touching sending the Cardinal out of the Kingdom and here it was observed he answered those with much moderation who were too violent in their opinions The same day the Queen assembled together all the chief Lords of France who were of her party whereof there were two bodies composed the one of Princes Dukes and Peers as the Dukes of Vandosme Mercure d' Elbeufe with their Sons Count Harcourt the Dukes of Espernoun and of Candalle The other of the Marishals d' Estree di L' Hospitalle Villeroy Plessis Pralin d' Aumont d' Estampes d' Oquincourt and Grance who being told what had past it was resolved that Vandosme Espernoun and d' Elbeuse should go and desire Orleans to come to Council D' Elbeuse delivered the message who said that his Highness might come with all safety to the Court offering himself to be an Hostage for him the Duke repli'd that d' Elbeuse should rather hold his peace than speak that it was a pleasant thing to observe that when he was for the Cardinal d' Elbeuse was for the Parliament and that now that he had declared for the Parliament d' Elbeuse was for Mazarine which argued his continual aversness to him though d' Elbeuse had had many obligations to him The Dutchess told him she was sorry that he was of the house of Lorrain and Orleans after having used many sharp speeches told Vandosme and Espernoun that he could not go to Court without bringing the Princes with him They then returned all to Court whither being gone late that Evening with the rest of the King's people to acquaint the Queen with what had been decreed and to know her Majesties pleasure touching the sending of the Cardinal away she answered That she was fully resolved to release the Princes but that she had somewhat to say to the Duke of Orleans to which purpose she had desired to speak with him and that seeing he was full of Jealousies without cause she offer'd to send the Guard de Seaux to confer with him how they were to proceed in the disimprisoning of the Princes that if he would not treat with the Guard de Seaux she did not refuse to admit of those that were the Princes Friends into the conference that for what concerned the Cardinal he was gone without any hopes of returning and that she did not know truly whither he meant to go he himself not being resolved upon it for he could not return to Rome till there were a good understanding between him and the present Pope The Cardinal having afterward written to the Queen that he thought it fit his Nephew and his Nieces should go out of Paris and this being granted his Nephew went out incognue with the Abbate of Palaw on the seventh day as did also his three Nieces the next Evening by the means of Abbate Vndedey who taking them out of the Palace and concealing them that night in a friends house of his they went afterwards out of the City in a Coach with two Horses as Citizens and that being come to St. Denis where they were waited for they got into a Coach with six Horses and being well attended went towards Peroun whether by appointment the Marishal of Oquincourt's Lady was gone the day before who staid half way to meet them and to bring them into that place whereof the Marishal her Husband was Governour who had renounced Beaufort's friendship and imbraced the Cardinals proving himself therein truly grateful The Parliament being met the next day they were acquainted with the Queens answer Orleans accepted of the Conference with the Guard de Seaux and told the Assembly That he would assuredly treat that day touching the Princes liberty and that they should not be two hours together before all necessary orders and expedition should be taken in it as also touching the Declaration of their Innocence and that other against all Forreigners so as the Parliament resolved to trust the Duke with what concern'd the Princes liberty And the Queen having told the King's people that the Cardinal was gone without any hopes of returning the decree was unanimously made against him with order that it should be Printed and sent to all the other Parliaments of the Kingdom and that the Chambers should keep together till the arrival of the Princes The Decree was that within fifteen days he and all his Kindred and Forrain Domesticks should be gone out of the Kingdom and out of all other parts within the King's obedience which time being expired the disobedient should be extraordinarily proceeded against and that it should be lawful for all men to fall upon them and inhibiting all men to receive them This decree was approved by almost all the other Parliaments of France who decreed the same All this while the Baracadoes were kept up and stricter guard than ever was kept about the Court and every night Duke Beaufort went on one side Count Tavanes on another and Monsieur de Chambois on the third with Troops of armed men to clear the Streets in so much as on the ninth of February the Inhabitants of Rue St. Honore hearing the noise of Horses passing to and fro came out and finding some Sentinels advanced to the Croix de Tiroire they thought according as it was cunningly given out that there was a design to convey the King out of Paris and the Duke of Orleans hearing it sent Souches the Captain of his guard presently to Court where he found the Queen in Bed and the King asleep which appeased the tumult whereupon the first President said the next day in Parliament That it was an unsufferable thing that they should proceed with such licentiousness against their Majesties to whom they ought to bear respect and Reverence But the news of the King 's being gone being dispers'd throughout all the City many did believe it and ran in such multitudes to the Palace-Royal as the King was forc't to shew himself twice or thrice at the window whereupon the people cryed Long live the King and a fig for Mazarine After Dinner the Queen sent the guard de Seaux and Marishal Villeroy again to desire Orleans to come to Court who the Queen having given him all satisfaction by sending her Letters to deliver the Princes out of Prison said he would come the next day and that his wife should first go visit their Majesties And that Evening the Queen sent for the Provost de Merchants and the Sheriffs and told them how unfortunate she was that it should be thought she would carry the King out of Paris to free them from the fear whereof she was content that Guards of good Citizens should be set at the City gates but notwithstanding all this strange outrages were committed against the Duke of Espernoun Count Harcourt and many others of the Court party by the common people The next morning Monsieur Vrliere went to Haure de Grace with Letters and expeditions for the delivery of the Princes without any whatsoever
taken Prisoner by the Kings Forces who whilst they strove whose prisoner he should be Count Rosan came in with five Squadrons and charged the Kings men so briskly as Marsilliack making use of this confusion freed himself from these Foot and though he were on foot and wounded took a Horse from a Souldier and got away with Count Mà tha Grance being reinforced in this skirmish by some of his own Squadrons fell so furiously upon the Enemy as he routed them immediately Roson was mortally Wounded and taken Prisoner together with divers other Officers and as many as were not slain Whereupon Grance marched into la Brie sackt the Castles of Lasegny Sercon and Villemenon and assaulted the very Town of Brie which was begirt with an ancient Wall and defended by the Inhabitants but he forced them to surrender the Town The said deputed persons were brought before the Queen as she sat in the midst of the Council where having done their due reverence Tallon told her how a Herauld had appeared at the Gate of St. Honoré just as the Parliament was sate to speak with the Assembly from her Majesty Whereat all the Councellors being surprised they knew not what to think of it but that it was to try her Subjects fidelity and to see whether they would treat with the King their Master in another manner than Vassals do when they receive his Commands That they therefore thought they had not disobeyed knowing that Heraulds are not sent but to Enemies or equals wherefore they pretending to continue the glorious Title of most humble Subjects thought it the lesser evil to dismiss him and to take the course which they had taken Wherefore they presented themselves before her Majesty with sorrowful Souls and humble Hearts to intreat her to accept of her Parliaments excuse who had not heard her Herauld for fear of offending her Royal Dignity or prejudicing her Soveraignty of the preservation whereof they had a greater care than all the World besides by which refusal she might finde the obedience of devoted Subjects and the innocency of their Councils which aimed at nothing but the preservation of Regal Authority against the power of the Enemies of France concluding that if she had sent him as to Soveraign personages she might see their respects and that they acknowledge their happiness consisted onely in their obedience To assure her Majesty whereof was the express cause of this their coming But if she sent him as to criminal people they were come to submit themselves to her Will and to be punisht by her The Queen heard these words with her wonted goodness and afterwards commanded the Chancellor to assure them that she was satisfied with the Declaration which they had made but that she could not be fully content unless their Words were accompanied by Effects and they might then assure themselves of her good will toward them and of her care for preservation of the Persons and the Fortune of all of them without exception The Duke of Orleans added That he wondred exceedingly why the Parliament did not readily render obedience to the Queen being in all reason obliged to do it and since they might promise themselves all fair dealing both in general and particular from their Majesties Clemency Condé spoke to the same purpose adding That the Queen aimed at nothing but the good of the State and the preservation of the Regal Authority and the welfare of every particular person These men returning to Paris made their report unto the Parliament whereupon they no sooner began to treat but Don Ieusippe Arnolsini was brought in to disturb it who was sent from Brussels by the Arch-Duke on the 24 th of February to Paris incognito with Letters of Credence which he presented to the Prince of Conâ—y whilst he was in private conference in L'Hostelle d'Elbâ—â—ufe with the Dukes of Beaufort and Bulliâ—n the Marshal de la Motte the Coadjutor the Presidents Conieux Navion Viola and Brousel the Counsellor The onâ— of these Letters was sealed and sent to the Prince of Conty The other was sent open to the Parliament He was privately treated with by Saraâ—ine Secretary to the Prince of Conty to finde out what he would â—e at the Spaniards by him made specious proâ—fers to advance onely as the Princes and Heads of that party should please and that they desired nothing but to free Paris and to procure a general Peace This was the Hood that caught the Prince of Conty for he thought iâ— a glorious thing if the Kingdom might be restored to Peace at the first unsheathing of Swords He therefore dispatcht away the Marquiss of Noirsmonstere Monsieur Laigne Monsieur Roussiere and Briqâ—igny who was stopt at Quinteyns The sum of Arnolfini's business was that the Arch-Duke would advance the Spanish Troops and those of Lorain to free Paris for which the Spaniards required a cautionary Town La Motte propounded Corbie but with small hopes of getting it out of his Brothers hands who was Governour thereof and was firm for the King There were better hopes in the Treaties between the Dutchess of Monbason and the Marquiss of Oquincourt who being in love with her it was hoped that she might get Peronne from him but neither did this hit For Oquincourt's affection to the King and his honour prevailed over his love to Monbason besides that this Proposal was refused by the Parliament who thought it unbecoming them to assigne over a Town of France to the Enemies of France whilst they were in treaty of a general Peace which would prove a perpetual reproach to the Loyalty which they professed to bear unto their King There was nothing therefore done in it more than that Arnolfini was heard in the Parliament where he appeared and explained the Arch-Duke's Letter and then gave in his Commission the Contents whereof was That he was sent by his Master the Arch-Duke to the Parliament where he could not think but he should be welcome since he brought the offer of Peace which was by all Christendom so much desired and so necessary for the quiet of the two Crowns That it was true that Cardinal Mazarine would not make Peace two years ago though he might have done it upon very advantageous terms for France But that after the King went from Paris the Cardinal propounded an Agreement with Spain upon very large terms saying that his chief motive therein was to chastise the Parliament-Rebels and to reduce them to reason But that the Catholick King did not think these exhibitions fair nor safe at this conjuncture of time thinking that it would be a shame for him to make use of such means so to oppress the Capital City of the Kingdom That his Majesty thought it not safe to treat with one who was condemned by Parliament as an Enemy to the King and Kingdom since the Parliament is to register and authenticate the Treaties of Peace But that as his King would make no other advantage of this conjuncture than an
the new Semistry and with leave for those that were banished to return home whereat those Counsellours were so puffed up as they made a numerous Faction against the Governour which intrench'd upon his Authority punish'd his Adherents and did in open manner withstand the usual form of chusing Consuls whereat the Court being displeased the Queen was often acquainted therewith and wish'd to consider what inconveniencies might ensue unless speedy remedy were taken But the King's Council having then their hands full of the Troubles of Paris and growing apprehensive of the Action of many Lords they put him in hopes saying That when the Affairs of Paris should be settled they would send him sufficient Forces to punish the Peccant and wish'd him wisely to dissemble But the Count being impatient instead of concealing this Advertisement did participate it to some others whom he thought his Friends the knowledge whereof coming to the contrary Faction distrusts increased and means used to cancel the fault was by running into a greater contumacy So as the Parliament of Aix following the Example of that of Paris grew licentious and as the Parisians had detracted from the Cardinal's Administration representing to the King the necessity of pleasing his people by taking all Employment from him and driving him out of his Kingdom so did the Provincials pretend to the removal of their Governour to which purpose they sent unto the Court threatning That in case of denial or delay they would no longer obey him He on the contrary pretended to sustain himself by the power of his Friends and of the Nobility and seeking rather to revenge than to secure himself drove all that he suspected out of Aix And because Monsieur de la Tour who was Friend to one Beaureville the Advocate-General of the Parliament did stir up Sedition more than the rest he caused him to be imprisoned threatning to make him an Example But the people as a Torrent which swells by the concourse of several Rivulets took this for Violence and for a private Revenge and upon pretence that upon the 18th of Ianuary a Souldier of the Guard had wounded a Servant of a Member of Parliament took up Arms and fill'd the whole City with Sedition insomuch as had it not been for the Arch-bishop of Arles and the President Seguiran who by their Credit and Authority moderated the Uproar somewhat of fatal might have hapned yet the people were not pacified though for the present they laid down Arms for their jealousies increasing as novelties multiplied two days after on St. Sebastians day which is usually celebrated in a little Church without the Gate by the procession of many people a Country-fellow cry'd out That the King's Party would shut the Gates of the City as soon as the Procession was gone out Whereupon grew so great a confusion as that the Governour 's Palace being begirt and besieged by a numerous rout of armed men they reduced him to such straights as to escape so eminent a danger he was forced to treat and to yield that he and all his men would go out of the City as he did whereby the Parliament was freed from the fear of the Souldiers and of the Governour Whereupon a Decree was suddenly made for abolishing the Semestry for joyning with the Parliament of Paris for the recalling of Consuls for restitution of the places taken from the Baron de Brass and from Monsieur Siguiram and finally for the observing those Orders onely which should be from that time given by the Count di Garces the King's Lieutenant in that Province To whom they were content to submit that they might make it appear they had done all this not to forgo their obedience to the King but onely that they might not be subject to the violence and private passions of their Governour with all which they acquainted the Court and made excuses sutable to their Delinquencie The Count d'Allets being much troubled at this Affont betook himself to provide all things necessary to chastise those who had so far forgone their Duties He got together about 5000 Foot and 150 Horse besides 600 Voluntiers of Provence and Languedock He took Chasteau Regnande Borba la Roque Maxsarques St. Pole and other Towns which had declared for the Parliament and were of no great consideration not being in any posture of defence and he encamped before the very City of Aix which is seated upon the River Are greatly peopled but begirt only with a bare Wall and Towers after the ancient manner from whence 200 men sallying out they were all taken and cut in pieces and they would have proceeded farther had not a Gentleman come at the very time who brought Pardon and Peace subscribed by the King Whereupon the next day Arms were laid down on all sides and the Kings Souldiers were sent some into Piedmont some into Catalonia But though Peace was made in Provence War was kindled in Guienne between the Duke of Espernon the Governour-General and the Parliament and City of Bourdeaux whereof to understand the occasion we must make here a short digression By the example of the Commotions of Paris a Faction was formed by certain Councellors of Parliament in Bourdeaux who by conversing with the Wife of Councellor Mirat and with some other Women who met together in her house began like the Frondeurs of Paris to pry into businesses not competent to their Callings which was to meddle onely in Civil and Criminal affairs and not to busie themselves with State-affairs which belongs onely to the King 's Privy Council Mirate was a crafty man of quick and unquiet thoughts and reputed very wise he was held to be the chief of all the rest amongst whom was President Pichon a Brother of his Monsieur Feyarde Monsieur d'Alem and divers other turbulent and ambitious Spirits These were assisted by Advocate Constanse and by Monsieur di Fontenelle At the first risings against the Duke of Espernon this Faction was fomented by Monsieur de la Vie who was Advocate-General a proud pretender who intending to justle out the first President Bernet that he might have his place whereby he might wrestle with Espernon's Authority whom he loved not made use of the troubles of Paris which made men lay aside all respect and made it lawful to infuse jealousies into the aforesaid Councellors and others of unquiet Spirits such as were Messieurs Blanck Mouesin Remont Espagnet and chiefly the President Dasis Their designe being to enhaunce their pretended Authority under the Name of Parliament that they might govern the City they began to declaim against the Duke of Espernon terming him Proud Avaritious Violent and of contrary ends to those which belonged to a wise Statesman they laid to his charge that he sent Corn out of the Country under pretence of uniting the Frontiers but indeed to make Merchandise of it That he opress'd the people and threatned them They declared that what they did was for the ease of the Country
not do some Coupe de Maistre That Cardinal Richelieu had begun it and Mazarine had continued it as was to be seen in divers Presidents and Counsellors in Messieurs de L' Hospital Vitry Barrillon Duke Beaufort Marishal Della Motta and lastly in Princes of the Royal Family He did inculcate that evils must be provided against by stout Resolutions of Parliament which had always upheld Regal Authority though the Cardinal imputed all the disorders thereunto And here he called to mind that Henry the 4 th said once to the Duke of Savoy that he acknowledged his Crown from the square Caps Lottin said hereupon that it was no new thing for Parliaments to meddle in such affairs for that it was to be found in publick Records even to the years 1415. and 1417. that the Parliament had nominated Commissioners to make Remonstrances to the King touching the ill Government of the State and that the Cardinal said false in saying that the Parliament was an Enemy to the King and Kingdom Vedaw condemning the Government of Forreigners alledged an example taken out of what History I know not of a Lake seated between certain Mountains whereinto if a stone were thrown it would become Tempestuous others spake in praise of the Princes and were all for the Remonstrances at last three or four days being spent in such like discourses in which time many Libels were posted up on several corners of the Streets tending to sedition the first President finding that the greatest part were for the Remonstrance and that it lay not in the wit of man to alter them that he might not appear contrary to the Princes to whom he was also a well wisher was contented that an humble supplication should be made to their Majesties for the Princes liberties to which function he himself with some others of the Assembly were deputed who not having audience before the 22 th of Ianuary spoke as followeth Sir It is to be believed that your Majesty is informed of the present condition of your Kingdom and of the late conquests which have been such as they may be said to be peculiar to your Crown we have with grief seen the loss of so many advantages of so many Towns in Italy and in Catalonia which have cost so much Blood and Treasure The Enemy hath been so bold as to set his Foot in France and to take Towns in sight of the French Army Your Majesty hath been forced to go into many Provinces of this your Majesties Kingdom to quench a fire which seemed to extend it self every where your Majesty hath been forced to march into several Provinces of your Kingdom to quench a fire which seemed to threaten a general Conslagration the pains and troubles of which voyages hath prejudiced your Majesties health and which is the greatest misfortune can belong to us hath put your life into much danger all men know that these disorders have happened since the 18 th of January 1650 that fatal day wherein two Princes of the blood were imprisoned together with the Governours of Normandy Some thought by this to break the thread of all our disasters and to quiet France but in lieu thereof it hath widened all wounds We very well know that there are some secrets of State which it is not lawful to pry into and that there are some mysteries which ought not to be soon made known It being sufficient that in time the truth shall be made known This perhaps hath made us believe there were many strong and valid reasons for this Imprisonment which in time might be discovered had not the Letter which was sent to the Parliament the next day decipherd the Aenigma making us know the innocency of the rather unfortunate than blamable Princes We placed the strength and welfare of this Kingdom in the Regency intrusted in our Vertuous Queen your Sacred Majesties Mother assisted by the Duke of Orleans and by the Prince of Conde but as soon as this knot was loosened all misfortunes besell us We had thought that the Authours of this Council might have altered their minds knowing that there is no way to keep off publick ruine but to think upon the liberty of these Princes and to restore unto France those Champions who have kept her so long Victorious and preserved her from all forreign injuries but though we have expected this with impatiency as necessary for the good and safety of this Dominion we will boldly say it hath been in vain the liberty of these Captives might make us know that our Enemies were no longer able to advantage themselves by our disorders and divisions But when we expected this good fortune we were struck with astonishment to see them removed to another Prison where their lives are in danger yes I say in danger and I add that they may well be kept from our eyes but never from the hearts of minds of true Frenchmen Madam this is the effect of our humble Remonstrance who ought to watch that the publick may receive no prejudice we have been long silent out of respect and had been so still had it not been that we might have been blamed for not giving notice of the threatning disorders But Sir as this Assembly if your Majesty had extended your Authority too far upon any particular Member of this Parliament had been obliged to have interceded for that Member so ought it much more do so for the Princes of the blood who are children of the Royal Family the firmest upholders of Monarchy and the most noble and honourable Members of this Kingdom So many Victories so many Conquests so many Services done to the State plead in their behalf as if any thing might be feared from their comportments the apprehensions which are conceived might suffice that unless their misfortune have a speedy end the stones which do inclose them will speak so loud as the passers by who shall hear them will carry their mournful complaints throughout all France wâ—ll awaken the hearts of all true Frenchmen which will make such a noise as it is to be feared that from this bold action some inconvenience may result unto your Majesties in this so great and pressing danger We humbly beseech your Majesty Madam to find out some convenient Remedies and that you will give us leave with all dutiful respect to say that unless you provide speedily for it the zeal care and fidelity which we owe to the preservation of the State and to the Kings service will force us to lay our hands to it and to imploy all our endeavours to keep this Crown from falling We have thought fit Madam to represent all these considerations to your Majesty and humbly to desire that you will set these imprisoned Princes at liberty to the end that they may be able to do that faithful service to the State as they have formerly done and Sacrifice the Remainder of their blood and lives to the glory of this Monarchy further beseeching your Majesty
service as well in the publick assembly as in private discourse with their Majesties as Commissioners from the Parliament using his best indeavours for the Princes liberty The Court and Cardinal being thus undermined saw they were obliged to give the Princes their liberty yet they failed not by means of many Princes and others on whom they relyed to handle the agreement so as that they were to acknowledg their Releasement merely from the Queen and should be only bound to her and joyn with her if they could but break the designs of the Coadjutor and of others The Marquess Chastoneus who for his venerable age was well thought of by both sides sent for the Prince his friends to him as Viola Vesnsond Croisy Arnault and others and in presence of Secretary Tillier proposed a particular Treaty for the Princes liberty Conde's friends listned willingly to this for they suspected that the Cardinal being gone and when Orleans should be Arbitrator at Court he might still detain the Princes in Prison by the Coadjutor's instigation which they said was the Coadjutor's hidden design whilst the Cardinal was upon his journey to Haure de Grace and whilst Grammont Lyon and Goulas negotiating with the Prince did agree together that Conde should renounce all Leagues as well within as without the Kingdom that he should not come into Claremont Bellegrade the Castle of Dijon nor the Tower of Burges till four years after his disimprisonment that the King should put a Garrison into Steney that the Duke of Longueville should quit the Government of Normandy as being too near Paris having another Government as good given him The Dukes of Nemeurs and of Rochfaucolt who were come to Paris subscribed the Treaty and hound themselves to observe it since Orleans had not given them the Kings Letter till after they had signed it The Queen did this to further Lyon's Negotiation in Haure de Grace who had order to handle the business so as that the King might receive no prejudice thereby and that it might appear to proceed merely from the Queens favour but whilst Monsieur Vrliere and others went to see this Treaty performed the Cardinal set them at liberty so as their was no more speech thereof and the Princes came out of Prison as you shall hear in the next Book THE HISTORY OF FRANCE The SIXTH BOOK The CONTENTS Cardinal Mazarine parts unexpectedly from Paris and goes to Haure de Grace The Parisians rise and under pretence that the King and Queen might also go out of Paris they set Guards round about the Palace-Royal The Princes are dis-imprisoned and return in glory to Paris The Cardinal goes to Sedam and retires from thence to Burles in Germany The Dutchess of Longueville and Marishal Turenne are restored to Court The Marriage between the Prince of County and Madamoselle Chevereux is broken off whereat the Dutchess of Chevereux is scandalized and become an Enemy to Conde who loseth many friends Assemblies of Ecclesiasticks and of the Nobility insue They pretend to call an Assembly of the States General and are dissolved with promise from the King that they shall be called another time Marishal Chasteauneus is in disgrace at Court and the Seals are delivered to the first President of Parliament The Duke of Orleans and the Frondeurs are troubled thereat they make the Queen re-assume them and deliver them to the Chancellor of the Kingdom The Prince takes new distasts at Court and begins new troubles at the Cardinals return divers proposals are made by both parties Conde at unawares retires from Paris goes to St. Maure pretends not to be safe at Court demands that some State Ministers be sent away which is done but is not content for all this he makes other pretentions the Queen seeks all means how to appease him but in vain He makes league with Spain and by his friends and kindred is forced to make War which he does unwillingly foretelling no good success The Spaniards begirt Barcellona and divers accidents happen in those parts THE Parliament being fomented by the Duke of Orleans by the Frondeurs and Male-contents and which was of more importance being frightned at the rage of the people who ran in great numbers storming to the publick Palace after they had made humble Remonstrances to the Queen for the liberty of the Princes and for the removal of the Cardinal it was questioned whom the Provost of Merchants ought to obey in case the people should take up Arms and the assembly seeming to give that Attribute to the Duke of Orleans and the commotions growing hotter and hotter in the City the Cardinal was in danger of his life Wherefore the Dutchess of Chevereux who did not build too much upon Orleans his stability and who desired that the Cardinal would yield used all possible means to make him be gone shewing the Queen sometimes how necessary it was to satisfie Orleans who being sweetned by this demonstration of esteem put upon him would be easily won over sometimes saying That if the Cardinal would yield but for some few days till such time as the Duke might be brought back to Council he would undoubtedly be appeased and being a Prince naturally well given would by strong reasons be made to see how falsely he had been informed from whence he might be brought to alter his mind wherein she would be ready to co-operate being as desirous of the Crowns good as any other whosoever but the Counsel were of several opinions and though there were but few that did not inwardly desire the Cardinals fall yet some were absolutely against his departure advising that 2000. Gentlemen of the Countrey who were well affected to the Court should enter Paris make head against Orleans and drive him and all the turbulent Spirits out of the City who wanting the presence of the imprisoned Princes could expect but little from any else who wanted credit and were not fit to govern War as was Conde and some that were more affectionate to the Crown said That upon this occasion they might follow Cromwell's example who had reduced London a great and powerful City for people and wealth to intire obedience by making the Army advance into the Suburbs and begirt the City again as they had done the preceeding year Plessis Pralin de Eure and the Father of Marishal Santerre appeared more concerned for the Cardinals tarrying than all the rest for they said plainly That they had rather see him in that condition whom they by experience had found to be cruelly demean'd than others who peradventure were more rigid had further pretences Count Servient Tillier and Lion were true to the Cardinal and contributed Counsels becoming the Kings service But those who naturally were given to love novelty desired he might absent himself and these were more in number Chasteneus the Guard de Seaux particularly strove to shew that there was no better expedient for the present than the Cardinals absence and that the effect must be
they obtained from him in these words We do consent and approve that the Nobility do Assemble to give in their grievances in writing so asthey put them into our hands and that they comprehend not any thing therein which is not conformable to the orders and decrees of the States General and that when they shall have received satisfaction in their grievances they dissolve when we shall bid them Vpon these conditions we promise them our protection This was written and subscribed on the second of February 1651. They then sent to the Prince of Conde and to the other Princes to congratulate their liberty and Marquess Lordis President of the Nobility made an Encomiastical Oration to the Prince the act of Union was subscribed on the 21 th of February as it had been drawn up seventeen days before by all the Nobility of the Assembly except the elder Marquess Vieville who was won over to the Court upon hope of being made superintendant of the Finances The Princes were well satisfied with the Assemblies complement they then dispatched away Letters through all the Provinces to exhort all other Gentlemen to enter into their Union and continued the Assembly that they might advance their designs Count Fiesco did very much labour the Convocation of the States General as the only means to come by the wisht for general peace strove to keep the Clergy firm to their first intentions and accordingly Archbishop Ambrune and Bishop Cominges spoke boldly for this Convocation using examples and places of Scripture to draw all men to the same opinion In this interim the Parliament which did not like the Convocation of the States General as well for fear left their Authority might thereby be moderated and that the Sale of places might peradventure be thereby suppressed and confer'd upon better deserving men as also out of the innate jealousie which is commonly found between Parliaments and States the latter pretending to be superior in Authority and the other did maintaining that States can resolve nothing unless it be by them verified notwithstanding met And here Monsieur de Coqueley brought a request presented by the Procurator General wherein he blamed the Assembly of the Nobility for being met without the King's Authority and insisted upon the inhibiting thereof but whilst they were deliberating hereupon and that the first President moved that the first Authors thereof should be punished reading the Letters sent by the Assembly to the several Provinces wherein the Duke of Orleans was concerned by whose permission the Assembly met that Duke and the Prince of Conde were intreated to come to the Parliament to deliberate upon this weighty affair for the Assembly began to be in great vogue in the Provinces and there was danger that by continuing the Assembly new disorders might arise This mean while the Queen by agreement with the Duke of Orleans and the Prince of Conde sent on the 16 th of March to the Marishal de L' Hospitalle to inform the aforesaid meeting that it should break up and that as for their desire of having the States General called they should have it granted to meet on the first of October next at Tours The same was confirmed by the Duke of Orleans and the Captain of his Guard past his word that what had been said by the Marishal de L' Hospitalle in the name of the King and Queen should be punctually perform'd The like did the Cavaliere de Vieville by order from the Princes of Conde and County none of which were pleased with the calling of the States General as things too prejudicial to Regal Authority and to themselves in particular and therefore they sought by such excuses and promises to carry things on to the end that all might afterwards dissolve into nothing The Duke of Orleans instigated by the Coadjutor who partook of all his secret Councils became Protector of the Assembly of the Nobility the major part whereof depended upon him as being his intimate friends And the Coadjutor being very much troubled that even French Cardinals were by Decree of Parliament debar'd being of the Privy Council whereby he was deprived of his hope of becoming the chief Minister of State and of being Cardinal made the Duke of Orleans incourage the Clergy to joyn with the Nobility and to complain onto the Queen of the unjust proceedings of Parliament whereat the Court was not at all displeased seeing her adversaries at variance within themselves This Assembly of the Nobility was introduced when the King's Authority began to totter by reason of the hatred conceived against the Cardinal and it was begun by certain Bishops who were discontented at the Court proceedings and by certain Nobles who were not therewith well pleased only to make a noise and to make themselves of some consideration at first these Assemblies were held but by a few and in private houses The chief Authors of those of the Clergy were the Archbishop of Sens Brother to Marquess Termer the Bishops of Orleans Haghen and the old Bishop of Albi who were all three of the house of Bene and come to France from Florence the Bishop of Cominges and others the Marquess of Lourdis and of Vieville the Counts of Betumirs Fiesco Montresore Vrse Fourilles Montignack and others who were all without any charge and but little considered at Court they took their pretence from some ill usage of the Nobility in the Country of Vexin by the King's Officers about a suit touching some counterbar'd Salt brought in by the Soldiers and hid amongst their baggage in the March which the Army made towards the Frontiers some of them came to Paris to complain thereof and finding men displeased at the imprisonment of the Princes and laying hold of that pretence that Mazarine had told the Queen in full Council that the Nobility of France hated the King and that the Parliament would do as that of England had done they bethought themselves of calling the Assemblies by the Assent and Authority of the Duke of Orleans who was not altogether content with the Court. So as nothing but novelty was sought after whereby to win credit and get some Office or place in the King's Council The same whereof being spread over the whole Kingdom so numerous was the concourse of Prelates and of Cavaliers as they became formidable not only to the Court and Parliament but even to the Princes who had first protected the Assembly for they thought that the States General would moderate their power by taking away their Governments and places and that peradventure they would take the boldness of England for when the third Estate should concur and the States General should be met the Arbitrement of affairs would almost depend upon these Afterwards private houses proving too little for these Assemblies they were adjourned to the Covent of St. Francis and St. Augustine where in the great Halls thereof affairs were disposed of in good order But this being done without the King's
to hault at the Village above the aforesaid Castle that he might make use of them if he should be forced to retreat The Spanish Captains coming in as their Soldiers ran away rallied them so as the French were forced to retreat to their reserve where the Foot behaved themselves so well as having disordered the Spanish Horse by a furious volly of Musquet shot Pardalian had opportunity to fall upon them with his reserve and to discompose them killing many and taking many Prisoners The rest of the day was spent in defials and slight Skirmishes on both sides and they lay that night in the fields which retarded the march of the Spanish Army one day and made the Spaniards hazard the loss of their Rear if Pardallian had had more men or had the Piemontese Militia done as they ought to have done Thus without makeing any more attempts they all retreated to their former quarters and where they staid till they were forced to remove by mere accidents as small be said in the insuing books The remainder of this year and the beginning of the next were spent in treaties between the Governour of Millan and the Dutchess of Savoy to whom the Spaniards made great offers perswading her to make use of the present conjunctures of time when little assistance being to be expected from France by all reason she ought to agree with Spain and shun the ruine which Piemonte was likely to run into for want of necessary defence but the Dutchess though she seemed not to be distasted with such a treaty yet entred she thereinto only to feed the Spaniards with hopes till times might prove better THE HISTORY OF FRANCE The SEVENTH BOOK The CONTENTS The King's Majority after which divers expeditions are made Marquess Chasteauneus is sent for back into the Court and made Minister of State The seals are given again to the first President Mole The Coadjutor Gondi is named by the King to be Cardinal The Prince of Conde retires to Berry and from thence to Burdeaux The King goes with his Court to Berry and from thence towards Guienne Divers accidents of War happen Cardinal Mazarine is sent for back by the King who raiseth men to enter France War begins again in Guienne with several successes which are advantagious for the King Count Marsine abandons the King's service and goes from Catalonia to France to Conde's party The Duke of Nemeurs raiseth men in Flanders and falls in with the party of the Male-contents The Cardinal parts from Sedam and comes with about 6000 Soldiers to Poictiers to serve the King the Duke of Bullion and General Turenne are received in favour to the Court Turenne is declared General of the King's Army Angiers is taken The King marcheth to Blois Nemeurs enters France with the Army which he raised in Flanders Differences arise between him and Duke Beaufort who differ in managing the War Count Paluan besiegeth Montrond Madamoselle comes to Orleans and keeps that City from declaring for the King The King's Army advanceth to Guienne Conde comes incognito from Guienne to Nemeurs and Beaufort's Army Several accidents of War happen The Spaniards continue the seige of Barcellona ON the 7 th of September the day destined for the Ceremony of the King's Majority all things were prepared which were fitting to Celebrate such an action the King Queen Princes and great ones of the Court go to the Hall of Parliament where the King being seated in his Chair of Justice the Queen sate on his right hand together with the Dukes of Anjou and Orleans Prince of County the Dukes and Peers of France who were there viz. the Dukes of Vsses Mercure Beaufort Luines Brisack Rochefaucolt and Candalle who were followed by the Marishals of France viz. D' Estree de L'Hospitalle Villeroy Oquincourt la Motta Plessis Pralin de Estampes the Son of Millerey great Master of the Artillery and on the left hand sate the Lord de Aumaule Archbishop of Rheimes Cohorse Bishop of Beauvois Vialarde Bishop of Chalouns Barada Bishop of Noyoune the four Ecclesiastical Dukes and Peers all these sate on high and lower on the right hand sate the Archbishop of Paris the Bishops of Saulis and Tarbes at the Kings foot sate Duke Chamberlain Ioyeuse the chief Provost of Paris the Counts Charost Tremes Gesure and Villaquiere who were Captains of the King's Guard Count Brienne Messieurs della Vrliere Plesses Guinagaude and Tillier who were four Secretaries of State upon a Bench over against the King's feet At the Queens feet sate Monsieur Guitand Captain of her Guard Coninges her Lieutenant Count Harcourt with the Crowns Sword in a violet velvet sheath studded with Golden Flower-de-luces The Chancellor in his usual place in a velvet Gown upon another seat behind the Counsellors of State sate the six Masters of Requests and President Montaro upon another Bench sate the Princess of Carrignano and her Daughter Princess Luise and then the Queens maids with their Mother in the high Lantern sate the Queen of England the Dutchess of Orleans Dutchess of Espernoun the Marquess of Gesures and Cominges in the Lantern on the side of Nodari the Pope's Nuntio the Embassadors of Venice and Holland in the Tribunal upon their knees four Heralds at Arms two before and two behind one bearing the hand of Justice another the Scepter and the other two Truncheon of violet Velvet studded with small Golden Flower-de-luces the Dukes of Crequi and Mortman chief Gentlemen of the Kings Bed-Chamber and Marquess Sourches grand Provost of France and on seats below all the Counsellors Officers and others of the Court and Parliament Being thus stately inthroned the King spoke thus I am come to the Parliament to tell you that according to the Laws of the Kingdom I intend to take upon my self the Government of the State and hope through God's goodness to do it with piety and justice The Chancellor will tell you the rest who standing up and bowing low unto the King made a neat discourse upon that action which when he had done he return'd to his place Then the Queen rising a little from her seat spoke thus unto the King Sir this is the 9th year that by the will of the late King my ever honour'd Lord and Husband I have taken upon me the care of your Education and the Government of the State God of his goodness hath blessed my indeavours and preserved your person which is so dear to me and pretious to your Subjects Now that the laws of your Kingdom call you to take upon you the Government of this Monarchy I with much satisfaction surrender the Authority that was given me of Governing it hoping that God will assist you with his spirit of strength and wisdom whereby to make your Kingdom fortunate Then the King turning towards her with a chearful countenance said He thanked her for the care she had taken of his Education and of the Government of the Kingdom that he desired her to continue
