commaundeth to embrace with all loue fidelitie and beneuolence Where ther churches do receyue the Lordes supper wholy the same is done by the commaundement of Christe and after the custome of the primatiue churche And they wyll admit no alteration herein In the moneth of May was an open disputatioÌ„ at Oxforde betwene Peter Martyr the Diuines of the same vniuersitie coÌ„cerning the Lordes supper and the presence of Christ his body These conclusions dyd Martyr set vp and defende That the substaunce of bread and wyne is not chaunged That the body and bloud of Christe is not carnally or corporally in the bread and wyne but to be vnited to them sacramentally Afterwarde there was set forthe a boke of the same wherin the presidentes of the disputation appointed by the kynges commaundemeÌ„t do sufficiently declare that Martyr had the maistrie in that contention The tenth day of the moneth of Iune the Quene of FrauÌ„ce was crowned at Sainct Denis as is accustomed by the Cardinalles of Bolon Gwise Chattilion Uandome and Bourbon for al the rest were at Rome The .vi. daye after the kyng with a maruelous goodly trayne and richely apparrelled entreth into Paris the head citie of his Realme where he had not bene yet sene opeÌ„ly synce the death of his father two days after him the Quene Whyles he soiourned there diuers were put to executioÌ„ for Lutheranisme whiche as it is sayde he behelde him selfe After that the fourth day of Iuly he coÌ„maundeth to go on procession in euery church The next day after he publisheth a wryting in prynte declaring this to be the cause therof that he might geue God thankes for his manifold benefites imployed vpoÌ„ him And that he might praye to God for the preseruation of hym selfe his wyfe and his children and of the whole Realme and commoÌ„ wealth and coÌ„mende vnto him the soules of godly meÌ„ but chiefly the kinges of FrauÌ„ce his progenitours his father lately departed after whose example he was fully prefixed to vndertake the defence and tuition of the catholique fayth Religion the authoritie and liberties of the See Apostolique ministers of the churche amoÌ„gest the causes this also to be one principall that it mygh be openly knowen howe muche he abhorreth them whiche contrary to Christes commaundement contrary to the traditions of the Apostles and consent of al antiquitie denie the presence of the body and bloude of Christe whiche take away all vertue and strength from Baptisme penaunce good workes and Sacramentes whiche do vtterly coÌ„temne the authoritie of the churche and order archepreistship whiche reiecte the praying adoration and reliques of saintes Moreouer that by that deuoute supplication he might testifie what his opinion and mynde is verely that after the example of his progenitours and by a certen imitation of inheritauÌ„ce he doeth so thinke and beleue of all opinions as doeth the Catholique churche the Crede of the Apostles the first counsell of Nice and many other counselles of the holy fathers Further more that he is fully determined to bannish out of his realme and dominions the heresies long since condemned but in this tyme partely reuined and partly inuented by Luther Carolostadius Zwinglius Oecolampadius Melanchthon Bucer Caluine and suche other Archeheretikes monstrouse and pestiferous persones and to punishe moste extremely suche as shall offende herein This wryting setforth in the vulgare toÌ„gue he sendeth abroade into all partes of Fraunce commaunding theÌ„ to go a procession in all places and declare the same vnto the people Not long after he beheaded Monsour Ueruine for rendring the towne and castel of Boloigne to the king of EnglaÌ„d as is spoken in the .xv. boke And his father in lawe Mouns Dubees an aged maÌ„ which was gouernour of al Boloignois and one of the foure Mreschalles of Fraunce he coÌ„demneth to perpetuall prison He had diuerse monethes past sollicited the Swisses to renewe the league whiche they had

February Bucer ended his life at Cambridge was buried very honorably was celebrated with thepitaphes of lerned meÌ„ amongst whom also wer two noble yong men of the house of Suffolke brethren whose mother the Duchesse both at al times before whilest he was sick also she wed al fauour beneuolence to Bucer a woman of a most earnest zeale towards religioÌ„ In these daies the byshop of Strasburg maketh a greuous coÌ„plaint to the senate of their preachers by letters written as though they shuld styre vp that people put the priestes in hazarde of their lines Wherfore he requireth that these thinges may be reformed or els will he do as his counsell shal serue him The .x. day of March king FerdinaÌ„do his soÌ„ne Maximilian depart froÌ„ Auspurg For vnto this time thei stode in termes with theÌ„perour the RegeÌ„t of FlauÌ„ders Thambassadours also of Breme depart at the length without peace making In this meane time at MaideÌ„burg were diuerse coÌ„flictes skermishes for ofttimes wold the townes men issue out And whan the riuer of Elbe ouerflowed in the ships that they had made they brought in vitayle both vp the streame down The same time were diuers wonders sene in Saxony amongest other thinges thre sunnes as many mones one while of a pale colour an other while as red as bloud They of MaydeÌ„burg desired aide of the cities by the sea coaste by Uolrate Iohn soÌ„nes to the Erle of Manstelde but it was in vain Than do thennemies build bulwarkes by the riuer of Elbe aboue beneth the citie laying ships on either side wel maÌ„ned kepe the townes men froÌ„ sayling Oftentimes they fought also whaÌ„ they wold driue away the cattel which the townes men daily turned out into the pasture about the citie The xi day of April the byshop of Rome in a boke set forth sore accuseth Octauius Farnese and what time saith he he receiued of me Parma the high gouernment he promysed by his fidelitie that he wold neither addict his seruice to none other Prince nor receiue any forein power into Parma but through my liceÌ„ce And what time he appered to bend towardes an alteratioÌ„ oftentimes I admenisted him of his duty frendly by intermessages by his brother AlexaÌ„der Cardinal And because he answered that time somwhat strauÌ„gly sending my letters I threatned him with moste greuous punishment if he should doe otherwyse Afterward being aduertised that he kepte not conuenauntes I was as it well became me ryght sore offended that he shoulde worke me suche an iniurie whome I had auaunced with so great honours and benefites Nowe therefore although I might straightwaies determine in a matter that is so euident yet to thintent he may vnderstande oure great humanity I wil and commaund him that within xxx daies he appeare at Rome and answer to his accusations and make vs good assurance from henceforth For this if he neglect to do I wil that he be euen now condemned of treason periury and other most greuous crimes and what landes or goodes so euer he hath I coÌ„maund it to be publicke and common require herein themperors fidelity that he wil aid me in punishing the same and commaund that no man aid him with any thing When May day was come thaction of the counsel was commenced but because very few wer than commen thither and the warre of Parma was at hand the matter was adiourned to the first day of Septembre Thambassadors of Princes which met at Norinberge in the moneth of April toke ordre that there should be a new contribution of Mony for the siege of Maidenburge And albeit themperoure commaunded the same afterward by proclamation yet was ther an exceading great difficulty in the thing and all men were vnwilling to paye for that the siege was long and there appeared no end Wherfore Duke Moris also treated oftwith the Townes men of peace and the fist day of Maye what time they were come into the Campe by safe conduit the matter was long and much debated he him self being present A fewe monethes before Duke Maurice had taken to his seruice Counte Hedecke whome the Emperoure had outlawed and made him gouernour of Lipsia Who for the zeale vnto Religion hatred he bare to themperour wished wel to them of Maydenburge and was a counselloure of peace that the same war beinge finished Duke Moris might attempte greater thinges For euen than entred into theyr heads the deuise of the war that was moued afterwards against themperor as shal be declared in his place Notwithstanding they coulde not than agre vpon a peace for that ouer hard conditions were propounded and that of set purpose as many suppose whilest duke Moris differred the time and soughte oportunity for his enterprise which than at the length was geuen after that the French king had proclaimed war against the Emperor as shal be said hereafter In the meane season a rose a great rebellion in the Campe before Maidenburge for want of paiment of certaine monethes wages Neither came the Prince Octauius to Rome whan he was cited but aided with the French kinges garnisons toke in hand to defend Parma Wherfore the Emperour the .xiii. day of May publishing his letters for as much saith he as of our duety good wil towardes that bishop church of Rome I couet to perform such things as I am den and to forsee least by this occasion greater commotions arise in Italy and after in other places again whilest I consider vpon how iust causes the bishop is moued and how he hath omitted nothing that Octauius might do his dutye I haue committed thys charge to Fernando Gonzage because I caÌ„not my self be present that he shal aid the bishop in my name Wherfore we wil command al our louing subiects throughout Lumbardie that they be to him obedient in this war none otherwise thaÌ„ to our self and that they indeuor to anoy thenemy as muche as is possible for them to do So therfore Gonzage beginneth the war and first spoyling the country be segeth the city of Parma and the bishop of Rome Mirandula For therle of Mirandula was of the French parte and except he were cooped in might haue holpen greatly the Prince and city of Parma At the twenty day of Maye the Bishop of Rome wrote to the Swisses very louinglye like as he had taken vnto him the name of Iuly the second which loued them intierlye well so had he also purposed in louinge them to immitate his example and fotesteps Hitherto in dede he hath bene so occupied with sondrye and that most waighty affaires of the publick weale that he hath had no lesure to declare thaffection of his mind yet hath he borne them still in perfect memory and that the same apeareth chiefly in ii thinges first that for the custody of his body he hath chosen in the Citye a garde of the same nation Secondly that

could both by giftes and other liberality The Duke of Saxon also prisoner whan he hard therof both comforted them by intermessagers and also holpe them with mony at theyr departure The cause why the Emperor proceded on thys wise against them was thought to be first for that he was stirred vp hereunto of many secondlye for that after inquisition made he found that the preachers were a let that his decre of religion toke not place Finally for that he had heard report of the consent and agrement of the diuines of Saxon SweuelaÌ„d and Strausburge And the readiest way was thought to be if they were exiled to the end the fathers at Trent might haue the lesse to do and the victory more easily in case they should hardly haue anye aduersaries to send against them They therfore being thus driuen oute and banished fled partly to the Swisses and partly to other places when the brute of this thinge was blased abrode it made manye men a fraid For that which chaunced there no man douted but the same should also be done in other places but behold whilest all men are in the same feare the french king maketh warre againste themperor and withall taketh certain ships of Flaunders carieth them away into Fraunce and spoyleth them and in Piedemount Turrin surpriseth many Townes and amonges other Cherie San damians by the conduit of Brissake Touching the shippes intercepted the imperials in a writing setforth report that whan themperour loked for nothing lesse than warre and commaunded hys subiectes to sit quiet the french Captaine Poline chaunced vppon them and as though he caried the Quene of Scotlande signified vnto them that for honoure sake after the olde accustomed facion they shuld vaile their bonnets strike saile and hailse her with shoting of their ordinaunce which thing whan they had done beinge vnarmed they were fradulently circumuented and caried awaye Many men had great maruel that the king durst in this so great good fortune and prosperity of the Emperor renounce his frendship yea it is sayed to haue chaunced to the Emperour contrary to his expectation For all be it he warred againste the Duke of Parma yet would he not seme therfore to be enemy to the French men with whome he had made peace seuen yeares before How be it the king for that he sawe howe through the side of Octauius he him self shuld also be wounded for that he had alredy intelligence that the Turkes wer sailing on the Sea Again for that he had intelligeÌ„ce by intermessagers how Duke Moris was affected for so muche as the Emperoure was thought in that imbecillitye of bodye and disease that retourned ofte to be of no longe life he attempted the thing with a stout courage And in manner about the same time the Turkish Fleete whan it had assailed Malta in vaine surpriseth Tripolis a City in Affricke The blame hereof the Emperoure laying all together in the French King sendeth his ambassadors to the Princes Cities of Germany affirming this to be done through his craft and Policy But the King so sone as be knew therof ercuseth the matter and saith how the cause of the Turkish warre is for that the Emperor restoreth not to them the city of Affricke according to his promes for that King Fardinando doth hold and fortify the Castel of Zolnocke standing at the frontiers of Hongary within the Turkishe dominion for that he denieth to pay him his yearely tribute and attempteth new enterprises in Transsyluania After this he confuteth the Emperours narration wherin is declared how Tripolis was lost through the treason of Aremount the French ambassador with a contrary narration and confyrmeth the same by the letters of the great Turke Whilest these things wer a bruing the day of the consel came the first of SepteÌ„bre at the which day were ther present besides the bishops of Italy Spaine tharch bishops of Mentz Treuers to the great ioy gladnes as it appered of al meÌ„ not long after came also tharchbishop of ColoÌ„ For themperor had earnestly moued theÌ„ both preseÌ„tly in the couÌ„sel at Auspurge after also by letters messagers that they shuld be ther for they exceld al others in dignity welth power the most part of that bishops in Germany are coÌ„prised vnder theyr dominioÌ„ wherfor thincking to tary loÌ„g they sold altheyr horses reseruing only a few made theirprouisioÌ„ for houskepiÌ„g a loÌ„g seasoÌ„ thither came also that bishops of straus Uienne Costintz Chur and Numburge others being let with affaires age or sicknes whan they had obtained licence sente theyr Proctours In the Bishop of Romes name Cardinal CresceÌ„t was there president and had ioyned in commission with him tharchbishop of Sipount and the bishop of Uerona Themperor had sente thither Fraunces Toletane Hugh Earle Mounforte and William Pictaue diuers were there also in the place of king Ferdinando and Hongary Making therfore an assembly in the head church which they call a session the first day of Septembre whan Masse was done and other accustomed ceremonies finished sodeÌ„ly came in the French Kinges ambassadoure the abbot of Bellosan with letters which were indorsed to the conuention of Trent which after he had deliuered to the bishops Legate and he had red the superscription a question arose why he shuld call it a conuention rather than a counsell and vnlesse he could shew a commission those letters were neither to be red nor yet receiued and where an exceading great clamour was raised especially by the Spanish bishops and he affirmed that his commission was comprised in the letters the bishops Legate ariseth and calleth a side the fathers into the reuestry The matter being decided that the indorsinge mighte be taken in good part they condescended to heare him Therfore wheÌ„ they had red his letters priuately wherin the king did briefly signify his grief and that he had iniury done him and required them to credite his Ambassadour They all sit downe againe and than reading the letters openly make this answere Where the kinge vnder the name of a conuention doth signify the counsell it is takeÌ„ of them in good part neither will they therefore conceiue any sinistrall suspicion of so great a king who hath the title of the mooste Christen but in case his mind and wil be otherwise than take they those letters as not wrytten to them After he was commaunded to declare his message Than he reciteth a long oration wrytten And first the king rehearseth what he treated by his ambassadour Paulus Thermes with the bishop and Senate of cardinals and how by all these meanes he hath nothing preuailed notwithstanding that he had opened alwaies vnto peace and saith how bishop Iuly who after thexample of his predecessoures ought to appease the controuersies of Princes hath kindled an exceading great fire at such time as he ought least to haue done it whan doubtlesse the state of the Christen common wealth was

church should be refourmed that al superfluous excesse ambition and dishonest examples of liuing shuld be taken away that euery man be resident in his own church and that eche man shuld haue one benefice and no man be permitted to haue mo Furthermore they purposed also to include within certain limites the power of the bishop of Rome not to attribute vnto his court so great authority ouer all realmes These and such other like thinges they comprise by this word of reformation and those thinges they acknowledge to belong proprely vnto them but touching religion doctrin they will be acknowne of none error yea they decreed that counsels could not erre and thought verely that their aduersaries would in fine reuolt and obey the counsel as it apeareth manifestly by an Epistle written to the French king and by the form of the the safeconduit And this thing also increased their hope and opinion for that they iudged few professors of that doctrine least being so many of them dead banished as before is spoken of Sweuia This was also common there amonges them that whatsoeuer concerned religion should within a fewe monethes be determined For of the chief articles ther remained two only the Lordes supper and Matrimony All other articles of doctrine were all ready discussed The fathers that were at Basill did attribute the whole iudgement to holy scripture and to other wrytinges agreable to the same but these men would be iudges them selues in expoundinge the scripture neither woulde they admit that place of the decree of Basill by thambassadors restored but chaunginge the wordes of the decre determined also to follow the traditions of thapostles in euerye doubtfull matter And whansoeuer they were destitute of scripture they bosted that it was so lefte by thapostles and deliuered them as it were from hande to hande as in the disputations of the deuines was oft times noted Which caused also the ambassadors whan they receiued the safeconduit of themperors oratoures at th end of Ianuary to protest that by the traditions of thapostles they vnderstode those wrytinges which were annexed to the newe Testament or story of the foure Euangelistes I shewed you before how the first of Maye was appoynted the daye of session But now the fathers that remained being in dispair of the thing assemble together and for the discord of kinges and princes proroge the counsell for the space of two yeares or longer in case the dissention be not appeased This was the xxix day of Aprill and nowe was the bishop of Rome agreed with the French king A few daies after themperors ambassadors depart thence also But the Legate of Rome CresceÌ„tius deteined by sicknesse abode still who being feared by a vision in the night as it is said fel sicke and began to dispair also of his life notwithstanding that both his frends and also the Phisitians did comforte him Neither was he disceiued in his iudgement For the disease increasing he died at Uerona And this was th end of the couÌ„sel which being right stoutly renued thought verely to restore the Romish doctrine and shortly to establishe the same Besides the Legates of Rome and the Cardinall of Trent ther wer preseÌ„t lxii bishops wherof viii wer Germanes fiue and twenty Spaniardes two of Sardinia four of Sicilie one of HoÌ„gary the bishop of Agria all the reast were of Italy and diuines there were xlii and of them xix Spaniards of Germany Flaunders xii By what occasion the Legate Crescentius fel sicke I had purposed not to haue spoken for that there was some suspicion it might be deuised of mallice but in as much as his frendes those of his own family which went to comfort him whan he laye sicke do thus report it I thought mete to adde to the same The xxv day of March he had ben very much occupied in wryting letters to the bishop of Rome and continued this trauel til night At the whiche time arising that he might refresh him self behold he saw a greate blacke dogge going with glistring eies and eares hanging down almost to the ground and went straightway to him and after slipt vnder the table He being astonied and amased whan at the leÌ„gth he was cummen againe to him self he calleth vpon his seruaunts that were in the vtter chamber commaunding them to bringe in a light and to beate out this dogge but whan he coulde no where be found neither there nor yet in the next chamber he toke a great thought and fel sicke as I shewed you before When he lay on his death bed also he is reported to haue cried oute manye times to his seruantes that they should driue out the dogge that came vppon his bed The xxiiij Booke of Sleidanes Commentaries concerning the state of Religion and the common Weale during the reigne of the Empyre of Charies the fyfte The Argument of the xxiiij Booke DUke Moris publisheth his letters to all the states of thempire not to hinder his enterprises the same doth Marques Albert. The French kinge also publisheth his and nammge him self Protector of Germany taketh Metz in Lorayne and marcheth vp to Strasborough and from thence retireth to Hagenaw Whither came vnto him sondry ambassadors beseching him to stay his army The king retireth his armye oute of Germany Duke Moris and his company hauing won the straites of thalpes putteth themperor to flighte who a little before had enlarged the Duke of Saxon. After they publishe their letters at Auspurge whereb that they restore the ministers of the Churche that preached the Gospell Whilest Duke Moris wente to Passaw for the treaty of peace Marques Albert practiseth great cruelty againste them of Nurinberge and constraineth them to make theyr peace vnto meaner Princes of the peace sondrys thinges were declared aswell by letters as by ambassadoures and they be pleased with certaine conditions They of Seine do reuolt from themperor who cometh to Strasborough goinge to besiege Metz. HOw in the laste assemble of thempire the gouernment of the warre of Maidenburge was by common assente of the Emperoure and other states committed to Duke Moris I haue before declared during the which warre continuinge the space of one yeare he hauinge the armye at hys commaundemente began to seke meanes howe to deliuer the Lantzgraue his father in lawe seinge he had so longe time sued to themperor for the same matter in vaine Wherefore compelling the Chattes by an othe to be true to him and makinge peace with them of Maidenburge and sendinge his ambassadoures to Insprucke as in the former boke is mentioned he entreth into league with the Frenche kinge and assuraunce made on either side by pledges geuen they thoughte good by wrytinges setforthe to declare the cause of the warre to th entent they might win therby the good wils of many Moreouer the Marques Albert of Brandenburge going priuely into Fraunce to the king withdrewe him self wholy to the same businesse In

matter but also receiueth al them into his defence and tuition so that they do not annoy him nor yet his league frendes For after libertye recouered he is put in good hope by many mens letters that the concord of the churche shall and may also be restored and that by lawfull meanes whan all ambition and priuate lucre is farre remoued And what so euer he may helpe hereunto he will do it gladly These are the things wherof he thought good to admonish them to th end they may vnderstand what his will and purpose is wherfore he requireth them that in so iuste warre which of necessity is attempted for the wealth of Germany no maÌ„ would impeche or hinder him or his confederates for otherwise if any man be so cleane voide of all loue and duety that he oweth to his country that he intend to make resistaunce him wil he destroy with sword and fire and albeit he shal do so vnwillingly yet if any such shal be the same as a naughty and a corrupt membre must be cut of from the reast of the body least it do hurt by his infection and in such sorte be restrained that it do no more harme The rest they may know of his ambassador Ihon Fraxine Bishop of Bayon whom he hath sent vnto them with further of his pleasure vnto whome he praieth them to geue creadit This wrytinge beinge set forth in print in the vulgare tonge had ouer the head a bonnet betwene two daggers and wrytten by that the same was the badge of liberty And vnderneath that was the title of the kinge who named him selfe the reuenger of the libertye of Germany and of the Princes captiue This badge or cognoisaunce many say was fouÌ„d in old coynes and vsed by them that slue Iulius Cesar Where he saieth how themperor had assigned a reward for them that coulde slay certaine of his captaines thus standeth the case Themperor by proclamation lately setforthe had againe with wordes mooste waighty outlawed the Rinegraue Recrode Riseberge and Scherteline which in dede serued all the French king as I haue said before and appointed foure thousande crownes in rewarde for him that could bring forth any of them either quicke or dead For they furthered the cause very muche and whan this league was made going into Germany prested souldioures and broughte them into Fraunce And Scherteline in dede whan he had sued many yeres in vaine and coulde by the intercession of no man be reconciled to themperor or King Fernando being in a manner constrained fled to the French king These letters of the kinge and the Princes dispearsed abrode in Germany raised in some hope but in manye feare and carefulnes Duke Moris which wrought all thinge by dissimulation the first of March holdeth an assemble of the states of his dominion and amonges other thinges he propoundeth because he is sued of the Lantzgraues sonnes to present him self he may no longer seke delaies or disceine their expectatioÌ„ Therfore wil he go vnto them to kepe his faith and promesse let them therfore in the meane time obey his brother August whome he hath made his deputye in his absence and let them gather a force to defend the country that nothing chaunce vnto them vnprouided Thelector of Brandenburge was present at this treaty for that he was sommoned to appeare but when the Lantzgraues sonnes did permit him that he shoulde at the next processe appeare and discharge his bond he retourneth home Duke Moris hauing put in ordre his thinges at home and appoynted certain counselloures to assiste his brother Auguste he goeth with a few small company to those forces which I saide before he had in the country of Turing and marching forth abideth for the Lantzgraues sonne Before he departed froÌ„ home the Burggraue of Meyssen as they call him Henry of the noble house of the Plauians Chauncelor of Boheme in the name of king Ferdinando treated with him diligently for a reconcilemeÌ„t The LaÌ„tzgraues soÌ„ne leading forth his armye when he came to Erlebache the eightene daye of Marche where also was the French ambassadour Fraxine they bothe request them of Franckfurt by letters amonges other thinges that they receiue no garrison of the Emperours into their city And all beit that they answered neither plainlye nor purposelye yet for so much as they must go forward there was none other thing done The sixt daye after he ioyneth with Duke Moris And when they were commen wyth their whole armye thre dayes after to Schwinfurt Duke Moris declareth vnto him how king Fardinando woulde make intercession and signified the same plainlye both by letters and ambassadoures as thoughe he had authoritys of the Emperoure to treat yea touching the deliuery of his father He therfore making priuy to it the French ambassador refuseth not that the conditions and requestes of king Fardinando should be heard which thing determined they march with great expedition by Roteburge Dingelspelle and Norling to Donauerde At Roteburge Marques Albert ioyneth him selfe to them with hys power bothe of horse men and fote men Whiche waye so euerthey wente they broughte the Citezens into theyr subiection and displacing those whiche the Emperoure before had chosen do ordain newe Magistrates And exact of them also mony and munition And because Auspurge was kept with no great garrison And again because in the selfe same daies a certain piece of the wall and Rampeare was fallen downe they marched with exceading greate iourneis and the laste daye of Marche reasted not so much as in the night season and came thither the firste daye of Aprill at midday and making roades there declared them selues to be ennemies In the Citye were foure enseignes of fotemen sente by them peroure but where the Townes men the fourth day after rendred the city they wer permitted to depart Than they that sommoned the Cities of high Germany and amonges them also Norinberge and commaund them to be before them at Auspurge at th end of Aprill and also vrge them of Wuolmes whiche were but nine miles from Auspurge that they should aide them with all thinges and come into theyr society Aboute this time the Prince of Salerne by occasion of falling oute with the Uiceroy of Naples reuolteth from the Emperoure and goeth into Fraunce Whilest these thinges are done in Germany the Frenche kinge marching forth with an huge army surpriseth Tullie Uerdome townes of thempire at the borders of Fraunce after he inuadeth Lorayne and sendeth the yong Prince into Fraunce aboute nine yeres of age though the Lady Dowager his mother intreated neuer so much to the contrary promiseth him his daughter in mariage Whilest the king him self was occupied with these affaires his lieftenaunt the Constable Annas Memoraunce who led the Uantward surpriseth Metz a famous city of thempire the tenthe day of Aprill whan bothe the garrison within was small and the French men made fair promisses and saide howe the kinge made this warre to

