Christians affaires in Asia declined still The Pope perswaded the Kings of France and England with many reasons The Christians â—stâ—â—â— in Asiâ— very miserable and the zeale of the common interest of Christendome made them resolue They became good friends with an intent to make a voyage together to the Holy Land to the incredible content of all their subâ—ects But whilest they prepare for this voyage let vs passe into Asia to visit the afflicted Christians After the fruitlesse returne of the Emperor Conrad and of Lewis King of France things went from bad to worse hauing caused the Christian forces to loose their reputation with the Turkes being growne proud with this vaine shew of Armes Baldwin dyes after the fruitlesse attempts of these great Princes Amaulry his Brother succeeds him who toyled himselfe in Egipt against Sultan Sarracon and Saladin his successor Hee was releeued by the comming of Fredericke Barbarousse who failed not to performe what he had promised to Pope Alexander But the Christians found small comfort in his comming The forces of the Empire which were great being dispersed by the death of the Emperour Amaulry likewise dyes who leaues one Sonne named Baldwin both yong and a Lepar so as hauing voluntarily resigned the charge finding himselfe vnfit he did inuest his Nephew Baldwin the sonne of William Long-sword Marquis of Monâ—errat and of Sibell his Sister and considering the weaknesse of his age he appoints Raimond Earle of Tripoli for his Tutor 1121. Hence sprung a horrible dissention among the Christians for Sibille by whom the right came to Baldwin her sonne after the death of Marquis William was married to Guy of Lusignan who was seized of the yong Infant Hee is now his Tutor by force the child dyes and Guy of a Tutor becomes a King The Christians in Asia at Ciuill warres not without great suspition of treacherie against the Infant and in the end they fall to warre Euery one doth strengthen himselfe for this goodly realme and they are incensed with greater fury then when they ioyntly made warre against the Infidels Guy seekes for succour of Saladin Sultan of Egipt who embraceth this occasion and runnes with a great Armie to besiege Tiberiades The Christians assemble and are defeated in a set battaile The Crosse is taken by Saladin and carried in triumph Then was Tripoly deliuered into his hands The Infidels make their profit by their dissentions and the Earle Raymond found dead in his bedd when as hee should haue raigned to teach all men how to trust Infidels Saladin passeth on he beeseegeth takes and sacks Ierusalem and in this amazement Ptolomais Azot Baruth and Ascalon yeeld vnto him These victorious conquests of Saladin were accompanied with great mildnesse to the people whome he had subdued that by this wise course the Miscreant might incounter the Christians disorders by a notable example of vertue Moreouer there happened another tragicall confusion Alexis a young man of fifteene yeares The Emperor of Greecâ— murthered by his Tutor sonne to Emanuell the Emperour issued from that Alexis of whom wee haue spoken in the beginning of this Easterne warre was cruelly slaine by his Tutor Andronicus and he himselfe afterward by Isaac and the people of Constantinople who had called him to the Empire Such was the sick estate of the East when as our Kings were solicited to go and visit it in the yeare 1190. Philip calles a Parliament at Paris to settle his estate they disswade him from the voyage but zeale transported him and made him fight with impossibilities So great efficacie this resolution had to go to this warre which seemed to be the gaine of their soules health as the Historie saith King Philip Ricâ—aâ—d King of England made a voâ—age to the East great charges were imposed vpon such as went not the voyage to pay the tenth of all their reuenues both spirituall and temporall called for this occasion the Saladins Tenths Richard King of England came with manie Dukes Marquises Earles Barons great Lords and an infinite number of young Gentlemen The Kings sweare a brotherly and inuiolable League The great 〈…〉 among Kings breeds contempt and hatred but the continuall and priuate entercourse by the way bred a familiaritie and this familiarity engendred a contempt and contempt hatred as the course of the History will shew A notable lesson for Kings and Princes to teach them how farre they should conuerse familiarlie Hauing crossed the Seas with some difficulties in the end they come into Syria The losse of the Crosse made them to besiege Acon the which they take very valiantlie after great losse of their men but the Crosse would not bee found As the Originall saieth The plague fell among their troupes euery one talkes of returning Philip speakes 〈…〉 indisposition Richard made some difficultie least that Philip in his â—bâ—ence should attempt some thing in his territories of France Philip hauing assured him by othe returnes and passing by Rome comes safe into France Hauing left the greatest part of his forces in the East vnder the command of Odo Duke of Bourgongne Richard remaining alone was better obeyed of the Armie and atchiued great and memorable exploits against Saladin being already amazed by the taking of Acon Richard King of Englandhis exploits in Asia 〈…〉 Gaza and Iaffa hauing repeopled them with Christian Colonies and vainquished Saladin in battaâ—le From thence he resolued to besiege Ierusalem but as hee was kept from this enterprise by reason of the Winter so was hee forced to leaue Asia vppon this occasion and returne into England During his voyage and Philips there had passed some vnkinde speeches by reason of Alix Sister to Philip and the wife of Richard who in great disdaine said That he had neuer toucht her that she should neuer come neere him blaming her as if shee had beene prodigall of her honour by a monstrous Incest with his Father Notwithstanding all shewes at their parting yet this did sticke in Philippes stomake 1061. who at his returne found his Sister Alix at Saint Germaine in Laie whether she was retired expecting his returne who failed not to seeke all means of reuenge Richard had left his brother Iohn in England to gouerne the State in his absence Philippe solicitts him and promiseth him all his meanes with his Sister Alix being vnworthely reiected for a gage of his loue Philippe stâ—rs vp Iohn against his brother Richard King of â—ngland But Elenor the mother of these Princes kept Iohn in awe from ioyning openly with Philip against his absent brother yet could she not restraine Iohn from giuing his word to Phillip who failes not to seaze couertly seing his faith plighted and the reuerence of the cause which held Richard from his house would not suffer him to worke openly So he takes Gisors by intelligence and all the other Townes of Vexin which were in controuersie These newes gaue Richard iust cause to resolue vpon
forty Lances to draw forth the Townsemen who sallying out as an assured victorie are compassed in like partriges in a net defeated chased and slaine to the number of foureteene or fifeteene hundred many are taken prisoners and of the better sort Iames of S. Paul the Constables brother the Lords of Centay Carency and others At that time the King did set the Prince of Orange at liberty being of the house and bearing the armes of Chalon taken in warre being set at thirty thousand Crownes ransome the which the King did moderate to ten thousand and caused it to be presently payed to the gentleman that held him by meanes whereof he became the Kâ—ngs Liege man and did him homage for the sayd Principality So as the King gaue him power to intitle himâ—eâ—fe by the grace of God Prince of Orange Priuileges granted to the Prince of Orange by Lewis and to coyne money of gold and siluer of as high a standard as that of Daulphiné to grant all graces remissions and pardons but for heresie and treason This transaction with the former prises did wonderfully discontent the Constable iealous of the Kings good successe and fearing likewise some checke by so mightie an army which the Admirall and the Earle of Dammartin had at his gate The Constables malice For the auoyding whereof he giues the King a false intelligence that the English were at sea reâ—die land at Calais he perswades the King to prouide for the places of Normandie he promiseth faithfully to defend the marches of Picardie and in his Masters absence to reduce Abbeuille and Peronne to his obedience But let vs heare an other notable part of trechery hee seekes by all meanes to weaken the King 1475. and yet would he not fortifie the Bourguignon but that the English should crosse both their Estats that his owne might stand firme in the miâ—est of their confusions With this desseine he procures the Duke of Bourgongne to send Philip Bouton and Philip Pot Knights to the Duke of Bourbon and he for his part sends Hector of Escluse The Constable seekâ—s to suborne the Duke of Bourbon to signifie vnto him that the English would soone land that the Duke of Bourgongne and he the Constable ioyning all their powers togither would easily conquer the Realme exhorâ—iâ—g him for the auoiding of his owne ruine and his Countries to ioyne with them the which if he refuse and that it fall out ill for him he was not to be pittied The Duke of Bourbon sends the King two letters of this tenor brought to him at diuers times by Escluse who makes answer to the Duke and Constable that neyther promises nor threats should drawe him from the obedience and faithfull seruice hee did owe vnto his maiesty Lewis will produce these letters to the Constables confusion in the end of the next yeare For the present hee must assure his frontiers There is no newes yet of the English Lewis markes well this chase and will cause the Constable who supposed himselfe to haue the aduantage of the game to loose the partie Poore Nobleman Mournâ—ul presages to the Constable howe many misfortunes foretell they approching ruine Thy Brother prisoner Thy wife dead at the same instant one of the chiefest pillers of thy house who as sister to the Queene might at neede haue preserued thy head Thy Nephewe Scales prisoner with the instructions he brought from England to the Bourguignon And to fill vp the measure thy sonne the Earle of Roussy defeated at Grey in Bourgongne and prisoner with the Duke of Bourbon who shall not leaue him vntill the end of the yeare for fortie thousand Crownes ransom with the losse of two hundred men at armes Lombards the Baron of Couches and many others The Marshall of Bourgongne sonne to the Earle of Saint Martin two sonnes of the house of Viteaux whereof the one was Earle of Ioâ—gny the Lords of Longey Lisle Digoine Montmartin Ragny Chaligny the Bayliffe of Auxerre the Enseigne bearer to the Lord of Beauchamp and many others escaped death but not imprisonment Sufficient warrnings to amaze a resolute minde Hereafter the Constable is afflicted with strange distemperatures fed with the neighbourhood of the Earle of Dammartin being lodged neere S. Quentin whome he knewe to be none of his friends And fearing least the King should assault him he sends to take assurance of the Duke of Bourgongne intreating him to send him his brother Iames of Saint Paul the Lord of Fiennes and some other his kinsmen and friends to put them into Saint Quentin and to keepe the Towne at the Dukes deuotoÌ„i without bearing the Saint Andrewes crosse the which he promised to restore vnto him within a prefixed time They come they present themselues within viewe of Saint Quentin once twise and thrice The Constable seekes to the Duke of Bourgongne deceiues him but the Constable suspects them and sends them backe They came still eyther too soone or too late so as at the bruit of these forces the Admirall casts himselfe into Arras whereof followed the taking of Iames of Saint Paul who being brought before the King hauing liberty to speake he confessed that at the two first iourneyes hee came onely with an intent to comfort his brother but at the third time seeing the Constable had deceyued both his Master and him if he had beene the stronger hee would haue kept the place for his Master without offering any violence to his brother wherevpon his maiestie set him at libertie very well appointed seruing him vnto his death Lewis dissemâ—les with the Constable And although the Constable had lately done a notable disgrace vnto the King yet his maiesty dissembled it wisely and to take from him all cause of iealousie he willes him to go and make warre in Hainault and to beseege Auennes whilest that the Admirall was busied in Artois He goes but very loath and with exceeding feare and staies but little he retyres betimes being aduertised as he informed the King of two men in his army whome he described by apparent signes suborned to kill him He accuseth 〈◊〉 that he â—ought to kill him This newe feare accompained with distrust bred a terrible distemperature in the Constables head who hauing lost his credit both with the King and Duke will yet entertayne himselfe by both and perswade them that he is seruant but to one He sent often to the Bourguignons campe to drawe him from the seege of Nuz that he might ioyne fitly with the English at coÌ„ming on land then vpon the returne of his messengers he gaue the King some plausible intelligence to cause him to like of his conference with the Duke sometimes disgracing his affaires to winne the credit of an affectionate seruant with Lewis sometimes extolling the Duke to terrifie the King But oh policie simply shadowed On the other side hee knewe well that he had greatly offended the King by his last action He sees
dayes seege they obtayned of Ferdinand a truce for thirty dayes and necessary victualls for that time during the which none of the beseeged should go forth Licence for the Duke Montpensier to signifie this accord vnto the King the soldiars their liues and goods saued with the which they might retire into France by land or sea and the Vrsins with other Italian soldiars whither they would out of the Realme Impunity to the Barrons and al others that had followed the French faction and restitution of their goods and offices so as within fifteene dayes they returned to Ferdinand All this is good A dishonorable composition made by the French but there followes a very dishonorable promise That if the Earle of Montpensier bee not releeued within thirtie dayes he shall deliuer Acelle and all that he holds within the Realme of Naples into Ferdinands hands with all the artillery Thus reason yeelds where force commands The time expired all were conducted to the Castell of Stabbie vpon the sea and the Viceroy was summoned to yeeld vp all the other places which the King possessed But pretending that his authority did not extend to the Captaines which commanded in Calabria Abruzze Caiette and other places which the King himselfe and not he had giuen them in gard the Arragonois making shewe to dismisse them caused them to be conducted but more properly confined them vpon this controuersie to Blaie and Puzzol where vnder colour that shipping was not yet readie part of them by the wants they had endured and part by the indisposition of the aire beeing hot and vnholsome and part feeding intemperatly vpon Grapes and other fruit halfe ripe but with more likelehood hauing as some write seasoned their meates mixt their wines with drugs insupportable for the stomake the Earle of Montpensier died and of fiue thousand men The Earle of Montpensier dies with most of his troupes scarce fifteene hundred returned safe to their Country There is but one hazard to loose all A battaile although very disperate had beene far more honorable and lesse fatall But let vs rather note the examples and errors of other then reproue them Virgilius and Paul Vrsin by the Popes commandement who had sworne the runne of that house were shâ—t vp in the Castell del'Oeuf their men led by Iohn Iordan the â—on of Vrsin and Bartholmewe of Aluiane were stript in Abruzze by the Duke of Vrbin and these two commanders called by Ferdinand to Naples were likewise imprisoned Aluiane escaped soone after the rest died in prison Now all things smile vpon the conquerour but hee pursues the victory otherwise then wee can doo and in these garboiles euery one flies to the stronger and makes his peace as he may Ferdinand â—ends Don Frederic his Vncle and Prosper Colonne before Caiete and Fabricio Colonne into Abruzze who receyued Aquille for the Arragonois tooke the rocke of Saint Seuerin by force and caused the Captaine and his sonne to be beheaded to terrifie the rest then he went and incamped before Salerne where the Prince of Bisignan made his peace for himselfe for the Prince of Salerne for the Earle of Cappacie and some other Barons Gratian des Guerâ—es forced to giue way to this violent streame leaues Abruzze and retyre himselfe with eight hundred horse into Caiete where don Frederic doth presently inuest him Gonsalue returned into Calabria where the Lord of Aubigni after such resistance as his forces could make being gotten in to Groppoli in the end promiseth to leaue all the Prouince hauing liberty to returne into France by land The other Captaines eyther for that they had filled their bagges with the prouisions of their places or had by disorder consumed that in fewe dayes which in time of necessity might haue serued long or through feare or impatiency of the discomodities which followe a seege were forced to yeeld them at the first summon But shall Ferdinand long enioy the happy successe of his armes Behold hauing not yet tasted the sweetnes of his Conquests remayning nothing for the recouery of the Realme but Tarentum Caiete and fewe other places held by Charles of Sanguin Mont Saint Angelo where Don Iulian of Lorraine commanded who caused the neighbour Countries to feele both the greatnes of his courage and the weight of his arme 1497. death comes and cuts off both the course of his victories the threed of his life and transports his Crowne to Don Frederike his vnkle King Ferdinand dies Thus the state of Naples felt the diuers humors of fiue Kings in three yeares Ferdinand Alphonso or King Charles the eight Ferdinand the incestuous hauing married his Aunt sister to Alphonso his father and Frederike Frederike leauing the seige of Caiete comes to enioy his Nephes succession and those which had before followed the French partiâ— as the Princes of Salerne and Bisignan the Earle of Cappacie and others were the first to proclaime his name in Naples and to 〈◊〉 him to finish the remainder of the warre against our men Tarentum beseiged by the Venetians was forced to yeeld through famine who hauing held it some dayes noâ— without suspect that they would appropriate it to themselues in the end they consigned it vnto Frederike at the Popes intreate and the King of Spaines Caieâ—â— might haue held out some monethes but iudging the King would haue as little care to succour them as many other places negligent lie lost to the preiudice both of a great number of the Nobilitie and also of the Crowne they compounded with Frederike by the meanes of the Lord of Aubigni giuing them leaue to returne by sea into France with bagge and baggage And consequently all other places did quite reiect the French commaund in the state of Naples And Frederike hauing obteyned the inuestiture of the Realme from the Pope was sollemnly crowned Thus King Charles was freed from the care hee had for the recouerie thereof but the losse and infamie thrusts him on to reuenge vpon the next neighbour The Princes of Italie incâ—nse the king against the Venetians and Duke of Milan Many Poâ—eâ—rates of Italie perswade him thereunto the Duke of Ferrara knew well that the Venetians hauing taken Polesan from him sought his ruine and amidest these diuisions he was like vnto a sheepe betwixt two wolues that is to say the Venetians and Duke of Milan his sonne in law who preferring his safetie and his childrens before the loue of the Duke of Milan offered the King fiue hundred men at armes and two thousand foote The Marquis of Mantoua being discontented with the Venetians fel from them with 300. men at armes Iohn Bentiuole offered a hundred and fiftie men at armes the companies which his two sonnes led with a good number of foot The Florentines not to loose Pisa and other places and to warrant themselues from the wrongs which the Venetians practised against them promised eyght hundred men at armes and fiue thousand foote at their