for about 20 days making only some small Skirmish At the same time the Castle of Dion which till then had held for Conde was after 12 days siege surrender'd to Espernoun The King had all this while deferred his Declaration against Conde hoping that being aware of his errour he would accept of the agreement managed by the Duke of Orleans who proceeding slowly therein the Court grew jealous that they held intelligence together and that though they seemed to oppose the Cardinals return yet they did in their hearts desire it that they might make good their pretences which were grown very low and to draw over the people to them but at last on the 16 th of November the said Declaration was sent to the Parliament of Paris and was presented by the first President which caused great noise in the City and chiefly in the Duke of Orleans his Court and amongst the Frondeurs the Declaration said That the Prince of Conde was become guilty of high Treason having taken up Arms against his Sovereign and against the State that he held confederacy with the Spaniard intending through his ambition to disturb the peace of the Kingdom The Prince of County Dutchess of Longueville Dukes of Nemeurs and Rochefaucolt with other of their friends and adherents were contained in the same Declaration The King's Declarations being to be registred in Parliament they could not refuse to do it seeing that Conde was in open War against the King it was therefore Registred but with a caution that the Prince might have a months space to return to his obedience but the Frondeurs not being content with the proceeding of Parliament and highly netled with the fame of the actions of the King's Forces in Guienne foreseeing thereby the Prince his ruine and therewith the like of their own faction on the beginning of December scattered abroad divers papers in the Streets of Paris inviting the people to meet in Tornon-street intending by sedition to cause the Parliament to make such Declarations as might divert the Court from their begun proceedings against the Princes And some of the most outragious getting into the midst of an insolent Rabble went first with them to L' Hostelle de Orleans exclaiming against the bad Government and then went to the first Presidents house who strongly defended the Courts cause and consequently the Cardinals for he was grown so hated by the Male-contents as upon this occasion and many others he was in danger of being hainously outraged but being a couragious Gentleman instead of hiding himself he came down into the yard to that tumultuous rout and did by his presence so appease their fury as it might be well seen these tumultuaries were set on more by others than by their own passion for when they saw him not they were inraged against him and when they saw him had not a word to say such force hath integrity and a masculine vertue to mollifie any unbridled insolency The Parliament being met the 9 th of the next month made another decree against the Cardinal upon advertisement that he raised men to re-enter France and began to think upon all means how to hinder his return but he staying still at Dinan solicited new leavies whereby to come and re-inforce the King and his time of departure growing near he renewed his desire of a pasport from the Spaniards but they feeding him only with words he stole away suddenly one night and without drawing bridle for eighteen hours went to Bovillion not without danger of being interrupted by the Spaniards who kept an eye upon him or by Conde's Forces who being quartered on the other side the River did ever and anon make excursions into the neighbouring parts He sent from thence to acquaint the Spanish Commanders that he vvas gone and that though they would not pleasure him with a pass he hoped they would favour his friends with one which was presently granted and they were with much honour conducted by Don Antonio Pimontel to Bovillion from whencegoing to Sedam he resolved to march forthwith with the 4000 men which he had raised into France together with the Forces of Marishal de Oquincourt which were sent unto him by the King When this news came to Paris it caused great rumour and the Frondeurs Parliament and Dukes of Orleans and Beaufort were more troubled than the rest who being surprised when they least thought of it said aloud that it was not to be thought the Court would have so apparently broken their word which was so faithfully given and that their scorn in being thus deluded was too apparent They therefore hereupon called together all the Chambers of Parliament and decreed that in prosecution of the judgment given by the Parliament four days before Commissioners should be sent to their Majesties to complain of what was done contrary to their Majestie 's service upon the Frontiers by raising men giving out of monies and by news of the Cardinals return which were all contrary to his Majesties Declaration and the Duke of Orleans was desired to send some from him to joyn with these Commissioners and to insist upon keeping the Cardinal from returning They afterwards by publick decree prohibited all Cities Towns and Governours upon those Frontiers to assist him upon pain of high Treason and though they got but little good by these Declarations at which all men laughed thinking it a madness in them to command where the King had all lawful power yet some of them were so bewitch'd by a foolish presumption of Authority as they believed an order of Parliament was sufficient to keep the whole Kingdom in obedience So proceeding from one inconvenience to another declared on the 29 th of December that the Cardinal had incur'd high Treason for having contrary to their prohibitions return'd to Sedam and being ready to return to France They ordered also that his Library and all his Moveables should be sold and all his Rents and Benefices were confiscated and voted 50000 Crowns to be given to any body that would kill him or bring him alive into the hands of justice desiring his Majesty in such case to grant a pardon to the Murtherer who if through misfortune he should be slain in doing it they declared the 50000 Crowns should be given to his Heirs This infamous and scandalous decree by what was known afterwards was made by the private intelligence of Count Chavigny who by this means thought to keep the Cardinal from returning The Court of Rome was acquainted with all this it being believed that the Sacred Colledge would not suffer such an example to remain in memory of man and that such remedies might be found for it as depend upon the Pope's Authority but it being considered that if they shouâ—d fail in their attempt the Apostolick dignity might be too far ingaged it was past over nor did the Cardinal want Enemies as well in Rome as in France This mean while Marishal de Oquincourt following the King's orders
had appointed the Rendevouz of the Forces which he had raised in Champagnia and Picardy to be about Laon to joyn with the Cardinal and those that he had raised to come with him into France so as the appointment being made to meet about Dormans and Esperney upon the Marne on the beginning of Ianuary the Marishal went from Peroune on the 18 th of December and accompanied by many other Nobles he past through Han and Fera and coming to Nisis he found there 2000 what Foot what Horse and divers other Regiments wherewith he marched the next day towards the River Aisue passing over the Bridge Arcy and la Merne and staid at Troisy expecting the Cardinal who having left his alliances at Sedam marched towards Esperney whither he came the second of Ianuary with about 5000 choice men and he was met there by several other Forces and three pieces of Canon Oquincourt met the Cardinal at Esperney where it was concluded that Oquincourt should advance with 1000 Horse and possess himself of the passes of the Rivers Aube and Senna which he did then passing over the Aube without any obstacle near Auglure and la Senna at Mery he met with the Foot and Horse Regiments of Monsieur St. Moore Where hearing that the Duke of Orleans had sent out four Companies of the Langnedock Brigade to Pont sur Iona Oquincourt advanced with 1000 Horse indeavouring to get to that Town before the Enemy should be aware of his march On the 9 th of Ianuary he was upon Albā where being informed that two of the Counsellors of the Parliament of Paris Bytant and Cowdrey Genies were come thither to break the Bridge and to raise the Country against the Cardinal he made a party of his men ford over the River to discry some Horse with whom they skirmished and slew some of them and took Bitant Prisoner but Coudrey escaped to Sens. The Marishal being come to the head of the Bridge which the Towns-men broke down he acquainted them with the Kings orders and speaking with Monsieur Morandiere who commanded Orleans his Forces and had orders to resist him he caused some of his Horse-men to light who fell so couragiously upon the Bridge as Morandiere articled to return to his Master leaving the pass free to the Cardinal it was thought that he had secret orders from the Princes not to hinder him though he could for finding their business grow desperate since the whole Kingdom inclined to the King they knew nothing could keep them from ruine but some new pretence whereby to justifie their cause and keep the Subjects from assisting their Sovereign and that therefore they did not all they were able to oppose their march But because Marishal Turenne having honourably disingaged himself of the Spaniards service and had refused all the offers made by Conde and was reconciled to the King Conde gave the command of his Forces in Flanders to the Duke of Nemeurs who in the beginning of the year 1652 went privately from Burdeaux giving it out that he went by Sea into Flanders but came first to Paris by bie-ways where the Duke of Orleans seemed to be very well pleased as having need of opportune succour and he was received with extraordinary applause by the Parisians and because the Coadjutor thought to make the Duke of Orleans foment a third party of French Male-contents and Enemies to the Cardinal he used all his industry to effect it to the end that making the Queen affraid that the Duke might adhere more narrowly to Conde he thought she might be necessitated to keep the Cardinal away for ever in which case the Duke by joyning with the Court interest and strengthning himself by the Lorrain Forces he should also undo Conde for ever But Count Chavigny with other of the Prince his friends held the Duke of Orleans stedfast they made him see that he could not subsist but by joyning with the Prince Nemeurs stipulated the agreement in the Prince his name with the Duke the contents whereof were the keeping the Cardinal away and a general peace The news being known in Paris and the orders given by the King contrary to his former Declarations it is not to be said how incensed those were who were of a contrary spirit but all they could do was to make a noise in Paris for the Kings power prevailed in the Kingdom And though the Cardinal was withstood in one place he was fomented in another The Parliament of Britanny being desired by that of Paris to make the like decree with them in favour of the Princes against the Cardinal did order on the contrary that proceedings against him should be suspended till the Prince should perform his duty and till the Spanish Forces should be gone out of the Kingdom but though the rancor of the Parliament of Paris and of the Frondeurs could not be greater than it was yet could not the Parisians be brought to disburss monies for the raising of men and to provide against the threatning occurrances but were always readier to lay on their mouths than to lay out their monies the noise continued still in the Palace The first week of Ianuary the Parliament ordered the Cardinals moveables to be sold and not to make good the Kings Declarations against the Prince till that against the Cardinal were effected Wherefore the Cardinal must be gone out of the Kingdom again ere the Parliament would pass the said verification to which purpose they made many resolves which were great in appearance but weak in substance and some Deputations were sent unto the King The Court spoke ambiguously and spun out business at length hoping the time would alay the bitterness of turbulent spirits The Queen sent Monsieur Rovigny to exhort the Duke of Orleans earnestly to remove from Paris so to take away the apprehensions which were had of him but it did no good The Parliament added to their instructions given to their Deputies which they sent unto the King that they should press Bitaut's Releasement and that Marishal Milleray should not be made a Duke till he had given satisfaction to the Parliament of Rheims in Britanny and moreover that no Duke Marishal of France or other Officer should execute their function afterwards till the Cardinal were withdrawn from the Kingdom which was thought was done to take away the great credit which he had in disposing of the Offices of the Crown and making those his friends whom he had preferred thereunto But the Nobility made small account of this the more incens'd the Parliament grew against the Court the less did they value any of its decrees since they might be anull'd by the King's Authority And therefore those who sounded affairs to the bottome found it was best to keep the paths of obedience and not walk in the crooked ways of precipice therefore the Princess Palatine who at first was Conde's friend grew a great confident to the Queen and Cardinal The Queen sent for her to
the other Monastery de la perellas who were made to believe that this was done in expectation of some French Merchants who were to pass over the neighbouring Mountains with rich Merchandise this being agreed upon the Spaniard went on the 7 th of Iuly to the places appointed and were recruited by some Forces brought by Don Pietro de Lara they placed themselves so as that the Horse might withstand those who should first advance They were not above Four hundred they marched very silently and got into the Monastery of St. Dominico The French Garrison before they open the Gates use not only to look about all the places about the Town but to visit the neighbouring Covents particularly The Serjeant Major hid himself and his Foot in a certain place which the French had never observed and placed his Horse in a place apart called Valfagona When day appeared the accustomed Guards went out to search the Covent the Governour came to the Gate himself to wish the Souldiers to be vigilant and to keep all Country people out Salamanque sent a Frier who was held partial to the French to acquaint his confederates in the Town and agreed with another that whilst the one should enter by the first Portcullis the other should possess the second this being done the Serjeant Major came forth with his men and cutting the Rafters breaking down the Gates got with his best men at last into the City and after a small skirmish wherein few of either side perished he forced Faro the Governour to retreat with his Garrison into St. Marie's Church where he capitulated to surrender the Town the same day upon honourable conditions which were granted him by the Governour of Lerida who upon the first advertisement went thither himself in person The Spaniards having gotten Bellaguer thus turned presently upon the Castle of Castellon de Farfana and from thence to Camerassa both which not being provided for defence received the first offers which were made by Pietro Valenzuela and yielded obedience to the Spaniards THE HISTORY OF FRANCE The EIGHTH BOOK The CONTENTS The Prince of Conde leaves the Army and goes to Paris The Parliament sends again to the King to discard the Cardinal The Coadjutor Conde is made Cardinal Graveling is besieged and taken by the Spaniards Mardike is forsaken by the French The King of France goes from Guien to Melune and from thence to S. Germans The Army of the Princes fortifie themselves in Estampes S. Martino is taken Divers other incounters Orleans together with Conde send to Court to negotiate Peace Duke Charles of Lorrain enters France He makes the Kings Men raise the siege of Estampes They incampe near S. Clou. New troubles in Burdeaux The beginning of the Olmira Rumors in Provence The King goes to S. Dennis The Prince of Conde indeavors to bring his Army to Charrenton He is followed by Turenne He gets into S. Antoine where he is assaulted and a bloody business follows By Madamoiseles means the Gates of Paris are opened and the Princes with their Men are received in New Sedition The Palace of the Communalty is fired with much confusion and disorder not having effected what the Princes desired Conde solicites the Spaniards in Flanders to assist him The King goes to Pontois and carries the Parliament thither Most of the Counsellors refuse to go stay in Paris and continue the Assemblies The Cardinal goes from Pontois and withdraws out of the Kingdom The Parliament declares the Duke of Orleans Lieutenant General of the Crown and set 50000 Crowns upon the Cardinals head A Duel between Beaufort and Nemeurs wherein Nemeurs is slain A general Amnesty published by the King of France The Duke of Lorrain Prince of Witenberg and Spanish Army in Succor of the Princes they besiege Marishal Turenne in Villanova Montrond Surrendered Harcourt retreats to Brisack The Miseries of War Candalle commands the Forces in Guienne The King writes to the Duke of Orleans Barcellona besieged and lost WHilest Arms were thus managed in the Field Counsels were frequently held by both parties what resolution to put on The Malecontents being still more desirous how to establish themselves by lessning the Kings authority All agreed that the Cardinal was the ruine of the Kingdom All Paris was full of Libels and Satyrical Verses of fabulous Histories and politick Discourses Which casting durt upon Mazarine and the State Ministers redounded to the dishonor of their Royal Majesties and put bad impressions into the common people who were ignorant of the Arcana Regum All the streets sounded of nothing but of the Praises of the Princes and of the Archduke who were celebrated both in prose and verse by infinite Writers stiling them Liberators of the oppressed People And many Parish Priests did in their Pulpits take no less liberty railing upon the present Government and filling the Peoples ears with sinister impressions with no less blame to the Superiors who tolerated it then to the Authors thereof The Parliament desiring nothing more then the Cardinals ruine sent President Nesmond with Five Counsellors and other Deputies of the City to Sully where the King was to represent how necessary it was to put the Cardinal from his Council according as his Majesty had formerly promised Wherein Nesmond spoke with no less eloquence then freedom upon the Declarations made by the King and by the Parliament and did much complain that they had been so delusively broken But the Court was not at all moved with this for the others might well barke but they could not bite The Coadjutor in the interim continued in making a third party by staving the Duke of Orleans from off Conde's enterprise with whom he seemed desirous to be Friends and did really negotiate it But this was rather to perswade the Court to concur in his being made Cardinal which he thought the Court did cunningly prolong than out of a desire to reconcile himself to the Prince Who finding how necessary it was to make himself sure of the Duke of Orleans and to get the City declare for him as also to receive applause for the happy success at Blenau and to justifie himself in Parliament touching the Declaration made against him by the King and which the Parliament had justified but suspended the effects for a while came to Paris where he was received with general applause being met by the Duke of Orleans and an infinite of people The next day he came into the Assemblies indeavoring to justifie himself These Reasons brought him thither but could not keep him there but for a while for the Army needed his presence Count Chavigny who as it was reported had made his peace with the Cardinal by the mediation of Monsieur Faber and who did intend to do so with the Prince likewise Possest the Prince with new jealousies of the Coadjutor and of Chasteauneus alledging the example of the Duke of Orleans in Count Soisons affairs who had recourse to the King for favor
the French Ships to Callis for they were not free from some new convulsion amongst the people and detained only the Ships and Goods in lieu of the Reprisal made by the French Pirats of Shipping and goods belonging to their Merchants whereby they had much prejudiced the Nation upon the Mediterranean The preparations made at Callis remaining thus of no use Dunkirk wanted its expected succor and the Court of France being much troubled at this unexpected accident fearing least England might break peace with them when it learnt what was true was aware that not only the reprisals but the loss of Dunkirk was that which they intended Thus in performance of the Treaty of the 18 th of September Monsieur de Estrades marched out with 600 wounded and sick men and with but only 500 that vvere whole and in health vvith every one of them a course Loaf in their hand vvhich vvas all the livelyhood that vvas left them in the time allotted them to go to Callis which was but two days above 300 sick Soldiers dyed they marched out with Arms and baggage Four great Guns and one Morter piece and a years time was allowed to the French that inhabited there to alienate any goods they had gotten there or to remove them with safety The Archduke having reposed his Army till the 27 th of September sent some of them toward Terrowan seeming as if he would enter into the Bolognese but went elsewhere and the Prince of Ligne with 4000 fighting men advanced towards the Frontiers of France to second the Princes their interests whose Forces lay about Paris where such as were better minded than the rest to the Kings service remembred how they had been used on the Six and twentieth of Iune last as they went out of Parliament and how unsafe they were in Paris where the burning of the Commons House taught them how violent the Malecontents designs were Monsieur Fouchet the Kings Attorney General who had long before desired that the Parliament might be removed from Paris making use of the present favorable time was one of the chief that occasioned his Majesty to remove the Parliament to Pontois by a Decree of the Sixth of August wherein he declared why he did it and made void all the Decrees made in Parliament as also in the Town-house of Paris particularly those of the Twenty and twenty fourth of that Moneth prohibiting all men to acknowledge Orleans as Lieutenant General of the Crown or Conde as General of the Forces He also charged the Counsellors and Officers of Parliament to come to Pontois whereupon most of the Presidents came thither and five or six Masters of the Requests and about twenty Counsellors whereunto divers honorable Counsellors and Dukes and Peers of France who were at Court being added an Assembly was made able to overthrow the Princes their factions When this new Parliament met the Cardinal bethought himself of retiring since his tarrying was the only pretence of the Princes and Frondeurs so as when he should be gone they would lay down Arms and do their duty So the King would be absolute Master or if they should continue their disobedience the World would know their leud intentions all good men would be weary of adhering to them And the Parliament of Pontois which was already acknowledged lawful by the other Parliaments of the Kingdom would give our Decrees against the Princes and Rebels And when their Majesties should have made it clearly appear that the Cardinal served only as a meer pretence to the Enemies of the Commonwealth they might when they pleased recal him and the people would be satisfied The Cardinal declared his sole endeavors were to serve the King and with much willing zeal prepared to be gone contrary to the opinion of most of his Friends and of the King himself It was added that at this the Cardinals retreat the Parisians were for receiving the King and driving out Conde in the management whereof Father Forts Bishop of Amiens Father Bertaut a Franciscan and Counsellor Pevost imployed much affection and fidelity And the wisdom of this advice prospered for the people who did not discern so much did verily believe he would return no more thither Upon these Reasons their Majesties were perswaded to let the Cardinal go though they needed his presence then more then his departure But before we pass further it must not be forgot that the Privy Council being much troubled at the Parliaments rash resolution in chusing Orleans for the Lieutenant General of the Crown and for their declaring the King to be a prisoner to the Cardinal they declared not only all that till then was done in Parliament to be void and null but whatsoever else they should do and that no Parliament should be acknowledged but that which was lawfully removed to Pontois Upon which the greatest part of the Counsellors who remained in Paris debating amongst which were the most seditious divers Declarations were made contrary to those of the King As that the transferring the Parliament to Pontois was unvalid and illegitimate protesting against it and maintaining that the Parliament was never kept out of Paris though Charles the Seventh did for some occasions of his own remove it once to Montargis they also damned all that was done in the Privy Council touching the prohibiting of Taxes upon the Gates of Houses in Paris They farther ordered that the Salt-Farmers should make their payments to the Parliament and that the goods of such Presidents and Counsellors as were gone to Pontois should be confiscated if they should not forthwith return to Paris to do their service And they would have proceeded further had their power been equal to their will but that failing all their determinations were ridiculous The day before the Cardinal went he caused the King to give Patents of Dukedom and Peerage of France to Monsieur de Crequi first Gentleman of his Majesties Bed-chamber Son to Monsieur de Canaples who was Son to Marishal Crequi as also to the Marquess of Mortmar of the House of Rochefaucolt Knight of the Order and Gentleman of the Bed-chamber and to Marquess Rochelaure Master of the Wardrobe The Cardinal did afterward give unto his Majesty in writing particular instructions touching Government and amongst the rest that he should never agree with the Parliament of Paris unless it should first render obedience by coming to Pontois which was impossible since all would never consent thereunto which proved the welfare of the Kings party For those that remained in Paris wanting means to maintain War and to hinder this removal to Pontois they were forced to give way to all conditions that were prescribed them by the Court He left Prince Tomaso of Savoy Count Servient Count Tillier Secretary of State to succeed him as chief Ministers of State Moreover he left with the Queen for Director in her most important and private interest Abbat Vndedey Thus taking leave of their Majesties he went from Pontois towards Sedam
began to invent plausible pretences under which they masked their true and secret ends and won upon the peoples affections who are incapable of any reason save what sutes with their own likings These Male-contents were most of them the chiefest Lords of the Court and some of their Adherents in Parliament For the better knowledge of whom and to inform those who are not fully acquainted with the Affairs of France we will tell of what the body of this great Assembly doth consist which hath afforded so much Matter to this present History The Parliament of Paris is the first of all other Parliaments of the Kingdom and consists of Dukes and Peers who are born Councellors I say Peers because those that are not Peers are not admitted thereinto though they be Dukes for their admission their Peerage must be proved Of six Presidents which are called del Mortaro by reason of a Cap of Velvet with a Gold Gallown-lace which they carry in their hand in shape like a Mortaro the which they put upon their heads upon any Solemn day or great day of Ceremony Of Masters of the Requests who are also born Councellors and whereof onely four sit at a time in Parliament Of Church and Lay-councellors which are divided into many Chambers or Classes as into the Great Chamber the five Chambers delle Iuchieste or of Enquiries the Chamber della Tornella which takes Cognizance onely of Criminal Affairs the Chamber dell ' Editto which dispatches the Controversies or Law-Suits onely of Hugonots There are moreover three other Chambers but not Soveraign or Supream though they be of the body of the Parliament to wit the Chamber of Requests for the King's House and two other Chambers of Requests for the Palace Councellors of Honour have also place in Parliament who usually are great and deserving men and for the most part chief of the King's Council to whom his Majesty gives Letters Patents to be Councellors of Honour and who are afterwards receiv'd in presence of all the Chambers assembled together and are next to the Dukes and Peers After these come Counsellours at Law who having served twenty years in that Employment keep their place though they have sold it and all these Dukes Presidents and Councellours may amount to about the number of two hundred There is then another Supream Body which is called the great Council this enters not into Parliament but walks hand in hand with it It hath sometimes been ambulatory as it was in these last Conjunctures wherein it followed the King but usually it keeps in Paris and meets in the Cortile of St. Iermains Auxerrois It consists but of one onely Chamber the Presidents whereof ought to be Masters of the Requests The Jurisdiction of this Council consists in distributing matters of favour gli Indultarii and judging the Contests between the Praesidiali or Magistrates which are subject to the Parliament The Chamber of Accounts is also a Body apart from Parliament and the incumbency thereof is to review the Accounts of all the Financiers All the Treasurers of France are under it and there are of these Chambers in divers Provinces The Court of Aides is another supream Jurisdiction whose Power extends to Gabels Taxes Impositions and Excises They have under them the Magistrates which are called Eletti And of these Courts there are divers in many parts of France The King's Exchequer being much exhausted by so long War the Council was forc'd to think upon ready and feasible Expedients to raise Moneys which gave occasion to the Male-contents to mask their indiscreet Zeal and to make use of this publick necessity so to undertake with more boldness pernitious novelties Divers means were proposed to raise Moneys but all means requiring time and being in some sort grievous to the people and therefore not certain whether the Councils resolutions would be approved in Parliament or no Monsieur Emery Superintendant of the Finances proposed the taking away of the Paoletta or Annual Right upon designe either to make the Parliament more submiss and more obedient to the will of the Court and consequently less averse to pass the Edicts of the Council-Royal or else to renew the Annual Right in some other form which might be more advantagious and more proper to raise ready Moneys This as it had a fair appearance and came from one who was reputed to be of a high Spirit and of a great reach pleased many Lords of the Council but the Cardinal would not have this fallen upon in haste but wisht it might be more maturely examined So by reason of some other Emergency which arose it was laid aside Antiently and before the Reign of Francis the First who was he that brought in the selling of Offices Places were by the King conferr'd onely upon well-deserving men and such as were capable of them In the time of Henry the Fourth one named Paoletto propounded a means of raising two millions of crowns yearly by permitting all Counsellours and Officers as well of Justice as of the Finances to convey over their Offices after their death to their Heirs or to sell them to others reserving a certain annual sum to be duely paid This was embraced and agreed unto that upon payment of a certain annual sum according to the worth of the Place the Office or Place was to descend to the Heir or the Possessor if he pleased might sell it whilst he lived to any one that was capable of it And that if any one should die without having paid this Annual Right his Heirs should not enjoy the benefit of the Place but that it should be left to the King's disposal This Contract was to last for nine years onely which time being expired the Priviledge was to be continued or abolished as the King should please Thus from this time forward taking the name from the inventor of it this Annual Right was called la Paoletta Emery's Intention was that the nine years of the Paoletta being expired the King should totally abolish it and that if any of the Officers should desire to dispose of their Offices after these nine years he should make a new Agreement advancing some considerable sum By which means he thought to raise good store of Money whereby the expence of War might be supplied without grieving the people This might have taken effect had it not met with some opposition in the Parliament of Paris by some troublesome Spirits who had other particular ends It was therefore thought fit to exempt it from the said abolition which condescention through weakness was the cause from whence arose licentious Resolutions which confounded all good Government But the Counsellours having adherences friends and alliances with many other Lords and Officers of the Kingdom suspected lest this being introduced into the parts farther off might by little and little creep into their Employments wherefore they began those Novelties which shall be the subject of the ensuing Narrative Yet neither were the alteration of the
them in her presence Wherefore all the said Masters of Requests went joyntly to the Palace-Royal to acquaint the Queen with their grievances who sharply upbraided them with baseness taxt them with temerarity in opposing the King her Son's will and by her treating them thus did much mortifie them For there was not then any Faction on foot and this would hardly have held good had it been disturb'd at the beginning But the Duke of Orleans thinking it fit to apply Remedy to the Evil before it grew too contagious interposed himself and wrought with the Queen that she would permit them to exercise their places But they not being herewith content grew more insolent believing that many who did not openly applaud them would afterwards joyn with them in lessening the Cardinal's power which was envied by many and privately practised against as was suggested unto them by those who did but wait a time to give the blow They therefore continued their contumacy and not long after notwithstanding the King's inhibition the joyning of all the Bodies of Tribunals was decreed and met where Brousel Blammenil Charton and others spoke without any regard against the Court-government An Act of great Disobedience and contrary to all Laws and Practice all the Bodies not being accustomed to be called together nor to meet but by extraordinary order from the King But those who sought a propitious conjuncture of time to inhanse or exalt their pretended Authority by lessening that of the Kings being desirous to winde themselves into the Affairs of State laid hold of the pretence of wasting of the King's Finances and gave way to this fatal Union wherein they were applauded by many not onely for the novelty of the Act but out of hopes which other Male-contents and their idle followers conceived that they should be eased of their Grievances by the punishment of those who imploy'd the King's Moneys ill and that they should thereby have Peace which they said was retarded out of the Officers particular ends That which these Supream Companies did for no Appeal was to be had from their judgment was to send many Deputies who marched two and two through the City being invironed by an infinite company of people to shew the King that they were met to provide during his Majesty's Minority against the bad administration of his Finances from whence proceeded the Kingdoms ruine and the emptiness of the Exchequer fearing lest they might hereafter be blamed by his Majesty for carelessness when he should come to his Majority as they said Charles the Fifth had done who complained of the Parliament of those times for not having hindered the miss-spending of his Revenue in his Minority And to this purpose they chose some of their Deputies to meet in the Chamber called St. Lewis which is an extraordinary Congregation which meets onely upon urgent and grievous occasions which are unpleasing to the King for that therein things contrary to the Function of Parliament are treated of and where the Counsellours as well of Parliament as the Chamber of Accounts the great Council and of the Court of Aids sit The power of which Deputies when they are met together reaches no farther than to examine and give their opinions upon such things as they treat on which are afterwards to be reported to the Soveraign Courts wherein they are either approved or rejected These Broulieres continued on the Parliaments side by keeping together and by often meeting as on the Courts behalf in impeding them and crossing them till such time as the Court lost as much esteem as the Parliament got and till it was necessary for the King's Council to take away the Superintendency of the aforesaid Emery in that Office though it appeared necessary in that emergency of time he promising again to furnish moneys for some time to maintain that War He was ordered to retire from Paris to his Country-house in appearance of sacrificing him to the satisfaction of the people and to rid the Parliament of further trouble by preventing them in their Decrees which it was thought would be by them shortly thundered out against him This his deposing which was done contrary to the general belief served to provoke the Parliament and the Male-contents to yet higher thoughts whereinto upon like occasions humane insatiateness doth usually fall The Chambers therefore forbear not to meet nor the People to murmur they railed openly against the King's Ministers of State they cri'd out aloud against the Government they made it appear that instead of seeing that State restored Misery and Ruine did still increase though France was then more powerful and victorious than it had been known to be at any time before And in sequele of these giddy attempts which are the usual food of the petulant Vulgar it happened that Monsieur di Bachaumont Son to President Coigneux hearing his Father speak in the Parliament in behalf of the Court being one night at Supper in Monsieur di Paris his house Mareshal of the Field and discoursing there with divers Friends touching the present Commotions said jeastingly to his Companions with whom he began to sport throwing Oranges at one another That he had a designe to sling to some purpose at his Father's Opinion This jeast was taken notice of and thereupon when one declaimed boldly in pleading against any person of Quality men would say that he slung soundly that morning so passing from one Jeast to another he that railed most against the Government was called a good Slinger And this went through every ones mouth some months before there was any talk of the Faction called la Fronde or the Sling but the rise thereof was taken from the Boys who sometimes slung Stones under the new Bridge when the water was low whence the forenamed Bachaumont took occasion to say that he would sling at his Father's Opinion comparing the Whizze of a Sling to the force of Discourse in Rhetorick The chief men that declaiming in Parliament were first called by this Nick-name of Frondeurs which is as much as to say Slingers which grew as common as that of the Gueuses or Beggers did in Flanders whence so great disorders arose there afterwards were the Presidents of Novion Viola Blaumenil Charton the Counsellours of Browssel Longuille Coulon and divers others of a turbulent disposition and desirous of Innovation but in time some few fell from that Faction and finding their errours returned to their Duties from which the chief Lord President never budged who was a man of a settled and undaunted Spirit and who did always appear unconcern'd knowing how to make use of his Credit in Parliament in the Affairs whereof he was very expert for the service of the Court wherein he carried himself with much Integrity and Courage As all these things were a mighty prejudice to the King's Soveraignty and of very bad Example and a great scandal in Subjects who were bound to obey and the Cardinal being therewith sorely netled took a