maintaine theyr liberty For what time the Frenche king went out of his owne pale which was aboute the eighte day of Marche sendinge vnto them letters and messagers he desired only that they would prepare him vitaile that he might passe through theyr country with his armye promisinge all benenolence And he vsed for his minister the Cardinall Lenoncurt bishop of the Citye who setforth his good will and zeale to the Senate The conestable also wrote vnto them moste frendlye but whan he came neare vnto the citye with his force he desired to be let in and obteined the next day he was master of the gates and of al the fortifications Thither came also afterwardes the kinge him selfe at the xviii day of Aprill and there remaining four daies after he had taken thothe of the Senate and people he appoynted Mounsir GoÌ„norie to be theyr gouernoure and commanded their armure to be deliuered and caried into one place and the Citye to be fortified likewise doth he in the Townes before named and in Loraine and sending his messagers before to Strasburge to Haganawe and other places neare and to the bishoppe of Strasburge required to be aided with Wheate and Uitaile Whan Auspurge was taken as I said and thold Senate restored which themperoure had displaced and the liberty of geuinge of voices restored also to the people the Princes contederated marched towarde Woulmes that refused theyr league Whan they came thither the xii day of Aprill they ride aboute this Citye And whan they were shot at with the greate pieces they damaunde to be satisfied for the iniuries done them with the summe of three hondreth thousande Crownes which denied they becommed their enemies But duke Moris goinge from thence wente to Lintz a towne of Austriche that he mighte vnderstande by kinge Farnando the conditions of peace For he as I said by the Emperoures consent was a meane to intreat a peace Afterwarde the Emperoure exhorted by his letters the chiefest Princes of Germanye that they woulde assaye to quenche this fire and deuise some meanes of peace the whiche he woulde not be againste And where as diuerse required his aide for that thei were able to do nothing against so great a power comforting their myndes he answereth that he hopeth wel that the treatie of peace commenced shall haue a lucky successe if not than will he neyther faile them nor the common weale Whan Woulmes had bene beseged six daies the Princes the .xix. day of Aprill remoued to Stocach a towne of Hegouia There they receiued mony in the French kinges name for thre monethes as is conuenaunted and Gamey Marchiane the Frenche pledge was deliuered For the other Nantoliet died by the waye The Princes pledges whiche they gaue to the Frenche kyng were Christopher Duke of Megelburg and Philip the Lantgraues sonne The last of Aprill the Princes retourne to Thonaw certen myles beneth Woulmes In the meane seasoÌ„ Marques Albert burneth the townes and villages belonging to Woulmes and extorteth money and taketh their castell of Helfesteyne situated on a high hill and placeth therin a garrison and the towne of Gissing nere vnto it whiche is thre myles froÌ„ Woulmes with certen villages by the same he condemneth to paye .xviii. thousand crownes WhaÌ„ Duke Maurice was come to Lintz he propoundeth of deliuering the Lantgraue his father in lawe of appeasing the dissention of Religion and doctrine of wel ordering the common wealth of peace to be made with the French kyng their fellowe and confederate of the outlawes to be receiued agayne into fauour Those were the Ryngrane and others before named and also Erle Hedecke whiche in fourmer yeares gaue hym selfe into the tuition of Duke Maurice as before is sayde Howheit the Emperour had appointed no rewarde against his lyfe least he should offende Duke Maurice as it is to be thought Unto these demaundes Ferdinando with whom were Maximilian his sonne and his sonne in lawe Albert Duke of Bauier and also the Emperours Ambassadours maketh aunswere Howe the Emperour is content that the Lantgraue be set at lybertie yet so that the warre maye cease immediately Touchinge Religion and the common wealth he is well pleased that the matter be determined in the next conuention of German But the Emperour is very lothe that the Frenche kyng shoulde be herein comprised Neuerthelesse Duke Maurice may knowe of him in what sorte he wyl be accorded The outlawes may also be taken to mercie in case they wyl obeye the condition offered by the Emperour Moreouer FerdinaÌ„do requested that whan peace were once concluded Duke Maurice would helpe him in Hongary and that the soldiours should not slippe away to the Frenche kyng Wherunto whan Duke Maurice had aunswered and sayde that that he could determine nothing without the consent of his fellowes they departed so as at the .xxvi. day of May they should mete againe at Passawe whiche is a towne betwene Lintz and Regenspurge where the Ryuers of Thonawe and Oene mete Thither should come also the Princes that were intercessours and their deputies On Maydaye the Lantgraues sonne and Iohn Albert Duke of Megelburg leade the armie of Gundelfinge there lye eight whole dayes together lokyng for Duke Maurice retourne out of Austrich Whan he was come the next daye was the armie munstred at Lawginge a towne of Otto Henry the Pausgraues For they had also recouered his prouince possessed by the Emperour and had expulsed the Byshop of Auspurge out of his countrie And verely Otto the Paulsgraue ioyned hym selfe vnto their league From thence they goe towarde the Alpes And it chaunced at the same tyme that kyng Ferdinando had obteyned of them a truce whiche beginning the .xxvi. daye of May should ende the eight daye of Iune In the meane tyme Themperour leuied a power at the fote of the Alpes whiche assembled at the Towne of Rwe In this hurly burly the Byshop of Auspurge Cardinall which before was not very ryche and had nowe susteyned great losse as I sayde went to Rome that he myght obteyne of the Byshop new promotions and benefices wherwith he might fill vp those sinkes agayne After this the iudges of the chamber imperial flie away from Spiers For by the Frenche king and the Princes in their forsaide wrytinges signified plainly a displeasure ascribed to theÌ„ in a maner the blame of all their trouble The Frenche king came with his armie by the borders of Loraine to Saberne the third day of May foure myles from Strasburg a town belonging to the bishop He had before requested them of Strasburg to ayde his armie with thinges necessary For the whiche cause Ambassadours were sent vnto him to Sarburg seuen myles from Strasburg whiche should offer him a certen quantitie of wheate wyne those were Peter Sturmie Fridericke Gotesseme and Iohn Sleidane But the Conestable accompted that as nothynge whiche they offered And albeit the Ambassadours departed from hym in suche sorte as that they would aduertyse

the Senate and after make reporte vnto hym yet sente he the nexte daye two Gentlemen for a spedy aunswere speakyng muche of the kynges great good wyll and zeale towardes Germany and also for what intent the kyng had moued his warre verely that he might restore the libertie of Germany oppressed An other request was that for so much as the soldiours had nede of many thinges they might bie the same in their citie and that artificers might be suffered to bryng forth their wares and sel them within the campe Wherunto the Senate made this answere that in suche matters of weightie importaunce there is nothing wont to be determined but by the consent of the whole state Whan the matter shal be debated they wyll sende agayne Ambassadours to declare what their mynde is Whan they were thus sent away the next daye the same Ambassadours were sent again into the campe which was than at Saberne Whan they were heard speake and offered some what more thaÌ„ before and had also declared causes why the soldiours might not be permitted to come within the citie the Conestable began to speake displeasauntly and makyng a comparison how partiall iudges they were both of the kynges benefites and also of the Emperours iniuries gaue very sharpe language The conclusion of his talke was that the nexte daye they shoulde heare the kyng hym selfe speake whiche would affirme al that he had nowe sayde On the morrowe were the Ambassadours sent for before the kyng with whome was the Cardinal of Loraine the Duke of Uandome and the Conestable And there reporte vnto hym what talke they haue had with the Conestable at two seuerall times and offer as many rasers of Otes as thei did before of wheate and after also some what more wyne beseching the king that both for the olde amitie that the kinges of Fraunce haue had with the state of Strasburge and also of his owne humanitie he would take in good parte their offer For they haue great force of soldiours within their citie and a great nomber of people also be fled thither out of the countrie so that the citie can not spare that corne that they haue for theyr prouision The kyng after he had fyrst conferred with his counsell began him selfe to declare for what cause he came into Germany to the selfe same effect that the Conestable had the daye before Saying that vitayle was moste necessary and not to be denied any man that would paye for the same vnles he wer an ennemy If the Soldiours want that they wyl fynd a waye howe to come by the same But what inconuenience wold come therof euery man may easely perceiue That thing whiche was offered the kyng in dede refused not but he would haue had it deliuered in bread ThaÌ„bassadours again in corne Where vpon when they coulde not agree they departed with out the matter concluded Whan the Ambassadours were retourned the Senate made a decree For as muche as no parte of that wheate whiche is in the citie can be spared that there should be as much bread made as myght be in the places theraboutes For the Ambassadours had alledged both to the Conestable and the kyng also that the state of the citie and condicioÌ„ of time was suche that from thence was nothing to be loked for But in case any thyng myght be gathered in the countrie belonging to the same they should haue it right gladly And this did the Senate decre least any extremitie shuld be wrought vpon the plowmen and people of the countrey And so that whiche could sodenly be gotten in townes and villages with out the citie was caried to the Campe but that same was very litle Whan the countrey of Loraine and citie of Metz were taken they of Strasburge immediatly toke vp to the nomber of fiue thousand souldiours to defende their citie agayne they pulled down very many aswel publique as priuate buildinges about the citie and cut downe trees and orcherdes and what so euer did let the prospecte or that might be a succour to the ennemie and where moste nede was began to fortifie their citie This same was a great displeasure to the Frenchmen and in the later communication the Conestable did not dissemble the same to the Ambassadours For it is thought howe they were in a certen hope that like as by a certen face of frendship they entred Metz so also they should not haue bene shut out of Strasburg But whan they knewe that the citie was exceading strong and sawe moreouer all thinges prouided so diligently for the defence of the same chaunging their purpose as it is to be thought they tourned an other way and remouinge their campe the seuenth day of May marched towarde Haganawe and Wisseburg Hither came vnto the king Ambassadours from the Paulsgraue Electour from the Archebyshoppes of Mentz and of Treuers commissioners and from the Dukes of Cleaue and Wirtemberge whiche for the common wealthes sake were lately assembled at Wourmes Whose requeste was this that the kyng would absteyne from spoyling the countrie and spare the poore people And for so muche as he protesteth to make warre for the lybertie of Germany that he woulde staye with his armie For if he shuld goe further the same wold be to the great losse and dammage of the Empyre And they requyre hym to geue his mynde to the wayes of peace whereof they bothe haue alreadye made mention to the Emperoure and wyll doe also hereafter and truste that all shall be well Where he writeth of entring into league with him they desire him to consider herein their honour and estimation For by reason of their othe and faith they owe to the Empire they are not able to perfourme it But yet will they do their endeuour that a generall peace may be established Furthermore they require him moste instauntly that he would spare the dominioÌ„s of Strasburg whiche is a fre citie of the Empyre and that by his mediation Marques Albert would intreate more gently the Byshop of Wirciburge At the selfsame tyme which was the .xi. day of May letters were brought to the king froÌ„ Duke Maurice wherin was wrytten what was done at Lintz Duke Maurice required moreouer that the kyng whom he wold haue also comprised in the treatie of peace would declare vpon what conditions he would accorde with the Emperour Whan these letters were receiued the kyng vnto whome this thing was thought to haue chaunced vnloked for two dayes after remoueth his campe and leauing Germany marcheth agayne towardes Loraine But before his departure he aunswereth the Ambassadours of the Princes before named How he hath already obteined the same thyng for the whiche he came with his army into Germany For the captiue Princes shall be deliuered And this was the cause of his warre He therfore hath wonne honour enough And if there chaunce any tyme hereafter wherin Germany may requyre his ayde he wyll spare neither paynes coste nor perill And nowe leading

them be of good comforte And the fift day after whan Duke Maurice was retourned they wryte both promisse to kepe conuenauntes saying that this acte of the Marques is cleane besides their expectation neither do they like it but will do all their indeuour that they may recouer their own wyll also call back immediatly suche ayde as they haue lent him Whan they of Norinberge had receiued the letters of Marques Albert they wrote againe the same day signifiyng what thing Duke Maurice and the princes had promised them by composition and saie how that was the cause that they sent no Ambassadours to him Wherfore they earnestly pray and beseche hym that he wyll restore fully the castell taken and gratifie his fellowes herein Thre dayes after he wrote againe For so muche as he doth not know how they haue compounded with them and yet it concerneth the Frenche king very muche vnto whome he is no lesse addicted than to the others he requireth to haue saufeconduicte for a credible man of his whome he wyll sende into their citie to se the instrument of their accorde They followe his mynde and let him se it But he neuerthelesse although Duke Maurice his fellowes were meanes and diligently intreated him to the contrary the .xi. daye of May wryteth to them againe And in the Frenche kinges name especially doeth charge them that within a fewe houres they would aunswer him playnely whether they wyll be obedient And where he receiued not suche aunswer as he would the towne and castell of Lightnawe he spoyleth burneth ouerthroweth and maketh euen with the grounde And whan he had exacted mony of the townes men he caused them to sweare to be true subiectes to hym to his cosin George Friderick also Marques of Brandenburg and besegeth the citie Wherfore the the Lantgraues sonne calleth agayne by and by two guidons of horsemen whiche he let hym haue against Woulfgange the maister of the order and commaundeth to come vnto him wherwith he was sore offended He attempted therfore cruell warre and whan he had burned and spoyled an hondreth villages in their dominioÌ„ and about thre score and ten maners and fermes of the citezens and the churches also he setteth on fyre moreouer an exceading great wood that they had whiche serued not them only but also other inhabiters therby of tymber and firewood and burned therof aboue thre thousand acres And he had before this proclaymed open warre to all others there aboutes that wold not obeye both of the nobilitie and others but chiefly to the Byshop of Bamberge and of Wirtemburg whome also in this case he droue to moste vnreasonable conditions And verely the bishop of Bamberge to saue hymselfe and his prouince from present daunger bought peace of him for wonderful losses For he was fayne to geue him .xx. townes signories within his iurisdiction made hym wrytinges of the same the .xix. daye of May and also permitteth him to haue all his wardes and clientes And the Byshop of Dirtemburge payde hym two hondreth twenty thousand crownes and also taketh vpon hym and promyseth to paye his debtes whiche amounted to the summe of thre hondreth and fiftie thousand crownes The cities of Sweuia hauing compassion of this vnworthie and lamentable fortune of the Norinbergians whiche were lately assembled at Auspurge as before is sayd to the nomber of .xxvi. by Ambassadours chosen out of the whole nomber make intercession especially they of Auspurge And whan they were come by saufecoÌ„duicte to Norinberge alledging many reasons they exhorte them to peace and tell them of the takyng of the strayte passages in the Alpes and of the castell of Erenberge and declare that the state both of Hongarie and Italie is suche that there can be no ayde nor succour loked for of any man After they exhibite the condicions propounded by Marques Albert. They geue them thankes for their good wyll and paynes taken and declare both howe the Marques hath no cause to war against them and also what was treated with Duke Maurice his felowes And because the conditions be suche as partly they are not able to perfourme them and partly can by no meanes be excused to the Emperour and kyng Ferdinando they saye they wyll abyde the extremitie and commit the matter vnto God For they knowe them selues so cleare that they can be contented to be iudged herein not only by the Emperour but by all other Princes also yea by the next frendes kinsfolkes of the Marques him selfe Whan the intercessours had reported these thinges agayne to the Marques and had duely placed their wordes with termes apte and conuenient and he not only relented nothing but also threatened moste cruell thynges The fourth daye of Iune they aduertise them by their letters that his mynde is set all on crueltie and howe they could not bring him to any more reasonable conditions And nowe the Marques shoteth of his ordenaunce into the citie with much more violence than before and one night maketh the batterie more ouer to put theÌ„ in the more terrour he burneth one of the suburbes And about the same tyme came into the Campe to hym George Thanberge and William Schacthe sent as Ambassadours from Duke Maurice the Lantgraues sonne to make peace They taking to them the Ambassadours of the cities whiche being in dispayre of the matter were els mynded to departe after a long laborious treatie at the length perswade both partes and conclude a peace For the Marques has his armie lately augmented by Iob Dalbeck and Christopher OldeÌ„burge Erles and Duke Maurice wryting his letters to the senate signified that he was moste greuously offended with this the Marques doinge yet now could not remedie it The condicions of peace were these They should paye two hondreth thousand crownes and deliuer him sixe great pieces of artyllarie with all thinges furnished They should beare their fauour to the Princes confederated as they of Auspurg do That he hym selfe should againe restore suche thinges as he had taken from them Wherfore about the .xx. day of Iune was leuied the siege of the moste famous and mightie citie in maner of all Germany best furnished of all thinges but especially moste strongly fortified The Marques full of lusty courage by reason of thys lucky successe the .xx. daye of Iune wryteth letters to them of Woulmes out of his campe Wherin was conteined howe the Norinbergians to their exceading great hinderaunce by hym vanquished had receiued conditions of peace would do what so he and his fellowes shall coÌ„maunde them Nowe therfore is he determined to besege them also but far otherwyse muche more streightly than he did of late And if fortune fauour his pourpose he will spare no mankinde that is past seuen yeares olde except thei retourne in time and immediatly sending Ambassadours do fully satisfie him and his league frendes and also make their purgation of their rebellion lately committed And

in this same conuention so great a matter can not be finished Neuertheles they wyshe vnfainedly that the same amitie which hath bene alwayes betwene bothe nations may remayne ferme and vnuiolable That suche priuate suites as he hath with the Emperour myght be appeased they both couet chiefly and also wyll refuse no paynes and trauell therin And where as the kyng affirmeth that the Emperour deteineth diuerse thinges that ar his and signifieth plainly that he hath thinges to lay clayme to they thinke it not against reason that he shewe what thing that is For they are mynded to preferre the controuersie to the Emperour be as meanes therin And they desire very much that the kyng would accept these thinges in good part Nowe as concerning the alliaunce betwene the Germaynes FreÌ„che men I haue spoken in the eight booke And that whiche the Frenche Ambassadour speaketh here of the house of Lutcemburge thus it standeth The Erle of Lutcemburge Henry had a sonne named Henry whiche was after made Emperour the seuenth of that name he had a sonne Called Iohn whiche by mariage was made king of Boheme Who aided Philip Ualose the Frenche kyng against the kyng of Englande Edwarde the third goyng hym selfe with hym to the fielde and the battell being foughten where the Englishmen had the victory he was slayne and amonges others lefte a sonne called Charles whiche afterwarde was made Emperour the fourthe of that name father to Wenceslaus and Sigismunde whiche were after both Emperours and this Sigismunde also kyng of Hongary and Boheme the procurer of the counsell of Constance Albert of Austriche of whome he speaketh the sonne of Raffe the Emperour whan he was Emperour he obserued perfit amitie with Philip le beau kyng of Fraunce notwithstanding that the Byshop of Rome Boniface the eight did wonderfully incense him vnto warre Duke Maurice besydes the deliueraunce of his father in lawe vrged two thynges chiefly One that of suche matters as annoyed the libertie of Germany the whiche he hym selfe had recited by name kyng Ferdinando MaximiliaÌ„ his sonne and the intercessours themselues shuld nowe forthwith examine and according to the lawes and custome of Germany determine the same Another was that peace myght be graunted to Religion and that no man should he molested therfore tyl suche tyme as the whole coÌ„trouersie were fully reconciled This way did not thintercessours discoÌ„mend but themperour by his Ambassadours declareth what lacke he findeth therin thought it reason that those which had bene faithfull to him and therfore had chaunced into extreme miserie should be first recompeÌ„sed their losse After much debating what time diuerse pointes were mittigated they agreed at the length that the third day of July the Emperour shuld answer directly that the war should cease in the meane time Wherfore thintercessours wryting their letters the .xvi. day of June exhorte themperour vnto peace Whan that castel of Ereberg was taken and afterwarde Inspruck spoyled I shewed you howe the Princes retorning through thalpes about th ende of May came backe again to Fiessa And marching froÌ„ thence the .xix. day of June pitched their tentes at Eistet which is the Byshops town bordring vpon Bauier and ther the whole army longed sore for Duke Maurice coÌ„ming not without great thought carfulnes Who comming thither at the length sheweth them in what case the matter stode and the laste daye of Iune he retourneth from thence to Passaw by post horses that he might be there at the daye appointed and his fellowe Princes remouing their campe the next morning the fourth day after came to Roteburg whiche is a towne nere vnto Francony by the riuer of Duber But Marques Albert neuerthelesse pursued his enterprise and hauing driuen the citie of Norinberge to make their peace he compelled also the nobilitie and states in these parties to be at coÌ„maundement For albeit he mainteined the common cause at the first as in the writing set forth he professed to do yet was he not of the same league and whaÌ„ the siege of Ulmes was leuied he went about his priuate affaires whether it were for that he would wynne to hym selfe alone what soeuer the chaunce of warre had geuen hym or that he myslyked Duke Maurice his doinge or els moued by the Frenche kynge was bent otherwyse Notwithstanding those that he toke the faith of he commaunded to perfourme the same fidelitie also to his felowes Afterwarde inuading the prouince of the Archâ—bishop of Mentz by the Ryuer Meyne doeth exceading muche harme with burning and spoyling and demaundeth of hym a wonderfull summe of money And where diuers made intercession neither yet could thei agree vpoÌ„ the summe The Archebyshop fyrste synkynge hys great Artylarie in the Rhyne the fyrste daye of Iuly fled awaye to saue hym selfe The selfe same tyme also Marques Albert whiche lefte nothynge vnattempted wylleth the Archebyshop of Treuers to deliuer vnto him the chiefest castell of his dominion whiche is situated where the Riuers of Rhine and Mosell mete vpon an hyghe hyll naturally strong and very commodious And he sayd howe he required this of him in the FreÌ„che kynges name He after he had conferred with his counsell sent him worde that he could not accomplyshe his request herein For as muche as the Princes intercessours in the latter part of their aunswere that they made to the Frenche Ambassadour as before is mentioned sayd howe they thought it reason that the kyng should declare what he required of the Emperour The Ambassadour by the kyng aduertised whan he was with the armie besydes Eistet the .xix. daye of Iune wryteth to them agayne how the kyng hath attempted this war for none other cause doubles but to profit the whole common wealth and chiefly to restore the libertie of Germany sore opressed what tyme certen Prynces had long and muche requested hym to the same And assuredly sought no priuate gayne to him selfe therein and that may the thing it selfe beare witnes For he had taken nothyng at al in Germany where it had not bene harde for him to haue done He permitted the Princes also to warre frely as they list And albeit that in the meane tyme that he hymselfe laye styll with his armie by the Riuer of Rhine his ennemies had inuaded Fraunce yet did he not once remoue tyll he was aduertised by Duke Maurice that suche thinges myght be obteyned by peaceable meanes for the whiche this warre was attempted Whiche thing knowen he was not a litle glad whan he sawe the thinge procede after their hartes desire For his aduise and counsell was first that the Princes should not neglect so goodly an occasion as this was neither disceiue them seluws or by others be abused as they were before Moreouer for so muche as he had shewed so notable a token of his good wyl and fidelitie that the amitie of both nations might assuredly be established to thintent that he himself may afterwardes haue better

leasure to se vnto other coÌ„modities of the coÌ„mon wealth And because Duke Maurice hath demaunded of him in what sorte he would be accorded this is his opinion that he sayth howe the Emperour moued warre against him without any iust cause And the kinges of Fraunce be not wont to desire peace of their ennemy especially of suche one as neither in power nor other thing they be inferiours to Now to propounde any thing vnlesse there were certen hope to obteine that same he seeth no cause why And as touching them selues he supposeth that they wil require nothing of him but that may stande with his honour and dignitie And he so loueth them againe and so estemeth them that in case he may se them treate the coÌ„moÌ„ peace of the whole worlde he would for their sakes geue ouer a great parte of his right And is contented also that they shall bothe heare and determine his requestes so that the Emperour refuse not to doe likewyse and wysheth greatly that for the same cause there might some conuention be had as sone as might be And if it may so be than shall all men vnderstande both how much he loueth the common wealth and also howe farre from the truthe are those thinges whiche are bruted of him by his aduersaries coÌ„cerning the Turkishe league But if these thinges can take no place and that all consultations be referred only to his discretion neither can obteine that league of amitie with the Germaines whiche by good deserte he loked for the blame ought not to be imputed to him if there chauÌ„ce further trouble to arise These letters were red before the Princes the first day of Iuly Whan Duke Maurice was come to Passawe at the day on the morowe was brought the Emperours aunswere to king Ferdinando Than he whan the Princes were set sayd howe the Emperour in dede had written his mynde but did not assente to many thinges And for so muche as it is so it is not nedefull to declare expressely what thing he hath aunswered to the rest Neuerthelesse to thintent it may appere how greatly he himselfe desireth peace and howe well he wysheth vnto Germany he wyll go with great expedition to the Emperour doubting not but that he shall perswade him Wherfore he desireth ernestly that Duke Maurice woulde be content to expect so long as he may goe and come whiche shall not passe eight daies at the moste Whiche thing when he refused immediatly the king was very importune But that was in vayne and Duke Maurice calling vnto him the Princes and Ambassadours saith how they them selues know right well whiche haue bene present and priuie to all doinges for the space of a moneth that he hath lefte nothing vndone that he might eyther by study or trauel worke to conclude a peace And doubted not but that they wolde assuredly witnesse with him the same Wher fore he requireth them that they would still beare him their good will helpe to further the coÌ„moÌ„ cause of Germany for he may graunte no further respite for this long treatie is had in suspition of his fellowes already Wherunto whan they had made a gentle aunswer coÌ„mending his good will they desire king Ferdinando that he in themperours name would make a playne determination For they suppose that what soeuer he did the Emperour would confirme and ratifie Unto this Ferdinando answered that his brother had geuen him no such authoritie For than would he not take so muche paines to trauell to and fro For he might in no wyse passe the boÌ„des by him prescribed I shewed you before how the Princes that were intercessours by their letters wrytten the .xvi. day of Iune exhorted themperour to peace Unto the whiche letters the last of Iune thempe rour answereth from Uillace How from the time he first receiued the crowne imperiall he hath euer desired peace yea and now wisheth for nothing els Wherfore there is no cause that they should coÌ„mend the same so greatly to him but vnto them whiche be thauthours of these coÌ„motions And that thei wold so do he requireth theÌ„ by the faith they owe vnto him As touching his owne priuate affaires he will for their sakes graunt very muche And concerning the whole pacification he hathe wrytten his minde to his brother king Ferdinando of whome they shall heare al thinges Unto the which letters they write againe the fift day of Iuly what time king Ferdinando returned to the Emperour Howe thei at his request and desire came first vnto this treatie and so muche the rather for that he promised to doe any thing for the commoÌ„ wealthes sake And how they haue through their exceading great labour carefulnes diligence founde out the way of peace Wherfore they beseche him eftsones that moste intierly that he would haue some respect to the coÌ„mon countrie Many and the chiefest states of thempire keping their faith vnto him haue already susteined great calamitie and nowe the condicion of thinges is suche the occasion of deliberation to be had so brief that the other Princes states especially suche as are nere the fire although they would neuer so faine perfourme vnto him al faith and loialtie yet can they not so do no they are constreined to consult by what meanes they may spedely esche we the present calamitie and distructioÌ„ And in case he refuse peace inteÌ„ding to make warre there wyll doubtles moste greuouse and perillous alterations arrise therof in Germany whiche afterwarde wyll redounde to his prouinces also Wherfore ther were nothing better than that he would content him selfe with the conditions of peace whiche they wyth so great trauell haue procured especially since the chiefest pointes were first approued at Lintz the fourme and fotesteppes of the whiche treatie they haue followed herein Againe for as muche as all suche thinges whiche properly concerne his dignitie are pourposly referred to the coÌ„uention of thempire to the ende they may there more gently quietly be treated The same day wherin this was done Duke Maurice departeth thence and whan he was come to his fellowes the .xi. day of Iuly which that tyme incamped at Mergetheme he sheweth them what is done and saith howe kyng Ferdinando is ryden in poste to the Emperour and supposeth that very shortly he will sende of his counsellours whiche shal bring a full and determinate aunswer And in this doubtfull state of thinges least they should sit stil and do nothing and bycause there was at Franckefurt a garrison of the Emperours of .xvii. enseignes of fotemen and a thousand horsemen at the leading of Conrade Hansteyne so that they of Hessebye were in no small daunder they condescended to goe thither Wherfore whan they had done much harme to Woulfgange Maister of Prusse by burning and spoiling his countrie where they were at the same time marching forwarde through the lande of the Archebyshop of Mentz the .xvii. day of Iuly they come to FraÌ„cfurt But the Princes

