them downe they take from the Empire Triesle Portonon and Fiume then passing the Alpes Possonia On the other side the Germaine armie towards Trente had put to sword three thousand Venetian foote set to garde mount Bretonic The Bishop of Trente incouraged by this small stratagem with two thousand foote and some troupes of horse went to besiege Riue Trente a great bourgh vpon the Lake of Garde but as he did batter it two thousand Grisons which were in the Germaine Campe fell into a mutinie by reason of their pay and spoile the victuals of the whole Campe. So all being in disorder without respect of command and without obedience the Grisons being gone all the rest of the armie being about seuen thousand men were forced to retire Thus ended all these great shewes and Maximilian hauing rashly giuen credit to the Popes suggestions reaped nothing for his indiscretion but shame losse contempt Being thus perplexed he seekes to withdraw himselfe out of the country A truce betwixt the â—mperour and Venetianâ— and finding the Venetians well disposed to make an end of this warre and to preserue by meanes of a truce the places which they had conquered in these garboileâ— he easily obtaines a truce for three moneths whereby they laid downe aâ—mes to resume them soone after but with more dangerous effects This was the xx day of Apâ—il In corrupted bodies the remedies we apply to diuert one inconuenience do commonly ingender another more dangerous So the truce made betwixt Maximilian the Venetians wherein they had exceedingly neglected the King in steed of quiet and rest which they expected bred more horrible calamities then the former warres The Venetians sought it by their insolent manner of proceeding The Emperour studied by what meanes he might repaiâ—e the infamie and losse he had newly receiued New moâ— ues of warre and now they incense him more receiuing Aluiane into Venice in a triumphing manner And the King found himselfe much wronged for that presuming to name him in this truce and to comprehend him as an adherent they had notwithstanding prouided for their owne safetie and left him charged with the cares and troubles of the waâ—re seeing that in their fauour he had opposed himselfe against Maximilian as wee haue seene The Emperour being then so weakely assisted by the forces of the Empire and finding his owne too feeble deuised to vnite himselfe with the King against the Venetians as the onely remedie to recouer both his estates and his honour lost Moreouer this new disdaine reuiued in the King the ancient remembrance of the wrongs he had receiued by them in the warres of Naples and since in diuers other accidents thrust forwaâ—d with an exceeding desire to wrest out of their hands Verona Cremona and many other townes possessed of long time by the Dukes of Milan And the Pope crossing them possessed with that first desire to recouer those places which they vsurped of the Church taxing them that the banished men of Furlâ— had of late dayes by meanes of their Sâ—â—ate sought to enter into the said towne discontented moreouer that the Venetians had in contempt of the authority of the Romane Court giuen the Bishopricke of Vincence to a Venetian Gentleman contrarie to the collatâ—on wâ—ich the Pope had made to his Nephew Sixius he perswaded the King against theÌ„ desiring rather to remaine a newter in the middest of these coÌ„tendents be a spectator then to inuade In the end vnder a colour to treat a peace betwixt the Archduke Charles sonne to Philip the Duke of Guildres they must meet at Cambraie For the King came the Cardinall of Amboise and for the Emperour Marguerit his daughter Gouernesse of Flanders assisted in this treaty by Matthew Lange a trusty Secretary to the Emperour and for the King of Arragon an Ambassador of his A league betwixt the French King the Emperouâ— Ferdinand against the Venetians The 9. of December they conclude a peace betwixt their Maisters and a perpetuall league against all men euery one to recouer from the Venetians the placâ—s which they had taken from them and to spoyle them of the territories of the Church vâ—urped by them whatsoeuer we treat the Church must be one but more with a colour then any deuotion The Emperour did solemnely confirme this new league The Arragonois feared the increase of the King his Vncles greatnesse and preferred the safety of the realme of Naples before any thing which the Venetians enioyed yet dissembling his conceyts hee performed all solemnities reqâ—iâ—ed The pope was more scrupulous hee had â—ent his commission but had not yet consented Many considerations moued thereunto a desire to recouer the Townes of Româ—gna and a disdaine against the Venetians Moreouer he feared to incense the King reiecting this association yet he held it a very dangerous thing for him that the Emperour should extend himselfe in Italy Thus troubled in mind he resolues for the mildest course to obtaine a part of his desires by an accord rather then all by warre He lets the Venetians vnderstand that the storme which threatned them by the vnion of these princes would proue farre more tempestuous if they forced him to giue his consent That yeelding willingly the places they had taken from the Church it should make him refuse to ratifie the treaty of CaÌ„bray made in his name but without his approbation without the which their alliances would easily turne to smoake if they refused he would pursue theÌ„ with spirituall and temporall armes Oft times those which haue the name the age and countenance of wise men conclude to the ruine of their country The Pope enâ—ers into the league The King goeâ— into Italy The Venetians at this time followe the worst aduice And the Pope ratifies the treaty the which he had deferred vntill the last day assigned for the ratification The King armes and passeth the Alpes in person followed by the Princes of his blood Charles of Bourbon Earle of Vendosme Charles of Bourbon afterwards Constable of France sonne to the Earle of Montpensier Lewis of â—ourbon Prince of Rochesur-Yâ—n René Duke of Alençon and his sonne Charles the Duke of Longueuille Gasâ—on of Foix Duke of Nemours Peter of Foix Vicount of Lautrec Lewis of Tremouille Vicount of Thouars the Earle of Montmorencie grandfather to the Constable that now liues the Lords of Palisse Andouins Grandmont Curton Boissi Coligni Eâ—â—â—uteuille and almost all the Nobility of France which followed as to a certaine victoâ—y their King and so many braue and generous Princes with ioy and courage â—mâ—unting to forty thousand fighting men besides three thousand horse six thousâ—nâ— foote which Chaumont brought out off the Duchy of Milan and the troupes of Anthony Duke of Lorraine who accompanied his Maiestie in this voiage The King hauing passed the Alpes sends Montioye his Herauld presently to proclaime warre against the Senate oâ— Venice And for that the Pope complayned that the time specified
he would not accept of this gouernment without the good liking of the Duke of Berry so as all the punishment fell vpon Betizac his chiefe Treasurer who 〈◊〉 burnt at Beziers Betizac the Dukes treasurer burnt purging in the fire the extorsions he had committed vnder his maisterâ— authoritie At that time Charles King of Nauarre died so often blemished in the truth of this historie we haue noted how he had retired himselfe from Court into his realme of Nauarre As this retreat was vnto him a reprochfull banishment so this shamefull solitarinesse was a ciuill death But the Catastrophe of his tragicall life was a famous proofe that God doth often reuenge notable sinnes by notable punishments euen in this life He was much broken by the excesse of venery and all sorts of dissolutions the which he had exceedinglie vsed with his wonderfull tyrannie and crueltie As they did anoint him with medicines fit to warme and comfort his benummed members some say they had chafed him with Aqua-vitae The tragicall 〈◊〉 of the Nauarroâ— and wrapt him in a sheete but behold fire takes hold of this sheete with such violence as being vnable to quench it he was consumed by degrees liuing some daies as suruiuing his paine and that which encreased the horror of Gods iudgement his death made both great and small to reioyce and was receiued in France with as great content as the winning of a great and famous battaile Great robbing during the truce There was a generall truce betwixt the French and English so as the garrisons lying stâ—ll the Souldiars bred vp and nourished in armes fighting no more by order vnder their eâ—sâ—gnes sought now their prey by disorder vpon the labourer and marchant The countries of Rouergue Perigort Limosin Auuergne and La Marche had English garrisons who spoiled these countries and did runne vp into the neerest parts of Languedoc Velai Geuaudan Viuarez and Suenes where the villages are for the most part walled in to preuent these sodaine incursions There were many theeues amongst them Teste noire or Black-pate in the Castell of Ventador Amerigor Marcel at Roâ—h-Vandais who breaking the truce sought to be supported by the King of England but in the end they all fell into the hang-mans hands or perished miserably by some strange death an Image of our late confusions Libertie had bred vp these warriours with so great aboundance as the English passed the sea to make Turneys and to fight at Barriers as they vse at great Triumphes There was a Tilt set vp betwixt Calais and Saint Iaquelvuert where the Nobilitie made triall of their valour as in a Schoole of Fence To take away this troublesome aboundance they tooke occasions to make long voyages into Castille and Italie but in the end there was a very famous one offred against the miscreaâ—ts of Barbarie at the Geneuois request who suffred many discommodites in their traffick by these barbarous Affricans Charles granted them succours willingly and gaue the charge of this warre to Peter duke of Burbon assisted with the Earles of Auuergne and Foix the Lords of Coucy Guy of Tremouille A voyage into Affâ—â—â—ke by â—he Frenâ—h English together Iohn of Vienne Admirall of France Philip of Arthois Earle of Eu Philip of Bar Harcourt Antoing Linge Pyquiny and many other great men from all parts of the Realme which ranne to so famous an action vnder so worthy a commander and at so great leysure more painfull then the toyle of warre to men that desired nothing but imployment Richard King of England to imitate Charles granted succours to the Geneuois vnder the command of the Earle of Salisburie accompanied with many Noble men and Engâ—â—sh Gentlemen moued with desire like vnto the French in the enterprise of this pleasing paine The Deputies of the Kings of France and England assembled to treate of a generall peace but not able to effect it they continue a truce for foure yeares with goodly pâ—ouisions against robberies for the safetie and quiet of their Estates Charles gaue free passage to the English by the Countries of Langâ—edâ—â— and Daulphiné to passe the Alpes safelie All come to Genes to the great ioy of the Geneuois Being shipt they land within fewe dayes in Barbarie Presently they beseege the Citty of Affricke So our histore termes it as bearing the name of all the vast and barbarous counâ—ry They call the Afâ—ricanic commanders Agadinquor of Oliferne and Brahadist of Thunes But our Argonautes found them which stayed their fuâ—y The Barbarians defended themselues with an obstinate resolution But their foâ—ce did them lesse harme then the ayre and diet beeing very contrary to theiâ— complexions so as our armie decreased dayly especially of men of accompt This siege conâ—inued six weekes with much losse no hope to preuaile The 〈◊〉 noated alwaâ—es to be â—aithlâ—sse The Geneuois hauing conceiued a hope of a sodaine victorie began to grow cold and slacke in furnishing of the armie The Duke of Bourbon foreseeing the difficulties which might grow in continuing obstinaâ—e at this siege fearing the winter and not trusting the Geneuois who are famous for that they haue no faith remembring the example of the King S. Lewis resolued to returne wiâ—hout any greater losse He trusseth vp his baggage bringes backe his troupes into France coÌ„tinuing the example to al such as are capable of reasoÌ„ how difficult it is for Christâ—ans to performe these strange attempts after the experience of many ages The â—rench and the English hauing liued louingly together in this voyage returned to their houses without doing of any memorable act but to haue endeauored to doe sometâ—ing worthy of memory to auoide idlenesse during so peacefull a time â—ritâ—aine did then conceiue and afterwards bring forth more preiudiciall effects then Bâ—rbary iâ— selâ—â— and the way was made by light occasions to horrible and monstrous efâ—ects to the great preiudicâ— both of the King and Realme for a notable tesâ—imonie to posterity what Councellors Enuye and ambition be in a state we like wretches seeke for peace and when God gâ—ues it we flie from it we maligne an other mans good and depâ—â—ue our selues of our owne But alas it were a small matter for a great personage to hurâ— himselfe by his owne passions if this poison did not spred abroad to the preiudice of â—he common weale We haue said that Iohn of Montfort remained peaceably Duke of Brittaine by the death of Charles of Blois and the agreement he made with his widow Hatred betwixt the duke of Briâ—â—â—ine the Constable Clisson whose eldest sonne Iohn of Brittâ—ine Earle of Ponthieure was redeemed from prison out of England by the constable Clisson who gaue him his daughter in marriage payed his â—ansome The constable was a Briâ—ton and so a subiect to Iohn of Montfort Duke of Brittaine his ancient and capitall â—nimy and yet by this newe succession was become his Lord. Doubtlesse in this quality Clisson could not
giues him the offiâ—â— of Loâ—d Steward and marâ—ies his eldest sonne to the sister of the Lord of Albert his Constable although Montagu were but of a meane calling The shew of his trayne exceeded Princes houses and made him odious to all in generall so as they accused him to haue robbed his Prince and the publike Treasure The Bourguignon beginnes with him in the reformation of the State The Princes of the bloud were easily drawne to allow of his proceeding Montagu put to death so as Montagu was taken examined condemned speedily beheaded Whether this were done by commissioners or iudicially as it was said to be iustified after his death it is not certaine This is a good lesson for meane men that growe rich by the publike treasure not to abuse their wealth by excessiue pompe to keepe their credit in Court and to flie the fury of great men vnder his protection that hath power of life and death arming themselues with a good conscience and vnreproueable in their charges But the Bourguignon had a farther reach then Montagu for vnder colour of the publike good he reuenged himselfe of him who else might haue crost his desseines Hâ—s meaning was not to reforme the State but to gouerne it absolutely Thus he seekes to vsurpe all and in the ruine of Montagu he will haue all men knowe that he hath power to hurt and helpe This first insolencie furthered his enemies beeing in a manner forsaken of all men euen of their owne bloud for Iohn Duâ—e of Berry carried away with the vent of this newe fauour had subiected himselfe to the Bouâ—guignon But finding himselfe contemned by him who tooke all to himselfe and reiected such as had serued him to â—ise Iohn resolues to ioyne with the house of Orleans and to oppose themselues against the Duke of Bourgongnes greatnesse This is the bâ—ginning of the tâ—o factions of Orleans and Bourgongne which troubled all France during this raigâ—e This league wherof the house of Orleans bare the name as the first and most interessed was concluded at Gyen in the yeare 1410. the tenth of March beeing defensiue and offensiue against the house of Bourgongne The chefe were Charles Duke of Orleans and his bretheren Iohn Duke of Berry Lewis Duke of Bourbon The League of Armagâ—aâ—s and Iohn Earle of Alencon Francis Earle of Clermont Bernard Lord of Armâ—gnâ—â— and Charles Lâ—rd of Albreâ— Constable of France with their friends and followeâ—s â—n gâ—eat numbers Of the Bourguignon faction were Iohn Duke of Bourgongne with his brethren Charles King of Nauarre sonne to that wicked of whom we haue made mention the Dukes of Lorraine Bourgâ—iâ—nons Brabant and Brittain the Marquis of â—ont the Earls of Neuers Vaudemont S. Pol. Ponthieure and many others This mournefull diuision continued vnto the yeare 1419. in the which Iohn was slaine but it endes not so During these eight yeares wee shal see diuers changes one in and an other out as they could enable themselues with the Kings authority which is the strongest battery of ciuill warres Now the Duke of Bourgongne is in quarter and plants his ordinance against the Orleanois as guilty of hightreason but shortly hee shal be dispossessed and they of Orleans shall take their turne The 〈…〉 Orleans complaines 1410. that they are not respected according to their 〈…〉 to be admitted to the priuileges due to Princes of the bloud The house of Oâ—lâ—anâ— coâ—plains of their wrongs and that â—he Dâ—ke 〈◊〉 â—oâ—râ—orgne should not command absoluâ—ly holding as they saied both the bodies aâ—d wâ—â—es of the King Queene and Daulphin in captiuitie They assemble in great â—roupes fiâ—st at Chartres and after to manage their affaires with greater shewe neer vnto tâ—e capitall Cittie of Paris they lodged at the Castell oâ— Wincester then called Bicâ—stre buâ— now ruined The Duke of Burgongne accuâ—ed the Duke of Orleans for practâ—siâ—g to take the Crowne from the King and Daulphin in forcing the King to what he plâ—asâ—d against them as against rebels and disturbeâ—s of the publicke quiet This fire câ—â—â—â—nued but seuen or eight moneths wherein there chanced no memorable accident buâ— only the death of Lewis the good Duke of Bourbon who died for greefe in the beâ—â—â—ning of thâ—s warre being accused as the motiue of these troubles Qâ—eene â—sâ—bell labored to reconcile these Princes but she preuayled not being suspected by the Orleans faction whom she had left without cause to ioyne with the Bourgâ—â—gâ—â—n Afâ—er some Edicts of confiscation not executed like Canon shot spent in the 〈◊〉 a peace was made by meanes of the Duke of Berry vpon condition that he and â—he Duke of Bourgongne should ioyntly haue the Daulphin in gard and the house of Orleans shâ—uâ—d be respected in their degree and that Peter of Essards a sworne enemy to theiâ— parâ—e and a most passionate seruant to the Duke of Bourgongne should be no more Prouost of marchants This was concluded at Wincester The peace of VVincâ—sâ—er whereoâ— it bears the name â—he twentith day of Nouember in the same yeare hauing contended this sommer abâ—ut Pâ—ris only to the hurt of the poore people discontented cheefely with the Gâ—sâ—oâ—s that came out of Armagnac who gaue their name to the troupes of the Orlean â—action called for this occasion Armagnacs wearing for their colours a white scarfe the which they haue vsed in our last troubles This first peace continued not long neither were al promises performed The Burgâ—â—gnon did eate the â—ake alone and yet he complayned first as hauing to doe with 〈◊〉 He sends the Lords of Croy and Douries to the Duke of Berry to disioyne him 〈◊〉 the Duke of Orleans his Nephew who hauing intelligence of their negotiation and pasâ—age caused them to be suâ—prised in Sologne and brought prisoners to Blois But 〈…〉 backe Douries and deteyned Croy as suspected to be guiltie of his fathers death and by conâ—â—â—uence punishable by the treatie of peace The King commands him to set 〈…〉 and he demands iustice of his fathers murtherers Here vpon they go al to 〈◊〉 They cauâ—e the King to summon him by his Edicts wherevnto Charles Duke of 〈◊〉 answers by a challenge to the Duke of Bourgongne as the murtherer of his father and â—he author of all the miseries which then rained in France Beginning of the sâ—cond Waâ—â—â— Thuâ— beâ—an this second warre the twentith of Iuly the yeare following 1411. 〈…〉 passions giuing the poore people scarce seuen monethes respit to breath in so many calamities which they suffered through their voluntary dâ—uisions The Orleâ—◠〈◊〉 assembles at Gâ—rgeau vpoÌ„ the riuer of Loire to resolue of the meanes to make 〈◊〉 against Iohn Duke of Bourgongne whome they challenge by a publike cartel as â—he murâ—heâ—er of a Prince of the bloud the Kings only brother and as vsurper of the â—â—â—all authoâ—iâ—y holding the persons and wills of the King and Daulphin Captiue Ioâ—n Duke of Bouâ—gongne had great aduantages the Kings
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