to provide speedily against the eminent danger not onely by sending Messengers to the Regent to solicite her to return together with the King to Paris but by proceeding in the Decree against Forreigners And so ignorantly obstiâ—ate were they in this as they foolishly believed that as soon as the Decree should be out the Cardinal would be presently destroy'd and if you would ask them by what Forces they answered That above 50000 armed men would make the Decree be observed in despight of the World And thus they began that unhappy War which being disorderly begun every wise man knew would disorder all things The Cardinal ceased not to labour this mean while to reduce the Subjects to their due obedience by fair means He gave order that 4000 Germans old Souldiers the remainder of Weymar's men who were now under General Erack Governour of Brisack should presently advance towards Paris and divers other Troops Officers and Gentlemen that were known to be well affected to his Majesties service were likewise sent for from several other places And it being known that Count Chavigny who was not well pleased with his present condition might very much prejudice the King's Affairs by holding intelligence with the publick Enemy and with the chief of the Frondeurs in the Parliament he being a Parisian he was made Prisoner in the Castle of St. Vincent by order from the King by Monsieur Drovet Captain of the Guard And thus was he kept from contriving such Plots as he indeavoured to do whereby to put himself into the same condition he was in Richelieu's time and from whence through too much ambition he was fallen Monsieur di Gaulas Secretary to the Duke of Orleans was also banish'd by means of his Enemy the Abbot di Riviere who knew him to be inward with Chavigny and therefore equally subject to suspition By these proceedings at Court the Parliament grew hourly more jealous They met on the 22 of September where President Viola said That the people feared lest Paris should be besieged that the Court was full of hatred and revenge against the Counsellours of the Chamber terming them Tumultuaries disloyal and the causers of all Disorder That the Publick Safety was exposed to Imprisonment Exile and to other Violences wherewith they were severely threatned who seemed to be most concerned in the Common Safety That therefore it was now time to pull off Masks and without delay to provide for their own Indemnity concluding that before they should put on any further resolutions they should send some of their Members to the Regent to intreat her to bring the King back speedily to Paris and that since it was now known who was the principal Author of all the Kingdoms troubles all the Princes and Officers of the Crown should be sent to the Parliament to revive the Decree of the year 1607 whereby all Forreigners were inhibited receiving any Honours or Dignities in the State or any part of Government Viola was not well pleased with his own condition though he was sufficiently provided for by Monsieur Lambert and particularly he appeared an Enemy to the Cardinal thinking that he had kept him from being the Queen's Chancellour Blanmenil maintain'd and back'd Viola he moved that the Cardinal might be made to give an account of the Money that were sent into Italy and elsewhere and that he might purchase the name of an honest man he put himself into the number of the Iansonians President Novion plai'd his part also amongst the Frondeurs Amidst all these Agitations the Parliament resolved to intreat the Queen by way of humble Remonstrance that she would be pleased to return together with the King to Paris and put an end to the peoples Jealousies by her presence and that she would keep the Souldiers away that were coming The Duke of Orleans the Prince of Condé who was then returned from Flanders the Prince of Conty the Dukes and Peers were sent for to come the next day to Parliament to use necessary Expedients for the safety and good of the State and the Provost of Merchants and the Consuâ—s were sent for to receive such Orders as should be given them They sent a President and two Counsellours to make their desires known to the Princes but the Answer was not according to their desires for they said They could not nor would not do any thing without the Queen's consent Orleans told the Deputies That he would come no more to Parliament whilst they did licentiously advance their pretentions too far against Reason and against the Laws as they had done by their bold and scandalous Proposals that morning Condé said That the Parliament had nothing to do with State-affairs that he neither could nor would go thither and that he would be obedient to the Queen though it cost him his life Conty said onely He would not go Longueville told them in somewhat more milder words That they had transgressed the bounds of Duty and that the discourses made by the said Presidents were too passionate and did deviate from conveniency The Deputies hearing this were extremely amazed and without making any Reply return'd the same day to Paris where the Frondeurs were no less troubled fearing that they could not do what they intended without the assistance of some Prince of the Blood whose joyning with the Queen hindered all their intentions The first President and the other Deputies were gone to Ruel to acquaint the Queen with the Parliaments Remonstrance who returned answer That she wonder'd at their incongruous desire of having her return to Paris That she used every year to go abroad and take the Air That she valued more her own health and that of her Son 's than any vain ridiculous suspition of the people That they might be ashamed to make such desires to a Soveraign King whose satisfactions were to be had in Reverence and not examined by his Subjects And forthwith a Decree was past in the Council of State full in the teeth of all that the Parliament had done the day before commanding them to keep within their due bounds and not to meddle any more in such resolutions contrary to the Law and to Regal Authority Notice was given of this to the Parliament the same day that they met to hear the first President 's Report which being diversly discuss'd they resolved to make a new Remonstrance to the Queen not by word of mouth but in writing And they began to take fitting course for the safety of the City The Provost-Marshal was ordered to send to all places seated upon the River to get Grain and all things necessary for the sustenance of so numerous a City from thence to Paris They resolved that the Inhabitants should keep in Arms for a publick Guard and that the next day they should proceed to a Decree like to that of the year 1617. Though this was not the means to extinguish but rather to increase the fire yet the Parliament did so flatter themselves with
fourth part of the Subsidies but more if the present state of Affairs would permit it That as for the King 's going out of Paris it was not to be wondered at since he went every year out of the Town about the same season to take the Air. For what concern'd Chavigny's Imprisonment the Parliament had no reason to be concern'd therein he being no Member of theirs and that he was detain'd for important reasons known onely to the King's Council To this the first President repli'd It was true he was no Member of theirs but that he had always in all his imployments been advantageous to them which made it be the more suspected The Prince of Condé retorting his Argument upon him said That this Argument made against him that alleadged it for if the memory of so many good services done by Chavigny were not able to excuse him it was the more probable that his faults were great Then stept out President Viola and said That if Chavigny had erred he should be proceeded against and punish'd by Law He said that there was but one Imprisonment lawfully permitted in France called La Conceirge du Palais and that if any other course were taken the publick liberty was injured The Duke of Orleans interrupted the Discourse saying That people of better condition than Chavigny had been imprisoned That the late Prince of Condé Father to this present Prince had been imprisoned in the Basteile without any notice taken by the Parliament The first President said All this was true and that it was not long since this abuse was introduced and that an Illegitimate Order ought not to pass for Law Thus the Deputies retired re infecta and adjourn'd their Meeting to the 29th of the said Month on which day they appeared again and the Prince of Condé assuming great Authority by his means almost all their Proposals were granted unless it were the freedom of the persons imprisoned which the Parliament pretended should be within the space of twenty four hours Whereupon the Queen was content that none should be imprison'd for State-affairs without Process for above six months but the Parliament not allowing so long a time took a middle way restraining the time to three months and said That the Queen could not make any Declaration thereupon but that they might take her word The rest were not herewith content President Blanmenil would not allow of three months saying That no king of France by any priviledge of the Crown can keep their Subjects Prisoners without Process at Law for that would be prejudicial to the Publick Safety and a hazarding of the Princes themselves and of the Crowns Officers since several means might be found in three months space to make away whom they lifted before they could be proved guilty before competent Iudges It was therefore said That either the King must have absolute liberty to imprison men as long as he would or but onely twenty four hours in which time no Prisoner could beput to death without evident signe of Violence or Tyranny All men whatsoever being herein concern'd it was decreed that no man should be kept Prisoner without Process at Law for above twenty four hours At the same time that this business was discussing in Parliament Francis Dutchess of Vendosme gave in a Petition to the House desiring that the Parliament as the Sanctuary of persecuted Princes would cause Process to be made in the behalf of the Duke her Husband and of the Duke her Son who had been deni'd to have their Process pleaded not onely for three or six months but for many years But this being a private business the Parliament received the Petition and said it should be argued when the more weighty publick Affairs should be over Finally after many meetings and debates in Parliament a Declaration was issued forth for the re-establishment of Justice and for a moderation of Grievances The abuse of Accounts was regulated the Tax of ten Millions of pounds Turnois was taken off The people were eased of seven Millions which was paid to Officers and Souldiers who assisted in gathering Taxes and Impositions The Officers of the Kingdoms Salaries were established The Tax of a Crown for every run of Wine that came into the City was taken away The price of Salt was lessened and two Millions upon what entered the Gates of Paris But the supream Authority of France being onely in the King's person and no Decrees made in Parliament being valid though for the publick benefit without the King's assent this Declaration was carried some days after to St. Germains to have its full Vigour given it but the Cardinal considering how prejudicial the lessening of above two Millions of Pistols yearly would be to the King's service and how much the King's Authority would be diminished by bereaving him of so great a part of his Revenues and of forgiving faults as it would have been if the Institution touching Imprisonment for but twenty four hours had been put in practise opposed himself thereunto with all his might shewing that if when the King had power to punish faults so many were committed it would be worse when his Majesty should be deprived of that power and that the power to punish made more for a Prince than the power to reward for people fear less to offend those they love than those they fear and rewards meet oftentimes with ingratitude when Punishment maintains Obedience But the Parliament's designe being to deprive the King of means of continuing War by keeping him from Money and so to force the Cardinal to agree unto a general Peace or otherwise to weaken him so as he could not any longer pursue the course of his Victories that they might have occasion to accuse him and deprive him of his Administration the King's Council was at last forc'd to give way unto it with such disadvantage to regal Authority as that from hence arose all the disorders which did afterwards trouble the tranquillity of that powerful Kingdom It is very certain that two members of Parliament expressing upon some occasion the like conceit to Cavelliere Luigi Contarini who mediated the general Peace he wisely answered That he liked it not for if the Cardinal should want moneys and consequently means to make War it was to be considered whether Spain would admit of Peace when France should be reduced to such weakness This so prejudicial Concession being granted which followed on the 28 of October contrary to the Cardinal's opinion Peace was published by means of the rest of the Council whereby the Princes purchased the peoples applause they having gotten their chief ends A while after Count Chavigny was released from Prison where he was so afraid of being poysoned as he eat but one Egge a day The King pardoned him to gratifie the Parliament and he was sent to a Castle of his own in Turenne The Court used this means with patience per force towards the Parliament so as it was easie to foresee that
enforc'd favours would prove at last but little advantageous to the receivers It being therefore thought that the Parliament could now decree nothing against the Cardinal since they had received whatsoever they could pretend unto the King returned to Paris on the last of October with the general applause of all the people But as by this divorce of the Parliament from the Court all the Male-contents had a good occasion to endeavour their own satisfactions Anne Princess of Bourbon Sister to the Prince of Condé and Wife to Henry Duke of Longueville a Lady as handsome of Body as she was full of generous thoughts and lively Spirits began to contrive not onely how she might satisfie her own pretensions but to make those fail of theirs with whom she was not well satisfied The distaste which she pretended to have received from the Cardinal was for that she thought the Duke her Husband had been deluded by Count Serviente in his Embassie to the Assembly as Munster by hindering him from reaping the fruits of his labour in compleating the general Peace and taking Serviente to be a creature of the Cardinals and one who kept the War on Foot She contracted friendship with the Count d' Avaux a declared Enemy to Serviente and endeavour'd to make him joyn with the Duke her Husband against him which he very wisely refused to do She likewise complained that the Prince her Brother had not received that Declaration from the Court which he pretended to of being Heir to his Brother-in-Law the Duke of Bresé So a◠coming from Munster to the Court embittered against the Cardinal for these reasons She spoke her opinion plainly touching the Peace and somewhat bitterly whereat the Cardinal was much displeased so as their hearts were ulcerated and the Dutchess being resolved to be revenged went about Autumn from Normandy to Noycy where she spoke with the Duke de Rets Brother to the Coadjutor of Paris who was already engaged in the interest of Parliament by which Duke's means she held Intelligence with the said Coadjutor who used all the means he could to draw over the Duke her Husband to side with the Male-contents which the Duke did at first wisely refuse but at last being set upon on the one side by the Coadjutor's forcible perswasions and on the other side by his Wives flatteries and allurements he was perswaded to pass his word wherewith the Duke de Rets acquainted the Coadjutor and he some of the chief Frondeurs that he would be for the Parliament always provided that the Parliament did not fall upon the Court. And the same Dutchess having a great power over her Brother the Prince of Conty a Youth of about seventeen years of age who might be said to enter but then into the world she wrought him to be of the same mind and made him make the same promise though he had no reason to be displeased with the Court nor with the Cardinal But the said Dutchess thinking that it made for her House and Family that they should all enter into this Faction she made the Coadjutor without taking notice that she had any hand therein endeavour to bring her Brother the Prince of Condé also to their Union The Coadjutor undertook the business and went to Noycy together with the Duke of Longueville and some of the chief Frondeurs where they established that Union amongst themselves which did yet more disorder all things The Parliament having obtain'd the aforesaid Declaration grew more considerable and Condé began to make friends therein of whom he might upon occasion make use and become more considerable in Court and with the Duke of Orleans who then discovered the pretences which Abbot Riviere had to be made Cardinal as shall be said in its proper place The Prince knew that the chief of the Parliament did distrust the Cardinal were it either out of fear that he would deal ill with them whilst they dealt ill with the King's Authority or for that they were resolved to maintain the advantages which they had got by the Declaration of the 28 of October pretending to remove him from his Administration of Government as being a Forreigner Condé began therefore to look favourably upon the chief of the Parliament and to let them know that he did not differ from them in their designe against the Cardinal though his true end was to make himself more necessary to the Court by so doing and to oblige the Court lest it might loose him to follow his intents for he found that the Frondeurs Animosity was such as they would allow him but a limitated power and by siding with them he should increase Orleans his Authority who joyning with the Court would become Arbitrators of all Affairs and a powerful counterpoise to his designes Wherefore to win credit with the Parliament he made a publick Visit to Brousel and had many particular Conferences with Longueville who was then in great esteem and suggested to his Companions what they should do President Viola who had highly offended the Cardinal and who was a Kinsman and an intimate friend to the Duke of Chastillion by his means made known to the Prince that he might do well to grow great with the Parliament to the cost of forreign Ministers of State who had many enemies in France He spoke himself afterwards with the Prince who told him as he had done Longueville how he was inclined to joyn with the Parliament in their designe but that they must allow him time to make use of occasions which might happen without hazarding any thing This being somewhat ambiguous they would know what he did really intend The Coadjutor who was of great esteem in the Assembly made a motion upon occasion of the said Declaration of suppressing all the Loans which were wont to be made by the Partisans unto the King under pretence that all the Revenues of France were consumed by the Usury of more than 25 per Cent. his Majesty not making any advantage thereby that notwithstanding the devouring War had obliged the Court to take up moneys from the Partisans upon the same Interest The Coadjutor wrought it so as that the Doctors of Sorbon should give their opinion touching this detestable Usury The Parliament took the same occasion pretending that it was plainly contrary to the aforesaid Declaration The Frondeurs striving to attempt something against the Cardinal under so specious a pretence and which was so generally approved by the publick labour'd by these means to bring the Court to an extreme and inevitable necessity if their machinations should take effect For a long time was required to gather up the King's Revenues and the Expences did the mean while dayly continue So as having propounded unto themselves to send the Cardinal out of the Kingdom they were necessitated to desire Orleans and Condé to assist them Those who hoped that Condé would joyn in the designe of desiring the King to send away the Cardinal thought it good to
the year 1617. That Don Duarte of Portugal should be set at liberty before the Treaty were ratified That all the Goods that were formerly belonging to the house of Aquavia in the Kingdom of Naples confiscated by Ferdinando King of Aragon should be restored to Seignior de Angliere the pretended Duke of Atria And that the pretensions to the Kingdom of Navar should be reserved to the King of France notwithstanding the Peace Some dispute arose hereupon which the French said was made by Pignoranda to spin on time and to conclude nothing for they said they had been already determined and that they were now mention'd only to know how they might be established The Spaniard said that they were new additions but that notwithstanding they were contented they should be decided by the Mediators by whom at last they were adjusted in the end of February 1647. The Hollanders wrought it so as the Spaniards accepted of an Instrument of Peace presented by the French which contained 76 Articles amongst which they included Portugal which the Spaniards absolutely refused and the French were forced to leave it out but with addition of something else which the Spaniards thought to be contrary to the Declaration of the 17 th of September 1646. which the Interpositors had made which made it be yet the more believed that the French Agents thought not of any agreement building upon the assurance they had from the Hague that the States would not treat separately The Spaniards would by no means yield up Piombino and Portolongona the Count of Avaux who was an Enemy to Count Servient and did not square with Longueville insisted upon the detaining of Portugal This mean while Count Pignoranda made new offers to the Vnited Provinces as well by means of their Plenipotentiaries as by two Writings given in on the 13 th of March and on the 11 th of April which occasioned that some of the Deputies that were returned home were ordered to be in a readiness to return to Munster and they writ to all the Provinces that they should send their Deputies to the Hague to take a final resolution touching the Treaties begun in Spain On the fourth of May the French declared that they had received orders from Paris that the King of France intended to be at liberty to assist the King of Portugal and that if Pignoranda did not presently accept of this Proposal he would demand a Truce for Portugal for 30 years and perpetual Peace for Catalonia Whereupon the Spaniards declared that if the French held themselves free not to observe what they had at first propounded to the end that they might occasion Novelties in the affairs of Portugal that it was also fair for Spain not to maintain what she had offered The Mediators that the Treaty might not break told the Spanish Agents that it would farther the business much if they would admit of a new Instrument which they had delivered to the French wherein they insinuated how the third Article of the already-thrown-out Writing touching each parties assisting their Confederates might be regulated To which the Spaniards answered that that Article was so well established already in the first Instruments of Peace as it needed no further explaining Notwithstanding this Negative the Mediators did still Negotiate and on the first of Iune they framed a rough draught of a Clause which might be severally given touching the manner how the Confederates might be assisted which being refused the Treaty was suspended till the midst of August at which time they did reassume it resolving to read distinctly all the Instruments which had been presented by both parties the second time and to pick out all the contentious points in which the Spaniard said that the French had added that whilst a League was established between the States and Princes of Italy for the security of the Peace between the two Crowns they might reciprocally retain the Towns which they were possest of in the States of Savoy and Mantua which was refused by the Spaniards who were resolved that each party should have that which was theirs restored affirming that since Savoy and Mantua could not dispose of the other Princes of Italy as they listed they ought not to be bound to expose themselves to the prejudice of no restitution till a League were made which depended upon the Will of others After this whilst the Mediators were negotiating very hotly the French on the eighth of September declared that they had received orders not to treat any longer unless Spain would first consent to abandon totally the Duke of Lorain's Cause which the Spaniards absolutely refused complaining that the French would be at liberty to assist the Portugal who was an unjust Usurper and that they must not defend Lorain who was unduly driven out These things altered as occasions altered the French were confident in their opinions of being seconded by their Confederates to make use of the weakness of Spain which was at this time not a little threatned by what had hapned in Sicily and in Naples and they were strong Reasons to make them lay hold of a conjuncture so propitious for them But that which appeared to be a powerful Antidote proved pestiferous Poyson For the greater that populous and Warlike Nation grew they raised the more apprehensions in their Neighbours nay in their Friends This was one of the chief reasons which was thought made the Hollanders forego their Engagements and Agreements with the French and which made the pretension good of treating apart from their Colleagues wherefore the next Iune without making it known to the Mediators they concluded a Truce not much unlike that of the year 1612 to the great distaste of the French as contrary to their Conventions whereat they were highly scandalized and sent to Holland to complain thereof Embassador Pau who was Deputy for Amsterdam did so much as this City of and by her self made good what was done against the other six Provinces These would have saln to some other resolution but the proceedings of France made the Hollanders so jealous as they bethought themselves of their business and being afterwards left by the Spaniards to their own free will to accept either of Truce or Peace the Truce was at last changed to a perpetual Peace as being that which establish'd them to be a free and 80-verain State excluding all pretensions which the King of Spain or any of his Heirs could have thereunto They therefore appointed the 30 th of Ianuary for the subscribing of this their particular Treaty Whereupon the French put in their Protestation before it was published which made the Hollanders desire a further time from Pignoranda but he foreseeing that if the business were discovered it might easily be diverted declared not onely that he could not give way thereunto but that they should establish it before they went out of the House where they were or that the Treaty should be for ever broken and all the Writings
named Charles Paris The Dutchess of Longueville notwithstanding she lay in would always assist in Council nay the people fearing by reason of a false report that was given out that she was gone to St. Germains she rose out of her Bed and shew'd her self at the Window whereby all were appeased and from thenceforth d'Elboeufe's credit decreased and the Coadjutors Faction grew considerable and Conty and his Sister were much esteemed These Princes went the very day of their arrival to the Parliament where one of them sate as Prince of the Bloud the other by way of honour And after some dispute Conty was declared Generalissimo and Longueville equal General with d'Elboeufe but he would not accept of it not so much for that d'Elboeufe pretended precedency as for that he was told the Parliament thought to detain him whereat he was scandalized Wherefore pretending to go to his Government of Normandy he went from Paris thitherward which made the Court suspect that he intended to make himself Duke of Normandy in case things should proceed as he imagined Hence it was that when he came to Paris he began to conceive great difficulties and inclined too close with the Court It is said that he left his confident Priolo at Paris to make his peace with the King to which purpose Abbot Ondedei sent Francis Scappi under pretence of carrying a Procuration to Eluet Advocate of the Parliament to save the moveables of his Chamber which were in the Cardinal's house This Scappi was taken for a Spy and being stopt at the Gate was imprisoned but was afterwards set at liberty by Eluet's means that Ticket not being found about him which he carried to Priolo for he had wisely swallowed it He saw and treated with Priolo often under pretence of speaking with some of his acqaintance of the Switzers Guard but indeed to draw him over to the Parisians Having got a Pasport from the Parliament he went to Ruel and spoke with Ondedei who together with Longueville's negotiations discovered from Priolo whether the Prince of Condé did really hold any intelligence with his Brother The Duke of Bullion being with his Wife and Children at Paris was won over by Longueville to joyn with the Parisians hoping thereby to compose his affairs touching Sedan the better He offered his service which was gladly accepted for his great skill in commanding an Army and being a Prince of high thoughts and various resolutions he fell to improve the confidence which he had long held with the Prince of Condé whom he acquainted with what was done The Marshal de la Motte offered his service also to the Parisians who was a friend of Longueville's and had a particular pique to the Court and particularly to Secretary Tilliere by reason of his long Imprisonment The Duke of Bullion gave his Wife and Children as Longueville had done for pledges of his fidelity to the Parliament The Parliament being encouraged by so many Princes and great men grew more confident and in the presence of the Princes ratified the Decree against the Cardinal ordering all Captains and Souldiers not to come within 20 Leagues of Paris and those that were advanced to retire presently to the Frontier-Towns prohibiting the subministring of Victuals or Ammunition and gave out Commissions for raising of Horse and Foot Monsieur di Berne was made Governour of the Artillery and of the Arsenal of Paris and a Council of War was chosen with a President of the Grand Chamber and two Counsellors who were Brousels and Meverdeau They resolved moreover to fortifie the Suburbs but nothing was done save cutting Trenches at the ends of such Streets where the Corps du Guard were kept without the Gates The City-council besides what was voluntarily given by many particular men imposed 50 Crowns upon every Gate whereinto a Coach might enter or else a Man and Horse armed and upon every little Gate and Shop ten Crowns or else one Foot-Souldier The Bastile was held for the King by Monsieur Trembley who delivered it up to the Duke d'Elboeufe desiring onely for his credit that a piece of Cannon might be brought before it for which he was much blamed and Brousel was put in his place who made his Son Louvieres his Lieutenant The first Regiment of Horse which was raised in two daies was given to the Marquiss de la Bollay And whilst all men wondered that they saw not Duke Beaufort appear he came to Paris on the 13 th of Ianuary galloping through the Streets that he was not known for he had not yet won that reputation with the Parisians which he got afterwards but was rather thought to have made his peace with the Court it being known how much his Brother Duke Mercurio had dealt and obtained at Court for him and for the Duke his Father For the better knowledge whereof we must repeat from a little before what had passed to this purpose The Cardinals friends knowing that his greatness in France was not upheld by his own strength but that it was protected by the Duke of Orleans and Prince of Condé and that therefore depending upon the abitrement of others he must minde their satisfaction so much as not to be able to serve the King so faithfully as one who depends not upon others but onely upon the King they insinuated into him that not so much for his own Interest as for the King 's he must so root himself as not to own his Fortune from others but meerly from the King and from his own worth mens mindes being too variable in Court which he had not formerly considered Since being an Italian Cardinal he propounded nothing to himself at the first but how to serve the King as long as his Majesty should have need of it intending afterwards to retire and peacefully enjoy the Glory and reputation which he had won and make it known how advantageous it is for the Kingdom to have a State-minister who is unconcern'd in France and a Forainer who having neither Kindred nor Friends minded nothing but the service of the Crown But as this did on one side seem to make his service acceptable on the other side it met with so great oppositions as his friends held themselves bound to let him know that one thing which did authenticate the Male-contents boldness was that he should be in France without any tie of keeping there since that being there himself alone he might at any time withdraw leaving both the publick and particular affairs in confusion So as it being dangerous for Princes to change State-ministers who were already instructed and capable of State-Affairs do serve them faithfully he was to take upon him Charges and Employments in the Kingdom and to bring his nearest Relations into France to give the greater assurance of his tarrying there and of his fidelity to the King He therefore resolved to send for three of his Nephews and one Niece who came from Rome though with no good will of the
Chastegniere which kept always constant to the King For which the Bishop of Poictiers one of the said Family was besieged by the Citizens in his own House for 24 hours the Abbot of Rochesposey who was his Nephew together with the Dutchess of Roan was deteined in Tours and the Marquiss who was head of the Family and Lieutenant-General of the Province was not safe in his own houses The Court was much troubled hereat seeing that it was now between those two Great Rich and Popular Cities not knowing what the end of so bold a beginning might prove But Roan chiefly exprest her ill will for the rest of the Kingdom was as then quiet knowing that the happiness of Princes doth not consist in lesning the King's Authority The other Parliaments therefore answered that of Paris That they liked not the Engagement which was not the way to bring Peace to France but to put her in a Civil War out of the capriciousness of a few envious and unquiet Spirits whence nothing but Confusion and Ruine could be expected The scarcity of Victuals and Moneys which grew daily greater was added to the troubles of the King's Council who saw that many Princes and Lords declared for Paris and Roan Nor was the Cardinal less troubled for jealousie of Orleans who seemed weary of the War Nor was he a little cruciated by Condé's unquiet disposition whose constancy in this enterprize he apprehended who was of a more fiery and lively spirit than the other but the Cardinal watched him carefully knowing how apt the French were to change opinion He was informed that Condé treated with the Frondeurs and he was troubled at his being two days out of St. Germain◠especially it being said that he was turned over to his Brother's party which though it were false yet it smelt of suspicio◠The Cardinal did therefore double his diligence in observing the Prince his actions and thinking that he had suffered some Victuals to be carried into Paris which he might have hindred the Cardinal sent a Confident of his with a small party of Horse to discover if he did so which Condé being aware of took very ill On the 16 th of Ianuary Lagne was taken a Walled Town standing upon the Marne seven Leagues from Paris by Monsieur Persan Camp-Master and the High-Dutch who were quartered at Charenton were removed thither Some Polacks got also into Meuden where there was a fair Castle not far off belonging to the Duke of Guise whose Inhabitants held for Paris Whereat the Parisians were much vexed though it was no considerable Pass to see the King's Forces come so neer Paris They therefore offered to recover it but in vain for the Souldiery in Paris were neither enough in number nor sufficiently Disciplin'd The Coadjutor raised a Regiment at his own expence which was called Corinthian he being Arch-Bishop of Corinth and being more desirous of Glory and Greatness than the rest he desired to carry on his designe by appearing popular and a friend to the Publick His chief end was to make the Court affraid of him which through too much goodness sought to win upon these unquiet and turbulent spirits of which number the Coadjutor was thought to be one who having Eloquence joyn'd to his Learning upon the celebrating of St. Paul's day which is done on the 25 th of Ianuary resolved to preach in St. Paul's Church upon the present occurrences rather to win Credit with the common people than to perswade them to Peace The Family of the Gondi one of the noblest Families of Italy came from Florence into France with Queen Catherine of Medici the chief whereof rose to a great fortune under her Government who was Wife to Henry the 2 d and Mother to three Kings This Coadjutor was Brother to the Duke of Rets Peer of France Nephew to the Arch-Bishop of Paris by the Father's side a personage of generous Thoughts and of lively Spirits full of Worth and of a wonderful Wit but ambitious of Glory and of more Greatness The Arch-Bishops of this City are by right Counsellors of Parliament but not the Coadjutors but this man for his Habilities and Wisdom was made Counsellor of Honour by which Title he had admittance into Parliament where winning favour by his profest enmity to the Cardinal he had a great stroke in the management of publick affairs His first endeavours were to grow great with the Dutchess of Longueville and with the Prince of Conty excluding Prince Marsilliack who was the chiefest in their favour which made Marsilliack so jealous as he resolved to be no longer his friend which occasioned afterwards many inconveniencies For the Coadjutor finding his designes vain in this joyned more straightly with the Frondeurs and with Duke Beaufort who made himself their head as also head of the Parisians as well for his Condition as for the hatred he also shewed to the Cardinal The Parliament was this mean while so diligent as nothing issued out but Decrees Ordinances and Remonstrances whereby they thought to maintain the War And though it had been often known that Princes disliked nothing so much as to have their actions found fault with yet the Parliament thinking that albeit the Regent was not to be removed from her resolutions by verbal Remonstrances yet they might justifie their pretensions by publishing the ground-work of their Reasons they made a Writing and sent it to Guinegande the State-Secretary wherein speaking freely against the Cardinal they blamed him for having drunk in ambitious Maximes and that as soon as he had got the Government of the affairs of the Kingdom abusing so high a favour he made himself master of the Kings person under a new title of Superintendent of his Education disposing absolutely of all places Dignities and Towns Governments Arms and Finances he onely receiving the thanks ordering punishments and making not onely the fortunes of private men but of the Publick depend wholly upon him that his administration of Government proved a strange piece of policy clean contrary to the customs of France a continuance of War the peoples misery a ruine of the Finances and which was more the corruption of the whole Kingdom That he made War his fixed Star hated Peace to the end that he might make his Councels more considerable and have the better pretence to raise Moneys and enrich himself That he had endeavoured by all means to divide the people and the Parliament and so to make the people take up Arms against the Parliament to the end that the Parliament being broken he might be the absolute Master of the Kingdom With these and the like demonstrations they concluded that they had not taken up Arms nor made any of these Decrees save onely to defend themselves against that State-Minister and for the publick preservation in which case it was necessary to proclaim the Cardinal an Enemy to the King and Kingdom That the preservation of Kingly Authority and of the King was the sole reason
that Count Brienne had signified to them that if he should think fit to return to Munster the Court of France would send a person of quality thither with Plenipotentiary-power That if he would not go thither himself he should send some other with sufficient power and that at the same time others should be dispatched away from the Court of France And that if he himself should please to come to any place upon the Frontier the Cardinal's self would come thither and so a conclusion would sooner be made it being still to be understood that nothing should be altered which was agreed upon at the meeting at Munster Pignoranda answered He marvelled how the Regent had so suddenly altered Maximes varying from what Monsieur Vautort had both insinuated and exprest That this so great a change occasioned a just Scandal since France not making good what she as he said had promised but a few days before the King of Spain should be tied to grant those Articles which he had always held unreasonable Upon the 24 th of April the Nuntio and Morosini answered this dispatch and though Pignoranda would not hear of any Treaty they named Vervins Noyon or Crespy to be the places of meeting Adding that all things might easily be accommodated if the Count would speak with the Cardinal yet they declared in the close of the Letters That the French intended to treat onely upon the points which were undecided which the Spaniards did totally refuse saying That the Kings Agents being gone from Munster without having concluded any thing the meeting and Treaty was consequently dissolved so as all was to be recommenced That if France would agree to this the King of Spain's Deputies should go to any place that should be appointed within a Moneth or six Weeks for which time there should be Truce which the Arch-Duke should readily yield unto and that if the Cardinal would speak with the Count he would send him either alone or accompanied by others as he should be advertised The Nuntio and Morosini sought to promote the business and sent Secretary Lorenzo Paulucci to Brussels to sollicite what they were preparing in Writing Pignoranda was pleased hereat as well in respect of them who sent the Secretary as for the Commission he brought and the Spaniards giving out that they had discovered during the short time of his abode there that the French had no minde to make Peace Paulucci returned without doing any thing Soon after his return to Paris the Mediators writ to Pignoranda and to the Internuntio at Brussels three Letters of the 29 th of May the 27 th of Iune and 10 th of Iuly containing that the French persisted in the proposed Meeting and in the desire of Peace and propounded the building of a place of Enterview upon the confines of the two Dominions where the Meeting might be had And in the first Letter which was written to the Internuntio they mentioned that the French were fully resolved not to alter any thing that was digested at Munster intending to Treat onely upon such points as remained undecided The Spaniard accepted of the Meeting propounded by the Cardinal and of the building of the place for enterview and Pignoranda gave notice that as soon as this should be made he would send Don Antonio Brun who was the King of Spain's Embassador in Holland and Plenipotentiary in the Treaty of Peace and that he himself would advance the next week after towards the Frontiers that he might be the readier to agree unto what the Cardinal should resolve upon and the place for the building of the place for enterview was appointed to be between St. Quintâ—ins and Landrecie This readiness was commended by the Nuntio and by Morosini which they witnessed by Letters from Compaignie but whilst Pignoranda expected answer to what he had written the Cardinal sent Letters by a Trumpeter on the 26 th of Iuly desiring him to send him word to what place he might send a Friend to whom they might reciprocally communicate their mindes touching the principal points of the Treaty adding that he thought it would be convenient he should send a friend of his to him to the end that it might be conceived by hearing both parties whether businesses were in such a forwardness as that a speedy conclusion might be hoped for because if this were not done he thought this Meeting would be useless to the publick and troublesome to their own particular selves and that no time might be lost he thought it would be good to chuse a place upon the Frontier which he should like best for the Meeting and that he should send him a Pass by Monsieur di Lyone the Queens Secretary whom he had destined to that purpose The Cardinal did this for that he found that Pignorandâ— sought to engage him in this Conference not out of any desire he had to make Peace but that he might make the World believe afterward that the Cardinal had broken the Treaty of Peace for his own particular ends and that he might thereby draw upon him the Odium of the people by shewing him to be the occasion of all the War The Spaniards sent him a Pass for Lyone and at the same time that Pignoranda parted from Brussels he sent an Express to the Hague to acquaint the Embassador Brun with all this who came with great speed to Cambrey on the 13th of August whither Pignoranda was come four days before Lyone had audience as soon as he came to Cambrey whom Pignoranda asked What Propositions he had brought Who answered His Instructions were to know what the King of Spain ' s Pretensions were touching the points undecided at Munster Pignoranda found then that his designe was discovered and said They were not to talk any more of the Treaty of Munster for that the Civil War of France had altered the face of Affairs and that they were to begin the Treaty again Lyone repli'd That agreement was made between the King and the Parliament of Paris That all was quieted After a long Dispute Pignoranda demanded That France would abandon the Interests of the King of Portugal and likewise Catalonia That he would repossess Duke Charles of Lorain and restore the Spanish Towns that were taken and that then they would discourse upon other points Lyon was hereat confused and said There was little signes that he desired Peace since four Kingdoms were demanded before the Treaty should begin That to abandon Portugal and Catalonia was to make the King of Spain Master of them for it was certain they could not defend themselves without the aid of France That no mention was to be made of Lorain for that there was no Treaty between the King of Spain and that Duke whereby that Country was to be restored to the Duke He further added That if he intended to end the Treaty he must not dream of the weak condition which he fancied to himself that France was in for that