intercessours and Ambassadours sent immediatly after Duke Maurice and his fellowes into theyr campe Ambassadours whiche might mollifie their myndes perswade theÌ„ to peace During the whiche siege George Duke of Megelburge adioyned vnto Duke Maurice euen he which first of all men moued warre against them of Maydenburge was slayne with a great piece What tyme they began firste to besiege Franckfurt the Princes confederated desyre a great quaÌ„titie of batteryng pieces of the Paulsgraue Electour who sayeth them nay ones or twyse But whan he myght none otherwyse chose and they threatened to come with their whole armie he gaue them eight of the best he had with all their furniture Kyng Ferdinando retourning to Passawe at the daye which was the .xiii. day of Iuly declareth to the intercessours what the Emperours mynde was in euery thyng Uerely that the matters concerning the Empyre whiche I sayde before Duke Maurice had propounded shoulde not be heard of certen commissioners seuerally but of all men in generall in the whole assemblee of the Empyre Agayne that the cause of Religion should quietly remayne vnto the next conuention of the Empire In the which conuention that which shall seme good to be done therin from henceforth by the common aduise of the states the same to be coÌ„firmed and ratified Themperour also the .xi. day of Iuly answereth thintercessours to their last letters that like as they haue by their letters so hath his brother king FerdinaÌ„do treated with him diligently to accept And he in dede would gladly haue pleased both parts but he is for diuers causes letted whiche he declareth to his brother for it lieth not in him to coÌ„firm approue al things indiffereÌ„tly and wher by thoccasion of this coÌ„motion diuers without al desert are falleÌ„ into much calamity that is he as sory as one man liuing yet hath not the same chanced through confidence in him which put no maÌ„ in that hope wherunto he shuld trust For although he seÌ„t vnto certen chief princes that they shuld remedy this euil growing at the beginning of that tumult promising theÌ„ al his indeuor yet was not this his mindeÌ„ therfor that whatsoeuer shuld be propouÌ„ded he wold alow the same for such things as coÌ„cern the hole Empire he thinketh resoÌ„ they shuld be referd to the publik asseÌ„blies at the which time verely if any maÌ„ shal bring forth any iust coÌ„plaint of him he wil not fail to do his duty which verely he hath not omitted hitherto For sith as yet there hath no such request ben brought vnto him which neuertheles ought to haue ben done before war had ben atteÌ„pted he could not coÌ„iecture what thing shuld be required of him much les geue instructioÌ„s to his ambassadors seÌ„t to Passaw what thei shuld answer to euery poynt which in dede for thoffice dignity of his person he inteÌ„deth to do him self preseÌ„tly wher therfor he aloweth not al things that many perauenture go about to perswade him to ther is no cause why any maÌ„ shuld reprehend this in him but those that be intercessors ought rather to perswade exhort theÌ„ to resonable moderat condicioÌ„s especially since they se how he doth hardly at the leaste not before he is of necessity coÌ„straind attempt war which he intendeth not to folow now nether if he may chuse and in case they caÌ„ deuise some reasonable conuenient way of peace And seing the case staÌ„deth thus his trust is that they wil declare all fidelity to him rather being their chief magistrate than that they shuld geue ear to such as contrary to theyr duty haue made league with theyr ennemies and raised vp coÌ„motions he perceiueth and is not ignoraunt what euils approche neare whan both armies are brought forth to ioyn in battel and is exceadingly moued with the losses of the common weale chiefly of thinnocent people therfore minedeth peace as he hath done alwaies and wil refuse no condition reasonable and it is not to be ascribed vnto him that in the mean season whilest he consulted of the condicions seÌ„t vnto him at ii seueral times certen states susteind great losses For ther was a truse al the time of the intercession and wheras during the same time the Marques Albert afflicted diuers the coulde not he do withall For euen from the beginning was he euer against the treatye of peace Moreouer in answering the same he neuer made any delay And if they had perseuered in the same way which by theÌ„ was first propouÌ„ded afterward altred answer might haue bene much soner more plainlye made yea if they had not shronke from the treaty of Lintz wherof they theÌ„ selues make mention al things might haue ben concluded loÌ„g since wher therfor they se how he is minded towards the commoÌ„-welth he earnestly requireth them that together with his brother FernaÌ„do vnto whoÌ„ he hath opened him self wholy thei wold bring them to resonable coÌ„ditions therin haue respect to the welth and dignity of thempire for certenly he wil vse the same lenity peaceable wais froÌ„ henceforth that he hath done hitherto for that he abhorreth very much al ciuil war but in case peace can not vpon these coÌ„dicions be established he loketh for all fidelity of them whyche are bounden to him He answered than also by king Fardinando to the letters of the French ambassador red vnto the Princes as before is said How he had peace with the French king which he obserued diligently And although he did many things arrogantly proudly yet hath he dissembled the same for a common quietnes but he albeit he promised by his ambassador very largely pretended no such thing made war against him both by Sea and land before he had proclaimed the same How be it he hathe offered this condition all ready that if Duke Moris electoure should in his name bring any reasonable conditions of peace and to former actes agreable he wold not refuse them but ther is no certen or determinate thing propounded and this his drift that wher he hath laid the blame of breaking the peace in him he saith how the way of concorde muste be set open by him also Moreouer he seketh to purge him self of the turkish confederacy as though he had wrong done him but al this is wholy forged for if the case shal so require there may be brought to light shewed the coÌ„mentaries of Aremont the freÌ„ch ambassador wrytten at CoÌ„stantinople for a memorial and sent to the king by one Coste a ceÌ„turion ther are forth comming also and to be sene the letters of the Turkes lieuetenant in Hongary sent at this time to the Princes confederated others but intercepted wherby it appeareth euideÌ„tly that he was the causer of the hurt that the Turkishe nauye did the last yere and motioned also that the like might haue ben done this same yere and that he is right sory that ther is no more harm don

shall chaunce to leade his armie nere vnto the limites of Duke Augustus he shall go forth without harme doing That Duke Auguste shall beware that what tyme he dischargeth his armie thei go not to the Marques ennemies Finally that the league of inheritaunce whiche is betwene the house of Saxon and of Brandenburge be renewed so shortly as may be The next day whiche was the .xii. of September Marques Albert leadeth his armie out of Brunswicke And where as he chaunced vpon his ennemies not far without the citie he geueth the charge But vanquished with the noÌ„ber especially where he had none and the Duke of Brunswick had .xx. enseignes of footemen he was discomfited and put to flight albeit he left to the ennemy a bluddy victory After the battel he retourneth to Brunswick In the meane season thei were in great distresse whome CouÌ„te Plauie and his companions had besieged at Hoffie For where the towne was both very sore battered with shot and the Marques was vanquished in battell and no rescowe came beinge dryuen through penurie and want of all thynges they render vp the towne And Counte Plauie sweareth the townes men to be true to hym and his chyldren and leaueth there in garrison one enseigne of fotemen and the great ordenaunce We haue spoken before of the Turkishe flete Unto whome ioyned them selues certen Frenche captaines setting forthe of Marseilles and in maner in these dayes take the Iland of Corsica belonging to the state of Genes a fewe townes excepted Howe the Emperour toke the castell of Hesdine by force is before said And the same he raseth as he had done Terwen before The French king in the meane season leuieth his armie about Amiens and attendeth tyll the Swysses whiche he had sent for were come Whan Hesdine was now ouerthrowen the Emperour at the ende of Auguste was in mynde to attempte Dorlans but whan the Constable heard therof by espiall he leadeth forth a great number of horsemen and some part of footemen so spedely that he set vpon them or euer thei were aware and putteth them to flight slaying and takyng many of them And what tyme the Swisses were come about the beginninge of September a ten thousande footemen the kyng went vp the water of Some on the banke wherof standeth Amias and commeth to Corbie From thence sending out certen guidons of horsemen he runneth about the Towne of Bappam as though he would besiege it But the seuenth daye of September sendyng an Herault of Armes to Cambraye he requireth to be certified what hartes the Townes men beare towardes hym that is a very large towne belongyng to the Byshop and aunciently to the Empire and in the same warre whiche the Emperour made with the Frenche king it was a neuter town indifferent to both but at this tyme it was more of the Emperous parte The king therfore sendeth them worde that he wil do nothing against coÌ„uenauntes so that they wyl do the same and let their citie be set open for him who is protectour of theÌ„pire be ready to serue him in all thinges as wel as they be to themperour But when that gouernour of that town had signified the matter to the Emperour he made aunswer that for so muche as the FrenchmeÌ„ had with spoyling and burning distroyed al the couÌ„trie that he should take them for his ennemies But before this message came againe from the Emperour the kynge making roades out began to assaie the citie certeÌ„ daies But wher nothing preuailed about the middes of September he rayseth his campe and pitcheth his tentes two myles from the Emperours campe whiche was than at Ualencene a towne of Henault nere vnto the riuer of Scalde ThaÌ„ he approcheth nerer and certenly the thing was like to haue come to a batell but that end was this that the king for that he had approched so nere that Emperours fortifications after he had loste very many of his men retourned with his army the .xviii. day of September At his departing he distroyed all far and nere with fire The matter was after wrytten priuatly vnto frendes the FrenchemeÌ„ in dede saie howe the Emperour would not fight but this the imperials deny The king retourning home dischargeth the Swisses In this same moneth are discharged the garrison of sixe enseignes of fotemen whiche had by the Emperours commaundement bene all that yeare at Auspurge as I sayd in the fourmer boke About this tyme also met at Hailbrune the Pauls graue the Archebyshop of Mentz the Duke of Bauier and the Duke of Wirtemberge From the Archebyshop of Treuers and the Duke of Cleaue came Ambassadours There was present in the name of king Ferdinando the Byshop of Passawe This sommer the rage of that plague made a great slaughter at Paris and in the meane time diuers were burnt there also for Lutheranisme The king had a darling whose husband in tyme past had bene gouernour of Normandy The same woman being a wydowe had two sonnes in lawe at the same time prisoners Duke de Anmalle and the Mareschall Marchian as before I sayed And for the raunsome of Duke de Anmalle Marques Albert demaundeth a hondreth thousande crownes but that was aboue his habilitie Wherfore the brute went that she which might do with the king what she list to that ende she might make the monie without her owne hinderaunce had obteined that the kynge should geue her their landes and goodes that were condemned for heresie For the custome of Fraunce is that the kynge taketh not only the lyfe of suche as be condemned but their goodes also What tyme therfore this praye was obtayned many they saye were brought in daunger I wyll not certenly affirme this but it commeth to passe many tymes in Fraunce and in other places that the bloude of innocent persones is not only a pleasure but also a gaigne to many Marques Albert after his ouerthrowe in battell retourneth to Brunswicke as a little before I haue sayed but where he vnderstode by espiall that the Duke would besege the citie making no longe aboade he gathered vp what horsemen he could and commaundeth them to abide his comming in Turingia and sending to his kinsfolkes and allies for ayde Whan he was holpen of them he hasteth into Turinge and the fifth daye of October vsing great expedition beyond al mens expectation came to Weymer where he was ryght gently receiued of Iohn Fridericke and there remayning two nightes that he myght refreshe his souldiours after their trauaile that laye scattered a broade in the couÌ„trie he marcheth towardes Franckony That tyme the Erle Plauie and his fellowes beseged a towne of his named Birnt But hearing of his comming they leuied their siege and gote them to Bamberge But he being accompanied with no great bande of horsemen goeth forthe the .xi. day of October to espie what is done at Hosie the town lately loste The soldiours of the garrison chaunced than to be some what vn warely without the

kept with a great garrison This tyme the Frenche men going priuely out of Piedmount vpon the soden take Uercelles a towne of Turin whiche the Spanyardes kept But where they thought them selues hardly able to defend the same being so nere Millan and Gonzago the Emperours lieftenaunt approched also with a power they spoyled the towne and retourned home in due season laden with boties Not long after it was signified and written both from Uenise and other places of Solyman Emperour of Turkes who had hanged his eldest sonne Mustapha for suspicion of treason They reporte that the murther was committed through the procurement of his seconde wyfe whiche coueted to haue her sonne auaunced and to succede his father I haue spoken before of the Archebyshop of Cantorbury He and Quene Iane with thre sonnes of the Duke of Northumberlande being brought to the barre in the moneth of Nouember were coÌ„demned to suffer for treason but according to the custome of the Realme thei were caried again to pryson and through the intercessioÌ„ of certen were reserued Sebastian Scherteline of whome ofte mention is made for whose death the Emperour had appointed a great rewarde as in the last boke is declared was at this tyme reconciled to the Emperour and king Ferdinando and recouered all his goodes At the suite of the byshoppes and their consortes the iudges of the chamber imperiall with a solemne ceremonie the fyrste of December do outlawe Marques Albert of Brandenburg as a disturber of the publique quiet and of the Empire dispatching abroade their letters hither and thether and the same set vp openly and permitted his lyfe and goodes to be spoiled of al meÌ„ Duke Henry of Brunswicke leauing Counte Plauie at the siege of Blasseburg the sixt day of December goeth with his power to Schuinfurte whiche towne in dede being situated on the banke of the Riuer of Moene the Marques kept with a strong garrison The Duke had an ayde of Soldiours that came from Norinberge and Forcheme But Marques Albert suspectinge the matter firste what vitaile so euer was in places thereaboutes he brought it into the Towne after he burnte all the buildinges about it to the intent he might take away the occasion of besieging from the ennemie that tyme of the yeare Wherfore Duke Henry without any exploicte done hauinge lost also many of his men what tyme the Marques saleed out and fought retourneth home with no great company passing through the countrie of Iohn Fridericke without harme doing Whan Marques Albert vnderstode that he was outlawed by the chaÌ„ber he sueth to the Emperour that he would reuerse the iudgement But he sayeth howe he may not let the execution of the lawe So than he refuseth the iudgement as corrupted with bribes and rewardes and maketh a protestation in a wryting set forth of the same But the iudges do commauÌ„d the next prouinces of the Empire to se the thinge executed This tyme was holden in Englande a parliament of al the States of the Realme And for so muche as in kyng Edwardes tyme there were actes made of the Lordes supper of ceremonies of the ministration of the Sacramentes of the mariage of priestes of the election of Byshoppes of ordeining the ministers of the churche of the fourme of praying and of such other like thinges In this parliameÌ„t it was enacted that those statutes should take no place but that all men should followe the same Religion whiche was obserued at the death of kyng HeÌ„ry Moreouer that no man should moleste or disquiet suche priestes and ministrs of the churche as shal be ordeined hereafter Furthermore the diuorcement of Quene Katherine the Quenes mother is pronouÌ„ced to haue bene onlawfull Finally there was debated amonges the Nobles concerning the Quenes mariage and a greed that she should be espoused to the Emperours sonne king Philippe Of whome there went a report before that he should marie his Cosin daughter to Emanuell king of Portugale and to his aunte Elenore Whan this was agreed vpon the Emperour sendeth for Cardinall Poole The cause why the Emperour would haue hym to staie in Germany was this as many supposed least he being of the bloud roiall and well beloued in his countrie should haue bene some let to the mariage In stede of those Byshoppes whiche I sayd before were thrust in prison were created others at this tyme. For the full confirmation of the Matrimony the Emperour sent a moste honorable Ambassade into EnglaÌ„de which might affiaunce Quene Mary to kyng Philippe being absent The chief Ambassadour was Counte de Egmonde They arriuinge at London about the beginning of Ianuary after they had treated of the matter a fewe dayes bryng it to passe The commons of the Realme toke this matter moste greuously and diuerse also of the Nobilitie and laiyng their heades together do rebelle The chiefe authour and rynge leader hereof was syr Thomas Wiat. Who reysing a rebellion in Kente made greuous and bitter orations against the Quene and her counsell how through the mariage of a straunger they wyll procure to the Realme of Englande a perpetuall and moste miserable boÌ„dage and seke also that the true Religion being extinguished they may agayne establishe papistrie And Kente is a countie by the sea coaste nexte vnto Fraunce by reason of the citie of Cantorbury right famouse The brute of this commotion was brought to London the .xxv. daye of Ianuary and not long after was heard also of Henry the Duke of Suffolke who reysed vp men in Lecester shyre Wherfore the Quene assembleth what power she coulde ouer whome she maketh generall Thomas the Duke of Norfolke lately deliuered out of prison Who about the ende of the same moneth meting with his enemies at Rochester bridge being forsaken of his soldiours was faine to saue himselfe by flight and with much payne came to London Wherfore amongest these tumultes the Emperours Ambassadours to mitigate the rebellion for their own daunger together the first day of February take shipping depart And the same daie came the Quene into the citie of London making in her oration a greuous complaint against Wiat declareth what his intent is and what loue she beareth vnto them and sayeth howe she hath determined nothing of her mariage without the consent of her counsell For she hath liued a good part of her tyme a mayden and doteth not so of mariage but that she would remayne in the same kynde of lyfe styll in case her Nobles and commons iudged mete that it shoulde so bee For that the Realme should be in daunger bycause of her mariage and that all should be ful of slaughter it should be to her moste greuous Wherfore let them perseuer in doinge theyr dutie and assiste her in reuenging the treason of wicked persons For this is their dutie to doe whiche haue commaunded her as the lawefull heyre of her father by common assente to bee Quene Whan she had on

length to Emden a towne in east Friseland and there remayned The fourth day of Marche the Quene of England set forth ecclesiasticall lawes wherin she coÌ„maundeth bishops their officers that they receiue no man that is suspected of heresie into holy orders that they rote by cleane all heresies that they abolyshe al naughtie and pestiferous bokes that they prescribe an order to Scholemaisters and preachers that they take awaye from maried priestes their wyues and benefices and inioyne them punishement condigne for their misdoing yet so that suche as by the coÌ„sent of their wiues wil proteste to make a diuorsemeÌ„t they do handle more gently and suche as amende to be also restored Moreouer that all prayers at common supplications be sayde in the latin tongue after the olde custome that all holy daies be obserued and the Ceremonies of fourmer tyme be restored that bigge children before christened be confirmed of the Byshops and that they be taught in Scholes howe to helpe a priest to saye Masse and serue him at the aultar What tyme the kyng of Englande Henry the eight banished the Byshop of Rome as I sayd in the .ix. boke he made this lawe amongest others that no man should be admitted to any office or ecclesiastical dignitie except he would first proteste by a solemne othe both him and his successours also to be supreme head of the Englishe churche ouer the whiche the Byshop of Rome hathe no authoritie neither to be any other thinge than Byshop of the citie of Rome with whome they wyll haue nothinge to doe Whiche othe the Quene whan she published these thinges did nowe release also and chargeth the Byshoppes that from henceforth it be required of no man secretly after a sorte restoryng the supremacie of the bishop of Rome Where she speaketh of coÌ„mon prayer thus it is By the kyng her fathers commaundement procession was sayde in the vulgare tongue Wherin God was prayed to amonges other thinges that he would deliuer them from the sedition conspiracie and Tyranny of the Byshop of Rome This fourme therfore set forth in print the Quene nowe commaundeth to be abolished Not long after the Lady Elizabeth the Quenes sister a Lady very well learned was coÌ„mitted to the Tower for that she was thought priuie to the fourmer conspiracie At the ende of Marche the ennemies of Marques Albert retourne to the siege of Schninfurt In the moneth of Aprill came into Germany out of England men of great learning sir Richarde Morisine Knight of whose Ambassade I haue spoken in the fourmer boke sir Anthony Coke and sir Iohn Cheke Knightes both the kinges scholemaisters and they went after into Italy Thither came also Iohn Pomet Byshop of Winchester whiche by reason of this alteratioÌ„ of Religion was displaced as likewyse were diuerse others About this time where as the forces of the Duke of Florence and the Byshop of Rome besieged Senes Peter Strosse who in the Frenche kinges name defended the citie vnderstanding certen thinges by espiall set vpon them sodenly and slew of them a great nomber They notwithstanding restoring their strength continued the siege Wherfore the Frenche kyng hyreth about thre thousand Swisses to ayde those that were besieged The Duke of Florence had fiaunced his daughter to Ascanio the Byshop of Romes nephewe and meanes were deuised to auaunce hym by this mariage In these daies the gouernour of Millan Ferdinando Gonzago being sent for came to the Emperour in Brabant Thither came also Babtista Castaldus whome the Emperour as I sayde in fourmer yeares sent Ambassadour into Hongarie About the middes of Aprill Sir Thomas Wiat was executed at London Before he suffered excusinge the Lady Elizabeth and the Erle of Deuonshyre diligently he affirmed that they were not priuie to this conspiracie Than also the Archbishop of Cantorburye the Bishop of London and Hugh Latimer were caried first to Windsore and after to Oxford and after they had disputed with the diuines of that vniuersity and also of Cambridge perseueringe in theyr opinion they are committed to prisone At the same time againe the Quene helde a Parliament Wherin she propounded two thinges chieflye concerning her owne mariage and restoring the supremacy to the bishop of Rome wherof she obteined the first vpon certain conditions but this other the Nobility being chiefly againste it she coulde not perswade Cardinal Poole after he had bene a certen time with themperor wente to the French kinge and was a counsellor of peace to them both but he preuailed nothing At th end of Aprill Marques Albert receiuing lx thousand crownes sendeth away Duke D'anmalle his prisoner wher a little before he had lost Holansperge an other fortresse of his dominion Not long after themperor sending his letters from Bruissels where he was in the winter before outlawed by the chamber he outlaweth him again and complaininge that he should worke so much mischief vnpunished commaundeth with wordes most waighty that all Princes and states but chiefly those that are nexte him do put the Proclamation of outlawrye in execution They had met twise before this at Roteburge to treate a peace but wheras nothinge was concluded themperoure decreed this againste him and for the same the states assembled after at Wuormes al such as belonge to the prouince of the Rhine Of the coÌ„mon assemble of thempire that shuld be holden at Auspurge I haue spoken oftner then once because themperor being impeched both with sicknes and also with warres could not be ther king Fernando at his request taketh this charge vppon him and the Princes being of him desired to come excused them selues by reason of the troublesome state of Germany Themperor had all ready sent thither certen of his counsell and had also chosen out the Cardinall of Auspurge for the same purpose but what time for the cause aboue named no man came the matter was differred til a time more conuenieÌ„t Marques Albert had written certen thinges spitefully and bitterly against the Norinbergians as though in the former war they had priuely aided the French king and his fellowes and had paid mony as though they shuld haue had a great suspitioÌ„ of themperor both they also the bishops theyr fellowes had spoken contumelious words that they shuld fauor the french king more then themperor that they them selues had atteÌ„pted this war against him that they do what they are able that the bishops shuld not kepe couenants as though they shuld seke to destroy al the nobility as though they shoulde haue broken theyr promise expressed and signed in wryting as though they should haue made a wicked and a cruel warre against the people of his dominion as thoughe they had corrupted the iudgemente of the Chamber with bribes He called them also traitors to theyr country dispersing abrode libels therof throughe out Germany This knowen the Norinbergians whan after the taking of Holansperge they had found certaine thinges of the lyke sort the .xviii. day

of May make answer at large and addressinge theyr wryting vnto all the states both confute al thinges in ordre and verify the most thinges of him and recite vpon what conditioÌ„ they gaue Monye to Duke Moris and his fellowes and declare who is the author of the warre For euen at the same time say they that the Princes intercessoures met at Hedelberge he by his vauÌ„tcurrers leuied as muche power as he possible mighte in Saxonye and that is to be proued aswell by others as also by those letters which one of his curriers William Grumpache wrote vnto him the xxix of March Than if king Ferdinando duke Moris and the dukes of BruÌ„swicke had not imploid all theyr force yea their liues and blud for theyr country he would doubtlesse haue made an horrible destruction and waste through oute all Germany He had driuen the Byshops of Franckonie to conditions most vnreasonable but that coÌ„position the Emperor made after frustrate and gaue them leaue to recouer againe theyr owne Wherfore the Bishoppe of Bamberge wan againe certaine of his Townes and gouernments longe before that he was receiued againe into the Emperors fauor and euen than at what time by reason of his high treason not onlye his landes and possessions but his life also might haue bene taken froÌ„ him lawfully Afterward by the Emperors commaundemente we made this league for the defence of oure prouinces Than was â—e reconciled to the Emperor and obteined of him the confirmationâ— the compactes made but yet vppon condition that he should be true to him and to the Empire but he all be it the Emperor permitted him no violence in the time of the siege of Metz wrote home to hys captains that they should feare the bishops and vnlesse they wold restore that they had taken to worke force and violence So they in the monthe of Ianuary followinge makinge an inuasion recouered manye thinges by force of armes Wherefore the Bishop of Bamberge admonished his fellowes to aide him according to theyr league we neuerthelesse least we should do any thing rashly by sondrye letters and intermessagers exhorted Marques Albert to peace but he answeringe contemptuouslye and opprobriously said amongs other thinges that the mo ennemies he had the more honor and praise should he win This was in the beginning of March and not long after began that treatye at Hedelberge And whan he ther refused moste ample and large conditions his kinffolkes and allies intercessors exhorting him vnto peace he went home and leuied an army we being sollicited and moued againe by the Bishoppes did than at the last professe our selues his enemies This was the last yere the first of Aprill And wheras he him self hath moued a most cruell warre after a very straunge example and such as hath not bene heard of in Germany he goeth about to charge vs with that crime But assuredly it is vntrue neither was ther euer any such like thinge complained of vnto vs. But his soldiours haue omitted no kind of cruelty and chauncing on a time to find plowmen in the field hanged them vp both the fathers and the sonnes in a manner before oure faces and haue not only inforced women a liue but haue also digged them vp whan they haue bene dead The last yere in the moneth of May a certaine gentelman of Franconie Nicholas Eglofsten was inforced to yelde vp his castell of Conrute but he did not only burne it but also fineding ther about a fortye country men and with them the minister of the church commaunded them to be haÌ„ged vp all in an Orchard adioyning to the Castel and caried away with him his wife and his mother Prisoners He wente aboute in dede to excuse this matter by letters to the Nobility of Franconie but nothing to the purpose How he also intreated his prisonners both our men and the pledges of Bamberge whiche he haled with him into Saxonie can declare and all other such as he hath deteined in prisone For bothe he demaunded of them an vnreasonable summe of mony and mooste greuously tormented them vppon the racke and also sterued them for honger and cold so that many died and the residue hauing their limmes starke deade by reason of the cold wer faine to haue them cut of and taken away And wheras certain of them had nothing either to paye their raunsome or to liue by he forbad they shoulde haue any meate geuen them And if the souldioures of the warde being vanquished with their lamentations and pitiful cry had not somtime cast them a piece of bread that was so drye and moulded with longe kepinge that no Cattell nor brute beastes vnlesse it were for extreme honger woulde haue touched they had died all for want of meate And all be it that som of them made a piece of mony by theyr frendes yet hardly could they therfore get a little straw water Wherfore certaine were staruen for honger and thurste not onlye in the terrible darknesse but also in the stench of the prison in the mids of thordure Uermen venemous beastes And whan they had thus perished the coarses wer not than drawn out nor remoued froÌ„ theÌ„ce but lefte with them that were aliue there and increased the Prison with stench But howe gently we haue intreated his Prisonners both captaines and certen centurions and euen suche as deserued worst of vs and haue rendred them selues without condition that may be knowen by their owne testimony And howe vnwilling he is to haue peace that may well appeare by the two last treaties of Roteburge as you know moste noble Princes which either wer there your selues or sente thither your ambassadoures For althoughe we susteined by him wonderfull losse and calamity and all be it he was already outlawed yet in the former conuention we made this offer That if he wold leaue his warre and demeane him selfe well from henceforth and woulde trye the matter by the law we would also lay a part oure weapons and put the matter to tharbitrement of the Princes that were intercessours or to the iudgement of themperor and states of the Empire the same offer made the Bishoppes by the aduise and consente of the ambassadours of King Ferdinando The counselloures also of the Princes intercessoures for the loue of peace added this moreouer that if the states of Franconie that be in confederacy would promise to restore him his prouince as it was than they shoulde cease warre on both sides and kepe peace from henceforth and that the Publication in that behalf should be frustrate and the whole controuersy committed to a frendly and lawfull treaty But he in a contempt and mockery called the intercessors his enemies procurers and saide he woulde not suffer him selfe to be broughte into suche distresse neither did he couet to haue this outlawry as yet reuearsed and would also put in hazard the reaste of that he had and spake many such other like things both rashly opprobriously and with threatninges to the