but too late for la Baume not able to take the Castle abandons the Towne In the meane time the bruite thereof drawes forces thither from al parts as a cupping glasse doth humors The Dowager of Bourgongne mother to duke Philip sends a goodly troupe vnder the conduct of Toulangeon Marshall of Bourgongne The Duke of Bedford doth sodainely furnish a notable supplie for the respect hee bare to the Duke of Bourgongne his brother-in-lawe Charles feaâ—ing least his Constable should miscarye assembles what forces hee can with all speede and sends them vnder the conduct of the Lord of Senerac Marshall of France the Earle of Ventadour the Lord of Fontaines Velay and Gamaches The notable battaile of Creuant vnfortunate for France The number was very equall but the incomber fell vppon our armie And this was the occasion The Constable hauing made his choyse of a little hill a place of aduantage to attend his enemy 1423. The English come with a conqueâ—ing brauerie as he that was accustomed to gaine euery where without any stay he forcech our gard placed vpon the bridge to keepe the passage Hauing thus passed in vewe of our army impatience seizeth on our men by this proud contempt and they crie to the Constable who galled with despight for this affront resolues to the combaâ—e So all with one furie leaue the hill march towards the English and offer him battayle The Earle of Salisbury makes a stand to temper the heart of our French who durst not approach very neere fearing the furie of their English arrowes This first motion thus slackt the Earle of Salisburie giues the signe to battell Those of Creuant halfe madde hauing beene some dayes beseeged issue forth and charge on the one side On the other side the bodie of the English army doth maâ—ch with such violence against the Scottes which were in the first battaillon as not able to withstand this storme they open and giue them entrie against the French who hauing â—ought resolutly in the ende they leaue the place to the victors All are in route The Marshal of Senerâ—â— forgetts his honor and flies in this disorder They accompt the losse about three thousand men Of marke the Lords of Fontaines Guitry and la Baulme of Scottishmen the Lord of Karados nephew to the Constable Thomas Seton William Hamilton The ouerthrow at Creuant with his Sonne Dauid and Iohn Pillot all worthy of the memorie of France seeing they died for her in the bed of honour There were many more taken prisoners then slaine by the resolution of the Captaines who in this generall ouerthrow rallying their troupes intrenched themselues and fought for their liues with the English and saued themselues honourablie with their armes The chiefe prisoners were the Constable of Boucqham and the Earle of Ventadour It is a thing worthy remembrance that either of these two lost an eye in the battaile this was the 29. of Iuly The gaine of this victorie to the Bourguignon was that Mascon a Cittie of the French obedience yeelded vnto him without any foâ—ce but feare This continuance of so many losses was exceeding greeuous but as God ment to chastise France and not to ruine it so he counterpeised these great losses with some small gaine These victorious troupes returning without feare all disordered Some English ouercome were defeated by the Earle of Aumale sent by the King to preserue the rest of Champâ—gne eight hundred English were slaine But this checke awaked the Earle of Salisburie Gouernour of Champagne for the English who hauing recouered new forces goes to field to cleere the countrie He besiegeth and taketh the strong Towne of Sedan in the Countie of Vâ—rtus and then Rembouillet in Brie and Neele in Tartenois Then the tide flowes for the French The Bourguignon exceeding glad of the seizure of Mâ—scon a Towne very important vpon Saone commanded Thoulangeon his Constable to rid all that the enemie held there abouts and to leaue the trafficke free La Buissiere a most strong Castell betwixt Tournus and Mascon did much annoy it He resolues to take it by one meanes or other But he did not foresee that in seeking to take hee should be taken He had some familiaritie with the Captaine of the place And trusting to the vsuall practises of those times he did confidently hope to corrupt him with money He sounds him and findes it pregnable They agree vpon the price but hee was ignorant of the Captaines meaning to haue more then his money A faithfull seruant to the King and worthy to be named in this Register The Captaine doth aduertise Imbert of Croslee the Gouernour of Lions of this trafficke who wisely prouides to take him Lewis of Cullant Admirall of France was then happily at Lions attending some horse for the King from Philip Marie Duke of Milan The plotte is laide to surprize 〈◊〉 Constable of Bourgongne and the successe is answerable Thoulangeon comes to 〈◊〉 at the appointed houre and brings with him men and money The Constable of Bourgongne taken by his owne practise He enters the Castell with as many men as he held sufficient and coumpts the money to the Captaine He hauing leâ—t his troupe in the field behold the Lionois issue forth their Ambuscado like Lions indeed some seize vpon the Castle gate and assure the place others charge his troupe which was easilie defeated The Constable with the chiefe that had followed him into the Castle were taken a countercharge which shall deliuer the Constable of Boucqham and the Earle of Ventadour soone after the battell of Cullant And almost at the same instant Stephen of Vignoles called la Hire and Pothon of Xaintrailles â—oused themselues Vignoles surprised Compiâ—gne and Pothon Han vppon the riuer of Some But this ioy lasted little for Iohn of Luxembourg gouernour for the Dâ—â—e of Bourgongne in Picardy flies thither besiegeth and recouereth both the one and the other with a happy celerity Pothâ—n saues himselfe with much difficulty in Guise being pursued by the Bourguignons to their cost that were ill mounted Luxembourg managing his victory wisely attempts other places he takes Oysi Broissy and other smaâ—l Townes of Tirasche Pothon of Xaintrailles taken prisoner and in the ende he besiegeth Guise where Iohn Proissy commanded for the King Pothon to anoy the besiegers issues forth of Guise but beeing too farre ingaged in the fight he is taken prisoner to make the siege of Guise the more easie but Proisy doth his best indeauour to defende it The Towne belonged to René of Aniou Duke of Bar and brother to the King of Sicile He intreats the Duke of Bourgongne to leaue it him in peace but it was in vaine The siege is vehemently continued so as in the ende Guise falles into the Bourguignons hands and so hee remaines maister of all Picardy And as if this storme had fallen vppon Charles from all parts la Charité a very important Towne vpon the riuer of Loire is surprised by
with the Burguignon being their neighbour with the Kings good liking In the meane time the Duke of Bedford leuies what men and money he can both in France and England for some great attempt Charles hath intelligence from diuers parts but what could he doe in so deepe dispaire of his affaires and in so visible an impossibilitie The famous Siege of Orleance ALL the Citties of this side Loire from the Ocean Sea were lost with the whole countries of Normandie Picardie the 〈◊〉 of France Brie and Champaigne He had nothing left but the Townes lying vpon the riuer of Loire from â—yen to Anger 's for La Charité held for the Bourguignon The chiefe was Orleance this being wonne what could hold out long for the French Bourges could make small resistance if the English had forced Orleans The enemies of our State who called Charles King of Bourges threatned to take from him this small and languishing royaltie Orleans then was the marke whereat the Duke of Bedford aimed who hauing wonne the Britton it greatly fortified the English affaires in France As for the Bourguignon he had in a manner recouered the Estates of Holland Hainault Zeland and Namur And although ambition and couetousnesse may neuer be bridled yet these Princes nothing friendly among themselues but as coÌ„mon enemies to this Câ—owne agreed well in this to make their priuate profit by the ruine of our state But man purposeth and God disposeth we shall soone see how much he scornes their vanities In this lamentable time mans reason could not discerne by what means Charles should resist so mighty enemies But in the weakenesse of this Prince I read with ioy the words of the Original which saith During the time that the English held their siege before the noble Citty of Orleans King Charles was very weake beeing abandoned by the greatest part of his Princes and other Noble men seeing that all things were opposite vnto him yet had he still a good trust and confidence in God He was not deceiued in this hope as the sequele will shew The charge of this siege at Orleans was giuen to the Earle of Salisbury a wise valiant Captaine hauing giuen good testimonies of his sufficiency for the well managing of this siege he resolued to take in all the forts neere vnto Orleans that obeyed the French beginning with the weakest parting from Paris taking his way through the Countrie of Chartâ—es he seizeth vpon all the smal Townes wherein our Captaines had so much toyled but a fewe monethes before Nogent le Retrou Puiset Rochefort Pertrancourt Ianuille Toury Mompipeau the Castell of Pluâ—eâ—s and la Ferte of Gaules The Earle of Salisbury sets downe before Orleans and approching neere the Cittie both aboue and beneath Meung Baugency and Iargeau In the ende he plants himselfe before Orleans the 6. of October in the yeare 1428. A day to be obserued for that the 12. of May the yeare following was the last fit of our disease which changed the estate of our miserable country like vnto a pleasant spring after a long and sharpe winter when as a goodly summer crownes all our labours with aboundance of peace and plenty So this siege continued iust 7. moneths The bruit of this great preparation did wonderfully disquiet both court and country vnder the French obedience in the weakenesse and confusions of the state The King after the taking of la Charité was commonly resident at Poitiers he now retires to Chinon to bee neerer to Orleans The townes willingâ—y contrâ—bute men money Charles his diligenâ—e to relieue Orleans and victualls Many great personages flie to this siege to defend the chiefe strength of our King and Kingdome Lewis of Bourbon the sonne of Charles Earle of Clermont the Earle of Duâ—ois bastard of Orleans the Lords of Boussaâ— and Fayette Marshalls of France Iohn Steward Constable of Scotland William of Albret Lord of Orâ—all the Lords of Thouars Chauigny Grauille Chabannes The Captaines la â—ire Xaintrailles Theolde of Valpergue Iohn of Lessego Lombards with many other gâ—eâ—t personages There were not any of the Prouinces of Daulphiné and Languedoc for that the Dukes of Bourgongne and Sauoy at the same instant prepared a great army by the meanes of Lewis of Chaalons Prince of Orange to invade those Countries being wholly in the Kings obedience The Orleanois resolues to defend himselfe He presently beates downe all that might accommodate the enemy suburbs howses of pleasure wine presses yea and the temples themselues Salisburie doth likewise vse great dexterity and diligence to plant his siege The Earle of Salisbury builds up sorts towards Beausse and the port Banniere he builds a great Bastille which he calles Paris Another at the port Renard which he names Rouen Towards S. Laurence another to the which he gaue the name of Windsore At the port of Bourgongne he fortified a ruined Temple called S. Loup and neere vnto it an other named S. Iohn the white At the Portereâ—n hee built a great fort vppon the ruines of the Augustines Church calling it London from the which hee wonne the Towre vppon the bridge and all with â—onderfull speede All the cittye is inuironed hauing neyther issue 〈◊〉 but with sore fighting And in these toyles they spend the rest of the yeare The first day of the new yeare the English for a new yeares gift to the citty bring their scaling ladders couragiously to the Bulwarke at the port Renard but they were valiantly repulsed by the defendants the next day the Admirall of Cullant hauing passed the riuer of Loire at a foord winter being very drie this yeare visits them of the cittie brings theÌ„ diuers necessaries vpon his returne he incounters some English troupes which came stragling from forrage 1429. He chargeth them cuts them in peeces and so retires without danger Thus the moneth of Ianuarie passeth without any other memorable exploite The battaile of Herings vnfortunate for the French But there happened a strange accident the 20. of Februarie following The Duke of Bedford sent Lenten prouision to the Earle of Salisburie with some munition of warre vnder the conduct of Iohn Fastall and Simon Bowyer with 1700. men for their garde The Duke of Bourbon brought a goodly succour of foure thousand men to the besieged He resolues to charge this English troupe hauing well viewed their numbers It was likely the stronger should haue the victorie but the issue was contrary to the desseigne For it chanced as his men marched confidently as it were to an assured victory without any iudgement the English seeing them in doubt how they should fight either on foote or horseback and irresolute in the end they resolue to charge the French it falling out many times in this exercise that he which begins winnes To conclude without any farther aduise the English imbracing this occasion charge our troupes who were so surprised with this vnexpected impression as they presently giue way to
your countrie be not obstinate for you shall not hold France of the King of heauen the Sonne of Saint Mary but Charles shall enioy it the King and Lawfull heire to whom God hath giuen it he shall enter Paris with a goodly traine You William de la Poole Earle of Suffolke Iohn Lord Talbot Thomas Lord Scales Lieutenants to the Duke of Bedford and you Duke of Bedford terming your selfe Regent of the Realme of France spare innocent bloud and leaue Orleance in libertie If you doe not reason to them you haue wronged the French will doe the goodliest exploite that euer was done in Christendome vnderstand these newes of God and of the Virgin This Letter being deliuered to the Earle of Suffolke was read with laughter Charles and his Councell were scorned as seeking remedies without reason The English laugh at Ioans letter and transported with folly in following of these vanities They now assure themselues of a speedy victory seeing that Charles is vncertaine what to doe The Trumpeter is imprisoned against the lawe of Nations ready to be burnt in the sight of the besieged when as sodenly there was other worke prepared for them A new supply of victuals is made at Blois through the care of Renold of Chartres Chancellor of France and Archbishop of Rheims a great personage in his time The Virgin goes to field for the safe conducting thereof to Orleans but with a greater troupe then before for the fame of her actions and of this new successe had drawne together seuen or eight thousand men like vnto a cheerefull Spring which causeth tree being dead in shew to sprout and spring againe The commanders were not greatly moued with these popular brutes giuing but cold beleefe to the Virgins visions and promises so as they passe an other way for their greater safetie The Virgin lets them go forbearing to speake any thing before their comming to Orleans Then she said You hide your selues from me as if I were ignorant of your intentions but you must not doubt of the performance of that which God hath decreed This was the 20. of Aprill Orleans being thus fortified both with men and victualles the Earle of Dunois Pothon and Xaintrailles holde a councell what was to be done they call her and intreate her to deliuer her opinion My aduice is sayth shee that without any farther delay wee charge the English that besiege vs for that GOD being on our side they cannot escape vs but before we proceed O leâ—ns releeued the secoÌ„d time by Ioane let euery man dispose of his conscience and banish all lewd and naughtie persons out of the Armie Although there were small hope or likelyhood to vanquish a Conquerour yet the Commanders resolue to accept and imbrace her councell as an Oracle from God The Earle of Dunois made choise of fiueteene hundred strong and lustie men for the fight meaning to beginne with the Forte at Bourgongne gate called Saint Loup The besieged â—allies foâ—th by the Virgins perswasion takes a Forte The Virgin goes in the formost ranke with the chiefest Captaines of the Armie The souldiers incouraged by her presence 1429. assaile this fort furiously beeing garded by fowre hundred English neither arrowes pikes nor halberds could stay the planting of their ladders The virgin enters the fort first crying Mountioy S. Denis the fort is wonne The English abandon their defences and suffer themselues to be slaine by the French who seeing themselues maisters of the fort and wearied with the execution take many prisoners The attillery and munition beeing drawne forth they set fire on the fort This chanced the 4. of May a remarkeable day being the first fruites of the deliuery of Orleans and the generall restoring of this Realme Thus the Virgin returnes into the Citty with her victorious souldiers All the people followe her with cries of victory she can hardly retire to her lodging All the world runs to see her and to commend her both men women and children all crie out confusedly with a ioy mixt with teares Blessed be the Virgin which comes to deliuer vs. The English grow amazed at the Virgins exploits On the other side the English seeing their men carryed away like Chickens before the Eagle and their force consumed as with fire from heauen were greatly amazed being in so great possibilitie to vanquish the French on all sides Suffolke and Talbot make Orations to their men to reuiue their spirites daunted at this new and strange spectacle But we must proceed and not suffer the courage of the victorious Souldiars to growe colde The Virgin goes to councell with the chiefe of the Cittie causing them to resolue to continue the next day what they had so happely begunne At the breake of the day the Virgins colours are carried through the Cittie she resolues to passe the riuer and to take the Fortes on the other side She passeth happily betwixt the Forte of Saint Loup that was ruined and the new Tower where she furiously assailes and winnes the Forte called Saint Iohn the White and cuts all the Souldiars in peeces The Virgin winnes the rest of the English forts from thence she marcheth to the Portereau where the great Bastion of London was built vpon the Augustins Church This place was valiantly combated through the resolution of both parties but in the end it was forced The victorie was double in vanquishing of the enimie and in deliuering of friends for there were manie French prisoners found therein There now remained the Tournelles and the Bastion vpon the bridge being the dungeon of their principall defence The Virgin held this exploit sufficient for that dayes worke leauing the rest vntill the morrow to giue the Souldiars breath So the Fortresse being besieged they prepare for the last assault The next day being Saterday the sixt of May ended this dangerous siege which had continued seuen moneths The sharpest Thorne remained yet behinde the Tournelles adioyning to the bridge was kept by Glacidâ—s one of the most resolute Captaines among the English hauing well incouraged his men to defend themselues and to fight for their liues The skirmish begins at nine of the clock in the morning and the Ladders are planted A storme of English Arrowes falles vpon our men with such violence as they recoile The Virgin incourageth the French which recoâ—le How now saith the Virgin haue we begun so well to end so ill let vs charge they are our owne seeing God is on our side So euery one recouering his forces flocks about the Virgin the English double the storme vpon the thickest of the troupes The Virgin fighting in the formost ranckes and incouraging her men to doe well was shotte through the arme with an arrowe She nothing amazed takes the arrowe in one hand and her sword in the other This is a fauour saies she let vs go on they cannot escape the hand of God At this womans voice amidest the sound of warre the combate
the Prince He recouers it againe by the meanes of his subiects he came to Oranges his cheefe house whereof hee carries the name as soueraigne Prince He takes both Towne and Castell and all that he held in Daulphiné vnder the Kings obedience yet the Cittizens of Orange wonderfully affected to their Prince within fewe monethes after chase the French out of the Castell and become masters thereof for the seruice of their Prince to whome they yeeld it Such was the ende of this enterprise shamefull for the Authors and shamefully preiudiciall for the instrument Amedee Duke of Sauoie fallen from so visible a hope to fishe in a troubled water and seeing on the other side the happie successe of Charles hee growes so much discontented as his whole discours is to abandon the world but heereafter wee shall see his actions At this time hee returnes in the midd-way without effecting of any thing Out Bourguignon flewe a higher pitch and had more then one desseine in his head But let vs now returne to our King to Bourges The preparations for this Coronation were royall and verie admirable after so great affliction but aboue all it was beautified with great personages Preparatiuâ—s for the coronation of King Charles There were present Iohn of Bourbon Duke of Alançon Charles of Bourbon Earle of Clermont Princes of the bloud who had faithfully and profitably accompained the King in his greatest afflictions Arthur of Brittaine Earle of Richmont Constable of France Charles of Aniou sonne to the King of Sicile and brother to the Queene The Earle of Dunois bastard of Orleans Charles of Aâ—bret Earle of Perdriac a yonger brother of the noble house of Armagnac the Lord of Câ—llant Admirall of France the foure Marshalls of France the Lords of Boussac Loheac Rieux and la Faiette The Lords of Tremouille Laual Chauigny Chaumont Lamesan d' Aulin Serrant Crusol Saint Chaumont and many others with Pothon la Hire and the virgin excellent peeces of this triomph Many could not come in time to this solemnity great troupes came posting from all parts notwithstanding the danger of the enemy which was great in diuers places Such was the desire of the French to assist at this wisshed acte loyaltie remayning in their brests as the seede doth in the bosome of the earth during winter But Charles before he parted from Bourges to Reims prouided for the publicke safety least the English should attempt any thing during this solemnitie Hee sends his Constable into Normandie and the Earle of Perdriac into Guienne with some troupes and reserues ten thousand men for his Coronation as weâ—l to make his passage through Townes that should resist as to honour the ceremony A very doubtfull iourney yet most happie Thus he begins his voyage The first Cittie that was summoned by his commandement was Aâ—xâ—rre All Champaâ—ne yeeldâ— to King Charles they excuse themselues by reason of the truce lately obtained by Tremouillâ—s interâ—ession A presumption very preiudiciall in the example euen now in this first triall of obedience vpon this fame of victorie whereof none could make any question without apparent danger Euery man did see this error but no man durst open his mouth for that the King did countenance Tremouille euen with the preiudice of his affaires So Charles entred not into Auxerre he onely tooke their words that at his returne they should doe as the rest and furnish the Kings armie with victualles for their money From Auxerre the King comes to S. Florentin which yeelds without any question Troyes was summoned next at the first they refused like vnto Auxerre through the practises of such as were of the English faction but as Charles prepared for the siege behold a notable troupe of the choise Cittizens assemble themselues assure the Cittie and giue the King to vnderstand that they are ready to receâ—ue his commandements and without attending any answer from the King a goodly company goes forth to meete him and to offer him their obedience Charles then enters into Troyes to the vnâ—peakeable ioy of all the people being wonderfully glad to see their Princes face after so long captiuitie Chaalons followes their example and all the rest of the Townes with great alacritie and willingnesse But the chiefe combate must be at Rheims the chiefe Rendez-uous of this voyage The Lords of Chastilion and Saueuze with their Partisans of the English humour did what they could to â—inder the Kings entrie But the good Cittizens preuaile who being stronger then the English faction could hardly keepe the people from tearing them in peeces being loth to shed any bloud They agree and sweare by common consent to obey the King and to that end send him the Keyes to Chaalons The way being thus made and the gates of Rheims open he goes thether with the beautie of his Court and is receiued with the vnspeakeable ioy of all the people who come to meete him in great troupes the fields gates and streetes sound out God saue the King Charles accompanied with his Princes and officers appeares like a goodly Sâ—nne after a sharpe Winter But in the greatest beautie of this triumph Ioan the Virgin is beheld with admiraâ—ion and loden with popular blessings Two dayes being spent in the prepararion of the ceremonie King Charles crowned at Râ—eims Charles was annointed and crowned Kâ—ng the eight day of Iuly in the yeare 1429. by Renold of Chartres Arcâ—bâ—shop of Rheims Chancellor of France a date to be obserued being the beginning of great good to this realme This was the seuenth yeare after the law of State had called Charles to the Crowne whereof he was heire but the violence of Strangers restrained and held most of the French from their obedience So this coronation was added to confirme the generall approbation of this lawfull authoritie not onely in their common beleefe but in the tongues of the French as the sequell will shew that this â—ollemne publication did greatly aduance the Kings affaires against his capitall enemie But as the Sunne rising higher in his Horizon The fruites of this solemnitie increaseth both in brightnesse and heate so the beames of the French libertie were more apparent and the subiects deuotion to their naturall Prince kindled dayly after the long and sharpe Winter of the English command This was a reuiuing both to their hearts State and manners the image of a golden age after the horrible tempest of a long and mortall confusion The French did straine to receiue their King and the King to receiue them with a fatherly loue The Kings commandements generally proclaimed to liue modestly without oppression of the people were freely executed and the people made the best cheere they could to so pleasing guests This acte did greatly daunt the English all the Prouinces taking a new resolution to submit themselues vnder the obedience of their naturall Prince as the sequell of the Historie will shew But before we ingage our selues in so long a discourse order