King more â—euer subiects gaue with greater ioy to their Soueraigne then the French did to hâ—m â—haâ— glorious surname of Father of his people FRANCIS the first of that name 58. King of France FRANCES THE I. KING OF FRANCE .58 1515. HAppie is that Realme saith the wise man which fals not into a childs hands This was the first comfort which reuiued the hearts of the French oppressed with mourning and heauinesse for the death of their good King Lewis the twelfth The second was that they cast their eyes vppon a worthie successor a Prince well borne iudicious and of a generous spirit liberall courteous in the prime of his age and fit for gouernment affable to the people fauorable to the Clergie pleasing to the Nobilitie who doe naturally loue their Princes good countenance and that which all subiects admire in their Soueraine of an excellent beautie Thus capable was he of the royall dignitie Francis being then two and twentie yeares old before Duke of Valois and Earle of Angoulesme tooke vppon him the gouernment of this Monarchie as sonne to Charles Earle of Angoulesme sonne to Iohn Earle of Angoulesme who was the yongest sonne of Lewis Duke of Orleans murthered by the Bourguignon at Paris in the time of Charles the sixth who was also the yongest sonne of King Charles the fiâ—t Hee was anointed at Rheims the fiue and twentith of Ianuary being attended on by the Dukes of Bourbon and Alanson the Earles of Montpensier Vendosme and Saint Paul the Prince of Roche-sur-Yon al of the house of Bourbon Then hauing made his entry into Paris a sollemne Tournie kept in Saint Anthonies street he confirmed all the ancient officers of the Crowne and to suppâ—ie those which were vacant hee creaâ—ed Charles Duke of Bourbon Constable of France being void by the death of Iohn the second Duke of Bourbon Anthonie Prat Chancellor for then Steuen Poncher Bishoppe of Paris was keeper of the seale Charles of Bourbon Earle of Vendosme Gouernour of the I le of France making the said Countie a Duchie and a Peere of France the Lord of Lautree Gouernour of Guienne Palisse Marshall of France Boisi his gouernour in his youth Lord Steward and Superintendant of his house with whome he ioyned Fleuremonde Robertet His dessâ—â—ins Secretarie of State With this title of King of France he tooke vppon him that of the Duke of Milan not onely as descending of the house of Orleans the true heire of that Duchie but also as comprehended in the inuestiture made by the Emperour according to the treatie of Cambraye And for that hee succeeded equally both to the Crowne and the desire his Predecessor had to recouer that goodly estate of Milan he therfore to worke it with more facilitie renued the peace made betwixt the deceased King and the King of England sending home Mary the widoâ—e of Lewis with a dowrie of threescoore thousand Crownes a yeare· who afterwards married with the Duke of Suffolke Hee also confirmed the alliance this Crowne had with the Senat of Venice The Archduke Charles sent a very honorable Ambassage to the King whereof the Earle of Nassau was the cheefe to doe him homage for the Counties of Flanders Arthois and other Lands which held of this Crowne and the which gaue great hope of a future peace betwixt these two Princes both being yong but marked for great matters to treat a marriage betwixt the said Charles and Renèe the Queenes sister who was after wife to the Duke of â—errare And for that the sayd Earle was greatly fauoured by the Prince Charles the King desirous to gratifie him caused him to marrie with the daughter of the Prince of Orange bred vp in his Court. Charles was yet vnder age but so carefully instructed by that wise Lord of Chieures of the house of Croye whome the deceased King Lewis had made choise of to gouerne him in his youth for that Philippe the father of Charles had by his testament intreated Lewis to accept the charge of his sonne that euen in his yonger yeares hee made him capable to vnderstand the affaires presenting vnto him all pacquets that came causing him to make report thereof vnto his Councell and to determine all things in his presence He did foresee that after the death of Ferdinand his grandfather by the mother the French might crosse him in his passage from Fâ—anders into Spaine holding it dangerous to stand in the midest betwixt the Kings of France and England vnited togither and not to fortâ—fie himselfe with this common alliance Moreouer his subiects of the low Countries would haue no warres with the Realme of France The King likewise desired to take from him all motiues to gouerne himselfe hereafter by the councell of his two grandfathers They therefore agreedâ— That the marriage proceeding betwixt the Archduke and Rene the King should giue him six hundred thousand Crownes and the Duchie of Berry for euer to her and to heires vppon condition she should renounce all rights of inheritance both from father and mother namely to the Duchies of Milan and Brittanie That after the death of the Catholike King the King should ayd the Archduke with men and shippes to goe and receiue his Realmes of Spaine The Arragonois demaunded a continuance of the truce but the King meaning to put out that clause Not to molest the Duchie of Milan during the truce their parle was fruitlesse The Emperour who ioyned his desseins to the councels of Ferdinand opposed against the amitie of the French The Suisses were as forward as before As for the Pope Francis desired to be freed from all bond to him that he mightt resolue for the best according to the course of his affaires To build vpon these foundations he now imployes his Captaines men at armes and the prouisions which his Predecessor had first prepared and makes his armie march with speed to Lions whether his Maiestie comes in Iuly An armie â—o all in the Duchie of 〈◊〉 hauing left the Regencie of the Realme to Louise of Sauyoe his mother The Duke of Bourbon Constable led the foreward accompanied with his brother Francis newly created Duke of Castelleraud the Marshals of Palisse and Triuulce Charles of Tremouille Prince of Talmont sonne to Lewis Vicont of Touars the Earle of Sancerre the Baron of Beard the Lords of Bonniuet Imbercourt and Teligni Seneshall of Rouergue Peter of Naurrre whome the King had drawen to his seruice giuing him his libertie without ransome commaunded six thousand Gascons and the Lords of Lorges grandfather to the late Mongomeries Pirault of Margiron Richbourg Iorteil little Lainet Onatilleu Hercules of Daulphine and Captaine Commarque euery one commaunding fiue hundred foote making foure thousand and eight or nine thousand Lansquenets led by Charles Duke of Guelders The King led the battaile followed by the Duke of Vendosme Lorraine and Albania the Earle of Saint Paul Claude of Lorraine Earle of Guise brother to the Duke of Lorraine the
commonly the better The 17. of Februarie Iohn de Medicis to be reuenged of a disgrace which his troupes had receyued by a former sallie layed a bayte for them of the Towne seconded with a double ambush the one in the trenches nere vnto the Towne the other farther of The Spaniards drawen on by their former victories pursuing them which had charged them they discouer the farthest Ambush and began to retire when as the nerer cuttâ—â—g off their way putts them all to the sword But this small victory did greatly preiudiâ—e the generall Iohn de Medicis had the boane of his heele broken with a shot and was carried vnto Plaisance His troupes were so dispersed after his hurt as the armie was deminished aboue two thousand and his absence did coole his soâ—diaâ—s courage and heat in skirmishes and assaults for he was a great soldiar and the good successe of a battaile doth partly depend of the presence of such personages The Imperialls had no more meanes to maynteine themselues within their fort want of money had soone driuen them forth yet they considered that by their retreat Pauia would be lost and they were out of hope to preserue the rest which remayned in the Duchie of Milan To assaile the French within their lodging were a â—angerous and vaine attempt Also the enemies resolution was not to giue battaile vnlesse â—ome aduantage were offred them but onely to retire their men that were within Pauia and to man it with newe troupes the which they could not do without passing in vâ—â—e of the French Caâ—pe They therefore prepare themselues to two effects eyther to execute their desseine or to fight if the King issuing out of his fort would stoppe their passage The night before Saint Mathias day the 25. of February the day of the Emperour Charles his natiuity they disquiet and tire our men with many false alaâ—ums Batâ—aille of Pauia and make two squadrons of horse and foure of foote The first vnder the commande of the Marquis oâ— Guast consisting of sixe thousand Lansquenets Spaniards and Italians The secoÌ„d vnder the Marquis of Pesquaire The third forth of Lansquenets led by the viceroy and Duke of Bourbon They come to the Parke wall cast downe about threescore â—â—dome enter within it take the way to Mirabel leauing the Kings army vpon their left hand The artillery planted in a place of aduantage doth much indomage their battaâ—lons and forceth them to runne into the valley for shelter Here impatience transports the King He sees the enemy disordred and thinkes they are amazed moreouer he had intelligence that the Duke of Alanson had defeated some Spaniards that would haue passed on the right hand and had taken from them foure or fiue Cannons Thus the King loosing his aduantage seekes his enemies and passing before his owne Cannon hinders their execution The Imperialls desired nothing more then to haue the King out of his forte and to be coâ—ered from his artillery They now turne head against him which was directed to Mirabell The King supported with a battaillon of his Suisses beeing his chiefe strength marched directly against the Marquis of Saint Ange who ledde the first of the horsemen ouerthrowes them killes many and the Marquis himselfe But oh villanie The Suisses in steed of charging a battallion of the Emperours Lâ—nsquenets which did second their men at armes they wheele about and go to saue tâ—em selues at Milan The Marquis of Pescara came to charge the King with his battaâ—â—ons Francis Brother to the Duke of Lorraine and the Duke of Norfolke who lâ—d about fiue thousand Lansquenets marched resolutly against him but they are sodâ—â—â—â— inuironed with two great battallions of Germains defeated and cut in peeces 〈◊〉 Suisses thus retired the Lansquenets lost the whole burthen of the battaile lay vpon the King so as in the end being hurt in the legge face and hand his horse slaine vnder him charged on all sides defending himselfe vnto the last gaspe he yeelded vnto the Viceroy of Naples who kissing his hand with great reuerence receiued him as prisoner to the Emperour At the same instant the Marquis of Guast had defeated the horse that were at Mirebel and Anthony de Leue issuing out of Pauie charged our men behinde Thus seeing the pittifull estate of the Kings person all giue way all seeke to saue themselues by flight The Duke of Alanson seeing no hope of recouerie preserues the rereward in a manner whole Slâ—ine in the battaile and passeth the riuer of Tesâ—n The vantgard for a time maintayned tâ—e fight but in the ende it shronke by the death of the Maâ—shall of Chabannes This day depriued vs of a great number of the chiefest Noblemen of France amongest the which the Marshalls of Chabannes and Foix the Admirall of Bonniuet Lâ—wis of Tremouille about threescore and fifteene yeares old a worthy bedde for so valiant a Nobleman whose Councell deserued to be followed Galeas of Saint Seuerin master of the â—orâ—e Francis Lord of Lorraine the Duke of Norfolke the Earle of Tonnerre Chaumont Soâ— to the great master of Amboise Bussy of Amboise the Baron of Buzansois Beâ—uprâ—â—â— Marafin the chiefe Quirie of the Kings stable and about eight thousand men The bastard of Sauoie Lord Steward of France died of his wounds being prisoner There were taken Henry King of Nauarre The Eaâ—le of Sâ—int Paul Lewis Lord of Neuers Fleuranges sonne to Robert de la Mark the Marshall of Montmorency Laual Brion Lorges la Rochepot Monteian Annebault Imbercourt Frederic of Bossole la Roche Du Maine la Mâ—â—lleray The Regâ—nts foreâ—ight Montpesat Boissy Curton Langey and many others Of the enemy there died about seauen hundred fewe men of Marke besides the Marquis of Saint Ange Triuulce and Chandions who remayned at Milan aduertised of the ruine of their army returned with their men in to France so as the very day of the battaile all the Duchie of Milan was freed from the French forces The next day the King was led to the Castell of Pisqueton vnder the gard of Captaine Alarson alwaies intreated according to the dignity of a royall person but so farre forth as the quality of a priâ—oner would permit The Duke of Albanie was farre ingaged in the realme of Naples and all passages by land were by this disgrace stopt To drawe him out of danger the Regent mother to the King giuing order for the affaires of the realme sent Andrew Dorie generall of the Kings gallies vnto him with la Fayete the Viceadmirall beeing at Marseâ—â—les who without any losse of men but of some â—couts chased by the Colonnois euen to the very gates of Rome returned safely into France The estate seemed nowe neere a shipwracke as well by the imprisonment of the head as by the death of many worthy personages who might haue serued greatly in the preseruation thereof But God by many corrections would often chastise France but neuer ruine it The Kiâ—g of Englaâ—d
men of warre should yeeld and deliuer vppe their enseigns guidones banderolles armes horses and baggage but such as had commande might eueryone carrie away a horse or a moyle at their choise The French army whoâ—ly â—â—ined That the strangers should not beare armies against the Emperour for six monethes So all the companie were defeated all the Captaines dead taken or fled and this accord was a conclusion or â—eale of the misery of the French in the realme of Naples and a confirmation of the Spaniards greatnesse in Italie Things hauing thus passed the Marquis was â—arâ—â—ed sicke in a Lâ—tter to Naples where within fewe daies after hee died During the â—eegâ— and after there died the Earles of Lautrec and Vaudemont Charles Prince of Nauâ—rre Candalles the Barons of Grandmont Buzansois de Conty the Lord of Touâ—non and his brother The nobâ—e men that died at the seege of Naples Claude of Eâ—â—ampes Lord of la Ferte Nabert Charbonnieres la Vall a Dâ—ulphinâ—is â—ruffy Moriac â—O Pomperant Montdragon Louppé Cornillon Grutture Maunourier the elder Iarnac Bâ—â—iuet Hughe Earle of Pepoli Cont Wolfe with so great a number of others as of so manie men at armes there remained not a hundred and of so many thousand of foote there hardly escaped foure thousand but let vs see the successe of our forces in the estâ—te of Milan The Duke of Brunswike hauing passed the riuer of Adice the x. of May with ten thousand Lansquenets and sixe hundred horse well armed hee marched to the succour of Naples And the King to crosse his desseins opposed the Earle of Saint Paul The estate of Milan brother to the Duke of Vendosme with fiue hundred men at armes fiue hundred light hoâ—se vnder the commande of Boissy six thousand foote led by Lorges and three thousand Lansquenets by Montiean The Earle had commandement from the King to 〈◊〉 this Germaine Duke at the heeles if hee directed his course to Naples and to engage him betwixt the two armies but necessarie prouisions for his troupes causing the Earle to make a fruitlesse stay at Ast gaue the Duke libertie to take by composition Pescara Riuolte Lunate and almost all the other places vpon the Lake of Gardâ— This little successe drewe him to the seege of Laude but in vaine the valour of the beseeged the plague among the beseegers the policie of Anthonie de Leue who would haue no companions of the bootie nor so great forces as might prescribe him a lawe in his gouernment tooke from them all hope to recouer any money considering the pouertie of Milan and the difficultie of victualls whereof there was great want in Lombardie the Lansquenets mutyning returned home in disorder the 13. of Iuly The Earle beeing thus freed from this throne and ioyned with the Dukes of Vrbin and Milan recouered what the Imperialls had seized on and all that they held betâ—ixt the Po and the riuer of Tesin vnto Pauia which then obeyed the Emperour for after the passage of Lautrec to Naples Anthonie de Leue aduertiâ—ed that it was carelesly kept by Peter of Lungene with foure hundred horse and a thousand Venetian foote and by Hannibal Pissinard a Cremonois with three hundred foote hee scaled it in tâ—e night and surprised it by assault Biagras and Arone were by the same meanes brought vnder his obedience The confederats meaning was to assaile Milan hotlie but a continuall raine breakes their way to the Port of Verceil by the which they should enter so as they change aduise and went to campe before Pauâ—a They battred it with twentie Cannons and made a reasonable breath where they disputed who should haue the point of the assault the French and the Venetians affecting this honour equally A braue act of Lorges which caused The lot fell to the Venetians who gaue it but skiâ—mishing coldly and farre off Lorges mooued â—ith choller and impatiencie to see them so faintly pursue the aduantage which fortune had given them thrusts himselfe betwixt them and the breach and takes it by force before the Venetians could approch Florimond of Chailly and Gransay who did second Lorges on eyther side if neede should bee were there slaine and the enseigne which marched before them Peter of Birague died being shot in the thigh The taking of Pauia There were slaine within about seauen hundred almost all Lansquenets The towne being taken the Castell yeelded by composition But this victorie is crossed with a notable losse The plague was great at â—enâ—s and for this reason the Towne was almost desolate Andrew Dorie imbraceth this occasion hee approcheth neere the Towne with some gallies enters it with 〈◊〉 resistance ruines the Chastelet spedilie and in the end â—eceiues it by a compâ—sitâ—â—â— made with Theodore Triuulce being vnfurnished of money and meâ— The Genouois being restored to their liberty raze the Chastelet establish a 〈◊〉 forme of gouernment name a Councell of foure hundred Cittizens by whome 〈◊〉 the officers and dignities of the Cittie should be chosen they abrogate the 〈◊〉 whereby all gentlemen were excluded a good expedient to bannish all 〈◊〉 they reserue in their important affaires the preheminence which Aâ—drew Dorie had deserued in recompence of the libertie which hee had purchased for them 〈◊〉 râ—couered from the Fâ—ench who neyther medling with the election of their Duke nor any other magistraâ—â— neyther yet with the gouernment of the treasor made his authoritie lesse lâ—â—â—full and this newe policie more pleasing Afterwards they tooke Sauonne and the better to hold it in subiection they ruined the fort and filled vp the hauen wâ—th stones The Earle of Saint Paul relying on the word of some Cittizens who promised to giue him meanes to surprise the Towne parted with speed out of the Dâ—chie of Mâ—â—an with three thousand foote and some horse to second them but hauing no 〈◊〉 of victualls but for foure and twentie houres and no artillery with him all turned to smoake and he retyred into Alexandria to winter the rest of his troupes his 〈◊〉 being alreadie retired and the French halfe diminished of their numbers 〈…〉 of pay The spring being come the Earle of Saint Paul goes to field with those small troupes he could gather togither he takes Mortare a strong towne well flanked with double ditches full of water Nauare abandoned by Conte Philippin Tormiel Vigeue and almost all other places on this side the riuer of Tesin yet all this was nothing seeing the Towne and Castell of Milan with other chiefe places were in the Emperours power The Dukes of Vrbin and Milan aduertised that the French army kept the field came and ioyned with them at Marignan yet all these armies vnited were not sufficient to assaile Milan the Venetians hauing not the moiâ—ie of twelue thousand men which they should entertaine by the articles of the League Moreouer Anthonie de Leâ—â— was newely releeued with three thousand Spaniards which came from Naples They resolue therefore that to cut