it was able to continue War yet twenty years longer with the like Vigour as at first and that the Popes Nuntio and Cavaliere Contarini who had been the Mediators at Munster and were not now far off might interpose themselves with the like Authority and might adjust that great Work if they were desired to undertake it Which Pignoranda would not give way unto saying That the King his Master must first write unto him about it Whereupon Lyon asking If those great Personages should return and should undertake the business how he would receive them Pignoranda replied He would place them in a great Hall and would honour them as Agents of great Princes Whereby he discovered his designe Whilst Affairs went not according to Pignoranda's liking he exaggerated mightily against the French saying Their onely end was to cheat men with the hopes of Peace whilst they meant nothing less He wrote again to the Mediators declaring That since the French would not moderate their Pretensions nor come to any reason they needed not discourse any more upon a meeting but that if they had a desire to treat in an usual way of Treaty between Christian Princes the King of Spain would not make a moments delay but would reassume the business and he desired them to get him a Pass to return to Spain In this interim Cavaliere Contarini came to the Low-Countries He visited the Arch-Duke spoke with Pignoranda sought to stickle in the differences and having founded the true sense of the Spanish Agents touching the Peace he found them seemingly very ready to treat but that whilst according to their customs they seemed to do this they did the contrary He pass'd from thence to France where he found the world well inclined and the Queen very desirous of Peace But the Spaniards standing stiff to their Resolution to annul all that had been done at Munster and to begin the Treaty again and the French being resolved not to speak of any thing but of what was left undecided there could no middle way of accommodation be found so as all treating vanisht into smoak Wherefore the Cardinal exprest himself with much confidence to Contarini and acquainted him with the reasons why he would not go from any thing that had been discust and been brought to maturity at Munster One whereof was That since the whole weight of the Government lay upon him and that the King had trusted him with all the concernments of the Crown he thought it not fit to give advantage to Forreigners and to bereave those of the Nation thereof whom it was better to fasten together though upon some disadvantage than to disunite them with advantage to the Enemy and the rather for that he knew he could not miss of a good and glorious Peace with Spain when France should be all of a Piece The other for that the Spaniards at the same time when they treated with him of Peace at St. Germains and when they complained he was backward in yielding to some Articles making the Parliament and the People believe that by Arnolfini the Cardinal made large offers to make Peace upon any terms with Spain to the end that they might bend their Forces against the Parisians that it was far from truth that he did so to revenge himself upon the Kings Subjects whose Love and Union he did by all means endeavour assuring himself that at last they would know his right intentions and his Rivals cunning whilst all good French-men would contribute towards breaking the Plots of the Kingdoms Enemies and make them yield to the just Proposals made by his Christian Majesty But if these Reasons made the French the more resolute to stick to their first Resolves other causes perswaded the Spaniards not to budge from their second pretensions For their Cause was much strengthned by the Peace with Holland by the quiet condition of Naples the success of the Enterprize of Cremona and by the Novelties that had hapned in France The Marquiss of Caracene laying hold of this so favourable conjuncture of time sent Marquiss Serra in the beginning of February with 7000 fighting men against the French who were quartered in the Cremonese He at the very first stormed the greater Cassal upon the Poe Boretto and other neighbouring Towns Count Arese and Don Francisco Sersales fell upon Pomponesco with another Body of men wherein Monsieur de la Visiere commanded with 300 French Foot and forc'd them for want of succour to yield the Town upon fair Conditions Which Enterprize was followed by the acquisition of a little Fort built by the Enemy between Pomponesco and Viadana the Defendants whereof yielded upon discretion to the Enemy Count Galleazzo Trotti General of the Horse drove away some Foot from Gualtiery a Palace between Bressel and Vastalla and over-ran the Modenese with no small prejudice and terrour to the Country And greater disorders would have hapned had not the Duke wisely listened to an Agreement which was introduced by his Brother-in-law the Duke of Parma and afterwards concluded by the two Marquisses Calcagnino and Gosfredi since all succour from France was vanished which was the foundation whereupon the Duke declared himself The Conditions of this Peace were That his Highness should dismiss all the French Souldiers and Officers and send them the nearest way into Provence That his Highness should be bound to observe the Agreement made the year 1634 for the relief of the Millanese upon promise that the Catholick King should do the same to the Duke upon all occasions That a new Garrison should be put into Correggio in like manner as was before That the Rents which Don Mauritio di Correggio did possess in that Territory should be restored unto him according to the Agreement of the year 1634 That the Duke of Merandola should continue under the Protection of the King of Spain without any hindrance to be made by Modena That the Subjects of each side who had in this War served against their Master should be restored to former favour That the Prince Cardinal D'Este Brother to his Highness should renounce the Protection of France upon assured promise to be abundantly recompenced for whatsoever he should loose thereby This Peace being made the Spaniards fell to greater and more conspicuous Enterprizes before France could be in a condition to withstand them and since there was no place which did more incommodate Flanders than Ypre seated between the River of Lis and the Sea back'd by Gravetin and Dunkirk the Count of Fuenseldagne sat down before it with the Spanish Army on the 12th of April fearing no good success for he was to make and guard a Line of Circonvallation of five French leagues in compass to keep off the Sallies of a great many Defendants who were very well fortified without and in a perfect condition of defence The little but strong Town of St. Venant neer Ayre did with its Garrison much molest the adjacent parts wherefore Fuensaldagne when he had
Citizens which increased the rashness of the rest his Coach being cut in pieces and he had been made Prisoner as he returned to Agen where he spoke with Espernon had he not being advertised by a Friend of his gone by the way of Libourn The Parliament raised a great sum of Money to pay the debt which they had contracted during the War which being repugnant to the Kings Authority the aforesaid Vie and Advocate Constante as they came from Bourdeaux to the Court the Marquiss Chasteauneuse reproached them for it But they not withstanding got favourable answers as shall be said hereafter and which had been abundantly advantagious for them had not the Frondeurs who were impatient of their good fortune prefer'd a rash War before Peace granted them with such indulgency Before we enter upon the relation of the Troubles which hapned in the year 1649 we will relate the Divisions and Factions of the Court which arising from a weak and almost unknown beginning grew to such a height as pass'd all due conveniency The first Faction was that of the Queen-Mother's or rather of Cardinal Mazarine's for the Court minded nothing but how to uphold this State-Minister of an uncorrupted Loyalty totally bent to maintain the Kings Authority against the too great power of the Princes of the Bloud and of others which is suspitious in an absolute Empire such as is that of France The end of these was to keep the Duke of Espernon in the Government of Guienne intending to keep those Subjects in obedience and to stave off all Novelties which might arise from another Governour whom they might affect and who might depend upon them It was thought to be a lesser evil to fall into a troublesome War than to abandon the King's Authority to the Will of a proud and contumatious people and for their pleasure to turn away that faithful Officer To foment the Provencialists underhand and to insist in not having the Count of Alets any longer for their Governour as being too neer a kin to Condé to the end that by bereaving him of that leaning-stock his power might be the less To keep the Duke of Orleans still in good correspondency with the Regent and jealous of Conde's greatness by the means of the Abbot della Riviere who was promised to be made Cardinal To seek out all means to moderate the Duke of Beaufort's anger by the Dutchess of Monbason's means winning her over by promise of Honour and Advantage to the end that by recovering him into his duty they might do the like to the Parisians by whom he was seconded To cross the Parliaments pernitious designes To ballance Condé his vast thoughts To cool their heat who were set upon Interest and Ambition and finally to maintain Regal Authority and to win time till the King came of years whereby all their pretences who were desirous to better their Fortunes were rendred plausible The second Faction was that of the Duke of Orleans which was chiefly guided by the Abbot della Riviere in whom he did totally confide though he were hated by the Dutchess Margueret his Wife and by Madamoselle Their ends were to unite themselves to the Queen hoping to marry Madamoselle to the King as they were held in hope by the Court as well as was the Dutchess who intended that the King should marry her eldest Daughter And the Dukes Family being Rival to that of Condé they endeavour'd to lessen the Credit and Crandezza thereof This contrariety proceeded in part from the jealousies which use to be between great Ladies as were those of the Family of Orleans and those of Condé's and Longueville's Family And to these Factions did several Princesses and Ladies of great Quality and many highly qualified Lords adhere The third Faction was that of the Prince of Condé Prince of Conty and of the Duke and Dutchess of Longueville whose ends were so to fortifie themselves with Governments of Provinces and strong Towns during the Kings yet two years remaining Minority as that when the King should be become of years they might be able of themselves to resist and withstand any opposition which might be made against them It is known that the Grandezza of the Princes of the Bloud hath always been suspected by the absolute and independent Dominion of a Monarch as had been observed in the times of the precedent Kings by the imprisonment of almost all the Princes of Condé and lately under the Administration of Cardinal Richlieu who during the time of his supream Authority became Arbitrator of the Lives and deaths of the most conspicuous men of the Kingdom To this was added their being able to keep Cardinal Mazarine from establishing himself in his Employment by Marriage and Governments and though he should be still in the Administration to keep him low and weak as well because that no other French Subject of haughty thoughts might succeed him as that wanting a considerable Leaning-stock he might be the more exposed to depend totally on them The fourth Faction was that of the Frondeurs whereof the Duke of Beaufort and the Coadjutor were the chief Heads and it was fomented by the Dutchess of Chevereux and the Dutchess of Monbason by divers Presidents and Councellors of Parliament and by almost all the people of Paris Their designe was to lessen the Cardinals Authority to increase their own and to make their Faction powerful The Coadjutor was in high hopes hereof being thereunto perswaded by the example of his Progenitors who had had the administration in the Regency of other Queens who had been Forreiners which not being to be done whilst the Cardinal was at the Helm they sought out pretences how to colour their calumnies wherewith they aspers'd him and flattered the people with hopes of bettering their condition the Parliament and people proceeding by these means infused distrust into the Parisians comforted those of Bourdeaux and seeking how to disorder affairs resolved to put all things into confusion so as the King being bound to dismiss the Cardinal they might effect their intents Not to omit touching upon what the Forces of these four Factions were That of the Cardinal was fortified by the Kings Authority by the obedience of all the Provinces of the Kingdom except those that were governed by Princes of the adverse party by all the Veterane Troops by all the strong holds by the Officers of the Crown by all the Courtiers and Nobless of the Crown who reverence nothing but the name of King The Duke of Orleans party aimed at nothing but at the Grandezza of the Abbot de la Riviere who being named by the King to be a Cardinal at the first election of Cardinals did nothing but caress the Court and Cardinal to keep them from altering their mindes And though the Court intended him not that honour left the Duke of Orleans might have a Favourite of equal dignity with the Queens Favourite yet it proceeded dextrously to gain the advantage of
blood as was possible he did again endeavour an agreement before he entred the Province which he gave in charge to Monsieur de Lavie who took upon him to write to Monsieur Mirat chief Counsellor of the Parliament of Burdeaux desiring him that he would come himself in person to Roquedetau that they might confer touching the propositions to be sent to the Parliament the invitation was embraced and Mirat being come to the place of conference Lavie told him that the King was willing to listen Graciously to the Remonstrances of Parliament and to the Princess of Conde's intreaties touching the Princes liberties and that he hoped to get a Gracious answer from their Majesties within 15 days if that the Dukes of Bulloin and Rochfaucolt would withdraw and that the City would lay down Arms it not being fit that the King should set the Princes at liberty whilst his Subjects were in Arms. Miratz ingaged himself in the names of the above-said Dukes that they should speedily retire to their own houses and should quit the Kingdom if the Queen should so command them so as the Princes might be set free and thus the conference ended Yet the same Dukes indeavoured still to unite themselves more firmly to the Burdelois and to get speedy succour from Spain which declared it would assist them but would first see the Parliament declare it self more openly which occasioning some difficulty it was so handled as some of the more seditious sort made the meaner sort of people Mutiny besieging the publick Palace so to force the Parliament to make the pretended Declaration which they did but much against the will of the Assembly who were about to accept of the King's proposal Giurato Pontack went with a great Squadron of armed Inhabitants to assist the Parliamentarians and by the death of 3 or 4 of the most seditious freed them whereupon the Princess of Conde went to the Parliament and excusing her self said she knew not of it Osorio to incourage the Counsellors caused some chests or Patacoons covered over with doubloans to be brought which made a sumptuous shew that all appearing to be Gold the publick might hope for assistance and particular men for profit Things being thus establisht it was thought fit to send Osorio out of Burdeaux so not to make the Court party more Jealous and to let the Princes do what they should please upon this occasion and so to cover over the loathsomness of that disobedience which was deeply rooted in the hearts of ill minded men The Duke de St. Simon Governour of Blaye went at this time to pay his respects to the King and to assure him of his Loyalty The Count d' Ognon of the Family of Faucot Lieutenant of the Governments of Rochell of the Islands of Oleron and whereof the said Ognon after the death of Marshall de Breze had made himself almost an independent Master would not go to Court feigning himself to have the Gout thinking to stand looking on and to advantage his interests according to the conjuncture of times either by absolutely establishing himself in the close of affairs in those Governments or by becoming necessary to the Court oblige their Majesties to make him Duke and Peer and Marshall of France which he very much longed to be The Cardinal was aware of his designs but did dissemble seeming to believe otherwise than he did and thinking it better to leave him quiet there than by seeming to distrust him to put him upon some headlong Resolution especially since he seemed rather inclined to follow the Princes party than to be Loyal to the King His Majesty being advanced to Sibour the Parliament of Burdeaux sent President Pichon with some other prime Counsellors to him who being brought into his presence in few words told him that nothing better became a puissant Prince than Clemency which was the bait which did captivate hearts and establish Scepters who by their Birth-right were acknowledged to be the Sovereigns of State and by their mildness became masters of men That the Parliament hoped for these favours which had always kept within the bounds of duty nor had ever any other aim but the service and glory of his Majesty through whose goodness they hoped to see that fatal Tree eradicated which brings war and confusion with it wheresoever it comes The Court was no ways satisfied with this complement which was specious in appearance but unaccompanied by effects for the Burdelois continued disobedient and still strove to bring over the people of other Provinces to joyn with the Parliament together with their secret intelligence still held by the Princess of Conde with the Court of Spain wherein their chiefest hopes lay and they strove particularly to keep correspondency with the Parliament of Paris From whence they were still incouraged by express Letters Offers and Messengers saying they would serve them as also did Duke Beaufort the Coadjutor and the Frondeurs still endeavouring to seduce the people against the Cardinal yet the aforesaid Deputies were civilly heard and answered with like civil words Monsieur de l' Vrliere being appointed to treat with them and to produce such proposals as should be thought convenient They also tried the Loyalty of the Parliament of Tolouse to interess it with that of Burdeaux But those of Tolouse proceeding maturely in their resolves and not caring much whether the Cardinal or any other were the director of Government would not joyn with them especially since their City not being Fortified and lying in the Center of the Province it would upon all occasions be subject to the evils of War But in regard of the publick good they mediated with his Majesty that he would grant the Burdelois desire by favouring them with the removal of the Duke of Espernoun from that Government Whilst affairs went thus Marshal Millerey who was ordered to go into those parts with such Forces as he had got together in the Neighbouring Provinces about the end of Iuly entred into that Tract of ground which lies between Garomne and Dordone called the Country between the Two Seas and assaulted the Castle of Vaires there was a Burrow beneath it intrencht by the Burdelois and guarded by 300 Foot Commanded by Monsieur Richon a Citizen of Burdeaux who did defend it Valiantly till the 3. of August but was afterwards overcome through intelligence which was held by Marshal Biron Camp-master with a Captain that was a kin to him that commanded the Castle Here was Richon made Prisoner and being brought to Sibour was by the Court hanged for a Rebel notwithstanding means used to the contrary by the said Marquis Biron and at last by Madamosella de Orleans who had her request granted though too late for sentence was executed before the pardon came In this interim the form of Agreement was drawn up on the Courts part by Vrtiere and made known to the Deputies of Burdeaux the effect whereof was that the King was come into Guien to shew his
goodness to Burdeaux by a general act of Amnesty or Oblivion and was therefore to be received in like manner as Kings were usually received in the Towns of their Dominion that the Dukes of Boullion and Rochefaucolt were to be sent out of the City as being declared by the Parliaments of France guilty of High Treason as chief inciters of all the disorders and that things should be put into their former condition But just as it was hoped that this would take happy effect the news of Richon's death discomposed all and did so incense the people as they ran up and down the Streets crying Justice and Revenge but no peace Wherefore the Duke of Boullion who had divers Prisoners in his hands which were taken in the recovery of the Island of St. George on the 6 th of August caused Monsieur de Caroles to be hanged The Marshal Millerey being gone from about Vaires incamped at Creon three Leagues from Burdeaux The Knight of Vallette Lieutenant General under Espernoun commanding all those Forces in chief in the Dukes absence undertook to recover the Island of St. George but as he advanced too forward to discover the Enemy he was shot by an Harquebuse on the Thigh whereof he dyed at Cadilliack four days after the Court came to Libourn to the great grief of as many as knew him he was a Gentleman of much Generosity and very faithful to the King he had served the Commonwealth of Venice long in Italy and it was he who entring Paris when it was besieged threw divers Papers amongst the People wherein he exhorted them to expell the Frondeurs and to submit unto the King for which he was imprisoned and hazarded his life Count Palaw was by the King put in his place and Island being stoutly defended by Monsieur De la Motta Delas the Kings men were forced to tarry there some days longer than they had thought waiting for their Canon which made much for the Burdelois for if this important place had been lost the City had been reduced to great straits and want of many things wherefore it stood the King's men much upon to perfect this enterprise who did therefore plant some great pieces of Canon upon the hill of Cambes wherewith playing incessantly upon the Fort and making several assaults they forced it to surrender which redounded much to the prejudice of the City which was not far off So as thinking how to defend ' this place they caused some Baracadoes to be made at Sansurino which were furnisht with Souldiers of Fortune to keep the Inhabitants from going out There was also a Fort with four little Bulwarks at Bastida a place beyond the City over against the City The Port of Dicoux was fenced by a woful half Moon made of Marle without a Ditch some other armed Vessels were put into the Water Affairs passing thus in Cuien during the Kings absence from Paris the Court being ingaged in Arms before Burdeaux could not supply the needs of all Parts States and Cities which required defence wherefore the Spaniards took the advantage of the present conjuncture of times being well informed by Count de Ognate Viceroy of Naples who knew very well how much it concerned his King to bereave the French of Piombino and Portolongone which were receptacles for the Enemies Fleets to the prejudice of that Kingdom and therefore resolved not to let slip that opportunity which was now offered by the troubles of France He prepared all things sitting and betook himself to that expedition which was approved of by many Princes of Italy and also by some Forreign Princes for these Harbours were become receptacles for French Pirates which troubled Navigation not distinguishing Friends from Enemies to the great hindrance of Traffick Nor did the Court of France remedy this as well because it was not good for her to disgust a number of men well experienced in conducting Fleets at Sea as also that they pleaded a Law in their defence which was confirm'd by the States General in the time of Francis the first permitting the reprisal of all Vessels which carried Merchandize of any whatsoever sort belonging to the Subjects of any Prince with whom France was in War The Viceroy having mustred 6000-Foot 800 Horse and being accompanied by many Gentlemen and Titulado's imbarqued on the 10 th of Iune seconded by Don Iohn of Austria who as the Kings Son had the chief Command one part of the Forces imbarqued in the Island of Elbe one part with Count Connersano who upon this occasion was made General of the Horse incamped before Piombino and Cannon was planted at one and the same time against both these places they began to dig Trenches that they might hasten the Conquest before succour could be sent from France which being impossible to be done in those Domestick Wars he had of himself provided for the Defence of Portalongone and orders were sent to Provence that all possible means might be used to send some relief thither But nothing being to be done without money and experienced Commanders the orders availed nothing The French Agents who were in Rome foreseeing these difficulties thought good to interest the Pope and the great Duke but all their reasons could not prevail with these Princes who prohibited their Subjects to assist either party Count Conversano did this mean while straiten Piombino being recruited by Don Iohn de Austria with 1000. Foot and having driven the French out of the Town he betook himself to oppugne the Castle which was constantly defended by the besieged who were incouraged by the Arrival of Seignior Valperga a Piamontese well experienced in the Military Mystery who was come into Provence hoping assuredly to relieve it But the place not being able to hold out longer by reason of the scituation which was so weak as it was not to be fortified the Governour parlied on the Eighteenth of Iuly by vertue of which capitulation the French and Swissers being to go out Valperga was detained as an Italian and not comprehended in the Articles the place being Garrison'd Conuersano went with all his Forces to strengthen the Vice-Roy before Longone whither 500. Foot were come sent by the Marquess of Caracena Governour of Millan and Skirmishes past daily between both parties But whilst Cavalliere Poll was providing a Vessel in Thouloen to attempt Relief Cardinal Mazarine gave order to Monsieur Lauriere the Lieutenant of a French Gally to arm it suddenly and that taking in 100. of the Queens Guard he might indeavour succouring the place Lauriere who was very valiant but not over good at ordering affairs instead of going the nearest way to Monte Christo from whence the Winds having kept the Spanish Gallies aloof from that Haven he might have effected his design he wheeled about by the Coast of Corsica and came late to the aforesaid Island which the Spaniards being aware of they sent Ianettino de Oria General of the Neapolitan Squadron to find him out with two good
submits himself shall be refused and will allow of whatsoever the licentiousness of a lawful and necessary War will permit to punish your obdurateness People do you second these good intentions demand peace boldly this is the means to re-unite the Royal Family and to free your selves of your Enemy Cardinal Mazarine and from the combustions ruines and desolations which you see are preparing and from all the evils whereunto the Cardinals bad guidance his ignorance insufficiency and malice does continually expose the state and all the King's Subjects This writing made a great noise and was greedily swallowed down by the people uncapable of the artificial imposture to render the Cardinals administration of Government generally more odious This was therefore one of the chief motives which made the Duke of Orleans apply himself to the Spaniard's proposals so to pacifie the Parisians who were much incensed by reason of the assured hopes they had to have peace in this present conjuncture of time The Duke of Orleans and the Frondeurs did this mean while go about to destroy the Courts designs against Burdeaux least if that Town should be lost and that thereby the King's Forces should cease being diverted in those parts the Kings concernments should prosper better in all other things to the destruction of their ends and the establishing the credit which he had won And truly the Kingdom was then in a sad condition for the very Nations who were obliged to concur to the greatness thereof were those who diverted its glory and wrought all its disturbance Wherefore the Frondeurs finding that the Burdelois were not of themselves able to defend themselves against all the Kings party and that they were therefore liable to an irreparable loss they imployd all their industry and did what they could to assist them they cried out that that Journey was destructive to France whilst the Spanish Forces proceeded on in Italy Catalonia and in Flanders to the prejudice of the Crown of France The Parliament sent President Balieule and seven other Counsellors to desire his Majesty that he would appease these commotions the King answered that all convenient means had been used to reduce the Burdelois to their duty Who instead of corresponding to his Princely clemency had made small account of it hanging up a Prisoner of War contrary to all custom and giving other aparent signs that they had no thoughts of peace and thus the Commissioners were dismist and returned to Paris But the Parliament not satisfied with this answer resolved to send Messieurs de Meusnier and Biraut again to the Court with the same desires whither they went on the 8 th of September together with the President de Gourges and some other Counsellors who were come from Burdeaux to Paris and to these the Duke of Orleans added Monsieur de Coudrey Monpensiere to be assistant to them When Coudrey was come to Libourn he sent a Trumpet to Burdeaux to acquaint them with his coming but the Letter being only superscribed Aux Messieurs and the Parliament thinking that the superscription should have been Aux nos Messieurs four days were spent in the dispute thereof at last Coudrey being come into the City he presented the Assembly with the Duke his masters Letters together with two Records of the Parliament of Paris touching the conditions of peace which the Duke his master had drawn up Whereupon the Parliament being to consult and the ten days contained in the agreement being well nigh expired they told Coudrey that it became them not to begin till from the day that the Parliament knew the Dukes intentions by the Letter which they had writ unto him that then the Letter being of great importance it should be participated to all the Corporations of the City and to the parties interessed and they desired him to make this time be agreed upon and that in the interim all Hostility might cease and that the passage upon the River might be open The Cardinal shewed Coudrey the Original proposals of the Dukes of Boullion and Rochfaucolt and of Fontenella Guirato de Burdeaux with those of the Spanish Agents which were intercepted by Monsieur Landa Basco late Serjeant Major of Burdeaux who afterward became obedient to the King by the perswasion of Vicount Virlada The said Landa got the Original of these Letters and of the answers from Spain wherein he faithfully observed the Cardinals Orders and though the Original of these proposals was carried to the Parliament of Paris for the Letters were in Cyphers those Gentlemen took occasion to throw them away without perusing them but did notwithstanding applaud the Spaniard's offers and desire of peace to make their actions grateful to the people by this specious name though they knew there was no reality in it for the Enemie would have appeared to have been unwise in condescending to a peace in a time when War was to be very advantagious to them by increasing dissention in France which was the only object of their thoughts But the Court reflecting upon these proceedings prejudicial to the Kings Dignity for that the Parliament of Paris had nothing to do to meddle with what did not belong unto it would lose no time about it having means by force to expedite all differences and therefore resolved to pursue the business which being brought to an end paid every one in the moneys which they deserved Thus on the 23 th of August did Marishal Millerey with all his Forces appear upon the mountain of Cenon within a quarter of a league off Bastida and incamped upon the side of Fenilats and Cenon and went with 1700. Foot to discover Bastida resolving to do as he should see occasion But finding it well fortified and in condition of being continually releived by water he returned to his former station and the Cardinal being desirous to hasten affairs before further troubles arose in Paris he made his men pass over the River near Cambes and approached with them near Burdeaux The Inhabitants being resolved to defend the Town fortified the Suburbs of St. Surine the Women Children and the Religious people labouring continually thereupon And for that the whole confidence of the Burdelois lay on this Suburbs the King's Counsel resolved to expugn it The Marquesses of St. Magrine and of Rochelaure were appointed to fall upon the Barracado upon the head of the street Coderan which was defended by Duke Rochefaucolt with 400. Soldiers assisted by Count Colignie by the Cavalliers de la Riviere by Todias and Boves both of them being Camp-Masters by two Brothers of Carbonieres and by Monsieur Meuvile Count Paluau advanced with other Troops to assault the other part of the Suburbs called the Carthusians scituated upon the River and so to pass to the Pallace Calliano to cut the Enemy from retreating from the Suburbs the Church whereof was in part fortified and defended by the Duke of Boullion with about 200. of the Inhabitants 60. Voluntiers on Horseback led on by
Thus the Treatie of peace advancing and no relief appearing from Spain the Burdelois bethought themselves of setting some treaty on Foot and the Cardinal being willing to admit of any reasonable desires gave way that the Duke of Candalle might send a Pasport to Gouruille by another name for him to go to Bourg Whither being come he offer'd in the names of the Princess of Conde and of the two Dukes of Boullion and of Rochefaucolt all the security that the Cardinal could desire nay they went so far as the very Generals themselves offered to become Prisoners for six months to assure him the more of their real intentions They also propounded a marriage between the Prince of County and a niece of the Cardinals and though the Burdelois had an unspeakable aversion to the Duke of Espernoun who by that Treaty was to be removed from that Government yet they offered to beg him upon their knees for their Governour provided that the King would grant the Princes their liberty But the Court could never be brought to declare it self in this for it had ingaged its word to the Duke of Orleans to do nothing without his knowledg Affairs being upon these terms the Treaties of peace commenced with the Commissioners of Burdeaux assisted by those of Paris who were come purposely to Burg and after several conferences it was resolved that conformable to the proposals made by the Duke of Orleans Articles should be made as they were without the knowledg of the Princess of Conde or of the Dukes of Boullion or Rochefaucolt These Articles consisted of a general Amnesty granted by the King to all the Inhabitants of Burdeaux to all the Generals Captains and Soldiers that served in that City that the Princess of Conde might retire with the Duke of Anguienne to one of his or her Houses in Anjou where she might live and injoy all her Estate and that of the Prince her Husbands securely she being to renounce in writing which was to be delivered into the Kings hands all Leagues and confederacies made by her as well within as without the Kingdom and that in performance thereof she should give order for the ceasing of all hostility made or ordered in her name or in the name of the Prince her Husband in his Towns of Berry Turen and in other parts on this side the River Loire and to withdraw Garrisons from divers Towns possest by them which should be put into the Kings obediens And that she the Princess might go to Montrond upon condition that she would reduce that Garrison to bare 200. Foot and 60. Horse to be paid from the time forward by the King out of the Revenues of that Province provided that she put in necessary caution that the Militia of that nor of any other Towns should make no outrodes nor commit any Hostility against the Subjects of those Provinces and all of them might enjoy the present act of Amnesty by vertue whereof all Prisoners of War on both sides should be set at liberty that when this Declaration should be published all were to lay down Arms and that all the Soldiers in Burdeaux and in all the Towns confederate therewith should be cashiered and have Pasports and Safe-conducts given them that all decrees and orders made as well by the Parliament of Burdeaux against the Duke of Espernoun as by him against the Parliament upon the occasion of the present commotions should be void and null and all things should be put into the same condition as they were before the War that the better to facilitate the performance of this present Treaty and to content the City of Burdeaux and all Guienne the King would remove the Duke of Espernoun from the Government and send them another Governour The Princess and Dukes being advertised that the agreement was made without them sent Monsieur Figean to be present at the Treaty and to subscribe the Capitulation in their names The agreement being published on the 2 d. of October and all Hostility ceasing the Princess of Conde the Dukes of Anguien Boullion and Rochefaucolt together with a great many Gentlemen went the next day from Burdeaux toward Contras and within half a League were casually met by Marishal Millerey in one of the Vessels of the Fleet and by divers other Vessels of Monsieur Mautrick who saluted the Princess with all their Artillery and the Marishal accosting her asked her whether she would pass under the Windows of their Royal Majesties and not come out of her Barque to kiss their hands To which being so advised by the Dukes she answered that she would willingly go do her duty and upon her knees beg her Husbands liberty if she thought her doing so might be acceptable The Marishal presently dispatcht away a Boat to tell the King that the Princess was coming to pay her respect to their Majesties who soon sent Duke Danuille with many Coaches to meet her and when she was come to Court she was lodged in Millerey's house and was complemented there in the name of the King Queen and of all the Court though the Marishals invitation was not well liked since no good could come by this visit and that it might rather cause as indeed it did Jealousie and Suspicion in the Duke of Orleans that the Cardinal meant to set the Princes at liberty without his consent or knowledg The Princess afterward visited their Majesties and complements being past with bended knee and pouring forth abundance of Tears she humbly beg'd her Husbands liberty using such passionate and affectionate Speeches as did not only move their Majesties but all the standers by which when Madamoselle heard of believing that at that meeting the freedom of the Princes was concluded without searching further into the truth she dispatcht away a Messenger to the Duke her Father at which news he was much troubled as was also all the Frondeurs but hearing afterwards that the Princess had got nothing but hopes they were pacified The Dukes of Boullion and of Rochefaucolt did also press the Cardinal in private to the same effect intending either to obtain the Princes their liberty from the King or to make a breach between the Cardinal and the Duke of Orleans they told him that the Princes would be the more obliged to him when they should see their liberty proceeded merely from his affection and not inforced that it would redound much to his glory throughout all Europe when it should be seen that it lay in his power to restrain and also to reestablish the Prince in his greatness That the demeanure of the Frondeurs might make him know that their designs were first to ruine the Princes to the end that they might afterwards more easily pull down him the Cardinal or else by giving them their liberty ingage them to joyn in his and the Queens ruine that the War was ended in Guienne but that the desire of re-kindling it would never end in the Kingdom as long as the Princes
were imprisoned that this was plotted in all parts and that the thoughts of the Parliament of Paris and of others aimed all at this and that finally they themselves would not deny but that all their endeavours should tend to the same end as those who were bound to prefer this before all other interests This discourse wrought the effect which the Duke desired it wrought upon the Cardinal and did infuse such jealousie into the Frondeurs and Duke of Orleans as it made the Duke resolve to reunite himself with them and again to endeavour the Cardinals destruction The Queen nor the Cardinal were neither of them well pleased with Madamoselle for having always thought her well affected to the Court she upon this occasion appeared otherwise But this agreement did disturb other affairs for the hatred of the Parisians and the authority of the Duke of Orleans and Beaufort and of their adherents did thereby increase the more against the Cardinal whom they told that howsoever they would have the Court return speedily to Paris and that the journey to Tolouse and Provence should be put off to another time which was intended that the States General might be held there and to raise monies which they wanted much to provide for the occurrences of the Kingdom and particularly of Catalonia and for payment of the Servants of the Court who had not received any monies of a long time the Cardinal was minded that the King should go to Languedock and Provence before his return to Paris for besides that the People should thereby see the Kings Person which wins upon the peoples love there was some need of his Majesties presence in those Provinces as well to hold the States General in Languedock as to quiet the differences in Provence between the Count de Ales who was Governour of that Country and the Parliament but the Cardinal being told that for certain the Duke of Orleans did extreamly desire the King should return to Paris to take order for affairs there and to provide for the safe custody of the Princes who were not thought to be safe enough in the Castle of Mercousy he resolved to return to Paris where the Frondeurs grew daily more desirous to deprive him of the glory which he might have gotten with apeasing the uproars of Provence On the 5 th of October the King Queen and the whole Court entred into Burdeaux with above 4000. what Horse what Foot which were brought in not so much for the Kings safety as for his Grandezza whereat the Frondeurs were so terrified as many of them sought to hide themselves The Burdelois appeared mightily pleased with the King coming they lodged the King Queen Cardinal and Duke of Aniou in the Archbishops Palace Madamoselle d' Orleance in President Pontacks stately Palace and the Cardinals neeces were lodged in the Doyen The Court tarried ten days in Burdeaux and being solicited by the Duke of Orleans to return to Paris it marched thitherward The Court being come to Orleans instead of going streight to Paris went to Fountainbleau to take order for securing the Princes who on the 15 th of November were removed from the Castle of Mercousy and were convey'd to Haure de Grace conducted by Count Harcourt with 400. Horse and as many Foot and after Eleven days march they were shut up there being still under the Guard of Monsieur de Bar and of those whom he confided in After which the Queen was not affraid to return to Paris since the Prisoners were gone so far from thence and that they were now at her disposal The Frondeurs were much troubled thereat who with all the other Malecontents ceased not to exclaim against the Duke of Orleans that he had deluded them that the Cardinal did not desire the general peace nor the peoples ease but aimed only at his own private ends wherefore they altered their minds and began to commiserate the Princes not so much for their imprisonment as for the danger of their lives so as the Princess their Mother and all their Kindred and adherents began again to plot their freedom and though by the death of this Lady who died on the 2 d. of December it was thought the servour thereof would abate yet it proved otherwise and it turned rather to the advantage than to the prejudice of the imprisoned Princes for the Dutchess of Orleans and Madamoselle inclined more to the Princes party their envy and hatred ceasing which they bore for her too great Fasto and Intonatura There were two means to be used for getting the Princes liberty the one by closing with the Cardinal the other by joyning with the Frondeurs the Princesses would not by any means abase themselves so far as to receive help from the Frondeurs they rather inclined to lean towards the Cardinal and to agree with him But since the Court cared not much for the Frondeurs now that the Princes were secured and did mind nothing but aggrandizing the Kings Authority it was not judged fit to trust too much to Conde's sickle nature and that it would be better to expect a while so as the Princesses finding that their Husbands were not likely to get their freedom at least for some time by the Cardinals means they had recourse to the Duke of Orleans and to the Frondeurs and the Treaties were very privatly begun by the Princess Palatine who in the managing of this Affair behaved her self very discreetly for spinning on the time of Treaty as long as she could with the Frondeurs she was perswaded she might bring them over to the Queen and Cardinals party She therefore negotiated this with the Court equally affectionately and with equal Dexterity shewing them how much more worthy they would be of commendation by obliging the Princes to eternal gratitude by an act of singular clemency and confidence and that by persisting to be rigorous they would afford the Frondeurs occasion to merit this from the Princes and consequently to increase their pretentions with evident danger that being so strongly backt they might make way for more pernicious consequences but all this did nothing with the Cardinal who thought he could not now confide any longer and held it dangerous to bring the Princes back to the Court during the Kings Minority so the Palatiness was forced to advance the Treaty with the Frondeurs The Dutchess of Cheuereux with many others entred likewise into this new confederacy against the Cardinal under a publick pretence but with private ends and they strove to shew their Majesties how necessary it was for them to return to Paris but the Cardinal strongly opposed this shewing how dangerous it might prove to the Kings power and how unsafe to the Court to put themselves into the peoples hands and into a faction which having broken all the bonds of Duty they might expect all bold attempts from them and he moreover made it known that the Kingdoms peace consisting in the imprisonment of those that