him most humblye by theyr letters and alledginge manye teasons that they might he permitted to receiue the whole Supper of the Lorde according to the commaundement and institution of Christe and custome of the primatiue Churche Unto these letters of theyrs the xxiii of Iune the king ausweringe from Uienne I had full little thought saith he that you would haue called in question that proclamation of mine and haue found cauillations therin For I meÌ„t only that my subiectes should perseuer in thauncient and true Religion and obedience of the Catholicke church without the which no man can obtain saluation and that they should receiue this sacrament the chiefest of all others after the law and custome of the church and neither through the corrupt opinions of certain or for curiosity and pride also should swarue from that duty which they both owe to the church and also to the Magistrate This is verely the mind and effect of the same proclamation nether is it any new thing that I commaunded but an old ordinaunce which hath ben brought as it wer by haÌ„d vnto my progenitors Emperors kings and Dukes of Austrich and to me also whan I began to gouerne the common wealth was deduced and vnto this time by me diligently as becommeth a Christen Prince obserued and at sondrye times to my people also inioyned that they shoulde remayne in the same Wherfore I supposed that you would not haue attempted any thyng against this my proclamacion which in all other thinges do contende that there should be no alteracioÌ„ and that your lawes and liberties myght remaine vnto you whole For certenly that you do is a new deuise and lately of you conceaued by a certayne opinion and now also reasoned at large as though it were lawful for you to iudge of my commaundementes whiche am your chiefe and supreme magistrate or as though the same ought of ryght to be permitted you which certen yeres now diuers of you of your own accord contrary to the lawes of the church and my will haue taken vpon you priuately to vsurpe But because the question is harde ful of difficulty as you also affirme I will doubtles thincke more therupon and whan time is make such answer that it may be well perceiued that I do not tender a little the saluation of my people but in the meane time I loke for al obedieÌ„ce of you and trust that you wil do nothing against my proclamation Unto this the states afterward answer again by wryting And the same say they that we haue oft times spoken before of our sauiour Christes commauÌ„dement most puissant king we now repete again For he did institute his supper with plain and manifest words that after the same sort that he him self prescribeth it might be receiued of al men nether is it lawfull for any man mortall to alter hys institution It may be proued also that this was the manner of thauncient Churche and the same that is vsed now a daies to haue crept in by little and little For euen the counsel of Constance graunteth that the same was so instituted of Christ Wher therfore thys coÌ„cerneth our saluation certainly neither curiosity nor pride hath moued vs here vnto Wherby we truste the rather that you will refer your consultation to the commaundement of Christ and his Apostles and consent of the primatiue Church and will not that our conscieÌ„ce shuld be burthened which thing that it might please you to do we besech you for the honor of God and the glorye of his name and for oure own saluation We do acknowledge you and that moste gladlye to be our high Magistrate geuen vs of God and there is nothing in this world but that you both may ought to loke for at our haÌ„ds if it lie in vs to do But in this one matter we desire you to be fauorable to vs. In the byshop of Wirciburges dominion ther is an Abbay of MoÌ„kes called Newstat The Abbot therof Ihon Frise after he came in suspition of Lutheranisme the fift day of May he is cited to come the vi day to Wirciburge and to answer vnto certain interrogatories And the questions were these Whether it be lawful to sweare whether anye man be bounden by his othe whether it be lawful to make a vow of Chastity pouerty and obedieÌ„ce whether such manner of vowes do binde whether becometh better the ministers of the church mariage or singlenesse whether ther be one true and Apostolical church whether the same as the spouse of Christ be continually gouerned by the holy ghost whether she can alwaies discern true and holsom thyngs whether the same by reason of her head Christes vicar be called rightly the church of Rome whether all the bokes of both Testaments that be in the Cannon be lawful and true whether the holy scripture ought to be expounded after the mind of the holy fathers the doctors of the Church counsels and not after thopinion of Luther and others of the lyke sort whether that besides the Scriptures ther is nede also of other traditions as be those of the Apostles and such other like whether the same faith aucthority and obedience oughte to be geuen to the same traditioÌ„s as to the holy scripture whether we ought to obay the ciuill magistrate in politick matters in holy things thecclesiasticall ordinary whether ther be vii sacraments of the Churche whether children oughte to be Christened whether they oughte to Christen in the Latin tounge with Salt Oile Water Charactes and exorcismes whether that by baptisme be cleane putte awaye Originall sinne in such sort that concupiscence which remaineth loseth the name of the same sinne whether the breade be chaunged and consecrated into the body and the wine into the blud of Christ by the vertue of the wordes which the Priest pronounceth whether it do so remaine althoughe it be not by and by receiued whether the Sacrament being after this sort consecrated is to be worshipped whan either it is borne aboute for the honor of Christe or caried vnto sickfolkes or also be reserued in the pix whether Christ is to be worshipped vnder the forme of bread and wine whether Christ be wholly vnderneath either kinde whether the confession of sinnes do prepare a man to the worthy receiuing of the Sacrament whether Masse be a true and continuall sacrifice whether that the Cannon of the masse is to be reteined whether the SacrameÌ„t of confirming is to be vsed whether ther be iii. parts of penaunce contrition confession and satisfaction whether the priest may forgeue his sinnes which hath not before confessed the same whether Priestes onlye haue authoritye of the keyes whether the soules of good men do loue vs whether they pray to God for vs whether we ought to pray vnto Sainctes whether sainets Holy daies oughte to be obserued whether the relikes of Sainctes oughte to be worshipped whether the soules of the godly not yet repurged be relieued

coÌ„mon countries sake to renue the former decrees Especially since I beleue there is none of you but both he loueth his countrye and wold prouide for the safegard of him self his lands subiects also wold haue thenterprises of him and his adherents impeched letted Wherfore I charge commauÌ„d vnder the same penalties before expressed that no man aid him or his felowes with any thing nether with help nor counsel relief mony vitails nor artillery And also that nether he nor his fellowes be permitted to make any power or leuy soldiors in any of theyr dominioÌ„s if he attempt any such thing that euerye man let him by alwaies possible and kepe in theyr people and subiectes that they run not oute to him and such as be offeÌ„ders and will not obey this commaundemente to punishe extremely These letters were set vp in all places in Print At the .xxix. of Decembre king Ferdinando for because of the couÌ„sel wherof I haue spoken before that it shuld be holden at Auspurge came thither and fineding no man there two daies after sendinge both letters and messagers he exhorteth the princes that for so much as they should treat of most waightye affaires of the Empire they would repare thither with spede he him self although to his great losse and hindraunce leauing his own country is commen thither that he might consult with them of the common weale and deuise suche meanes as be profitable necessary for thafflicted state of Germany wherfore let them come theÌ„ selues not do the thinge by theyr deputies for so the waightines of the cause requireth and themperor his brother hath geueÌ„ him ful authority to treat neither wil he tary them any longer than he neades must Aboute the middes of Ianuary breaketh vp the Parliament at London Amonges many other thinges the restoring of Cardinall Poole was enacted Thactes also of kings of former time concerning the punishing of heretickes and authority of bishops were renued but chieflye the supremacy of the bishop of Rome was wholye restored and all the lawes and statutes that had ben made against the sea of Rome by the space of xx yeares were condempned and abolished Uery many supposed that at the same Parliament king Phillip shuld haue ben crowned but herein was nothing done In the beginninge of February fiue were condemned at London to suffer because they would not returne to the Romish Religion men of excellent learning Ihon Hoper Bishop of Glocester Ihon Bradford LaureÌ„ce Saunders Rolland Tailler Doctoure of the ciuil law and Ihon Rogers And he was burned at London where he had taught but the reast were caried euery man home to Glocester Manchester Couentry and Hadley and ended their liues with the like punishment all right constantly A little after also the Bishoppe of Saint Dauid was condemned and sent home to suffer It was wrytten than out of EnglaÌ„d that ambassadoures woulde go to Rome in the name of the whole Realme which shuld both geue the bishop thankes for hys greate clemeÌ„cy which he hathe shewed towardes them and promise him also from henceforth al obedience and fidelitye The v. daye of February king Ferdinando though verye fewe Princes were there beginneth the treaty at Auspurge How they them selues knowe for howe waightye and neadefull causes the Emperoure had appoynted this conuention first at Wuolmes after in this Citye to begin at the middes of Nouember And he in dede at the request aduise of his brother wished that the matter might haue ben coÌ„menced at the same time Howe be it in puttinge his thinges in ordre at home that in his absence all thinges mighte be well gouerned and the neare ennemye be resisted in case he made anye enterprise he was impeched and letted Notwithstandinge at the xxix of Nouember he came hither at the laste to consulte for the common wealth Which thinge also the Emperoure desireth chiefly that is to wit that what so euer coÌ„cerneth Goddes glorye and the tranquillitye of the Empire the same might by the common consente of them all be here determined For how much hath bene alwais themperors dilligence studye paine and care for the zeale he hath to the common country that both the publicke quiet and offences being taken away Religion might be established that is so wel tried and knowen both by all others and also by the decrees that were made in the two laste assembles that it nedeth no further declaration What so euer also he promised at the same time to do he perfourmed in dede but how pernitious coÌ„motions as well ciuill as foreine haue beyond al expectation chauÌ„ced sence by the which all those so holsome decrees were not onlye letted and disturbed but also taken away to the greate damage of the common weale that is so manifest to all men that it nedeth no further rehersall but herein was not the Emperour to be blamed who gaue none occasion of offence vnto any man and hath alwais dealt vprightlye and constantlye and whatsoeuer the sclaunder of his aduersaries be hath chiefly had respecte to the common profit neither doubteth he but they also beleue the same and hold him clearged in this behalf Wher therfore to remeadye these euils themperor hath called this counsell he was certenly purposed to haue ben present him self at the whole treatye but deteined by sicknesse and other affaires he could not yet neuerthelesse he would not that the thing should be longer delaied to thintent verely that bothe this euill increasing might be restrained and he mighte do his duetye to his country which he loueth aboue all other thinges Wherfore he hath made him his Uicegerent and geuen him ful authoritye that together with them he maye deuise meanes bothe honourable and also profitable for the common weale and for the same purpose hathe sente certen men and ioyned them with him in commission to treat of the same and the chief and principal matter shal be concerning Religion For this so long a dissention hath ben the head and welspringe of all these tumultes and miseries that these many yeares now so manye thousandes haue loste not oulye their liues but also their souls and eternal saluation is altogether long of this and that same is so manifestly known that it neadeth no further declaration For doubtles it is a lamentable and an heauy sight that those which are al of one baptime name Empire and laÌ„guage shuld be thus torn a soÌ„dre in the professioÌ„ of the same faith which so many hundreth yeares they haue receiued of their elders as it were deliuered from hand to hand but the case is much more greuous for that there ariseth daily not one sect or two but diuers whilest euery man wil maintain his own opinion Whiche thinge doubtlesse is bothe to the reproche of God and breaketh the bonde of charity and disturbeth mennes mindes in such sort that the vulgare people knoweth not what in the world to beleue but the greatest mischief of

to the states in suche sorte as I shewed you in the last boke The ministers of the churche driuen out of the lande of Boheme the learned men that were in Meissen and in Wittemberge and amongest others MelaÌ„chthon comfort them with an epistle and shew the craft of the coÌ„trary part who affirmed that they kept a necessary order in the churche that those whiche either had not receiued orders at the Byshops hande or had wynes could not minister the Sacramentes For this cause of expulsion they fayned that they should not seme to haue a desire to oppresse the true doctrine but these men shewe how it is a starke tyraÌ„ny that maried priestes should be put from the holy ministery For SathaÌ„ was the authour of prohiting matrimony as it is euideÌ„t by the scriptures And that we ought not to seke to be ordeined of the byshops that are the open ennemies of the Gospell and defende idols but of that fellowship which hath pure doctrine therfore hath the keyes of the kingdome of heauen For it were to absurde dauÌ„gerouse if Shepeheardes should be ordeined of wolues The churche to haue had alwayes right to chouse mete ministers and that so was the decree of the counsell of Nice And they that were so chosen and tried to haue bene confirmed of them that gouerned Godly congregations The same maner to bee nowe also obserued and therfore that it is a sclaunder to saye that they disturbe or breake order Since therfore the matter is so and that for the true professing of the Gospell they be expulsed they ought to take this calamitie so muche more moderatly For God wyll not fayle them in his tyme And that they be ready with theyr next churches to shewe them all loue and hospitalitie Where the Frenche men at the Ides of DeceÌ„ber of the yeare before had by the conduit of Brissake taken Eporedia a towne in the Alpes by the water of Durie This yeare the third daye of Marche they intercept the town of Casale nere vnto the Poo wherin was a garrison of Spaniardes and Almaynes vpon the sodayne and with in a fewe dayes after the Castell also Afterwarde bringe many other thinges into their subiection And amongest others thei rase and make euen with the grouÌ„d Ualence and Saluadore The sixt day of Marche August Duke of Saxony Ioachim Marques of BrandeÌ„burg Princes Electours The sonnes also of Duke Iohn Fridericke the Lantgraue certen other Princes of thesame countrie assemble at Numburg vpon the Riuer of Sale there renew the league of inheritauÌ„ce whiche is betwixt the houses of Saxon BrandeÌ„burg Hessia as I shewed in the .xxiiii. boke also determine that they would sticke constantly to the coÌ„fession of Auspurg And least there should any suspicion arise of any new or secret couÌ„sell the fift day after that they came thether they signifie the cause of their assemble to the Emperour in wryting In the former yeare what time a compact was made betwene Augustus Iohn Fridericke Duke of Saxonie this was also agreed vpon yâ— the old familiar leage should be renewed To witte that league whiche was made an hondreth yeres since more after established by a lawe And therfore that they haue now met for the same cause as that league was profitable to their elders all the people so likewyse thei trusted that it shuld com theÌ„ luckely to passe since thei sought for nothing els but peace traÌ„quillitie did it to the displeasure of no man Moreouer that after the maner of their auÌ„cesters they haue excepted his highnes his brother king of Romains and as they intende priuatly to kepe mutual amitie amongest theÌ„ selues so wil they also openly doe that their dutie requireth which may become obedient Princes of thempire And that in Religion they wil not procede any further than is limited in the confession of Auspurg but for as much as in the same are coÌ„teined the chief articles of the Christian doctrine no wicked sedicious opinion can be found therin thei wil through Gods grace perseuer in thesame doctrine neither wil they fayle also the coÌ„mon welth of Germany so far forth as thei are able with their trauel counsel treasures And for as much as at this time being not moste quiet for the auoiding of a further discoÌ„moditie they abide at home they haue sent Ambassadours to thasseÌ„blee of thempire who haue in coÌ„maundemeÌ„t to refer al their counsels doings vnto peace so that neither for religioÌ„ nor any ciuile cause any force or violeÌ„ce should be feared For the peace once established it shal be an occasion that other coÌ„trouersies may be the better appeased That the state doubtles of the coÌ„mon welth now is such that it is great nede to ioine together all their forces mindes that a wyder entrie be not set open to the Turkes to inuade vs How they know wel enough howe greatly he desireth that so sone as may be a sufficieÌ„t army might be prepared to repres thennemies violence Wherfore now in case such a peace might be established ther is no doubt but the states of thempire wold gladly imploy their substaunce vpon the same war which verely hitherto by reason of sondry tumultes ciuile discordeshath bene omitted That they wil be alwaies ready haue coÌ„maunded their ambassadours to offer these thinges in their name at the counsel thesame day they write to king FerdinaÌ„do in a maner to the same effect as before I said the Duke August did by his Ambassadours For both they vrge yâ— same coÌ„pact of Passawe shew how desirous they are of peace Thei coÌ„mend the doctrine coÌ„fessed at Ausperge and exhort him to confirme the peace and also pray him that he wold geue no credit to such as haply seke to disturbe the quiet of Germany At the Ides of March the Archbishop of Mentz departed out of this life whom we saied to haue bene at the counsel of Trent after was put to flight by Marques Albert Whom Daniel BreÌ„del succedeth The. viii day after that byshop of Mentz which was the .xxiii. day of March dieth Pope Iuly the third Who for bicause he had so easely beyond al expectatioÌ„ recouered England was thought to haue coÌ„ceaued also a woÌ„derful hope of Germany And had therfor sent thither Cardinal Morone who the next day after that he was dead came to the couÌ„sell of thempire at Auspurg But with in eight daies after hearing newes therof the last day of March he departeth thence againe and with Truckesse Cardinal of Auspurg spedeth him to the ElectioÌ„ at Rome The Cardinals that wer at Rome not tarieng for the rest made hast the .ix. day of April proclaime Pope Marcellus the secoÌ„d of that name The same that was sent Ambassadour with Cardinal Farnese to the Emperour of Paul the third as I shewed you in the .xiii. boke The Cardinal of Auspurg a fewe

that betwene the Byshop and them there wyll be no great good wyll For where it is reason that according to the lawes of the foundation mete persones should gouerne and rule holy offices and if they do against those lawes or relinquishe their state that thaÌ„ their Collegers should remoue them and forsee that the same reuolting hurt but him alone Certenly their demaunde ought not to be refused Wherfore I exhorte you agayne and agayne that you contende no further herein For amonges other thinges you ought to consider how they do not prescribe vnto you what meane and waye is to be kept in gouerning of suche offices Colleges and benefices as to your selues you haue vsurped nor yet what is to be done with the ministers of churches of your dominions whiche breake the lawes set forth by you and neglecte their dutie For lyke as it should be greuously and euyll taken of you in case they would haue suche ministers as forsake and impugne your Religion of you to be reteyned So should it be muche more greuouse vnto theÌ„ if both the gouernment and possession of landes and goodes should be left vnto them whiche should both forsake and impugne their ReligioÌ„ For what other thing myght hereof be loked for but debate strife and contention The foundation therfore of the thinge that is nowe in hande to witte peace it selfe by this meane should be vtterly taken away The eight daye after they aunswere Howe it is not their intent to prescribe the clergie herein muche lesse that the holy gouernmentes should be brought to desolation or that their nature altered they should be made ciuile or prophane For we' ar not ignorauÌ„t say they that some part of the Empire consisteth in these matters and possessions whiche we couet not to deminishe or decaye but by al meanes to mainteyne them It would haue pleased vs right well that this question had neuer bene moued but to haue stande in the decrees of fourmer yeares made at Norinberge Regenspurg Spiers whiche include in the peace al the parteners of the coÌ„fession of Auspurge And at the first in dede the Ambassadours of the thre Archebyshops Electours did wittely consider this also But after when this doubte began to be moued of others they went vnto their syde They that first moued this question had peraduenture some cause so to doe but what hath insued therof nowe appereth For if this let had not chaunced by the way al the matter in our opinioÌ„ had now ben brought to a good ende But why we should not admitte that coÌ„dicion there wer Godly and weighty causes For euery man doeth easely perceiue howe muche it should be to the contempte and hinderaunce of our Religion if we should permitte that suche as imbrace the same should be displaced and depriued of all their honour dignitie and accompted in the nomber of heretikes What the first foundations of Colleges were and what vices haue crept in since we wyl here passe ouer in silence But we suppose that many of the same statutes be not against our Religion Again to assente that none of the ecclesiasticall state should be of that Religion whiche as the true Christen Religion we professe were doubtles no smal offence For by the same facte we should coÌ„demne it as wicked and vnworthy the state of pristes whiche ought chiefly to set forth Religion And seing it is thus moste mightie kyng we beseche you to waye these thinges in your mynde and for the authoritie that you haue of the Emperour you would suffer that part to be omitted But he maketh aunswere that nothynge more can be graunted them And sayeth moreouer that those thinges are nowe permitted them which of so many yeares could neuer be obteined Therfore let them haue consideration hereof for els shall they be fayne to departe without any thing finished Whiche if it so come to passe and any incoÌ„uenience arise therof there is no cause why the blame shuld be layde either in the Emperour or in him who so quietly patiently hath handled the matter and hitherto hath remayned Whiche nowe he can defer no longer Therfore he geueth them ten dayes that in the meane time they may wryte these thinges home to their Princes and make him a direct answer When the daye came these men for that they had omitted no diligence that al others were prouided for concerning religioÌ„ and for that they might not prescribe any measure herein to the king or Emperour doe assent especially since the king also released certen thinges as hereafter shal be shewed Therfore the seuenth Kalendes of October the decree made was red openly as the maner is to this effect For the doctrine of Protestauntes faith and Religion the Emperour king Ferdinando and the residue of Princes and states shall hurte no man of the whole Empire in any wyse neither shall they compell any man to forsake his Religion ceremonies and lawes whiche in their dominion the Protestauntes haue already ordeined or hereafter shall ordeyne by commaundemeÌ„tes or any other meane nor yet contemne the same But permitte them this Religion free and also their goodes faculties customes possession and rightes so that peaceably they may inioy them That the controuersie also of Religion be appeased by none other but by godly frendly and quiet meanes In like case shall they that be of the confession of Auspurg demeane them selues towardes the Emperour king Ferdinando and the rest of Princes and states addicte to the olde Religion as well sacred as ciuile towardes the whole state ecclesiastical and colleges of the same whether so euer they shal finally remoue to dwel so that their ministerie be well ordered as beneath shall be sayde To all these shal they permitte their Religion lawes and ceremonies possessions customes and all other rightes frely neither by any meane hinder but that they may quietly inioye them and what so euer displeasure or strife shall arise be determined on either syde after the custome lawes of the Empire That suche as be of neyther ReligioÌ„ be not comprysed in this peace If any Archebyshop Byshop Prelate or other ecclesiastical persone shall reuolte from the olde Religion he shall immediatly departe from his Byshoprike office benefice and also from all the prosites that he receiueth therof And it shall be lawfull and free for the College or those to whome the same thing shal by ryght or custome apperteyne to chose or substitute an other in his place whiche is of the olde Religion to the intent that the ryghtes of the foundation election presentation confirmation and such other like may remayne to them whole with the quiet possession of the goodes Yet so that nothinge hereby be taken away from the foresayde reconcilement of Religion that shal be And bicause diuerse states of the Empire and their progenitours haue taken to them certen ecclesiasticall gouernementes abbeies and suche other like goodes of the church haue disposed the same to the