charge the Kings light horse The Marâ—shall ioynes with them and makes them turne their tayles presently their groue of Reistres is so violently repulsed and driuen backe as they turne sodenly to rallie themselues behinde the other troupes An other squadron of Lanciers Wallons and Flemings seeing his Maiesties troupe separated some-what from the rest which the Reistres had charged come hotly vpon them The Baron of Biron makes it good A second charge and not able to charge them in the front takes them behinde perceth a part of them the rest breaketh away like a billowe against a rocke The Baron had two wounds one in the arme and the other in the face Nowe comes the Duke of Mayenne with his bodie of horse-men in the which were the Dukes of Nemours and Aumale hauing vpon their wings foure hundred Carabins which were Harguebuziers on horse-backe armed with murrions and plaistrons who make a furious sally fiue and twentie paces off vpon his Maiesty troupe This done the King parts like a violent lightning from the head of his squadron beeing sixe hundred horse hee chargeth two thousand of the enemies hee breakes them scatters them and is so ingaged among the thickest of them A bloâ—die charge as notwithstanding the great plume in his Caske and that in his horse head which made him apparent hee remayned a good quarter of an houre vnknowne euen to his owne people in this great forest of Lances amidest a great shower of strokes giuing a good testymony that if before he could do the office of a great King and Captaine in ordring so could hee nowe performe the dutie of a braue soldiar and resolute man at armes in fighting But aboue all of a most milde and mercifull Conqueror who in this bloudâ—e fight did sound forth that gratious speeche Saue the French and downe with the stranger Doubtlesse hee is well kept whome God keepes Some were greatly astonished and amazed others trembled and quaked hauing lost the sight of the Kings Maiesty This great bodie whose foundation was so much shaken beganne to wauer those who euen nowe presented their faces so furiously with the points of their Lances and swords 1589. do now shew their heeles cast away their armes and trust to their horses His Maiestie being freed from this presse hauing with twelue or fifteene in his company A generall ouâ—â—thâ—owe taken three Cornets and slaine the Wallons that did accompanie them and returning to his squadron a triumphing Conquerour he filled the armie with exceeding ioy and the armie the ayre with that louing crie of God saue the King The Suisses remayned yet whole but abandoned of all their horse and layed open They propound to send the French foot on the right hand who had not yet fought to breake them But the respect of the ancient alliance of that nation with this Crowne made the King to graunt them life and receiue them vnto mercie Laying downe their armes they passed to his Maiesties side and those French that were with them inioyed the like clemencie But the time his Maiestie lost in pardoning the Suisses did greatly fauour their retreat that fled gaue the Duke of Mayenne leisure to passe the riuer of Euâ—é to breake the bridge after him and to recouer Mante in safetie The Marshaâ—l of Biron stood firme without striking yet did he more terrifie the enemie then any other for seeing this troupe of rescue whole they supposed that this old souldiar hauing bin practised in so many battailes in his life time would easily breake them and make the victory absolute Hereupon the Marshal d' Aumont the Earle of Ciermont the Baron of Biron and other Commaunders returne from the chase gather togither their troupes and ioyne with the King And the King hauing receiued his forces that came out of Normandie makes a bodie leaues the Marshall of Biron with the armie to follow him sends the Earle of Auuergne before takes the Baron of Biron on his right hand and an other troupe on his left and accompanied with the Prince of Conty Duke Montpensur Earle Saint Paul Marshall d' Aumont the Lord of Tremouille and many others poursued the point of his victorie chasing beating and killing vntill that the broken bridge diuerting them a League and a halfe out off the way to passe at the foard of Anet and the horses whose logges the Reistres had cut to stoppe the way hindring the ponrsute and the approching night ended the victorie The disorder was great in the retreat of the vanquished and the slaughter great in the fury of the fight Losse of the Leaguers aboue fiue hundred horse were slaine or drowned and aboue foure hundred prisoners The Cont Egmont the yong Earle of Brunswike Chastaigneray and a great number of other Noblemen slaine Bois-Daulphin Mesdauit Cigongne who carried the white Cornet to the Duke of Mayenne Fontaine Martel Lonchamp Lodonan Falendre Hâ—nguessan the Marshals of the field Trenzâ—y Casteliere Dâ—â—imeux and many other French Germaines Spaniards Itolians and Flemings were prisoners whereof the most part being gratiously released did afterwards abuse the Kings bountie by a reuolt who neuer could practise that vnciuill maxime of State a dead man neuer makes warre There were twentie Cornets taken the white Cornet the great standard of the Generall of the Spaniards and Flemings the Cornets of the Colonnel of the Reistres threescore ensieignes of foot of diuers nations and the foure and twentie of Suisses which yeelded All the footmen which yeelded not or were not drowned were cut in peeces All their artillerie all their baggage carried away Such as fled into the woods found lesse mercie in the peasants then in the men of warre The Duke of Mayenne saued himselfe in Mante and gaue the Townesmen this flout for their comfort that the Beaâ—nois wâ—s slaine or little better The Duke of Nemours Bassompiert the Vicont of Taâ—ennes Rosne and some others tooke the way of Chartres To conclude his Maiestie poursues them almost to the gates of Mante finding the wayes notwithstanding his lets full of runners away which remayned at his discretion And if those of Mante persisting in their first resolution to keepe their gates shut had not yeelded to the Dukes earnest request both hee and all his followers had fallen into the victors hands Thus God poured out his wrath vpon this armie thus a handfull of men defeated many Leagions thus the French spoyled Perou euen in France On the Kings side were slaine Clermont of Entragnes Captaine of his Maiesties gards Tieb Schemberg Colonnell of the Reistres Lost on the Kings side fighting then vnder the white Cornet Loneaulnay of Normandie beeing three score and twelue yeares olde an honorable graue for that braue olde man Crenay Cornet to the Duke of Montpensier Fesquiers 1590 and at the most twenty Gentlemen more The Marquis of Nesle being hurt died within eâ—ghâ— daies after The Earle of Choesy the Earle of Luden d' O Monlouet Lauergne Rosny
the bridge to be fortified with three turnepikes to stoppe their free entrance into the Towne whether the Bourguignon must come by dutie vnto the Daulphin This succeeded according to his desseine but it carried the shewe of an enemie The Bourguignon sends three gentlemen of his houshold to the Daulphin Thoulongâ—â—â— Ernoy and Soubretier to aduertise him of his comming They giue him notice of the two barricadoes made vpon the Bridge and wish him not to aduenture Hauing referred it to his Counsell all beeing on horsebacke he resolues in the ende to passe onâ— he lights at the Castle where his lodging was assigned and setts his gardes at the entry of the gate towards the Towne Hereupon Tanneguy of Chastell come vnto him who after a due reuerence saluted him from the Daulphin saying that he attended him at the bridge foote at the towne gate Then Iohn of Bourgongne hauing chosen out ten of his most trusty followers Charles of Bourbon the Lords of Nouaille Fribourg S. George Montagu Vergy 〈◊〉 Pontauillier Lens Giaâ— and his Secretarie Seguinat hee approcheth to the first barre where he inco unters with som from our Charles who intreat him to enter vpon their maisters word and assure him by oath Before he enters as if his heart had foretold his harme he stayes sodainely and askes aduice of his company who incouâ—aging him to passe on he enters the second barre the which was presently lockt and then he caused some to go before him and some behind he remaining in the midest Tanneguy of Chastell comes to receiue him and the Duke laying his hand vppon 〈◊〉 shoulder very familiarly This is he saies the Duke in whom I trust I will conclude this bloudy Catastrophe with the very words of the Originall And so he approched 〈◊〉 vnto the Daulphin who stood all armed with his sword by his side leaning on a barre Before whom he kneeled with one knee on the ground to do him honour and reuerence saluting â—im most humbly Whereat the Daulphin answered nothing making him no shewe of loue 〈◊〉 charged him with breach of his promise The Daulphin causeth Iohn of Bourgongne to be slaine for that he had not caused the war to cease nor drawn his men out off garrison as he had promised Then Robert de Loire tooke him by the right armâ— and said Rise you are but too honourable The Duke hauing one knee on the ground and his sword about him which hong not to his minde somewhat too farre backe kneeling downe he laid his hand on his sword to pull it forward for his ease Robert said vnto him doe you lay your hand vppon your sword before my Lord the Daulphin At which 〈◊〉 Tanneguy of Chastell drew neere vnto him on the other side who making a signe saiâ— It is time striking the Duke with a little axe so violently on the face as he cut oâ—f his chinne and so he fell on his knees The Duke feeling himselfe thus wounded layde his hand on his sword to draw it thinking to rise and defend himselfe but hee was presently charged by Tanneguy and others and beaten dead to the ground And sodainely one named Oliuer Layet with the helpe of Peter Fortier thrusts a sword into his belly vnder his coate of Maile Whilest this was doing the Lord of Nouailles drewe his sword halfe out thinking to defend the Duke but the Vicont of Narbonne held a dagger thinking to striâ—e him Nouailles leaping forceably to the Vicount wrested the dagger from him being so sore hurt in the hinder part of the head as he fell downe dead Whilest this was acting the Daulphin leaning on the barr beholding this strange sight retyred backe as one amazed and was presently conducted to his lodging by Iohn Louuet and other his councellers All the rest were taken except Montagu who leaped ouer the turnepike and gaue the Alarum There were 〈…〉 vpon the place but Iohn Duke of Bourgongne and Nouailles S. George and a Aâ—cre were hurt The Dukes men charged home vnto the turnepike but they were eâ—sily repulsed His troupes retyring to Bray are pursued by the Daulphinois with losse and in the ende the castle is abandoned by him that had it in gaâ—d The Dukes body stript off al but his Doublet and Bootes is drawne into a Mill and the next daye buried This happened the tenth of September in the yeare 1419. Behold the ende of Iohn Duke of Bourgongne Seeing then this murther troubled the Daulphin who had caused it to be committed what stonie heart would not be amazed thereat Truly the breach of faith is vnexcusable howsoeuer it be disguised for as faith is the ground of humane society so doth it extend euen vnto enimies with whom it must be inuiolably kept This blowe shall be deere to Charles Through this hole the enimye shall enter so farre into the Realme as he shall put him in danger and in the ende he shall be forced to confesse his fault not able to excuse himselfe without accusing of his councellours But from vniust man let vs ascend to the wisedome of that great Iudge of the world who is alwaies iust The Oracle cries He that strikes with the sword shall perish with the sword and The disloyall to the disloyall They loued misery and misery found them out And wise antiquity saies God punisheth great wickednes with great paines euen in this life And Hardly can tyrants descend into the graue with a dry death that is without blood or murther Oh iustice of God alwaies iust alwaies wise and alwaies good Thy iudgements are righteous O Lord. I condemne the errour of men yet I held my peace Bloud punished with bloud because thou dâ—dest it Draw the curten Iohn of Bourgongne hath played his part vpon this Theater He had slaine the the Duke of Orleans traitorously and now he wallowes in his owne goare being treacherously slaine by the Daulphin Charles Now let vs see the care his son Philip Earle of Charolois had to be reuenged of Charles for this cruell murther but all is not yet ended The Catastrophe of this miserable raigne Philip sonne to Iohn Duke of Bourgongne stirres vp great troubles against Charles the Daulphin in reuenge of his fathers death BY whose meanes Isabell an vnkinde mother makes warre against Charles her sonne and peace with Henry the fift King of England then a capitall enemy to the state She giues him her daughter Katherine in marriage and procures King Charles the 6. her husband to declare Henry his lawfull heire and to dis-inherit his only sonne Charles the 7. from the realme of France 1420. During these occurrents Henry the 5. and Charles the 6. die leauing the Crowne of France in question betwixt Charles the 7. and Henry the 6. proclaimed King of France at the funeralles of Charles the 6. From the yeare 1419. to the yeare 1422. AFter this tragicall and strange murther of Iohn of Bourgongne Philip his sonne Duke of Bourgongne by his decease seekes
storme of Arrowes Then behold our Launciers hauing forced one side of the battaile begin to crie Victorie but the first rancks being forced they are seconded by the rest without disorder and with the like impression the whole body of the English armie raise a great crie and aduance to the combate Thus the two armies ioyne with a horrible conflict which continued aboue an houre one fâ—eshed against another with a cruell and bloudie furie And sayes the originall there were neuer seene two parties of so great power fight so long without knowledge who were victors But behold a new change in our Armie our French and Italian horse appointed to force the English battaile being valiantly repulsed flie and leaueâ— our footemen open to the English shot Both the battailes had continued long in fight and that which had made it equall The battailâ— of Vernuâ—il was not onely the equalitie of their forces but the counterpeize of horses which serued honourably But the English had a supply of 2000. Archers reserued at the taile of his armie to garde the bagage The Duke of Bedford seeing our foote naked of Launces resolues to imploy them So as this fresh squadron doubling a fearfull cry fall violently vpon this wearied troupe and being halfe disordered disperseth them Then all are in a route some flie others kill The French defeated The massacre was exceeding great in this first furie kindled by the obstinacie of the fight Yet after this first heaâ—e the English accustomed to our bloud sell to take prisoners Vernueil was the neerest reâ—treat but the gates were shutte fearing least the English should enter pel mel with them that sied so as the Ditch serued for a graue or a prison to many Thus the English had the victorie but they bought it full dearely for they lost aboue fiâ—eteene hundred men our losse was farre greater Our Histories confesse fiue thousand the English report fiueteene thousand Yet all was not lost for Xaint-railles and La Hire gathered togither a good number of them that fled and saued them in Mans the neerest place of retreate There happened a memorable thing in this route The Italian troupe which had fled being intrenched in a neere village A braue retreat of Italians to fight for their liues hauing a false aduertisement that our men had wonne the victory they presently part and come to the place of battaile being knowne they are charged by the English but their retreat was exceeding hardy for in despight of their armie they saued themselues Being to passe a riuer at the end of certaine hedges by so narrow a passage as they could go but one after an other these Lombards plant their Cornets there as the marke of their way with sixteene armed men to make a stand while the troupe should passe All escape this way without any other harme then feare So much order preuailes euen in disorder This ouerthrow chanced the sixt of August The losse was the greater for that it did aggrauate the former many great personages were slaine The Earle of Boucqinqham Constable of France The Noblemen that were slaine the Marshall Du-glas a short time Duke of Touraine the Earles of Aumale Harcourt Ventadour Tonerre Moyry the Lords of Grauille Montenay Combrest Fontenay Bruneil Tumblet Guitry Peisy Mathe Rambels Lindesay Gamaches Malestroict Boyn Rembouillet Harpedane la Treille Fourchouinere la Salle Lappe Roche-baron la Tour and many other in great numbers The Vicount of Narbonne a rashe instrument of this misfortune was taken by the Bourguignons and presently hanged for a punishment The prisoners hauing assisted at the massacre of Iohn Duke of Bourgongne The chiefe prisoners were Iohn of Bourbon Duke of Alenson and the bastard of this house the Marshall of Fayette the Lord of Hormid Peter Herisson Lewis of Vaucourt Roger Brousset Hiues of Saint Marc Iames du Puys and many others from whom the English drew great summes of money Vernueil takeÌ„ Vernueil to augment this misfortune was yeelded by Rambures vpon an honourable composition with their liues and bagage freed except that which belonged to the armie The insolent English spoiled the poore Souldiars when as the Earle of Salisburie arriuing slue one of these treacherous wretches causing these poore vanquished men to bee conducted into Berry or Tourraine in good safetie With many other places After this notable victorie the Duke of Bedford hauing triumphed at Paris managed this profitable accident to our losse Hee presently deliuers these victorious troupes carrying in their hearts and foreheads the fortune of England to the Earle of Salisburie one of the wisest and most valiant Captaines of his armie who imploied them with great successe for he tooke from Ambrose de Lore a braue and valiant Captaine the Fortes of Saint Susanne Mahannes la Hines la Ferté-Benard as the remainders of this Shipwracke and in the end he carried it to the Towne of Mans although the fidelitie of the inhabitants yeelded him their obedience more slowlie and with greater difficultie The English insolencie increased daily and apparently like the swelling of a riuer Watches were set to obserue all such as did but mutter for their libertie The Lords of Maucourt and Rocomp were put to death as guiltie of high treason The goods of such as were absent were confiscate In France it was a great crime to be a Frenchman But as one mischiefe comes not alone and griefe vpon griefe procures no health these misfortunes which touched the members had almost ruined the head for this lamentable battaile of Vernueil which made all France to mourne had almost thrust Charles into his graue The miserable estate of Charles in diuers sorts Besides these generall losses this poore Prince was surcharged with many difficulties the incredible burthen of his pouertie and the reproches of his subiects accusing him as the author of these banquerout losses which chanced daily to his armies and Townes Thus he was abandoned both of himselfe and his subiects his great and many afflictions hauing killed his courage and lost his credit with the people In this disgracefull necessitie there was no speach but of ingaging the reuenues of the Crowne to pay the garrisons of places which else would be lost The Kings table failed daily he eate no more in publike but sparingly in his Chamber attended on by his domesticall seruants The Historie notes that as Pothon and and la Hire came to him to Chasteaudun to require succours they found him at Table with a rumpe of Mutton and two Chickens and yet in this extreame pouertie of his the great men snatcht on all hands The Duke of Alencon had Niort in Poitou and the bastard of Orleans the County of Gyan for money they said had bin lent for the Kings seruice who auowed all and paide all for nothing But that which was of harder digestion was the continuall discontent of his subiects against him as if neglecting his affaires he had abandoned himselfe to the