Friends put forth a Declaration wherein the Prince promised to second the Duke of Orleans in making the Coadjutor Cardinal All these acts were by Croisy and Camertine intimate friends to the Coadjutor carried to the Duke of Orleans who underwrit two copies without reading them nor knew he what the contents were more than what the Coadjutor was pleased to acquaint him with Without whose suggestion doubtlesly Orleans intended no ill to the Cardinal nor would the Princes friends have demanded more than the Prince his liberty which when it should have been had the Parliament would not have prest for keeping the Cardinal from Court These writings being afterwards carried to the Princess Palatine and to the Duke of Nemeurs to be subscribed by them they agreed that they should remain with Croisy who was to deliver them to the Duke of Orleans or to Conde when he should be at liberty Incouraged by these Treaties the Frondeurs began to solicit the Princes liberties which made the Cardinal aware ere long of Orleans his alienation from him not so much out of any coolness that he found in him as for the bad speeches which many of his Court used concerning him but he was not yet fully inform'd of the secret plots that were a weaving against him and it was strange that so many days being spent in these Treaties he got no perfect notice of them they were too far advanc't before he perceived them so as after having imploi'd many persons in Messages and Proposals he at last offer'd in the presence of both King and Queen to be reconciled but this was rather in appearance than real but though Orleans forbore not the Cardinals Conversation and Dined sometimes with him yet after he had underwritten the aforesaid Treaties he could not so well dissemble as not to discover his inward mind The Cardinal who was not to be parallel'd for wariness finding this and knowing that there could be nothing but the ill impressions suggested by the Frondeurs and of his other Enemies speaking thereof with the Queen in her Chamber on the Twenty sixth of Ianuary at night told her that her Majesty must warily observe the proceedings of Parliament where it might be there were Fairfaxes and Cromwells The Duke who minded nothing but how to execute the Coadjutors suggestions thought the pretence fit to give fire to the Mine so as the Parliament being met on the first of February to think of the fittest means how to get the Princes out of Prison being perswaded that the Court did not desire it and that the Kings promise was only to gain time the Coadjutor being now sure to be assisted by Orleans unmasked himself and spoke more freely than before he shewed how necessary it was to get the Princes liberty as soon as might be and that he had order from the Duke to assure them that this was his opinion which he would imploy all his power to effect The Counsellors wonder'd much to hear this for believing hitherto that the Duke stood well with the Queen they could not discern whence this alteration should proceed Beaufort ratified what the Coadjutor had said and declared that he was of the same mind nothing was resolved upon that day for the Members being astonished at the novelty adjourn'd till the next day and the Coadjutor going to acquaint Orleans how well the Parliament was pleased with what he had told them in his name made him the more inamored with their applause and established him more firmly in the Resolution which he had taken Monsieur Tillier going at that instant to know from the Duke whether what the Coadjutor had said in Parliament was by his Highness permission or no or done barely by the Coadjutors self answered somewhat angrily that what the Coadjutor had said was done by his desire and that he should always approve of what he should say or do The whole Court was much surprised with this answer and made them resolve to send to Treat with the Princes touching their liberty The next day the Duke of Orleans moved thereunto by the Coadjutor sent for the Lord Keeper for Marishal Villeroy and for the Secretary of State Tillier and bad them tell the Queen in his name That he would never come to Court nor sit in Council as long as the Cardinal was there and said further to Villeroy That as Lieutenant General of the State he assigned over the keeping of the King's person unto him which his head should be answerable for On Friday the third of February having with yet greater energie by order from Orleans repeated his opinion touching the Princes liberty told the Assembly how the Cardinal had told the Queen in presence of the King that there were Fairfaxes and Cromwells in the Parliament that it was to be feared that their intentions were to suppress Regal Authority according to the example of England That the Duke not able to tolerate so great a Calumny had assured the King that it was altogether false and that there was none but faithful servants to his Majesty either in the Parliament or City whereof he would become surety both in general and in particular and that the Duke had told the Cardinals self that he was a wicked man and worthy to be reprehended for instilling such ill opinions into a young King against his affectionate Subjects by whom his Majesty was generally loved their hatred extending only to the Cardinal whom they knew to be the only cause of the Kingdoms ruine And that upon this the Duke had sent the day before for the aforesaid Lords and had wisht them to tell the Queen that he would come no more to Court whilst the Cardinal was there At the names of Cromwell and Fairfax they were all highly scandalized insomuch as three propositions were made against the Cardinal the first that he should be made Prisoner the second and this was made by President Viola who was more incens'd against him than all the rest that he should be sent for to the Parliament to give an account of his Administration and for the words which he had said to the dishonour of the French Nation Here the first President interrupted him saying he was too hasty and after some contest between him and Coulin who spoke impertinently against the Cardinal the third proposal was made which was humbly to desire the Queen that he might be sent from Court the meanwhile the Coadjutor's friends having divulged throughout the City the aforesaid words spoken by the Cardinal of Cromwell and Fairfax the male-contents resented it and said they were injured for the French do not only love but even idolatrize their King so as in a moment the whole City which was quiet before grew mutinous the people running up and down the Streets yea even in the Palace it self crying out Let the King live and let Mazarine dye The Queen sent the next day to the Duke of Orleans to know whether he would be content or no that
read she said That all the relations that had been made to the Parliament were mere Calumnies suggested by the Coadjutor who had told them falsehoods that he pretended to too much and that he was of an unquiet spirit that he infused pernicious Counsel into the Duke of Orleans because he was not chosen Cardinal which he had been so bold as to desire threatning if otherwise be would set fire on the four quarters of the Kingdom She afterwards recounted what had past in Council the Tuesday before between the Duke of Orleans and the Cardinal she complain'd of the Duke having refused to let her come unto him under pretence that the people might commit some outrage upon her person which consideration she said should not at all have altered her Resolution but on the contrary if she should have perceived the people begin to stir she would have come out into the Streets being sure that her presence would suddenly have quieted all disorders for she very well knew what Reverence the Parisians bore to Royal Personages she added further that such affairs as these should be carried on mildly That Marishal Grammont was already gone and that therefore they needed not have any more meetings about that and she moreover told them that the King was growing out of his minority and sufficiently inform'd to distinguish between those who were seditiously given and those who were well affection'd of which number she said they were and that the King would one day remember them for it so she dismist them The Commissioenrs being returned to Parliament the first President related what the King had said and made the writing which was given him be read and which contained almost the same thing whereupon they began to consult and there was difference of opinions But at last Orlean's Authority prevailing the Frondeurs and tumultuous people whereof the Hall was full joyn'd in a Resolution of beseeching the Queen to send a letter away speedily for the freedom of the Princes and to send the Cardinal from Court grounding their pretence upon what the Duke had said that he would not go to the Council so long as the Cardinal was there And they further said That since there was a necessity that one of the two should retire it was fair and honest that his Highness the Kings Uncle and Lieutenant General of the State should tarry and that the other who was a Forrainer should be sent away this being decreed in the Assembly the first President was sent to acquaint the Queen with it and humbly to desire the Princes liberty Thus the Assembly ended and Orleans returned to his own house attended on by many of the Gentry and by a great number of the Populacy The next morning he sent for the Duke of Espernoâ—n and for Marishal Schomberg and told them That he being Lieutenant General of the Crown they were hereafter to come to him for orders touching their imployments the one being Colonel of the French Infantry the other of the Switzers they both answered That they knew very well what became them to do and the respect which they were to bear him but that whilst the King was present they were only to depend upon his Majesty the same day the Queen sent for the Dutchess of Orleans and for Madamoselle and discoursed with them above two hours but no good came of this conference for there were few who through either envy or emulation did not declame against the Cardinals greatness neither had the Dutchess of Anguien's indeavours better success who labour'd to take off Orleans from the sinister impressions which the Coadjutor had made in him of the Cardinal But though there was so great concourse of people about the Duke yet the Palace Royal was frequented by much Nobility and those of the greatest esteem who kept their due obedience to their Majesties Amongst which all the Marishals of France except de Estempes Duke Mercure who still was of the Queens party never waver'd from the friendship which he protest to the Cardinal and sent a challenge that very day to his Brother Beaufort but Marishal de Estre hindred their meeting Whilst things were in this posture both sides studied how to win the peoples affection wherein the whole affair did consist but they being born away by the desire of Novelty inclined rather to favour the male-contents than the Court which made the Frondeurs joyn the more closely to the Princes and to the Duke of Orleans It will not be much from the purpose upon this occasion to say something upon the Court interests which consisted wholly in the Kings and Queens Authority and in the Forces of the Kingdom which were firm in the same Resolution with the Cardinal never to set the Princes at liberty till the King being come to years of Majority might be able to divert those Plots which they had framed in his minority to the prejudice of his power for now they were in a safe place The Duke of Orleans together with his Wife and Daughter being joyn'd to Beaufort and the Frondeurs solicited the Parliament and the Parisians to concur in freeing the Princes to the end that the Cardinal's credit being lost their Authority might be the more considerable in the King's minority The Dutchess of Chevereux and the Coadjutors aim was the same She by reason of the Marriage agreed upon between the Prince of County and her only Daughter and the Coadjutor promising himself by this Alliance that the Dutchess was to have with the Prince of Conde to arrive at the Cardinals Cap since he had no such hopes from the Court Thus Paris being wholly set by the concurrance of so many Princes and people of quality upon pulling down the Cardinal nothing was seen in the Parliaments Palace but the concourse of people and of Cavalliers who publickly cri'd out for the Princes liberty and against the Cardinal So as instead of seeing the Court quieted after the favourable successes in Champagnia and the peace of Guienne it was on the contrary become fuller of confusion But the Cardinal not being aware of the correspondency which the imprisoned Princes had with their adherents was not much troubled thereat by reason of the assurance he received from La Bar who thought not to be deceived by his own people for the Prince of Conde won one of Bar's Servants who was appointed to attend him by whose means he received Letters corrupted the Guards and had notice of all things by the means of Physicians Chirurgions which visited him so as he sent and received advertisements without the knowledg of Bar or of the Cardinal Thus the Dutchess of Chevereux having made the Marriage sure and the Coadjutor having won the Duke of Orlean's favour they kept him always firm to them the Dutchess of Chevereux and the Princess Palatine carried all things with great dexterity and secresie and amidst all the tumultuous meetings that were made in Ianuary the first President did great
be in safety out of Paris And the Frondeurs growing still more wavering being still bent to bring affairs to some extremity strove to raise sedition in the City under colour whereof they might legâ—timate their pretence to remove the Queen from her Regency chose a new Council for the King and that they might take the Government of the Kingdom upon themselves but were it either out of Gods goodness or the innate goodness of Orleans and Conde who were against too violent Revolutions all such attempts were still kept back leaving the Government to the Queen and continuing the Kings Council in their places in peaceful manner The Cardinal went from Haure with about One hundred Horse and with some of his friends marching in long cold dark nights till he came into Picardy where he was received civilly by all but by the Town of Abeville where he was forced to pass over the Some in small Boats which were there by chance and being past over he came to Dorlans a strong Town between Amiens and Arras accompanied by Bar the Governour thereof where he staid a while considering how he might take his journey with most safety for there was danger in passing those Frontiers without a pass which made the Queen write to him to be gone speedily out of the Kingdom The Parliament being assembled on the 20 th of February the King's Declaration was brought unto them which contained that no Forreigners though naturalized should hereafter be admitted into the Council of State which being read it was added that no Forreigner nor French Cardinal should be admitted into the Council which was done not so much in respect of Cardinal Mazarine as to exclude the Coadjutor who disturb'd all things that he might be made a Cardinal and so become first Minister of State Beaufort was one of those that were the Authors of this Addition being distasted with the Coadjutor for having concealed from him the negotiations which he secretly held with other confederates And the Princes friends insisting still to have them declared innocent the Queen being willing to please them was content that such a Declaration should be made the contents whereof were That the King growing apprehensive of the Princes their actions by information had from several parts was forced for the good of his State to secure them that time which matures all things and brings the truth out at last had made him know their innocence and how the Crown was prejudiced by their imprisonment that therefore in an affair of such importance and in respect of the Parliaments earnest supplications and by the advice of his Unkle the Duke of Orleans and others of his Council he had resolved not only to give them their liberty but to take away all pretences that might prove prejudicial to their Loyalties he did declare the said Princes not only innocent of all jealousies which had wounded their Reputations but that all Conde's actions in particular had never tended to any thing but to the establishment and increase of Regal Authority and to the good of the Crown whereof the King was fully satisfied annulling all Letters and Decrees given out against the said Princes and restoring them to their former places honours and dignities this Declaration was verified in Parliament on the 27 th Printed and disperst throughout all Europe And therein were also contained the Dutchess of Longueville Marishal Turenne and all the rest of that party Six days after the Parliament met again and the Decree made against Forreigners though naturalized was read with the addition of excluding all French Cardinals from the King's Council Orleans was the first who spoke being wisht so to do by the Coadjutor and said that after this Declaration the Clergy had made a Remonstrance upon it to the King and that Archbishop Ambrune had told his Majesty that of the three orders which are in France the Ecclesiastick was the first and noblest that no such motion had at any time been made since France had been a Monarchy That the Oath which Cardinals take unto the Pope comes after that which they take to their King and Countrey so as they were injured by being excluded the King's Council and in being berest of serving the State that this exclusion would not be well taken in Rome'â— that they had been Mazarinians that had insinuated this novelty into the mind of some body to revenge themselves of the Parliament by putting discord between it and the Clergy that when this Declaration was made he was present and was against inserting that clause foreseeing the mischief it might occasion by causing division between the Clergy and Parliament The first President said That the French Clergy were not any ways concern'd in this for in the decree all French Archbishops and Bishops were excepted wherefore they had no reason to complain and that the Archbishop Ambrune would be but little praised for his Remonstrance it being well known who it was had excited him to make it Monsieur de Courtine master of the requests alledged two examples to shew that the Clergy ought to content themselves with their callings and not meddle in Court affairs The one of Antonio Perez who being fled into France in the time of Henry the 4 th was one day asked by his Majesty how he thought France might be best governed he answered by three things by good Council rich Finances and by keeping great power in Rome inferring that to be powerful in the Pope's Court they must have many Cardinals there and that therefore they were to be kept at Rome as not being necessary in France The other was the example of the late Archbishop of Burdeaux who going to take his leave of the Pope's Nuncio when he went to command the King's Fleet the Nuncio thunder'd these words into his ears You shall not give an account of the men that shall be slain in the War which you go to make but of those that shall dye in your Diocess during your absence you shall be sure to give an account inferring that a Pastor should have a care of his flock Monsieur Barin la Galissennieve who was also master of the requests spoke against the Cardinal saying he was to be made to give an account of his Administration of Government President Charton said that the Crown had suffered much by the Administration of Cardinals and that worse was to be expected if they were continued in that imployment The Resolution was put off till the next day when much dispute being had thereupon by the first President it was at last decreed that the Cardinals should assist in their Functions in Rome and not meddle in State ' affairs and that her Majesty should be humbly desired to send a Declaration to the Parliament conformable to the Decree of the 9 th and of the 20 th of last February as well against Forreigners as against French Cardinals that they might not be admitted into the King's Council and Archbishop Ambrun's
Remonstrance was much spoken against But these discourses had no foundation and were totally false for who knew not that France did never flourish more than when Governed by Richelieu and Mazarine These proposals were known to be mere invectives and calumnies so as though the Decree past it was never executed only a notable Decree succeeded thereupon as you shall hear hereafter against Mazarine who by the delay of Pasports which were expected from Flanders was forced to tarry in France so as the Queen was forced by reason of the noise that was made in Parliament to send Billinghau and Ravigny with new Letters to him to make hast out of the Kingdom The Cardinal's friends and well-wishers were so incensed with this the Cardinals so unlooked for departure and by his being so sorely persecuted as many of them did readily offer him their best assistance to make head against his Enemies amongst which Marishal de Hochencourt Governour of Peroun Count Navailes Governour of Beaupames and Count Broglia Governour of la Bassea did all of them offer him their strong holds and therewith their lives And Monsieur de Bar Governour of Dorlans Monsieur Mondedieu Governour of Rue Monsieur de Faber Governour of Sedam Monsieur de Montigue Governour of Rocroy and Monsieur Rale Governor of Retel and others that were well affected to him offered to raise 10000. fighting men and by means of those chief Forts to defend him in despite of his Enemies which might have been done but not without much prejudice to all France for all assistance might have been expected from Spain as was already offered the Spaniards profering the Cardinal 100000. Crowns a year and to reimburse to him whatsoever he should lose in France in all his moveables and Revenues but the Cardinal did generously declare in publick that he would rather be a wanderer in the world than be at any time so much as in thought occasion of any prejudice to that Crown to which he ought all his fortune and knowing what danger their Majesties and all his friends would run if he tarried longer in France he observed the orders exactly which he had received by these Gentlemen and went presently from Dorlans to Peroun and then went with his Nephews who were there to la Fera and from la Fera to Retel from whence he sent Count Angusshiola of Parma to desire Major General Rosse to come and conduct him on his way but he excused it and sent only 300. of his German Horse from Rethel the Cardinal intended to go to Bovillion a neighbouring place out of France in the Countrey of Leige belonging to the Elector of Collen But the Governor was not able to receive him without orders from his Master he therefore went to Balduck intending to go for Alsatia and as he was going to Nancy a Messenger came to him from the Elector with ample offers not only of Bovillion but of his whole State wherefore he altered his mind and went to Cleremont attended and defrai'd by the Marishal Ferte Senetre who being his faithful friend met him upon the way When he was at Cleremont two of the Prince of Conde's Gentlemen came with order from the King to the Marishal to deliver up that place to them to which he answered that he very well knew that those Commissions were extorted by violence from his Majesty wherefore he would not surrender the Fort unless he were commanded by the Cardinal who had given it him in custody The Cardinal who was present wisht him to obey the Kings commands which he did From Cleremont he went to Sedam where he would have staid had he not received orders again from the Queen to be gon speedily out of the Kingdom which he at last did Many thought it was not politickly done to send so chief a Minister of State who was so well inform'd of all the affairs and secret interests of the Kingdom out of France and that the Crown might receive much prejudice thereby Wherefore the Queen indeavoured by the Princess Palatines means to acquaint the Princes with the importancy thereof and that she would wish them to permit that some safe place might be appointed to the Cardinal to live in in some corner of the Kingdom but they would not be perswaded thereunto The Cardinal being in Bovillion and not able to pass any further without a Pasport from the Spaniards he would not demand one from the Archduke without the Queens leave who willingly granted it he therefore sent Monsieur Baiseman Lieutenant of his Guard to desire Count Fuenseldaglia to procure him one from the Archduke which being readily granted and also another from the Duke of Lorrain he was conducted by Don Antonio Pimontell with a Regiment of Croats from Bovillion to Rochfort a Castle held by the Lorrainers from whence he went to Huy a City in Leige and to Leige it self where he was met by the Governour and by all the Inhabitants in Arms with the going off of Guns and other demonstrations of respect He lay that night in a Village two leagues off and then went to Aquisgrave where he was visited and complemented by Seignior Chigi the Pope's Nuncio and by the Lansgrave of Darmestate who were both afterwards Cardinals from Aquisgrave he went to Iuliers where he was received with as much honour as if he had been the Archduke being thrice saluted with all the Guns From Iuliers he went to Chempen a place belonging to the Dutchess of Chevereux where he staid and refreshed himself and from Chempen he came to Brales whither the Prince Palatine sent Count Fustenberg to Treat him like a Cardinal he was lodged in the Electoral Palace well provided of all things and two days after the Elector came to Bona to visit him as did all the chief men of Cullonia and of the whole Country and particularly Prince Francis of Lorrain Bishop of Verdune and Brother to Duke Charles The Cardinal went afterwards to Bona to return the Electors visit where he staid one night and was sumptuously treated he received Letters from all the Princes of Europe with offers of all possible honours and conveniences The Pope himself answered a Letter of his with expressions of great esteem and affection Upon occasion of the Cardinals being accompanied in his journey by Pimantell a very great confident of Count Fuesendaglia he thought good to enter into some project of a general peace with him which Pimantell accepting of as if God had been the Author of this holy work a treaty was by his means introduced between the Cardinal and Count Fuensendaglia who received ample Authority from Spain to continue and conclude the business but a meeting being requisite to be had between them for the agreeing of all things between the two Crowns without other Mediators The Prince of Conde's sending of Marquess Sillerey into Flanders to establish an Union with that Crown did discompose all things for the Court of Spain building great hopes upon the troubles of
France and upon the Reputation which Conde had won in Arms. Fuenseldaglia's order was revoked nay he was forbidden to hold any correspondency with the Cardinal to avoid giving jealousie to Conde's party which was well minded to joyn with the Spanish faction but before the Cardinal went from Dorlans after having received orders from the Queen by Belingau and Ravigny he writ a Letter to her Majesty of these contents Madame HAving seen the Letter which your Majesty was pleased to honour me with all and heard what Monsieur Ravigny delivered me from your Majesty by word of mouth touching what concerns your Majesties service to wit that together with my departure from Court I be speedily gone out of the Kingdom I have willingly obey'd your pleasure whose commands shall always be the only law and rule of my life I have sent a Gentleman to find me out some Sanctuary though I want all necessaries for a long journey To morrow without all fail I will go towards Sedam and from thence to any place I can get for my abode I am so much bound to observe your Majesties orders as I will not give way to retard the willing obeying of them yet Madame there are many who were they in my condition and had they justice and number of friends that I have would find ways to defend themselves from the persecution which I undergo and whereon I will not think chosing rather to content mine Enemies than do any thing that may prove prejudicial to the State or displeasing to your Majesty and though upon this occasion they have been able to keep his Royal Highness from seconding the motions of his innate goodness they have notwithstanding witnessed unto him though contrary to their wills the good opinion which he is forced to have of my intire obedience as also of my zeal for the good of the State For did they not know that I were not to be removed from this sense they would not have been so unwise as to reduce me to these extreams without reflecting upon the knowledg that I have of the secret and most important affairs of the Kingdom whereof I have by your Majesties favour had the Government so long and have served you faithfully as is known to all the world But Madame I am too much obliged to your Majesties goodness to dream of any thing contrary to your liking and would the sacrificing of my life give you the least satisfaction I would readily do it and I do protest that I am very well satisfied when I shall know that in this my misfortune your Majesty will be pleased to remember what service I have done the State after the late King of glorious Memory was pleased to honor me and to trust me with directing all things and did often before his death desire your Majesty to keep me in the same imployment with what integrity zeal and unconcernment to my self I have discharged it your Majesty knows and if I may be permitted to say so with what good success for the wisest and even the Spaniards themselves do confess that they do less wonder at the conquests made by your Majesties Armies in the first five years of your Regency than to see how you have been able for these three last years to manage affairs and to save the Ship from Shipwrack which hath been plaid upon from so many parts and agitated by the storms of home divisions I wish Madame that I could conceal from strangers the ill dealing which I receive for fencing off the blame from a Nation which I have always loved and reverenced But when they shall see me go to seek whither I may retire to live in safety with those that are nearest unto me they will have too much reason to wonder to see a Cardinal so treated who hath the honour to be the King's Godfather and that two and twenty years of faithfull service have not been able to procure a safe place to retire unto in this Kingdom whose confines the world knows are much increased by his means I beseech God Madame that as what hath befaln me shall never alter the passion which I shall preserve till death for the Grandezza of your Majesty and for the flourishing of your State it may also make all disorders cease making it appear that those who have declared against me have done it only against my person Having written this Letter and being come to Bovillion where he received new orders to go further from the confines of the Kingdom he thought fit to write another Letter to Count Brien the first Secretary of State wherein many things being touched upon which may give more light to what is here treated on I hope it will not prove tedious to relate them I send you an answer to the Letters written unto me by her Majesty I should have been some days ago upon the Rhine had I been the only guilty party but my nearest Relations being likewise involved in my faults and sentenced to be sent out of the Kingdom I could not possibly be more diligent since I was to carry them with me and to cross an Enemies Country full of Armed men without a Pasport I am very much perplext in performing the orders which are sent me since I cannot imagine that their Majesties intend that I should expose my self to apparent danger of either being slain or taken Prisoner as I am told for certain his intention is who boasts amongst those of his party to have framed the decrees against me before they came into Parliament and that he had sufficient means to make the Court acquiesce therein For I may easily conceive what his intentions are touching the State and me after his punctuality in seducing a Collegue of his to imbrangle the Parliament Nobility Clergy and People and to bring all to ruine unless he were chosen Cardinal And I very well see how he labors incessantly to cause orders be given me and at the same time to keep me from obeying them that so he may have a pretence to raise a hubbub in Paris and to compass his ends by my utter ruine If this could be any way advantagious or acceptable to the King or Queen I would concur therein with all my heart But I must then have known it for being given to their Majesties I cannot dispose of my self otherwise than as they shall command me it was their pleasure that I should go from Court and out of the Kingdom together with all my nearest Relations and Domesticks and that at the same time I should be brought to the common Goal at Paris Now that I am out of France they will have me go yet further and at the same time they lay traps and ambushes to hinder me I desired to be conducted to Charleville and Mesieres but was denied I must not go into the King of Spain's Dominions and they have requested several Princes not to suffer me to come into their States They leave nothing undone at
resolving not to consent thereunto he presently acquainted Orleans with it so as the Princess being sensible how her service was neglected thought she was no longer bound to back him Those who were gratified by him were Count Marsine who after the Prince his return from Haure de Grace was made Governour of Steney Marquess Boutevile who was made Governour of Belgarde Monsieur Arnault made Governour of the Castle of Dijeon Marquess Persan made Governour of Montrond Count Melle made Governour of Cleremont Count Tavanes destined to command the Princes Troops and Regiments in Champagnia and Burgundy of all whose fidelities he did no ways doubt beside some others to whom he gave several imployments The Princes together with their liberties were restored by order from the Queen to all their Governments the Duke of Longueville was restored toh is Government of Normandy But he and his friends in that Province and Count de Alets with his adherents in Provence severed their interests from those of the Prince and left him to himself in affairs which did occur that which moved them chiefly thereunto was for that these Princes being of more mature years and of a more setled nature would not hazard themselves upon such misfortunes and ruine as wisely they foresaw but as for the Duke of Nemeurs and Rochfaucolt though neither of them were fully pleased with the Prince the first kept faithful to him by means of the Dutchess of Chastillion and the other by the Dutchess of Longueville His most considerable friends were the Duke of Orleans by Beaufort's means the Dutchess of Monbason the Frondeurs and part of the Parliament who fearing the Queen and Cardinal sided with him The whole Clergy of France were already sufficiently wounded by the Decree of Parliament and by the verification thereof in excluding all Cardinals from the Kings Council which made them by frequent meetings of Prelats seek remedies for this wound Many Gentlemen also who were weary of the Wars and grown poor did frequently assemble under pretence of proceeding to a Convocation of the States General whereby to amend disorders of the Kingdom many thought good to add the Clergies grievances to theirs so to seek remedy for so many evils wherefore some of the Nobles having had discourse with the Church-men they all joyned in indeavouring the Convocation of the States General to this purpose was Count Fiesco chosen who was President of the Assembly and more imbittered than the rest He with the Secretary and with twelve Gentlemen of the twelve Provinces of France went on the seventh of February to the Covent of the Augustine Fryers where Fiesco in a Hall where the Clergie was met spoke as followeth Gentlemen The whole Nobility which is now in Paris being brought together under the Protection of the Duke of Orleans the King's Vnkle and the States Lieutenant General the first thing resolved upon was to desire you to joyn with them which desire being so just and grounded upon so many examples they cannot doubt but you will readily imbrace it the rather for that this assembly is no other than a continuation of that which was made the year 1649. by leave from the King Queen Mother and the Duke of Orleans where you made the same Vnion with us which is now demanded You may remember Gentlemen that when we broke up we were allowed to meet again whensoever the things that were then promis'd us were not observed and when remedies should not be applyed to the violence used to Gentlemen contrary to the priviledges and immunities of their birth We should go less in our condition and in what our predecessors have won for us by their blood lost for the aggrandising of this Crown if we should silently lose them and not use all just and lawful means to preserve them our design being so justifiable we beg of you to joyn with us and co-operate with us adding your Suffrages to ours and second the Duke of Orleans his generous resolution in obtaining the liberty of the Princes of the blood-Royal and in assisting his Highness to break the Cords of these unfortunate Princes who have been declared innocent by Parliament their detention being so prejudicial to the King's service and to the common good Behold here Gentlemen our Commission which we beseech you to approve of for which our Assembly doth by us promise you their respect and service The Archbishop of Rheims first President of the Clergies Assembly answered That the Nobility had always been gracious to the Clergy and that the Assembly acknowledged the obligation so with specious words dismist the Nobilities Commissioners They then presently fell to examine the Proposals which were made unto them and resolved to represent to the Queen and to the Duke of Orleans that there had ever been an Union between these two bodies insinuating their inclination to continue it The chief thing desired by the Nobles was the Princes their liberty wherein the Assembly had formerly been supplicants to his Majesty and would still continue to be so and would desire the Duke of Orleans to use his power therein with the Queen and because the Clergy had not as yet paid their respects to the King and Queen they sent to the Duke of Orleans to know if he would be pleased that they should send Deputies to their Majesties which he approving of the Archbishop de Ambrune with divers other principal Prelates went on the ninth of February for audience to the King where they express'd the reasons of their Assembling alledging the example of the year 1949. and the Duke of Orlean's Authority and in fair words did supplicate their Majesties for the Princes liberty The Guard de Seaux answered them That the Assembly of the Nobles was unlawful that the Queen did disapprove thereof and that she would not take it well that they of the Clergy should joyn with them that for what concerned the liberty of the Princes it was that which her Majesty did desire so as they that were of their party would lay down their Arms and that she had sent Marishal Grammont to treat with them then the same Deputies went to the Duke of Orleans and desired him to continue his noble inclinations and put an end to a business of such importance for the publick peace The Duke thanked them praised their indeavours and said that as for their joyning with the Nobility they might do it that by all means he would have the Princes out of Prison and that they needed say no more unto him wherefore the Bishop of Cominges was sent by the Clergy the next day to the Assembly of the Nobles accompanied by divers other Bishops and Abbots and acquainting them with what he had to say from the Assembly he assured them of a constant confederacy To which the Marquess of Lordis answering with like civility an Union was agreed upon but that the Duke of Orlean's assent in writing must be seen for the meeting of the Nobles which
permission and State-affairs being therein treated of the Queen forbad all that belonged to the King or Court to go thither as did also the Duke of Orleans and the Princes but finally all ended in the aforesaid eager desire that the States General might be called that by the Authority thereof the disorders of the Kingdom might be provided for and it was prai'd that they might be held in Paris But the Queen did withstand it as much as she could and was seconded therein by the said Princes After many contestations not without heart-burnings on both sides the said Convocation was by Letters from the King put off to be held on the first day of October at Tours and was afterwards adjourned to the eight of the said month on which day the King entring into his Majority the Court and Princes hoped to disanull it since it was introduced by the discontent and interest of particular men and not for the publick good as was pretended France never having been in a more flourishing condition then it was then had it not been for these intestine alterations The Assembly finding that the Queens design was to spin on time till the King was of years that he as his Mother hoped might make it vanish those Gentlemen were much confused and were in dispute whether they should obey the Kings orders or no but the Parliament being met in the interim to oppose these Assemblies the Duke of Orleans declared that he had assented thereunto First to obtain the Princes liberty Secondly to Counterpoise the Cardinal and to remove him from about the King and lastly to preserve every mans interest that notwithstanding that these three points were ended the publick quiet could not be secured whilst Count Servient Tillier Lyon and Madame Navailes were about the Queen all which being the Cardinals Creatures he although he were far off did by their means govern the Court disposing of all things as he had done formerly and having disposed of three Abbies of late of no small concernment that he would therefore desire the Queen to remove these four from her and would intreat the Execution of the Decrees That lie and the Prince of Conde had indeavoured to separate the Nobility upon good pretence and to that purpose the Queen had given way to the calling of the States General on the first of October next But that the Nobility having represented that this promise might prove null since her Regency would then be at an end the Queen had promis'd what she was not able to perform unless the King should consent thereunto that as the Queen had been desired to put off the meeting till the first of September next so he desired the Assembly to retard all resolutions till the next Monday in which time he hoped to end the business with satisfaction to all that he was sufficiently informed that the Cardinal's friends had used all their indeavours that the Parliament might make a Decree against the said Assemblies and that they had indeavoured to divide the Prince of Conde from him since the Mazarinians could not subsist but amidst divisions and disorders The Prince of Conde spoke to the same Tune and added that it was not long since they had gone about to pluck him from his Royal Highness but that they had gained nothing therein for that he was constant in the Union agreed upon for the King's service and preservation of Regal Dignity After this the first President spoke against this Assembly terming it unlawful contrary to Regal Authority that they ought to obey the orders brought them by the Marishal de L' Hospitalle not joyn with the Clergy was yet more to contemn the King's Dignity and therefore was not to be tolerated by Parliament that the end thereof was to confound Government and to introduce civil War so as to oppose it and destroy it was to serve the publick good That the Duke of Orleans had promised by the Marishal de L' Hospitalle to cause it to dissolve on last Wednesday and that notwithstanding it still continued that the Parliament was grieved to see the fractures of the Royal family which was fomented by some troublesome spirits who abusing his Royal Highness good nature fed him with false representations and adding one disorder to another did confound all in so much as after the Cardinals expulsion those who stood candidate for the same Dignity afforded matter of new Revolutions the remedy whereof was no longer to be retarded The Duke of Orleans answered That he had not appointed Wednesday with the Marishal de L' Hospitalle that he would resist and not maintain any thing that was prejudicial to the King's service and promised that on Monday next the Assembly should be quietly dissolved The first President replied that he heard another Assembly was held in the Covent of the Carmelites at the Palace Mobert which took upon it the quality of the third Estate and which tended to new sedition that therefore it was no longer time to neglect the King's service and the States interest the King's Authority being so far ingaged and that the business was to be taken into consideration according to yesterdays Decree The Duke answered he did not think the Company would deny him three days at the end whereof he promised to be present in Parliament and to give his consent to all Decrees if the Assembly were not first dissolved The President of Mesmes asked him whether or no he would disapprove the said Assembly if it did not dissolve before Monday And Marishal Grammont to ease the Duke of replying propounded that if the Assembly should not dissolve before Monday his Highness should promise to disapprove it and to oppose it with all his Power and Authority upon which promise the Resolution was put off till Monday President Cognieux Brussells Thou and Charton spoke in favour of the Assembly and Thou said there was of the best blood of France therein to which the first President answered that there were men in France who were twenty times better than they who had not subscribed it whereof those of the Assembly being advertised they presently publish'd a declaration of their pretentions shewing that they were met only for the publick good and this was accompanied by a Letter sent upon the occasion of the Assembling of the Nobility which did contain a declaration against those who said their Assembling without the King's Authority was Criminal they said that all that could be objected to it was that it was done without the King's permission for that the Laws forbid all publick meetings without his Majesties consent that for any thing else what the Nobility did complain of and whereof they could speak was correlative to the Law and what in justice could not be denied that during the King's minority his Authority was in the Regent and in the Lieutenant General of the Crown so as their Authority must be had to make a lawful Assembly that the point lay