Transiluania do reuolte from kinge Ferdinand Ferdinando also prorogeth the counsel of the Empire to a time vncerten and leuieth an army whiche he sendeth downe the riuer of Danubius into HoÌ„gary There is a town of Alsatia called Obereyne thre leages from Strasburg A certen citezen of that towne being a labourer about vines for penury want when his wyfe was absent the tenth daye of Aprill sleeth his thre children a daughter of seueÌ„ yeares a sonne of foure yeares olde and a sucking babe in the cradell not fully halfe a yeare olde That tyme there was a brute and reporte went of the secret conspiracie of the Pope his adherentes against the Protestauntes It increased this opinion for that there was no doubte but that the Pope toke moste displeasauntly the decre of the last yeare made at Auspurge wherby peace and libertie was graunted to ReligioÌ„ It is thought also that he sollicited the Emperour to make it frustrate For he sawe how many reuolted daily from his kingdome and vnderstande what they of Austriche and what the Bauarians went about Moreouer the Archebyshops of Mentz Treuers and Collon by occasion of the bathes met that tyme together Whiche was thought to be done not without cause King Ferdinando breaking vp his assemblees in Austriche goeth into Boheme and calling the countries there about to Prage against this iminent daunger demaundeth mony and hath it graunted Than sending letters to them whiche had bene now certen monethes at Regenspurg he excuseth his absence and bicause he must retourne to Uienna he appointeth the assemblee of the Empire the first of Iune After the departure of king Ferdinando the Lantgraue came in to Meissen was a certen tyme with Auguste Duke of Saxony The tenth day of May the Duke of Arescot being prisoner in castel Uincent not far from Paris escaped and came home safe The Cardinall of Auspurge who had taried a whole yeare at Rome when he being lately retourned froÌ„ thence had heard how sinistrally and many euill men spake and thought of him as though he should practise with the Pope priuie and perniciouse counselles for Germany he pourgeth him by an open wryting set forth in the vulgar tongue about th ende of May. And where as the last yeare sayth he after the death of Iulius the third I went to Rome as my dutie was to do and was present at the Election of him that now ruleth I had pourposed doubtles to haue retourned home into Germany with expedition but I was deteined of the Pope who went about than a reformation of the churche And chosing certen excellent men of all nations for the same purpose chose me also although vnmete for so weightie a matter bycause I was a Germane to be of that nomber But where the charge of my Byshoprike required my presence askyng leaue of the Byshop the day before the Ides of Aprill I retourned home Neuerthelesse although I haue so vsed my self both alwayes before and after also that I came to this kynde of lyfe that I now am in whiche I wold should be spoken without boasting that no shamefull matter can be truly obiected to me although I haue bene oft the couÌ„sellour and authour of peace not without my great losse and hinderaunce although the welth and dignitie of my countrie hath bene to me alwayes dere yet so sone as I came againe in to Germany I heard of great meÌ„ and worthy credit that were my frendes how in myne absence certen wrytynges were caste abroade whiche sounded to my dishonour as though I should not only at Rome with the Pope but also euery where through out Italy with secret diuises practise this that Germany namely the league fellowes of the confession of Auspurg shuld againe be vexed with a moste greuous warre And in the same wrytinges they alledged this to be the cause of this enterprise and fecret working that the Pope did greatly mislike the decre made the last yeare at Auspurg coÌ„cerning religion in so much that he perswaded the Emperour that he woulde abolishe the same that he had dispensed with him for his faith promesse herein that he had promysed him all the ayde and power that he could make to subdue Germany so that themperour againe would not fayle hym in recouering the ecclesiasticall iurisdiction in Germany that therfore he had made truce betwixt the Emperour and the Frenche kynge that bothe their Armies might be conuerted to this vse Thei added moreouer that this was written in the same libelle that no foreyne Soldiours should be leuied but only of Germaynes that the thing might the better be hidde Moreouer that the kyng of England wold hire eight thousande horsemen and be gouernour of the whole warre and that mounsters shoulde be take in sondry places Briefly that the whole matter shoulde be handled so circumspectly that all these powers should set forwarde together at one tyme and should inuade the Protestauntes vppon the soden than when many shall be from home at the counsel at Regenspurge Furthermore that both the Pope and the kyng of Englande sending Ambassadours to certen Prynces in Germany doe promyse them largely and that the Pope in dede prepareth a greate army of horsemen and fotemen to sende for ayde Furthermore that I should sclaunder Otto Henrick the Paulsgraue Christopher Duke of Wirtemberge and Albert Marques of Brandenburge as Heretickes and seditiouse and worthie to be driuen out of their countrie And should hyghly commende the Lantgraue in the Senate of Cardinalles for that he had forsaken his Religion and that Titell man one of the Ministers of his churche had reuoked his doctrine at Rome both by worde and wryting Now for as muche as this sclaunder toucheth not only the Pope and the Emperour but hurteth also my name and estimation And bycause it is the part of an honest man to defende both his owne and also the honour and innocencie of his Magistrate I must nedes aunswere to the same And to begynne with all it was surely very greuous and paynefull for me to heare that any were yet remayning and to be founde whiche contrary to the auncient vertue of Germany faythe and constancie doe geue their myndes to suche sclaundering and here to applie them selues that through moste wicked libelles and lewde talke they myght styre vp the Prynces of the Empyre against their hyghe Magistrate and set the Prynces together by the eares in a wycked warre How cruel troublesome and full of perill was the sclaunder diuised .xxviii. yeares past I suppose full many doe remember When kyng Ferdinando the Byshoppes of Mentz Salisburg Bamberge and Wirseburge the Prynce Electour of Brandenburge Lewys and William brethren Dukes of Bauier and George Duke of Saxony were sayd to haue conspired against Iohn Duke and Electour of Saxony and the Lantgraue where the matter was brought to that poinct that al thinges tended to a moste cruell ciuile warre Doubtles Princes ought to

in me I truste that for the vertue that is in them and true Nobilitie they wyll sooner geue credit not so muche to my saying as doyng whiche manifestly appereth and sheweth it selfe than to these sediciouse persones which as certen bellouse seke to reyse vp flame With what intier loue also and good will being absent Imbraced al Germaines for the remembraunce of the moste swete countrie that can both the Ambassadours of many Princes and many also of the Nobilitie declare whiche were than at Rome when I was of Mentz Treuers Collon Saxons of Brandenburg Maydenburge Bauarians of Brunswicke Passawe Osenburg Minden and of Basill For all these at once repared to me as a certen hauen and were faythfully holpen of me in their affayres and certen also through my labour and commendation haue ascheued offices and great promotions Now that same of the Lantgraue and of one Titelman what a fonde diuise is it For neyther had I euer any talke with the Lantgraue and his sonnes of that matter neyther can I remember that I spake one worde of it either at Rome or in Italy Much lesse can I tell what the Ministers of his dominion do teache or reuoke This in dede am I able to saye that to my knowledge there was no suche recantation made at Rome Therfore I doubte not but the Lantgraue when the matter shall so requyre wyll easely confute this same and the other also of my commendation Considering therfore that the artificers of so perniciouse libelles haue shamefully forged all thynges to the ende that the same fyre whiche many yeares since they had layde together myght nowe at the length burne and breake out all at ones it is nedefull that Princes and Magistrates take dilligent hede of them and when at the laste they shall be detected that they set suche an example as may make all others afrayde Finally in case there be any that haue conceaued any euyll opinion of me by reason of these sclaunders I earnestly praye them to laye it awaye and thynke assuredly that synce I am bothe a Germayne borne and come of a noble house I wyll doe nothinge vnworthy the vertue and Nobilitie of my auncesters When he had published this wrytinge the fifte Kalendes of Iune as before is sayde he wrote also priuatly to diuerse Princes to the same effecte and after went againe into Italy what tyme Bona the mother of Sigismunde kyng of Poole retourned home goyng to Naples In the meane season commotioÌ„s were in England many Gentle men for suspicion of conspiracie as it was sayde were cast in prison Wherof some were executed other some fled into Fraunce and amonges them Sir Androwe Dudley brother to the Duke of Northumberland There were two also taken out of my Lady Elizabeth her house At the Ides of May Sir Peter Carrowe who for an insurrectioÌ„ had fled certen monethes before reconciled to king Philip and Sir Iohn Cheke whiche was king Edwardes scholemaister retourning out of Germany into Brabant to fetche his wyfe as they were going from Brusselles to Andwarpe by the coÌ„maundement of king Philip being apprehendetd are caried to London Aboute the ende of Iune not far from London there were .xiii. burnt together at one stake for Religion In the meane tyme Charles Marques of Baden receiueth the doctrine of the Gospel and of his neighbours borroweth ministers to refourme order his churches Before this also had the Senate of Spire taken a preacher or two of the Gospell Maximilian the eldest sonne of king Ferdinando with his wife the Emperours daughter departing froÌ„ Uienne the. xvii day of Iuly came to Brusselles where he had bene long and much desirous to take that iourney Peter Martyr a Florentine of whome we haue spoken before what tyme the dissention about the Lordes supper was kindled againe he in certen bokes was touched by name weÌ„t from Strasburg to Zurick that he might handle that matter frely both in teaching and writing That time Conrade Pellicane died at Zurick And therfore the Senate being requested by the ministers of the churche wryting their letters to the Senate of Strasburg praye earnestly that he might be sent them So he departeth at the third Ides of Iuly not without the sighing grief of many whiche loued him for his incomparable learning his moste exacte iudgement his great gentlenes and modestie and his other vertues At the same time the Archebyshop of Pise Cardinall borne in Sicilie passing by Basil went to themperour at Brusselles being sent froÌ„ the Pope where a litle before Cardinal Caraffa the Popes cosin was come to the kyng of Fraunce A reporte had bene and that written that there was moste heinous displeasure betwixt the Pope themperour that the matter tended vtterly to war For amonges other thinges the Pope had taken from the house of Columnois al their possessions in Italy Whiche thing in dede semed to apperteine to the iniury of the Emperour Again it was said how he would not inueste kyng Philip his sonne in the possession of Sicilie and Naples propounding ouer hard condicions for those kingdomes paye tribute to the Byshop of Rome and depende vpon his benefite At the Ides of Iuly Albert Duke of Bauier in the name of king Ferdinando beginneth the counsel at Regensburg declareth that he is occupied with holding assemblees in Austriche and Boheme so that he could not come hither hym selfe at the time appointed and sheweth why he can not be present yet neither For by meanes of Peter Petrouice the kynges cliente who had desired ayde of the Turke all the couÌ„trie of Transyluania when no necessitie vrged them when they had no iust cause reuolted from the king to the sonne of Iohn Uayuode After that Fraunces Beuecke and George his sonne making a rebellion in Hongary haue by the helpe the aide of the WalachiaÌ„s taken certen townes and castels Againe that the Turke hath lately sent a gouernour to Offen And that an other also what time they treated of the truce beseged the towne and castell of Zegeste the .xi. day of Iune and began to batter it sore Moreouer to be signified by the letters and messages of many that the gouernour of Bosnia leuieth an exceading great army to inuade Slauonia And also that the president of Grene gathereth no small power at the citie of Sophie intending to marche forward and that the Emperour of Turkes him selfe wyll in haruest next come in to Hongary and wynter there or if he defer it to the next spring that he wil come than with a strong army to wyn Uienne by sege For these causes therfore the kyng can not at this time leaue his countries but is wholy busied occupied in making preparation to resiste And for as much as it is not for the profit of the coÌ„mon wealth to differ the couÌ„sel any loÌ„ger therfore hath he appointed him to begin the treaty and to procede till he may come

haue nowe declared and of others that wryte stories But when I speake of Historiographers I meane not those of our time which study only to extoll and highly commend what part they list and ouerwhelme thother with contumelious and railynge wordes They that are of such sort be not worthy to be so called Ihon Cocles .vi. yeares past setforthe Commentaries in a manner of the same argument that mine are but all thynges are heaped vp with such horrible forged and abhominable sclaunders and lyes as haue not bene hard Cardinall Poole in the boke lately setforthe calleth the Doctrine renewed in Germany Turkishe seede Of suche lyke wordes are al theyr bokes full But what like thing is found in all my woorke I haue verely wrytten the wonderfull benefite of God geuen eo thys our time orderly and as truely as I could possible and for the same purpose I gathered .xvi. yeares since what soeuer belonged herunto neither haue I wrytten rashlye but with a sure iudgemente proceaded And what labour and paines this worke hath cost me nexte the liuing God I know For his glory haue I chiefly regarded and leauing the practise of the law I haue applied in a maner all my study herevnto and verely I must confesse that throughe Gods motion I haue ben after a sort drawen vnto this labour And nowe where diuers requite me so vnworthye thanckes for my so greate trauell and paines I wil coÌ„mit to him whose cause chiefly I toke it in haÌ„d for I know vndoubtedly that I haue offred vp vnto him a most acceptable sacrifice with the same verely good conscience I comfort and sustain my self especially seing that my labor is commended of learned men whiche bothe geue me thanckes and confesse also that they haue receiued much frute therby Wherefore I desire all louers of the veritye that they wold geue no credit to the sclander of a few certen meÌ„ but wold gentelly accept my labors faith and dilligence nether conceiue any sinistre opinion of me Furthermore I protest that I do acknowledge the Emperour and king of Romaines for the high Magistrate whome God hath ordained and to whom in al things that be not against God we ought to obey as Christ and thapostles teach FINIS Â¶ A Table containing all the Principall matters in this Boke A A Counsel promised 92 An Apology deliuered but not receiued eodem A beastly cruelty 104 A blasing starre 109 A consecrating of Cardinals 113 Andrew Gritie duke of Uenise 117 A boke of Romish Marchauntes 118 A straunge chaunge eodem Alteration in England for Reli. 125 A Prophet inspired 129 A new king of Anabaptistes 131 A boke of the misteries of the scrip 133 A blinde asse 134 A counsel called 147 An oration against the french king eo A reformation of Collon 141 A sword hallowed 142 A wryting of Auspurge 143 Athanasius Arius and Liberius 148 A propre saying of Ciprian 153 A priestes sonne not enioy his Fathers benefice 155 Auarice and concupiscence let couÌ„ 156 Annas Momorancy made Constable of Fraunce 157 A gentleman of Tolowse burnt 158 Andrew de Aury saluteth the king 159 A colledge erected at strasborough 160 A league of the Papistes againste the protestauntes 173 Ambassadors sent to Henry brother to George duke of Saron 176 A Friers wede maketh the deuell a. 177 An assembly at Smalcald 169 A wryting exhibited by the deuines eo A confutation of the .vi. articles 171 An oration of a yong Cardinal 172 A priuy hatred of the french king eod An exceading hot sommer 174 A disputation betwixt Eckius and Melanchthon 176 A great assemble at Regenspurge eo A mean to get mony by pardons 177 A most costly stole or Paile eodem A wollen halter to straÌ„gle the pope 178 A boke presented to the collotors 179 A great tempest destroid his ships 184 An assemble at Spires 186 A soden fear in the french court 88 An army against the Turke eodem Any pleasaunt life is not to be eodem A consolation of the prisoners eodem A counsel called at Trent 198 An assembly at Norinberge 163 Ambassadors to the duke of Saxon the Lantzgraue 194 A rebellion at Rochelle 197 A supplication of the protestaunts 194 A boke called Antididagma 201 An assemble at Spire 202 A league of themperor and the king of England against the french king 203 A boke of Caluine against Sorbo 204 A boke of the relikes of saints eodem A false report of themperors death eo A great assemble of Spiere 206 A straunge tale of the duke of BruÌ„ 209 An image buried in the stede of Eue. 209 A decre for religion 212 A peace concluded betwixte themperor and Fraunce 314 An ambassade said to the king 216 A Commention of deuines at Mil. 217 An assembly at Wormes 218 A lamentable departing 219 A soldsoure geueth the Merundo 220 A cruell fact of Miners eodem A terrible example of cruelty eodem A captain defendeth the women eodeÌ„ A sharp answer of the king eodem A frere obseruant stirreth themperour to warre 221 A skirmish betwixt the Duke 225 A conflict betwixt the Duke eodem A league of them of Strasborow Zuricke and Bernes 85 A confutation of the Protestantes 88 A confession of the Zwinglians 88 A story of the king of Fraunce 101 A controuersy of the bishoppe of Bantberge with the Marques of Brandenburge 103 A bishops office 111 An assemble at Regenspurge 73 An assembly at Spires 79 A treatise of peace betwixt Fraunce England 227 A brute of warre againste the Protestauntes 228 Ambassadors to themperor for tharchbishop of Collon 230 A decre of the Sinode read 231 Alphonse Diaze commeth into Germany 234. Alphonse returneth to Nuburge to kill his brother eodem A communicatioÌ„ of the Lantzgraue others 237 A diuision amonges thelectors 241 A statute of Trent 243 A decre of originall sinne eodem An aunswer of them of Strasborough to themperor eodem An heape of euils of ciuel war 244 A league betwixt the Pope and themperor 246 A preatence of mouinge war 247 Albert of Brunswicke hurt 265 Alteration in Sauoy 266 A warlike pollicy of themperor 267 An other pollicy of themperor eodem Aucthoritye can not beare equallitye 271 A decre of the counsel at Trent of iustification 276 A Dolphe substituted to Hermon archbishop of Collon 277 Alteration of Religion 278 Alteration in the Courte of Fraunce 282 A pergidu of the sonne 285 An assembly of the Empyre at vrmes 286 An assemble at Auspurge 291 An holy boxe sent downe from heauen you may be sure eodem A conspiraty against the Popes sonne 294 A reformation of Religion in EnglaÌ„d 297 Albert receiued into the tuition of the king of Pole 3021 A disordained ordre of knightes 303 A composition of peace 305 A counsel called at Trent twise 309 An euil compiled booke ofte corrected 314 Ambrosa Blaurer the chiefest minister of the church 324 At Strausburge the Consull of th ã€ˆâ€¦ã€‰ riâ— eodem Augustus married a wife 327 A

Commotion in Kent 430 Cardinall Pole arriueth in England 438 Controuersy for the dominioÌ„ of Chatz 452 Cinistre suspition spread of the Cardinal of Auspurge 456 Commotions in England for suspition of a spiratie 469 Cardinals sent from the pope to themperor and Freuch king eodem Counsel begon at Regenspurg 470 Cause why Luther was not punished 41. Complaintes of them of Zurick 51 Cause of them hatred eodem Constancy of them of Zurick 52 Confession of the Protestauntes 88 Conspiraty of the Papistes against the Protestauntes 93 Complaint of the Pope to the kinge of Pole 97 Common wealth hath neade of manye remeadies 102 ContentioÌ„ betwene Erasmus and Luther 114 Clement the seuenth dieth 117 Counsel of Constaunce 149 Counsel of Myllen broken of 152 Craft of Popes eodem Cardinall Montaine striken with a fury 300 Cruel actes of Marques Albert. 434 D DUke Fredericke his wisdome 2 Disputation at Lipsia 18 Dissention betwixte Leo and hys Cardinals 38 Decrees of Pius and Iulius 23 Dyssentyon at Basill for Relygyon 80 Daunger of the Turke 85 Duke Ulrich expulsed out of his countrey 113 Disputation with the king of Anabaptistes 136 Duke George of Saxon dieth 176 Doctor barnes burnte in Smithfielde 174 Dure the chiefest Towne in those partes is taken 196 Depensius driuen to recant 20 Duke of Moris maketh lawes for the ministers of the church 202 Duke Moris foundeth three Scholes eodem Duke Moris is beneficiall to the vniuersity of Lipsia eodem Dissention in Scotland 205 Duke Moris serued themperor at Landerssy 206 Duke Moris intreateth a peace 405 Duke Henry and his Sonne yeld them selues eodem Diaze goeth to Maluenda Duke of Saxon and the Lantzgraue prepareth to warre Duke Frederick chosen Emperor Donauerde taken Donauerde rendred 265 Duke Maurice consulteth agaynste the Potestauntes 266 Duke Maurice letters to the Electour 269 Duke Maurice blamed of all men 270 Duke Maurice Excuses eodem Duke Maurice nothing couetous eod Duke Maurice followeth Doeg 275 Duke Ericke discomfited 287 Duke Maurice and the elector of BraÌ„denburge intreat for the Lantgraue eodem Duke Maurice letters to the Lantgraue eodem Duke Maurice intreateth liberallye to the deuines of Wittemberge 291 Duke of Placence depryued Hierom. 294 Daughter of Nauarre married to the duke of Uandome 321 Duke Henry besiegeth the city of BruÌ„swicke 348 Dracutus an archpirate 348 Duke Maurice general of the war 351 Duke Maurice besiegeth Maidenburg 352 Duke Maurice letters to the Emperoure 363 Duke Morice seaseth vpon the dominion of Chatz 370 Duke Morice entendeth to warre vpon themperor 373 Discipline amongst the fathers 374 Duke Maurice feared of themperours 380 Duke Maurice ambassadoure sente away 381 Duke Maurice letters to hys ambassadours 384 Duke Maurice taketh Auspurge by coÌ„position 388 Diuers minds in the counsel of Trent 389 Duke Moris goeth to the field 395 Duke Moris letters to the king 399 Duke Moris nie slaine 40 Duke Moris weary of delaies 47 Duke Moris reburneth his fellowes 48 Duke Moris admitteth peace 410 Duke de Anmalle taken Prysonner 44 Duke Morleague wyth the Duke of Brunswicke 420 Duke Maurice wan the field and loste his life 422 Duke Henry of Brunswicke marrieth a wife 465 Duke Frederickes answer 26 Deuines of Paris condempn Luthers bokes 32 Duke of Saxon and the Lantzgraue prepare them to warre 78 Duke of Saxon Marshall of the Empyre 90 Duke of Saxon letters to the Prynces 98 Duke of Saxon and the Lantzgraue wryte to the French king 166 Death of the french king 282 Daughter of Scotland affiansed to the king of England 308 Death of Sigismund king of pole 305 Duke of Swaybrige molested for Religion 332 Death of Pope Paule the thyrd 336 Disputation at Baden 71 Decre for religion 70 Decre of the duke of Loraine 50 Disputation at Zuricke 44 Decre of the Swices 45 Daniel expounded how 89 Deluge at Rome and in Seland 94 Dombe sprite walking 114 Dukes Confession of the duke of Wittemberge 386 E ECkius boke against Luther 2 Erasmus iudgemente of Luther 16 Eneas Siluius 23 Erkius to Luther 28 Erasmus boke of fre wll 50 Eckius the Popes champion 52 England hath title to Fraunce 74 Erasmus boke against Gospellers 83 Erasmus wryteth to Campeius 90 English Bibles Printed at Parys 160 Ebleb a noble Gentleman dyeth for sorow 29 Execution done in the frenche kynges syght 335 Erle Hedecke frende to them of Maydenburge 361 Erenberge taken away 40 Ecclesiasticall lawes in England 432 England is tourned to her vomyt 439 Emperour sendeth for Luther 28 Emperour wryteth to Luther eodem Emperours letters to the Princes of Germany 65 Ende of the Papistes dectrine 67 Emperoure marrieth a wife 71 Exhortation of the Lantzgrane 57 Excuse of some to the Protestauntes 94. Emperor of necessity graunteth peace to Germany 108 Emperoure goeth into Italy 109 Erroures of the Anabaptist 133 Erroures of the MuÌ„sterians in fayth 135 English ambassadors winter at Wittenberge 139 Emperoure inuadeth the frenche prouince 140 Erasmus death eodem Emperour French king and the pope mete at Nice 59 Emperors and French kings ambassador to the Uenerians 168 Emperors priuate wryting for the protestauntes 183 Emperors letters to them of Collon 203 Emperors answer to the pope 195 Emperors letters to the states of Boheme 283 Emperors soÌ„ne commeth into Flaunders and he is receiued at Millan 330 F FRaunce and Germany were vnited 12 Frederick the Paulsgraue sent into Spain 14 Flatterers must be eschued 18 Fraunce is offred to the spoiles 19 Feare for the host 47 Feare in Muncers camp 57 Faith ought not to wauer 65 Faber driuen out of Paris 66 Fardinando forsaking king Lewes 77 Fardinandoes title to Hongary eo Fraunces Sfortia reforced to the dukedom of Millan 83 Florence rendred 90 Florence loseth her liberty eodem Fardinando proclaimed Kinge of Romaines 98 Frances Sfortia marrieth the Emperors Niece 117 Folish pity marreth the city 122 Fredericke forsaketh the bishoppricke 128 From the horse to the asse 130 Franckfurt receiued into the league 139 False doctrine is not to be born wyth 151 Fardinando his army destroyed 154 Fardinandoes request 173 Fiers in Saxony 174 Fardinando besieged Buda 184 FardinaÌ„do defeateth the request of his nobles 186 Frances Lander coÌ„mitted to Pryson his weaknes and recantation 200 Few Spaniardes loue the Gospel 233 Friers be disturbers of peace 236 Friers are vile in life and learnynge 237 Feare in themperors campe 259 Force ought not to be vsed in Religyon 260 Fraunce denied to aid Protestauntes 264 Fardinando Sebastian deputye proclaimeth war to Saxony 269 Fardinando to the Bohemera 283 Fardinando ambassadour to the Bohemers 284 FardinaÌ„do goth which his army to Proge 291 Freight with others caried to prisone 325 Frances Spiera dispaired 327 Fraunces Spiera his recantation his death in despair with comfort 328 Forces bent against Maidenburge 350 Folish ceremonies 358 Fiue of them studentes of Lossaunce french men borne 424 Fiue condempned at London for the Gospel 440 For Churche goodes all coutrouersyes are taken away 461 Fraunce

fraunce and germany 123 Originall of the Annabaptistes 127 Oration of the Popes Legates 231 Oration of Themperours Ambassadours 240 OccatioÌ„ of taking theÌ„perours losse 267 Oration of the kinge of Poles ambassadour 301 Originall of this order of knight 303 OratioÌ„ of the Princes ambassadors to theÌ„perour theÌ„perours aunswer 377 Oration of the FreÌ„ch ambassador 404 P PRinces of necessitie must reforme Rome 3 Popes vnder the Councell 7 Pope Iohn is deposid 8 Pope Prius wishe 18 Picus Myrandula 19 Pope Leo his bull 23 Priestes maried wyues 44 Popes subiect to themperour 25 Pope Clement sendeth Campeius to duke Frederike 45 Phifer compagnion to muncer 55 Phyfers entreprise 56 Preachers ought to be circumspect 59 Prayers for the dead ar superfluous 75 Paccius beheadid 78 Prayers mixed with threateninges 92 Poore Luther maketh many men 95 PersecutioÌ„ against the Lutherians 115 Paule was craftier then Clement 117 Persecution in France 118 Pope Iohn a woman 119 Proude Marchantes 115 Popes condempned for heresy 121 PaphuÌ„tius perswadeth the priestes 124 Peter wirteÌ„ began to preach again 129 Perome besieged 141 Popes haue emperors insubiectioÌ„ 149 Pope paule euell reported 154 Presidentes of the Councell 158 Preaching forbidden 173 Perswasions to warre against the Turke 187 Perpiguian besieged 192 Peace is disceptfull 196 Psalmes translated by Marot 201 Philip created king of Spaine 202 Pillugius bishop of Numburg amoÌ„ges the presidentes 230 Preaching frees 231 Peace betwixt FrauÌ„ce England 246 Peter strosse disceaued the protest 265 Penstellens in Emperors campe 267 Persecution in Fraunce 270 Paulus Fagius a man learned and ã€ˆâ—Šã€‰ loquent 273 Part of the counsell of Trent flit to Bonomie 283 Peter Alois the popes sonne slaine 294 Peter martyr goeth into England 297 Prusse belongeth to Pole 303 Prusse belongeth to themperour 305 Paule geuen to astrology and coniuration 340 Paules ioye in bayne 342 ProclamatioÌ„s against lutheranes 345 Pope Iuly somoneth a counsell 351 Pardons graunted by the Popes legat 385 Pestilence and fiering at Paris 427 Paule the fourth made Pope 450 Port hercules taken by thimperialles 452 Plinabine besieged of Turkes 452 Peter martir goeth to Zurick 469 Papistes in Swicerland made league with king Ferdnando 80 Protestantes assemble at Norunberg 86 Protestantes accused of Sedition 93 Practise of Prelates 117 Practise of the French men 144 Popes ambassadour dispised 147 Popes errours and autority 148 Paule the thirdes crafte 149 Preachers of the gospell brought godly workes to light 150 Popes accused of Idolatry 151 Pope would bie Millian 201 Princes letters to the Pope 208 Popes letters to themperour 215 Pope most desirous of warre 221 Pope cite the Archbishop of Collon 223 Popes letters to the Swisses 247 Protestauntes Ambassadours to the Swissers 247 Protestauntes accused of treason 253 ProtestauÌ„tes letters to Iohn marques of Brandenburg 251 Protestauntes aunswer to the table of out lawery 260 Purgations of the Cardinall of Auspurge against suspicions 467 Pope had no coÌ„sideration with themperour against religioÌ„ or the liberty of Germany 468 Q QUene Anne loueth the gospell 113 Questions moued to a dombe spirite 115 Quene Marie affiaunced to the emperours sonne 430 Questions of zuinglius 39 Quene of Hungary made regent of flaunders 101 Quene of Anabaptistes behedid 133 Quene Katherine dieth 137 Quene Anne dieth lamentably 140 Quene of Scottes dieth 153 Quene Maries oration to the comons in yelde Hall 430 R ROme the seat of Antichrist 3 Reweline a diuine 19 Reweline dieth 37 Reliques of the holy gost 45 Rome is the treasure house of the hole world 72 Rome is Sacked 74 Religion reformed 76 Religiou reformid at Geneua 76 Rochester and more beheadid 121 Rochester made cardinal in the towre 121 Rotman a Preacher at Munster 127 Rotman became an Anabaptist 128 Rotman desperate 136 Reasons why the protest refuse the counsell 149 Rebellion in Gelderlande 154 Rebellion of Gaunt 168 Rebellion at Genes against the house of Aurice 276 Robert of a Brince wrote against the interim 322 Rewardes for promoters 346 Reseruations graces expectatiue 365 Reformation of the papiste 390 Rebellion in duke Moris campe 40 Renold Poole Cardinall 429 Ridley Latimer burnt in englaÌ„d 454 Rage of Antichrist 125 Requestes of the princes to the king 398 S SIlens of the bishop of Mentz 1 Siluester prierias his dialogue 2 Siluester prierias themes 2 Scripture and the old writers only are to be allowed 2 Siluester prierias his second aunswer to Luther 2 Shiftes of the Popes 19 Sute betwixt the bushoppe and Swissers vanquished 11 Senate of Strasburg 48 Supper of oure Lorde vnder bothe kindes 18 Sundry plages in Germany 83 Scripture is the touch stone of all doctrine 91 Spirites in the popish kingdome 115 Selling of benetices 119 St. Geneu ã€ˆâ€¦ã€‰ a the goddes of Paris 120 Sedition in Munster 131 Symony raigneth in the Church 157 Symony must be taken awaye 181 Syr Henry Kneuet 185 Strife about the Bisshoprick of Numburge 186 Sebastian Scertiline a maÌ„ of war 228 Spedius a blabbe 240 Sherteline retyreth 252 Siluer mines comon to the Dukes of Saxon. 266 Scertiline departeth from the prot 267 Sedition at Naples for the Spanish in quisition 291 So I will and do commaunde 303 Sinne against the holy gost 315 Strasborough rue the Interim 326 Strasburgh writeth letter to themperour 331 Skirmishes of the princes with the emperiall 400 Syr Richard Morisme Ambassadour of Englande 403 Serueto a Spanyarde burnt at Geneua 428 Sibylle Duchesse of Saxon depar 431 Sanslorian and Carmillus lead to prison 453 Syr Peter Carrow sir Iohn Chick taken prisoners 469 Swisses made a legue with the french Kinge 32 Solempne buriyng in Fraunce 114 Sfortia Duke of Millane dieth 121 Supper of the Lord vnder both kindes 124 Spoyling and burninges of Marques Albert. 416 T THomas of Aquine Albertus magnus Scolar 3 Thomas of Aquine a Saint eod Thomas of Aquine giueth auctoritie to the Pope eodem Thomas of Aquine died eodem Treaty of warre against the turke eod The popes letters to the Duke of saxoÌ„ 4 The popes letters to Gabriell Uene 5 The vniuersitie of Wittenberge wryteth for Luther to the Pope 5 The well spring of pardons 7 The Dukes letters to the Card. 8 The vniuersitie of WitteÌ„berg writeth for luther to the duke of Saxon. 9 The pope sendeth a golden Rose to the Duke of Saxon. 10 Themperour Rafe 13 The Duke of Saxon refuseth theÌ„p 14 The birth of themperour 14 The court of Rome is vncurable 17 The part of a true friende 18 The story of Rewcline 20 The Sacramentes 24 The maner of the Coronation 24 TheÌ„perour calleth a counsell imper 25 The lawe of pope Clement 25 The court of Rome an Fraunce 26 The Duke of Saxon incensed against Luther 26 The Bull of Cursing 28 The Constancy of Luther 28 The pope and the couÌ„sell maie erre 30 Treuers other princes threten lut 30 The offence of faith and maners 31 The Counsell of Constance 32 Three Popes deposid 32 Thyrtene townes of Swissers