excuses of his long delay and to crosse the Duke of Bourgongne hee giues his Cousin of Orleans towards the payement of his ransome a hundred and fiftie thousand frankes a very great some in those dayes the which was not giuen for nothing in so great a necessity of the Kings affaires Lewis of Luxembourg and the widowe of Iohn of Luxembourg partisans to the Bourguignon do homage to Charles and yeeld the Towne of Marle vnto him these be fruits no doubt of the victorie at Pontoise In the meane time the Princes assemble at Neuers the Dukes of Bourgongne Bourbon and Alençon with the Earle of Vendosme The Duke of Brittain sent his Ambassador not able to come himselfe for that he was not yet in the Kings good fauour There were for the most part priuate discontents The Princes admonitions to the King and their demands tending to euery mans priuate interest As not to be maintayned in their degrees to be called to Councelles respected in their aduises honored in their charges payed their pensions and eased in their lands But the zeale of the publike good shadowed all with a shewe of Iustice peace order and releefe of the people That it was fit the King should proceede more speedily in the treaty of peace with the English the which had beene too coldly followed That he should supplie his Parliaments with good and sufficient men and thereby prouide for the offices and not for the persons that by their faithfull diligence suites might be shortned and speedie â—ustice administred without delay or respect of eyther of the parties That he should prouide for the ease of the subiect ouercharged rule the soldiars preuent robberies ransomings and extortions the which were daylie committed vnder too apparent an excuse that the soldiar was not payed That he should giue honors without respect of forepassed diuisions and declare alâ— his subiects capable of Offices and dignities indifferently not remembring what was past That he should haue a competent number of graue men in his great Councell worthy of that charge not to coÌ„mit the gouernment of the affaires of the Realme to two or three as had beene done in former times These are the chiefe points of their demands drawen word by word out of the Originall Charles was nothing pleased with these Assemblies made both in his absence and without his priuitie whereby many inconueniences must ensue all being done without his authority But being taught by his owne experience he digested this kinde of affront quietly being loath to alter any thing at such a season when as he had no neede of newe enemies and hauing eyther excused what had beene done or contented euery priuate person he proceeded to the principall which was the establishment of the affaires of the Realme The disorders of men of warre were insupportable the which must be reformed but that which troubled the King was the seege of Tartas remarkable by this circumstance Tartas is a Towne in Gasconie belonging to the house of Albret This Towne was beseeged by Captall de Buch a great Nobleman of that Countrie and of the English faction It was concluded for the extreame necessitie of the Country that there should be a surceasse of armes and lâ—bertie of free trafficke in that Prouince vntill midsomer following vpon condition that if the King did not succour the Towne by that day it should yeeld to the English or else the French should remayne in free possession without any controuersie And for assurance of this treaty the eldest sonne of the Lord of Albret should remayne in hostage The matter was of great waight being not onely a question of the losse of a place of great importance but of the Kings reputation who leauing his subiects was in danger to be abandoned by them so to loose all Gascoâ—â—e where the English had gotten many paâ—tisans Charles prouiding carefully for his affaires giues two blowes with one stone wherewith he strooke both the theeues and the English He armed with exceeding speede hauing drawen togither foure thousand horse eâ—ght thousand archers and eight thousand other foote An infinit numbeâ— of great personages and voluntarie Noblemen posted to this iourney as to a solemne assignation whereon depended the quiet and honour of France The Daulphin did accompany him in this voiage Charles of Aniou Earâ—e of Maine the Constable of Richmont the Earles of Marche Eu Castres Foix Lomaigne the eldest son of the Lord of Aâ—maignac the Lords of Albert Gaure Cominge Estrac Tartas Tancaruille and Montgascon the eldest son to the Earle of Boulongne Auuergne Philip of Culant Admiâ—aâ— of France with an infinit number of gallant Nobility Thus Charles parting from Parâ—â— comes first to Saumur whither Iohn Duke of Brittaine sent his Ambassadors to offer him homage and men Shame to haue so often lest him in al his extremities would not suffer him to see the King although the Constable were a good mediator for him He restored to the King the forts of â—ssars Palluau which annoyed al the CouÌ„try of Poâ—â—tou and Charles gaue them in gard to the Constable from thence he passed into Poiâ—tou and prouids that Marueil and Saint Hermine should no more trouble the people he then comes into Xaintonge which had beene much tormented by the Lord of Pons who humbled himselfe vnto the King promising to liue in peace Taillebourg was taken by force and the theeues punished Bretueil was taken and razed Thus Charles spent this yeare against theeues who had surprised some Townes The next yeare was haâ—pilie imployed against the English our open enemies making a great breach in Gasâ—â—nie and there abouts where the English had gotten deepest footing by the ancient and lawfull possession of his Ancestors In the ende by this breach the whole Prouince remained his but the prouidence of God imparts his blessings by degrees 1442. Hauing thus pacified Poitou and Xaintonge he comes to Limoges and so to Tholouse which was the Rendez-uous of all his troupes Being arriued hee giues notice to them of Tartâ—s that they should continue firme and that they should be releeued by the prefixed day but as he labors on the one side to settle his affaires so the English on the other side seeke to ouerthrowe them Behold Talbot comes out of England into Normandie with two thousand men and the Duke of Yorke hauing leuied men in the Countrie it selfe and places of their obedience goes to field with foure thousand men With these forces he thinks to take all that Charles held in that Prouince where he had left the Earle of Dunois and the Vidame of Chartres for the gard of those places but this enterprise had small successe Talbot beseegeth Couches and at the same instant the Earle of Dunois Galardon a place holding for the English to cause a diuersion Talbot hauing taken Couches the Earle leaues Galardon hauing no reason to hazard his small troupe against so great forces and putts them into garrison
making a defensiue warre attending the successe of Tartas Talbot fearing least Galardon should be surprised by the French doth raze it and this was all Let vs now returne to Tholouse to conduct Charles from thence to Tartas Taâ—taâ— releeued by King Chaâ—les for there lies the waight of his affaires Assignation is giuen it must be held To conclude the King comes at the appointed time with a goodly and mighty army the condition is performed he demands his hostages and the effect of accord So young Albret is deliuered Tartas continues vnder his obedience the day honorably kept and all the Prouince in quiet Tartas thus victoriously assured Charles resolues both to husband the occasion with his forces and to proceed farther Saint Seuer was held by Thomas Rameston with a hundred men at armes and fouerteene hundred Cros bowes and fortified what might be in those dayes Charles takes it by force slewe the greatest part oâ— the English and takes the Commander prisoner Acqs hauing endured a seege of sixe weekes is yeelded by composition The Earle of Foix was with the King and imployed both his person men and meanes to do him seruice but the impatiency of the French thrust them vpon his Country where they committed many insolencies The Bearnois discontented with the French assembles his forces and chargeth them as enemies but they had their reuenge for they fell vpon this ill armed multitude and slue seuen hundred to the great griefe of Charles fearing that this escape might alter his affaires but the Earles discretion couered this excesse and Charles continued his course Agâ—n held for him from thence he summons Toneins Marmande Port Saint Marie which yâ—eâ—d him obedience Reole being obstinate was beseeged and assayled with dâ—fficultiâ— but in the ende it was taken The shaâ—pe winter hindâ—ing the course of Garonne for the vitteling of the army made the seege both long and difficult and gaue the English meanes to recouer Saint â—â—uer and Acqs not very well garded but the Earle of Foix winnes Saint Seuer againe The deaâ—h of Potâ—oâ— and la Hire and the Earle of Lomaigne Acqs. A great number of the Nobility of the Country forced to make a good shew during the English force submit themselues to the King as the Lords of Puiols Rauson Roquetaillade and Pelegrue Thus Charles hauing made the Lord of Coitiuy Seneshall of Guienne gouernor of that conquered Countrie he makes his returne into France Being at Montauban he lost those two great Captaines so famous in his raigne Pothon and la Hire more rich in vertue honor then in substance yet Pothon was maister of the Kings horse and his sonne was Marshall La Hire left for his chiefe welth the immortall memorie of his loyaltie and valour the which hee happily imployed in the greatest necessitie of this Crowne Names in truth most worthy to be consecrated to the perpetuall memorie of posterity for a president to such as manage armes and make so great profession of honour with what title were these most hâ—nored for their vertues or for their Castells A happie exchange to change perishing gold which oftentimes makes him hatefull that loues it with the pleasing smell of immortall praise An vnreprouable ambition amidest the reproches of this golden age which loueth gold more then honour So Montauban was a tombe for their bodies and the whole world the Epitaphe of their praises At that instant and in the same place Charles ended the controuersie for the Earldome of Cominge Ioane daughter to the Earle of Cominge and Boulogne married at the first to Iohn Duke of Berry soone to King Iohn was after his decease married to Mathew Earle of Castel-bon of the house of Foix. She had one daughter by this Mathew but for that there was no good agreement betwixt them she makes a will to bridle her husband that by vertue of the authority of a father he should not enioy her lyuing instituting King Charles the 7. her heire in case her daughter died without lawfull heires In disdaine of this testament Mathew much yonger then she and who had not taken her but for her Crownes kept her prisoner an aged woman of foure score yeares The Daughter of Ioane of Cominge beeing dead the Earldome belonged vnto the King as lawfull heire by the donation of Ioane the lawful heire So Charles was bound by a double bonde to defend the gray haires of this old woman against the insolencie of her cruell husband who finding himselfe supported by the fauour of the Earle of Foix and Armagnac his Cousin hauing alreadie seized vpon some Townes of Cominge and playing the pettie King during the confusion of times and the neighbourhood of the English thought all things to be lawfull The King adiournes them both to appeere at Tholouse The Parliament of Tholouse erected wheras then he established a Parliament for all the Countries of Languedoc Foix Cominge Gaure Quercy Armaignac Estrac Lomaigne Mcgnaoc Bigorre and Rouergue Mathew deliuerd Ioane his wife into the Kings hands and it was decreed by the Court of Parliament the which they noate to be the first of this sollemne assemblie that Ioane should liue in free libertie out of Mathews power and should enioye the moity of the reuenues of Cominge and the rest should go into the Kings cofers The Earle of Foix and Armaignac yeelded vp the Townes of Cominges which he had vsurped and was adiourned vnto Paris to yeeld an account of many rebellions whereof he was accused especially for that he set in his titles â—ernard by the grace of God Earle c. A marke fit for soueraintie the which appertaines not to Seigneuries subiect to this Crowne Thus Charles remembers Lawes in the heat of warre but it requires an other Comissioner to execute this decree by force of armes after the death of Ioane who being conducted to Poictiers liued not long in this libertie Charles bâ—ing returned to Poitiers about the moneth of Maâ—ch resolues to imploy his sonne Lewis both to fashion him to affaires and to drawe him from suâ—h as would seduce him He giues him the gouernment of those Countries which lies betwixt the riueâ—s of Suze and Seine For the well imploying of this newe authority there were two goodly occasions presented one vpon an other Deepe was reduced to the Kings obedience this was a great annoyance to Rouen for the freeâ—ng whereof the Duke of Yorke doth beseege it raising forts to keepe them from all releefe This seege had continued nine monethes very tedious to the beseeged The Dâ—ulpâ—ins happie exploicts when as behold the Daulphin accompanied with the Earles of Dunois and Saint Pol and the Lord of Gaucourt assailes these forts and forceth them killes three hundred English and many Normaines either by the sword or water and so frees Deepe This occasion was followed by an other which chanced in a manner at the same instant Ioane Countesse of Cominge dies at Poitiers soone after she had tasted the aire of
libertie and the good cheere which Charles made her Vpon the report of her death Bernard Earle of Armaignac seizeth vpon the Townes of Cominges Duret Lile in Dodon Samathan and Lombres The Earle of Armaignac seizeth vpon the County of Commings and preparing to warre he leuies troupes in Arragon by Sâ—lezard a Captaine of that Countrie causing Iohn of Lescun a bastard of Armaignac to inuade the Kings teâ—ritories This excesse might haue proued verie preiudiciall when as Charles sends Lewis his sonne into Languedoc with a thousand horse to quench this mischiefe in the breeding Being arriued at Rouuergue all yeelds vnto him Euerie thing is opposite to the Earle of Armaignac The Earles of Perdriac and la Marche the chiefe supporters of his insolence leaue him in the plaine field Salezard doth likewise abandon him of such force is a royall maister against a bad cause The Earle of Amargnac seeing himselfe thus abandoned shuts himselfe into Lisle-Iordan 1443. to dispute his pretensions with more aduantage The Earle of Armaignac taken by the Daulphin but he thrust him selfe into the toyle for he was taken by Lewis and led prisoner to Carcassone These happy exploytes did greatly recommend the Daulphins iudgement and valour whom all men held worthy of a great commande Charles hauing commended him for so well doing would haue sent him backe against the Earle of Somerset who had raised a great armie on the frontiers of Normandy Brittain the which was like vnto a fire of straw for hauing taken la Guierche by force he left it as soone for money so retired with his army without any other exploit The heate of the English grewe more temperate touching the chiefe points of their affaires They stood vpon tearmes in the two first fruitlesse asseÌ„blies made for peace but nowe they seeke the King The Earle of Suffolke writes vnto him that he hath commandement from the King his Master not onely to renue the treaty of peace discontinued but also to finde meanes to marry him in France hee receiues a fauourable answer from Charles and vnder his safe conduct comes to him to Tours Charles continued still in an humor to loue peace and to seeke it but the Earle of Suffolke the Lord Rosse had no charge but to treat of a generall truce A generall truce the which they concluded for a yeere a halfe but this shall be a goodly occasion to send home the English After a shower comes a sun-shine and euen experience teacheth that after a great raine comes a long drought Now we shall see nothing but truces one after an other marriages and aliances during fower yeares which is a preparatiue to a ciuill peace for aboue a hundred yeares This truce being made they must now seeke warres else where so fruitefull is our vanity of change so as we cannot liue without suffering or doing harme to others The French impatient of rest when as they treated of this truce it was demaunded by the Ambassadors of both Kings what their men of warre should do This truce say they will be more chargeable vnto vs then warre for they must liue They haue not beene accustomed to work and yet they will make good cheere neither can the poore people endure any more Moreouer if they haue no worke they will fight with themselues we must therefore calme this storme and send them to such as loue vs not The French English sent to warre in Suizerland This was the cause of the war in Suizerland whereof Lewis was Generall leading both French and English vnder the same Ensignes Matago was Collonell of the English forces for the King of England vnder the Daulphins command He entred with his armie into the territory of Basill the country of Elsas betwxit Basill and Strasbourg one of the goodliest and most fertill prouinces of Germany they terrified Metz tooke Montbeliard filled all those countries with feare and combustion The motiues of this extraordinary enterprise may well be obserued by that which I haue said but these causes were farre fetcht and not to be imbraced by two Kings who but euen now tormented one an other especially by Charles who hauing suffred so many crosses should haue horror to cause others to feele the like without constraint yet he found a pin for all these holes Charles would haue his sonne take Montbeliard to be reuenged of the Gouernour for the wrong hee had done him spoiling his country as farre as Langres in his greatest necessity The motiues of this war in Suizerland He assayled the Suisses and namely them of Basill being fauourers of Eugenius against Felix his compettitor that is to say against that Amedee Duke of Sauoy who had so crossed him in his affaires whom he could neuer loue what shewe soeuer he made in pollicy And for that Germany that quarter nere vnto Suisserland supported Felix against Eugenius he therfore hated theÌ„ And to gratifie René King of Sicile who had a priuate quarrell against the citty of Metz he turned his forces against it But what meaning soeuer Charles had herein he imbraced this voluntary warre with an incredible affection as if it had bin to defend the hart of his Realme He himselfe came to Espinall hauing sent his army before to Metz he continued the siege fiue moneths vntill the Cittizens had paide two hundred thousand crownes for the charges of the warre and acquitted king René of a hundred thousand florins of gold which they had lent him in his necessity Lewis the Daulphin parting from Montbeliard ruines Portentru in disdaine of the Bishop a great sollicitor against Eugenius from thence he enters into the territories of Basill with this goodly and florishing army 1444. tyed togither with so many strings hee incountred foure thousand Suisses being resolute to defend their Countrie The greatest part of them were cut in peeces but they sold their liues deere for the Germain histories report that we lost aboue fiue thousand men although wee had the victorie The Emperour Frederic the 3. a Prince which otherwise loued peace vpon the complaints of the Citties lying alongest the Rhin The Suisses fight valiantly and are defeated caused them to arme so as Lewis returned into Lorraine fearing to be too far ingaged in an enemies Country whome he had incensed against reason yet Frederic sent his Ambassadors to Charles to renue their ancient allyances So this cloude of people-eaters passed falling vpon diuers quarters like a shower of haile in a field of ripe corne leauing nothing memorable but a notable example of rashenesse making a warre which was neither necessarie nor iust afflicting quiet peaceable people without any occasion Whilest that France EnglaÌ„d made Suiserland to weepe Henry the 6. King of England married with Marguerite of Aniou daughter to René Duke of Aniou and of Lorraine and King of Sicile and Naples The Earle of Suffollk fetched her froÌ„ Nancy