many discourse The Virgin answered We must go to Rheims to crowne the King It is true the King is the lawfull heire but his right is called in question by the English this maske deceiues many and makes them disobedient As for the meanes leaue that to the God of Heauen he will prouide for it This aduice preuailed as an Oracle all things are prepared in readinesse for the Coronation Charles retires to Bourges for this intent as if the preseruer of the Monarchie would mocke his enemies who called him King of Bourges in iest For shortly after hee partes from Bourges to bee proclaimed King of France But whilest hee attends there vntill that all things may bee made fitte for his iourney to Rheims behold an encrease of good newes to crowne his late and happy victorie against the English That the Bourguignon and Sauoyard who would haue seized vpon Daulphine were defeated The particular of this discourse is The realme beeing set to sale to Strangers and that euery one sought to haue his part The desseine of the Bourguignon and Sauoyard in Daulphiné Languedoâ— the Dukes of Bourgongne and Sauoie had layed a plott to appropriate vnto themselues both Daulphiné and Languedoâ— with other Prouinces that obeyed Charles vsing in this negotiation the helpe of Lewis of Chaalons Prince of Orange a man of valour and credit especially in those Countries by reason of his principality which laie neere vnto them The diuision of this marchandise was thus made betwixt them three The Bourguignon had the Viennois neere vnto Lions and that which depended on Lions whereon hee had cast his eye to make profit of that goodly Cittie Grisâ—uaudan with Grenoble euen to Romans Ambrunois Gapensois Briançonois and all the Countries of the Mountaynes were the Sauoyards part The Orangeois to inlarge his principality had Valentinois Dyois and the Baronies where hee held some land vnder the obedience of this Crowne This portion was alotted to him for his paines They all arme vpon this proiect euen when as the English pressed Orleans most The best houses of Bourgongne and Sauoie contribute to this warre as to a fleete that goes to the East or the West Indies but they had not assured their venture in the port with an intent to haue all the proffit This leuie is made with great shewe the Duke of Sauoie sends fiue hundred Lances Preparationâ— against Daulphiné and Languedoc vnder the commaund of the Lord of Varembon besids voluntaries and three thousand foote The Bourguignon with his mothers assistance a thousand Lances Many Noblemen repayre thether as to an assured gaine There were leuied in his territories nine or ten thousand foote The Princes of Orange assembles a goodly troupe as well of his subiects as of his friends in Prouence where hee had a good portion and for his beginning hee seizeth vpon Enton a Towne vpon the Rosne a fitt passage for Sauoie and Bourgoâ—gne and Colombiers a Castell of great importance neere vnto it Hauing brought sixteene hundered men thether he attends the troupes of Bourgongne and Sauoie which repaire vnto him daylie Hee putts fortie men at armes into Colombiers for the gard of the place and keepes the rest of the troupes about him with great securitie fearing no enemie in this generall amazement of the Kings affaires but the successe was contrarie to his desseine for Raoul of Gaucourt gouernour of Daulphiné resolues in this extremitie who attending no succors from the King beeing visibly ingaged and in great danger doth husband such forces as hee could gather togither within his gouernment from Lions and Viuarez Countries that were vnder the French obedience Imbert of Grosâ—e gouernour of Lions and Marshall of Daulphiné Iohn de Leuis Baron of la Voute the Lords of Ioyeuse Turnon and Crusol great men in the Countrie of Viuarez did their best deuoir the Nobility of Daulphiné renoumed alwayes for their fidelity and valour assisted as much as could bee desired in so great a necessitie The Baron of Maubec is noted aboue the rest for his well deseruing Don Roderigo de Villandras a Castillian was there with a goodly and valiant troupe The Lord of Caucourt resolues to charge the Prince of Orange with this troupe â—â—uing him no leisure to assemble the body of his Armie the which increased â—â—ily So without any further delay he besiegeth Colombiers and takes it by force before the Orangeoiâ— had any intelligence of his approache Hauing this good successe hee would giue the enemie no time to take breath but desirous to make his profit of this happy beginning he partes sodenly with these resolute troupes to drawe the Prince of Orange to fight who was then parted from Enton hauing intellâ—gence onely of the siege but not of the taking of Colombiers beleeuing confidently that the very brute of his forces would make our men to hide them selues but hee was deceiued Hee had foure thousand men with him and Gaucourt had about two thousand The Prince of Orange defeated yet notwithstanding his small number being nothing amazed hee chargeth and defeates them The neerenesse of Enton saues many There were fiue hundred slaine vpon the place and two hundred of the brauest Souldiers taken prisoners The Prince of Orange hauing recouered Enton passeth the Rosne in a boate and saues himselfe The common report is that hee passed this violent streame on horsebacke all armed The people of that Country do beleeue it from father to Sonne that this horse was kept died at Orange hauing a long time been nourished there by the Princes commandement acknowledging the seruice he had receiued of this beast in his extreame necessity Monstrelet sayeth That he parted in great disorder and was chased euen vnto Authun Alain Charretier Secretary to our King Charles writes in expresse words That he passed the Rosne at the ferrie of Enton He setts downe that the bootie was aboue a hundred thousand Crownes besides many notable prisoners of Bourgongne and Sauoie which came to bee spoyled thinking to do the like to our Charles This defeate happened the twentith of May the same day that the English which retired from Orleans were defeated at Patay To credit the worke against such as made their accompâ— alone without God who seeking to rauish an other mans goods vniustlie lost their owne deseruedly Thus GOD workes speedily as may appeere by the course of so many happy exployts linkt one to an other in this moneth of May as a prediction of the restoring of this estate in this Realme The Bourguignons and the Sauoâ—ards desseine being disapointed by this defeat Gaucourt resolues to haue his priuate reuenge of the Orangeois beeing the factor of this filthie traficke To conclude without giuing him any respit hee passeth the Rosne with his victorious armes takes many places from him the which he sackes and burnes But not ingaging himselfe farther in the Franche-Conté where those of Chaalons haue many goodly places â—aucourt takes Oranges from
rest persisted in the Kings seruice In the meane time the Kings armie prepares to go into Base Brittanie and to beseege Guingamp but the Marshall of Rieux changing his partie makes them to change their proiect Rieux was at Ancenis wonderfully perplexed to see the French entred the Countrie by a breach which the Nobility of Brittain had voluntaâ—iâ—ie made them deuising some meanes to repaire these confusions drawne therevnto by his reception into grace The Earle of Cominges going Ambassador to the King passed by Ancenis and confirmed Rieux in this good resolution perswading him to go vnto the Duke with assurance that he should be gratiously receiued Rieux thinking to strike two stroakes with one stone sends Francis du Bois to the King who at that time was at Font de Larche giuing him intelligence that the Duke of Orleans the Prince of Orange and others retired into Brittaine were willing to leaue the Country so as they night rest safely in their houses without touch for that was passed Which being concluded he beseeched his Maiesty to retire his men at armes according to the tâ—eaty he had signed with his owne hand Anne hearing this proposition My friend sayed she vnto the gentleman say vnto my Cousin the Marshall of Rieux your master that the King hath no companion and seeing he is entred so farre he will make it good The Earle had no better satisfaction An answer discouering the Kings intentioÌ„ which was to incorporate this Dutchie to the Crowne the which caused the Marshall to yeeld to his Prince without dissembling He drawes some souldiers from Nantes in October and deliuers his Towne of Ancents into their hands swearing they should keepe it for the Duke In the end Francis of Baâ—al Baron of Chasteaubriant sonne in law vnto Rieux suffers him to enter the Castell holding him to be the Kings seruant Being the stronger lodging his troupe within the Towne hee commands 〈…〉 yeelded to the Duke seeing that the King had broken the contract all those that would not sweare fidelitie and seruice to the Duke to retire the next day with bag and baggage Could he be ill receiued of his maister carrying with him the deliuery of two so good places The Prince of Orange hauing ioyned with some Germaine succours sent by Maximilian and lead by Baldwin bastard of Bourâ—gongne and some three thousand men of the countries Cornouaille Leon Trâ—guer â—oello resolued to besiege Quintin where the Brittons ioyned with the French that â—ere commanded by the Baron of Pont-Chasteau did wonderfully annoy Guingamp who being in a towne vnfit for warre left the place and gaue the Prince meanes to campe before la Chaize a Castell belonging to the Vicount of Rohan But weakened by the losse of many of his men part of them going daily to the â—rench The Prince of Orange army breakes off it selfe part disbanding by reason of the winter he retired his armie to Montcontour resolute to take a view to punish such as were departed without licence Yet notwithstanding all his care and the Dukes seuere command to the gentle men to returne to the Campe within two dayes vpon paine of the losse of their goods and honors and to others of corporall punishment those few forces which remained vanished sodenly Thus the Duke wauers betwixt hope and feare fortified on the one side but weâ—kned on the other seeing his estate incline to ruine He had two pillers Compâ—tiâ—oâ—s for the 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 which in his conceit might raise him or at the least support him Anne and Isabell. The Prince of Orange wooed Anne for Maximilian Rieux the Lady of Laual and the greatest part of the Nobilitie for Alain of Albret The first promised greater conditions yet the King had incombred him much in Flanders supporting the Gantois against him so as he could not succour his pretended father in law neither with his person nor his subiects hauing small credit amongst them and lesse money for that they would nor assist him to preiudice the King Alain whom others call Amand had some forces in hand and fed with this plausible hope he brought about a thousand men out of Castile three thousand Gascoins The Duke would willingly haue made two sonnes in lawe of one daughter vrgent necessity forced him like vnto Charles of Bourgongne to promise her to many whom he could giue but to one euen as Erisichtâ—on satisfied his glutto◠〈◊〉 and continuall hungar whervnto Ceres had condemned him hauing cut downe her groue by the many sales of his daughter Mnestra In th' end Anne is promised to Maximilian who should come to marry in Brittanie withall he should bring great troups of men to succour the Duke against the oppression of the French But hee abuseth no lesse then he is abused Herevpon Alain comes with his Castillians and Gascons At his first arriuall he went to salute the Dâ—ke at Nantes and then his Mistresse thiâ— king to haue the greatest interest in her loue But oftentimes two braue Grey-hounds coursing of a Hare a third crosseth them and carries away the game as we shall â—oone see The Marshall of Rieux being arriued gaue his consent in fauour of Alain at the Countesse of Lauals request sister in law to the said Alain It was no time now to leaue this Marsâ—all newly reconciled idle The Duke giues him the charge of his armie with commâ—ssiâ—n to take Vennes where Gilbert of Grassai Philip of Moulin of whom we shall make mention in the battaile of Tournoue commanded He marcheth thether batters iâ— and takes it by composition the third of March Then S. Cir Forsais who led the hundred men at armes of Alains company declared themselues Brittons by their Captaâ—â—es commandement Vâ—nnâ—s taken for the Brittâ—â— building friuolously vpon this marriage yet some of the comâ—â—â—â—â— reâ—iâ—ed to the King The Kings armie wintered Aâ—ceâ—â— and 〈◊〉 tâ—ken for thâ— King but Lewis of Bourbon aduertised of the taking of Vennes by Rieux requiâ—es him by the surprise of Ancenis and Chasteauâ—â—â—â— places razed neere the riuer to make the siege of Fougeres more easie on the 〈◊〉 being a frontier towne and of good defence and on the other side that of S. 〈◊〉 Cormier The Brittons army had bin eighteene moneths in field without â—est to make head against the French 1488. but now they must shew what courage is in them The Duke of Orleans Alain of Albret the Earle of Dunois the Marshall of Rieux the Lord Scales an Englishman commanding some 300. men of his nation sent by Henry King of England by the meanes of the Lord Maupertuis the Seignior of Leon eldest sonne to the Vicount of Rohan the Seigniers of Chasteaubriant Crenetes Pont â— Abbé Plessis â—aliczon Montigni Baliues Montuel and other Captaines of bands go forth of Nantes with an intent to raise the siege Their armie was 400. Lances 8000. foote besides 300. English and 8000. Germaines sent by Maximilian
some there the Brittons horse into the wood and likewise their foote The Duke of Orleans and Earle of Dunois fighting â—nhappely on foote doe what possibly may be expected The Duke of Orleans and Earle of Dunoâ—â— taken prisoners from such gallant Princes but the Duke flying among the Germaines was taken in the wood the other seeing this generall ouerthrowe toare of his blacke crosse the liâ—â—â—ie of Brittaine and hid himselfe among the dead bodies an Archer that had beene of his company knew him and both of them were led prisoners to Saint Aulbin whence the Duke of Orleans was soone after carried to the great Tower of Bourges The Marshall of Brittaine and the Lord of Albret saued themselues in Dinan by the swiftnes of their horses All the counterfeit English with red crosses were slaine without remâ—ssion The Lord of Leon sonne to the Vicont of Rohan Pont l' Abbé the Lord â—â—ales an Englishman issued from that braue Talbot The cheefe that were slaine Monfort kinsman to the 〈◊〉 of Orange with six thousand souldiars of their armie were slaine Mosen â—ralla a â—â—me sauouring of the Iewe Lord Steward to Ferdinand King of Castill and chiefe of the Spanish troupes was taken prisoner Of the French Iames Galeot a Neapolitaine a valiant and renowned Captaine and others to the number of a thousand or â—â—elue hundred men but few of any marke This was on monday the 28. of Iuly A day of great import for the State the which did wonderfully shake the Dukes affaires being troubled in mind and his subiects tired with toyle and terror whereoâ— dotâ— follow practises of places yeelding vp of Townes and finally euery one frames himselfe to follow the CoÌ„querors fortune a day eternising the happy memorie of that noble Knight Lewis of Tremouille great great grandfather to Claude Lord of Tremouille now liuing Duke of Thouars Prince of Talmund Earle of Guines c. and of the noble Princesse Charlotte Katherine of Tremouille Princesse of Condé Countesse of Taillebourg Baronesse of Suille Craon Bousmiers S. Hermine la Chaise in the Vicountie c. mother to the most high and mighty Prince Henry of Bourbon Prince of Condé first Prince of the bloud and first peere of France c. hauing at the age of 25. or 26. yeares by his incomparable valour and vertue wonne the honor of so memorable a victory The next day the Lord of Tremouille turnes towards Rennes summons the Towne and to terrifie the inhabitants he lodgeth his armie in the Villages of Acigné Chasteaugiron Veru S. Supplice and others thereabout The Heralds returne an answer That the King had no right to the Towne and that he wrongfully made warre in Brittanie That notwithstanding his forces and happy suceesse God the gardian of their right might well doo vnto him as he had in former times to King Iohn before Poictiers and to Philip of Valois at Crecy That if Tremouille come he shall finde twentie thousand men to resist him Dinan yeelds So the armie leauing Rennes marcheth to Dinan vnder the command of the Vicount of Rohan Amaulry of Moussay gouernour of the Towne compounds at the first summon to deliuer it into the Kings hands vpon the accustomed conditions in like cases to commit the gard thereof to whom he pleased and the inhabitants to sweare vnto the King which done the French armie should retire On the other side Guy the 15. of that name Earle of Laual causeth some French troupes to enter by night into his Castell of Vitré and so they became maisters of the Towne and by the same meanes he drew his brother Francis Lord of Chasteaubriant and Montafilant to the Kings party The Baron of Pont-Chasteau brother to the Vicount of Rohan followed the example of Francis of Auaugour the Dukes base sonne who had already deliuered the Towne Castle of Clisson into the Kings hands Clisson yeelds and the greatest part of the Nobility followed the same course Hereafter we shall see a ciuill warre rather then a forreine And for the last worthy exploit of this army Tremouille besiegeth S. Malo both Towne Castle S. Malo yeelds by composition one of the strongest places in Brittany beautified with a goodly hauen It was able to hold out against the forces of a mighâ—y army as well for the seat thereof as for the fortification but they easily enter into composition The Kings affaires aduanced thus as the Dukes declined his Maiesty being at Anger 's hee propounds in counsell whether he should proceed to an absolute conquest of the duchie seize vpon the dukes person The Kings proposition in Councell and his daughters giue them some pension and marry them at his pleasure He wanted no fire-brands in Court to kindle these combustions dispersed throughout all Brittanie My Liege say they if you once get the father and his daughters into your hands you shall easily obtaine the whole country without striking stroake reduce the nobility at your discretion Guy of Rochefort Chancellor of France a iust man and of a good conscience shewes That the Duke of Orleans retreat into Brittanie had bin the cheefe motiue to draw downe the Kings forces That his Maiestie hauing now the said Duke in his power The Chancellor disâ—wades him from the inuasion of â—rittanie the cause ceassing the effect should cease That the Duke was somewhat to be excused if by the bond of alliance affinitie he had bin intangled in the disgraces of these noble men fled vnder the shadow of his wing Moreouer the King had no iust cause to pursue his owne vassall with such violence to ruine his estate to inuade a pupils patrimony to spoile her of her grand-fathers inheritance If the King were not satisfied to haue the chiefe motiues of these confusions in his power he armed himselfe with a transport made to K. Lewis by the Lord of Boussac and Nicole of Brittanie his wife that he must then examine the titles and appoint men to looke into the rights of the one the other if the Kings pretensions were iust it was in him to put them in execution if not the people would exclaime against this violence and God the protector of the oppressed would soone or late raise vp some to reuenge it for the peoples voyce is the voyce of God who cries to Princes Doe right to the needy and Orphelins do iustice to the afflicted and poore This aduice made the Lords of the Counsell pause a while and many in the end conclude That it was more conuenient to agree vpon Iudges to decide this controuersie iudicially Doubtlesse God holds the heartes of men in suspense and makes them yeeld to what he pleaseth But our Countesse of Beauâ—eâ— was not well pleased with this resolution hoping to haue the Earledome of Nantes for her share They let the Duke vnderstand what the Counsell had decreed The crosses distemperatures age and weakenes of iudgement hindred the apprehension of his affaires