emperour 324 The Constancie of the ministers 325 The Duke of Saxon and the LaÌ„tgraue led awaye prisoners 325 The reformation of the Chamb. 326 They of Constaunce geue them selues to the house of Austrich 326 The slaughter that was at Burdour 327 The abhominable filthines of an archbushoppe 329 The inheritor of Scotland led into Fraunce 330 They of Madenburge are made a praye for their godlines 331 Trouble in Englande eodem The Admirall of england beheaded 331 Thomas Crammer a furtherer of learning and Codlines 331 The duke of Swaybrig plaine trouth 332 The Interim confuted by them of Bubeck and others 333 The force of Hohwater eodem The popes legates to themperour 334 The Pope graunted licence to eate fleshe 335 The Archbishop of Metz to the counsellors of the Lantgraue eodem The Godly auÌ„swer of the preachers eod The king commaundeth to go on presession eodem The French king stealeth fortes 337 The Senate of Strausburge do compound with their Bishop eodem The perill of feare of them of Maydenburge eodem The Purgation of them of Maydenburge eodem The cause why them of Maydenburge cannot gette their pardon eodem The sayng of goodnes the. 338 They betray the trouth that hold it in Silence eodem The moÌ„struous lechery of the pope 339 The Popes rauening eodem The Pope sister a whore made her brother a Cardinall eodem The mayseres of ceremonis 340 The custody of the conclaue eodem The orders of the Cardinall eodem The maner to chuse the pope 341 The factions of the Cardinall eodem The cause why pole was not pope eod The yeare of Iubiley eodem The protectour of England 343 The Frenche kinges proclamation against Lutheranes eodem The opening of the Golden gate eod Themperiours letters to the states of th empyre 344 The cleargye of Strausburge renueth their ministers 345 The talcke of faith is forbidden 346 The death of the cardinall of Loraine 347 The Archbushop of Collon entreth the City with Pompe 347 The Protestation of the Duke Moris against the Counsell 348 The knauery of Spanierdes eodem The death of Granuellan eodem The taking of the Ciue of Africa eod The ouerthrow of the Maiden Burgians 349 The princes letters to them of Mayden burge 349 The Proclamation for religion mutigated 349 The answer of the Maydenburgians 350 The death of viriche Duke of WirieÌ„b 351 The causes that the decree is not obserued eodem They repare to trent before condemned 352 Themperours Proclamation agaynst them of Maydenburge eodem The Lantgraues Sonnes sue for theyr father eodem The Lantzgraues purpose of sliyng bewrayed eodem The issuyng out victory of the Maydenburgians 353 The duke of Megelb takeÌ„ prisoner 353 They of Maydenburge are moued to render eodem The Actes agaynst the Clergy 354 The slaughter of the Citizens 355 The answer of the Citizens 356 The prayse of great Otto 358 The duke of Pruisse addicte to OuÌ„ 359 The decree of Auspurge 359 The death of Bucer 360 The pope accuseth Octauian far 360 The counsell at Trent is solde 361 The warre of Parma betwixt themperour and the French king eodem The Frenche Kinges excuse to the Pope eodem The fierse minde of the Pope 362 The confession of duke Moris by Melanthon eodem The humanity of the Duke of Wittemberge towarde Brentius eodem The burnt child the fire dreades 363 The Constancy of the Prelates 363 The Preachers exiled 364 The French king warieth vpon themperour 364 The Counsell renued at Trent 365 The French kinges letters to the. 365 The Some of Mony that is caried to Rome 366 The vniuersitie of paris appeleth from the Pope eodem The arrogantie of Pope Boniface against the king of Fraunce eodem Twelue archbishoprikes in frauÌ„ce eod Theames geuen to the diumes 367 The order of speaking eodem The maner of making the Articles of the faith eodem The maner of making the decrees eod The holy gost at the popes coÌ„maundement 368 The Frenche kinges writing against the Pope eodem The wiked lustes of the Pope eodem The cause of dissentioÌ„ betwixt the pope and themperour 369 The safe counded of the fathers at 370 The Marques of Brandenburge mocketh the Counsell eodem The duke of somerset appreheÌ„ded eod The Counsell writeth to the Frenche king 371 The FreÌ„ch king disswadeth the Swisses from the Counsell eodem The land of Wittenburge deliuered of Spanyerdes eodem The ambassadour of Wittenburge to the Counsell 372 The pacification of Maydenburge eod The noble same and constancy of Maydenburge eodem The Pope created xiii Cardinalles 373 The amba of witteÌ„berg deliuered 374 The amb of Duke Mauri ã€ˆâ€¦ã€‰ he Marques of Brandenb to themper 374 Their oration 375 The Lantzgraue kept prisoner against the league 375 The Lantzgraue biddeÌ„ to Supper and kept prisoner 376 The names of the Princes that intreat for the Lantzgraue 377 The Lantzgraues Sonne cometh to Duke Morice 377 The rayling of Cropper 378 Themperours letters to the Bushoppe electors 378 Their is craft in daubing 379 The ambassador of duke Maurice come to the Counsell 380 The Duke of Somerset beheaded 381 The saufeconduct altered 382 The fraukespeache of Duke Maurice Ambassadour to the fathers 383 Thambassador of the prot deluded ideÌ„ The diuines come to Norinberge 384 The bitternesse of Frere Pelarge against the Protestantes eodem The diuines of Wittenburge 386 ThaÌ„bassodours of Strasburg det 387 The blasphemio of a gray Frere 388 The requestes of the Protestauntes diuines eodem The Fathers flie from Trent 389 The answere of the Protestantes Ambassadour eodem The churche cannot erre 390 The Counsell of Basell purer then Trent eodem The last session of the Counsell eodem The French Kynge hath peace with the Pope eodem Th ende of the counsell of Trent eodeÌ„ The death of the Popes Legate eodem The seconde cause of warre 392 The Lantzgraue deteined prisoner against fidelitie eodem The thirde cause eodem The heauie burthens of Germany 393 The storie of Lewes Auila of the Protestauntes warre eodem The Frenche kynges letters 394 The armes of libertie 395 The prince of Salerne reuolteth from the Emperour 396 The FreÌ„che king subdneth Lorain eod The cardinall betraied the cites eodeÌ„ The pledges of FrauÌ„ce German 397 The couÌ„try of Oto HeÌ„ry recouered â—deÌ„ The Iudges of the chamb flie eodem The Conestable chideth with theim of Strasburge 398 The kinges answer to the princes 399 The sute of the Suises to the king eodeÌ„ TheÌ„perour flieth awaie by night 400 The duke of Saxon set at libertie eodeÌ„ The Emperours stuffe spoiled eodem The Princes restore the ministers of the churche eodem The Marques Albertus armie 401 The Frenche kyng destroieth the Emperours countrie 403 The assemble at passaue eodem The coÌ„plaint of the princes elector 403 The affinitie of Frenchmen and. 404 The libertie of Germanie restored by the power of Fraunce 405 The waie opened for the Prince of Spaine to be Emperour eodem The princes aunswere his oracioÌ„ eodeÌ„ The

house of Lucenburg 406 The battaile of Cressie eodem The Frenche kynges aunswere to the intercessours 407 Themp. letters to thintercessours 408 Their aunswere to themperour eodeÌ„ The Ambassadours commentaries intercepted 409 The aunswere of Strausburge 410 The death of Bernard Archebishop of Colon. 412 The duke of Saxon goeth home to his owne house eodem The Emperour goeth with his armie toward Loraine 413 TheÌ„perorentreth into Strasburg eod The spoyle of the souldiours eodem The death of Caspar Hedio and Andrewe Osiander eodem The Emperour besiegeth Metz. eodem The batterie of Metz. 414 The Duke of Brunswik driuen out of his countrie eodem The duke of Guise defended Metz. eod The Frenche kinges writyng against the Emperour 415 The Emperours letters of aunswere to Marques Albert. eodem The armes of Electourship eodem The Cardinall Lenoncourtes ambicion eodem The father and the sonnes contend for inheritaunce 417 Terwen raced eodem The Ladie Iane of Suffolke maried Guilford Dudley 418 The Marques maketh war i Sar. eodeÌ„ The spoilyng of Albert. 419 The complainte of Duke Moris vpon Marques Albert. eodem The marques answer to duke Mo. 420 The Bishop in his absence inuade his countrie 421 The great crueltie of marques Al. eode The death of good kyng Edward eodeÌ„ The vertues of Edward the sixt eodem The wonders before Duke Maurice death 422 The death of Orace Fernese eodem The blasphemie of the lieutenanÌ„t 424 The ladle Iane. eodem The lady Mary proclaimed quene eodeÌ„ The Duke of Northumberlande condempned 425 Thomas Palmer knighte professeth the doctrine of the Gospell eodem The constancie of the Archebishopp of Cantorburse eodem The bishops caried to prison 426 The Popishe religion restored in Englande eodem The Turkishe naute taketh the Iland of Corsica 427 The FreÌ„che king atteÌ„pteth Cam. codeÌ„ The bloode of Innocentes gainfull to many 428 The Duke of Brunswickes letters to the Duke of Saxon. eodem The Duke of Brunswicke is reconciled to the duke of Saxon. eodem The Turke hanged his sonne Mustapha 429 The Archebishop of Cantorburie and others condempned eodem The Godlie lawes of good kynge Edward repealed 430 The duke of Norffolke forsaken of his menne eodem The duke of Suffolke 431 The Ladie Iane and her husbande beheaded eodem The duke of Suffolke beheaded eodem The godly ende of IhoÌ„ Frederick codeÌ„ The godlines of his wife 432 The Lady Elizabeth committed to the Towre eodem The slege of Senes eodem The death of Wiat eodem Thassemble of Auspurge 433 The death of Char. duke of Sanot 436 The letters of king Ferdinando to his subiectes of the lordes Supper eodeÌ„ The states make aunswere to the kinges letters eodem The Abbot of Newstat accused of Hereste eodem The Frenche kyng inuadeth the Emperours countries 437 The Frenche kynges letters 438 The Emperour giueth to his soonne the dukedome of Millane eodem The Cardinall giueth the Lordes absolution 439 The Emperours letters against Marques Albert. eodem Themperiall counsel of Auspurg 440 The ministers exiled out of Boheme 442 The Towne of Cassell taken by the Frenchmen 449 The letters of the princes of Saxon to the Emperour eodem The archbishop of Metz dieth 450 The death of Pope Iuly the third eodeÌ„ Theâ— of Senes render theim selues to themperour eodem The secte of Iesuites eodem The trauaile of Cardinall Poole to make peace betwene the Emperour and Frenche kyng eodem The Emperours letters to the States of the Empire 451 The duke of Alba sent to Millane eodeÌ„ The Emperours mother dieth eodem The Frenche kinges Proclamacion again condeÌ„ned of thinquisitors 452 The Lucernates require of the Swisses the doctrine of the Gospell eodeÌ„ The Naute of the Kyng of Denmarke 453 The Spanish Flete intercepted by the Frenche kyng eodem The controuersie about the lordes supper is renued by the Bremers eodeÌ„ The aunswere of the Parliamente of Paris by the kynges Proclamacion of Lutherians 454 The meting of princes about the LaÌ„tzgraues matter 455 Themperour Charles giueth the gouernement to his sonne Philip. eodeÌ„ The office of the Archbishops 456 The aunswere of the Protestantes to the writyng of the Papistes 457 The bishops which chaunge their religion should lâ—se their promocioÌ„ 459 Thecclestastical lawes shal not be exercised against the Protestantes 461 The wife of IhoÌ„ Frederick dieth eodeÌ„ The ambassadours of Austrich require of Ferdinando that true Religion male be permitted vnto them 462 Truce taken betwene the Emperoure and the kyng of Fraunce 463 The aunswere of Ferdinando to the Ambassadours of the house of Austrich eodem The Emperours Sigismonde burned Husse eodem The Ambassadours aunswere to Ferdinando 464 The aunswere of Ferdinando eodem The bishop of Treuers dieth 465 The Duke of Pruse professeth the confession of Auspurge eodem The Archebishop of Cantorburie burned for Religion eodem The Pope was displeased that peace was graunted to Religion 466 The Duke of Arestat brake out of prison eodem The Cardinalle of Auspurge purgeth hymself by writyng eodem The Cardinall of Auspurge addicte to the olde religion 468 The good will of the Cardinall of Auspurg toward the Duke of Wittenberge eodem The loue of the Cardinall of Auspurg toward the Germaines 469 Twelue burnt at Stratford bow eodeÌ„ The marques of Barden receiueth the Gospell eodem Themperour goeth into Spaine with bothe his sisters 470 VV. WHy the Bisshoppe of Rome is extolde 3 Whiche are properlie called Sacramentes 24 Who is aucthour of single life 35 What nedeth gold in the churche 47 What is true confession eodem What thyng Rebellion is 58 Wee are all blinde in our owne cause 61 Who be the aucthours of dissencion 81 Uergecius the Popes ambassadour 86 Upon what condicions the duke of Saxon will come to the assembly 103 Warres in Swiserlande 104 Whereof sprang the dissencion in Religion 110 Wilâ—e Marchauntes 120 Uergecius message to the Duke of Saxon 121 Uergecius spake with Luther 122 Who wrote against the Anabaptistes 131 Uergecius sent to the Emperour 138 Who ought to be at the Counsell 150 Why Innocentes be in perill 151 Whereof cometh contempt of the clergie 155 Who ought to be made bishop eodem Unlawfull to giue benefices by legacis eodem Why Cardinalles wer first made 156 Uergecius his oracion 176 Why the Protestantes desire a Counsell 177 What moued Luther to write against Papistes eodem Willyam Farell 192 Warre betwixte England and Scotlande 196 William Countie forsaketh the FreÌ„ch kyng 206 Whether we shal knowe eche other in the life to come 232 What Counsell the Protestauntes desired 237 What profite hath the Emperour out of Germanie 239 Ulmes reconciled to the emperour 273 Unreasonable tormente is a perillous matter 283 Wittenberg rendered 286 Wittenberge a Towne of Electorship 287 Uogelsburge apprehended 312 Uogelsburge coÌ„stancy at his death 312 Workes of superogacion 313 Whilest the Masse is set vp in Germanie it is put doune in England 317 Uiolence is not to be vsed in Religion but reason and truthe 318

Who were outlawed by the Emperour 320 Who impugned the Interim 322 Uergecius vanquished with the truth 328 Uergecius repaireth to Mantua and is put out of the Counsell 329 Uergecius Preacheth the Gospell in Rhetia eodem What thynges offende many 353 Why the Clergie forsake the citee 356 Wonders in Saxonie 360 Wilie begiled 379 Warre in Italie 48 Winchester made Chaunceler 425 Warres renued betwixte the Duke of Brunswick marques Albert. 426 Uercelles surprised 429 Wiat taken and committed to pri 431 Uulpian victualed 452 Uulpian taken raced by the Frenche kyng 453 Whether peace should be giuen to the religion or no. 455 Unconstancie of Clement 53 Uictorie of themperialles eodem Winnyng of Munster 136 Warres of Geneua against the Duke of Sauoy 137 Uenecians league with the Emperour 138 Uenecians Ambassadour to the Turk 169 FINIS âœš Imprinted at London by Ihon Daie for Nicholas Englande M D. LX. The. 26. daie of September Cum priuilegio ad imprimendum solum Luthers letter to the B. of Mentz B. of MaydeÌ„burgs charge Luthers 95 questions at Wittenberge Luthers exception The B. of Mentz clence Ihon Tecell ft. do concl at frankford Luters letters to Pope Leo. Duke Fredericks wisdom Echins booke against Luth. Siluester priers dialogue Silue priers Themes Luth. answer to Sil. priers Scriptur and choldewriters only to be also wed Iudulgences to be vsed after the Canon lawe The CiuiliaÌ„s vse of citing Silut prier seconde aunswer to Luth. Thomas of Aquine Albertus magnus scollar Thomas of Aquine a salt Thomas of Aquin geueth authoritie to the Pope 1274. Thom. of Aq. died Luth. seconde answer to Siluester prier Rome the seat of Antechrist Grece and Bohemes happines Lut. his forsakiÌ„g of Rome The caus whâ— the By. of Rome is extold Princes of necessitie must reforme Ro. The bishop of Rome bounde as other to Gods commaundement Iames Hogestrate wrote against Luther Thassembly at Ausputge by Maximilian The treaty of warre against the Turke Albert archb of Mentz mabe Cardinall The cause of his Cardinalship Maximilians lettre to Pope Leo coÌ„cerning Luther Luther is cited to Rome The Popes letters to the duke of SaxoÌ„ The Popes letters to Gabriel veneius The vniuersitie of Wittenberg writeth for Luther Luther is called to Auspurg His conferens with Cardinal Caietane Luther appeleth The welspring of Pardons The pope vnder the Coun. Gerson of Paris Pope Iohn is deposed Caietan writeth to the duke of Saxonie The dukes letters to the Cardinall The Uniuersitie of Wittenberge writeth for Lut. New pardoÌ„n Luther appealeth from the Pope to the Counsell The Pope sendeth a golden Rose to the duke of Saxonie The death of Maximilian The swisses banquished Kinges of Naples paye tribute to Rome An oration of the Archebyshop of MeÌ„iz The oration of the Archbi of Treuers Fraunce and Germani wer ã€ˆâ€¦ã€‰ ted Themperour Raffe The duke of Saxo. refuseth to be Emperour Charles is declared Emperour Friderick the Paulsgraue sent into Spaine 1500 The byrth of the Emperor The manes of chosing â—he Emperour Erasmus iudgement of Luther The disputatis at Lypsia 1520 Luters letters to the Pope The court of Rome is vnturable Conditions propounded by Luther Flatterats must be eschewed The part of a true frende Luth. boke to the duke of Saronie Confession of synnes The supper vnder bothe kindes The wishe of Pope Pius The counsell of Latherane The counsel of Pisa The Popes Shifie Fraunce is offered to the spoile At Rome they doubt of the immortalitie of the Soule Luth. Bookes condemned at Louaine Capnio Rewcline Ockam Picus mirandula Lawrence Ualla Aristotle WilliaÌ„ OckaÌ„ The story of Reuchliue Hebrew bokes of thre sortes Luthers letters to the emperor Luth. letters to the archbishop of MeÌ„tz His annswere to Luther How scripture must be hadled Luth. letters to the Bish oy Merseburge His aunswers to Luther The pope curseth Luther The Bulle of Leo. The decree of Pius Iuliê° Aeneas Siluius Honors chaÌ„ge maners Luth. impugneth the popes censure Luth. booke of the captiuitie of Babilou Thre Sacrases Which are properly called Sacrament The maner of the CoronatioÌ„ Themperor calleth a couÌ„sel imperial The Pope was subiecte to themperor The lawe of Clement The courte of Rome in Fraunce The duke of Saro incensed againste Luther The answer of duke Friderike Luthers bokes are brâ—â— Luther burneth the Canon laws Booke burners Catarinus writeth against Lut. The Emperour sent for Luther to Wormes The Empe. writeth to Luther The Bul of cursyng The constaÌ„cie of Luth. Lut. coÌ„meth to Wormes Eckius to Luther Lu. pleadeth his cause before themperour and the whole Empire Iohn .xviii. Pope Cost sell may erre Treuers other Princes threateneth Luther Luthers answer to the Princes The offenca of Faith and maners Actes .v. Luth. sent awaye scom Wormes Iohn Wiclâ—ffe an Englishe man Iohn Husse a Bohemer Husse appealeth from the Pope The CouÌ„sel of CoÌ„stauÌ„ce Iohn Husse Hierome of Praga burned Thre Popes deposed The Diuines of Paris condempne Luth. bokes Thauthoritie of the Diuines of Paris The Swysses make a league wyth the Frenche kynge Thirtene townes of Swysses The libertie of the Swysses Luib is ontlawed by the Emperour Luth. is conuetghed out of daunger Sunday bokes of Luth. Of themasse to be abolisshed The best thiges please fewest men Henry kyng of Englande writeth against Luth. Themperor hath warre with FrauÌ„ce The death of Leo the .x. Adrian succedeth Leo. The Turke taketh Belgrade CommotfÃ´s in Spaine The lady Mart assured to theÌ„peror Who is author of single life Lut. rotaurneth to Wittenberge Luther foreseeth the teni pest coÌ„myng Luther writeth to the Bohemers Many sectes in the popish kingdome Three sectes of the Bohemers Lu. writeth againste the Bishoppes Adrian writeth to the duke of Sa. Reucline dieth The Pope writeth letters to at the princes of Germany 1. Corin. ã€ˆâ—Šã€‰ Luthers Frere The warre of Treuers The Popes letters to Strasburge The stocke of Aorian Dissention betwixt Leo and his Cardinals A disputatioÌ„ at Zuricke The questions of Zuinglius The request of Adrian to dispatch Lu. Luth. compared with Bahomet Iniquitie procedeth froÌ„ the Priestes The synne of Rome spred ouer al the worlde Lut. expoundeth the Popes saiynge The meane to let couÌ„sels The answer of the prices Why Luth. was not punished The maner of a free couÌ„sell An alteratiÃ» in Denmark The king of Denmarke flecth Cornelles Scepper The beginnyng of the first fruictes and tenthes A Romishe Palle Two freres brent at Brusels The Ceremonies of disgratyng Luth. interpreteth the ã€ˆâ—Šã€‰ of the Princes The Bible to be preferred before all others Lut. wrot to the Senate of Prage Luther wrot of eschewing the doctrine of men The death workes of Hutten The king of Englande writeth to the princes of Saxonie The answer of duke George Adrian the Pope dyeth Clement succedeth Zuinglius is broughtin hatred The eatyng of Fleshe A new disputatioÌ„ at Zu Priestes maried wiues Pope ClemeÌ„t sendeth Campegius to duke Fri. A decree of the Suyses