prisoners and artillerie deliuer vp Arques Caudebecq Tancaruille Lisle-bonne Hâ—nnefleu and Monstreuille The Conditions granâ—ed to the English at Rouen they should pay fiftie thousand Crownes presently and discharge their priuate debts in the Cittie before they departed for assurance whereof they should leaue Talbot the flower of all their men with fiue other hostages such as the King should demande So Talbot remaynes for a pledge After ten dayes all articles agreed vpon beâ—ng performed except Honnefleu all the hostages haue leaue to depart except Talbot who stayes vntill Honnefleu is deliuered But Talbot must haue more time to tast the bountie clemencie of our King and the fruits of French couâ—tesie Thus Charles enters Rouen with great pompe Câ—arles enâ—ers Rouen but the peoples ioye exceeded the statelinesâ—e of his traine Their showtes drowne the Trumpets and Clarons all crie God saue the King 1450. This poore people greedie to see their Prince after so long and cruell a seruitude weepe for ioy men and women young and olde all runne many bonfiers are made but the fire of publike deuotion burnt more cleare This was the tenth of Nouember in the yeare 1449. a notable date for so singular a deliuerance There yet remained some Townes in Normandie to conquer Charles loth to loose any opportunitie or to giue the enemie any leisure to bethinke himselfe would scarse allow of any time for the publike ioy and content of his good subiects but goes presently to field with his armie Honnefâ—eu would not obey the Duke of Somerset the which he must deliuer vp according to the treatie there were fifteene hundred English resolute to defend the place but after fifteene dayes siege they yeelded vpon honourable termes King Charles deales honourablie with Talbot their goods and liues being saued Charles for an increase of the good cheere he had made vnto Talbot during his imprisonment giues him his libertie without ransome with meanes to retire himselfe into England with great gifts but he shall make him no due requitall of this good and honourable entertainment Fougeres the subiect of this last warre and the chiefe cause of this good successe returnes to the obedience of the Crowne through the valour of the Duke of Brittanie and Belesme with the Castell of Fresâ—â—â— by that of the Duke of Alançon As all things succeeded happily for our Charles so all went crosse in England The Earle of Suffolke gouerned King Henry the 6. quietly being a young man and of a weake spirit As all the affaires of England depended vpon this Earle The estate of England so did the reproches The Duke of Somerset a Prince of the English bloud very iealous of his credit and reputation and ashamed to be blemished with these losses in France layes the chiefe fault vpon Suffolke and others that had the gouernment and so incensed the people of London against them The Londoners mutinie and kill the Lord Keeper as the Londoners transported with choller for so great a losse meaning to punish the offenders fall vpon the Bishop of Chichester Lord Keeper of the priuie Seale and kill him in a mutinie they intend the like to Suffolke â—â— by the fauour of some of his friends he had not beene put into the Tower of London to yeeld an accoumpt of his actions Henry who loued him deerely takes him forth The English Chronicle reports quite contrary and sent him into France for his better safetie But it chanced that Suffolke seeking to auoide one danger fell into another where he made his last shipwrack for being met by Somersets people being his capitall enemie he was taken and beheaded his head body were sent to London those cruell spoiles set vp to publike view in places most frequented In the meane time all England troubled for the losse of Rouen and the greatest part of the Prouince resolues to hazard all to saue the rest of their conquests in France They had yet in Normandy the Townes of Caen Vire Auranches S. Sauueur leVicont Falaize Damfront Cherebourg with the strong places of Tombelaine Briquebec New forces sent out of England into France and a great part of Guienne With this remainder the English imagin to recouer the possession of what they had lost So Henry sends speedily 4000. men vnder the command of Thomas Tiâ—el one of his most renowmed Captaines Being landed at Cherebourg without any losse of of time he besiegeth Valonges a strong place and of importance At the brute of these forces all the English garrisons assemble to augment his armie and to fortifie the siege so as being together they make about 8000. men Our armie was lodged in diuers places to refresh themselues since the siege of Honnefleu the season being wonderfull moist in the thawe of the spring when as newes came to Charles of the landing of the English and the imminent danger of the besieged the losse whereof were a foule blemish to his victorie To preuent this he presently sends the Earle of Clermont with sixteene hundred Lances whereof the Earle of Castres the Admirall of Raiz the Seneshall of Poitou and the Lords of Montgascon Couuran and Rouhault were the commanders The English armie was lodged at Fourmigny a village betwixt Carentan and Bayeux in a place of aduantage to keepe themselues free from such forces as they might doubt should be sent from the King being then in the country Matago an old English Captaine came vnto him with a thousand Archers The English being thus fortified set their backes to a Riuer being flanked with diuers Orchards and Gardines before them they make trenches to stoppe their approche and in this sort they attend the enemie The neerenesse of Charles made them to imagine our French to be more in number then they were for this troupe did not exceed sixe hundred fighting men whereof a hundred onely commanded by Geoffray of Couuran and Ioachim of Rouault charged the English vantgard hauing slaine three or foure hundred put the rest of their armie in disorder yet the Earle of Clermont seeing the danger he was in with his troupe if the enemie had discouered his aduantage hauing so great an army against his small troupe sends presently to Charles for speedy succours By good hap as the messenger came vnto the King the Constable of Richmont arriues from Brittaine who marcheth presentlie not giuing his souldiers any leisure to breath exhorting them to go couragiously to an assured victorie His comming strack the stroake and swayâ—d the victory He had 240. Lances and 800. Archers and with him Iames of Luxembourg the Cont of Laâ—all and the Lord of Loheac Marshall of France with the good fortune of Charles He aâ—riues euen when as the Earle of Clermont was farre ingaged in the fight the English had taken two Culuerins from him and in despight had passed S. Clements-forde preparing to discharge these Culuerins when as behold the Constable comes with his troupe with a victorious
their Cittie with exceding ioy the first day of August to the great greefe of the English who see themseues expelled out of the whole realme but they shall yet make a new attempt The oathe of fealtie was autentically made to Charles the All Guâ—enne swear vnto King 〈◊〉 7. both by the Cittizens of Burdeaux and by all the Estates of Burdelois to their naturall King and lawfull Prince renowncing the English The Nobilitie held vp their hands first in this oath namely the Lords of Esparre Montferrand Duras Rosan Pugeols Lansac Lisle Anglade amongest the which how many proued treachers The Archebishop also did take the same oth of homage and fealtie to the King with Gaston de Foix only Captall de Buch would not take the oath for his person but he submitted all his Lands to the obedience of the Crowne an error which shal be preiudiciall to the whole Prouince Thus all Guienne was made subiect to the Kings obedience except Bayonne for the reduction of which Towne being needlesse to keepe togither so great an armie euery Nobleman was commanded to returne to his howse and that the Earle of Dunois should contynue there to imploie the forces of the Country at this seege So the Princes of the bloud depart accompanied with twenty thousand men whom they dismisse euery one into his Countrie The Earle of Foix ioyned with the earle of Dunois they beseege Bayonne the seege was long painefull and dangerous Bayone yeelds vpon hard conditions the which might haue bene more easie and spedie by means of the armie which was redie But in truth the nigard spends more then the bountifull man in euery degree yet in the end Bayonne submits to the obedience of the Crowne vpon these conditions That the tounesmen of Bayonne should deliuer Iohn of Beaumont their Captaine into the Kings hands with their own persons and their goods to be at the Kings wil discretion and to repaire their disobedience to purchase the Kings fauour they should pay fortie thousand Crownes whereto they are referred by the earle of Foix generall of the army This accord was coÌ„firmed by the entrie of the said Earle into the Towne who tooke a sollemne othe in the Kings name Charles forgiues the inhabitants halfe their fine and confirmes halfe their priuiledges The three Estates of the Country of Burdelois send their deputies vnto the King who was then at Taâ—llebourg 1453. to confirme their othes and homages already taken by his Chancellor and the Kâ—ng lâ—kewise doth ratifie their priuileges and receyues them into fauour so as Guienne â—eemed to be reduced to the Kings obedience All Guienne reduced to obedience to the incredible content of the whole realme and so this yeare ended with an vniuersall ioy But seuen or eight moneths were scarse spent in this publike ioy such as the French might haue in euery corner of their country enioying peace the which they had not tasted these hundred yeares and which in outward appearance there was no hope to recouer the English and Bourguignons hauing taken such firme footing in all parâ—s when as behold a great surge which seemed to expose France to the mercie of a more horrible and dangerous storme For Talbot comes to the gates of Bourdeaux with goodly â—roupes of English Talbot enters 〈◊〉 with new Englâ—sh troupes where he was receiued and tooke the Seneshall of Guienne prisoner being gouernour of the Towne and Iohn de Foux deputie Maior of Bourdeaux and in a maneâ— the same day the Nobilitie which had giuen their faâ—th vnto the King noted befoâ—e by their speciall names deliuered all the chiefe places of the countrie to the English Fronsac Coloeuures Casâ—illon Chasteauneuf in Damedoc Cadillac Langen S. Macaire Libâ—rne and Saint Millâ—on Many townes yeeld to the English And after Talbot who came but to discouer there arriued the next day in safetie foure thousand fighting men from England with foure score ships laden with Meale and Salt meates to victuall the Towne The amazement of this losâ—e was as great as the ioy had beene of gaine Charles was then at Tours the Earle of Clermont sonne to Charles Duke of Bourbon was gouernour of Guienne He commands him to haue a care to the preseruation of the rest of Guienne and presently he sends six hundred men at armes vnder the command of three Marshals of France and the Lords of Orual and Rouhault who were then neere the King and sends for the rest of his forces with all speed The motiues oâ— the reuolt in Guiâ—nne But whilest that all prepare to repaire this losse may we not examine the motiue of this great and sodaine change Some new writers accuse the ill vsage of the French to this people newly conquered which made them to wish for the English being more milde and temperate Lords others blamed the negligence of our French vnfit to keepe that which they had so valiantly gotten But who is he that can finde this first cause truly noted hearing the whole History speake and representing the discontent of the French nation against the gouerment of the English And why did the King dismisse his armie but to ease his people euen with the preiudice of his owne affaires As for our negligence in keeping of that which we haue gotten with much paine it is too well knowne by memorable examples but seeing the affâ—ction of the people of Bourdelois had bin confirmed by many proofes in this voluntary obedience to what end had it serued to put them in fetters as a people vanquished by armes and force them to obedience But to find out the causes we must examine the effects L'Esparre Montâ—errand Duras Anglade Rosans and others specified in the register of the oath will bee found straight waies reuolted in these places Captal de Buche protested openly that he was not the Kings seruant so as he might without reproch carrie armes against him for the King of England his maister He might remaine peaceablie within the country inioying his houses being vnder the Kings protection and so make his traffick for the English at his pleasure Iohn King of Nauarre an Arragonois both by birth and humour was an enemy to Charâ—es for two respects as hauing maried the heiâ—e of Nauarre and with that mariage the quarrels hatred of that Charles which was Grandfather to his wife The King of Nauarre an enemie to K. Câ—arles who had so much troubled the raignes of Iohn and Charles the â— and as an Arragonois by reason of the quarrels of Naples against the house of Aniou These were two instruments to moue many mens mindes It could not otherwise be but the authoâ—itie and command of two hundred yeares had purchased England many seruants and such as had alwayes held the English party against France and were not reclaimed to the Kings obedience but by force could not beleeue that they had any such part in the Kings fauour hauing brought
to Peter of Bourbon Ioane the wife of Lewis Duke of Orleans after King of France the 12. of that name Charles his successor and Francis who died likewise in his infancy In the end Charles going to suppresse the practices of his sonne in Daulphiné and the neighbour Prouinces Lewis abandons the country and retyres to Philip Duke of Bourgongne at whose charge he was entertained six yeares Charles being deceased Philip of Bourgongne to perfect this good office ofhospitality to Lewis accompanied with Charles Earle of Charolois his sonne Iames of Bourgongne Earle of Estampes Adolfe Duke of Cleues the Lord of Rauestin his brother nephewes to the said Philip the Earles of Nassau and S. Pol and with many other Noblemen of the lowe countries conducted him into France with foure thousand horse well appointed chosen among a hundred thousand fighting men the which Philip had leauied vppon a brute that some Noblemen of the country would aduance Charles the younger brother of Lewis to the Crowne Iohn Duke of Bourbon the Duke of Orleans as well for his old age as for that he mourned for King Charles deceased came not from Paris Peter and Iames of Bourbon brethren the Earles of Armaignac Eu Vendosme Dunois GraÌ„dpré Philip of Sauoy with the greatest part of the Princes Noblemen and Officers of the Crowne go to meete him and conduct him to Rheims where he is solemnly annointed crowned by Iohn Iuuenall of Vrsins Archbishop of that place assisted by the Cardinal of Constance the Patriarke of Antioch the Popes Legat 4. Archbishops 17. Bishops 6. Abots the 15. of August 1461. being about 38. yeares of age Two daies after Philip did him homage for his Duchy of Bourgongne as Peere and Deane of the Peeres of France for the Earledom of Flanders as a peere of France and for the county of Artois all other lands he held of the crowne TheÌ„ made he a sumptuous stately entry into Paris with very ioyfull acclamations of the people as you may see at large in the Originalls He lesome admonitions of Philip to Lâ—wiâ— After mâ—â—y sports tourneies publike feasts Philip taking leaue of the King exhorts him to lay aside all hatred and splene conceiued against some of his fathers ancient seruants from â—hom he should draw as many good seruices as they had giueÌ„ testimonies of their loialties to their lawfull Master to liue in loue and vnity with his brother Charles and to aduance him according to the degree he held within the realme Lewis was no sooner installed but the Inhabitants of Rheims minister an occasioÌ„ to imploy the first fruits of his forces About S. Remy the collectors of imposts were slaine their contracts burnt in open street The King sends thither many souldiars disguised like mâ—rchants laboreâ—s who entring secretly at diuers gates become the stroÌ„ger and aâ—e preâ—ently followed by some troupes led by the Lord of Mouy who seize vpon the towne takes 80. or a 100. of the most culpable puts theÌ„ to death suppresseth the mutinie About the end of the yeare Lewis made a progresse into Touraine where the Earle of Charolois comÌ„ing fâ—oÌ„ the pilgrimage of S. Claude did visit him the King in regard of the kindnes he had receiued froÌ„ Philip giueshim the gouernmeÌ„t of Normandy â—uery Franck iâ— worth two shilliâ—gs The Duke of Aâ—â—nson inlarged with 36000. frankes yearly pensioÌ„ for the non paiment wherof there wil soone grow great dissentioÌ„s ciuil wars In sooth the words of a prince shold be held for Oracles neyther shold he be lesse iudicious then coÌ„nstant in his promises The Duke of Alencon was set at liberty whoÌ„ Charles the 7. had restrained But oh the vanity of man we shall him hereafter a prisoner condemned vnder his authoritie 1462. who now giues him both life and libertie Then the King gaue to his brother the Dukedome of Berry for his portion and assigned the Queene his Mothers dowrie who shall not long enioy it but dies in the yeare 1463. in the Countie of Xaintonge with the towne and gouerment of Rochell Chinon Pezenas and other places Then he went in pilgrimage to S. Sauueur of Redon in Brittanie where the Duke did homage for this said Duchie the Countie of Monfort and other places he held of the Crowne But deuotion did not so much draw Lewis into Brittanie as a desire to discouer the Dukes affection his country and his forces whom he held in iealousie the which shall easily draw the Duke into the vnion of malcontents as we shall soone see which will fall out happily for him to disappoint the King of the prey he haunted after in Brittanie Lewis in the meane time carelesse of Philips aduise not able well to endure the sight of his fathers spies whom he accused as the motiues of his disgrace changeth the gouernours of Prouinces and most of the Officers both for Iustice and warre he placeth new being chosen out of those that had beene companions of his fortune the which to agrauate they called a banishment imputing it to them that were displaced Moreouer he prohibited all Princes Noblemen and Gentlemen the sport of Hawking and Hunting vnder great and odious punishments no further then he should permit a second fire-brand of the following combustions Now the King of Arragon seeking to reduce his rebellious subiects of Barzellone to their duties by force ingageth the Countie of Roussillon to Lewis for three hundred thousand Crownes whereof he receiued fiftie thousand presently being followed with a goodly and mighty armie Lewis purchaseth the Countie of Roussillon to succour the said King vnder the command of Iames of Armaignac Duke of Nemours Henry King of Castill complaines by his Ambassadors of these succours giuen to his aduersarie which was a breach of the League betwixt France and Castill The King as well to end this quarrell as that which Blande the onely daughter and heire of the King of Nauarre wife to the said King of Arragon had with the King of Castill by reason of some places in Nauarre he goes to Bourdeaux and there concludes the mariage of Magdaleine of France his sister with Gaston the eldest sonne to the Earle of Foix and presumptiue heire of Nauarre who lay hurt at Libourne with a Lance at a Tourney whereof he dyed leauing a sonne and a daughter Francis Phoebus his successour who raigned but one yeare and Katherine who succeeded him and was married to Iohn of Albret then he goes to Bayonne where the King of Castill comes vnto him and ends all controuersies A dangerous and fatall enteruiew for these two great Princes the most strictly allied of all Christendom of ancient from King to King from realme to realme and man to man bound by great curses to maintaine this necessarie league the which neuer yet had any breach and they now conceiued a contempt disdaine one of an other The â—rench of the Castillians sumptuousnesse and pride
in their words countenance appaâ—ell the Castillian of the plainnesse of the French attire for Lewis had short garments of bad stuffe the which the Spanish nation did impute to miserablenesse wherewith he was neuer blemished So as from that day these Kings did neuer loue but both nations conceiued such a mutuall hatred one against an other as they haue left it hereditarie to their posteritie and we haue felt the bitternesse of this old leuaine in our late and more then vnciuill tumult So perilous shall the enterview be of our Lewis with Charles of Bourgongne who shall hereafter come often in place at Peronne as we shall see Lewis being returned to Paris as by the purchase of Roussillon he had fortified his realme towards Spaine so desired he to assure it on the other side redeeming the townes lying vpon Somme the which had beene ingaged by the treatie of Arras to Philip Duke of Bourgongne for foure hundred and fiftie thousand crownes with this condition that the King should maintaine all the officers aduanced by the Duke in the said Townes a promise without performance for after the oath taken to serue him against all persons at the first he tooke away the Captainship of Amiens of Arras of Dourlans from Saueuse that of Mortaigne from Haut-bourdin a bastard of Bourgongne and the Bailâ—wike of Amiens from the Lord of Creuecoeur whose lands he did confiscate soone after aduancing to these offices Launoy the Nephew of Croy 1463. whereby he did greatly discontent the Duke and the Earle of Charolois his sonne more who in despite of the said redemption did afterwards chase away the Lord of Croy with his whole family and confiscate their goods they beeing the meanes thereof Beeing retyred into France Lewis gaue him the county of Guynes with the office of Lord Steward of his house A discontent which shall hasten the Charolois to arme against our France Moreouer Lewis to tye the Pope vnto him by the meanes of Iohn Balue Bishop of Arras who since was made Cardinall in recompence of so good a seruice done to the court of Rome sends Godfrie Bishop of Albi Cardinall of Abbeuille vnto him to renounce all rights of the pragmaticall sanction So doing the Pope promised to send a Legat into France that should giue all benefices to the ende that all the money which should bee raised thereby might remaine within the Realme and be no more transported to Rome But the Pope beeing seized vpon the charter of the said Sanction made no accompt to performe his promise and to please the Romans he caused it to be dragged through the streetes So as Lewis being thus deceiued did forbid to carry any more money to Rome nor to bring any Bulls from thence He made Sforce Duke of Milan his vassall giuing him Sauonne which the French held a heauy motiue of lamentable warres which followed and receiued his homage But whilest he labours to purchase friends abroad he procures himselfe insensiblie mighty enimies at home The princes and Noblemen to whom the first places in court The League of the common â—ecale and offices of the crowne did appertaine seeing themselues with great indignity supplanted by these mushromes growne vp in one night put from the Kings fauour they sound one another both by mouth writings and by diuers messengers being assured of their mutuall loues they open their mindes discouer their conceptions and conclude To defend and maintaine their dignities For say they to what end do we suffer the indignities and braueries of these new vpstarts we should shew want of courage not to apprehend the wrong the King doth vs. Wee haue armes men friends money to force him to reason seeing we are debarred his preseÌ„ce by these base people that posâ—esse him The cheefe were Charles Duke of Berry the kings brother The chiefe of the league Iohn Duke of Bourbon who had married Charlotte the kings sister Francis duke of Brittaine Iohn Earle of Dunois bastard brother to Lewis Duke of Orleans the Duke of Nemours the Earle of Armaignac and the Lord of Albret The Duke of Berry was easily drawne into this league discontented to haue no better portion then Berry The Duke of Bourbon had not yet receiued his marriage money The Britton could not digest foure hard conditioÌ„s the which Lewis hauing an army ready in case he refused required of him That he should no more intitle himselfe By the grace of God Duke of Brittaine That he should coyne no more money without his permission That from thence foâ—th the King should leauie taxes and subsidies in Brittaine and not the Duke And that all that were beneficed within the Dukedome should acknowledge him immediately for Patron soueraigne Priuileges which till then had bin alwayes expresly reserued to all the Dukes his predecessors in the homages they did to the crowne The Earle of Dunois had alwaies bin of the chiefe of the army Lieutenant generall to Charles the 7. and now is depriued of all his offices and dignities by Lewis his sonne So euery one pretended diuers causes of complaint Charles of Berry must carry the bable a young Prince credulous an age which doth easily make men bold â—ash for they would vse him as the reuenging instrument of their passions But it is the means to draw him from Court without iealousie Behold an occasion is offred After that Lewis had visited the Townes of Picardy lately redeemed hauing crossed Normandie and Touraine he passeth to Poitiers leading Charles his brother with him Lewis going one day to his deuotion Iohn of Rommillé Tanneguy of Chastel Nephew to that Tanneguy that was charged for the death of the Duke of Bourgongne agents for the Britton in this action vnder colour to carry Charles Duke of Berry to the huntiug they lead him into Brittayne Tanneguy was discontented for that hauing disbursed fifty thousand franckes at the funeralls of Charles the 7. in the absence of Lewis he had neither recompence nor any thankes of the king and was not satisfied for the space of ten yeares There remayned nothing but to be assured of Philip Duke of Bourgongne 1464. who euen then had great cause of discontent for during the partialities of England betwixt the houses of Lancaster and Yorke Lewis supported Henry against Edward he being of Lancaster and this of Yorke for that Henry had married the daughter of René King of Sicile and by consequence was neere kinsman to Lewis In fauour therfore of this Queene he makes a proclamation in the territories of the Duke of Bourgongne forbidding them to aide or assist Edward terming himselfe King of England And for a greater disgrace King Lewis would impose a custome vpon the Salt in the Duchie of Bourgongne The Bourguignon opposeth he protests that Edward King of England is his allie and that he could not deny him succors being required As for the custome he shewes forth the ancient priuileges of