of Naples â— and did he not apprehend him who had publikely protested That he would neuer suffer the oppression of his cousin for Charles and Iohn Galeas were sisters chiâ—dren Doubtlesse now the time was come when as that should bee verified which Laurence of Medicis spake a little before his death vnderstanding of the vnion of Bâ—ittanie to the Crowne That if the King of France knew his owne forces Italie sâ—ould suffer much and the pubâ—ike predictions of Friar Ierosme Sauonarola whereof wee will speake heâ—eafter The King now takes his way to Lions to assemble his forces and diuides them into twâ— armies at land and at sea 1494. In that at land were about sixteene hundred men at â—rmes two archers to a Lance sixe thousand Archers on soote The voyage to Napâ—â—s six thousand cross-bowmen sixe thousand pikes eight thousand hargrebusiers carrying two hundred swords twelue hundred pieces of artillerie of iron and brasse sixe thousand two hundred pioners two hundred expert Canoniers six hundâ—ed maister Carpenters three hundred masons eleuen hundred men to cast bullets to make coale cordes cables The Kings army foure thoâ—sand carters and eight thousand horse of the artillerie The armie at sea consisted of eighteene gallies six galeons and nine great shippes The chiefe commanders that did accompany the King were Lewis Duke of Oâ—leans Lieutenant generall for his Maiestie by sea the Earle of Angoulesme the Earle of Montpensier the Pâ—ince of Orange the Duke of Nemours Iohn of Foâ—x Vicount of Narbonne the Earles of Neuers Ligni Boulongne Bresse the Lord of Albret Lewis of Tremouille Vicount of Thoâ—aâ—s the Marshals of Gié Rieux and Baudricoâ—rt the Lords of Crusol Tournon Piâ—nâ—s Silli Guise Chandenier Mauleon Prie Montaison d' Alegre Bonneual Genouillac Frainâ—â—eles Chaumont Chastillon Palice Vergi d' Hospital Beaumont Myolans Mattheu bastard of Bourbon the bastard of Bourgongne with a great number of Noblemen voluntarie gentlemen The Lord of Cordes so famous in our historie for his singular valour wisdome and loyaltie died at Bresse three leagues fâ—om Lions The Lord of Vrfé master of the Kings horse prepared all things necessarie for the fleete at Genes Some infection transported the King from Lions to Vienne from whence the Duke of Orleans parted for Genes and there the voyage was fully concluded for vntill that time the disswasion of the best aduised and the defect of the cheefe sinewes of warre had held them in suspence for that a hundred thousand Frankes borrowed vpon great iâ—terest in the banke of Soly at Genes could not long maintaine the ordinary charge of his house Yet fifty thousand Ducats lent him by Lodowike Sforze and the liuely impression of the Cardinall S. Pierre the fatall instrument of the miseries of Italie did somewhat reuiue the fainting courage of Charles What shame saith he what infamie to giue ouer so honorable a resolution an enterpâ—ise published throughout all the world the Popes amazement the terror of Peter of Medicis the ruine of the Arragonois who can stay the violent descent of this armie euen vnto the marches of Naples Doth he doubt the want of money At the fearefull thunder of his artillerie yea at the least brutâ— of his armes the Italians will bring vnto him and the rebels spoiles shall feed his armie what shadow then what dreame what vaine feare doth cause this inconstant change where is that magnanimitie where is that courage which did but euen now brag to ouer runne 〈…〉 forces of Italy vnited together In the end the King maâ—cheth the 23. 〈◊〉 Augâ—st â—eauing Petâ—r Dâ—ke of Bourbon his brother in law foâ— Regent who conducted the Queene fâ—om Greâ—oble â—â—to France Dâ—â—bâ—lesse we must obâ—erue a singular and fauourable prouidence of God 〈◊〉 vnâ—eâ—takes this 〈…〉 money in the câ—â—dâ—ct of this voiage vndertakeâ— vpon borroâ—ed money but where God workes all â—â—inâ—â— are eâ—sie For a thâ—â—d prâ—ofe of his need being at Turin the King borrowed the 〈◊〉 of the Dâ—chesse of Sauoy daughter to William Maâ—quisse of Montferrat wiâ—â—w to Charles Duke of Sauoy pawned them for 1200. Ducats for a fourth being at Cassal he pawned the iewels of the Marquisse widow to the Marquis of Montferrant for the like summe women woâ—thy doubtlesse of our historie hauing loued our France with a singular affection At Asâ— the King was toucht with the small pocks a Feuer which did hazard his liâ—e but within sixe or seuen dayes hee was recouered Thether came Lodâ—wike Sforze and Beaâ—rix his wife daughter to the Duke of Ferrare to â—aâ—â—te and withall came very â—auâ—urable newes Ferdinand was lately deceased Alphonso his Sonne had two Armies iâ— field one in 〈◊〉 towards Ferrare the which Ferdinand his Sonne Duke of Calabria â—â—â—manded accompanied by Virgil Vrsin the Earle of Petilliano and Iohn Iaâ—ues of Triuulce who afterwards serued the King This Armie had to incounter them the Earle of Caiazzo and the Lord of Aubigni a Scottishman who stopt their passage The other at Sea led by Don Frederick brother to Alphonso accompanied by Obietto of Fiesque a Geneuois and others by meanes whereof they were in hope to drawe the citty of Genes into their faction But the Bayliffe of Dijon entring with two thousand Suisses assâ—red it for the King Obietto with three thousand men had taken Rapale twenty miles from Genes The two S. Seuerins brethren and Iohn Adorne brother to Augustin Gouernor of Genes ioyned with the Duke of Orleans and a thousand Suisses charged them The first ouerthrow of the Arragonois ouerthrew them and slue a hundred or six score It was much in that age for then their warâ—es were not bloudy tooke some prisoners and all that escaped were stript by the Duke of Milans people so as Fredericke could neuer gather them againe together A disgrace which did much distast the Florentines being alwaies more inclined to the house of France then to that of Arragon incouraged the king to proceed â—nimated therunto by the perswasions of Lodowick My Lord â—aith he doubt not of this enterprise Lodâ—wiks perswasions to Charles there are three great parties in Italy you hold the one that is Milan the other stirs not those be the Venetians you haue no businesse but at Naples hauing conquered that realme if you wil giue me credit I will assist you to become greater then euer was Charlemagne and we will expell the Turke out of Constantinople He spake well if Christian Prince had bin well vnited Finally Charles makes his entry into Pauia in quality of a king vnder a Canopy the streets hanâ—ed the People crying God saue the King Then grew there some iealousie they wold haue the King rest satisfied with the towne for his lodging but in the end the castle was opened vnto him where he did visit Iohn Galeas his cousin being sicke at the point of death not without great compassion of such as thought the course of his life would be soone
downe the defences which might any way accommodate the enemy did negligently garde the approches he marcheth thether with speed surpriseth them in disorder and kills some before they could recouer any place of safetie he summons the Castle some preâ—erring life before honour câ—st themselues ouer the walls into the Ditch the rest amazed yeeld the place at the enemies discretion A basenesse vnworthy of Nobilitie so as those whâ—ch were fâ—â—nd to be Gentlemen were degraded and both they and their posteritie declared pesâ—nts and subiect to taxes Guise being sackt and all the Countrie about burnt the Earle carrying awâ—y a bootie of men Cattell and goods marched against S. Quintin But being adueâ—tised of the good order the Duke had set for the good and defence of the Towne hee turned sodeâ—ly and tooke the way of Peronne It is strong by nature and situation but at that time not well fortified nor sufficiently manned to withstand so great a power He therefore passeth the â—iuer of Somme aboue Aplincourt abandoned as not defensible and spoiling burning and making the whole countrie desolate hee campes before Pâ—ronne about the middest of August The Lord of Sercu Captaine generall of the Legion of Picardie puts himselfe into it with a thousand men Peronne beseeged and the Marshall of La Marke with a hundred men at armes Misfortune is good for some thing The darknesse of the smoake which the fire of the Fermes and Villages burnt by the enemie had caused couered the passages of our men euen at the Imperials noses In the meane time the Dukes of Vendosme and Guise leuie new bands in Picardie and Champagne to ioyne with the Lansequenets which Nicholas of Rusticis did bring Lâ—t vs leaue the Count Nassau asâ—ailing and the defendants valiantly encountring his attempts vntill that the Emperour after his first disgrace receiued before Marseilles shall be blemished with a second at Peronne in the persons of the Earles of Nassau and Reux and let vs see what happened in Piedmont after the yeelding of Fossan The troupes which Guy Earle of Rangon Caesar Fregose his brother in lawe Warre in Piedmonâ— Caguin Gonsague and other Italian Captaines pensioners to the King had leuied were broken by reason of the last hope and practise of peace cunningly giuen out by the Emperour Now they renew them by a new Commâ—ssion from the King so to crosse the Imperialls in Italie as hee might thereby diuert the great forces they had in Franeâ— Rangon Lieutenant for the King in this armie leuied two thousand men Caguin as many Caesar Fregose the like number and two hundred light horse the Lords of Paluoisâ—â— a Vicount of Milan Peter Strossi a Florentine Balthazar called the Cheualier d' Azzal a Ferrarois eyther of them a thousand men Beringer of Caldore a Neapolitane Eaâ—le of Monte de Rise and Iohn of Turin a Florentine euery one fiue hundred Auerol of Bressan foure hundred Bandin of Tuscane foure hundred and two hundred light horse and the Lord of Tais a Frenchman borne but sent into Italy to receiue thâ— Earle of Mirandole into his Maiesties seruice two hundred light horse An armie of great hope whose exploites we shall soone see Annebaâ—lt and Burie being straightly besieged in Turin performed the parts of good and vigilant Captaines well practised in matters of warre preuenting both the enemy and the Cittizens newly reduced to the Kings obedience from daâ—ing to attempt any thing against them and by their daily sallies bringing prisoners and store of catteâ—l returned victors within the circuit of their wals Maramao had gathered togither 〈◊〉 in Ciria all the corne victuals he could get thereabouts Annebault aduerâ—ised â—â—erof by his espials sent Essé with seuentie horse and Auchy and Cany leading either of them fiue hundred foote who parting towards the euening came to the walls side before they were discouered A braue and happie exploit they plant their ladders surprise the Towne put all to the sword that made resistance loade their beasts of burthen with victuals and bootie and retire to Turin without any incounter This happie victorie brought vnto the beseeged the conquests of Riuolles Veillane and S. Ambrois The garrison thus reuiued aspires to greater enterprises The Emperour had left in Sauillan sixteene peeces of artillerie with all their prouision of bullets powder and other necessaries and a good prouision of armes The garrison which he had placed there Enterprise vpon Sauillan forraging without feare in the villages about gaue them hope to defeat them and to surprise the Towne Marc Anthonie of Cusan Captaine of two thousand Italians demaunded the execution of this stratageme with his troupes they giue him for Companion Chambray Lieutenant of Annebaults company with threescore choâ—â— horse But they loose an oxe to take an egge vppon the way they are aduertised by their scowts that certaine freebooters of the enemies laden with a great spoyle were presently retyred into a Castle adioyning They turne head and take the Castle by assault and sacke it it may be more gredily then wisely For whilest they are busie at the spoyle the alâ—rum is giuen in the Countrie and some troupes enter speedily into Sauillan draw the bridges ramper vp the gates and man the walls and the defences The Towne being furnished the suburbs remaine in spoile they beaâ—e in peeces two great Canons they carrie away all the armes and make bootie of all they finde good In the meane time Iames of Scalenghe approched with about foure thousand men The Imperials defeated as well of his owne troupes as of the pesants gathered togither Our men making a vertue of necessitie gather togither and go closely to field charge the enemie running hastily to surprise them dispersed in the streets and busie at the spoile they make them turne their backs kill aboue three hundred hurt many mo and of nine enseigns winne seuen the horsmen flying pulled away the other two from them that carried them to saue them In the end Iohn Iaques of Medicis Marquis of Marignan came to succour them with two thousand Lansquenets being called by Sâ—alengh our men hauing their bodies wearied with trauell and their armes tyred with striking resolue to retire and send to Annebault for succours Alegre an aduenturous and wise Captaine brings them two hundred horse who arriuing when as our men were in danger to be defeated entring among the enemies killing and chasing gaue their companies halfe tyred leasure to take breath and through the fauour of twelue hundred foot which followed Alegres troupe do retire with their bootie baggage safelyinto Turin A shot which Cusan receiued in the head caused him to remaine at Pigneâ—ol where soone after hee died leauing a happie memory of his valour and a great griefe to his friends for the losse of his person The Emperour approched now to Aix hauing receiued some losse by the way not so great as troublesome in regard of the qualitie of the persons
The pesants and montaâ—â—ers lying in ambush in the straights and narrow passages along the Alpes and issuing forth sodainly sometimes vppon the scowts sometimes vppon the reerward stayed them euery two hundred paces to defend themselues hauing no meanes to offend this swarme of men who being charged vanished by crooked and vnknowne wayes Fiftie men of the Countrie resolute for all euents had shutt themselues in a fort called our Ladies Tower with an intent to shoote at the Emperour in the passage and all of them at one instant to discharge their harguebuses But they take Martha for Marie they kill a Nobleman with a rich coat of armes and followed by a troupe of men which did him great honour The Emp. brings the canon batters the Tower forceth them to yeeld at his pleasure to purge the offence they had made sends them al to be hanged Moreouer being aduertised that a great number of pesants women children catttel were hidden in the ground in a wood on the side of a mountaine he caused the wood to be fired in many places aboue the wind so as all were miserably burnt or slaine A stratageme which did so incense the people against the Emperour as neuer any of his men fell into their hands but he made tryall of a most tragicke and cruel death These first fruits might induce the Emperour to drawe a consequence from the lesse to the greater in comparison of these people vnacquainted with armes with those whome nature â—nd exercise had instructed and to make him knowe that it was no small enterprise to aâ—saile a King of France at his doore But this troubled his minde Hee thought in the beginning of this warre to haue 〈◊〉 disgraced the King with the Germains and Suisses as he should drawe no men from them Notwithstanding aduertised that besides the eight thousand Suisses leuied by Lewis of Anguerrand Lord of Boisrigault Stephen d' Aigne Lord of Beauuais and William Lord of Isernay gentlemen of the Kings house had made a leuie of the like number all which had in a manner ioyned with the Marshall of Montmorency who had nowe about thirty thousand men in his campe he is nowe much greeâ—ed in his heaâ—t that hauing in the former warres wonne so many happy victories vnder the command of his Captaines now marching in person with so strong and mightie an army after he had published his triumphes throughout the world he should performe no honorable exploit of war Therefore the 15. of August he makes choise of three thousand Spaniards foure thousand Italians and fiue thousand Lansquenets and takes in his coÌ„panie the Duke of Alba a Spaniard Alphonse d' Aualos the Marquis of Guast and Don Fernand Gonsagne Italians and the Cont Horne a Germaine followed with all the floâ—er of his horsemen and aduanceth neere to Marsâ—illes hee goes himselfe in person 〈◊〉 vewe the Towne being couered with the ruines of a house lately beat down an◠〈◊〉 forth the Marquis to marke a conuenient place for the planting of his artillery agâ—inst the weakest place of the Towne This resolution had beene good when as the Kings forces were not yet vnited and his people terrefied by the sodaine and vnexpected landing of so mightie an enemie The watch vpon the rampars discouered the Marquis they send forth men to compasse him in behinde if there were no more then those which appeared with him Hee retires towards the place from whence hee parted and by his retreat they discouer a greater number of men behind that ruined house They set vpon them that issued forth and some Cannon shot scatter the stoanes kill some and hurt otherâ— This first amazement carried the Emperour to his Campe after hee had appointed the Duke of Alba and the Cont Horne to stay about Marseilles and the Marquis of Guast with twelue hundred horse and six enseigns of foote to go and vewe Arles that if they found it not able to bee taken by assault he would come thether with all his forces In the meane time least the first that sallied forth should fall into some ambush they send other fresh men in fregats and boats armed who going along the shoare get aboue the place where they had seene the harnes shine and landing take a compasse among the mirtells and other bushes which grow in that Countrie The Duke discouers them and to busie them sends certaine horses to drawe the whole troupe which followed vpon them Our men had the like desseine and when as the enemies whole strength appeeres they seeme amazed retire without order and drawe them that pursued towards an open plaine commanded by the Cannon and turning their backes saue them selues among the bushes The Cannon plaies and passing through the Imperialls makes heads legges and armes to flie into the aire so pittifully mangled as the cries of them that died the terror of them that fled and the amazement of them that were found turnes them all into a hastie flight the soldiars hidden in the bushes makes a furious sally vpon them that fled the Duke gathereth againe his men far from the shoare into a valley couered with rockes and hilles and hauing vewed them hee found his number greatly diminished amongest others those of the Cont Horne and of an other Germaine Captaine his nere kinseman The Marquis of Guast had alreadie discouered that they had abated a little hiâ—l 〈◊〉 did ouerlooke the Towne of Arles vpon the which a few peeces of artillerie being planted would haue held the Towne in great subiection Arles is seated vppon Rosne at the point where it parts in two and runs with two mouths into the sea mâ—king an Iland which they call Camarole Iohn Carraciol a Neapolitane Prince of Melphe commanded there as the Kings Lieutenant with a thousand foot Gascons of the troupes of Iohn of Foix Eaâ—le of Caâ—maine a thousand Champanois vnder the commaund of Iohn Anglure Lord of Iour two thousand others vnder the enseigns of the Lords of Marieu of Daulphiné la Goute a Bourbonois du Palais of the Countie of â—oix and the Baron of Rixâ—u of Languedoc to euery one fiue hundred and Bonneual about a hundred and thirtie men at armes As the Marquis lying in ambush behind certaine windmils viewed the weakest parts of the Towne being discouered Anthony of Anâ—ienâ—ilâ—e Lord oâ— Villiers Commissarie of the artillery plants two peeces of artillery so 〈◊〉 against these mills as if the Marquis seeing them giue fire had not slipt aside hee had there ended his dayes So as the Marquis frustrate of his hope either to surprise or to forâ—e the Towne of Arles 〈◊〉 his way to Marseilles Marseilles was beseeged by the Dâ—ke of Alba more in shew then with any hope to force it and onely with an expectation to draw the beseeged to some rasâ—â—allie or to haue the Kings armie to come to succour them and then to fight with them wâ—th an aduaÌ„tage With this desseine the Emperour lay so neere as