Reliques of the holy gost The Cardinall writeth to the Duke of Saronis Campegius oratioÌ„ to the Princes at Norinberge The princes aunswere The decre of Wormes repeted The pope is wel monied The Suises are offended with them of Zuricke Yeare for the Hoste The Marchaundise of the clergie The answer of them or zuricke Authors of Scismes Matrimonie lawfull for all men What nedeth gold in the churche What is true coÌ„fessioÌ„ Howe the yoke of the Papistes is to be shaken of The Bishop of CoÌ„stance maketh a booke in defence of Images Images breÌ„t at Zuricke The decre of Norinberge Suite betwixt the Bishop senate of Strauso Thomas Murner Campcgsus raileth agaiâ—â— holye Matrimony A decree of Papistes against gospellers The lamentatioÌ„ of Lut. The golden Rose sent to the kynge of Englande Erasmus boke of Free will A decree of the duke of Loraine Henry Zutphan The Emperor biameth the Princes Themperor defendour of the Romishe churche Lut. coÌ„pared with Mahomet The duke of BourboÌ„ besieged Marfelles The begynnynge of the rustical war The Papistes fight for their bely The coÌ„plaiÌ„te of them of Zuricke The cause of theyr hatred To serue foreine princes is vile The eraâ—t of the Papistes Ecksuc theÌ„ Popes champion The pouertie and boundage of the Swices The riches and libertie of the same The constaÌ„cie of them of Zurieke The FreÌ„che kyng taken prisoner The vnconstaÌ„cie of Clement The victors of themperâ—alles The coÌ„motion of the bulgare people Theyr demaundes The duke of Wirtemberge atteÌ„pteâ—â— warrs The fyrste slaughter of Bowres Another slaughter The great crueltie of the Bowres A most cruel maner of burnynge The warre of Bowres in Loraine The slaughter of Bowres The crueltie of the Archebishop of Treuers Geismer captaine of the Bowers The league of Swelane The Masse abolisshed at Zuricke Muncer a great anabaptists Muncer will haue a token ared of God He teacheth that all thinges should be common Muncer maketh gonnes Phifer his companion Phifers enterprise The death of Fridericke the noble duke of Sax. The princes make a power A seditious oration of Muncer The saith of Abraham obteined of god great benefites Muncer rai leth on the Princes A blouddy Preacher bloweth the Crompet Gods power appeareth in sewest men Iud vii .i. Sam .xiiii. and .xvii. Muncer disceaueth the people by the Rainebowe Fearein MuÌ„cers Campe. A messenger slaine agaist the lawe of Armes An exhortaci on of the Lantzgraue The madnes of the Munceriane The slaughter of the MuÌ„cerians Muncer is taken His cruell answere He is reproued of the Lantzgraue The vnreasonable laughter of Muncer At the houre of death he repenteth Lut. diswadeth theÌ„ from sedition ii Thess .ii. The dewtie of a good Magistrate How the Magistrate shold deale wyth the Papistes Gods wrath is slowe but yet sore Thauthors of rebellion are wythout excuse What thing rebellion is How wicked dominion is to be shaken of The best way to ouer threw the popes authoritie Lu. did more with that word thaÌ„ cold haue bene don by force of Armes It appereth by the Prophecies of Briget and others The Practise of the deuill The popishe kingdoÌ„ maie not long indure Preachers ought to be circumspect Theyr demaundes Huntinge Haukyng Fishyng prohibited Lut. answer to the Bowres The Bours vse Godlye titles Gen. 7 Gene. 19. Math. 26. Roma 13. We are all blind in our own cause The state of a magistrate wherin it coÌ„sisteth The Magistrate is as necessary as the seune to the worlde The law of nature aloweth a Magistrate The christiaÌ„ lawe Math. 5. The christeÌ„ profession is harde The nature of veritie The craftes of the deuill to oppresse the Gospel Aunswere to the demaundes of the bowers No maÌ„ may be kept from the Gospell Howe ministers shoulde be ordayned Tithes must be payde Christianitie taketh not away boÌ„dage Bondage is not let to christen libertie Luters office The false title of the bowers Psal 107. The Gospel is sclasidered with rebellioÌ„ The rasers of tumultes The part of a wyse man The dutie of a Magist The ende of tyranny Of Not Daniel and â—ob Luther bloweth the troÌ„pet against the boures Ther can be nothig worse then sedicioÌ„ Lut. to vehement TheÌ„perors letters to the princes of Germany An assemble called at Auf. Carolostadius writeth against Lu. Carolostadius maketh his porgatioÌ„ Faith ought not to vauer Luther maried a NuÌ„ne Luther and Zwynglius met at Marpurge The Popes letters to theÌ„ of Paris Faber driueÌ„ out of Paris The kynges letters for Faber The story of Pruse Lut. letters of submissioÌ„ to the kynge of England The chief point of Lu. doctrine The ende of the Papistes doctrine Luth. letters to George Dake of Saxon. Duke George hateth the Gospel Thomas wulley Cardinal a Butchers sonne A league betwene EnglaÌ„d FrauÌ„ce Godlines is not to be sought for in the court The peace of Madrice The lady Elenor The kynges sonnes are pledges Counsell at Spyres The Emperours letters The Turke inuadeth HuÌ„gary A league betwene the venetians Pope FreÌ„che kyng Against false Freers The noÌ„ber of holy days A decree for Religion The begynninge of the ProtestaÌ„tes league The kynge of Hungary slayne The Emperour maried a wyfe A disputatioÌ„ at Baden A Priest burnt Discorde in Hongary The FreÌ„che league agaist the Emper. The Popes benefites to the Emper. The Emperours aÌ„swer The kyngdoÌ„ of Naples A point of that lawe Rome is the treasure house of that whole worlde The Pope the Emper. are two gret lyghtes The Pope is a warrier A counsell promysed The frenche kyngs leters to the prynces of Germany The Empe. confuteth the letters An apologie for the freÌ„ch kyng The princes letters to the Emperour An assemble at Regensburg Iohn Fridmarrieth Sibille of Cleue Rome is sacked The king of Englande The begynning of Anabaptistes The FreÌ„che Armye The Duke of Baurbon conoempned at Paris Englande hath title to Fraunce Leonarde Cesar Hopocrisy of byshops The power of Bernes Lawes of their disputacion Theames or conclusions Prayers for the dead are superfluous Religion reformed The prebids departe Ambrose Blaures Religion reformed at Geneua The victory of the gospel The kinges of FrauÌ„ce EnglaÌ„d Amballade to the Emperour The FreÌ„che kings inuectiue against the Emper. He offereth the Emper. the combat The letters of Iohn Uaiuode to the states of the Empyre His Ambassadours takeÌ„ Kyng FerdinaÌ„do forsoke kyng Lewis FerdinaÌ„dos title to Hongary The duke of Saxon the Lantgraue prepare theÌ„ to warre Paccen beheaded The Emperours aunswer to the FreÌ„ch king Themper Heraulde came at Paris An assemble at Spires Lantrech be segeth Naples Contention about the Masse The papists forboden to preache The Ambassadour of the chamber imperiall to Strausbor The bishops letters The Masse put down at Stansbor Dissentid at Basil for religion They of Basill take armure Images put downe The Masse put downe Images breÌ„t on â—sh wednesday The assemblie of Spir. The papists iÌ„ SwicerlaÌ„d make leage with kynge Ferdinando The Ambâ— of Srausborough excluded The

spake with Luther The answer of the Prot. Crueltie is vnsemely in churchmen Their craft is spied The Empe. may order counsels Pepes concempned of Heresy The oration of the FreÌ„ch Ambassad Folysh pitie marreth a citie Of Fraunce and Germany one ofspring The iudges of the chamber trouble that ProtestaÌ„tes The Emp. letters The answer of the Protestauntes to the Frenche Ambassad The duty of Princes The kinges opinion of matters in controuersie The commoÌ„places of Malancthon The masse mainteineth purgatory Monasticall voues Paphnutius The Lordes suppervnder both kyndes The kynges of Fraunce and Nauane ercommunicated The protest would make no league with the kyng the oratioÌ„ of byshop Fore Ambassa for the kynge of Englande The alteration of Religion in Englande The state of the churche troublesome The rage of Antichrist The protest league is renewed The Erle of Nassowe The Gospel receiued at Auspurge Munster a citie of Westophalia The original of Anabaptistes their doctrie and maners Rotman a Preacher The papists coÌ„ sesse their ignoraunce The papists forsake the citie Frederick forsaketh the byshoprike They of muÌ„ster oppresse the papistes Condicious of peace Iohn LeidaÌ„ an Anabap. Herman Stapred The Anab. banished the citie Rotman became an Anabaptist The constaÌ„cie of Fabritius Peter Wirtemie A Prophet inspired Eiuile war in the citie Cnipperdolyng Iohn Matthewe the high prophet Maydens do prophecie Iestyng pâ—nyshed The prophet inspired with ã€ˆâ—Šã€‰ Cnipperdoling prophecieth From the horse to the Asse The diuisioÌ„ of Germany into prouice The salshod of Leidane Twelue iudges The Paradoxes of iohn Leiden Sedition in the citie Iohn LeidaÌ„ inuadeth the kingdome A new king of Anabap. His pompe the madnes of Cnipper The boke of restitution Who wrote against theÌ„ A supper The Apost of Munster The kinges murther The preachers of MuÌ„ster They be racked Their obstiuacie The Kynge taketh hede to hym selfe the errours and mischief of Anabap. A booke of that miâ—â—ries of scripture The diuisioÌ„ of the world This preseÌ„t age cumpared to Esaw The kynge beheaded the Quene A blynd asse Luthers writig of MuÌ„st God bridleth the power of Sathan By what meanesmen be disceaued Croked necked cattell The craft of an ignorauÌ„t Deuyll Gods wrath By what meanes the deuil is vanquished The errours of the Munsterians in fayth In baptisme Of mariage The assemblie at Wormes The citie was required to rendre The coÌ„plait of the Munsterians Two escaping betraye the citie The wynnyng of MuÌ„ster The kyng is taken Rotman desperate The byshop of Munster demaundeth his charges The kyng his fellowes caried about ã€ˆâ€¦ã€‰ Disputation with the king ã€ˆâ€¦ã€‰ The bolde aunswer of the kyng The cruell death of the kyng The death of quene Katherine The warre of Geneua with the duke of Sauoy The ayde of Bernes The FreÌ„che king against the Duke of Sauoye The Popes counsel to inuade Sauoy Legions of Souldiours The house of vicecouÌ„tes The FreÌ„che kinges title to Millan The Emperous oration against the FreÌ„che king The Uenetians league with the Emperour The Duke of Florence marieth the Emperours bastarde Luthers constancie Uergerius sent to the Emperour The diuisers of the bâ—ll The king of England is patrone of the Proâ— league The english Ambassad wynter at Wittebergâ— The kinges letters to the Protestants The king of England requireth a coÌ„ference of lerned men The kinges deuorcemeÌ„t Receyued in to league The lamentable death of Quene Anne A counsel is called Against the FreÌ„ch kyng The Protestantes send to the Emp. The Empe. letters to the Protestant The Empe. inuadeth the French prouinces Peronne beseged The death of Fraunces the Dolphin A reformation of Collon The death of Erasmus Commotion in Linkcolnshyre Captayne Aske The Pope wyl reforme the court of Rome The king of Scottes maried that FreÌ„ch kinges daughter The Duke of Florence slayne by his cosyn The Swycers sewe to the king for the Gospellers Hesdine rendred Cardinall Poole the Popes Ambassadour to the Frenche kyng A sworde hallowed Pooles boke against king Henry the eyght Cold reasoÌ„s for the popes supremacie He inceÌ„seth the Emper. against the king of Englande Poole was vnthankful His hipocrisie falshod A wryting of Auspurg The Prote Ambassad to the Emp. Heldus the Emperours Ambassad His sration at Smalcald The FreÌ„che practises The iudges of the chaÌ„ber The Dukes aunswere The answer of Heldus The Popes Ambassad The Popes Ambassad vispysed The Popes errours The Popes vnreasonable authoritie Of the place of the couÌ„sel Athanasius Arrius Liberius The craft of Paule the. Popes haue Emperours in subsectioÌ„ The counsel of CoÌ„stasice Iohn Hussâ— The Protestaunâ—es decre for mainteining Ministers Reason why the Protest refuse the Counsel Who ought to be at the counsell The Preachers of the Gospel haue brought godly workes to lyght It is false that they styre vp ã€ˆâ—Šã€‰ heresies Byshoppes styre vp prices False doctrine is not to be borne with Why the innocentes be in perill Thaâ—thoritie of iudgement is in the churche The Pope is accused of Idolatry Heresye Like lippes like lettuse The craft of the Pope Thosspring of C ã€ˆâ€¦ã€‰ The Counsell of Mill ã€ˆâ€¦ã€‰ broken of The Potest letters to the FreÌ„ch king The queene of Scottes dieth The king of England re suseth the Counsell A proper saying of Cipriane TeroweÌ„ beseged invain Ferdinando his armie destroyed The birth of kiÌ„g Edward the sixt The Pope hateth the kyng Rebellion in Gelderland Pope Paule euil reported The Pope entended to make Erasmus Cardinall The Pope hath a double office Wherof ã€ˆâ—Šã€‰ meth the coÌ„tempt of the Clergie Who ought to be made Bishoppes Unlawefull to geue benefices by legacye A pristes son may not inioy his fathers benefice Why Cardinals were fyrst made Aâ—arice and concupisceÌ„ce let counsels Many filthy actes of Monkes The cowle maketh not the Monke Simony reigneth in the churche Harlottes honoured at Rome Presidentes of the couÌ„sel 1538 The Cardi â–ª of Capua caÌ„ abide no reformation The Colloquie of Erasmus MomoraÌ„ciâ— made constable of Fraâ— Christiane kinge of DeÌ„marke receiueth the gospell The Duke of Pruse is outlawed A gentlemaÌ„ of Tolouse burnt at Paris Themperor the frenche king and the pope meets at Nice Andrâ—w de Aurie The meting ofthemperor the kynge The FreÌ„che kinge kissed the Popes right foote The Bishop of Liege made his graue yet liuing English Bibles were printed at Paris The ignoraunce of the people is gainefull to priestes A colledge erected at Strausâ— Iohn Caluin Peter Brulie Thomas Becket Newes of the Turkes approche The Marquses of ã€ˆâ€¦ã€‰ denburge of the Protestantes Religion The lady Elizabeth sister to the Lantgraue is receiued in to the league of Protest The fecte of AntinomiaÌ„s Iohn Isleby A lege of the Papistes against the ProtestaÌ„tes The citie of Mynden ouâ— lawed The Duke of Brunswick desyrous of war The Lantgraue intercepteth the Dukes letters 1539. Inuectiues vnmete for Princes The death of Iohn Duke of Cleaue The Duke of Saxony woulde not geue to Ferdinando the title of kyng of Romains The FreÌ„cha kyng geueth touÌ„sel to

the Duke of wittemberge The Duke of Saxon the Lantgr write to the FreÌ„ch kyng Duke George of Saxon â—irth Ambassadours sent to his brother Henry The Can ã€ˆâ€¦ã€‰ coÌ„monly called of the Apostles are false A Freers were maketh the deuyll afrayd Langelius Oration against the Lutherians The syr Articles The Lady Anne of Cleaue Barbarouse taketh Castel newes Rebellienat Gaunte The Emperour passeth throughe Fraunce 1540. The Emperour entreth into Paris The Emperours and FreÌ„ch kings Ambassade to the Uenetians The Uenetians Ambassador to the Turke The secrets of the senate vttered to the Turke The trators executed Themp. arriueth in Flaunders The Prote wryte to the FreÌ„che king An assembly at Smalcald Latimer Shaxton The Lorde Cromwell A wrytinge exhibited by the diuines The Emp. aunswer to the Protest Hatred betwixt counsellers The false perswasioÌ„ of the Emper. The answer of the Prot. to GraÌ„uellaÌ„ A confutatis of the six Articles Great execution done at Gaunt The Emp. letters to the ProotestaÌ„t The answer of the Prot. to the Emp. letters An oratieÌ„ or a yeuÌ„g Cardinall The Prote ã€ˆâ—Šã€‰ to Turkes A priuy hatred of that freÌ„che kynge against the Emperour The Duke of Cleaue ioyned with the Frenche kynge The Pope warreth vpoÌ„ the PerusiaÌ„s The Lorde Crumwell beheaded The kynge marieth Katherine Hawarde The Duke of BruÌ„swik accused the Protestaun The assemble of Hagenawe Preachyngs forbydden FerdinaÌ„dos request The decree of Hagenaw The death of Iohn Uayuode king of Hungary Fyres in Saxony Doctor Bernes burnt in Smithfielde Thre Prot. burnt and thre Papistes hanged all at one tyme. The death of Budey An erceadig hote soÌ„mer Nauius hath the place of Heldus The oratioÌ„ of Granvellan at Wor. The euils that coÌ„meth of the discention in Religion The Turke receiueth the infant of Uayuode Lascus committed to prised The papists seke delayes A disputation betwixte Eekius and Melancton The oratioÌ„ of Uergerivs The admiral of frauÌ„ce condemned A greate assemble at RegeÌ„spurg Luthers boke agaist the Duke of Brunswick Why the Protest desyre a counsell Themperor Gods client What moued Luth. to writ against the papistes The blasphemie of frere Tecell A most costly stole or palle A meane to get money by pardons Luther is cursed of the Pope A wolleÌ„ halter to strangle the pope The maner of makynge this Palle Complaints of pillage These Fyeres were set on by the duke of BruÌ„swike The treatie of Regenspurge The chosen by themp The rashnes of Eckius A boke presented to the Collocutours The conteÌ„ts of the boke The Protestantes letters to the FreÌ„ch king for suche as wer persecuted for the gospell The Duke of Cleaue goeth priuely into Fraunce The Duke marieth the daughter of Nauarre The Admirall restored The constable put out of the courte The colloquie of lerned men at Regtnspurg The worse parte ouer cometh by the nomber of voyces Meanes to restore thecclesiasticall function Simons must be takeÌ„ awaye The popes Legate The diligence of the protestantes iu teaching of children The diuines of the Prote aunwer to that Popeslegate The princes electours answer Themperour The answer of the popish princes The bishops are inioyned to reforme their church The presumtuousnes of Eckius The protestantes confute his letters and reasons The Emperours priuat wrytiug for the Protestantes The Emperours complaynte of the Duke of Cleaue The princes make intercession for the Duke of Cleaue The oratioÌ„ of the FreÌ„ch Ambassador The FreÌ„che ambassadors intercepted by thimperiall Langens letters to Alphonse George of Austriche apprehended at Lyons Ferdinando besegeth Buda His armie discomfited The Emperours torney into Barbarie A great tempest distroyed hys ships Syr Henry Kneuet The plage in Germani by the Rhine Ioye in Fraunce at temperours losse The nobilitie of Austrich put vp a supplication for the Gospell Kingdoms distroyed for â—dolatry The plages that god seÌ„t to Austriche and Germany The Turke is the scurge of God God offereth his word before he plageth The chiefe article of doctrine is iustification Ferdinando desfateth the request of his uobles The nobles resterut their â—â—te Strife about the bisshop ricke of NuÌ„ burge 1542. An assemble at Spires Gropper coÌ„mended Bucer The king of EnglaÌ„d maried the syxte wyfe Theioration of the freÌ„che ambessrdour PerswasioÌ„s to warre against the Turke The policie of the Romaines in establishing their empire The concord of England Howe the Turkes acheued their empyre GwelphiaÌ„s Wibellines The opinion of the Popes Ambassad The Pope suspecteth Germany A soden fear in the FreÌ„ch courte An Army agaynste the Turke Contention betwixte the elector of saxon Duke Moris Luthers oretion for the field The Pope â—â—pared with that Turke Two mighty Tyrantes Any pleasant lyfe is not to be loked for The Turke shal not be of such force as were the Romaines The last act of that Turke A cousolatioÌ„ of the prysoners with the Turkes The prayer of Luther Of the originall of the Turkes The Markes of Piscare accuseth the FreÌ„ch king The kinges purgation A counsell called at Trente The FreÌ„che king proclaimeth warre The Duke of Languile and Martin van Rossen invade Brabant Perpigusan beseged The maner to sâ—rche out that LutherinÌ„s S. Genefeua The articles of the Sorbe nistes Two friers preache the Gospell at Metz. WilliaÌ„ Farell grashoppers in Germany and Italy The Duke of Saxon the Lantgraue mouewar againste the duke of BruÌ„swicke who flieth An assembly at Noriberg Ambassadors to the Duke of Saxon the Lantzgraue Contarene in displesure with that pope cardinalles Hys death The ChauÌ„celour of Fraunceput in prison The Palsgraue receyueth the Gospell The Empe. aunswered the Popo The enterprises of Fregose Rincon Peace is disceiptful The FreÌ„che king is accused of ambition Cardinalles sent to maks a peace The Presydentes of the counsell at Trente Dure is taken Warre betwixte England Scotlande The Scotes taken at Solymosse Theyr king dieth The Duke of SaroÌ„ and the Lantzgraue refuse the iudgmeÌ„t of the chaumber The Duke of Cleauerecouereth Dure A rebellion at Rochelle 1543. The kynges oratioÌ„ to theÌ„ of Rochell The clemeÌ„cy of king FrauÌ„ces The assemblie of Nurrenberge The treatye of Norinberge A supplication of the protestantes The Turks increase by the losse of christians The decre of Norinberg The Duke of Cleaue refuseth truce The death of the bishop of Auspurg The French kinges aunswer to the Emperours letters Kinges of Fraunce most addicteth the pope The Dukes of Sauoye frend to theÌ„peroure The death praise of W. Bellay Frances LaÌ„der coÌ„mmitted to prison His weknes before the kynge His recantation Depensius driuen to recante The prayse of Clements Marot Psalmes translated by Marot The Archebisshop of Collon calleth a convocation Bucer preacheth at Bomia The bisshops boke of reformatioÌ„ Melancthon and Pistor come to Collon A booke called Antidagma Gropper forsaketh the Gospell Duke Moris maketh lawes for the ministers of the churche He foundeth three scooles He is beneficiall to the Uniuersitie of Lipsia Lawes agaynst deflowerers of Uirgins adulterers An assemble at Spier

Strasburg compounde with themperour Conditions offered to the Lantgraue Caspar Phlugius Captaine of the Bohemers armie The Duke of SaxoÌ„ sendeth an Ambassadour in to Boheme The Bohemers letters to the Morsuians The death of the FreÌ„ch kyng AlteratioÌ„ in the court of Fraunce King FrauÌ„ces the fauiour of learning His knowledge The notable library of kyng FrauÌ„ces The death of two kinges was happy for the Emperour The ouerthrowe of the Emper. armie The Empe. letters to the states of Boheme Ferdinando to the Bohemers Part of the counsell of Trent flitt to Banonie Two executed at Frankefurte The Lantgraues purgaâ—â—on Unreasonable torment isaperillous matter FerdinaÌ„dos Ambassad to the Bohemers The Empe. iourney against the Duke of Saxon. The Emperours celeritie in ouerta king that Du. The Empe. fighteth a battell with the Duke of Saxon. The Duke taken fighting A perdigieof the Sunne The Duke condempned to lose his head Conditions wherby the Duke redemed his life An assemble of th empyre at Ulmes Kyng Ferdinandos letters to the Bohemers WitteÌ„berge rendred The buriall of kyng Fraunces Duke Erick discomfited Duke Maurice and the Electour of Brandenb intreate for the Lantgraue Duke Maurice letters to the Lantgraue The Lantgraues sons in lawe WitteÌ„berge a town of electorship The Scoole fallen there The treatis of Ulmes The Lantgraue commeth to the Emperour at Hale The Lantgraue kneleth to the Emperour The Emperours aunswere The Lantgraue is driuen into the net vnwittingly The Lantgraues captiuitie The noÌ„ber of great gun res takeÌ„ froÌ„ the Protst Ebleb dieth for sorowe Ferdinando cometh with his army to Prage The Bohemers subdued by Ferd. Sedition at Naples for that Spanish inquisition The Cardinals of FrauÌ„ce sene to Rome An assemble at Auspurg Duke Maurice intreateth liberally the Diuines of Wittemberge The coronation of the French king and the maner therof The twelue Peres of Fraunce An holy box sent down from heaueÌ„ you may be sure The king is appaâ—eled like a deach The Empe â–ª eâ—acieth money in Germany They of MaydeÌ„burg outlawed The Emperour moueth the Swisses to a league An armed assemble The churches new halowed Michel Sidonie a great masmonger Peter Alois the Popes sonne slayne Hierome Palauicine A conspiracie against the Popes son The Pope a Negromancier The hatred of the citezens towardes Peter The monstrous lustes of hym The couÌ„sell of Trent of two partes Muskelborough field The Protestauntes intised or feared Letters for the Lantgraue to themper The Empe. aunswer to the states Toe conditions wherby the Lantgraue submitted hymselfe The answer of Du. Maurice and the Marques The Emperour requireth the wâ—itinges of the Lantgraue Peter Martyr goeth in to England A reformation of Religion in Englande The oratioÌ„ of the Cardinall of TreÌ„t The OratioÌ„ of the bishop of Rains to the Pope The FreÌ„che king contendeth with the Emperour for eldership The Popes letters to his Legate The pope to Mendoza the Emperours Ambassad 1548. The Popes letters to the Byshops of Germany The pope is ignoraunt of all thinges The pope is a watchman The constaÌ„cie of the Romish church The Emp. Ambassad sent to Boloigne le grasse The Popes Legate to the Emperours Ambassad The Empe. Ambassad to the fathers The malapertnes of the Legate The letters of protestatioÌ„ from the counsell The Emp. carefulnes for the counsell The Authours of remouing the counsell Mountane striken with a fury The oration of the Kyng of Pols ambassadour The beginning of thorder of knight had in Duchland The victory of King Casimire Albert receyued into the tuitioÌ„ of the king of Pol. Prusse beloÌ„geth to Pole The war of Emperours and kynges of Pole against this order of knightes A disordred order of knightes The OratioÌ„ of the Marques of Pruse The Originall of this order of knighthode The Duke of Muscouia The Prince of Lituania made king of Pole A composition of peace The people rebell The conditions of peace betwixt the king of polle and the knightes Prusse beloÌ„geth to them yere The commotion in Boheme for the doctrine of John Husse The death of Sigismsid king of pole The Popes aunswer to Mendoza The warre finished by the Popes army The Empe. prayses set the Pope a fyre So I will so coÌ„maund A counsell called at Trent twise The fathers must be prouided forwel The Pope may be weake negligeÌ„t The Auctours of the Interim Ihon Isleby a reuolte Bucer is set for The couÌ„cell of England wryte to the Scottes Ciuille war betwene Englande and Scotland The daughter of Scotlande assiauÌ„ced to that king of England The gouernour of Scotlanda leage breaker How miserable is it for the Quene to mary a straunger It is dauÌ„ger to vse forain aydes The Britanes expulsed by that Saxons The Pictes by that Scots CouÌ„tryes vnited by maryage Two ways to finish war Uogelsberg appreheÌ„ded His constaÌ„cy at his death Persecution in Fraunce The ceremonie wherby Duke Maurice was created Elect. The Marques of BraÌ„denburge of fended wyth Bucer Bucer is in daunger Muleasses Kinge of Tunnes The coÌ„tents of the Interim Worckes of superogatioÌ„ Two sacrifices of Christ after these in terimistes The Interi permitteth Priestes to kepe their wiues stil An euil coÌ„piled boke ofte corrected Notes of the Interim bi the Bishoppe of Rome Thelectors dary opinioÌ„ The craft of tharchbishop of Mentz in a prouing of yâ— Interim King FernaÌ„do requireth monet of the states Maximilian marieth hys cosen Iohn Mark. of Brand. refuseth the Interim The coÌ„staÌ„ce of the Duke of Swebrig Musculus departeth to Bernes The labor perill of BreÌ„tius The pleannes and god lines of BreÌ„tius His wife and his childreÌ„ banished Godlie preachers flee The fearfulnes of that duke of Wyrtemberge The constancy of the duke of Saxonie He that doth agaist his coscience procureth to himself hell fyre Sinne agaist the holy gost The Dukes godly mind Cruelty shewed to D. of Sax. Prisoner Whilest the Masse is set vp in germanye it is put down in englande Thobstinat mind of winchester The Ecclesiastical reformatioÌ„ of the Emperour The treÌ„blable misteries of the Masse ExcoÌ„munication Menes made that Strausburge shulde receiue thinterim Theyr aunsweare Uyolence is not to be vsed in religion but reasoÌ„ and truthe No maÌ„ ought to be coÌ„pelled to his faith The Emperour wil not discharg hyâ— souldioures ã€ˆâ€¦ã€‰ promes ã€ˆâ€¦ã€‰ sawefull counsel repeted Islebi rewarded of themperoure The decre of the Uenetians The wisdoÌ„e of the Uenetians in matters of religion Who were out lawed by the emperor Daughter of Nauarre maried to the Duke of UaÌ„dome The story of Lewes Auila of the germains war Who impugned the Interim Robert of AbrinceÌ„ wrote against thiuterim The godly constancie of the Duke of Saxons children The duke of Saxon beloloued of almen They of CoÌ„stance wryte to the Emperoure Maximilian warred againste the Swisses The Emperour maketh newe Senatoures He abrogateth fraternities Spanyardes go to coÌ„staÌ„ce Constance assalted The Emperor delited in the Frenche tonge The letters of strausburg to the Emperoure Ambrose Blaurer At Strausburge