mounted on a horse of the same proportion rushes through them diuids them that held him Then happilie arriues the bastard of Bourgongue and the Earles garde by means whereof the French retire themselues to their ditch Charles of Bouâ—ggongâ—e taken and rescued where they had beene in the morning During the which a false brute of the Kings death had almost ouerthrowne all for euery one began to faint The Earle of Maine the Admirall of Montauban and the Lord of Barde imbracing this common beleefe flie with al the rereward Lewis aduertised of this amazement takes off his helmet shewes him selfe to his soldiars and so assures them that he is aliue On the other side the Bourguignon rallies his men dispersed and wearied readâ—e to flie if they had bin charged At the same instant the Count Saint Paul goes to the field and gathers together vnder his enseâ—gne about eight hundred men at armes and but fewe foote Behold the two armies ranked one against an other noâ— like vnto tired men but hauing vewed one another and mutuallie discharged their Canon The night approched A famous battaile for running away which ended the battaile an in counter where the nâ—table flying on either side did wonderfully moderate the furie of the fight The which beâ—ng thus ended the King was conducted by the Scottes to the Castell of Montlehery hauing neither eaten noâ— dronke all that day and then he retyres to Corbâ—il The Earle keeps the field â—poiles the dead and therfore holds himselfe a Conqueror· Amongest the Kings men were knowne Iefferie of Saint Bâ—lain Charleâ— Earle of 〈◊〉 mastâ—r of the plâ—â—e of Battaile the great Steward of Normandy Captaine Flâ—â— uel Baylife of Eureux with many gentlemen to the number of foure hundred horse and but fewe of foote men Our Burguignons the Lords of Lalain Hames Oâ—gnie Varenne and almost all the Earles Archers Haplainonurt Aimeries Inchy and many others were taken flying and brought prisoners to Paris of footemeÌ„ there were more slaine then of the Kings part A'l which were estemed by some at two thousand of both sides The number the dead others heâ—d theÌ„ three thousand six hundred but al affirme constantly that there were more Bouâ—guignons theÌ„ French although Lewis lost more horsemen In trâ—th the firme resolution the constant labour the dangerous hazards manfully passed by the King were sufficient motiues to incourage his men to honor and if he had beene well and couragiously followed notwithstanding his small number and want of artillery the Earle of Charoloâ—s soldiars had digged their graues at Montlehery Three daies after the battaile the Earle of Châ—rolois being aduertised that his confederates approched Succors come to the Earle of Charolois went to receiue them at Esâ—ampes The Dukes of Berry Brittaine the Earle of Dunois and Dammartin the Lords of Lohâ—ae Marshall of France of Buâ—â—l Chaumont and Charles of Amboise his sonne all disgraced by Lewis and put from their offices although they had well serued the King his father They brought with them saith the historie eight hundred good men at armes most Brittains who had newly lest the companies euery one pretending some discontent Of Archers and other men of war resolute wel appointed six thousand on horsebacke all of the Brittons charge who assured by some meÌ„ at armes that fled vpoÌ„ the Kings death promiseth to himselfe much good in conceit in case the Duke of Beâ—ry come to the Crowne And if at that instant they would haue giuen him credit they should haue suppressed the Bourguignons or at the least dismissed them verifiyng That there is small loyaltie and lesse pitty in men of warre On the other side the Duke of Berry began to loath these broyles for in open Councel hauing vewed seuen or eight hundred hurte men wandering vp and downe the Towneâ— he said how much more glad would I haue beene if this warre had neuer begon 〈◊〉 Duke Beâ—â—y lotheâ— the esâ—uâ—iâ—n of bloud then to purchase my selfe riches and honor which the price of so much bloud A speech worthy of a milde Prince and not bloudie but ill digested by the Bourguignon supposing that Charles would easely make his peace vpon the least motion made by Lewis And to assure him selfe as wel without as within the realme he sends William of Cluni afterwards Bishop of Poitiers to Edward King of England although he had alwayes supported the house of Lancaster from whence he was issued by his mother against that of Yorke Hauing refreshed their troups they all dislodge from Estampes and take the way to Saint Mathurin of Laroham and Moret in Gastinois and hauing an intents to passe the riuer of Sâ—ine the Earle imployes many coopers to make pipes hauing brought great store of stuffe for that purpose whereon a bridge was made for want of conuenient boats through the fauour of the Canon which the Earle had planted in an Isâ—â—nd in the midest of the riuer There ioynes with them Iohn Duke of Calabria the onelie sonne of René King of Sicile the Prince of Orange Thibauld of Neuf-chastel Marshall of Bourgongne Other succors come to the confederate Princes and Montagu his brother the Marquis of Rotelin the Lords of Argueil and Thoulongeon with many others leading nine hundred men at armes of the Duchie and Countie of Bourgongne six score men at armes barded Italians commanded by Galeot and Campo-bâ—sso foure hundred Germain crosse-bowes sent by the Cont Palatin and fiue hundred Suisses the which were the first that came to our warres A fatall and lamentable alliance for the Bourguignon as we shall see in his place of other footeman very fewe All this great torrent of a hundred thousand men inuiron Paris Paris beleagard they seize vpon S. Maur on the ditches Pont Charenton Consâ—ans S. Deâ—is and other Places there abouts they tyre the inhabytants with contynuall skirmishes euen at their gates and shakes theyr affections by practises and deuises The Duke of Berry writes to the Clergie to the Court of Parlement to the vâ—iuersitie which then was in great credit in Paris and to the Bourgesses to euery one a part shewing them that all these forces tend not but to the peoples ease and profit and requires them to depute men of iudgement and learning to vnderstand more at large the causes of this their great assemblie Ten Deputies heare their complaints being led by William Chartier Bishop of Paris they report it to the Counsell of the Cittie who answeres That the Cittie shal be free for the Princes to enter into at their pleasure they and theirs abstaining from violence and paying their expences Surely this would haue beene a Conquest of the cittye of Paris But the great Maister of Nantouillet the Marshal Ioachim and other Captaines take a vew of their forces and by this meanes retayne the Parisiens who changing their minds are fully confirmed by the arriuall of Iohn of Rohan Lord of Montauban Admirall of France with
there is no vice whereon God doth more often shew his iudgements then vpon pride The great wealth thou hast gathered together during thy long felicitie hath it so furiously transported thee beyond the bounds of obedience and to what end is thy great wealth but to draw thee headlong to thy ruine Philip takes his reuenge by the defeat of foure thousand Liegeois fortified within Montenac a village fiue leagues from Liege The Earle of Nassau did this exploit but the Duke would be present in person with the Earle his sonne at the taking and vtter desolation of Dinan He besiegeth it with aboue twenty thousand horse beside foote which were in great numbers takes it spoiles it and destroyes it and draggs eight hundred prisoners chained together to be drowned in the Meuze before Bouuines an expiation for the tyrannicall extorsions they had endured by the Dinanâ—ois Those of Liege did for this time escape the like fortune but it was but deferred and behold an other cause of indignation which they procure to themselues Lewis of Bourbon Bishop of Liege by resignation and admitted to the dignitie by the intercession and fauour of Duke Philip to the Pope beginnes to preferre the most confident and trustie seruants of the said Philip to all offices and dignities within the Towne The people are grieued thereat they mutine and expell the Bishop This reuolt against their spirituall and temporall Lord procures the Popes excommunication against them Philip after the destruction of Dinand turnes head against them but terrified with so sharpe a punishment they flie to the Earle of Charolois who is a meanes for their peace and pardon paying six hundred thousand Florins of the Rhin in sixe yeares and three hundred hostages for a securitie of their deeds and promises specified by the Bishops Thus this people restored to fauour with their Prince A Florin is about three shillings and seuen pence and reconciled to their Bishop were absolued of the excommunication by Onofrie a Romaine Cittizen and Bishop of Troye Whilest that Philip subdues the Liegeois Lewis imployes his whole studie to ruine the house of Brittanie Lewis supports the Liegeois against their Duke and to confirme a truce with the English who threatned France with a new descent during our diuisions and hee practiseth the Bourguignon by all meanes And to presse him to renounce his Brother Charles and the Duke of Brittanie he takes the Liegeois into his protection against their Duke in case hee shall hereafter wrong them the which he doth signifie vnto him by the Constable of S. Paul and the Cardinal Balue offering notwithstanding to renounce their alliance if he will likewise abandon his brother and the Britton This Brauado proceeds to effects He sendes them foure hundred Launces of his ordinarie vnder the conduct of the Earle of of Dammartin the Lords of Salezart Conyhem and Vignolles with sixe thousand Archers The Earle of S. Paul but without the Kings authoritie lead them some troupes speedily leuied vpon the frontiers of Picardie The first act of his Tragedie which in the end shall make him leaue his head at the Greue in Paris Philip of Bourâ—gongne dies But it was now time for Philip to leaue the troubles of this world to enioy an assured and euerlasting rest in heauen This inconstant and mutinous people supposing by the decease of their Lord to be at libertie they breake out go to field recouer all the Townes chase away the garrisons placed by the deceased Duke spoile and sack the places they take by force The Liegâ—oiâ— â—ebelll againe without any care of their ingaged hostages who were all readie to be sacrificed by Charles the new Duke of Bourgongne to require the madde insolencies of their countrimen yet he reserues the reuenge for a more famous memorie Hee partes from Louuain in armes and well accompanied and goes to besiege Saintron The Liegeois to raise the siege issue forth with thirtie thousand men some fiue hundred horse and great store of Artillerie The Duke turnes head againe chargeth them and ouer-comes them They are defeated he killes about nine thousand the approching night saues the rest Presently after this charge the Duke puft vp with this good successe speakes bigge he writes vnto the Constable like a Rodomont answerable to the speeches he had with him at Louuain That he besâ—eched the King for his sake to attempt nothing vpon the State of Brittanie aduertising him of the memorable battaile which he had wonne After the which Saintron yeelds vpon conditions and the tenth man is chosen out at the Dukes pleasure and then beheaded Tongres was no better intreated and these miserable wretches thus tithed were for the most part of those hostages which hee had freely sent home vpon condition to imploy themselues to pacifie the seditious humours of their fellowe Cittizens In the end as he turned all his forces against Liege premeditating with himselfe of a lamentable and bloudie reuenge The Liegeois submit themselues to their Duke behold three hundred of their best Cittizens come forth in their shirts bare headed and bare legged bringing the Keyes to the Duke He enters the Cittie by a great breach of twentie sadome beaten downe in the wall disarmes the inhabitants takes from them their artillerie which remained razeth all the Towers and Towne walles and chargeth them with heauier impostes then euer his father had done A worke of heauen which quencht the fire of sedition which began to flame at Gand a stirring people and second to the Liegeois in inconstancie of whome it is commonly sayd That they loue the sonne of their Prince but not the Prince himselfe So the Gantois bring vnto him on foote as farre as Bruxelles the seuentie and two banners of the occupations which he had graunted them at his entrie with all the priuileges and letters they had tumultuously wrested from him Charles sent the sayd Banners to Bologne la grasse to accompany those which his father had in like sort taken from them he disanulled their priuilege of the law whereby the people had right of 26. Sheriffes of the Towne to choose euery yeare two and twenty and the Prince but foure he condemned them in thirtie thousand Florines to himselfe and sixe thousand to his officers and followers All other Townes compounded for money and then he made his entrie armed into Gand. Thether came Ambassadours to him from Lewis labouring to drawe him to consent to the warres which he preâ—ended to make in Brittanie the which not able to obtaine the Winter was spent in sending one to another and Summer being come Lewis enters the said Duchie with an armie of fiftie thousand men and at his first arriuall he takes Chantoâ—â—â— and Ancenis and after some other militarie exploites he forceth both his brother and the Duke of Brittanie to accept such conditions as he would prescribe vnto them That they should renounce all alliances and especially that of the Duke of Bourgongne
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
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
summe Annebault sent certaine Captaines who surprised the Towne from foure hundred soldiars which kept it in the Emperours name Montcallier sent presently to offer obedience and the Castell of Carignan yeelding did furnish Turin with about three thousand sackes of meale packt vp readie to send to the Campe. Salusses Quieras and many other places of the Marquisate and of Piedmont did homage vnto the victors The King sent to refresh Annebault and his troupes both with horse and foote hee drewe them out of Turin sending two thousand French â—oote vnder the Command of Captaine René and la Godiniere and two thousand others vnder the Cheualier Birague and for gouernour he sent Burie to whome he gaue the company of men at armes which Francis of Salusse being reuolted did command But behold an act as remarkable as it is rare proceeding from a singular affection and what will not a braue Knight do for his mistres Vnexpected succorâ— froâ— Scotland Vpon the first newes of the Emperours descent into Prouence the King of Scotland did arme sixteene thousand men to come and succour the King without his request or priuitie saies the Originall and nothing stayed him from comming in time vpon the generall hope of a battaile but a contrary winde which had put him backe twise The King had assured him selfe of his newe conquests and hauing giuen order to the frontiers of his realme returned into France The King of Scotland came to meete him at la Chapelle betwixt Tarare and Saint Saphorin in Lionois and theâ—e he demanded one of his daughters in marriage The ancient alliance of the realme of France and Scotland was considerable The Father of this King had beene slaine in battaile against the English for the partie of King Lewis the twelfth and should his kind affection bee denied So the marriage betwixt him and Magdaleine of France was concluded in Blois and sollemnized the first day of the yeare following Great prosperities are oftentimes accompanied with some crosses else the vanity of our senses would easily transport vs and we would attribute that to our owne valour which belongs to the great Iudge and moderator of battells behold 〈…〉 fruits in the gouernement of the Lord of Bury at Turin Oftentimes hee is taken that thinkes to take The Emperour had adiudged Monferrat to the Marquis of 〈◊〉 against the Duke of Sauoy and Francis of Salusses who pretended it and those 〈…〉 would not accept of him Bury during these garboiles practiseth Damian 〈◊〉 Captaine in the garrison at Casal for the Emperour Damian promiseth to deliuer him a gate Bury leads thither Christopher Gouast with twelue hundred Italians wherof he was Collonel and some number of horse vnder the Lord of Tais and at the first becomes maister of the towne But the mattocks shouels and other instruments for Pyoners which VVilliam Earle of Biendras should haue prouided with the money hee had receiued to that ende to make a trench sodainly betwixt the Towne and the Castle whilest that Cont Guy should come to succour them with the artillery to batter the Castle were yet to buy Whilest they seeke for others to make trenches the Marquis of Guast had leysure to assemble his forces within Ast and to enter into the Castle by the field-gate and so into the towne Twelue hundred men were not able to withstand the furie of this vnexpected storme Bury taken prisoner He mainteins the shock and enters fight but in the end beeing forced by the enemy he is taken prisoner Tais Guast and all the rest were slaine or taken Biendras Damian and other marchants saue themselues We finde the fault when it is done It is good to obserue it to make vs wise He should haue imparted this enterprise to Cont Guy who should haue drawne his armie neere vnto Ast. The Maâ—quâ—s fearing to loose the one and not to saue the other had conteyned himselfe within his walls Guy Guiffroy Lord of Boutieres was appointed gouernor by the King in Buâ—â—es place The snow yce and slipperines of the winter stayed the courses of the garrisons in Picardy And whilest the season kept them from doing any memorable exploits the King laying open in his Court of Parliament at Paris in the presence of the Peeres of France Pursute against the Emperour in iustice and Princes of the bloud forty 〈…〉 Bishops many officers of the Crowne and other great presonagâ—s of all Estates the lawfull armes of a Lord against his vassall that hath committed a trespasâ— he sent to suÌ„mon the Emperour vpon the fronters by a Herald to come and plead what he should thinke good against the demands of his maiesties Aduocate and Proctor generall concluding that in regard of the rebellions treacheries of the said Emperour against the King his naturall Prince and Souereigne Lord by reason of the Earledomes of Flanders Arthois Charolois and other places holding of the crowne of France they should be adiudged confiscate and vnited to the Crowne And no man appearing for the Emperour the demaund of the Kings Councel was registred according to the forme tenure vsual in those cases For the execution of this sentence the Lords of Annebault Tais Termes Aussun Frenchmen More of Nouate Francis Bernardin of Vimercat Italians George Capâ—ssement and Theode Manes Albanois eyther of them commanding two hundred light horse de Bies Seneshall and Gouernour of Boullen and De Crequi Gouernor of Monstrueil Captaines of fifty men at armes hauing victualed Therouenne in viewe of the Earle of Reux who issued forth of S. Omer with six hundred horse to preuent this Stratagem the King parting from Amiens whereas Charles Duke of Vendosme then died much lamented of the King and Realme a braue Prince and well deseruing of this Crowne for his many notable seruices the king in the end of March sends VVilliam Earle of Furstemberg to field with eight thousand Lansquenets the Lords of Seâ—eâ— and Auchi who were slaine at the first approches at Hedin Heilly S. Seual Picards Bacqueuille la Salle S. Albin Normands Quincy a Champanois Haraâ—court a Lorraine either of them leading a thousand men and many other bandes of Germains and French amounting all to fiue and twenty thousand men wherof Montmorency Lord Steward was Lieutenant generall for his maiesty Hedin of consequence to the King 1537 for the preseruation of his other places in Picardie and being in his power did wonderfully annoy the enemy Heâ—in taken The towne abandoned by the garrâ—son they retyre into the Castell the which was taken without resiâ—tance but the Earle of Reuâ—â— had well furnishâ—d the Castell for the deâ—ence of a place of importance Captaine Samson an old Knight of Namurs a great soldiar commanded there with fifteene hundred men vnder the enseignes of Bouâ—eâ—s and Vaudeuille They make their approches many Captaines perswaded that the thicknes of the wall mayntained wich a great rampâ—r would neuer aâ—mâ—t any breach tâ—ey come to vndermine The