to Rome for the Duke of Guise presuming vpon the conuention lately made betwixt the King the Pope and the Duke of Ferrara whereby the Pope should furnish twentie thousand foote a thousand horse and the charge of the armie the King the like number of foote and two thousand horse the Duke six thousand foote two hundred men at armes sixe hundred light horse and twentie peeces of battery But the Popes haue commonly aduanced their affaires at their costs that haue beleeued them and then haue abandoned them very lightly that haue assisted them at their neede The Dâ—ke of Guise comming to Boullen findes no men in field neyther were the Popes cofers open· and it may be if they had not toucht this string the expedition had beene more succesfull In the meane time the French army decreased for want of pay the Spaniards increased and the Ferrarois in steede of assisting craued aide of the Dâ—ke of Guise his sonne in Lawe What could our men do but studie of their returne into France but the Pope had not yet firmely setled his affaires and if hee had long remayned a lone betwixt two stooles without doubt the Spaniard would haue ouer-ruled him And therefore to stay the Duke of Guise hee sweares Not to treat any accord without the Kings consent and that for assurance thereof hee would send his sonne the Duke of Palliane for â—ostage into France But it was rather to attend the successe of the affaires of Picaraâ—e where they prepared a Theater to play a bloudie Tragedie then with any intent to diâ—charge his oath The Admirall hauing by the taking and spoile of Leâ—s in Artois begonne the warre in Picardie the Duke of Sauoye accompanied with Ernest and Henry Dukes of Brunswike the Duke of Aâ—scot newly come our of prison the Earles of Mansfeld Aiguemont Meigue and Barlemont leading fortie thousand foote and fifteene thousand horse ten English â—oote and fifteene hundred horse came soone after that to his succour The Qâ—eene of England hauing newely proclaymed warre against the King came threâ—â—ned Guise but in effect it was to belegar Saint Quentin beâ—â—â— vnâ—urnâ—shed of men The Admirall enters into it with such men as the present necessâ—â—y could furnish and the Coâ—stable desyring to saue Saint Quentin vndertooke to lead sufficient sorces to withstaâ—d the enemy As he returnes the x. of August being iâ—â—eriour in number and thereâ—ore without any intent to fight Philips army followes 〈…〉 neere as he is forced to fight The 〈…〉 the 〈◊〉 in the which the Constable is hurt and taken 〈◊〉 with the Dukes of Montpensier and Longueuille the Earle of Rochefoucault Lodowike Prince of Mantona the Marshall of Saint Andrew the Lords of Aubigny Vasâ—é Curton Roche du Maine Rochfort in Brie Biron Saint Heran Neufuy Mouy Molinont Monsalez and many other Noblemen and gentlemâ—n of account There were slaine Iohn of Bourbon Duke of Anguâ—en the Vicount of Turaâ—e 〈◊〉 Constables sonne in lawe the elder brother of Roche du Maine Pontdormi Chanâ—â—mer the most part of the Captaines on foote and fiue thousand men some say eight thousand with many souldiars prisoners This fatall battel caused the losse of S. Quentin the beseeged being but eight huÌ„dred indured a generall assault S Quentin taken but vnable to defend eleuen breaches being forced at a tower which was vnfurnished of men they remained the 27. of August a lamentable pâ—â—y to the Conquerour The sonnes of Fayete the Captains Saleuert Oger Vicques la Barre Estang Gourdes and almost al the souldiars were slaine The Admirall D' Andelot his brother but he soone escaped Iarnac S. Remi Humieres and many others of marke were prisoners The successe of the Spanish army Castelet was the Spaniards third Trophey Han Chauny and all other places that might annoy them made their victory absolute Thus the Spanish forces had a happy season and the Pope resolued to leane to the stronger Theâ—e losses make him easily forget the speedy succors he had found in France so as at the first approach of the Duke of Alba he sends him a blanke by the Cardinall Caraffe and renouncing in September following the league made with the King The Pope reconciles himselfe to the Spaniards he made frustrate all his deâ—â—eines against Italy Doubtlesse the Councell of the Constable the Admirall and many others aduising to maintaine the truce was farre more expedient then this light and painefull enteâ—prise in fauour of a Pope who was content to haue imbarked vs in a newe Labirinth of confusions whereof we shall not be freed without a mournefull and exemplary spectacle To teach Princes That an accord confirmed by a reciprocal oath ought to be holy and inuiolable So this reconciliation was made famous by a strange wonder The same day and the day after this peace was concluded almost a third part of the buildings of Rome A great inundatioÌ„ at Rome and a great number of Christians perished by a sodaine and violent inundation of Tiber. There was some likelihood that Philip would haue entered further into the realme with his army but vnderstanding that the King expected a supply of foureteene thousand Suisses and prepared his campe at Laon hee was content to fortifie his last Conquests and so gaue the King meanes to stay in Bresse and Lionois the troupes which the Dukes of Guise and Aumale brought out off Italy to chase the Baron of Polleuille from Bourg in Bresse the which he beseeged in the Duke of Sauois name witâ— twelue hundred horse and twelue thousand foote Should the King then suffer the courage of these forces newely arriued to quaâ—â—e with idlenesse when as he might profitably imploye them The English had held Calais from vs two hundred and ten yeares the Constables imprisonment had hindred the execution of a desseine which he and the Admirall his Nephewe had vppon this towne by the meanes of Senarpont Gouernour of Boullen But nowe they win that by force which they could neuer get by policy or industry His Maiesty declares the Duke of Guise his Lieutenant Generall in all his countries he leauâ—es two armies the one he giues to the Duke of Guise the other to the Duke of Neuers The first aduanceth vnder colour to hinder the victualing of S. Quentin The other turning towards Luxembourg drawes the Spaniards and Wallons to the defence thereof then sodainely he sends his forces to the Duke of Guise who marcheth with all speed against Calais In this army among many others were the Princes of Conde and Roche-sur-yon the Duke of Aumale and the Marquis of Elbeuf brethren the Marshall Strossy Montmorency eldest sonne to the Constable the Lords of Aâ—delot Termes Grandmont Creuecoeur Piennes Randan Allegre Sansaâ— Tauanes Senarpont Estree maister of the Ordidinance and Gourdan who lost a legge in this action The French army appeared the first day of Ianuary and at the first arriuall takes the fort of Niâ—ullay and the next day that of Risban Thus the waye
slaughter A Captaine Gâ—sâ—on hauing slaine a Priest of purpose or otherwise made them beleeue it was the minister within fewe dayes after he went to Castres where the Protestants had stâ—ll the better during these inciuill troubles Let vs briefely looked into the prouinces of Viuaretz Rouergue Giuaudan and the countie of Foix. Viuaretz and others In Aprill the Proâ—testants of Noâ—nay become maisters of the towne beginning presently to beat downe images they oâ—ened and publike â—e burnt the relike which they call of holie vertues Doubtlesse iâ— man could iudge by the present what would after chance he would restrain his passions For the interchange of worldly things suffers most offeÌ„ces at length to finde a reuenge The towne was vnfurnished of armes and Sarras their Gouernour threatned with a seege goes forth the 22. of October the next morning he comes at the breake of day to S. Estienne in Forest the aboundance of armes harnesse that is forged there makes the towne famous sets fiâ—e to the gates takes packs vp such armes as hee needed But O man remember that thou shalt bee measâ—red with the same measure wherewith thou hast measured thy neighbour and whilest thou doost loyter with thy Souldiars to search houses for the goodliest armes and the fairest women thou giuest thine enemy leisure to prepare thee a potion full of bitternesse S. Chaumont sent by the Duke of Nemours who then made warre in Lionois incounters him chargeth and takes him prisoner hurts and kills about six score men of his troupe and from that time those of Nonnay lay open to many outrages He gathers the commons together besiegeth the towne wanting both men armes and a Commander The fiâ—st taking of Nonnay he enters sheds as much bloud as he pleaseth spoiles it euen to the locks fiers it and burnes two and twentie houses then vpon a brute of the Baron of Adrets approche with greater forces he dislodgeth without Trumpet and seemes rather to flie then retire About the end of the yeare S. Martin by the commandement of the Lord of Crussol and the Cardinall of Chastillon then gouernours of Guyenne and Daulphiné vnder the Prince of Condes authoritie came to Nonnay repaired the ruines and prouided for the defence thereof leauing Captaine Prost le Mas and Mongrost there S. Chaumont fâ—â—es thether with foure thousand men but vnfit to force places well furnished hee treates with the Cittizens offers an honest composition as well for themselues as for their strangers They accept it the strangers depart and the same night S. Chaumont causeth or suffreth his men to enter The second taking who forgetting no kinde of inhumanitie murther some others they cast from an high Tower some they burne in their houses many they make to leape out at the windowes beate them downe vpon the pauement stab them in the streetes sell prisoners by the Drum and for want of buyers they murther them in the place burne the houses for want of present money to redeeme them there were six score by this meanes burnt to Ashes And to fill vp the measure of this horrible confusion wiues and maides were barbarously rauished Come and other things which could not be carried were scattered about the heads of Wine vessels beaten out the walls for the most part beaten downe to the ground the Towers dismantled and the gates carried away Bonlieu a small towne neere vnto Nonnay did accompany it in this lamentable desolation Rouergue In Rouergue Valsergues one of Monluâ—s Lieutenants and Captaine of the garrison of Villefranche hauing wonderfully oppressed the Protestants of that place and the Nobilitie of Rouergue those of Villeneufue Perrousse Froissac Sauignac la Guepte Espaillon S. Afrique those of Breseul Compeyre Millau S. Felix Cornus and of Pont Camates resolued to defend themselues and by their constant resolution had made frustrate their enemies attempts if two of their Captaines had not by their ouerthrow shaken their affaires About thirty men lead by Peigre going out of Millau to refresh Compeyre besieged by Vesin and others were cut in peeces their leader lead to Toulouse was at the instance of the Cardinall of Armagnac quartered aliue And Sauignac hauing failed an enterprise he had vpon Villefranche was inuested in the Castle of Granes where for want of water he was forced to accept his life saued and theirs that followed him being about a hundred Souldiars notwithstanding all but sixe or seauen were put to the sword These tempests fell likewise vpon Giuaudan those of Ceuennes entring into Quesat burnt the Image of our Ladie Giuaudan and made a booty of two hundred and foure score Markes of siluer of the relikes and ornaments of the Church being molten But this prosperitie was like a fire of Strawe wherein they often confound themselues in their ouerweening Afterwards they campe before Mendes and in the end of Iuly they enter by composition but they suffer one Copier to change his profession of a Minister to a Captaine to order the Treasure and to dispose of matters of warre who vnder this rash presumption sends about six score men to an other enterprise vnder the conduct of a Hosier of Alby called La Croix as very a nouice in matters of warre as his pretended Colonell Treillans the yonger sends part of his men who surpriseth them in the field and out of order and kils the most part and hee with the rest of his troupe rides directly to Mendes hee enters without any difficulty carries away the Gouernour spoiles what hee pleaseth and leaues the rest to the discretion of other bands who laying hold vpon Copier make him yeeld an account of his vsurped gouernment notwithstanding the troupes of his party reskued him within fewe dayes after and brought him backe safe and sound with his companions The Prouince of Giuandâ—n enioyed then some rest when as the Barons of Goise and Saint Vidal Treillins and others came to molest it They make a troupe of two thousand men in the beginning of October to ioyne with â—oyeuze at the seege of Montpellier but the defeat of their men at Saint Giles made them to change their desseine and to attempt Floras Eight men onely commanded by Boissy a valiant soldiar of Moâ—â—pellier kept it The beseegers vse both battery scaladoe assault mines and parle and get nothing but blowes In the ende a report flying of the comming of Beaudiné to succour the beseeged they raiâ—e their campe with conâ—usion and disorder Marchastel a Castel belonging to the Seigneur of Peyre a Protestant had an other issue Coffart gouernour of Recoles beseeged it in the beginning of February and hauing taken it by treason he kept his faith with the soldiars like vnto Granes which then was vsed as a prouerbe in the mouthes of the Protestants Peyre afterwards incountred Coffart slue threescore and ten of his men and recouered his house These confusions continued still euen after the publication of peace for the Baron of la Fare
commentâ—ries in steede of pacifying all things past as he might easily haue done and haue giuen vs peace they cause him to resolue vnto warre making him beleeue that entring into Daulphiné all would yeeld vnto him where as the least dog-hoole made head against him the best of his conquests could neyther recompence the bloud of his men nor the treasure he should spend in this warre The Queene mother the Dukes of Guise and Neuers the Marshall of Retz the Chancellor Birague and some other newe bread Frenchmen disposed of the affaires at their pleasure in the secret Councells of the Cabinet Bad Councelâ—loâ—â— The King did willingly giue them authority and what might bee expected of men who gladlie would people France with newe Colonies of Italians Lorrains and Piedmontoâ—s carying onely to Court Ladies from the which he had beene sequestred almost a yeare with this nation which is lesse lasciuious then ours These pernitious Councellors cause him to protest by sundrie proclamations of his loue to the good of his subiects and to abolish what was past Ill Councell so as they lay aside arâ—es deliuer him all his Townes and liue quietly in their houses without any search constraint or molestation for matter of conscience A policy practised by them to entertaine the fire of ciuill diuisions to rule in this confusion and to fortifie a third partie which in the end we shall see will oppresse the King and bring the Realme to a very miserable estate The Protestants stood then the more vpon their gards they are full of iealousie distrust doubt and feare All those pattents made no mention of libertie for their religion neither of a Parliament for the politike gouernment nor of a nationall Councell for matteâ—s of conscience And what was it to graunt vnto the Rochelâ—oâ—s libertie of conscience and to forbid the exercise of their religion for a certaine season but to keepe their partie at a gase whilest by their great preparations which were made in all parts they should bee able to put a mightie armie to field to râ—ine them without hope of rysing So they arme on all sides espeally in Poictou The Baron of Frontenay afterwards Lord of Rohan in Brittanye beeing followed by threescore gentlemen and sixe hundred good soldiars puts himselfe into Lusignan which the Duke Montpenâ—â—er threatned and according to the leysure hee gaue him hee prouided for the fortifications and all things necesâ—arie to maintayne a memorable seege which might by the meanes of some succours consume an armâ—e before the Castell Seege of Lusignan About the beginning of October the Duke incampes before it and with a batterie of about two thousand three hundred Cannon shot thinkes to drawe the beseeged to a composâ—tion Their importuneâ— them but they answer they will attend a generall peace for all them of their religion He salutes them with twelue hundred and fiftie Cannon shot more makes a breach giues an assault vpon them and is repulsed and beaten back with great losse Fiue daies after the beseeged sallie forth and to reuenge the bloud of seauen yong gentlemen sixeteene soldiars and twentie that were hurt at this first assault they cloye fiue Cannons fire their powder kill nine Captaines and many soldiars bring away many Enseigns and returne laden with spoiles armes and prisoners This disgrace dispersed a part of his campe and made him to spend all the moneth of Nouember without any attempt against the beseeged In December the Duke fortified with twelue hundred Reistres and sixe hundred French foote presseth Lusignan againe and the more to hinder them he batters downe a mill which did furnish them with meale So their hand-mills not able to suffice they began to want bread To ease them of some superfluous mouthes they craue a pasport for some gentlewomen and other persons vnfit for the warre to returne to their houses or some other places of safetie But the hatred this Prince did beare to the Protestants had more force in him than the ordinary curtesie which FrenchmeÌ„ beare vnto Ladies He supposed the wiues Children should be an vrgent sting to draw their husbands and Fathers to yeeld speedely Nowe their horses serued them for foode the soldiars almost starued tooke away the bread violently as they carried it from the Ouen they brake into many houses in the night to seeke for victualls they had no wood but mouables and the ruines of houses ill clothed ill shod ill lodged no cleane linnen toyled with continual trauell to defend themselues both aboue and vnder ground to frustrate the mines which the Duke caused to bee made two of the which in their ruines buried many of the assaylants and gaue the beseeged courage to continue firme in their resolution The 23. of the moneth they begin to thunder with eighteene Cannons and foure Culuerins and the next day they continue the same furie with fiue and twentie peeces After diner they come to the assault the showers of musket shot comming from sundrie flankes makes the enemie retire and to leaue the breach full of dead bodies The greatest force was against the rauelin of la Vacherie which being woone by the assaylants makes them retire to the Castell that had it in gard At the first port of the Castell euery man did shewe his resolution all fight in the midest of the thunder fire and smoake and fiue houres togither dispute it with a doubtfull and bloudie fight In the end both the one and the other being tired with so furious an assault take breath the beseeged remayning masters both of the Towne and Castell being reduced to foure score cuirasses and foure hundred and fiftie harguebuziers resolute to liue and die both in the defence of the place and of their quarrell hoping that la Noue would finde meanes to send them some releefe Lasignan yeelded Not courage but force fayled them So as Frontenay the 25. of Ianuary accepted the articles of composition which the Duke offred vnto him by the Collonel Sarrieu Himselfe and his gentlemen to depart with their armes horses and baggage the Captaines and other Commanders euery one with a curtall if they had any their armes and baggage the soldiars with their harguebuzes their matches out and their Enseignes wrapt vp the gentlewemen and all others that would depart safely to be conducted to their houses or else to Rochelle Thus it was concluded This seege caused aboue twelue hundred men to be slaine a great number to bee maimed and ruined a mighty armie They endured ten thousand Cannon shot with many assaults and lost 25. gentlemen and about two hundred soldiars And the Duke for a memory of his losses caused the Castel of Lusignan to be razed being in former times one of the goodliest fortresses in Europe Such conquests were of more difficultie in Daulphiné the Protestants had mo places and mo Captaines at their deuotion Pousin Liuron Priuas and others did greatly hinder thetrafficke of Marseilles and Lions and