they coÌ„sult of the Interim The constaÌ„cie of the Ministers Freight caried to prysoÌ„ with others The Duke of Saxon the LaÌ„tgraue led away prysoners Letters of Strasburgh to Themp. Strasburge recitueth that Interim The reformatioÌ„ of the Chamber They of CoÌ„stance geue theÌ„selues to the howse of Austrich Augustus maried a wyfe A coÌ„motion at Burdeux The slaughter that was at Burdeux Fraunces Spier a Lawier His recantation Spier wold receiue no comforte He dieth in dispaire A woÌ„derfull conuersioÌ„ of Uergerius Uergerius vanquisshed with the force of truth Inquisitours agaist Uergerus Uergerius repareth to Mantua He isputont of that counsell Uergerius preacheth that Gospell in Rhetia The abhominable filthynes of an Archebyshop Maried priestes pluct froÌ„ their wyues The inheritour of Scotland led into Fraunce The Empe. sonne commeth into Flaunders He is receyued at MillaÌ„ A meting of Diuines in Saxony 1549. Ciuile warres in Affrica Strasburgs wryteth letters to the Emperour Thei of Maidenburg are made a pray for their god lines Trouble in England The Admi. of England b. headed Thomas Cranmer a furtherer of learning Godlines Bucer and Fagius cominto EnglaÌ„d The byshop of Strasb singeth his first Masse The duke of Swaybrig molested for Religion His playne trouth The Inter. confuted by them of Lubeck and others Adiaphora Melanchton defendeth that Adiaphorist The force of holy water Hallowyng of churches Hallowyng of belles Hallowyng of aultars Luther brought in coÌ„tempt the popysh ceremonies The Popes Legates to that Emperour The Pope graunteth licence to eate fleshe The Archbyshop of Meiz to the councelloure of that Lantgraue The Godly answer of that Preachers An open disputation at Oxforde The king is receiued in to Paris Erecution done in his sight The king coÌ„maundeth to go on procession Ueruine beheaded A coÌ„uocatioÌ„ at Lipsia Rebellion in Englande The French king stealeth fortes King Philip inuested in Flaunders The Senate of Strausburge do coÌ„pounde with their bishop The pearil fear of them of Mayden burge Theyr Purgation Why they caÌ„not get pardon The sayinge of Gordiê° the martyr They betray the truthe that hold it in sylence The deathe of pope paul the third A boke in ItaliaÌ„ against the Pope His Sister a whore made him cardinal The monstrus lechery of the Pope The Popes rauening Paule geuen to Astrology coniuratioÌ„ An assemble of Cardinals to chuse a newe Pope The masters of ceremonis The custody of that CoÌ„claue The othes of the cardinals The maner how to chuse the Pope Thre factioÌ„s of cardinals The cause why Pole was not Pope The yeare of Iubiley Paules ioye was vain 1550. A straunge sight neuer hard of A trouble in the thurch of Strausburg The Protector of englaÌ„d The French kynges Proclamation against Lutheranes Iuly that third Thopenyng of the golden gate A iest of the Cardinall of Auspurge Ganimede nouryshed of Poope Iuly Dute of the Conclaue came most fil thye letters The Emperours letters to the â—ates of th empyre A peace concinded betwixt FraÌ„ce Englande A confession of faith by the Ministers of the Churche there The cleargy of Strausburge renueth their misteries A proclamation againste the Lutheranes A register of the deuines of Louaine To talcke of faith is for bidden Rewards for promotours A proclamation for printers Andwarp astonied at the Emperors proclamatioÌ„ The death of the cardinall of Lorayne The archbyshop of Collon entreth the city with pompe The protestation of D. Moris agaiÌ„st the counsell The knauery of Spanyardes The death of Granuellan Duke Henry besiegeth the Citye of Brunswick Dracutus an archpirate The taking of the city of Africa A goodlye situatioÌ„ of the same The ouerthrowe of the Maidenburgians The princes letters to theÌ„ of Maydenburg A woman in perill for a light worde The proclamation for religion is mitigated Forces bent against Maydenburg An Ambassade againste them of May denburge The answer of the MaydeÌ„burgians The death of Ulriche Duke of Wirtemb A cruell decree against the Magdeburgians Duke Maurice general of this war The causes that the decre is not obserued Pope Iuly somoneth a counsell Thei repare to Trent beÌ„fore contemned Maurice besegeth Maydenburg Hedeck and Mansfeld discomsited by Duke Maurice The Empe. proclamatioÌ„ against theÌ„ of Maydenburge The Lantgraues soÌ„ns sue for their father The Lantgraues purpose His deuise of fleing bewrayde The issuyng out victory of the MaydeÌ„burgians The Duke of Megelb takeÌ„ prisoner Marimilian cometh out of Spayne CoÌ„tentioÌ„ for the Empyre betwirte the Emperour Ferdinando what things offend many Thei of Maidenburg are moued to reÌ„der A writing of the Clergie against the citie Their actes against the Clergie The slaughter of the citezens The answer of that citezens Why that clergle forsoke that citie All Godly folke are afflicted for prosessinge the veritie All thynges must be suffered for the truthes sake God woundeth healeth The prayse of great Otto Folyshe ceremonies 1551. A newe doctrine of Osiander The Duke of Pruisse addicte to Osiander MelanchthoÌ„ best learned and modeste The decree of Auspurg Mony for that warre of MaydeÌ„burg Octauian Farnese cliente to the FreÌ„ch king The death of Bucer Complainte of the Bysh of Strasb WoÌ„ders in Saxonye The Pope accuseth Octauian Farnese The counsel at Trente is cold Erle Hedeck frende to theÌ„ of Maidenb The war of Parma betwixt themperoure and french king The French kings excuse to the Pope The sterse minde of Pope Iulye The confession of Duke Moris by Melanchton The humanity of the Duke of wirtemberge to ward Brentius Duke Moris letters to the Emperour The burnt child the fyre dreades Interrogatories for the Ministers of Auspurge The constancy of the prelates The preachers exiled The French king warreth vpon themperour CoÌ„trarye tales of the King and the Emperour The counsel renued at Trent The French kinges letters to the counsel ReseruatyoÌ„s and graceser pectatiue The sum of mony that is caried to Rome The vniuersity of Parts apealeth froÌ„ the Pope Tharrogancye of Poope Boniface against the king of Fraunce Twelue archbishopriks in Fraunce Theames geuen to the deuines The order of speaking The maner of making the Articles of faith The maner of making the decrees The holy ghoste at the Popes commaundemeÌ„t The French kinges wryting agaynst the Pope A cruell proclamation againste the Lutheranes The wicked lustes of the popes sonne A purgation of the french kyng The cause of dissention be twixt the pope and emperor A decree at Trent of the Lordes supper The safeconduit of the fathers at Trent The Marques of BraÌ„denburge statereth the counsell Duke Moris seaseth vpon the dominioÌ„ of Chats The duke of Somerset apprehended The counsel writeth to that french king Causes of calling the counsell The French disswageth that Swisses froÌ„ the counsell The land of WirteÌ„berge delyuered of Spaniardes Thambassadour of Wirtemberge to the counsell The pacificacion of Maydenburge The noble fame constaÌ„cy of Maiden burge Duke Maurice inteÌ„deth to war vpon the Emper. Iohn Slefdan Ambassadour for Strasburge in

the counsell The Pope createth xiii Cardinals A decree of penaunce A discipline amongst the fathers The Ambassadours of Wirtimb deluded Thambassadours of D. Mauris and the Marques of BrandeÌ„b to the Emp. Their Oration The Lantgraue kepte prisoner againste the leage made The Lantgraue blodâ— to supper was kepte prisoner The names of the Princes that intreated for the Lantgraue The OratioÌ„ of the Prices aÌ„bassadours to the Emp. The Empe. aunswer to the Ambassabours The Lantgraues son cometh to D. Maurice Maximilian entreth into Trent The railing of Groppes A Cardinal of Dalmatia slayne in his owne house 1552. The Empe. letters to the Byshops Eleciours There is craft in dawbyng Wyly begyâ—ed Kings haue long armes ThaÌ„bassad of Du. Maurice come to the counsell D. Maurice feared of the Emperour The Duke of Somerset beheaded D. Maurice Ambassad sent awaye The saufecoÌ„duict altered The franke speache of D. Maurice Ambassad to the Fathers The Ambassadours of the Protest deluded How muche the papistes esteme the Scripture The diuines come to Norinberge The bitternes of freer Pelarge againg that protestauntes Duke Maurice letters to his ambassadours A brute of war against themperor Pardons New ambassadors from WirteÌ„berge The diuines of Wyrtemberge The confession of the duke of Wirtemberge Thambassador of Strasburge deteyned The blasphe my of a gray Frier The requestes of the protestantes deuines Duke Moris taketh Auspurge by coÌ„position The fathers fle froÌ„ Trent The answer of the protestantes ambassadors Diuers mindes in the counsel of Trent Refourmation of the papistes The Church can not erre The counsel of Basil purer theÌ„ TreÌ„t The last session of that couÌ„sell The frenche Kinge hathe peace with the Pope The ende of the Counsel at Trent The death of the popes Legate The seconde cause of war The Lantzgraue deteyned prisoner against sidelity The thirds cause The boÌ„dage of Germany Marques Alberts letters agaynste the Emperoure The heauye burthens of Germany The story of Lewes Auila of the protestants war The frenche kingsletters Germanye the fortresse of Christendoe CouÌ„tryes oppressed bi the Emperoure Tharmes of liberty Duke Moris goeth to the field The Prince of Salerne reuolteth from themperor The frenche subdueth Loraine The Cardinall betraied the Citye of Metz. The pledges of Fraunce Germanye Conditions of peace offered by Duke Moris The couÌ„trie of Oto Henry recouered The iudges of the chamber slie The Conestable chideth with them of Strash The request of the Prynces to the kyng D. Maurice letters to the kyng The kinges answer to the Prynces Martin van Rossem spoyleth ChaÌ„panye The suite of the Swisses to the Kyng Skirmyshes of the Princes with the in Eperialles Erenberge take agayne RebellioÌ„ in D. Moris caÌ„p Duke Morisuye slayne The Empe. sleeth away by nyght The Duke of Saxon set at libertie The Empe. staffe spoiled Crueltie against godly preachers The princes restore the ministers of the churche The Marq. Albertes armie Albertes crueltie to them of Normberg Bamberge redemeth peace dearelye Norinberge hath peace with the Mar. Albert to theÌ„ of Wolmes The FreÌ„che king destroyeth Themperour couÌ„trie Thassemble at Passawe The coÌ„plain te of Prynces Elect. The oration of the Frenche Ambas Thaâ—â—nitie of FreÌ„chmeÌ„ and Germaines The libertie of Germany restored by the power of Fraunce The way opened for the Prynce of Spayne to be Emper. The princes aunswer his oration The house of LuceÌ„burg The battell of Cressie Albert of Austriche Marques Albert warreth for himselfe The FreÌ„che kinges aunswer to thin tercessours D. Maurice weary of delayes The Empe. letters to the intercessours Their aunswer to the Emperour D. Maurice retourneth to his fellowes George Du. of Megelbu slayne Conditions of peace offered by the Emperour Thambassadors commeÌ„taries intercepted Duke Moris admitteth peace The French king dischargeth his army Marques Albert y scourge of priests His requests to Strasbo The answer of Strausbo Conditions of peace Marques Albert refuseth the peace The deathe of Herman Archebishop of Colon. His wish Marques Albert entreth Treuers The duke of Saxon goth home to hys owne house Themperor goeth wyth his army toward Lorain Ambassadors of Strasburge to the Emperor Themperor entreth into Strasburge Sir Richard Morisine ambassadour of England Marques Antonius Ambassadour of Uenise The spoil of the soldiors The deathe of Caspar Hedio Andrew Osiander Themperor besegeth Metz. Marques Albert reconciled to themperor Albert ouerthroweth the French men Duke de Anmalle taken prisoner The greate battery of Metz. The duke of Brunswicke driuen out of his country The duke of Guise defended Metz. 1553. The french kinges wryting against themperor The Emperours letters of aunswere to Marques Albert. Tharmes of Electorshyp The Cardinall Lenoncourtes ambition The spoylinges burninges of Marques Albert The father the soÌ„nes coÌ„tend for inheritaunce Terwen rased The Lady Iane of Suffolke maried to Buylford Dudley Kinge Edward sore sicke War in Italye The Mar. maketh war in Saxonye King FernaÌ„do proclameth warre agaynste Albert The spoylinges of Al. The complaint of D. Moris vpon Marques Al. Duke Mor. league with the Duke of BruÌ„swicke The Mar. annswere to duke Moris Marques Albert sendeth to the Emperor The bishops in his absence inuade his counitie The great crueltie of Mar. Albert The death of good kyng Edward The vertues of Edward the sixt A battell fought betwixt Duke Maurice and Mar. Albert. D. Maurice wan that fielde and lost his lyfe The woÌ„ders before his death Great frendship betwixt D. Maurice and Marqu Albert. The Marq. letters to that states of D. Maurice The death of Orace Farnese Augustus brother and hesre to Du. Maurice Iohn Frederick demauÌ„deth his landes and dignities Nyne burnt at Lions Lewys Marsake The blasphe my or that lieftenaunt Fiue studeÌ„ts of Losanna The lady Iane. The Lady Mary proclamed Quene Winchester made ChauÌ„celour The Duke of Northumberland condemned His incoÌ„stancie at hys death Thomas Palmer The coÌ„stancie of the archebyshop of Cantorbury The bishops caried to prison The popishe Religion restored in Englande Warres reuiued betwixt the D. of Brunsw Marques Albert. Albert recoÌ„ciled to Augustus The Turkishe Naute taketh the Iland of Corsica The FreÌ„che king attemteth CaÌ„bray Pestilence firing at Paris The bloud of innoceÌ„tes gaynfull to many Brunswick beseged The Duke of Brunswletters to the D. of Saxon The Du. of Brunswick is reconciled to the Duke of Saxon. A disputatioÌ„ in England Serueto a Spanyarde burnt at Geneua Reynold Poole Cardinall Uercelles surprised The Turck hanged his sonne Mustapha The Archbyshop of Cantorbury and others condemned Marques Albert outlawed The Godly lawes of good Edward repealed Quene Mary affiauÌ„ced to the Emperours sonne 1554. Commotion in Kent The Duke of Norfolke forsaken of his men The quenes oration to that commons in yelde hall The Duke of Suffolke Wiat taken and committed to PrisoÌ„ The Lady Iane her husband beheaded The Duke of Suffolke beheaded Sibille Duches of SaxoÌ„ departeth The Godly end of Iohn Friderick An end made betwixt him and Augustus The Godlines of

his wyfe Iohn Alasco Ecclesiastical lawes in Englande The Lady Elizabeth coÌ„mitted to that Tower The siege of Senes The death of Wiat. A ParlameÌ„t in England Thassemble of Auspurge A wrytinge of the city of Norinberge against Marques Albert. The cruell actes of Marques Albert. Marques Al. goeth to Suinfort His flight The death of Charles D. of Sauoy The letters of king Fardinando to his subiectes of the Lords Supper The states make aswer to that Kinges letters Thabbot of Newstat accused of Herisye Interrogatories ministred to him The frencheÌ„ Kinge muadeth themperours countries Mariburge taken Kinge Phillip arriueth in England The frenche kinges letters Thempeor geueth to his sonne Phyllip the dukedom of Millan Cardinall Poole arriueth in England England returneth to her vomit The Cardinal geueth that Lordes absolution The Emperors letters against Marques Albert. Thimperial counsell of Auspurge 1555. Fiue coÌ„deÌ„nd at London for the Gospell The ministers exiled out of Boheme Ioy at Rome for England reduced to that Romishe Church IndulgeÌ„ces graunted by the Pope for the conuersion of Englande Melancthon comforteth the ministers of Boheme The towne of Cassalle taken by the Frenchmen An assemble of the Princes of Saxonie at Numburge The letters of the Princes of Saxony to themp The Archbyshop of MeÌ„tz dieth The death of Pope Iuly the third Marcellus the second choseÌ„ They of Sene rendre them selues to Themp. Marcellus the second dieth Paule the fourth The secte of Iesuites The trauell of Cardinall Poole to make peace betwene them perour and FreÌ„ch king A place of yâ— treaty of peace chosen by the Quene of England The Empe. letters to the states of the Empire The Duke of Alba sent to Millan Bradforde burnt in Englande Iohn Friderick thelect sonne marieth The Empe. mother dieth A tumult raised at Geneua Porte Hereules taken by Imperials PluÌ„bine besieged of Turkes Controuersie for the dominion of the Chattes Uulpian vitayled Maryburg vnailed The FreÌ„che kinges proclamation against the coÌ„demned of that inquisitours The Lucernates require of that Swisses the doctrine of the Gospell The Nauie of the kinge of DeÌ„marke Sanstorian Camillus Cardinalles led into pryson The Spanishe flete intercepted by the French King Philip came out of England to his father at Brusselles An vniuersitie erected at Dillinge A boke of Peter Asot against the coÌ„fession of the Duke of wirtemberge George Erle of Mount pelicarte marieth that Lantgraues daughter Uulpian taken and rased by the Frenchmen Mountcalue is taken by that Frenchmen The controuersie about the Lordes supper is renewed by that bremers August prince Electour had a sonne borne Ridley Latimer burnt in England Thanswere of the Parliament of Paris to that kinges proclamatioÌ„ of Lutherians Note howe byshops seke authoritie of kinges to coÌ„demne innocentes The meting of Princes about ytâ—aÌ„tgrauet matter The Emre Charles geueth the gouernemeÌ„t to his Sonns Philip. Whether peace should be geuen to Religion or no A wrytinge of the Papistes to requestes of that Protestauntes The office of Archebysh The answer of the Protestauntes to that wryting of the Papistes A wryitng of king Ferdinando to the Princes The bishops whiche chaunge their religion shuld lose their promotions a decrewher by religioÌ„ is frely permit to all men An ecclesiastical person that chaungeth his Religion shal be depriued For churchs goodes al coÌ„trouersies ar taken away The ecclesiasticall lawes shall not be exercised against the protestauntes A parliameÌ„t in England Libelles strowed about in London The byshop of Winchester dieth The wife of Iohn Friderick dieth Frances Uenery displaced Ambassad to the Princes of Germany An assemble in Austriche Iohn Gropper Cardin. King Philip entreth into Andwerpe Thambassadours of Austrtche require of kynge Ferdinando that the true ReligioÌ„ may be permitted them Truce takeÌ„ betwene the Emperour the kynge of Fraunce The answer of king Ferdinando to that Ambassa of the house of Austriche He meaneth the Emper. Sigismonde that burnte Iohn Husse The Ambassadours answer to Ferdinando The answer of king Ferdinando Duke HeÌ„ry of BruÌ„swick marieth a wyfe The byshop of Treuers dieth Fredericke Counte Palatine dieth The Duke of Pruse professeth the coÌ„fession of Auspurge A Camete sene Tharchebyshop of Cantorbu burnt for Religion The Bauarians sollicite their Prince forreligioÌ„ A father killeth his thre children The Pope toke displeasauntly that peace was geuen to religion Kyng Ferd goeth in to Boheme The Duke of Arescot brake out of pryson The Cardinall of Auspurg pourgeth himself by wryting sinisire suspicious spred of the Card. of Auspurg The pourgation of that Cardinall of Auspurg against the suspicious of certen A sclaunder deuised against certi Princes The Pope had no conference with that Emperour against religion or the libertie of Germany The Cardinall of Anspurg addicts to the olde Religion The good will of the Cardinall of Anspurg towardes the duke of Wirtemberg The loue of that Cardinall of Auspurge towardes that Germaines CommotioÌ„s in England for suspicion of a conspiracie Sir Peter Carrowe Syr Iohn Cheke takeÌ„ prisoners Xiii burnt at Stretford at the bewe The Marq. of Baben receiueth the Gospell Peter Martyr goeth to Zurick Cardinalles sent from that Pope to the Emper. and the Frenche kyng Counsell begon at Regenspurg Buda in Latin The Empe. goeth in to Spain with both his sisters Iohn Sleydane dieth

carefulnes I haue suppressed the parte of the proclamation touching the Lordes supper promysing hereafter all diligence that a reconcilement may be had For what causes I can not reuolte from the lawes and ceremonies of the churche I haue shewed For both Christ sayeth that the church must be heard and also the thing it selfe teacheth the fourmer age whiche renewyng nothing abode in the Religion of their forefathers to haue bene muche more quiet and fortunate in all thinges than this is nowe where all thinges are tourmoyled with sectes and dissentions and many men rauished toste hither and thither with euery wynde of doctrine Wherby I would the rather haue thought that you would not haue answered in this sorte And nowe albeit that this aunswere of yours may be throughly confuted yet for as much as we must treate of contributions and subsidies and therof shortly determine vnlesse you be determined to suffer extreme miserie I wyll not be ouer longe trusting also that you wyl doe both as the matter it selfe and also as the consideration of your dutie requyreth They agayne solicite the same thing and saye howe they can not leaue it And in case they can obteyne nothinge they saye it wyll be the cause that the same consultation of geuing him ayde wyl surely be hindered and letted For that they haue no commission to promyse any thing herein vnlesse they haue first good assuraunce for Religion and Ministers of the churche and for Scholemaisters that they may be authorised to teache frely In the moneth of February Henry Duke of Brunswick taketh to wyfe the sister of Sigismunde king of Poole About this tyme dieth Iohn Isemburg Byshop of Treuers and hath Iohn Ley his successour The .xxvi. daye also of the same moneth departeth at Alzeme Fredericke the Pausgraue Prince Electour a man of great yeares Whome Otto Henrick his brothers sonne succedeth who had loÌ„g since receiued the doctrine of the Gospell and was in daunger therfore to haue lost al his possessions Taking an othe of his people he commaundeth by and by that no man within his dominion should say Masse or vse any other ceremonies Of the trouble that Osiander styred vp in Prusse who had brought in a newe doctrine of iustificatioÌ„ is spoken in the xxii boke But where as the moste part of learned men reprehended that opinion Albert Duke of Prusse by open wryting professeth that he wyll followe the doctrine of the confession of Auspurg He commaundeth therfore the ministers of the churche that they teache according to the same and promyseth to saue them harmeles in case they obeye And to the ende the matter might be throughly appeased Iohn Albert Duke of Megelburge sonne in lawe to the Duke of Pruse a Prince excellently learned going thither and hauing learned men about hym brought Iohn Funccius who was chief of the secte of Osiander to that poinct that both he acknowledged his errour and affirmed that he would confesse it openly and would hereafter teache after the confession of Auspurg Where as others would do the same they were agreed with the other diuines and the state of the churche was appeased The fourth daye of Marche began to shine a blasing starre and is sene by the space of twelue dayes In this moneth the Ambassadours of Princes and cities mete at RegeÌ„spurge and treate the cause of Marques Albert of Brandenburge For his aduersaries in the counsell of the last yeare had againe required the ayde of Princes against him but through the mediatioÌ„ of his frendes and that the matter should be heard by intercessours Where he therfore in the moneth of February of this yere came out of FrauÌ„ce into Germany his matter was heard the causes of thempire differred till the moneth of Aprill The Archebishop of Cantorbury already condeÌ„ned after the death of Ryddley Latimer retourned to prison as before is said the .xxi. of this moneth is burnt at Oxforde Certen daies before being put in some hope of life through the perswasion of certen he had reuoked diuerse articles of doctrine neither shewed he constancie And when he sawe he must die he made an oration to the people and speaking many thinges of the amendement of life of maners to the ende he might haue his audience atteÌ„tiue at the leÌ„gth sheweth how greuously he had offended God by denying of the truthe reciting the chief articles of doctrine declareth briefly what he thought and confirmeth Papistrie to be the kingdome of Antichriste He had no so ner said so but he was had thence not without moste bitter railyng wordes to the place of execution And when he came thither stretching forth his right hand this haÌ„d saith he hath wickedly offended in subscribing to the wicked opinions which the ennemies of the truthe had propounded to me Wherfore it shall first suffer punishment Thus being tied to the stake so sone as the fire began to burne he stretched forth his hande into if as far as he coulde reache that it might first fele the torment And so was burnt the primate of Englande a man of greatest learning authoritie From the time that the Popishe marke was taken from him they call it degrading whiche is wont to be done with many cerimonies they put vpon him a most vile garmeÌ„t so brought him forth amonges the people to be laughed at But many hauing coÌ„passion of his vnworthy chauÌ„ce could not kepe theÌ„ froÌ„ sheding of teares although thei doubted nothing but that he should flitte out of this miserable lyfe in to the heauenly countrie and life euerlasting His promotions got Cardinall Poole made Archebyshop when he had Massed before And like as they of Austriche so also the BauariaÌ„s sollicited Albert their Duke coÌ„cerning religioÌ„ in maner at the same time The Duke seing that kyng Ferdinando his father in lawe had permitted some thing to his subiectes he also when he exacted mony graunted some thing for a time that they might receiue the Lordes supper whole and on daies prohibited when necessitie requireth to eate flesh Howbeit he prosesseth with many wordes that he wyll not departe from the Religion of his auncesters nor alter any thing in ceremonies such other thinges for the same not to be lawfull for him to doe without the consent of his supreme Magistrate both spirituall and temporall And where he permitteth these two to be for a tyme only tyll some thing be established by publique authoritie or a reconcilement made For he wyll that his proclamations of fourmer tyme concerning Religion be exactely and stryghtly kept these two thinges only excepted He wyll procure also as muche as in him lieth that the Metropolitane and Byshops shall confirme this graunte and that they shall not for this cause seke to moleste any man This proclamation was written the daye before the Kalendes of Aprill The Metropolitan of whome he speaketh is the Archebyshop of Salisburg At this time certen noble men of

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