Prince of Milphe the Lâ—â—ds of Barbesâ—â—â—â— Burie Viâ—lâ—ers Corneilles vndertake the worke and cast downe â—alfe a Tower pâ—ssiâ—g from the Towne to the Castell but that 〈◊〉 whicâ— ioyned to the Castell stâ—â—ding firme the place was not much weakened Tâ—e King then 〈◊〉 to attempt it by batterie and hee himselfe shewes the place where to plant the Cannon At the approches Lâ—sarches and Pont-briant 〈◊〉 experienced Commissaries of the artillery with many Caâ—â—oniers and others loose their liues The Cannon planted vpon the brinke of the â—â—ench plaies two daies togither and the third they make a breach of thirtie fadomes The Kings presence being the rewarder of vertue setts many yong gentlemen on fire being desirous of reputation and before that order be giuen â—or the assault carries them to the toppe of the breach But they find the like valout in 〈◊〉 them some are slaine vpon the place others returne â—ore wounded Charles of 〈◊〉 among others Earle of Sincerre a yong Noble man who followed the â—â—â—ppes of his 〈◊〉 vertue Aubigny Lieutenant to Sercu and Damiâ—te enseigne beâ—â—er of the sayd Company testified by their deathes the hope of their youth if the chance of armes 〈◊〉 â—ent them a longer life Haraucourt a Lorraine and his â—rother his Lieutenant sons to the Lord of Paâ—oy Lieutenant to the Duke of Guise in the gouernment of Champagne and of his companie of man at armes Fâ—leâ—eres soâ—nâ— to Mardicoque and many others returned backe lame Yet this attempt amazed thâ— beseeged and helpt the generall For when as they see the order the King had giuen to assaile them in the morning a great number of men at armes on foote with fiue or six hundred light horsemen all the rest on horse-backe the whole army readie to be put in battaile if the enemy approched some appoynted to march first others to second them and some to releeue them that went to the assault the resolution and courage of the night past made them enter into composition whereby they departed with theiâ— baggage leauing the artilleâ—ie munition victualls The King committed it to the gard of Sercu The Castell of 〈◊〉 â—â—ken giuing him a company of fifty men at armes and a thousand foote Saint Paul neere vnto Hedin might much annoy him and reduced to the Kings obedience crosse the garrisons of Betune Arras Liliers and other places there abouts Annebault did this exploit and Anthonie of Castell an Italiâ—n Ingenâ—ur vndertooke the fortification of the Towne and Castell Saint Paul and Lilâ—iers taken Lilliers abandoned by Lieuin Captaine of the Towne was by the Lord Steward and Duke of Guise visiting the Country added to the former Conquests and left vnder the commande of Martin du Bellay Captaine of two hundred light horse ioyning vnto him la Lande with a thousand foote to keepe them of Saint Venant and Maruille from annoying the forragers victuallers of the French Army The Bourguignons had fortified an Iland at Saint Venant vpon the riuer of Lis. The Lord Steward vndertakes to force it and takes with him the Earle of Fursâ—emberg with eight thousand French and Germains At the first the beseeged repulse the Lansqueâ—ets kill some and wound many And now the day began to faile when as Charles Martâ—l Lord of Bacqueuille la Lande discouering one part of the trench worse manned then the rest they crosse it with their Normands and Picards and come to handâ—e bâ—â—wes they loose some men and kill many of the enemies force the trench the â—ampar and the bastion they compell them to abandon and leaue their defeâ—ceâ— and make way for the rest of their companies and troupes to enter who châ—â—ing the enemies make a great slaughter of men to reuenge the death of their companions They presently set vpon the second fort the bridge whereof was crâ—st with great long peeces of wood ioyned one to another and betwixt manned with good shott defended with a mill of stone well perced and furnished with harguebuses of Crocke and other shot But nothing is difficult to a resolute mind and the fâ—â—st flying to the second fort strooke terrour into them they force them and put them all to the sword The number of the dead was estemed twelue or fifteene hundred on both sides the place spoyled the bootie carried away and the houses burnt There passed no day without an enterprise of one side or other courses and recourses prises and reprises of men victuals and places ill garded or not gardable The King seeing the Emperour had no armie readie able to crosse his new conquest content for that yeare to haue taken Hedin and fortified Saint Paul he caused Liliers to bee burnt reseruing the Abby of Nunns and the Churches and the walls to bee beate downe that the enemie lodging there should not annoy Therouenne and Saint Paul he gaue the gouernment of S. Paul to Iohn d'Estouteuille Lord of Villebon Prouost of Paris with his coÌ„pany of men at armes that of Moyencourt named de Hangest to Martin du Bellay with his two hundred light horse and two thousand foot coÌ„manded by the Captaines la Lale and Saint Aubin Normans Blerencourt and Yuille Picards euery one fiue hundred and in the Castle a thousand men vnder the charge of René of Palletiere He left the Earle of Furstemberg in garrison at Dourlans with his Lansquenets and a hundred men at armes vnder the guidons of the Lords of Estree and la Roche du Nâ—â—ne But these bands were so ill compleet as they made not halfe their numbers then hauing in like sort prouided for other places hee brake vp his campe and dismissed his troupes to giue order for the affaires of Piedmont where the enemie grew strong The King thus disarming the Earle of Bures armes fower and twentie thousand Lansquenets six thousand Walons and eight thousand horse and resolues to charge the Lansquenets lodged neere to Dourlans to make the seege of Saint Paul more easie which he ment to attempt By the surprise of some letters he learned that the fortificatioÌ„s of the place required yet 2 c. dayes time to make it able to repulse the enemie He changeth his opinion and truning head to Saint Paul makes his approches the tenth of Iune notwithstanding the many sallies and skirmishes of the beseeged hee recouers by meanes of a great hollow way which the sodaine arriuall of the Imperials would not suffer them to make euen the point of a great Bulwarke vpon the way to Mouchy they vndermine day night shoot sixteene or eighteene hundred canon shot make a breach of three or foure paces Saint Paul beseeged by the Imperials and by the furie of seuen or eight peeces of artillerie force Martin de Bellay Blerencourt and Yuille to abandon the breach which lookes towards Dourlans their cheefe and almost only defence hee giues an assault with fiue or sixe hundred men onely to vew the breach and by the thunder of their Canons which battered all along the
which is decreed in heauen At this time William Duke of Normandie the sonne of Rhoâ— The Duke of Noâ—manâ—â—â— traâ—terously â—â—aine who had shewed himselfe so affectionate in the restoring of the King to his dignitie was traiterously massacred by the meanes of Arnoul Earle of Flanders his capitall enemy leauing one sonne named Richard a young man vnder gouernment This vnexpected and extraordinary death must needes breed great troubles in Normandie an estate which was but now beginning It did greatly import for the good of France to haue this Prouince in quiet Lewis was likewise particularly bound Troubles in Normanâ—ie for the good entertainment he had receiued of William in his greatest necessitie the which tyed him to his sonne These were goodly shewes to maâ—e him imbrace this cause so as hauing intelligence of this accident hee sends expresly to Richard and his Councell to assure him of his loue and succour and followes himâ—elfe presently to Rouan with a traine fiâ—te for his royall greatnesse being loth to bee the weakest after so strange an alteration where the most audacious do commonly fish in a troubled streame The colour of his comming was to comfort Richard with his councell and fauourable assistance but in effect it was to seize vpon his person and estate Hee sends for this young child to his lodging conducted by his gouernour the Knight Osmand he doth assure him with sweete words of his fatherly loue but when night came he would noâ— suffer him to depart detaining him three dayes with a carefull garde The people incensed by them that had the charge of the young Duke mutine and besiege the Kings lodging Hauing pacified this popular fury in deliuering them their Prince hee protests to haue no other intent but to preserue his estate And so in an open assembly of the Citty receiuing him to homage hauing giuen him a discharge of his lands and Seigneuries hee doth solemnly promise to reuenge the death of William against Arnoul Earle of Flanders and gets the consent of the Normans to lead their Duke with him to be instructed with his sonne Lothaire a young childe of the same age Hee brings him to Lâ—on whether Arnoul the murtherer of William repaires in shew to purge himselfe of the murther but in effect to perswade him so to seize on Richards person as he might enioy his estate Lewis being resolute in this determination a man disloyall by nature Lewis deales tâ—echeroâ—sly wâ—th the Duâ—e of Normandie and louing nothing but himselfe hee caused this poore young Prince to bee straightly garded but this Gouernour Osmond retires him cunningly out of Laon conducting him to Senlis to Hebert his fathers conâ—ident friend This is â—ee which imprisoned Charles the Simple contrary to his faith and now hee detests Lewis his Soueraigne Lord who seekes to doe the like vnto onâ— of his vassalls But we shall soone see the Iustice of God aboue all who will punish one by an other and shew himselfe an enemie and reuenger of all disloyaltie and misdemeanour both in seruant and maister and in all other as all are naturally subiâ—ct to this soueraigne lawe of integritie and faithfulnesse to all men Hugues the great Earle of Paris and Maior of the Pallace had won great credit with the Citties and men of warre but hee was more feared then loued of Lewis a treacherous and reuengefull Prince whome hee distrusted and opposed his authoritye against him Hebert was his confident friend So in this occurrent of this young Prince hee comes to Paris and winnes him to promise fauour vnto Richard or at the least to make him promise not to bee his enemie 942. The King likewise knowing how much his friendshâ—ppe did import in these 〈…〉 labours to winne him such was the strangnes of that age as the master must 〈…〉 the seruant the which hee obtayned vpon condition to giue him a good part 〈…〉 Herevpon the match was made that Hugues should accompany Lewis 〈…〉 warre of Normandy and should enter on the one side while the King came on the other promising to diuide their conquests according to their agrement But this succeeded not according to their meanings the two deceiuers were deceiued but the greatest bare the greatest burthen This complot of Lewis and Hugues could not be so secret but it came to the knowledge of Hebert who gaue intelligence to Richard and his gouernors Osmond and Bernard the Dane so as they assemble at Senlis and resolue to crosse this double dealing of Hugues with the like policy To this ende Hebert according to the familiarity he had with Hugues goes to conferre with him to put him in minde of his promise of the right of a yong Prince vniustly pursued by Lewis and of his treacherous and disloyall disposition who hauing vsed him to worke his will would in the end deceiue him beseeching him to stand firme in a good cause for his ancient and faithfull friends and not to fortifie their common enemy by the afflictions of an other but in defending the right vniustly set vpon prouide for his safety and profit Hugues who thought it best to haue two strings to his bowe distrusting Lewis in his heaâ—t more then any man lyuing doth easily grant Hebert to assist Richard against Lewis and doth confirme his promâ—se by oth Hebert hauing thus ingaged Hugues and yet distrusting him greatly whome he sees to play on both sides returnes to Senlis to Richard and his gouernors where they conclude that if Hugues ioyned with the King against Richard they would compound with the King to his cost The deceiuer is deceiued and so it happened The King goes to field with his army on the one side and Hugues on the other to inuade Normandy in diuers partes when as Bernard the Dâ—ne chiefe gouernor of the State for Richard and Osmond of his person came boldly vnto Lewis and sayd vnto him that he had no neede to attempt Normandy by force when as he might enioy it by a voluntary obedience for proofe whereof if it pleased him to come to Rouan he should be obeyed But withall he aduised him to take heed of Hugues his ancient enemy shewing him treacherously the countenance of a friend seruant least he were circumuented but rather to accept of al Normandie with Rouan the which offred it selfe vnto him to receiue peace from him yeeld him obedience as their Soueraine Lord. Lewis willingly giues eaâ—e to this aduice he comes presently to Rouan and is honorably receiued sending word to Hugues that seeing the Prouince obeyed there was no neede of further proceeding and hauing not imployed him in this voluntary conquest it was not reasonable he shoul participate in an other mans estate that the publike good and reason required him to leaue Richard as he was vnder the obedience of the Crowne without dismembring of his Estate Hugues who pretended a good part of this rich Country was greatly discontented with Lewis Hauing dismissed his
the 19. of May 1364. hauing before his coronation prouided honorablie for his fathers funeralles He raigned sixteene yeares being called and knowne by the name of Wise. In his youth he did taste the bitter rootes and in his age the sweet fruites of vertue His manners beloued honoured feared and respected both of his owne subiects and of strangers A deuout Prince wise temperate chast vigilant louing Iustice order and the people indued with as great authoritie as any Prince that euer raigned ouer this Monarchie accompanied with other vertues fit for those tâ—mes to preserue a state the which had more need of councell then of force too venturously hazarded by his grand father and father He was well assisted by the Princes of his bloud and the officers of the crowne very wished worthy aduantages for a King who being the head of an estate ought to be well serued by the principall members to guide and gouerne the whole body We haue said that he had three brethren Lewis Duke of Aniou Iohn Duke of Berry Philip Earle of Tourraine to whom according to his fathers testament he resigned the Duchie of Bourgongne with a mariage of great aduancement He gaue to Lewis the Duchie of Orleans Charles augments his bretherens portions and to Iohn he gaue Auuergne Poitou and Xaintonge besides Berry for his portion and Languedoc for his gouernment He was likewise well serued for Militarie causes by Bertrand of Gueselin a Britton an excellent Captaine whom he honoured with the dignitie of Constable in the place of Maurel de Fiennes hauing deposed him for sundrie crimes and for affaires of state he had Iohn Dormans Bishop of Beauuais and Chancellor of France in the end Cardinall whom his brother succeeded in the same charge With these helpes of councell and force he soone restored the realme being dismembred by the strange confusions of the forepassed raignes In his youth during these former broâ—es he was poisoned by the practises of the Nauarrois of whom we haue so often spoken This was preuented by counterpoysons yet left it a great infirmitie in his bodie the which forced him to a quiet life more profitable both for himselfe and his whole Realme then if he had beene a man of action 1364. for he dispatched affaires in his Closset without danger and incountred his enemies with a happie successe In the beginning of his raigne Charles his marriage and his children he married with Ioane the daughter of Charles Duke of Bourbon a Princesse of excellent beautie the which he preferred before the great wealth of the heire of Flanders and the benefit of his owne realme he had three sonnes and one daughter In the former raigne there was nothing but warre desolation teares cryes lamentations despaire and generally the mournfull image of death After these long and insupportable calamities the wisdom of Charles reducing things to their first beginning by his happy dexteritie gaue France a new forme like vnto a man who hauing a long dangerous sicknesse recouers himselfe by carefull keeping But there remained an infinit number of men accustomed to liue dissolutely through the licentiousnesse of the warre the which if he had sought to reforme by any good order it had bred some tumult in the State according to the violent and head-strong or restlesse humour of the French who must be doing at home if they be not imployed abroad The Eâ—glish prouided worke for these warriers in Brittaine in Flanders in the heart of France and in Castille but the wisdome of Charles preuented all I will note what happened rather according to the subiect then the order of times for that the matters are so confused as I cannot represent the dates distinctly without repetition and tediousnesse Brittaine was the first list to trie our men of warre there might they make warre without breach of tâ—uce and the quarrell betwixt Charles of Blois and Iohn of Montfort continued more violent then before for that Iohn of Montfort had married the daughter of the King of England and Lewis Duke of Aniou the daughter of Charles of Blois who imbraced and inkindled their pâ—iuate quarrels by these new occasions Bertrand of Gueselin a Gentleman of Brittanie of whom we haue before made mention had done the King good seruice during the warre with the Nauarrois Warre in Brittaine Charles relying vpon his fidelitie and valour giues him the charge of the warre to assist Charles of Blois being old and broken who was pressed by the enemie being supported with forces from England Gueselin being arriued the Nobilitie of Brittanie which were of Charles his faction repaire vnto him to the number of 1500. lances The Historie names the houses Rohâ—n Lâ—ual Leon Dinan Rieux Chasâ—eau-Briand Tourne-mire Raiz Malestroit Quintin Auaâ—gour Loheâ—c Ancenis Pont and many others This notable occasion was ministred to imploy these forces seeing that Ioane the heire the Dutchesse of Brittanie would not end this controuersie by composition as her husband Charles of Blois desired Iohn of Montfort beâ—ieged the Castell of Aulroy well defended by the contrary faction Iohn Chandos an Englishman a wise and well experienced Captaine commanded the English troupes He had an aduersarie in front no lesse valiant then himselfe Gueselin who â—ought for his countrie and the despaire of Charles of Blois much grieued with the t0ediousnesse of so painfull a processe The French English fight in Brittanie was a new spurre to animate him to fight They ioyne with their troupes the encounter is furious well charged well defended The two commanders made great proofe of their valours Gueselin Clisson are noted to haue omitted nothing of their duties but God who holds victories in his hand gaue it to Iohn of Montfort and the English armie The ouerthrow was great The French army defeated for Charles of Blois the head of the armie with Iohn his bastard brother the Lords of Dinan Auaugour Loheac Malestroit Pont Quergourlay and many others were slaine the Lords of Rohan Leon Raiz Mauny Tonerre Rouille Frainuille Reneuall and Rochfort were taken prisoners and so were Iohn and Guy the sonnes of Charles of Blois with Bertrand of Gueselin the which did greatly preiudice our Kings reputation The place of battaile the ensignes and the dead bodies remained in the power of Iohn of Montfort who sent the body of Charles of Blois with an honorable conuoy to his widow The Castel of Aulroy the cause of this battaile yeeld to the conquerour This hapned the 29. day of September .1364 This great defeat tâ—oubled Charles as a thing beyond his expectation Iohn of Montfort sends his ambassadors beseeching him as his Soueraigne to receiue homage of him and his 〈◊〉 the Duchie of Brittanie wonne by rightfull armes by the defeat of his enemie as God adiudging vnto him this right and possession 1365. Charles imbraceth this occasion he assignes him a day for the performance thereof and to do right and iustice to both