amazed with this prosperous successe hastens the deputies of the Prince of Condè Negoâ—iation of peaâ—e of Xaintonge of Daulphiné and Languedoc they come to Paris the tâ—nth of Aprill they present letters to the King from the Prince and Mâ—rshall and demaunde free exercise of their religion throughout all France newe Chambers in the Paâ—liament for the administration of iustice punishement of the murtherers eâ—se of impostâ—s a free assemblie of the Generall Estates and an assurance for the entertaynment of the pretended peace Fifteene dayes are spent in disputes wordes and discourses The King promiseth to content them all but hee will haue them referre these demaunds to his will Finally hee grauntes vnto the Protestants To remaine where they pleased within the Realme safetie for their persons without any search for matters of any conscience lyuing in peace and modestly vnder the obedience of his Edicts Exercise of their religion in those places they held except at Montpellier Castres Aiguesmortes and Beaucaire The like priuileges for Lords of feee for themselues their â—ouse-hold seruants and all other in their houses And as for other gentlemen that haue no such fees exercise for them and their familâ—es but wâ—thout the Townes and suburbes ten Leagues from Paris and two Leagues â—â—om Court Too weake â—rticles to content them who see their affaires so succesâ—â—ll or to stay such as seekiâ—g â—nnouations were transported with future hopes The Councell â—eâ—red it neyther were they other then wordes without effects And vpon refâ—â—all made to â—iue vnto the deputies a coppie of the Kings answeres to the petition and articâ—eâ— preâ—ented by them to the ende they might shewe them to the assemblie of the Câ—â—federates the treatie vanished into smoake and serued onely to bring forth motiues of newe confusions Rochegude beginnes in Viuaraiz Those of Lions had recoâ—ered Andance a small Towne vpon the Rhone and fearing least Nonnay would liâ—eâ—iâ—e bee lost hee marcheth to supplie it with men Vpon the way hee incountreth the enemie chargeth them and puts them in route but hee gettes a great and a deadâ—y wounde Thiâ— death and the approch of the Duke of Vzez to the seege of Beys troubles theâ— of Viuarais more then before Pierregourde succours them and with the aâ—de of a hundred and fiftie men giues meanes to the gouernour of Beys to defend the Towne against the Duke that beseeged it vntill the beginning of May. The Dâ—ke hauing left it they within the Towne issue forth they kill aboue three hundred and nothing staies them but the resistance made of the Suisses from carrying away or cloying of his artillerie If the Dukes forces and threates preuayled little against these men his money and promises did lesse Hee shippes his artillery vpon the riuer of Rhone â—aâ—â—eth his Campe and by the houses which he burnt to ashes he gets the ill will and curse of the people both farre and nere for that hee growe so bitter against them â—hom lately he maintayned so couragiously These parties thus diuided bred newe seditions At marseilles the people being risen against the Customers and Tollegatherers runne to the Custome house take their bookes of accounts registers weights and measures and cast them into the sea Some other Townes of Prouence followed this example Some called the shauen beeing a troupe of malcontents shauen after a certaine manner to bee knoâ—ne arme against Treasorers and receiuers The Baron of Alemagne Orezon Establon and other heads of the Protestants held Lourmarin Riez Seiâ—e and some other small Townes in the Prouince To conclude there are so many factions so many parties as one destroyes an other The Lord of Vins goes to field and reduceth to the Kings obedience all these last conquestâ— except Seine and some other places there abouts Montbrun on the other side made his forces fearefull in Daulphiné but his too great leâ—itie to his souldiars made him to purchase much iâ—l will and manie enemies Chastillon a village neere vnto Die strong by reason of the Castell did annoye it Francis of Bonne Lord of Diguieres who commaunded in those part resolues to pull this thorne out of their foote Gordes gouernour of Daulphiné for the King makes hast to crosse his attempt Montbrun postes theâ—her through the mountaines and descending into the plaine hee chargeth Gordes thrice The night comes and endes the conflict Montbrun hauing lost eight men and Gordes sixe and twentie Les Diguieres approcheth in hast but the next day the thirteenth of Iune Montbrun not satisfied with this aduantage forceth his enemies to fight and puts them to route Gordes saues himselfe within Die. Two and twentie Enseignes of Suisses which hee had drawne from the Duke of Vzez after the seege of Beys performe wondrous feates of armes they make it good and rather die then giue backe but they are encountred by a generous resolution who no lesse couetous of glorie then they were enemies of a shamefull flight strewes the place with nine hundred carkases carrie away eighteene Enseignes 〈◊〉 defeats Goâ—des and by the death of Freulich their Colonel and of sixteene braue Captaines Montbrun winnes an absolute and famous victorie Du Bar and Gouuernet his Lieutenants seconde him by the defeate of the whole companie of the Earle of Beine Such is the daylie change of humane things which makes him by a pittifull Catastrophe to fall sodenly who lately seemed to bee raised vp to the highest degree of honour Gordes beeing prest within Dieâ— calles for all the forces of the Countrie Montbrun charged the first that shewed themselues in a straight whereof part beeing slaine and part flying they giue the alarme to the whole armie But whilest the Argoletiers of Montbrun are busie at the spoile a huge troupe of horse enuiron him where vertue yeelding to the multitude after a long conflict they force through his troupes His men beeing dispersed flie some heere some there Himselfe thinking to leape a ditch his horse falles and breakes his thighe So beeing forced to yeeld Rochefort his Cousin and Vrche who commaunded the troupes sweare to saue his life and cause him to be carried to Crâ—st Hee lost in this hot â—kirmish two and twentie men Du Bar among the rest Montbrun ouerthrowne a braue and galant young Gentleman the others lost two hundred whereof some of them by their most famous valour left a wonderfull griefe to them that suruiued Two and thirtie prisoners were taken with Montbrun the which were freed for their ransome but hee being tryed by the Parliament of Grenoble Taken and vniuâ—â—ly put to death but after a double charge from the King and Queene Mother not according to the Lawe of armes but as one guiltie of high Treason ended the remainder of his life vpon a scaffold whome alreadie the griefe of his hurt had halfe mortified The historie commends this gentleman to haue beene valiant modest iust noâ— couetous no exactor but as â—ee haue noted too milde to his souldiars who for an vndiscreet
combustion and by 〈…〉 they made the Kings name and his actions very hatefull vnto the 〈…〉 〈…〉 the meane time continued the course of his victories in base 〈…〉 hauing taken Honsteur a Port Towne hee came and raised the 〈…〉 where the Duke of Mayenne had lien fifteene daies beeing 〈…〉 aboue thirtie leagues where he offered him battell The 〈…〉 twiâ—e as many in number as the King could not draw him to it the memory of Arques was yet too fresh 1590. and the supply of fifteene hundred Lances and fiue hundred Harguebusiers which the Duke of Parma sent him vnder the command of the Count Egmont made him forbeare Whilest the Duke goes to ioyne with his Strangers the King takes Nonancourt and then besiegeth Dreux Siege of Dreux In the beginning of Marche the Duke turnes head towards Mantes to passe the riuer eight Leagues from Dreux His Maiestie hath intelligence thereof and giues him leaue to approach within two Leagues To giue and winue a battaile is indifferent vnto him Hee causeth his Armie to marche towards Nonancourt to view the foard of the riuer of Eure which runnes there hee himselfe treades out the place of battaile he imparts it to the Duke Montpensier the Marshals of Biron and Aumont to the Baron of Biron Marshall of the field and to the chiefe Captaines of his armie he makes choise of the Lord of Vieq for Sergeant Maior of the field he appointed the Rendezuous for his troupes at the village of Saint Andrew foure Leagues from Nonancourt vpon the way to Yury and the place of battaile in a great plaine neere vnto it All these old Souldiars found the place chosen with so great iudgment and military wisdome as they altered not any thing The King hauing deliuered it vnto the Baron to appoint euery man his place sayd It is no desire of glory nor motion of ambition nor appetite of reuenge that makes mee resolue to this combate but the extreame necessitie of my iust and naturall defence the pitty of my peoples calamitie and the preseruation of my Crowne Let vs all refer the euent of this enterprise to the eternall prouidence Then afterwards lifting vp his eyes to heauen Thou knowest O God sayd he the sinâ—eritie of my thoughts I beseech thee put me not in the number of those Princes whome thou hast forsaken in thy wrath but of those whome thou hast chosen to repaire the ruines of a desolate Estate and to releeue my miserable people oppressed with the violence of warre O Lord I yeeld my selfe to the disposition of thy holye and infallible will and desire not to liue not to raigne but so farre forth as my life may be to the aduancement and glory of thy name and may authoritie the raigne of vertues and the banishment of vices These and such like religious words moued all the Campe to prayers and workes of piety euery one according to his deuotion This done the King disposeth his armie according to the plotte which hee had layd Hee diuides it into seuen esquadrons and in euery one three hundred horse flanked on eyther side with footmen the first hee giues to the Marshall D' Aumont with two regiments of French The second to the Duke Montpensier with fiâ—e hundred Lansquenets and a Regiment of Suisses The third to the Earle of Auuergne and Ciury eyther of them commanding a troupe of light horse and on their left hand foure Canons and two Culuerins The disposition of the Kings armie The fourth to the Baron of Biron In the fift were fiue rankes of horse and sixe score in a fronte Princes Earles Barons Officers of the Crowne Knights of the Order Noblemen and Gentlemen of the chiefe families of France besides those which the Prince of Contie and La Guische great Maister of the Artillerie brought that day His Maiestie was in the head of this troupe shining in his armes like the Sunne amidest the seuen Planets hauing on the side of him two battailes of Suisses with the regiments of his gardes of Brigneux of Vignoles and Saint Iohn The sixt to the Marshall of Biron with two regiments of French The seuenth were about two hundred and fiftie Reistres These squadrons were all in a front but somewhat bending at the ends in forme of a Cressent There was nothing more terrible then to see two thousand French Gentlemen armed from the head to the foote The Duke of Mayenne appeared a farre off and had taken a Village betwixt both armieâ— but his Maiestie forceth them to dislodge and wearies them with skirmishes to drawe them to fight and the approching night leaues our warriours burning with desire to haue the day call them to the field to make proofe of their seruice and dâ—ties to their King and Countrie At the breake of day the men at armes were in their Squadrons the Souldiars in their Battaillons and by nine of the clocke euery man did fight in his gesture in his threats and words At the same instant the enemy shewes a bodie of about foure thousand horse and twelue thousand foote and almost in the same forme but most glistring with more fethers more men and lesse courage almost like a Cressent The Dukes Comet was about two hundred and fiftie horse augmented with the like number by the Duke of Nemours who ioyned with him and was almost in the midest of his esquadrons as that of the Kings but flanked with two Squadrons of Lanciers that came out of the Lowe Countries who were about eighteene hundred horse marching all togither On the side were two regiments of Suisses couered with French foote then two lesse squadrons of Lances seauen hundred on the right hand and fiue hundred on the left two Culuerins and two bastards The sunne and the winde might haue greatly amazed the Kings army To preuent this inconuenience his Maiesty aduanceth aboue a hundred and fifty paces gets both the sunne and the winde and finds the enemies number greater then he esteemed But this multitude serues as a spurre to euery Captaine to incourage both himselfe and his men The King goes to the head of his squadron beginnes his first worke by praier exhorts all the rest to do the like passeth from squadron to squadron animates exhorts and incourages them with a Countenance full of Maiesty ioye and constancie Mariuault arriues and giues him intelligence that the Lords of Humieres and Mouy are within two thousand paces of the field The first charge But the King had well obserued the point of his happinesse and will not giue his enemy that honour to strike the first stroake He that beginnes well hath halfe ended saieth the prouerbe Hee commandeth la Guische to discharge his Cannon It perceth through the thickest squadrons of the enemies and shoots nyne volâ—es before theirs could beginne fiue or sixe hundred light horse French Italians and Wallons aduance with a full carrier to charge the Marshall d' Aumone on the one side on the other side their Reistres
long Hayre by the which hee was hanged King Lewis then did alwayes say That Pride carried Ruine behinde him A Heart which knowes from whence the good comes which it inioyeth is alwayes an enemy to Pride So there is but a moment betwixt Glory and Ruine Great Trees are long in growing but are rooted â—p in an instant And it is true if the Duke of Biron had had a Brayne he had not lost his Head and had not brought it into the handes of his Princes Iustice whom hee had so much offended The Marshall Bâ—â—ons Virtues This Marshall had goodly parts communicable to fewe his Valour was admirable and happy in all his incounters of an inuincible Courage infatigable and neuer tired with any toyle continuing ordinâ—rily fifteeene dayes together on Horse-backe He was not inclined to Volâ—ptuousnesâ—e nor much to the loue of Women sober ynough the which began to quench that furious humour as Intemperancy greatnesse increased or that Rest did moderate his boyling passions He was extremely Vaine-glorious His Vanity Glory yea sometimes he would refuse his meate and content himselfe with little to feede his Fantasie with Glory and Vanity He was of a meane stature Blacke reasonable grosse hollow eyd and rough in speech and conuersation He was aduenturous in War Ambitious beyond all measure The excesse of his Ambition made him to braue it without iudgement He became so presumptuous as he thought that the King nor France could not subsist without him He was become ill-tounged speaking ill of all the Princes threatning the Parliaments and the Officers of Iust ce some with death and to dispossesse others of their places He was aduanced from the meanest to the highest degrees of Honours of a simple Souldiar hee became a Captaine then a Colonell afterwards Admirall and Marshall and in the ende Lieutenant of the Kings Armies and in his Heart he aspired to be Duke of Burgundy Son in Lawe to the Duke of Sauoy A comparison betwixt Silla and the Duke of Biron and Nephew to the King of Spaine If Sylla were Resolute Cruell and Bloudy he yeelded nothing to all men together If he were Valiant this man exceeded him by ten degrees and all the Romaine Princes together Their Actions and their ends were almost alike but that Sylla died after he had vanquished this before he could vanquish and in the middest of his Course did feele the Vengeance of Gods wrath His Credit and how hee was esteemed Howsoeuer he had wonne the Souldiars hearts to whom hee gaue all liberty he purchased credit with them that had neuer seene him for they that had seene and felt him wished him at the Indâ—es and made Strangers admire his valour the Constable of Castille in the Franche-County the Archduke at Amiens and the Marquis of Waranbon in Artois whom he made to pay forty thousand Crownes for his ransome with many Spaniards which he caused to be hanged sodainly for that they had called him Baron Moreouer the Kings exceeding fauours the prayses wherewith he did publikely honour him his admirable fortune his coÌ„ming to the restoring of the last ruines of the State like to an other Camillus to deliuer the Capitoll had made him not onely famous throughout all Europe fearefull to all the neighbours but necessary for France Behold a man that was happy full of content which held Fortune captiue withall her treasures he coÌ„manded the felicities of this world he had Glory Honour Riches those gifts which Fortune imparts to her darlings He was raised to the top of Fortunes wheele but he fell for he that gouerns the Helme and all her motions could no longer endure his insolency and vanity Sequitur superbos vltor a tergo Deus The causes of his ruine are infinite Shame followeâ— Pride the contempt of piety is the chieâ—e this ground taken away all vices abound and as the seruant said to King Atraeus O Prince follow the infallible way of Piety your Scepter shal be durable for wheras Faith Holines hath no place there is no happines the reason is for that without God we hold all things indifferent the Law folly Iustice frensie and Faith a fantasie we hold the words of vertue vice to be idle wheras the feare trust in God limits our passions insatiable desires so as gouerning our actions by a iust proportion we cannot erre â—e was oftentimes seen to iest at the Masse to laugh at theÌ„ of the Reformed Religion with whoÌ„ he had bin bred vp from his infancy â—or at the age of eight yeares the Lady of Brisambourg his Fathers sister being of the reformed Religion did so affect him for his actiue disposition as she demanded him of his Mother the which she granted froÌ„ that time she made him her onely heire Vntill the age of 16. yeares he was called Charles of Gontault for then he had an elder brother which died since at the Duke of Alançons voyage into Flanders bred vp at Brisambourg nere vnto S. Iean d' Angely where he was nothing giuen to his booke but wholy inclined to Armes for which consideration his Father the Marshall Biron a Martiall Man then a Catholike â—ooke him froÌ„ his Aunt led him for a while with him through the Countries of Xaintonge Aulins Angoulmois where he caused him to be instructed in the Catholike Religion but vpon false principles which he did learne of some Courtiars he did often mocke at all Religion The second cause of his ruine was the alteration of his Fortune After the death of his elder Brother his father caused him to be called Baron of Biron brought him to Court where at the first he had a quarrell with the Lord of Carency son to the Earle of la Vauguion the which was ended by a Combat of three against three Biron Loignac Ienissac of the one side slue Carency Estissac and la Bastie their quarrell grew for the heyer of Caumont which either of theÌ„ affected in mariage yet neither of theÌ„ had her The Duke of EspernoÌ„ got his pardoÌ„ the which was coÌ„firmed through the credit which his father had theÌ„ in Court Some say that being thus in troble he went disguised like a Carrier of Letters He went to a Mathematicien to know his Fortune vnto one la Brosse a great MathematiciaÌ„ whoÌ„ they â—eid to be skilful in casting of Natiuities to whom he shewed his Natiuity drawn by some other And disseÌ„bling it to be his he said it was a Gentlemans whom he serued that he desired to know what end that man should haue La Brosse hauing rectified this figure said vnto him That he was of a good house no elder then you are said he to the Baron asking him if it were his the Baron answered him I wil not tell you But tel me said he what his Life his meanes end shal be This good old man who was then in a little Garret which serued