Duke of Orleans Before the Seals were taken away upon fear that the Duke of Orleans might withdraw from Court and seduce Conde along with him the Queen being desirous to recompence the first President with as good a thing or better made many gracious offers to him as to make a fifth Secretary of State and give the place to his eldest Son or to buy a Presidents place in Parliament for him or to give him his own place after his life but he not being content with any of these she offered to make him Archbishop of Tolouse and indow him with 6000 pound sterling a year And it was further said that she offered to make him a Cardinal and his Son first President so as he would willingly resign the Seals all which he did scornfully refuse and contrary to the wishes of all his friends who told him that a Cardinal and a first President were never known in France to be of one and the same Family which made it be believed that either he thought very well of himself or that he feared to be deluded or that the place of Guard de Seaux was to be prefer'd before all these A treaty of peace with Spain was this mean while introduced by the Dutchess of Longueville's and Marishal Tâ—renne's return to Paris but Conde foreseeing that if this were effected he should be ruined he resolved to send Marquess Sillery about the end of April to Flanders under pretence of the same treaty of peace but in effect to negotiate his own concernments and to renew the treaty which was held at Steney with the Spaniards by Monsieur Croisy and this was the first correspondency which the Prince had with the Spaniards and which yet continues and was the cause why the Spanish Agents did not agree with France touching the general peace The Duke of Espernoun desired as much as the Court did that he might be permitted to quit the Government of Guien so to shuâ— the disorders which might insue by his remaining in a Province ill afâ—eâ—ted to his name the only difficulty lay in finding out another Government equivalent to that of Guienne It was reported that the Prince of Conde not being well pleased with those of Burgundy for not having appeared in hâ—s imprisonment cooled in the affection which he bore them before Espeâ—â—oun thought therefore that Conde would be easily perswaded to change Governments with him especially being much obliged to the 〈◊〉 for having made head against the King for his liberty wherefore the Duke of Candâ—lle sent Gourvill to propound this unto the Prince whom he found willing to accept thereof upon some conditions which were that he would have Guieâ—ne with all the Towns therein and that he should reserve unto himself in Burgundy the Castle of Dijeon and the Town of St. Iohn de Asne no mention was made of Belgard it being his own particular Patrimony for that Burgundy yielded five or six thousand pounds sterling more than Guienne but these things not being agreed upon the business broke off The Cardinal hearing of this negotiation wish'd the Queen not to permit this change for many reasons which shall be hereafter mentioned The Prince hearing this began to desire that which formerly he had not cared for saying that he would have that change with the aforesaid retentions and that if the Court were against it he would cause new troubles this business was often debated in the Privy Council pro contra Some said that Guienne was well â—cituated for receiving help from Spain and England in case of revolt That the Prince of Conde held intelligence with Spain already which was the only cause why he desired that Government that Guienne and Poictou joyn'd one upon another whereof the Duke of Rochefaucolt was then Governour who was Conde's great friend that the Duke of Rohan Chabot in Anjou was of the same party that Brovages both of them places of importance and the Islands of Olleron and Ree were in Count Ognon's hand who declared against the King that Normandy was under the Duke of Longueville Brother in law to Conde and that Britany was in the Government of Marishal Millerey who was about to ally himself to the said Prince by marrying his Son to Madamoselle de Tremaglia That by reason of so many Towns Provinces and friends back'd by the Spaniards and if need should be by the English France was exposed to apparent danger it was therefore concluded that this evident danger was not to be permitted in so many important Provinces the rather for that the Prince keeping Belgard St. Iohn de Asne and the Castle of Dijeon in his hands should be still as good as Master of Burgundy These reasons were of themselves sufficient not to permit that Province to the Prince of Conde had not Count Serviente one of long experience in Court affairs with strong reasons maintained the contrary he said that in great storms experienced Mariners stood not upon casting part of their loading over-board to save the rest that the King's Authority was in great danger that it was therefore needful not only to watch carefully but even to spend whole nights in thinking how to fence it if not in whole yet in part from the assaults of ambitious people that their Majesties were as Prisoners in their Palace whilst the Frondeurs pretended to take the Regency from the Queen and to take the Government of the whole Kingdom upon themselves That the Assemblies of the Clergy and of the Nobility prest the calling of the States General pretending to keep off the King's majority till he were Eighteen years old and in the mean time to chuse a Governour of the Kingdom That that strong-wound-up Rope composed of the several threads of many friends became strong and not to be broken that destruction was at hand unless this knot were untied by the yielding of one and abating of the other party that he was of their opinion who held that it was not good to grant Guienne to the Prince so to make him greater but that when he considered how great an acquisition it would be to take off a Prince of such esteem from the Frondeurs he was of another mind for that the true means to break the knot of the Enemy was to divide them the Male-contents being then only to be pacified when they see themselves abandoned by great ones that it was true that Guienne was of importance for scituation and for the peoples condition but that it was as true that it could not prove so prejudicial as was supposed That it was well known that the greatest part of the Gascons were of the Prince his opinion and that it was not to be doubted but that they would second his designs as well if he were far off as if he were their Governour so as by giving him that Government that was only given him which was already at his disposal and that by gaining Burgundy made him lose what he had That
the one of these two Provinces lay towards Spain and England the other seated amidst the Richest and most noble Provinces of France confining upon Flanders and not far from Germany that it was not to be imagined the first should be able to subsist by the backing of Spain and England because it was not to be believed that the Prince of Conde who by blood was so interessed in the Crown would be so foolish as to dismember the Kingdom of so noble a Province to throw it into the hands of the Spaniards who were natural Enemies to France or of the English who were proud foes nor were things so easily done as designed that it was not time for Spain to ingage in new enterprizes and that all the aid was in considerable which could come from England which was not sure to establish her new state by her own Forces much less to send them abroad to purchase new Enemies that reason of State might require that the power of France might be divided and weakned but that the English could not desire that by the lessning of this the power of Spain should be increased which as being apter to raise Naval Fleets ought consequently to be by them more feared that on the contrary Burgundy the Prince of Conde's Government confining upon Germany and joyning upon Flanders which is the Magazine of the Arms of the Spanish Monarchy would be more apt to foment the Male-contents in Paris when that City as there was now great likelihood should declare for their party And that the Princes passing over the Loire to Carita and joyning with Berry the Government of the same Prince and from thence with Poictou Limosin and Anjou all which Provinces were held by his friends and afterwards with Guienne it was to be feared that the Kingdom being cut through the very midst by such a knot the said Princes might not only be able to maintain themselves in Guienne but make good their party in Paris by the assistance of Neighboring Burgundy and by the Forces of Flanders and Spain reduce the King's Dignity to an inevitable precipice it being insidiated by so many seditious male-contents who by such an opportunity might compass their pernitious Machinations That therefore his opinion was that this change might be permitted and that to moderate the great opinion which the Gascoigns have of Conde they should be suffered to see him for that men are apt to worship a great Warrier more when they hear of his prowess in War than when betaking himself to his quiet he falls into those licentious courses as are usual to the military profession and oftentimes those Flowers which are most pleasing to the eye do most nauseate the Nose And the mean while the King's power breaking out in his Majority would like the Sun dissipate those clouds which do darken the luster of this Kingdom and obfuscate the splendor which other Planets exhal'd from thence and the Crown will re-assume that happy motion which hath hitherto accompanied it Wrought upon by these reasons all of them did unanimously concur to the permutation of these two Governments the which being obtained by the Prince made him also pretend to change Champagnia but the Government of Guienne not appearing so prejudicial for the aforesaid reasons as that of Provence it would not be listned to The Cardinal without whose allowance this change was made blamed the resolution weighing that if it made not much for the Prince his interest he would not have pursued it so hotly writ that he thought it would prove too prejudicial unless it were granted him for some more secret and more important respects and for what concern'd Provence he exaggerated much against them who would so much as hearken to it and wish'd the Queen and Council to have a care of it and not to place so much power in the Prince of Conde for that the more power was given to him the more was the King's Authority lesned It had been much better for the Prince to have taken upon him the supream command of the Army as well for the Grandezza of the Kingdom as for his own glory and Reputation but he did not value it as well in respect of what hath already been touched upon as that he did not too much trust the Queen who was jealous of all his ways and therefore considering that putting himself into an Army composed of Veteran Soldiers who were all faithful to the King who reverenced nothing but his Majesties orders he imagined that he could have no other obedience from them but what did merely concern the service of France wherefore he refused that command which the Queen confer'd upon Marishal de Auniont This Army being provided of Officers who did all of them depend upon the Court was considerable both for number and valour but did not much that Summer for want of monies which was occasioned by the Kingdoms disorders lying only upon the Frontiers of Flanders as shall be said hereafter Whereat the Parliament being moved whose designs were to win upon the peoples affection seeming to be their defenders decreed on the 19 th of Iune that the order made before for remedying the unruliness of the Militia should be put in execution and nominated some Commissioners to that purpose who were to go whither they listed but all in vain for they wanted power to make themselves be obeyd the Soldiers making themselves merry with all their resolves which was not unpleasing to the Court whose concernments were Govern'd according to advice given ever and anon by the Cardinal who though he were at Brules in Germany was informed of all that was done at Court according to which the Councils were there regulated and the King did continually assure him by his Letters that he would by all means have him near his person though it should be with hazard of his Crown yet great secrecy was used in this correspondency the Court being at Paris for fear of being again beset with the City Guards if it should be known Amongst these irresolutions of the King's Council the Cardinal's friends sought to win over the Prince of Conde industriously imploying those therein who were known able to promote so slippery a business The Princess Palatine was desired to interpose her self in this accommodation but she being unwilling to break her word given to the Dutchess Chevereux touching the Marriage and to the Coadjutor touching his being Cardinal declared that she would be ready to do any thing that would not clash upon these two points by retracting from whence she might be taxed with breach of promise but the affairs in the treaty of Guienne altering upon the breach of Madamoselle Chevereux marriage opinions also altered and hence began all things to change The Princess Palatine did notwithstanding say by consent of the Dutchess of Longueville that if the Queen would be gracious to the Prince she would quit the Union whereunto she was now annext and would cordially joyn
which did aggravate him and Broussels self said that for all his diligent search he had found nothing whereof to accuse him but Counsellor Longueville a man of a great reach and very turbulent said in the Assembly that they were to make process against a man for particular affairs but that other proceedings were to be had in management of the State and that mere shadows were to be made use of and that it made for the publick good to give sentence as Caiphas did inferring thereby that to cloke their private intentions who were it right or wrong would rid their hands of him they must make him cause of all the blame palliating thâ— injustice with zeal to the common good The Prince all this while forbare not to bind himself faster to Orleans Beaufort the Frondeurs and Parliament telling them that his ruine was not aimed at by the Court without drawing theirs after it that he had always served the King faithfully and that those who sought to distroy him made use of the fruits of his Victories He afterwards forbad his Troops to joyn with those of the King alledging the Authority and consent of the Duke of Orleans who being Lieutenant General of the Kingdom during the King's Minority might command this as he pretended but whilst these affairs depended thus his friends thought he did much amiss in not putting on a ready resolution to fall by degrees from the King's Army and go to Charite a great Town upon the Loire half way between Paris and Lyons where when he should be arrived the Queen would never have left Paris and brought the King to wage War with him but were it either for want of ready resolution or that he would not be the first who should begin a breach which the Prince his Father left him for an unalterable Maxim or as it is more likely that he thought to send one of high esteem to command those Troops he unfortunately let this opportunity slip The Court beginning afterwards to take courage fell at unawares upon these Forces which they did not defeat because they were not all got together but they forced them to retreat in great disorder towards Steney upon the Mose and to go out of the Kingdom with great loss of those that ran away suspecting then some danger to his own person he began to be very circumspectful of his ways in Paris and quite forbore the Court and as it was apparent that his actions did not answer to what the Queen might expect from him nor to the good intentions he promised her Majesty when she granted him the Government of Guienne but did rather daily covet more Offices and Governments of Towns for his friends and those that did depend upon him that he took a course contrary to what was expected from his gratitude the Queen to counterpoise his power was forced to listen to what was propounded by the Frondeurs which was that they would serve her with all their faction in case she were not satisfied with him so as though the Privy Council were unwilling to come to an open breach with Conde thinking it better to keep him fastned to the Royal Family and because till then he had always refused to mingle with the Frondeurs with whom he was displeased for their having failed him in many things and sought to make use of him rather for their own concernments than for his sake at last the Court being forced by the Prince his too scornful comportments and by his too high pretentions Monsieur de Lyon with whom the Coadjutor was desirous to speak was permitted to see the Coadjutor in Count Montresor's house as he did once or twice the which being observed by one that dwelt over against Montresor's house he by means of Count Chavigny acquainted the Prince therewith who was afterward better advertised thereof by the Duke of Orleans to whom the Coadjutor had intrusted the business the Prince began to suspect that he was once more intrapped so as to this terror infused into him by Chavigny another accident being added of certain Soldiers who were upon the Guard in the Fauburg of St. Germains to bring in some Wine which were di contrabando without paying the impost he thought verily that those were the Regiments of Guard which were to enter his house as he was falsly informed by his Domesticks Vieville and Recuses Wherefore getting on Horseback by night on the sixth of Iuly he went out on the back side of L' Hostelle de Orleans where his fear making him mistake certain Horses that were loaden with Victuals for Troops of Horse which might wait for him he went with the Prince of County to his house at St. Maure to shun what he had suspected and thither came the Dukes of Nemeurs Rochefaucolt Richelieu and Bullion Marishal de la Motte and other of his friends with as much wonder to the Court as it was till then far from any such thought At his going out of Paris the Prince sent Veneville to acquaint the Dutchess of Longueville that she should also retire to St. Maure least she might be staid in the City and so all his designs discovered who though she were sick of a Feaver followed him Her malady increased and lasted above three weeks which was the cause why the Princes her Brothers could not hold their Counsels as they had wont to do in her house for fear of disturbing her who was troubled with increase of Paroxismes when her malady decreased which was six weeks before the declaring of War she resolved to go from her Brother before it was resolved what he should do for being upon treaty of either agreeing or totally falling off from the Court she would not have a hand in any thing which come what would come she disliked she considered that though peace seemed good it was not certain and if War should be thought necessary her Family would be thereby much indangered She therefore desired the Prince to let her depart and that since the Princess his Wife would be better in Montrond than in St. Maure where she might be an incombrance upon any occasion that should happen he would give her leave to wait upon her the rather for that such a retirement would make the Court jealous it not being ill to keep it in fear of War till it should indeavour to hinder it Conde consented thereunto and the Princesses went away not having any hand in what was afterwards resolved It appeared better at first that the Dutchess of Longueville should go to Normandy to her Husband than to Montronde least by following her Brother who was for War and abandoning her Husband who loved peace it might be believed that she was of a troublesome spirit but two reasons moved her to the contrary The first because the Duke of Longueville having after his liberty desired to have nothing to do with what concern'd his Brother in Law but to wind himself out of the party if the Dutchess
take good order speedily referring himself for what was more to Count Brienne the first Secretary of State who presently read a writing dated the 17 th of August containing That his Majesty with much sorrow found that after so many Declarations made formerly against the Cardinal the Enemies of the publick good did still make use of the same pretence to foment the dissentions which were already kindled in the State which had made his Majesty to send for them to him to declare again that he intended to exclude the Cardinal for ever not only out of his Council but out of his Kingdom inhibiting all his Subjects to hold any correspondency with him and declaring that whosoever should countervene this his Royal will should incur the penalties specified in the antient orders of his Predecessors and by the late decrees of his Sovereign Courts to which purpose he commanded that all necessary courses should be taken That after having given this assurance to all his Subjects his Majesty could no longer conceal without prejudice to his Authority what was done Here he mentioned all the favours and graces which the house of Conde and this Prince in particular had received from the late King and the now Regent that his Majesty after having consented at the intreaties of the Queen his Mother and of his Vnckle the Duke of Orleans and of the Parliament to grant him his liberty he had restored him to the same place as formerly in his Councils had returned unto him the Government of the so many Provinces and Towns which he and his adherents held in the Kingdom so as it was easie to be believed that he rather chose to be feared than loved That after having confirm'd the Forces raised by him which were sufficient to make an Army that after having given way to the change of his Government of Burgundy for that of Guienne he had moreover permitted him to keep the Towns which he held in Provence whereby he had granted him more than had ever been granted to any That he had caused the immense sums to be paid unto him which he said was due to him for arrears of Pensions for the pay of his Soldiers and Garrisons which were such as to content him he was forced to alter the monies which were design'd for the maintaining of his Majesties houshold and of his Fleets and that finally he had left nothing undone which might give him intire satisfaction and make him imploy those good qualities wherewith God had indued him as he had done formerly to his Majesties service that his Majesty having expected this found much to his dislike by the actions so contrary to the solemn protestations made unto him by the Parliament that he was much deceived for that as soon as he was free from imprisonment his solicitations had induced his Majesty to make the alteration which they all saw in his Council and that having thrived in this his first attempt he grew so bold as to complain of the conduct of the three Officers and of the Queen his Mother who commanded them to withdraw not only from the Court but from Paris so to take all pretence of complaint from the Prince and to appease the revolts which he was about to raise That when by all these graces it was hoped he would comply with his Majesty in some things or at least forbear his evil courses he then did the clean contrary to what his Majesties goodness towards him had strove to withdraw him That after the Duke of Orleans had past his word to him in his Majesties name and had offer'd unto him all he desired and pretended unto He kept many days from resolving to see his Majesty notwithstanding that he met him once in passing by that at last being desired by the said Duke and by the Parliament to pay his Majesty his due respects he saw his Majesty but once and was then received by both their Majesties with all demonstration of love sufficient to wean him from all sinister opinion that his Majesty was obliged to declare what was come to his knowledg as well within as out of the Kingdom And that to begin with publick affairs that after two months he had absented himself from the Council speaking ill of the Parliament and saying that he could not trust his Majesty nor those that were about him The Prince had written to the Parliament and to many chief Cities to imprint sinister opinions in them of his Majesty ingaging many in every Province to take up arms when they should be desired to do so by him and by the City of Paris which gives motion to all other places That he had given out an ill report of his Majesties good intentions that he had re-inforced the places intrusted to his Government that he had fortified them with all things necessary and done this then without any order from the King imploying his Majesties Subjects therein and making them forego gathering in their Harvest That he had taken his Wife and Sister into the strong hold of Montronde That he had got together a considerable sum of Mony that he had practised all things which might make it be believed that he held intelligence with the Enemies of the Crown particularly at Brussels with the Archduke and Count of Fuenseldaglia causing their Messengers to be guided to Cambrey by Horse drawn out of his Troops that the Prince had done these things without his Majesties knowledge or leave that therefore his correspondency was not to be doubted with those with whom the King had declared War That he would not make the Spaniards go out of Stenay as he was obliged to do which was the only condition that was required from him when he had his liberty given him That he had afforded means to Don Stephano di Gamara to come with his Army to the Mose that he had munition'd Moson and kept the passage of Dun whereby part of Champagnia was put to contribution thereby to make the Spaniards more able to undertake things against the Kingdom and to divert the proceedings of the King's Forces which being greater than theirs might be made greater in the low Countreys by an enterprise never known in France That notwithstanding all express orders given those that commanded his Forces would never obey the orders given them to joyn with the body of the King's Army which occasioned the confounding of all designs as well in respect of the differences which the King had had with the Prince as for having given time to the Enemy to know themselves and to put themselves in a condition to oppose his Majesties Forces moreover that he had made them more resolute by the hopes or rather assurance given them of some coâ—motion in the Kingdom That he must not forbear to mind them of the dissolutions committed by the Soldiers under Conde's command in Champagnia and Picardy which ended in the ruine of those Provinces instead of carrying the War into the Enemies Country
many others On the contrary the first President Plessis Pralin and Vieville said that it was fear and not ambition which made the Prince do as he did that it was best to leave him quiet in his Governments and not put him into despair forcing him to take up Arms in his own defence That if Conde should begin the War that then the Court and King's Army might go thither whereby he might be overthrown but this opinion differing from their private intentions who could not advantage themselves but by War was laid aside and under pretence that no parties should be tollerated in the Kingdom save such as were obedient to the King Their Majesties and the Duke of Anjou went on the 24 th of Sebtember from Paris to Fontenbleau together with the rest of the Court which stands upon the way to Charite whither some of the Princes Forces were come to guard that important pass over the Loire which enters into Berry where was Prince County and the Dutchess of Longueville incouraging the Inhabitants of Burges by the great Towers which serve there for a Castle and which was garrison'd by their men to joyn with them whereby they intended to make head against the King in case he should assault them but Conde staid too long in Burdeaux whose own person was requisite for such a design This departure of the Kings from Paris caused much murmuring amongst the seditious people who said that the Queen and Council meant not to return to the City without the Cardinal who by his directions did in his absence govern all things and the hearts of most men were so poysoned by the pravity of some seditious people as all things seemed to tend to open War wherefore the Spaniards who wearily observed the conjunctures and indeavoured to counterprise the ballance justly to the end that the pretentions on both sides keeping upon a streight beam that discord might be kept alive in France which was most adequate for their affairs And least the too much fomenting the Princes faction might necessitate the King to give way to their pretentions and agree with them or that by the Spaniards great preparations they might make the French aware of the danger which over-hung them and to make them lay aside all spleen and joyn together in the common defence they fed the Princes more with hopes than effects and went so reservedly in their proceedings with them as that in due time they might reap the fruit of their collegation They therefore contented themselves with taking some of those places which might facilitate the recovery of Dunkirk when they might with safety turn upon that important place And therefore on the 10 th of August went to besiege Fournes which was assaulted by Marquess Sfomdrato with the Flanders Army and was taken within six days for wanting fit provision wherewith to hold out and having no hopes of relief Monsieur Bosquet the Governour thereof was forced to surrender it on the 16 th of the said month which did afterwards facilitate the enterprise of Burges St. Venoz which not long after was faln upon by the same Sfomdrato and Count Fuenseldagnia who went thither with new Forces but though it were better scituated and fortified then Fournes yet Marishal de Aumont who to that purpose was advanced with the French Army not being in a condition to force the line nor yet to come near the Enemy for want of men and other provisions after the Garrison had valiantly defended the Town for 24 days being incouraged by their Governour Belloy it was at last forc'd to yield upon honourable conditions on the 29 th of September So the Spaniards were also masters of this place seated within a league of Dunkirk upon the River Colme whereby it communicates with the Sea Thus they made way for falling upon Dunkirk Graveline and Mardike and freed many Towns in Flanders from contribution extorted by the Garrison of Dunkirk which was inclosed by these two Forts Signior de Estrades then Governour of Dunkirk a valiant and well experienced Gentleman had from the beginning of Iuly so eseen the Spaniards design upon Fournes and had desired 2000 Foot and 1000 Horse from the Court wherewith he promised not only to preserve those Towns but to fight the Enemy who could not hold communication between one quarter and another but the King having need of men against the Prince of Conde and not being able in this confusion to raise other Forces the Spaniards without any disturbance might obtain their intent Estrades forbare not notwithstanding to provide for Bergues Dunkirk and Mardike which were under his Government he sent divers Barques to be loaded with Corn Arms and Ammunition in some neighbouring Towns wherein he had so good luck as they were no sooner entred Dunkirk but the Spanish Fleet appeared and cast Anchor in the mouth thereof and block'd it up whilst the Spaniards had faln upon Fournes and placed a great quarter of Horse within a league of Dunkirk the Governour put 500 Foot into Burgues whereby it was defended longer than Fournes During these Sieges the Garrison of Dunkirk scowred the Countrey broke divers of the Enemies Convoys and took many Prisoners Linch Hanvin and Burbury were taken after Burgues and Fournes so as Dunkirk was soon besieged by Sea and Land being berest of receiving any commodities from those parts And that they might block it up the straiter they built three Forts at the entrance of three Rivers which come to the Town one at Hauscote the other two at Slen and Miltrech whereby Estrades not being able to send parties further into the Countrey he caused 12 flat bottom'd Boats to be built every one of which carried two small Guns in their prow and imbarquing 300 Foot in them he on the 10 th of December assaulted the Fort of Hanscote and took it as he did also the other two which were immediatly demolish'd and burnt wherefore he made several inrodes that winter took many Prisoners and a great many Cattle which being powdred were of good use to the Garrison of that Town Whilst the Court of France was at Fontianbleau well pleased with being out of Paris where the seditious Male-contents predominating the King's Authority was highly prejudiced the Prince of Conde's business was warily disputed but not without great jealousies and it was given out that County and the Dutchess of Longueville fortified themselves with friends in Berry a Province which at that time was of great importance defending the way to Guienne and keeping the neighbouring Towns favourable to the Princes whereat the Court was much troubled None durst propound going further then Fountainbleau for the King not having men enough for the enterprise of Burges it was not thought fit to fall upon it unless they might hope to take it least it might more lessen the King's parties Reputation and increase that of the contumacious as would have happened if they should have been unfortunate at the first Yet the French being
private ends of the King's Council he anticipated them by Letters from the King commanding the same things which he thought the Parliameâ—t would ordain and did studiously apply himself thereunto upon these emergencies with intention to save thereby the King's reputation seeming as if he were the Authour of those decrees changing the aspects of those decrees which tended much to the prejudice of his supream Authority but the Parliament finding out these artifices made no more account of the King's Letters thinking that the Court did not therein desire what it seemed to do and that all was but tricks to make vain their designs And the Queen suspecting not without reason before the Prince departed that Marsine General of the Catalonian Forces was turn'd to be of his party as being much affected to him and that by his concurring with Conde he might much prejudice the King's service she thought she might make him lay aside all sinister opinions by putting some esteem and honour upon him and to keep him loyal out of mere gratitude as he had been till then much to his glory and this was by sending him Letters Patents to be Viceroy of Catalonia but the Messenger who carried them came too late for he had already abandoned the King's service and betook himself to serve the Prince as hath been said and shall be said hereafter Count de Ales was at this time in Paris his Father the Duke of Angolesme being dead who was Governour of the Province where those that sided with him Maugre Vandosme kept the City of Tolon a famous haven in that Province where he was particular Governour and having out of a desire of returning thither consented that Conde's friends should attempt some novelty there The Baron of St. Marke a Gentleman of Aix and friend to the Prince was sent thither with others that related to him intending to raise a party for Angolesme and to interest the Prince therein but after some rather Chimera than undertakings it turn'd all to nothing by the vigilancy of the King's Commanders who diverted all their plots and the City remained as before in obedience to the King wherefore the divisions failing in that Province whereby the Prince had thought to bring Forces into several parts of the Kingdom and to divert the punishment wherewith Guienne was threatned the Male-contents were mightily affrighted and confused The Prince of County Dutchess of Longueville the Duke of Nemeurs and others who were in the Castle of Montrond fearing least they might be therein shut up went out by night with 200 Horse leaving Marquess Persan there with a good Garrison of Foot and Horse afterwards the Town was besieged by Count Paluau with about 3000 men at a distance commanded by Cavaliere Barada and others the besieged were constant in the defence thereof as well against Famine as against the assailants County with his Sister Longueville and Duke Nemeurs went to Burdeaux losing some of their baggage for the Marquess of Sauntbeuf with many Gentlemen of those Provinces was continually upon their backs The King came to Burges to the great content of those people whom he permitted to demolish the Tower which belonging to Conde's Government was interpreted the beginning of a breach and it was known that they were to think of War rather than of Peace which being resolved upon they were treated with to raise men the Towns of Dordognia were secured by Conde he put Garisons into Bergerack St. Foy Libourn and Perigreu good Towns which commanded a great tract of Country All the Towns upon the Garomne till you come to Agen were secured by Conde who treated with Count de Ognone Governour of Rochel Brouages and the Isles of Oleron and Ree and with much ado having drawn the Count over to his party he provided diligently for all emergencies Ognone joyn'd with the Prince hoping to be made Duke and Peer of France by the Prince his means which he had indeavoured to do by the Court but could not at this novelty not only the Kings party was much troubled but all others who wished well to the State It was therefore resolved that the King should go into Poictou to secure that important Province which is esteemed one of the best of all France and to provide against the eminent dangers of Rochel Count de Ognone was second Brother to Marquess St. Germain Beaupre and as one who had been Page to Cardinal Richelieu had contracted a particular friendship with Marishal de Bresse chief of the Navigation he was imploy'd in the Fleet and after made Lieutenant in the Government of Brouage which belonged to the said Bresse and in Rochel Oleron and the Isle of Ree which belonged to the Queen after the said Bresses death it was not hard for him to get to be wholly master thereof though he were not well beloved by the people He entred into Conde's party by the Princess her mediation who was Sister to the said Bresse The King wrote to the Duke of Orleans before he went from Burges that out of the great desire he had of his Subjects quiet he did again refer Conde's business totally to him and desired him to speak with him and to know the reason of his discontent wishing him to take along with him the Marishal de L' Hospitalle Messieurs de Alegre Marguiri Mesmes Menardeau Champre and Chaumont assuring him that he would do what he could to serve him In pursuit hereof the Duke sent Monsieur de Serre Son to Marishal de Aubettere to desire the Prince that he would give him a meeting in Richelieu Conde sent la Serre back with answer that he should hear from him in this particular within three days Soon after the Prince was come to Burdeaux Gurville went thither and told him from the Duke of Bullion that if he would listen to reason the Duke would mediate for him and indeavour his satisfaction and how the Cardinal did much fear that if civil Wars should arise in France they would not be well able to maintain War abroad wherefore he studied how to divert it and that he had declared that he would procure the Government of Blay for him and all fitting satisfaction for his Friends Gourville made this proposal to him but the Prince having then sent to treat with Bullion and Marquess Turenne would not listen to the proposition but said That if he would put the treaty in hand he must first declare in his behalf and that his Brother Turenne must go to head his Forces which were gone into Flanders and that when this should be done he would give ear to what had been proposed The Prince spoke high because he thought that Turenne would not refuse the command of his Army and that when he should have so famous a Commander on his side whom he only feared it would make much for him in treaties of peace or in making War And being that very day assured of Count de Ognons joyning with him as
by two Musket shot near to the Duke of York Brother to the King of England who served as a Voluntier as also Monsieur de Niaville Son to the superintendant of the Financiers who died Marquess Vardis and Mancini Mazarines Nephew had their Horses shot under them Monsieur Sorvia being shot in the Foot had his Leg afterwards cut off General Turenne hearing the noise came in with his own Regiment and those of Naivales and Picardy commanded by Monsieur Berbese But the store of fire which the besieged gave made them retreat with some loss whereupon Berbese advancing drove the Enemy at last away took the work and planted his Banner upon the Parapet The besieged indeavoured again to beat them out but in vain The next morning they sallied out upon the Pioniers who were working in the Trenches slew many of them and beat the Troops which backed them and kill'd a Lieutenant of the Gens de Armes Turenne coming in seasonably with some Voluntiers withstood the Enemy who would have past the line beat them back and made the station good So as the Kings men having gotten the said work they got into the ditch and fell to undermine the Walls of the Town which they would certainly have won had their mines plaid well and what shall be related had not hapned for the Princes finding that their Army could not subsist long in Estampes by reason of their continual loss of Soldiers prevailed with the Spaniards that the Army of Duke Charles of Lorrain should come to succor them This Duke had wont every year Di far un tratto di Campagnia to draw out into the field for the which he received some monies and was bound to serve them they had ingaged him this year to go into France to relieve the Princes in order whereunto he marched with 4000 Foot 500 Horse and some pieces of Artillery through Champagnia towards the Seene to raise the siege of Estampes and leaving his Forces at Lagni he came to Paris and was met without the Town by Orleans Conde and all those of that party whereupon the Court fearing Corveile which was then an important place sent Monsieur Almerat presently away with 500 Foot 200 Horse and six pieces of Canon to guard that Town and provided for all other Towns which were worth preserving Here the Duke of Lorrain visited divers great ones and amongst the rest the Dutchess of Chevereux who was allied to his Family who being a wise Woman and of a great reach making use of the jealousie which is always between the Princes of the blood and the Dukes of Lorrain and particularly against Conde who was more considerable to the Spaniards than all the rest told him it would be ill for him to assist them The Duke embraced the Counsel willingly that he might find a pretence to perform his undertakings to the Spaniards whom he had promised to relieve Estampes thereupon Chasteauneuf writ to the Court and received Authority to negotiate with the Duke wherefore they secretly agreed that to disingage himself of his promise and keep unblamed by the Spaniards the siege of Estampes should be raised making it appear that the condition of the Kings Army required it and that the next day after Turenne should be retreated from Estampes Lorrain should promise to withdraw from the Frontiers of the Kingdom to which purpose he should be furnished with Victuals and pay The Princes knew by his guidance of affairs that he held intelligence with the Court and it may be they were advertised thereof by some private friend They therefore went to his Camp to perswade him to pass over the Seene but he told them they were to rest satisfied if the siege of Estampes were raised and that there being hopes that the Court would be perswaded thereunto it was needless for him to ingage himself any further Conde told him the siege of Estampes would easily be raised if he would afford them means of putting their men that were there in safety for they could no longer subsist in a ruined place so as after much discourse Lorrain was insensibly perswaded to make a Declaration in writing to Orleans and Conde wherein he ingaged himself to tarry a while in his quarters upon the Seene in which time the Princes might withdraw their Forces from Estampes and bring them nearer Paris The Kings Army being disingaged from the siege before Estampes and the Court finding that Lorrain failed in performing his secret treaty with Chasteauneuf Turenne marched speedily with his Army towards Corbeille intending to fight the Lorrainers before they should pass the River and joyn with the Princes Forces and when he came to face them they being astonished and affraid to be ingaged in a battle retreated presently and sheltred themselves by a little River which falls there into the Seene As the Kings Cavalry came towards Corbeille they took divers Prisoners which made Duke Charle's desire Beauâ—eiu who negotiated the agreement with him to tell him why the Army marched against him whilst he was in treaty with the Court. Turenne made him be answered that he thought there was no more treaty with him since he had failed in effecting his promise which if he would yet faithfully perform he would advance no further allowing him four hours space for answer which being past he waited an answer no longer but marched presently without baggage against a Castle which the Duke held upon the River within half a league of his quarters which he took and throwing a Bridg over the River he past most of his Foot and his Canon over making the rest of his Army ford over a little higher and came within shot of the Lorrainers which Lorrain perceiving he sent my Lord German a near servant to the King of England and who had interessed himself in the agreement to Turenne to let him know he was ready to make his word good Turenne answered that this had been good the day before but that now being ready to fight and he not having kept his word there were no more words to be made of any preceeding treaty for the face of affairs was changed But he sent Monsieur Varennes back with my Lord Germain to find the Duke out and to tell him he would not forbear falling on unless the Duke would give him the Bridg of Boats which he had upon the Seene unless he would also forbear to fortifie and return presently by the way that he would appoint him and get out of France within fifteen days and give him Hostages hereupon The Duke after having made some difficulty was again threatned by Turenne whereupon he consented to all that was desired upon condition that Turenne should not make use of the Boats which he gave him to go against the Princes Army and that the Princes Forces that were with him might have a pass to return to Paris that conduct money might be given him for his march and fifteen days allowed him to get out of the