declared capable to gouerne the estate alone be freed from Tutors But oh the weakenes of mans wisedom he did not foresee that his son should be ill gouerned by his Tutors in his minority that the age of 14. should not free him from Tutors and that euen his sonne coming to mans estate should giue more scope to the ambition of his owne vncles more worthily to be called murtherers then tutors then his weakest youth had done He had a Fistula in one arme by the which those ill humors were drawne away which grewe by poison and gaue him great ease when it did run It chanced this Fistula stopt and then his maladie encreased much Charles resoluing by this sharpe alarum to go the common way of all flesh calls for his three Bretheren Lewis Iohn and Philip and hauing recommended his children and subiects vnto them he giues them particular aduise for the gouernment of the Realme leaâ—ing the custody of his sonne and the Regency of the Realme vnto them He died the 16. of September .1380 in the Castle of Beauty seated vpon the Riuer of Marne He commaunded that Oliuer of Clisson should be Constable hauing commended his fidelity and sufficiency and that they should carefully preserue the amity of Germany Thus died Charles the wise wonderfully beloued and lamented of his subiects leauing his Realme in good estate Charles dies after so horrible a desolation And although the confusions passed had wonderfully impouerished the subiects and wasted the Kings Treasor neyther was his raigne free from warre yet did he leaue the Prouinces of his Realme very wealthy and an infinite tresor in his cofers although he had built the Louure S. Germaine in Laye Montargis Creill the Celestures and some other Churches Of such power is good husbandry in this realme as in riches it yeelds not to the treasors of Peru not in â—eâ—tility to any country vnder heauen to subsist amidst so many storms and to be presently restored by good husbandry An example for Princes to imitate and not to despaire in like confusions but to hope for all that may be wished for in the restoring of an estate by paâ—ience and dexteâ—ity vertues proper to our wise Charles A Prince so much the more praise worthy hauing preserued this Estate when it seemed lost His dispositioÌ„ religious wise modest patient stirring and stayed when need required able to entertaine euery man according to his humor hauing by these vertues wonne a great reputation both within and without the Realme and honourable to his posterity as he to haue saued France from shipwracke He loued leaâ—ning and learned men Nicholas Oresme was his schoolemaister whom hee honoured with great preferments He caused the bible to be translated into French imitating S. Lewis I have seene the originall in the Kings lodging at the Louure signed by King Charles and his Brother the Duke of Berry A goodly obseruation of the auntient simplicity of those royall characters I haue likewise seene a Manuscript of the translation made by the commaundement of S. Lewis He delighted in the reading of the holy Scâ—iptuâ—e Phâ—losophy hauing likewise caused the Eâ—hicâ—s and Politicks of Aristotle with many bookes of Tully to be translated into French The fauâ—ut he shewed to learned men stirred vp many good witts who began to draw the Muses from their graues both in France and Italy The History doth paâ—ticulaâ—ly note that he did often vâ—sit his Coâ—rt of Parliament and his chamber of accompts gaue audience vnto sutors read their petâ—tions and heard theâ—r complaints and reasons imploying some dayes of the weeke euen in his greatest affaires to do those fatherly and royall workes of Iustice. He tooke greaâ— delight to aduance his houshold seruants giuing them meanes secretly and without the pâ—iuity of any to instâ—uct their sonnes and to marâ—ie their daughters A testimonâ—e of a good conscience and of a wise man This bond of loyaltie could haue no better foundation then in transpoâ—ting it from the Father to the sonne nor almes be better imploied then from the maister to the seruant Royall vertues and worthy of eternall memory But alas what shal be the successe of this bounty and wisedome The raigne oâ— his sonne Charles shâ—lbe most miserable 〈◊〉 hath done the part of a good Brother of a good master a good Father and a good 〈◊〉 but God the Soueraigne of Kings had limited the euents of his cares To â—each vs 〈◊〉 a notable example That vnlesse the Lord build the house the worke men lâ—bour but â—n vaine if the Lord keepe not the citty the watchman watcâ—eth but in vaine for an eternal maxime of â—â—uernement and state ConsideratioÌ„s worthy to be obserued by Princes Whosoeuer glories let him glory in the Lord. But vertues are noâ— herâ—dâ—â—ie Iohn not very wise begat Charles a wise and happy Prince and he begets a frantâ—ke man vnhappy both in youth and age We may on the other side oppose other considerations very disputable Profit aduised him to marry the heire of Flanders not onely to pacifie that country but also to inlarge his owne dominions adding therevnto that great and rich estate of Flanders from whence so many mischiefes haue sprong to France but his delight made him preferre the fayre before the rich Moreouer the rules of State did not permit him so to aduance his brother making him in a manner equal to himselfe in power the which must needes be the cause of many inconueniences as it after happened The cause of his brother Philip Duke of Bourgongne is ordered by the same rule for who can with reason mislike that Charles giues a portion to his brother by his fathers will and that in the rich marryage of a Prince his vassall and of a neere estate whereby his realme was dayly annoyed he preferres his brother before his capitall enemy But God had reserued the honour to himselfe Bourgongne since Robert the Grandchild of Hugh Capet had beene successiuely in the power of Princes who had alwayes done faithfull seruice to the crowne and now it shal be a scouâ—ge vnto it yet in the ende it shal be vnited vnto the crowne againe and taken from such as had abused it Experience doth teach that in matters of State the ende is not alwayes answerable to the beginning nor the successe to the desseine to the ende that Princes may depend of him who is greater then themselues who hath made them and can marre them without whom they cannot do any thing Behold the life death race raigne and manners of Charles the 5. called the wise But before we enter into the troublesome raigne of Charles the 6. The Estate of the empire Let vs obserue the estate of the Empire and of the Church We haue saide that Charles the sonne of Iohn King of Bohemia had beene chosen Emperour and called Charles the 4. Hee held the Empire 32. yeares beginning in the yeare 1350. So the raignes of Iohn and Charles
but yeeld vnto him as his vassall but as coÌ„stable of France and deerely beloued of his Maister the greatest monarch in Europe and Soueâ—aigne to the Duke of Brittaine herein the Duke must needes respect him his place giuing him auâ—hority in many notable actions ouer the greatest personages within the Realme This was the ground of their hate which not onely embarked King Charles lord vnto them both but carâ—ied him so farre into the maine as he could not auoide a notable shipwracke by their meanes By the former accord Iohn of Montfort was to yeeld vnto Clisson all his patrimonye whereon he had seized vnder colour of a confiscation reuoked by Charles â—he which he had not yet performed And alâ—hough he had promised the King and giuen him a newe assurance Complaines against the Duke of Briâ—taine yet did hee not â—â—ust â—he King but continued hâ—s intelligences with the English fortified his places and coyned boâ—h gold and siluer against the Lawes of State He refused likewise to acknowledge Clâ—ment â—he 7 for lawfull Pope whom France approoued noâ— to suffer the Eaâ—le of Ponthiâ—ure aforesaid to beate the name and armes of Brittaine These were the chiefe causes of their complaâ—nts and differences The King and his most secret councell Mercier Montagu and la Riuiâ—re held for the Constable The Dukes of Berry and Bourgongne and the Chancellour Orgemont for the Duke of Brittaine a cunning dissembling Prince and high minded He spake proudly by reason of his intelligence with England which could not fâ—ile him and mildly when as he found meanes to do his businesse vnder-hand not to breake with the King 1391. He comes to Tours vnto Charles where afâ—er many discourses their quarrells are ended by marâ—iages He is reconciled to the king Constable the Kings daughter beeing yet yong is promised to the Dukes sonne and the sonne of Iohn Earle of Ponthieure borne of the Constables daughter to the Dukes daughter who promiseth likewise to restore Clisson his lands in shew friends but in their hearts irreconciliable enimies Hereuppon Clisson goes into Brittaine to receiue his lands The Duke held a Parliament at Vannes whether he called his nobility The Constable comes fearing no enemie the Duke had built a Castle called the Hermine where he feasts the Sâ—ates The Constable is called and welcommed with the first this countenance did not shew what was prepared for the end of the banket against the Constable After dinner â—he Duke taking him by the hand vnder colour to shew him his building and to haue his aduise as of a great Captaine and well seene in Architecture he leads him from place to place through halls chambers and closets vntill hee had brought him to a great Towre hauing an iron doâ—e wherein were armed men The Duke enters first the Constable followes him as viewing the proportion of this worke and the thicknesse of the walles by the windowes But behold the Duke slips out of the Towre where he leaues the Constable and shuttes the doore after him This signe giuen â—he armed men seaze vppon the Constables sword and keepe him prisoner putting irons on his legges The Duke of Briâ—â—aâ—â— â—eâ—zeth treacherously on the Constable The Constable was not so much amazed at this strange vsage as the Duke reioyced at this sweet content of reuenge thinking to attaine the full of his desires to be reuenged of a capitall and cruell enemy and in the heat of his fury he commands a faithfull seruant of his called Iohn Baualan to dispatch the Constable presently Baualan accepts this charge but he doth not execute it He goes to the Towre and assures himselfe of the Constables person retaining the souldiours whom the Duke commanded to â—bey him and so he passeth the night with the constable But the night gaue him Councell The Duke transported with ioy in the heat of his choler goes to his rest but care awaked him and reason of more force then his passion lets him know the fault he had committed and repentance followed this first act A wise seruant in not obeying his masters passion The Duke lying restlesse a great paâ—t of the night riseth â—arely in the morning calleth Baualan and demands what is become of the Constable The Duke of Briâ—tain repents him of what he had done his passion bewrayes his minde before he spake witnessing the shame he had of his choler and his griefe for this furious charge Baualan comforts him and assures him that the Constable is well The Duke wonderfully glad of this newes which freed him from so cruell a torment commands he should be well intreated and with respect attending newes from the King from whom there comes post vpon post with complaints and commandements to the Duke The Duke without any great delay excuseth himselfe of his imprisonment and sends the Consâ—able to the King It had beene more auaileable for him to haue suppâ—essed his choler in committing this errour But he did verifie That he which offends doth neuer forgiue The Constable goes to the King to Blois he thanks him for his care of his deliuery the Duke doth likewise send vnto him to craue a safe conduct to come himselfe to make his iust excuses and to shewe what reason had moued him to put the Constable in prison The Dukes of Berry and Bourgongne holding openly for the Britton obtaine leaue for him to come vppon the Kings word He comes well accompanied and not onely iustifies the taking of Clisson being his subiect and in his owne Country but also hee would haue the King beholding vnto him for the respect he bare vnto his officer whoÌ„ oâ—herwise he might iustly haue put to death It is an easie matter for great men to manage their aâ—fairâ—s at their seruants cost The Constable digested quietly this new affront being glad to haue recouered his liberty but the Duke of Brittaines malice shal be the cause of great miserie both to the King and realme seeking new deuises to satisfie his choler a furious beast which can neuer bee tamed by flattery It burst forth vppon a light and ridiculous subiect which bred a horrible Chaos of sundry confusions Peter Craon a Nobleman of the Countrie of Aniou 1393. had great credit with the King and with Leâ—is Duke of Aniou his Brother who loued him so deerely as he trusted him with his greaâ—est secreats euen with his amorous passions wherevnto his loose disposition his age â—asâ— and Court made him too proane to the great discontent of Valentine his wife who exceeding iealous of her husband and an Italian seeking by all meanes to learne how he was affected feeling him so colde to her she finds no better expedient then to gaine Craon whome shee handled so cunningly as she drewe the worme from his nose Hauing speciall aduertisment of her husbands loues she threatens the Ladie that was beloued and complaynes to her husband naming the reporter The Duke of Orleâ—ns finding himselfe wâ—onged by this
wisely weighing the vanity of popular tumults resolues to husband this occasion and to make his peace with the King and the housâ— of Orleans hauing so great an aduantage ouer them to ratifie the abolition which he had obtained against at all euents He then sends his Ambassadors to King Charles to Tours William Duke of Bauiere the Lords of Saint George Croy Viefuille Dolehaing to treat a peace with him and the children of Orleans making great shewes of humiliâ—y and loue This new course mooued the King and Princes the which they expected not from the Duke of Bourgongne Valantine Duchesse of Oâ—leans dies for griefe being so late a Conqueror so as they easely yeeld to an agreement vpon conditions but stil to the preiudice of the poore widowe and afflicted orphans In this confusion Valentine Duchesse of Orleans seeing her paines lost in the pursuite of so iust a cause dies for thought within fewe dayes after leauing great trouble and fewe friends to her Children and great ioy to the Bourguignon seeing his cause wonne by the death of this couragious woman who onely might oppose her selfe The King comes to Chartres to solemnize this peace hee sends for Charles Duke of Orlâ—ans and his bretheren and for Iohn Duke of Bourgongne and al appeere at a prefixed day A counterfeit peace betwixt Ioâ—n and the Duke of Oâ—leans children A scaffold is made where the King sitts in his seate of Iustice enuironed with the Princes of his bloud in great state Iohn Duke of Bourgongne approching neere the King kneeles downe with Dolâ—haing his aduocate who speaketh thus Licge Lord behold the Duke of Bourgongne your seruant and Cousin is come vnto you for that he vnderstands you are much offended with him for the deed done and committed on the person of my Lord the Duke of Orleans your brother for the good of the realme and of your person as he is redie to let you vnderstand when soeuer it shall please you therefore my Lord he doth humbly beseech you that it would please you to forget the wrath and indignation you haue conceyued against him and receiue him into fauour After these wordes the King commanded the Duke to retyre himselfe which done the Queene the Daulphin the Kings of Sicile and Nauarre the Duke of Berry fall on their knees before the King the Queene sayed Dread Lord we beseech you to grant the request of your Cousin the Duke of Bourgongne The King answered Wee will and do grant it for your sakes The Duke of Bourgongne being callâ—d againe kneeles before the King who saies vnto him Faire Cousin we grant your request and pardon you all The Duke hauing thanked the King riseth Behind the Kings chaire stood Charles of Orlâ—â—ns with his Brethren weeping bitterly The Duke of Bourgongne goes vnto them accompanied with his Aduocate and hauing saluted them with a very humble counteâ—ance the Aduocate spake thus vnto them My Lords the Duke of Bourgongne â—ere presâ—nt intreats you to put out of your remâ—Ì„brance that hatred which you may haue against him for the outrage committed on the person of my Lord of Orleans your father The Dukes of Orâ—â—â—ns aâ—d 〈◊〉 reconciâ—ed and that here after you will remaine good Kinsmen and louing friends The Duke added And hereof I pray you But they answered nothing Then the King said vnto them My fayre Cousins I will hâ—ue it so And they answered Liâ—ge Lord seing it pleaseth you to command vs we yeeld thereto for we will not disobey your commandements in any thing The Duke accepted it thanking the king and his Cousins of Orleans Then the Cardinall of Bâ—rr brought â—he holy testament whereon boâ—h parties did sweare a peace neuer to remember what was past and â—o hold a pâ—rpâ—tuall League of friendship And the King saied We will that heareafter you liue likegood Kinsmen and friends together and we straightly charge you not to wrong one another nor any other person that hath fauored you neither shew any malice or hatred vnto them as you tender our displeasure excâ—pt such as committed the said murther whom we banish our â—ealme for euer Theâ—e are the very words faithfully out of the Originall of that age This happened the 9. of March .1409 Then followed nothing but marriages the Duke of Bourgongne married his two brethren Philippe Earle of Neuers with the heire of Coussy and Anthonie Duke of Brabant with the heire of Luxembourg He is greatly in credit both with the King and Queene his â—â—ayne semed greater then his masters The bounty of his Kitchin drawes men from all parts but he had not made his peace with God neither in his heart with thâ—â—e poore orphelins destitute both of friends and means at whose coste this peace was made the which was but counterfait and continued not long Iohn Duke of Bourgongne gouerning all in the Kings name and the Daulphines The faction of Orleans opposeth The ciuill watres reuiue ended with a peace and the newe authority of this Daulphin who dispossesâ—eth the Bourguignon and restores them of Orleans From the yeare 1409. to the yeare 1413. AFter this accord the Court takes a newe forme Queene Isabell thinkes no more of her poore Nephewes of Orleans shee is wholy the Duke of Bourgongnes The Duke of Berry followes the same traine For proofe of a cordial friendship Iohn gouerâ—â—â— the court The Daulphin marrieth the the duke of Bouringongneâ— daughter the Queene doth openly fauour the marriage so long promised of Lewis the Daulphin her eldest sonne with Katherine daughter to the Duke of Bourgongne which marriage was solemnised Nowe Iohn of Bourgongne is father-in-law to the Daulphin it is he which gouerns both his heart and house Moreouer Charles King of Nauarre Lewis duke of Bauierre the dukes of Lorraine Brittaine Bar Alenson Cleues Vaudemont and after their example the greatest Noblemen in Court are all on his side There is nothing but feasting in his house all ioy whilest the Orphans of Orleans weepe Paris honours him as their protector and trusts none but him and Iohn doth affect â—othing more carefully with the King and Daulphin then the loue of the people Hee doth all he can to please them The chiefe subiect of his discourse is to reforme the State to seeme thereby more affectionate to the common weale In a solemne feast where al the court was present he gaue to his friends in stead of a banket plomets of gold and siluer shewing by this figure that his desire was to rule the State â—ell and to shewe the effect of his words he procured this notable occasion All men cried out of the Treasorers as horseleeches of the common treasure the chiefe causes of bad husbandry whereby the King and people were so much impouerished We haue made mention before of one of the Kings chiefe mignons called Montagâ— who had too soone fled the storme beeing returned he growes in greater credit with the King then before who
make it victorious ouer his enemies The Parisiens discontented with the violent courses of the newe Regent began to abâ—te their ioy within fewe dayes after before Henries returne into England Philip of Bourgongne Earle of Saint Pol Cousin germaine to the Duke of Bourgongne was gouernor of Paris by the appointment of King Charles Henry displaceth him and appoints Thomas Duke of Clarence his brother He sets English gards in all the strong places of the Cittie and displaceth the French and Bourguignons and yet durst they not mutter The Lord of Liâ—e Adam made Mareshal of France for that he had assisted at the taking and massacre of Paris was as much out of fauour with this new King as he was pleasing to the Parisiens The Regent sends men to apprehend him The Parisiens discontented with the new King whome as they led to the Bâ—â—â—ille the people made an offer to rescue but they were sharpely repulst by the English and well beaten a iust reward hauing wished for a strange King but they shall soone after haue other imployments to teach them to knowe newe bread from olde which they had so much disdayned Thus Henry the 5. made the Parisiens to knowe in time that he had authority to force obedience in punishing fooles and rebels growne lycentious in confusion On the other side the Daulphin faints not at the first brunt of this new royaltâ—e but growing resolute against all stoâ—mes he looseth no opportunity to aduance his affaires The English defeated and the Duke of Clarence slaine We haue shewed how that Aniou obeyed him The new Regent commands the the Duke of Clarence his Brother to make warre in those partes So he enters the Country with his army as it were to take possession of his owne He presents him selfe before Angiers the cheefe Cittie of that Prouince presuming that all would presently obeye him but the issue did not answer his hopes for he found all the French resolute to defend themselues against a stranger to obey their naturall King Herevpon the French ioyne together they arme and go to field The English being out of hope to take Anger 's turne head against the French army lodged at Little Baugé which attended resolutly the force of a mighty and victorious enemie On the other side the imaginarie hope of victorie thrust on the Duke of Clarence against our men whom he held to be halfe dead but he finds them reuiued readie to sell their liues at a deare rate The battaile was very bloudy the one fighting for Empire and honor and the other for their liues and altars The euent was vnfortunate for the English The Duke of Clarence was was slaine and the English army lost 1500. men vpon the place for the first fruits of their new Regencie and a gage of their pretended royaltie This famous incounter hapened in the yeare 1420. the ninth of Aprill As in the fit of a dangerous disease the first motions of nature are very important so is it in Sate A light beginning after a great daunger drawes a great consequence either to good or euill This first action had a great traine Charles his partie began to rise as if the good hap of the lawefull heire reuiuing had taken a newe forme in setling his authoriâ—â—e Iohn of Montfort Duke of Brittain fauored this first successe of Aniou After that the English had seized vpon Normandie he put himselfe vnder his protection but nowe he turnes tayle and allyes himselfe with our Charles against him in a defensiue and offensiue league What remaynes of the historie of Brittaine I will reserue for an other place let vs new reâ—urne to our discourse At the same instant Iames of Harcourt leaues the Bourguignons partie He makes war in the Countrie of Vimea and takes diuers places Pont Remy Saint Riquier la Ferté Mareuill Diancourt Araines and other small places The Bourguignon goes to field the smallest Townes yeeld vnto him He beseegeth Saint Riquier being well defended by the Lord of Offemont but newes comes that the Daulphins armie approcheth The Bourguignon resolues to meete them he sendes forth part of his forces they are dispersed vpon a false alarum that the Duke of Bouegongne was dead As they were in this disorder behold he shewes himself to his soldiars 〈◊〉 of resolutioÌ„ so â—itly as hauing rallyed his men and incouraged them he not only reâ—elles his enemie but defends them takes Saint Riquier and frees Picardie from feare Such is the variety of our incounterâ— the Conquerour here is conquered The Bourguignon being in field our newe Regent comes from his realme of England with newe forces The great exploits of Henry hauing resolued to imploy all their meanes ioyntly to ruine the Daulphin before he should fortifie himselfe with any new successe they disperse their forces into diuers parts of the realme hauing more men and mony then the Daulphin The Prince of Orenge held the Daulphin in awe The Lord of Roche-baron made war in Forest and Aâ—uergne and the bodie of the armie with the Regent and Duke marched against the Daulphin who was retyred to Bourges a strong Cittie and of a fit situation lying in the middest of such Prouinces as obeyed him This army marching with a victorious shewe beseegeth Dreux and takes it by composition Chartres yeelds willingly from thence hee marcheth with an intent to drawe the Daulphin to fight but the Regent seeing him retyre to a place of hard accesse resolues to free all the Townes about Paris but especially Senâ—is and Soissons townes of importance Hee hoped to vanquish him by degrees and in the ende to giue him the mate But all enterprises succeed not Man purposeth but God disposeth who ment to trie 1421. but 〈◊〉 to ruine France All succeedâ— not wishfully to the English being King of France in conceit The Prince of Orange is beaten in Languedoc and Tanneguy of Châ—stâ—ll Steward of â—eaâ—câ—ire hauing happily recouered Port Saint 〈◊〉 a tâ—â—ne of importance vpon the passage of Rosâ—â— all the rest yeelds to the Daulphins command so as he could hardly keepe his Towne of Oranges Auâ—gnon fauoured the Daulphin Rochâ—bâ—ron was taken at Seruerotte by Imbert of Grosâ—e Seneshall of Lion and so Auâ—eâ—gne and Forest were subiect to the Daulphin who seeing himselfe without any enemie and forces ready for his defence he besiegeth la Charité and taâ—es it From thence he goes to Cosâ—â— where he findes great â—â—sistâ—nce yet he doth presse it with such violence as they are forced to part They prefixe a certaine day to be succoured by the new Regent or to yeeld to the Daulphin The Regent assures them of releefe exceeding glad of this occasion to draw our Daulphin to the combate wherein he hoped to vanquish him But he had not made his accoumpt with death who holds his assignements more certaine then all monarches for resoluing vpon this voyage although he had many other affaires in hand he â—ell sick and of a