Duke of Brittanie first interessed by the English begins first to resist him But Charles is drawne to force by constraint The Ambassadors of France and England were assembled at Louuiers to redresse the breach at Fougeres when as behold Pont de l'Arche a Towne vpon the riuer of Seine foure leagues from Rouen is surprized by the Lord of Breze for the Duke of Brittanie This troubled Somerset who presently sends to make complaint vnto the assemblie Charles makes him answer that it is a requitall but if he will render vp Fougeres and the goods that were stolne valued at sixteene hundred thousand Crownes he should haue Pont de l'Arche againe The which being disdainefully refused by Somerset Charles protests by his Ambassadors in open assemblie 1449. That if warre followed which God forbid the fault should not be his causing an autentike acte to be taken by certain Apostolike Imperiall Notaries for his discharge and iustification Seeing therefore that this milde course was skorned by his stout enemy hee resolues to haue his reuenge by force of armes Charles and the Duke of Brittain combine against the English To this end he combines with Francis Duke of Brittain to make warre against the English their common enemy vpon condition the Britton should not treate with him without his leaue A very needefull restraint hauing often failed as we haue seene All prepare to warre in euery place where the English had any footing in Gasconie in Normandie and in all other parts where there was any remainder of their ancient Conquests Guienne shall begin the game but it shall ende in Normandy to make perfect the French obedience whereof it offers these first fruits to Charles in the beginning of this yeare as to their lawfull King Cognac was surprised for him by Verdun a Gascon but the manner was notable The exploits of the French in Guienne Normandie Mondot an English Captaine was gouernor of the place he was absent when the Towne was taken Verdun keepes the gates carefully that no intelligence might be giuen vnto him so as he comes to the gates without knowledge of any thing but he found some which added him vnto their prise being taken prisoner wheras before he was a gouernor The same day Saint Maigrin was taken by Alliac likewise a Gascon The newes of Cognac and S. Maigrin were scarse brought to Charles when as the Lord of Moâ—y giues him intelligence that he had taken Gerberond and the Bailiffe of Eureux Couches with great slaughter of the English Complaints are presently made by the English Talbot is the messenger Charles letts them know that they are in the sault seeing they began first Yet he offers to yeeld all that had bin taken by his commandement according to the lawe of reprisalles so as they would deliuer what they had takeÌ„ and suffer his friends and Allies to liue in peace Talbot answering that he had no such charge Charles lettes him vnderstand that he would redresse it by lawfull force that he did vnwillingly enter into waâ— yet would he soone shewe the English that his myldnesse had a sting and so he goes to held with a goodly army There were three chiefe dens for theeues the Rendez-uous of al the English roberies in those parts Verneuil Mante and Loigny Verneuil an infamous place for our defeate was first taken a Miller gaue them entry by a hoale in the Towne wall by the which the water did run to his mill ioyning to the wal Townes in Normandie yeeld vnto the King The Towne began and the Castel followed a strong Tower deuided from the Castel held out some daies but it yeelded when as Charles arriued Mante yeelded in viewe of the army Loigny was surprised by scalado but the English intrenched in the base Court fought it out resolutely lost both liues and goods Vernon a Towne vpon Seine yeelded of it selfe by the voluntaâ—y obedience of the Inhabitants Ponteau â—â—mer was forced by the Earles of Eu and S. Pol wheras many English men were lost But Lizieux by the graue aduice of their Bishop yeelds voluntary obedience and auoids the miseries of the vanquished Louuiers did the like Gournay was sold by an English Captaine that held it Essâ—y was taken by a gentle stratagem of the Duke of Alançons The Captaine accompanied with the soldiars of his garrison was gon forth to fish a poole while he seeks for fish he is taken himselfe and his Lieutenant deliuers vp the Castell to the Kings seruice Fescampe is taken by the Abbot hauing intelligence with the Monks at the same instaÌ„t a ship arriues out off England being ignorant of this losse the French suffer them to land and take them all prisoners Harcourt makes shewe to resist but it yeelds by composition aâ—ter the seege of eight daies The army marcheth against Neufchastell of Nicourt takes the Towne by force the Castel yeelds by composition The Earle of Clermont was desirous to recouer his chiefe house wherof he carried the name his subiects gaue him entry into the Towne and so by the Towne he wins the Castell S. Loo at the sight of the army demands and obtaines a good composition with all the neighbour Castells Carenten yeelds after three daies and Pont d'Oâ—ë is taken by assault Constances and Gauray by composition Alenson freed it selfe from the English yeelds to the mild command of their good Prince the Duke of Alanson who shewed his mercie euen to the English being vanquished to whom he gaue both life and goods La Rochequien was yeelded vp by the Captaine of the Castell who of an English man becomes French by the perswasions of his wife who was a French woman Chasâ—â—angaillard a Fort of importance vpon the Riuer of Seine endured a siege of six weekes but the pâ—esence and good fortune of Charles made him maâ—ster of the place Gisors so famous for the English quarrels was yeelded to the King by the Captaine who likewise came to the Kings seruice and in the end Valonges a place of importance the which hereafter shall come in question by a famous accident As the Kings armie made this progresse in Normandie so it increased daily by these new conquests René King of Sicile and the Duke of Brittanie arriue with goodly voluntarie tâ—oupes and some townes newly reduced to the Kings obedience with an infinite number of warlike people but aboue all the Court was goodly by the multitude of Noblemen who went not onely to honour the Kings good fortune but carried by an inward instinct of his right well gouerned as it were by a celestiall guide did runne to an assured victorie and to the possession of an heires lawfull right The Dukes of Bourbon Alanson and Brittanie were there with the Earles of Richemont Constable of France of Maine Eu Saint Pol Dunois Castres Tancaruille and Dampmartin The Duke of Lorraine and Iohn his brother augmented the traine of King René Iohn Iuuenall of Vrsins Baron of Treignel
and Chancellour of France was there hauing succeeded Renauld of Chartres Arche-bishop of Rheims being lately deceased The Lords of Culant Eueil Montgascon Blainuille Pressigny Brion Prally la Boussicre Montet Aigreuille Malicorne and Han with an infinite number of the Nobilitie Charles resolued to imbrace these goodly occasions finding by the obedience of so many countrie Townes the way laied open to Rouen the capitall Cittie of that Prouince he determines to besiege it and all with one consent aime at this goodly marke as the chiefe of the Kings affaires But it chanced through the prouidence of God that where as there seemed greatest difficultie there it proued most easie by the loyaltie of the French who cannot denie their Prince The combate was ciuill managed more by councell then by force The Cittie was much at the Kings deuotion yet were they kept in awe by the English forces being maisters of the strongest Fortes within the Cittie The Duke of Somerset was there present with authoritie Talbot must imploy all his valour but neither force fortes authoritie nor valour were of any force for that God hauing determined to restore this estate by the meanes of Charles the 7. inclined both hands and hearts to his decree the which no mortall man can preuent The King being at Pont l'Arche The King sends his armie to Rouen had certaine intelligence from the best Cittizens of Rouen that the whole Citty was resolued to obey him desiring only to be supported by his presence and forces vpon this aduise he causeth the Earle of Dunois to march and to shew himselfe vnto the Cittizens who sends a Herauld to summon them to yeeld their obedâ—ence vnto the King whom the English were like to haue torne in peeces No Cittâ—zen daâ—es shew himselfe vpon the walles all is filled with enimies The English had seized vpon the walles so as no man within the Towne durst approach Hauing thus marched about the Towne in good order fearing no lesse the lightnesse of the peoples humour then the Winter which approched being then October he resolues to retire Charles and his councell distrust these popular humors as not able to draw the Cittie to yeeldâ— he therefore thinkes it best to lodge his armie about it and to seize vpon the passages of the Cittizens chiefe houses being the best meanes to draw them to reason The which was speedily put in practise The troupes were scarce lodged in their quarters when as Charles lying at Pont l'Arche had intelligence that his seruants had seized vpon two Towers by meanes whereof they had a quarter of the Cittie Wherevpon the 〈◊〉 of Dunois shewes himselfe presently with the Armie before the Citty and diuides his troupes according to their quarters The brute of those forces is great vpon their approch they haue aduice to march the which they do resolutely being set in order 〈◊〉 of generous resolution as in the Kings presence The Ladders are set to the wall and they begin to mount all prepare to follow fortie of our men gette vp the wall when as Lord Talbot arriues with three hundred desperate English who hauing cut the Cittizens in peeces charge our men that were ingaged some they kill the rest leape from the walles The French attempt it by Scaladoe and repulsed and fewe recouer the place from whence they were mounted The King holding the Cittie wonne comes to Darnetall when as the Earle of Dunois returnes to aduertise him of the hard successe of this popular brag so as all held it for winde and smoake In the meane time the Cittizens slept not the litle bloud of some that were slaine set all the rest of the Cittizens on fire who resolued to vnmaske themselues and to speake plainely to the English The whole Cittie is incensed by meanes of the magistrats euery man prepares his armes against these strangers The Archebishop of Rouen a name which the historie owes to the truth and honor of the French loyaltie was a good seruant to the King had great credit with the Cittizens so as the whole Cittie assembles with him and by a common consent all resolue to returne to the Crowne of France as to their first beginning Somerset and Talbot runne thether with fiftie men but what is that against a multitude The Archebishop acquaints them with the Cittizens resolution who in their presence depute the Officiall to go vnto the King The Cittizens resolue to yeeld and send their depuâ—es to the King The Summe of his Ambassage was that his Maistie should graunt vnto the Cittizens of Rouen a generall abolition of all that was past and leaue for the English and all others of their humor to retire without danger offring him their obedience as to their lawfull King that he should come when he pleased where he should finde the gates as open as their hearts This resolution deliuered boldlie in the presence of Somerset and Talbot amazed them much their courages were daunted And what could their weake authority do against the whole body of a Cittie fortified with the Kings approch his army and his right Thus the Cittie of Rouen sends deputies vnto the King and obtaine all they demande who beeing returned with this good answere all are satisfied but the English who keepe the walles Towers bridge Castell and Palace all this must be fought for They prepare for force the people do the like al the streetes are filled with armed men to force the walles The Cittizens send againe vnto the King beseeching him to approch with his army with all speede to take absolute possession of his Cittie of Rouen Attending the Kings answere the Cittizens do happily winne the walles the Towers and the gates all that belongs to the Cittie obeyes the King Rouen yeelded vnto the Kinâ— and the Englâ—sh beâ—â—egâ—d in their forts the English with great difficultie recouer the bridge Castell and Pallace But they inioye not these forts long for the Cittizens beseege the bridge and winne it and now the army comes downe the hâ—ll The Cittizens at the sighâ— thereof câ—ie God saue the King all breake out into ioy and triomph The armie enters the Cittie to the peoples exceding ioy attending the King In the meane time Saint Katherins fort is beseeged and yeelded to the Earle of Dunois Charles lodgeth there whilest the Cittie is freed from strangers The Castell yeelds the Pallace onely remaines Somerset and Talbot are there they are men of action who had wheâ—e with all to fight for their liues but how can they hold out all being disposed to an accord The Eâ—â—le of Someâ—sâ—â— and Talbot yeeld and come to King Charles Charles being wholie inclined to Clemencie doth willingly see Somerset and Talbot at Saint Katherins fort who receiue a lawe from his victorious hands yet would he not admit them with conditions like vnto the Cittizens but he giues them leaue to retire with theâ—r liues and goods vpon these conditions That they should leaue their
hauing tryed by all meanes saieth the Originall to haue a mayde of excellent beauty at his pleasure beseeged Florac the fift of Aprill But Beaudiné making hast to succour it preserued both the virgins honesty and the Cittizens bloud The Lord of Pailles Seneshal for the King of Nauarre in the Countie of Foix fed the Protestants with words The desolation of Toulouse made him to change his coppie So the wolfe according to the Fable hauing seâ—t away the dogges doth then breake into the fold and deuours the sheepe at his pleasure Hee aduiseth such as hee feared among the Pâ—otestants seeing they had beene charged with the beating downe of images and altars to retire themselues else he should be forced to impryson them This terror chaseth manie Pailles entring into the Towne puts some in prison and so terrifies others as they were glad to leaue the Towne Of the prisoners two were beheaded two burnt sixe hanged twentie sixe condemned to death ten to the galleis and the goods of them that were fled abandoned in prey to the soldiars the other townes of the Countie terrefied with his stratageme accepted such conditions as Pailles would prescribe them Onely Pamiers resisted The towne belonged to the Queene of Nauarre and the number of the Protestants was great Man hath many meanes to preserue himselfe from humaine forces but what harbour what shelter can protect him from the wrath of heauen Men make warre one against an other and two parties seeke one an others destruction but God with the same arme strikes both the one and the other and it falls vpon whome hee pleaseth The Catholikes of Pamiers seeke all meanes to oppresse the Protestants Pamiers and the Protestants to crosse the practises of their enemies when as a common scourge assures them both The plague comes into the Towne and in fewe weekes takes away three thousand Cittizens But a strange thing of all this great number they did not account aboue fiftie Protestants So as subsisting in the midest of this mortality and by this meanes protecteâ— from the iniuries of their enemies abroad they succour their neighbours of Castres kill the Vicont of Seres and his brother with the greatest part of three hundred men which he commanded and so disperse the rest as the way was open for them to recouer their houses where discouering a practise made by some begging Friers to bring in Pailles and others they made such a spoile in their Couents as neuer after were they more seene or heard of This bloudie stratagem amazed the Preests Chanons They saue themselues in the Towne of Foix they spoile their houses the Bishops As one mischiefe foâ—loâ—es another the peace concluded in the beginning of May a furious haile contynuing by fits for the space of 3. weekes about â—oix cuts the corne al greene things so as there was no hope of fruit The commons mutine accuse the Clergy beeing fled to be the motiues of tâ—is tempest and were redie to fall vpon them They 〈◊〉 popular furie and retyre to Maugency Let vs change our Câ—mate and turne into Gaule Lionnoyse The last of Aprill the Protestants were seized of Lions at two of the Clocke after midnight Lyon without any slaughter but of two men The Lord of Sault had the first gouernment Amongeâ—t many of the Princes faction which posted thether the Baron of Adrets a valiant man but proud and cruell seized on the gouernment The Prince sent afterwards Poncenal and Changy Auuergnacs defeated by Adretz the first to command the horse the last the foote Herevpon the Baroâ— oâ— Saint Vidal and other Auuergnacs aduanced with three or foure thousand men to wast the Country of Lionnois whilest the Duke of Nemours assembled an army of Bourguignons Auuergnacs and Foresins for the seege of Lion Poncenat with fiue hundred men goes to discouer them chargeth them at the first approch makes such a slaughter as by their route he ouerthrowes their desseine and pursuing his victorie neere vnto Feurs in Forest he incounters with some troupes of horse which made head against him hee chargeth them putts them to flight and presently forceth the towne of Feurs where most of them that fled had saued themselues Des Adrets arriues who hauing resisted the forces of Sommeriue Suze Carres Maugiron and others brought some places vnder his subiection and amongest others Montbrison the chiefe of the Prouince But there he blemished the reputation which he had gotten in Daulphinè and by his crueltie did violate the Lawes of humanity and made himselfe odious the which plonged him in many miseries as we shall see here after One afternoone hee tooke a delight to see many prisoners leape out of the high Tower of Montbrison amongest the which there were some gentlemen of account Soubize comes to Lions being sent by the Prince of Condé with the title of Lieutenant and gouernour and did so politikely handle the violent disposition of Adrets as he perswaded him to returne into Daulphiné where he did goodly exploits But this decay of his authority did presently discontent the Baron who on this first spleene layed the leuaine of a speedie reuolt On the other side Tauannes approched with fiue thousand French and three thousand Italians led by the Earle of Anguesole not with any intent to force the Towne but to hinder the haruest and the vintage These Italians had many goats so as in detestation of this horrible medley the peasants cast all their goats among the Carrion where they passed The Duke of Nemours arriues with the title of the Kings Lieutenant generall The seege of Lions and for the first fruits of his armies hee receiues Vienne vpon Rosnâ— by composition by the fauour of the Catholikes he kills fewe and spoiles much The taking of this towne shortned their victualls at Lions Soubize to haue meanes to keepe the field calls backe Adrets and the Prouensalls Hee brings foure or fiue thousand foote and foure hundred horse The Duke conceiuing an assured hope of victorie by the weakenesse of their horse incounters them puts them twise in route nere to Beau-repaire but with small losse and if the conduct and resolution of Aretz with the aduantage of the place had not fauored him he had then reciued a mate Hauing speedilie rallied his troupes he incamps within two leagues of Vienne holding the Duke of Nemours occupied with continuall skirmishes whilest that Soubize gathered in victuals from all partâ— Herevpon a pacquet comming from Orleans to Soubize falls into the hands of the Marshall of Brissac Amongest other letters one from the Admirall conteyned That he must endure the violence of the Baren of Adretz as much as he could lest of an insolent man he should make him madd The Baron of Adretz reuolts This was a fit expedient to put the Baron into furie Brissac hauing presently sent Saint Sernin to Nemours and Adretz causeth them to enter into strange practises one with an other Soubize who was alwaies