intollerable who plunder'd all the neighbouring parts and all Passengers it was likewise ordered that Process should be made not only against such as should cut or sell grain of the fields but also against those who had any hand therein or did buy any which decrees were strengthned by an Ecclesiastical Monitory against those that were Authors or accessaries of the said Riot these things were done to appease the Parisians incensed with the said violences whereat they seemed all to be offended there being few but were concerned either in their alliance or friends Wherefore the Prince having but small hopes to subsist with his own Forces and that speedy remedy was requisite he dispatched an express to Baron Battevile at St. Sebastians acquainting him with what had happened and of his great need of help without which he could subsist no longer Batteville sent these Letters into Spain which came thither in so happy a conjuncture as the Spaniards might easily assist him with some ready Monies whereby to accomplish those enterprises which could not be done without Mony The Spanish Gallions came on the eighth of Iuly that year from the Indies which brought 250000 pieces of Eight for the Kings share besides what came for particular men Conde sent also to acquaint the Spanish Agents in Flanders with his condition who finding the party of the Princes weakned much since the Duke of Lorrain departed out of France fed the Prince again with large promises resolving to send him 6000 men under Vlderick of Wirtemberg General of the German Horse in Flanders to which purpose Count Fuenseldaglia marched into the Field and passing between the Rivers of Some and Owse came to before Ethouny a Walled Town upon the River but not fortified where he found the Duke de Elbeus Governour of Picardy who had raised many men in the neighbouring parts to keep the Spaniards out of France but not being provided for defence he articled to go out himself and Monsieur de Maincampe his Lieutenant General on the 24 th of Iuly with some other chief Officers all the rest remaining Prisoners of War amongst which there were above a Hundred Gentlemen Voluntiers and about 500 Soldiers and Officers with some Horse Here the Spaniards staid some days as well to injoy that fruitful Country as to expect opportunity to advance towards Paris they notvvithstanding neglected the performance of assisting the Princes and Parliament not meaning to strengthen them so as they might force the Court to grant all they demanded in vvhich case in stead of adding fuel to the fire of civil War they vvould have extinguished it vvith the ruine of themselves From the second till the Twentieth of Iuly the Kings Army kept near S. Dennis and that of the Princes without the Suburbs of S. Victoire spending all that time in Treaties of Peace on both sides the substance whereof was that the King did finally declare That though he had always believed and did so still that their desires of having the Cardinal sent away were only pretences wherewith to colour their ends yet his Majesty who desired nothing more then his Kingdoms Peace was perswaded to gratifie the Cardinal by giving him leave to go from the Court which he had long desired to do but not till the affairs of France were better established To which purpose he wished the Commissioners to acquaint the Duke of Orleans and the Prince of Conde that they might send to negotiate the main points on their part and that they should tarry the mean while at Court expecting the Princes their answer from Paris And because some doubt might arise Whether the Cardinal should be effectually retreated before or after the establishment of affairs his Majesty declared That he should be gone as soon as they had agreed upon the manner before the business were effected The Parliament discoursed variously hereupon Orleans said the Answer was cunning and ambiguous to draw them to a Conference and spin out the business that if the Cardinal did really intend to be gone he needed not have made their Commissioners wait fifteen days for an Answer and in the interim fall upon violent means as was that of the second of that Moneth in the Suburbs of S. Antoyne to destroy the Army and afterwards to put all the Inhabitants of Paris to the Sword That if he intended to be gone there was no need of any Conference for nothing but his absence was required and that then the Princes would render all due respect and obedience to his Majesty That as touching sending of Commissioners in his name it was superfluous since the Parliaments Commissioners being there on whom he totally did relie he intended to do nothing without the interposition of the Assembly To which purpose he would have written his mind to President Nesmond but he would not nor could not send any other Commissioners on his behalf The Prince of Conde was of the same mind and said That he would write his mind to Nesmond It was then resolved That they should thank his Majesty for his gracious Message desiring him to make good his promise of sending away the Cardinal as soon as he could That the Princes would write to Nesmond or to some other of the Commissioners that he might insist upon the Declaration which they had made that as soon as the Cardinal should be gone out of the Kingdom they would perform what they had promised and would give order to the same Commissioners to receive his Majesties commands It was observed that the Prince did not now speak with that sweetness he was wont but somewhat more rigidly as if he were offended that his desires were not followed Monsieur de Boust did discreetly move that new Commissioners might be chosen to find out the best means how to dispose of the Soldiers and to use all possible means to have peace and that when this should be agreed upon nothing should be done therein till the Cardinal were sent away Hereupon the Parliament ordered their Commissioners who were at Court humbly to thank his Majesty for his promise of dismissing the Cardinal to solicite the effecting of it and to intreat the Duke of Orleans and the Prince to write to President Nesmond That as they had declared in the Assembly they were ready to lay down Arms and to render all due obedience to his Majesty when the Cardinal should be gone Orleans writ that the Courts desire that he and Conde should send Commissioners to the King could be understood no otherwise the long time considered that Audience was forborn to be given to the Parliaments Commissioners then as an usual trick of the Cardinals to keep the King from sending him away and giving Peace to his Subjects for his sole desire was to agree with his Majesty and obey him as he should always do with all respect and submission according as by birth he was bound The Prince writ to the same effect and charged Nesmond to give any assurance thereof
who being brought to have audience before the King spoke as followeth Sir Your Majesties assurance given us that you will send Cardinal Mazarine away hath rejoyced the hearts of all your Majesties vassals Your Parliament hath charged us to thank your Majesty for it and to desire the performance beseeching you to consider That the evils of France increasing daily so as they can admit of no delay Your Majesty will be very gracious in not deferring to make us injoy a good so much desired The Duke of Orleans and the Prince have commanded us to confirm their former Declarations to you and to tell you That they cannot satisfie you otherwise by Commissioners of their own but will obey your Commands as soon as the Cardinal shall have obeyed your Majesties Declarations It now lies in your Majesty Sir to abbreviate all these evils by dismissing the Cardinal We can say no more to express the grief which doth even suffocate our words The King answered That he would advise with his Council and would give them his Answer as he did the next day in writing as was read unto them by Count Brien to this effect That the King had granted their desire of sending away the Cardinal though he clearly foresaw it was nothing but a pretence to trouble the State But if his Majesty did believe that this answer would occasion another Decree in Parliament he would not have given it knowing that in the condition the Parliament now was by the absence of so many of their leading Members and by the violent Authority usurped by the prime Rebels they could do nothing but execute their wills since by their own Decree of the first of this present July they had resolved not to treat or resolve of any thing touching publick affairs till Iustice and the City might be secured But that instead of providing for such security when the Assembly were met for that purpose Iustice and the City were opprest with fire violence and slaughter So as his Majesty could not build upon the resolutions of those whose Votes were not in their own free power The Kings intention in this Answer was to afford means to the Princes to send some with Authority to receive orders concerning the Articles which they had accepted of and to agree upon the time manner and security of their being performed The King for several Reasons resolved to go from S. Dennis to Pontois on the Sixteenth of Iuly the Cardinal remaining still in his Administration by the Kings express command though he still desired to be gone but affairs were so well governed by his Council as the good effects which you shall hear hereafter insued thereupon But the Princes and their party complaining still upon the Actions of the Court saying That it sought only to delude the people and that it had no mind to have Peace which depended solely upon dismissing the Cardinal they redoubled their detractions both in private and in publick against the Cardinal and other Court Officers When the Court went from S. Dennis the Parliament Commissioners were ordered by the King to tarry there to expect what word his Majesty would send unto them for they refused to follow his Majesty pretending That they were not in equipage and that they must needs return to Paris to discharge their duties The King lay in Pontois and his Army was quartered about the River to watch over the proceedings of the Spaniards who overrun those parts to the great prejudice of those who had any goods there The news of the King and Armies being gone from S. Dennis coming to Paris it was whispered that the Commissioners were detained Prisoners which made Conde get on Horsback with Four hundred Cavaliers and go speedily thitherward to inform himself of the truth He found the Commissioners free and offered to carry them back to Paris but they excused themselves saying They had given their word to Monsieur S. Tor to stay at S. Dennis till they should receive further orders from the King But when the Parliament met which was the next day they resolved to send for them back Wherefore Orleans Conde and Beaufort with above Two hundred thousand common people went thither and brought them back to the Parliament with as much applause as if it had been a glorious triumph notwithstanding that the King sent express order for them to come to Pontois for affairs of great consequence which had hapned since his going from S. Dennis Yet they gave out that this was but a Court trick which useth to weary with delay when it means not to comfort with effects and to spin out time wherein they thought they might reap advantage by the sufferings of the Parisians who are accustomed peacefully to injoy their rich Traffick To provide against all which the King and his Council of State did Decree on the Eighteenth of Iuly after a long debate of all that had been done that Information should be taken of the horrible and scandalous attempt that was made upon the publick Palace upon the Fourth of the present Moneth and that the circumstances should be sought into and the Authors and abettors of the massacres and violences committed should be proceeded against according to the rigor of Law and in the mean while revoked and nullified the pretended Election of Brussels to be Provost de Merchants And the King forbad him upon pain of life to act any thing therein saying That he and his posterity should give an account of the disorders which had hapned and which should happen after his pretended administration He declared also all the resolutions void and null which were made in Parliament on the first of Iuly as also in the Common Hall concerning publick Affairs till such time as the Governor of the City and the lawful Provost de Merchants and the other Magistrates which were forced to absent themselves were taken in again and that sufficient provision might be given for the security of Justice and of the City And the King did further expresly inhibite all the other Cities of his Kingdom and all his Subjects and servants to take notice of any thing that should be written to them or ordered from Paris since it was tyrannically possess'd by Rebels and to the end that the Moneys which were intended to pay the Rent of the Communalty might not be disposed of by the Enemy to make War and pay the Spaniards whom they had called in he ordered that they should be brought to the place of his abode to be put into the hands of those that were to pay the Rents whom he commanded to come to Court with all other Consuls and Sheriffs of the City within three days after this Decree should be published The Princes Parliament and Frondeurs were mightily troubled at this departure believing that the Court laughed at their pretentions Count Servient had told the former Commissioners in his Majesties name That if Orleans and Conde would not name new Commissioners but
on the Ninteenth of August passing first by Turennes Army which advanced from Lagny towards Brie and pursuing his journey he came to Bedam and from thence to Bovillon where he stayed Conde hearing that he was gone whereby all pretence of War ceased sent Marquess Ierze to the Lorraine Army whither was come the Succor which Wirtemberg brought the Princes with orders to fall upon the Cardinal in his journey and take him prisoner But the Spaniards who liked it not acquainted him with it so he escaped the danger The very same day the King went from Pontois and that he might win the more upon the Parisians when he came to Campaigne he published an Act of Amnesty wherein after a short account of all that had past from One thousand six hundred forty and eight till then he granted a General Pardon and Abolition of all that had been done against his Majesties service nulling whatsoever had been done by his decrees upon occasion of the present troubles from the first of February One thousand six hundred fifty and one till then as also his Majesties Declarations of September and the eight of October that year upon condition that Orleans Conde County and their whole party should lay down Arms within three days after the publication of the said Amnesty and to that purpose Orleans should within three days send a writing to his Majesty subscribed by himself wherein he should renounce all Treaties Confederacies and Leagues with any whatsoever without the Kings leave and that Conde and County should do the like and that they within the same time should put necessary orders into the Kings hands to make the Spaniards who were in Stenay Burg or in any other places to go from thence as also to make the Enemies Ships depart from the Coasts of France that Orleans and Conde should cause the Foreign Forces which were about Paris to march directly towards the Coast of Flanders and join their Forces to them of Turenne and Ferte Senetre and also all Forces that were farther off within fifteen days declaring that who should not do what was contained in this Amnesty within three days should not partake thereof wherein the King did only except such faults as had been committed between particular people of the same party which he left to the due course of Law This Amnesty with this bundle at its breech seemed a piece of cunning to those who liked it not saying that those not being therein comprehended who had fought Duels or assaulted the publick Pallace on the fourth of Iuly the King might punish whom he would under colour of this Riot It did not withstanding make impression upon those who liked not the cavil of the Princes and Frondeurs but had thought that when the Cardinal should be gone the Princes and Parliament would throw themselves at the Kings feet But though neither the Princes nor Frondeurs had any thought of accepting the Amnesty yet they appeared zealous of the general good seeming very well pleased that the Cardinal was gone Orleans and Conde went to the Parliament where it was decreed that thanks should be sent to his Majesty for dismissing Mazarine all the chief Companies and the whole body of the City did the like And soon after the Parliament resolved to intreat the King to return to Paris and the Princes declared they were ready to lay down arms when a good Amnesty should be granted Orleans sent an express to the Duke Anville who was a friend of his and one whom the King loved and who was very faithfull to the Queen to get Pasports from his Majesty for such Commissioners as were to negotiate a final Peace But Anville having detained the Messenger three days sent him back without an answer for it seemed not decent that the King should enter into other Treaties having supplyed all things with an Amnesty and intended that the Princes should presently lay down arms as they had offered to do when the Cardinal was gone from Court Anville writ therefore back to the Duke of Orleans telling him that he thought his request would be granted if his desire were made directly to the King which being done Marishal de Estampes had a Pass sent him to come to Court not as a Commissioner but as a Courtier and at the same time certain private Treaties were renued between Secretary Goulas Marquis Chasteaneuse and the Dutchess of Aguillon the contents whereof was to slave Orleans off from joyning with Conde whose declarations made in Parliament and to the Court were clearly found not to be real since at the same time that he said he was ready for Peace he protested at Madrid and Brussels that he would alwaies join with the Crown of Spain and continue war and did negotiate in England for assistance in his designs that therefore all assistance in France should be taken from him without which he would be but a bare Captain of the King of Spain and would be able to do but little against so powerfull a Kingdom when it should be wholly obedient to the King The Prince his Forces lay this mean while behind the River between Surene and St. Clou expecting Recruits from Flanders and those fruitfull hills being full of Vineyards and grapes beginning then to grow ripe the Soldiers did very much prejudice the people in these parts at whose requests they were sent to St. Victoire where some Soldiers quarreling with the Citizens upon the Guard five or six of the inhabitants were slain and twenty of the Soldiers which seemed to set them at variance But because the Cardinal knew that the welfare of the Royal party consisted in reducing the Parisians to a necessity of Peace which they began to wish the people Merchants and all others being weary of the ruines which they underwent he advised the King to go Campaigne as being more commodious for the Court than Pontoise and that he should never be allured to go to Paris without undoubted security of not being once more detained there and this was one of the chiefest Maxims which he recommended to the Queen in his absence which he gave in precise charge to Abbat Vndedei he added that the Kings Forces should go to oppose those of Flanders which were marching to assist the Princes and that if they should be too weak they should go to Villeneufe upon the Seene and fortifie themselves and have Provisions from Corbeile Melune and other neighbouring parts by means of the River where whilst they should tarry the Enemies Forces would be necessitated to keep there abouts also so as the Country being sack't and plundered by the Soldiery and Travellers slain the Parisians would without an open breach be in a manner besieged whereby the Princes would become odious as thought the chief occasion thereof that thus keeping corrispondency with their friends that were faithfull to them in Paris the Parisians might easily be brought to resolve upon fitting means to free themselves of their miseries which could not
with some others had Munitioned Cassalle could provide the Garrison no longer with Bread as they had done nor yet particular Gentlemen who had maintained it with Corn for five Moneths the Duke renewed his desires to the Court and propounded that if by reason of their Civil Wars they could not send it convenient Relief they would be contented that it might rather fall again into his hands upon requisite caution than to the Spaniards who protested that if they could get it from the French they would never restore it to the House of Mantua St. Andrea did at the same time hold the Spaniards in hand with Hopes and Negotiations to keep them from falling upon it by force to afford time to the French to settle their Affairs and to relieve it President Mirandi made these Proposals but finding the business was still delaid and that there was no means to bring back the Governour of Cassalle Marquess Monpessat who was in France without being furnisht with Men or Monies went to the Court himself and propounded That if they would make Marquess Tavanes Mareschal of France and General in Piemont he should at his own expence within a Month space raise 3000. Foot and 1500. Horse and relieve Cassalle with them This Proposition though it appeared fair yet was not accepted for divers reasons and perhaps because the Marquess was Brother to Count Tavanes who fought for Conde The Dutchess of Savoy who was no less troubled than the French that Cassalle should fall into the Spaniard's hands solicited the French by her Embassadour the Marquess Abbate of Aglie to come to some speedy expedient protesting That otherwise his Highness would be forced to seek an Agreement with Spain and she sent Marquess Villa to Cassalle to offer Monsieur St. Angelo who commanded there to send him in 400. Horse St. Angelo fearing that the Monferrians who were not great friends to the Piemontesse would not be well pleased with this and not daring to accept the offer without the King's order refused it which caused some scandal and murmuring in the Court at Turin which grew greater when it was known that Marquess di Penes Governour of Pinaralle who had order to send 800. Foot of Tault's Regiment to Cassalle excused himself for the present pretending that he could not conveniently weaken that Garrison whilst the Spanish Forces were so near The Spaniards who were fully advised of all that past and who feared that any the least succour which should be put into Cassalle might make head against their Forces which were not in a condition of making that Enterprise but by reason of the French-men's weakness continued treating with the Duke and told him freely That unless he would joyn with them they would take Cassalle since the French were not in a capacity to relieve it by reason of the War which was now in its greatest height so as to avoid losing it there was no means left for him but to joyn with them drive out the French and enter himself into his City The Duke who 's whole aim was to save that City and to be therein independent as well from Spain as France proceeded warily therein for it was a nice business and not confiding wholly in the Spaniards he carried the business so as if he would gratifie the one party and not disgust the other At last the Governour of Millan fearing lest delay would hurt his Designes sent Marquess Verullino Vicconte one as valiant in War as wise in managing State-Affairs with order to find out the Duke at Rouera and to continue Prince Bozzolo's Negotiation and to end it as was done for the Marquess overcame all difficulties and ended the Articles which were kept secret though diversly reported But it was true that the Duke was sufferr'd to put 2000 Foot and 300 Mantuan-Horse into Cassalle and 1500 Monferrians who were raised out of the Militia of the Country all under Don Camillo Gonzaga Brother to Prince Bozzolo all these were by means of the said Gonzaga and of Conte Ottavio Brabanti received into the City St. Angelo was forced to capitulate and to put the Citadel into his Highness hands who placed a Garrison there of his own Souldiers not depending upon Spain and the Empress obliged her self to furnish the Prince her Brother with Monies to maintain the Garrison with which Monies she was furnished by the King of Spain by Agreement made between them as said the French as an expedient by which the Duke might excuse himself to the Court of France as not having concluded any thing with the Spaniards Count Argenson being advertised of what past at the Court of Mantua and that Marquess Visconte had concluded the Treaty and that the Mantuan Militia was preparing to march acquainted the King into what extremity the Affairs now were brought and considering that by reason of the Troubles which the Kingdom was in so speedy a remedy could not be taken as was requisite he acquainted the Common-wealth with the bad condition which Cassale was in He told them That their Senate would lose more thereby than France and that if they should quit so weighty a Concernment it would be no wonder if his King should also think upon what toucht him nearest that he would be much displeased if the Spaniards should take Cassalle but that their Common-wealth would find the ill effects The next day before the Senate had resolved what answer to give the French Embassador the Marquess de Fuentes Embassador from Spain came before them who desired them that they would permit him to give them an account of those Proceedings He acquainted them with the Dukes and the King his Masters resolutions he endeavour'd to make his Masters intentions appear clearly to the Senate and to free them of all jealousies The Senate answered the French Embassador That the Common-wealth had had long War with the greatest Enemy of Christendom wherefore they could undertake nothing in the troublesome conjuncture they were in howsoever they would contribute their good will to the preservation of Cassalle to which purpose they would do all good offices with the interessed Parties They told the Spanish Embassador That as his Catholick Majesty had always witnessed his desire of Peace so the Common-wealth was confident he would do still to the entire tranquility of Italy so much desired by the Senate But that they could not mind him that his King should do well to consider before he drew on worser humours and renew'd a fierce War in Italy in a time when the Common-wealth was incommodated with the Common Enemy of Christendom They also by their Agents spake to the same effect to the Governour of Millan but the Spaniards forbare not to prosecute their Designes pretending not to let slip an occasion so propitious to their Interests believing that the business would not end as it did These Treaties with Mantua and this advancing towards Cassalle though they might give an Allarm to all the Princes of Italy there
being none who did not think but that the Spaniards would put a Garrison into that place and that the Mantuans would not have govern'd their Affairs so advantageously and to their much Glory as beyond all mens expectation they did yet by reason of an inckling that was had of an Agreement which would not be prejudicial to any every one stay'd expecting the event Argenson knowing that he could not work upon the Common-wealth further than to make her intercede between the Parties concern'd thought fit to write a Letter to the Duke of Mantua wherein since it may be thereby known what the French-mens sence was it will not be amiss to relate the Letter which was as followeth Most Excellent Sir I Have received so many favours from your Highness upon several occasions as it is very fit in some sort to make my acknowledgments which I cannot do better than upon this occasion I beseech your Highness to read it with as good a heart as it is written I take my self to be bound by the Imployment wherewith I am honour'd and by the confidence which your Highness hath put in me I will pay these two Duties with sincerity and I shall tell you that France is not concern'd herein but as it relates to your Highness wherefore it is a Service which I pretend wholly to you Sir whâ—â—â—in I am sure to please the King since his friendship to your Highness considered he will be pleased that I infâ—rm you aright and I passionately desire that your Greatness may reâ—eive advantage thereby All Italy is full of the News of Treaties between your Highness and Spain I do not here discourse upon the manner how neither do I desire to find out whether they be in your own Name or in that of the Empress but be it what it will 't is your Interest that is handled and your Territories that are Treated of 'T is positively said that your Highness hath concluded what was propounded to you in your Voyage to Germany and consented to what you then so vehemently denied to wit That you will forgo the Friendship of France renounce the great Estate you have there drive the French out of Cassalle and willingly assubject your self to the Spaniard Four considerable things which ought to be well weighed I doubt not but that those that have made your Highness put on these Resolves have cloked them with fair appearances but they must be sounded to the bottom and your true and real Servants cannot permit that your Highness be so surprised As for the first Point Of foregoing France Your Highness may do well to consider whether it will be your advantage to deprive your self of such a leaning-stock you think no more peradventure upon the vast Obligations you owe to that Kingdom and may peradventure have forgotten that had it not been for the King of France his Protection you had neither had Mantua nor Montferrate Examine I beseech you how much you will suffer in your Reputation by so easily abandoning a Party from whence you have received such assistance by renouncing their Friendship who in your greatest necessities spared for nothing to sustein you and declare your self against a Nation so often called in to relief whereof it never failed Doth your Highness peradventure think that the Spaniards will confide in you when they shall find so sudden a change in you say they should not observe their Promises whither would you flee for refuge The Fame of the surprisal which your Highness intends to make your self in Person makes all your Party suspected Do you think that the King will not interrupt your Designe and if it succeed not how unfortunate will your Highness prove you will be abandoned by both because you can be useful to neither France will uybraid you with ingratitude Spain will be aware of your weakness Italy will accuse you of somewhat more than misfortune in this your sinister event In what esteem will your Highness be in throughout all Europe who will restore you to that City which you would willingly lose These are general reflections upon your State and Honour and in the next place be pleased to reflect upon the state of your Domestick Affairs If your Highness break with France you must resolve to lose all your Territories which you possess there I know the Spaniards will promise you Dominions in the Kingdom of Naples and that those who shall treat with you will not fail to propound intire satisfaction upon this important Article But mark I pray what you leave and how little the Reward is which you are promised Your Highness loseth a large succession of the best Towns that are in France and wealth sufficient for a Cadet of your Family on the contrary you are offerâ—d Possessions the true value whereof is not known in a Country which you little understand the possession whereof is as little safe as is the Catholick King 's Authority in that Kingdom those who have been forc'd to be paid in those Monies may give you a better account of it Your Highness may enquire of the Prince of Parma how he hath been treated and by the little I have said you may resolve For what concerns driving the French out of Cassalle I well know that is the Cause of your Highness change but beware it cause not your ruine the Spaniards have so often attempted in vain to take it as at last they despair to compass their 〈◊〉 by force now they will use their cunning to bereave you of it And whilst they pretend to repossess you of your own they intend to take it from you could they have done it of themselves they would not invite you to joyn with them But because they know their own weakness they will fortifie themselves with your Highness Credit in that City and think they may easiâ—y make themselves masters of it when it shall be in your Highness hands You consider not that their chief aim is to make the French distrust you Consider what violence they used at first to invade the Marquisate of Finale Think how they Treated the Proprietories See what they have done to preserve Sabionetta and Piombina and believe they are alwayes of the same mind They think Injustice glorious so it may serve their Greatness They have neither Faith Word nor Sacrament which they do not violate when concern'd Your Highâ—â—sse must not think they will alter their former Policy for your sake Your Highness is upon the very brink of falling into their Tyranny You lose your self insensibly and will not be able to get out so easily as you get in I will grant they may let you enter into Cassalle but are you sure they will suffer you to tarry there Will not you be forc'd to have recourse to them often for maintenance for your Garrison Who makes such hast to recover a thing will not so easily part with it I have often protested to you on my King's behalf that his Majesty
by no means enter into a Treaty unless Poland would raze out of their Writings and Commissions the Title of King of Sweden before used and would also reform their great Seal by leaving out the Three Crowns which are the Arms of Swâ—den The Polanders by perswasion of the Mediatours agreed to raze it out of their Commissions having first made a Protestation apart wherein they declared the same was not to prejudice their right But as to the Seal the same being the particular Arms of the King's Family not of the Kingdome this pretence was by the Arbitratours esteemed very slight and therefore Morosini together with the Deputies of Holland who arrived there about the end of Ianuary 1653. because the French were of the Swede's party endeavoured of themselves to perswade the Swedes that they would quit the same and fall upon the Treaty but they being positive to have the Commission changed with the omission of the Title and the reformation of the Seal the matter stuck so as no perswasion of the Mediators was able to advance it whereupon the Affair becoming desperate because the Polanders could not alter their Instructions without a new Diet impowering them to do it the business fell and in the Moneth of February the Meeting was dissolved without coming to any resolution The Sâ—edes shewed themselves little desirous of this accommodation bâ—cause they hoped seeing Poland engaged in a great War to find a time more favourable to their Interests that they might either make a Peace upon their own Terms or breaking it advantage themselves extraordinarily during the weakness of that Kingdom The French adhered unto their sence for which they were much blamed whereby 't was manifest it concerned them the Swedes should continue armed that in case the face of Affairs should alter and the French Arms should gain any advantage over the Spaniards the Emperour standing in doubt of the Swedes might not be able to assist them The Polanders therefore parted for their own Countrey and the like did all the other Plenipotentiaries and Mediators only the Hollanders staid some days after having received Orders to negotiate with the Hans-Towns and draw them to some Declaration in their favour against the English Mean while the Ministers of Spain were not negligent in their prosperity but prosecuting their good fortune sent Orders to their Fleet in Biscay to attaque Blage a most important place scituate at the mouth of the Gâ—ronne wherein was Governour as you before heard the Duke of San Simon a most faithful person to his Prince The Spaniards had fancied this Enterprize not to be difficult because the French Armada being taken and destroyed by the English they supposed it could not be in a condition speedily to relieve it and they believed the Forces of the Bourdelois joyned with those of the Princes in Guienne would be sufficient to block it up by Land Battevile therefore sollicited the execution of the King's Orders and with all diligence possible appeared with his Shipping in the Garonne but he found things in a far different condition from that which divers discontented French had represented to the Court of Spain so as 't was necessary for him without any attempt made to return and winter in the Port of Passage where he discovered the Artifices of some who to ingratiate themselves with his Catholick Majesty and obtain rewards from him represented things very different from truth magnifying small matters and lessening those of greater consequence Thereby it happened that discords and unkindnesses grew shortly after between Battevile Marsin and Lenet which were followed with Calumnies and Accusations exhibited by those French Commanders against Battevile himself that they might get him removed out of Guienne they blamed him that there were not in Bourg 1000 of the 1500 Irish paid by the Spaniard that his dispatches had been altered and accounts given of exorbitant expences and that having changed the Spanish money into French he had thereby gained 25 in the hundred Don Lewis who loved and protected Battevile ordered him to retire to St. Sebastians declaring That he was obliged not to give any disgust unto the Princes But in the Court of Spain it appeared not a thing blame-worthy although it had been true that this Lord continuing faithful to the King's Interest should be so cunning as to make his own particular advantage because it declared him to be a man of spirit which was a thing displeasing to the French and principally to Lenet who having used to domineer without controul in Bourdeaux could not endure to have any dependence upon the Ministers of Spain In execution of the abovesaid Orders Battevile having first imbarked upon two Vessels the most trusty of his Officers and divers of his best Souldiers in the Garrison at Bourg the ninth of December began his Voyage with no less bitterness than indignation against Marsin and Lenet who he pretended had wrongfully slandered him for no other cause but that they found him a faithful and useful Servant to the King from whose favour he had easily fallen had he not been supported by the same Don Lewis D'aro who protected him with that sincerity and justice which are the But of all his Actions To Don Ioseph Osorio was confirmed the Command of the Forces in Bourg and the manage of the Treasure was conferred upon the Governour of St. Sebastians Câ—ntelino at that time returned unto the Catholick Court and was sent back with a Present of Jewels to the Princess of Conde valued at 40000 Crowns and a Bracelet of Diamonds for himself But the Cardinal Mazarin who during all these Blustering storms had preserved the Royal Authority from the eminent danger of a Ship-wrack and shewed himself to all the world to be one of the most expert and daring Mariners that ever sailed upon the Sea of Politick Affairs as soon as he perceived the troublesome Commotions and storms which had so furiously agitated the whole Kingdom to be dispersed by his Majestie 's presence and access to Paris gave himself wholly to the study and practice of such fit Expedients as might not only calm the intestine Motions but also raise up the lost credit and reputation of the Royalty and he believed the way to make the â—ame more reverenced and observed was rather by Pardon than Chastisement it being a Maxime fixed in the Cardinal's mind That the generous spirits of the French Nation were sooner to be gained by courteous usage than by the violence of Arms which was the cause he set on foot Treaties with each one of the contumacious Persons holding that love unto the King ought to be the fifth Element and to preserve that concord between Subjects which is not interrupted but by the apprehensions of hatred or revenge He revived new Treaties and Propositions of Peace with the Prince of Conti the Parliament of Bourdeaux with the Counts of Harcourt and Ogran and with all the other Princes great Lords and men of Spirit who possessed
set on foot thereby to render as it after happened the King's Party in that Province the more powerful In this mean time the Prince of Conty sojourned with his Army in Champaigne where having failed in his Designs upon Reims Soissons and other great Cities full of People War-like and Faithful to their King he came at last unto Vervins a feeble Place without Garrison or Fortification and having left there two Regiments of Foot and a Regiment of Horse sate down with the gross of his Army before Rhetel which in a short time was rendred to him by Monsieur di Kale who was Governour by reason of the weakness of the place and want of things necessary for defence of it as also did Chasteau Porcien which is but little distant from it but St. Merhaud another walled Town with a Castle not contemptible scituate upon the head of the same River Aisne which passeth to Rhetel held out until the 13 th of November and being not relieved by the Mareschal Turenne was then forced to a Capitulation which was honourably granted unto the Baron of Saint Mor who was there Governour and because this Town being scituated between the Mose and the Marne and between the Cities of Verdun and Chalons was of some consequence principally because it was not far distant from Clermont and Stenay places held by Conde he left there a great Garrison under the Baron di Montalt and gave them orders to fortifie pretending by maintaing of that and Rhetel to winter all his Troops in France and thereby not onely to trouble all the neighbouring Frontiers but also to ease Flanders where had not this been he must have quartered and also to give life thereby to the Cabals in Paris which though they were much weakened were not so totally extinguished there but that many of his friends and of the Duke of Orleans his Partisans endeavoured by underhand practises to raise some trouble After which having licensed from his Camp the Troops of his Royal Highness who under the Command of the Baron of Valon their Commander in chief passed into Picardy to the Service of his Majesty but upon ingagement not to accept any Imployment against Conde he marched into the Barrois he took Barleduc with the loss of the Baron de Fougges Lieutenant General to the Duke of Lorrain and after that Lagny and the Castle of Voet all of them places of small strength after which the Winter being far advanced and his Souldiers unwilling to begin any new Enterpise he licensed the Troops of Flanders and Lorrain and gave Winter Quarters to his own Souldiers upon the Mase and the adjacent Country The Cardinal on the other side exercising his thoughts indefatigably about these so imbroiled and troublesome Affairs considered that it was absolutely necessary before putting of the Army into Winter Quarters to dislodge the Prince's Forces from their new Lodgings and to recover the places they had taken he therefore caused the King's Camp to be re-inforced with â—000 Combatants drawn from the Duke of Elbeufe in Picardy and by others from Normandy and the bordering Provinces and in lieu of coming to Paris whither he was by his Majesty earnestly invited went into the Army to redress by his presence those matters there which by the late divisions were much weakened and in great disorder and which without him could harldly have been executed by the Generals because bringing along with him many Friends and Dependents he stopt all those who wearied with the past toyls thought rather of retiring to their Houses than tarrying longer and encouraged the rest to continue in the King's Service being had in great veneration and esteem among the Souldiery by whom he was as much loved and reverenced as he was hated and abhorred by the seditious and base Plebeians in Paris neither was he at all deceived therein because the Souldiery being revived by his presence and the Military Councils being thereby quickned he gained those advantages which caused him shortly after to return glorious and as it were Triumphant into Paris more than ever in their Majesties favour and the Authority of his Ministry The Marquess de Chasteauneuf continued notwithstanding all this while in Paris without Imployment discharged of his Officers with that resentment which is usual unto a great and generous heart like his accompanied with an accomplished knowledge and experience in matters of State and a professed inimitable Loyalty towards his Majesty alone independent of all private interest whatsoever and being therefore unable to contain himself being in conversation among some Ladies from the expression thereof nor from mingling in his Discourse together with his sighs against his own ill fortune some censures touching the persons that then were at Stern he was by the King upon the 12th of November banished from Paris the next day his Majesty appearing in the Parliament caused to be there verified and registred the Decree made in his Council of State against the Princes of Conde of Conti the Dutchess of Longueville the Duke of Rochefoucunt and others who were all of them declared guilty of High Treason against the King The Court continued after to give fitting orders and redresses for the good Government of the Kingdom and the avoiding of these new Machines which had been lately raised in opposition to the Royal Authority and the King's Councel above all things applied themselves to find out fitting means for the quieting the mind of the Cardinal de Retz who being full of lofty thoughts and eminent pretensions was much troubled to see the Cardinal Mazarin re-established quiet in Paris and the Kingdom to which he was much adverse by reason of his particular designes He gloried so much in the lustre of his Purple and the value he put upon himself that hoping with the same Arts he had gained them to overthrow also the glory and the fortune of the other and reimbuâ—se himself the vast expence he had been at during the Broyls whereby he was run far in debt he went continually seeking the means to compass his intent and as he had thrown down the greatness of Conde to ruinate also that of the Cardinal Mazarin He therefore sollicited the Parliament to meet and consult upon the means of restoring their secluded Members pressed the Partizans to demand the Monies advanced by them from the King though they had all the time before never mentioned a word of it to hold correspondence with the Seditious and Male-contents to renew the Troubles and compass his desires And although remorse of Conscience made him at times suspicious yet he fâ—ared not to be imprisoned by reason of his Dignity of Cardinal as he was used to publish amongst his Confidents And if he went not to Court it proceeded rather from the Maxime that he would not be esteemed gracious there and preserve thereby the favour of the people whom he thought apt enough to a Commotion than from the fear of receiving an affront so highly did he
over-rate the esteem he thought was set upon himself and remaining therefore in the middle of the City amongst the Citizens his friends and neighbors he continued still impugning of the King's Authority and hoped that by this means they would be forced to make application to him Whereupon this being known by his Majestie 's good Servants to be a pernitious action which was by all means to be speedily redressed there was a long debate between the Prince Thomaso of Savoy who then exercised the Charge of Principal Minister of State and divers others well-affected to his Majestie 's Service touching the means of removing him from Paris and in case that should not succeed to find some other fit expedient to take from the loose people this Temptation which might perhaps engage them in new Disorders The Cardinal had in confidence acquainted the Princess of Guymeny that he was willing to retire to Rome and that coming to the King's knowledge the Princess was charged in some dextrous manner to let him know That if we were resolved upon it his Majesty would assent thereunto And at the same time there was proposed unto him a specious Title with a considerable Aynde de costa That residing in Italy he might protect the Interests of the Crown as well in the life as after the death of Innocent in the Conclave But when it came to the point the effects were found very different from his Expressions for he then answered That the face of Affairs was changed and that he could not now abandon his Friends to the discretion of the Court. The Negotiation of the Princess having failed there was employed therein by the Queen the Princess Palatine who was of a ready Wit and lively spirit and very fit for the undertaking of any knotty business The Princess saw him several times and failed not to represent unto him with much efficacie what was imputed to him by their Majesties Adding That 't was too much for him to pretend to make use of that Dignity which he had by his Majestie 's favour and bounty in a matter repugnant to the gust and satisfaction of his Majesty against whose good pleasure it was a vanity worthy of blame in Subjects to oppose themselves That he should not harbour in his breast these thoughts of trouble and disturbance which by many were imputed to him and that besides there were offered unto him besides Honorable Ayndas de Casta and Assignations sufficient to maintain him at Rome But the perswasions of this Princess availed nothing because he strongly conceited his Reputation was concerned in the Voyage in respect it would be thought he was driven out of France and parting should abandon many of his Friends which by the Rules of gratitude he could not do Finally being convinced by the strong Reasons of the Princess he delayed the time upon the pretence of expecting the Cardinal Mazarine's coming to Paris with whom alone and no other he was resolved to treat of that Affair and refusing the Queens interposition therein which much encreased the suspicions against him And he began then to demand a Government for one of his Dependants a Secretary of States place for another Friend of his and other Employments for divers of his Confidents and discovered his pretensions to be very high and exorbitant The Queen who had refused such things to the Prince of Conde who was at the Gates of Paris with an Army was resolved not to grant them unto a man who had nothing but a tongue to stir up fickle people and such as were desirous of a change the jealousies had of him being therefore much augmented it was thought necessary for securing the Government against his sinister and vagrant thoughts to take a resolution to secure his Person The difficulty of the thing rested in the manner how to execute it because it was not practicable in his own House and both dangerous and full of peril to do it in the Streets of Paris which his Majesty desired to avoid and to do it without tumult as well in regard of his Dignity of Cardinal as because his principal aim was to do all things with great quietness and without confusion But whilst the King's Ministers busied themselves in fitting of such things as might facilitate the execution thereof which they found alwayes full of difficulty fortune or rather the divine Justice offered a means for the effecting of it much more favourable than was expected His friends did represent unto him that the King was resolved to be observed and that it was his duty to pay his Majesty the ordinary Visits or to abandon Paris they told him this manner of proceeding was too scandalous and de Retz being perswaded thereby and Christmas now drawing near was resolved to Preach himself in the Church of St. German of Auxerre whereof the Queen having notice sent word unto the Curate that she intended to be there in person The Cardinal took this for a favour and thought himself obliged to wait upon her Majesty and thank her for the Honour she intended to him in persuance whereof upon the 20 th of December beyond all their hopes or expectations he went unto the Loâ—vre trusting upon his Dignity of Cardinal wherein he so much confided that he said publickly That although he had formerly been in some apprehension from the Court yet since he was a Cardinal he dreaded nothing further from thence Being entred within the Court he found the Queen was not then fully dressed and therefore going up the great Stayres to see the King he met his Majesty about the middle of them by whom he was with great courtesie received and brought into his Mothers Lodgings with whom whilst de Retz complemented and discoursed the King whispered to Monsieur de Tillier and gave order for the Arresting of him which a while after was executed by the Marquess of Villequier Captain of the Guard who seised upon him at the door of the Anti Camera The Cardinal was very pale and much confounded and said What me for what Cause Villequier with some Souldiers conducted him into the great Gallery and from thence into the Duke of Anjou his Apartment where he was shut up about two hours until the Guard to conduct him was put in order and a Coach wherein he was after some time by the Porta del Conferenza carried unto the Castle de Vincennes no Tumult or Disturbance being all this while among the people who discoursing of the News applauded the King's resolution in it There were presently many and various discourses touching this extraordinary Accident happening as 't were by chance Those of the Court said That the King began now to make himself known for such and that this resolution was a thing suddenly taken by himself without the advice or perswasion of his Ministers only for the publick repose and quiet of the Kingdom The Prisoner's Friends on the other side gave out This was a blow proceeding from the
year before to represent the Injuries done by the Parliament of Paris to Cardinal Mazarine against all Humane and Divine Laws without any legal accusation or just authority contrary to the King's Pleasure who justified and owned him for his Faithful Servant when a reward of 50000 Crowns was set upon his head besides the Confiscation of all his Goods the Pope had not concerned himself at all in his protection who had then no other support but his Holiness the King's Authority being trodden under foot and violated whereas there was now so great a Noise for the Imprisonment onely of the Cardinal de Retz to which his Majesty was necessitated for the Publike good and maintenance of the Royal Authority against which Retz was accused to have long plotted and the rather because his Christian Majesty had no other intention but to hinder his proceedings therein not to make his Process and much less to judge him as knowing well the same belonged onely unto Christ's Vicar Although the Parliament had arrogated to themselves an authority to do it against Mazarine without any of those cautions necessary to be used by any who bear Reverence to Holy Church These and the like Reasons were given by the French who also urged the President of Lewis the 11 th King of France that imprisoned and kept the Cardinal Ballua many years in restraint holding correspondence with his Majestie 's Brother and the Duke of Burgundy and yet the Pope interposed onely by Fatherly Admonitions and Requests for his delivery although the things whereof he was accused were nothing in comparison of what de Retz was charged withal They said farther That the King had procured this Dignity for his Subject to oblige him unto a greater diligence in his Service not to protect him in any thing prejudicial unto his Crown That all things necessary for maintenance of their Kingdoms were lawful unto Soveraign Princes but all things were not permitted to Subjects which conduced unto their satisfaction That none ingaged himself in the defence or gave a more intire obedience unto the Popes in matters of the Church then the Most Christian King for which he had been alwaies willing to expose his Crown but he ought likewise in the Interests of State to take to heart the good and quiet of his Subjects unto whom he was a most indulgent Father The disgust which the choice of Monsieur Corsino gave to the Court of France sprang hence his Majestie 's Ambassadour at Rome having received some inckling that the Pope intended to send another Nuntio in lieu of Monsieur the Marquess of Bagni gave notice to his Holiness That in case he intended such a thing 't were fit he should first declare what Prelate he intended to intrust with that Imployment that he might know whether he were a person would be grateful to his Majestie The Pope pretended to have no such thought but â—ome few days after published the Election of the said Monsignior Corsino The Ambassadour gave present notice of the disgust his Majesty would take at the manner of this Election rather then for the quality of the person who was in himself very considerable and one to whom his Majesty had no other exception But the Pope insisting That he had no obligation to send onely such Nuntio's as should be pleasing to the Princes unto whom they went as he obliged not them to send him onely such Ambassadours as he approved continued positive in what he had before resolved as conceiving that to alter him would prejudice the Reputation of the Holy See and commanded the Nuntio to prosecute his Voyage The Kings of France pretend chiefly in time of Warr not to receive any Nuntio's or Legate from the Pope but one that shall be to their satisfaction for a reason which obliges no other Prince besides the Popes viz. Because it happens often that those Prelates who are sent are not Subjects of the Church but of some other Italian Prince as this Corsino was being a Florentine and because although they were the Churches Subjects they might be Pensioners to other Princes therefore France hath not thought fit to accept any before an Information given of his quality lest they might otherwise receive into their house one who was an enemy or of their party For this cause therefore and no other the Kings of France have used to require that they may be advertised before a Nuntio be chosen and therefore Monsignior Corsino was stopped in Provence but afterwards upon Treaty it being known that this Prelate was independent of any but the Pope he was admitted and had been certainly received had not the accident of Cardinal Retz and sending of the Archbishop of Avignon given a stop to the whole Business The Imprisonment of this Cardinal who was one of the principal supports of the Faction Della Fronda did break and totally destroy it because although there remained yet some reliques of this fire they were such feeble sparks as of themselves could raise no flame and therefore the King's Authority growing more vigorous proceeded in the Execution of all those Councels which were esteemed proper for restoring the Kingdome into its pristine splendour The King's Revenues were by these Troubles very much diminished and therefore the business for Money was very pressing vast Debts being contracted and the Credit of the Court being reduced unto the utmost extremity notwithstanding that his Majestie 's Annual Revenue amounted to more than Eight Millions of Dobloones of Gold There were therefore many Decrees for raising Money made by his Majesty which were the last day of December verified and Registred in Parliament in his Majestie 's presence with all readiness although they were Thirteen in number To which was added one Clause to sweeten them viz. That this Relief should be employed in the most urgent Business of the Kingdom and particularly in payment of the Souldiery And those Edicts the 7th of Ianuary following were also verified in the Chamber of Accompts and the Court of Ayds in presence of the Duke of Anjou who was sent thither by his Majesty to that purpose Together with these good Reliefs unto the Civil Government the Martial Affairs began to be managed with a new vigour and good success considering the loss and ruines which had happened to the King and the whole Kingdom not only in the parts of Flanders and Guienne but also in Italy and Catalonia in which Province Cardinal Mazarine having resolved to maintain a brisk Warr that the Spaniard might be thereby diverted from sending great supplies to other parts had caused the Town of Roses to be seasonably relieved with some Barks of Provision sent thither from Provence by the Duke of Mercoeur and with the Regiment of Foot of Anjou commanded by Monsieur Friquembaut by whose arrival there was discovered a notable Treason plotted in the place by one Ganot an Intendant married to a Catalonian Woman handsome enough and wanton and therefore much frequented by the Garrison
powerful and the rashness of the Common People incapable of reason was too prevalent so as they abandoned themselves to be wholly guided by presumption and especially those of the Olmiera giving a sinister interpretation unto the counsels of good Citizens terming those false who with the greatest candour and strongest reason laboured for the Publick Good and thereupon rejected all Advice and Counsel and moreover threatned those who concurred not with them and grew the prouder hereupon as being given to understand that the Propositions made unto them were not the effects of love and kindness but were produced by fear and weakness The surest Props they thought to be those Promises made them by the Spaniard who with Money and other Arts had gained the Principal Persons of the Councils and Factions they thought also that the English would not neglect an occasion so favourable to them to advance their own Interests during the Divisions in France by assisting that City which was establishing it self like another Rochel they hoped the Prince of Conde with the Arms of Flanders would make an impression as far as Paris and that he would make that way so powerful a diversion as the King's Forces should be no more able to advance towards Bourdeaux wherein the Princess the Prince of Conty and the Dutchess of Longueville by their presence gave some splendour of light unto the darkness wherewith they were overshadowed These considerations seemed likely and the colours wherewith they were set out were able to deceive a prudent eye so as their obstinacie grew so obdurate that 't was thought difficult if not impossible to re-establish the King's Authority over that furious people linked unto Spain which omitmitted no mean with the profuse expence of Gold to keep up that Party that gave life unto their greatness But for as much as particular Interests are generally preferred before the Publick and those hopes which seem to flourish most in shew fail oftnest in producing their effects The Burdelois were disappointed in their expectations and although they dispatcht Deputies to London to represent unto the Parliament and General Cromwel how important their subsistance was unto the Interests of England and that the English well knew how much it concerned them to keep up the Divisions in France and had also a will and desire to do it yet were these reflexions so counterpoized by other considerations that the regard to future things had greater force to move them than the present The English had upon their hands a Warr with Holland that tottering Government had not foundations strong enough to support a design of such importance and the consideration that by ruining France the Power of Spain most averse alwaies to their Religion would be increased made them know it suited not with the present state of things to break with France which would be able in that case concluding a Peace with Spain by the assistance of Holland and intelligence with the English who obey that New Government onely because they want Power to oppose it to bring their King Charles into the Kingdom and let in amongst them those Confusions and Disorders which they endeavoured to produce amongst their Neighbours in all probability unto their total ruine so as they esteemed it better for them that the Discord between the two Crowns should be continued that they might mutually weaken each other than to turn onely against one of them which could be no advantage to the English To these Reasons was added another Point of Policy then a great Secret and that was The particular Design of Cromwell to reform that Government which iâ— the form it stood he knew could not continue so as it was not fit to ingage in Forraign Quarrels having occasion to make use of the Forces for himself and to imploy his Thoughts in the first place about the stablishing of his own Dominion in those Kingdomes full of Malecontents of persons envious of his Fortune and of people greedy of Novelties so as he assured Monsieur Burdeâ—u who was then resident in London from the Christian King that he would preserve Peace and good intelligence with France The Burdelois notwithstanding did not totally despair of relief being hopes given them that the Warr with the Hollander being ended and a peace concluded with them which was now in Treaty there should be some care taken of their Interests As for Spain she did what possibly she could to keep up that advantage for her self but the Indian Fleets and other the Revenues of the Catholick King were not sufficient to satisfie so many Pretenders and maintain War in so many places neither could his Kingdomes and Dominions exhausted of Men furnish the Souldiers that were necessary and therefore he was forced to move in England for leave to raise some Irish which was forthwith granted thereby to purge the Countrey from Catholicks and persons ill-affected to the new Republick from Germany no Souldiers could be had because Money was wanting to supply the charge those Levies being more expensive notwithstanding the favourable conjuncture of circumstances to their advantage which was a great proof of the Spaniards weakness There were at several times above 2000 Irish sent to reinforce the Prince's Party in Guienne the Marquiss de Santa Cruz had order to make ready the Fleet in Biscay and the Baron of Batteville to draw together Men and Provisions fit to make a return into the Garonne and upon promises and other engagements of repayment considerable Sums of Money were remitted as well to Bourdeau's as Flanders for making of new Levies and fitting out the Army that it might march with the Prince of Conde into France on the one side whilest the Burdelois should make a strong diversion on the other But the Money which was remitted was so well liked of by the persons into whose hands it came that the part which they converted to their own particular uses was generally greater then what was laid out in the publick business whereby the designs of the Catholick Court were not onely retarded but sometimes also overthrown the said Court not being able by reason of its distance from the Provinces wherein the Warr was managed to give those Orders and Directions necessary to be taken according to accidents and the present conjuncture of Affairs whereby great inconveniencies do sometimes happen and the most prudent Orders and Designs are overthrown To this was also added That the Spanish Councel was very often deceived by the different relatives of the French that served them who magnifying the Forces and intelligence of their own party and vilifying and abasing that of their King filled with vain hopes even thâ— most Prudent persons who grounding their deliberations thereupon found themselves after to be involved in greater difficulties Whereas on the contrary France being an united Body was able readily to give directions unto all its Members and having for Steers-man to the Government Cardinal Mazarine who had a most clear and perfect knowledge
and from thence drew great hopes of being able to maintain the Divorce they had made from the King's Obedience they sollicited upon that score General Cromwel at London that he would undertake the protection of them and in case that succeeded according to their hopes they thought they should be able to make good their own contumacy and by the assistance of England make themselves free and independant of their own Sovereign This Discourse was dictated rather by Fury and Passion then Solid Reason and accordingly they found themselves in a short time deluded by those vain imaginations All wayes of sweetness therefore used by the Court of France to mollifie the obdurate obstinacy of that fierce untamed people proving fruitless they are resolved to use rigour to prosecute the Warr vigorously against them There were therefore express Orders sent that they should endeavour by all means to streighten the City on every side thereby to enforce them by necessity to comply with their duty since other means would not incline their wills and above all that the Maistry of the River should be made good against all attempts the Spaniard should make which would reduce the City to despair and specially if they could keep things in that posture till the Vintage and if the King's Forces could disturb them therein it would be one of the great damages and punishments could be inflicted on them the Revenues of that City consisting principally in the great plenty of Wines there made by sale of which unto the English Hollanders and others they raise a very considerable profit But in respect 't was also necessary to provide for the Frontiers towards Flanders where the Prince of Conde united with the Spaniards made extraordinary preparations and boasted that they would make a very advantageous Campagne by reason of the Towns he held in Champagne and the intelligence he had in Paris towards which it was the publick talk he meant to march The Cardinal therefore with no less diligence sought to prevent the blow by making all provisions â—itting for it He considered that all consisted in the uniting the Forces of the Kingdome it being very hard to beware of a domestick Enemy and that therefore if he could not reduce Conde whose Mind was carried away with high pretences and the advantages and hopes he drew from Spain unto his duty 't was fit to deprive him of the Credit and Party he had in France which being done he would be then reduced to the condition of being a private Captain onely to the Spaniard The Cardinal therefore bent his thoughts in order thereunto upon two things the one to take from him those Places he held in France and the other to deprive him of those Friends which followed him Upon this design there was a General Amnestie granted unto all persons who repenting their Errour would return unto the King's Obedience Whereupon the Count of Tavannes who had alwaies declared high for the Prince and had worthily performed all parts of a Valiant and undaunted Cavalier being unsatisfied with him left his Party and retired to his own House The same did also several other of his adherents perceiving well that nothing can be an act of greater rashness than to oppose the Soveraign Authority of ones own Prince to submit unto the obedience of a stranger The Prince made shew not to be troubled at it because he had not Forces sufficient to maintain his Friends and repair the loss they suffered for him in their own Countrey and that 't was necessary for him to keep unto himself that little pittance he had from the Spaniard which being far short of the vast promises were made though hardly sufficed to maintain himself in a condition inferiour to his Birth and Quality He would also himself have made his Peace â—if the King's Council would have condescended to his Pretensions which in such case he would have moderated But as it was a thing very desireable to gain him when he had a great Train of discontented French that followed him so now when he was abandoned by all and as it were a private Captain to the King of Spain his Propositions were no more to be admitted he being at that time rather a trouble than advantage to the Spaniard so as he would be able to do less harm abroad than by returning into France As to the first 't was thought that being covetous of Glory and Reputation he would ill suit with the Spaniards who are full of Ambition and Pretensions that the free and open carriage of a French-man would never be well matcht with the reserved and close deportments of a Spaniard that the imperious absolute demeanour of Conde could not but make him odious unto the Spanish Commanders who are all upon punctilio's that the Antipathy between the Nations and difference in Language would presently put him into disorder who knew not how to command and be punctually obeyed but by French-men If his Actions should meet with good Success the Glory of them would make him envied and suspected as a Forraigner in the same manner as Mazarine's had caused him to be in France And if 't were otherwise the damage would be accompanied with scorn there having been as much spent upon his single person as would have served to keep an Army The Jealousie which the Spaniards would alwayes have That he who was not satisfied with being the first Prince of France could not content himself with being a Servant to the King of Spain would keep them in a continual distrust of him which in a short time would destroy the grounds of Friendship And this could not happen but with notable advantage unto France because it would at last be brought to this that either the Spaniards must destroy Conde or he to revenge himself must destroy them so as to leave the Prince in their hands was a great charge unto them which instead of being an advantage to them would puzzle all their Counsels and deliberations As to the second if the Prince should be agreed with and restored to Court and that the Affairs should prosperously succeed all the applause would be attributed only to his Direction so as he would eclipse the Lustre of all others with the splendour of his Glory and re-assuming his first thoughts of giving Law to all without receiving it himself from any would consequently destroy the order of Government which in a Monarchy must depend onely upon one single Person Besides that there would then be no occasion to shew the World that France had other Captains no less Valiant and Ministers of State as Prudent as those the King of Spain could boast of The King would out of his own Clemency have condescended to restore him unto his former degree of Place and Favour if Conde without farther medling with the Affairs of the Kingdome would have resolved quietly to retire himself and enjoy the benefit of his Estate and Revenues in any Country out of France which
the procession usually made on that Saint's day and had thereupon caused them to tye Red Ribons in their Hats and appointed them to cry through the streets and in the Procession it self Vive tes Princes Virlada being much troubled with this Novelty went to them with the Trumpet from Candale from some of them he took their Red strings giving them White in lieu thereof and by distributing Money amongst them made them cry Vive le Roy la paix from thence going to the Town-house where the Prince of Conty was he was earnest with him to declare himself either for Peace or War that he as his servant could not choose but let him know the danger wherein he stood was very great Marsin desiring to make himself Master of the Town though with the Ruine of his Highness and therefore he desired him to continue the suspension of Arms which being to last till the conclusion of the Peace rendred him secure and took from the King's Generals all occasions to attempt any Enterprize or Plot which in that troublesome time might with ease be put in execution to the endangering of himself aud his friends or at least with very little honour to him These occasions entred far into the Prince's mind replete with generosity and greatness and therefore much inclined to receive such Counsels as were fortified with reason and with justice which together with the perswasions of Gourville who had about the same time been very earnest with him to cast off all thoughts to the contrary made him at last resolve to underwrite the suspension of Arms which was published and the Prince went unto the Burse to make a publick declaration of the Treaties There was afterwards read the Articles of Peace which were to be proposed as also a Renuntiation from the Citizens of all Treaties with the English or Spaniards and this was done in publick with much frankness by the Prince and followed by great acclamations from the people The Arrival of the Spanish Fleet was not yet known in Bourdeaux and those who knew the inconstancy o' th' people used all possible means to hide it from them the Duke of Candale went to Lormont and together with the Duke of Vendosme signed the Articles of the Truce in the same Terms they were presented excepting onely the giving of quarters unto the Princes Troops the passport for Baltissar and Licence to bring Victuals and provisions into the City The time was afterwards agreed upon when they should meet with the Deputies to Treat upon the Articles of Peace and the designes of the Seditious persons and of the Spaniards being thus broken the French Generals were highly satisfied and the rather because 't was much to be suspected that if the Sprnish Fleet had appeared sooner they might have easily relieved Bourdeaux and ruined all the King's Affairs in Guienne whose interest would also have suffered very much in other parts of the Kingdom by so potent a diversion The Spanish Shipping cast Anchor at the mouth of the Garonne and the Generals thereof being advertised of the Bourdelois their resolutions as they were ready by the Tide of Flood to attempt relieving of them were confounded and astonished and that they might not with so much danger ingage themselves into the River not being certain to be received as friends but rather to be used as Enemies continued still at Anchor sending with all care unto the Court of Spain to give them notice of this alteration of Affairs and receive orders what was to be done in this Conjuncture they dispatched also news of it unto the Spanish Ministers in Flanders and to the Prince of Conde who then found all his hopes were blasted as being well assured the Spanish Shipping would never pass into Bourdeaux nor get any advantage in case they Fought Upon the 27th of Iuly the Deputies being in number 12 to whom was added the foresaid Viscount de Virlada to Negotiate with the Generals proposed the Articles of Peace the chief amongst them being the Cavalier Todias One of the Citizens called Baratau was by the Prince of Conty's permission sent to give notice unto the Spanish Fleet that the City had quitted all Leagues and Confederacies concluded with the King of Spain and renounced all succours promised by him The Articles of Peace being read by the Generals there were found amongst some demands so prejudicial to the King's Authority that they were upon the point of dismissing the Deputies without a word speaking but it being doubted that the Bourdelois would desperately throw themselves upon the Spaniards who were now so near at hand they took a middle course which was more proper that is to continue the Treaty and come unto a conference in which those things which could not be granted should be referred unto his Majesty rather then dismiss the Deputies which would have given great boldness to Marsin and disgust unto the people and when the well affected Citizens should find their hopes deluded 't was thought they would be easily induced to admit the Spanish succours They therefore recalled the Deputies and after they had offered them a general Oblivion for the inhabitants in the same form 't was granted to the Parisians and as 't was Registred in the Parliament transferred to Agen unto the Princes and Princesses and all others of their party such Passports as they could desire unto the Generals and French Officers Licence to retire themselves unto their Houses and to the foraign Forces leave to depart the Kingdom they promised the next day to examine in a Conference the Articles of the peace which being made known to the Prince of Conty and the inhabitants in an Assembly at the Burse all the Articles were in two Sessions agreed and set down in manner following Upon the first and second after reading of the King's Declaration in 1650 it was agreed that a General Pardon and Oblivion should be granted to all the Bourdelois together with a confirmation of their Priviledges Upon the third which concerned the person of the Prince of Conde and his indempnity 't was referred unto the King but to the end he might have notice of the present Treaty a Courrier was to go with a Pass-Port unto the Court and from thence with his Majestie 's Pass unto him in Flanders In ease the Prince of Conty and the Dutchess of Longueville would be comprehended in the Amnestie of Bourdeaux 't was allowed unto them or if they desired it apart it should be granted to them in the best form and verified for them and those who depended on them in the Parliament of Paris as also that for the Bourdelois in the Parliament of Guienne To the Duke of Angaren and the Princess his Mother Passports should be granted for their security or stay in case they would settle their abode in any part of the Kingdom Unto Marsin Licence to go unto the Country of Liege whereof he was a Native either by Sea or Land The like unto
feel the Prince his pulse therein So as Viola when he shewed the prejudice which the Publick received by the Negotiators borrowing as he touched upon other disorders of the Kingdom said That it was not to be remedied without searching the bottom of the business but that it was to be hoped that the Duke of Orleans and the Prince of Condé who were primarily concern'd in the States preservation would employ such remedies therein as were requisite and was expected from their wisdome The Prince thought himself much injured by these words fearing lest because he went often to his house and was inward with Chastillton the Court might think that he himself had made him to say this and that therefore having discovered his hidden ends he would in time endeavour to cross him in his ways He therefore interrupted him and said That it became not the Parliament to meddle in such Affairs Viola's friends and such as were dip'd in the designe could not brook this the Prince's interruption and therefore a great murmure was made in the Assembly with but small shew of respect born to Orleans or Condé though they were both present The Prince could not contain himself but changing his colour grew angry and by a gesture of his finger which is natural unto him seemed to threaten the Assembly Hereby the Court perceived that many of the Parliament meant no good and fearing lest Factions might increase and that the people being encouraged by her Enemies might begin to make new Barricadoes began to listen to those who wish'd that the King would go out of Paris being therein encouraged by the Prince who was much scandalized at what had been said The Dutchess of Longueville seeing that the Prince her Brother and Head of her house would not joyn in the common Cause for so it was termed by many thought it advantagious for the Cause to have her House divided since not being able to make it do what she would it behoved that one part thereof should withdraw it self from the hatred of the people and might be put into a condition of rising to such greatness as the present times seemed to afford The Prince of Conty was already won over by his Sister Thus did the Treaty of Noysy end whereinto but few were admitted for the more secresie Prince Marsilliack who was afterwards Duke of Rochsaucot and Governour of Porctou was presently acquainted therewith who was very intimate with Conty and Longueville and not being well pleased with the Queen for being denied some Honour which he was promised and which he pretended unto he willingly listned to the invitation left his Government came to Paris about the end of the year and entered into the Union and the Dutchess of Longueville being great with Childe and Conty of a tender Complexion the chief management of Affairs lay upon him The Cardinal discovering these Plots sought dextrously how to escape the Blow But it being impossible that his Glory should not be envied since neither Goodness Wisdome nor Rewards are a sufficient fence against Ambition Condé who was all Life and Spirit had projected with himself how to become necessary to the Court as well by Actions as Advice and being desirous of that power which he hated in others he suffered all things to run to ruine that so he might have occasion of compassing his ends But because together with the known reasons of Duke Longueville's distastes there were some more secret ones and of greater importance it will not be amiss to make this Digression Whilst in August the aforesaid Tumults were in Paris Duke Longueville sent Monsieur Priolo a confident of his to the Cardinal to assure him of his service to him and to the Court ofâ—ering to come and bring 2000 Gentlemen with him who should carry him into Normandy The Cardinal seemed very well satisfied with this offer and bad Priolo tell the Duke that he should also receive all satisfaction from him Where it is to be observed that but eight days before the same Priolo had desired the Government of Havre de Grace for the Duke his Master and was answered That it could not be done without discomposing the State Priolo told the Duke That the Cardinal to boot with other Complements assured him that he the Duke should receive all content from him 'T is well said the Duke then I shall have Havre de Grace Priolo said The Cardinal had not spoken any thing to him concerning that Place and that his Grace might do well to speak with the Cardinal and thank him that so he might know his intention more clearly The Duke answered He would not do so and that when time and place should serve he would make him declare himself more fully The King being afterward gone to Ruel the Prince of Condé as he returned from Flanders was met by Longueville at Chantely and said That now any thing might be got and that he had got Havre de Grace The Prince was surprized thereat who when he came to Ruel told the Cardinal of it who plainly denied it The Prince acquained his Brother-in-Law with it who from that time forward declared himself dissatisfied and this incited him to novelty and engaged him therein This mean while the Male-contents who were Enemies to Peace as thinking they should never fill their unsatiateness thereby gave out to the Citizens and Merchants of Paris That Commerce decay'd that their Purses were emptied by the continuance of War which was still maintained onely because the Cardinal was an enemy to Peace They set on foot two things the one that the Parliament should renew the Decree against Forreigners which was made in the time of Marquiss d' Ancre by which the Administration of Government would be taken from the Cardinal And the other that they should endeavour to interest more Princes and great men of the Kingdom in their Faction Whereupon by the Coadjutors counsel who by appearing Piety strengthned his politick ends giving large Alms to the Poor in the Streets and Churches whereby he got the Prayers of the meaner people as oft as the Parliament sat to treat of this Affair those that were most seditious appeared accompanied with multitudes of mutinous people who cri'd aloud to have the Government taken from the Cardinal threatning all that were against it And this they did because this Proposal being several times on foot in the Parliament it was not approved of as being inhumane and contrary to Law which doth not allow that people should be punish'd before they are proved guilty by Process so as the Negative Votes were more than the Affirmative The designe of these discontented Lords who were incited to Novelty onely out of ambition was that if their Majesties should not grant a Reformation in the Court according to their desires the Prince of Conty should head the people that were to rise that the Coadjutor in his Pontifical Robes should foment the Sedition and that every one betaking themselves to violence they