the greatest dignities of the realme· for he made Charles Steward Earle of Boucquam his Constable and Iames Earle Du-glas Marshall of France and to honour the Scottish-mens faith he gaue them the gard of his person an institution which continues vnto this day He institutes a gard of theÌ„ for his person He had likewise some friends in Spaine and Italie who succoured him in due time according to their meanes We haue shewed what Prouinces followed the partie of our Charles amongst the which Languedoâ— was a principall The importance of this countrie did much aduance his affaires This reason moued both the Bourguignon and the Sauoiard against this Prouince The instruments fit for this enterprise were Iohn of Châ—â—lons Prince of Orange and the Lord Bochebaron a Nobleman of Velay one of the 22. diocesses of Languedoc The first by the commodity of his neighbourhood did win Nismes Pontsaint Esprit Aiguesmortes and all the rest of base Languedoc vnto Beziers Warre in Languedoc except the Castell of Pezenas the tower of Villenefue by Auignon the castell of Egaliers now wholy ruined neere vnto Vzez This losse was somewhat repaired by the fidelitie of the inhabitants Aiguesmortes set vp their ensigne of libertie by the direction of the Baron of Vauuerbe and killes the garrison of Bourguignons which the Prince of Orange had placed there To this day they shew a great tub of Stone wherein they did salt the Bourguignons The example of this strong and important Citty A strange cruelty whereby they are called Bourguignons sallies to this day awaked the rest and euen vpon the approch of the Earle of Foix who came with a goodly armye all the Townes yeeâ—d vnto him except Nismes and Pont S. Esprit Townes of great importance in that countrye the one beeing the head of that Seneshauce the other a passage vpon the Rosne towardes Daulphiné But as the libertie of time made the seruant presume aboue the Master so it chanced that the Earle of Foix hauing tasted the sweet of command and transported with the common humour of men seeking to make their profit of the common confusions of France deteined the reuenues of Languedoc by his absolute authority imparting none to Charles being exceeding poore in this confused time This necessity was accompanied with a cruell warre stirâ—ed vp in Velay by the Lord of Roche-baron a partisan to the Dukes of Sauoy and Bourgongne who furnished him both with men and money for this rebellion for it was rather a horrible theuery then a warre These 〈◊〉 occasions drew Charles into Languedoc to confirme his authority and his voyage succeeded according to his intent for he chased the Prince of Orange out of Nismes and Pont S. Esprit he pacified the troubles of Velay and put the Earle of Foix from his gouernement giuing the place to Charles of Bourbon Earle of Clermont a Prince of the bloud to the great content of all the people Hauing thus happily prouided for his affaires he takes the way of Velay to returne into France beeing arriued at Espaly a Castle belonging to the Bishop of Puy he is aduertised of his fathers death Charles mouâ—rnes for the death of his father after Henry the 5. his Competitor He falles presently to teares and mourning yet he buries not his affaires in care His Councell aduiseth him to change his blacke roabes into Scarlet to set vp the banner of France in his name and to proclaime himselfe King for the first fruites of his coronation the which being performed at Puy to the peoples great ioye Charles goes to Poitiers where he caused himselfe to de crowned King and receiued the homage and oathes of the officers of the Crowne Princes Noblemen and gentlemen that were about him with such pompe as the strictnesse of time would permit Then he intituled himselfe King of France and made shew of more authority and greater pompe But on the other side the Duke of Bedford beganne to bandy more strongly against him Henry the 6. his pupill a yong infant was in England He caused him likewise to bee crowned King till the seauen yeares after he should be solemnely installed at Paris in the yeare 1430. He set his name vpon the money of France making a new stampe but without any other change then of his name So that hereafter two Kings two factions two armies shall contend for this goodâ—â— Crowne The heire being the weaker shall fight against a strong pretender Law â—â—uours the one and force the other but the Protector of this estate will giue a fauourable doome for the weaker The Dukes of Bedford and Bourgongne hold a counsel aâ— Amiens that the honour of so memorable a preseruation of this monarchy apparently drawne out of the graue may be giuen to him who rules the deluge of our confusions by his miraculous prouidence Scarse had Charles receiued the first fruites of his royall authority when as the Dukes of Bedford and Bourgongne his capitall enemies assemble at Amiens to crosse his new dignity in the breeding There shall be seaueh yeares of exceeding bad time but after this sharpe winter there will come a goodly spring when as all seemed lost and in the ende Sommer shall follow with a plentifull haruest of rest to this Realme whereof the lawfull heâ—e shall remaine in quiet possession and the pretender expelled with losse euen of that which he might haue ciuilly inioyed In this assembly at Amiens great plottes are layde against Charles whose ruine was their soueraigne end All is done at the charge of the English Peter Duke of Brittaine and Arthur Earle of Richmont his brother are there present Amedee Duke of Sauoâ— sends his Ambassadors A great league against King Charles consumed by alliances vnder an other colour but he casts the stone hides his arme The Dukes of Bedford Brittaine and Sauoy make a defensiue offensiue league agaiâ—â—â— Charles The soueraignty of the Crowne should remaine to the English the commoâ—â—ties to the Dukes They set the seale of marriages to this alliance Iohn Duke of â—edford marries with Anne the sister of Philip Duke of Bourgongne and Marguerit his other Sâ—ster takeâ— Arthur the Earle of Richemont Then they seeke the fruits of this alliance with the preiudice of Charles Euery man takes his quarter to torment him on all sideâ— The Bourguignon vndertakes Picardy where he settles Iohn of Luxembourg to expel the Daulphinois out of some places which they held there Henry of Lancaster Earle of Salisbury went into Champagne and Bry to clense the Country about Paris and to budâ—e Orleans The Earle of Warwick vndertooke Guienne to make war against those toâ—nes that held the Daulphins party Lewis Prince of Orange had charge to arme in Languedoc and Daulphiné Behold a great storme rising against the lawfull heire of this crâ—â—ne Amidst all these difficultyes Charles must needs be in great perplexitie but I reade with ioy that he whom God had chosen to
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
seruice Queene of Sicile his mother in lawe with Tanneguy of Chasâ—ell being very acceptable to these two bretheren Their comming did greatly aduance this businesse They preuailed so farre as the Duke of Brittaine the Earle of â—ichmont his brother were both ready to imbrace the Kings friendship and to doe him seruice so as the Duke of Bourgongne would yeeld vnto it and in the meane time to draw this businesse to some good end Richmont should go and treat with his maiesty vpon good hostages for his safety This condition was accepted by Charles and to loose no time the Lord of Albret and the bastard of Orleans were sent vnto him for hostages and the townes of Chinon Loches Lusignan Meung were giuen him for assurance vntill the end of the treaty and ample pasports made to go and come with all liberty This worke began this yeare in Nouember and shal end the next yeare with a notable successe But the Duke of Bourgongne imbraced an other notable occasion which shall more preiudice the English then this occurrent of Brittain We haue said that this leâ—ain was layde in the yeare 1423. by the marriage of Iaquâ—line Countesse of Hainault Holland Zeland a wife contended for by two husbands the Duke of Brabant cousin germaine and a deere friend to the Duke of Bourgongne and the Duke of Glocester brother to the Duke of Bedford and vncle to Henry the 6. King of England two great parties which shall diuide the Dukes of Bedford Bourgongne and shall be the meanes to reconcile the BourguignoÌ„ to Charles A notable processe of Iaqueline against her husband supported by the Bourguignon reduce him to the obedience of this crowne expell the English out of France and restore the realme But the prouidence of GOD which goes insensibly by degrees aboue mans conceipt must be distinctly considered About the ende of this yeare Iaqueline of Hainault comes out of England with the Duke of Glocester her second husband foâ—tified with an armie of fiue thousand English She caused the Nobility and the Citties to renue their othes both to her and the Duke of Glocester her lawfull husband All the Nobilitie obeyes this commandement except the Earle of Conuersan Iohn of Iumont Angilbert of Anghien and all Townes except Hals The Duke of Bourgongne greatly affected this quarrell The Duke of Bedford foreseeing the danger that might growe by the Bourguignons discontent labors to suppresse it in the breeding and to that ende he drawes them to Paris with their friends but in vaine The one striues to inioy his estats and the other to hinder him So as whilest the cause is disputed in the Court at Rome the armies prepare on eyther side to ende it by bloud and spoile The Glocestrian begins the Bourguignon followes So the end of this yeare is the beginning of a warre of foure whole yeares but it shal be ended in fauour of the Bourguignon This newe yeare shal be spent in the altercations of the Court and Brittaine The Brittoâ— made Constable of France The Earle of Richemont comes to Tours to Charles as he had promised to the Queene of Sicile but not able to resolue any thing without the consent of the Duke of Bourgongne as we haue sayed the King seeing it very necessary he should go to him doth sende to him with a very honorable Ambassage Iames of Bourbon Earle of Clermont and a Prince of his bloud the Archbishop of Rheims and the Bishop of Puy The ende of their negotiation was double That the Duke of Bourgongne should like of the alliance betwixt the King and the Princes of Brittain Charles sends an ambassage to Philip of Bourgongne and that hee himselfe should bee reconciled vnto him to liue and continue good friends as they were neere in bloud The first was fully concluded with the Bourguignons consent the other was surseased The causes are specified for that Philip could not with honestie let slippe the death of his father where of Charles was the Authour this reconciliation could not bee well efâ—ected vnlesse that Charles did chase from him all such as had dipped their hands in this massacre eyther as fautors or as executioners They were specified by name Iohn Louuet President of Prouence Tanneguy of Chastel William d'Auaugour Iohn of Gyac son to that Lady of Gyac who perswaded Iohn Duke of Bourgongne to go to Charles at Monsâ—reau-faut Yonne where he was slaine But these were but colours for notwithstanding thâ—ir absence from Court yet the Bourguignon seemed to be nothing inclined to the Kings seruice In effect he stood watching the oportunitie to effect his desseins and so entertayned time to keepe the stakes as the whole course of the Historie will declare Charles imploying all his friends and meanes intreats Amedee Duke of Sauoyâ— to be a mediator of this accord In respect hereof he comes to Monuel in Cresse but in truâ—h this was but a shadow They all sought to get from Charles and so watched for oportunitie Yet the Bourguignon made all shewes of his seruice vowed to the King the establishment of France which he lamented infinitly to be fallen into the hands of Strangers He spared no cheere nor entertaynment for the Ambassadors and for a gage of sincere loue Philip giues his yongest Sister Anne in marriage to the Earle of Clermont but with an intent to winne a Prince of the bloud neere the King Thus the Bourguignon leueled alwayes at this marke did nothing but with an intent to maintaine his greatnesse at what price soeuer In the meane time the meaner smart for the follie of great men The Mignonâ— chased from Court At the returne of these Ambassadours the Court is in an vprore Charles greeues to chase away his seruants which could not be done but in contempt of his authority And yet the Ambassadors cryed out that without it they should not effect any thing and the more they stayed the execuâ—ion the more they hindered the Kings seruice d'Auaugour parted fâ—â—st with the good liking both of King and Court Gyac made his peace by the meadiation of the Queene of Sicile who had all power in this action The King was wonderfully discontented for the departure of Tanneguy of Chastel whome hee called Father A man beloued and of amiable conditions But there was no remedy Hee had giuen the chiefe stroake to Iohn of Bourgongne So likewise hee protested without any difficultie to retyer himselfe whethersoeuer his maister should command him Hee beseeched him to giue him an autenciall testimoniall that it was not for any fact of his 1425. but for the good of his seruice He obtaines it and a promise withall that his offices should be continued him Thus he retyers to Beaueaire in Languedoc and the office of Prouost of Paris remayned to him still with the fee and a good reputation with all men to haue beene a good seruant to the King and carefull of the publicke
violent death of Gyac of whome wee haue spoken hee had fauored Tremouille to plant him in the Kings good fauour But as Ambition hath neyther faith nor honestie Tremouille finding himselfe inward with the King retaynes all fauour for himselfe Newe troubles in Court by the Constable little esteeming both the Constable and the Princes Hee did onely associate vnto him in credit Prie and la Borde men of small accompt to vse them at his pleasure Iealousie mounts againe vpon the Stage the Princes Constable and cheefe officers of the Crowne in steede of taking counsell to pursue the good successe of Montargis they combine togither to worke their wills vpon Tremouille and his partisans as they had done vpon Gyac The plot was orderly layed 1427. Iames of Bourbon Earle of Clermont and Charâ—es of Bourbon Earle of Marche Princes of the Bloud become heads of this league against Tremouille and his companions The league is thus plotted Forasmuch as the King is gouerned by base people to the contempt of the Princes and officers of the Crowne and to the great oppression of the poore people the confederates meane to punish these Flaterers abusing the Kings name and authority and to approach neere vnto his maiestie to gouerne the affaires for the good of his seruice and the â—ase of France The execution must beginne with the seizure of Tremouille and continue with Prie and la Borde The Constable should take Tremouille and the Princes were to seize on the Citty of Bourges where Prie and la Borde were in the great Towre and so to punish them But this enterprise came to naught for Tremouille hauing intelligence of this desseine The King discontented with the Constable and the the Princes not only preserued himself but hauing perswaded the King that this complot was made against his owne person and authority it so troubled Charles as he came in person to Bourges and preuented the Princes entry and without any more disguising he was strangely incensed against the Constable as the author of these troubles and confusions forbidding the citties to receiue him The Constable notwithstanding smothered this disgrace and to shew the deuotion he had to the Kings seruice he goes to field gathers together a goodly troupe of Brittons and puts himselfe into Pontorson a Towne abandoned he fortifies it and mans it with a good garrison vnder the command of Monsieur de Rostrenan and Beaufort This doone he dismisseth his Brettons Pontorâ—on yeelds to the English The Earle of Warwicke watched all occasions to surprise the Towne when as behold these two gouernours minister a fit meanes for making a roade towarps Auranches they are both taken Warwicke marcheth presently to the walles of Pontorson with his army The Constable sends Bertrand of Dinan Marshall of Brittany speedily with great succours Yet the siege continues obstinately New supplies are sent them by the Duke of Brittaine the which were cut in peeces Pontorson beeing painefully parleed with in the ende yeelds to the English the besieged departing with bag and baggage But this was not the ende of this victory They threaten to enter iâ—to Brittaine the English armye increased both in number and courage by this happy successe and threatens Brittaine with fire and sword They prepare to enter Iohn Duke of Brittaine wearied with so many losses and fearing worse making no accompt of the succours of France to whom he was coldly affected takes part with the Duke of Bedford renounceth all other alliances promiseth to acknowledge the King of England for King of France The Britton leaues the allâ—â—nce of France and to take the oath of obedience such as his predecessors were accustomed to doe to the Kings of France Behold the great good which Brittaine brought to our country in her extremest afflictions after so many hopes and imbracings This yeare is painefull shamefull and confused but the forerunner of a worthy deliuerance Take courage then my countrimen in the remainders of this tempest We haue said that after that miserable battaile of Vernueil the towne of Mans yeelded to the English The inhabitants not able to beare the imperious command of the English resolue in the end to shake off that yoake For the effecting whereof they seize vpon a gate giuing intelligence thereof to the Lord of Oruall Mans surprised and the English cut in peeces brother to the Lord of Albret who happily arriues takes the Cittie and cuttes the English in peeces The Earle of Suffolke was within the Castell Talbot that renowmed Captaine was at Alençon he aduertiseth him of this surprise Talbot prepares his succours with such silence and flies thether with such speed as he arriues at Mans the third day after the surprize Our Frenchmen transported with ioy for so noble 2 conquest and fearing no enemy among so many enemies Man 's lost againe by the French Both politick and discontented slept securely in their beds after the French manner without feare or gard When as Talbot hauing entred the Citty by scaling surpriseth them in their beddes and killes them without resistance 1428. A notable example both to imitate and to flie to flie that through carelesnesse we suffer not our selues to be surprized like Swine It is the very terme wherewith the Historie doth blemish this brutish sloath To imitate not to hold any thing impossible when as resolution doth accompany him that hath any notable attempt in hand But this victorie stayes not at Mans the Earle of Suffolke with his braue Talbot goes to field they marche to Laual a Towne of importance vpon the confines of Aniou and Bretanie they take it easily by the onely terror of their victorious armes incountring no enemie to withstand them Domesticall confusions The whole Court was in confusion the Princes of the bloud and our Constable studie not to make warre against the English but against the Mignons It was their proiect as if the whole state depended vpon the Kings fauour who lost daily to the generall discontent of all the French So this yeare had nothing memorable but that our warriours had lost both iudgement courage and force that through their defects God might raise vp some extraordinarie meanes for the deliuerie of this Monarchie almost ruined Our Captaines then did some exploits taking Rochefort Bertan-court Ianuill Chasteau newf Puiset Toury Mompipeau Nogent le Retrou and Lude but what toyes were these in regarde of the stately triumphes of the English That which was most admirable this yeare amidst all these domesticall discontents Tournay yeelds to the French and all these ruines and desolations of the State which might well haue quailed the best affected those of the City of Tournay after long contentions in the end abandon both English and Bourguignon protesting sollemnly not to acknowledge any other King then Charles the 7. sonne to Charles the sixt as the true and lawfull King of Francâ— and by consequence their lawfull Lord yet they made a truce
her as a triumph for the Duke of Bedford whose proceedings we will now set downe Pothon was then taken vnaduisedly The Archbishop of Rheims being Chancellor with the Lords of S. Seuere and Boussac Marshalls of France being at Beauuais behold a young Shepheard comes vnto them assuring them that God had reueald vnto him a meanes to take Rouen They taking the vanitie of this foole for present paiment as if God had raised vp a new Oracle in the declining of the other by the the surprize of the Virgin arme inconsiderately singing a triumph before the victorie The English aduertised of their departure and numbers meetes them and doth surprize them at Nully neere vnto Beauuais when as they looked least for them finding them like men newly dislodged without order or feare and ouercame them easily Pothon striuing to make â—ead with a squadron of 25. Lances presseth so â—arre in among the enemies as he is taken and by Talbot himselfe whom he had taken at the battaile of Patay Pothon taken and deliuered and so well intreated as Talbot made him a good requitall for hauing imbraced him as a brother he honourably gaue him his libertie and sent him in safetie to Beauuais Thus honestie and humanitie reapes what it hath sowne A good turne is neuer lost among men of honour An example for such as manage armes honourably Curtesie most commendable in a Souldier in whom there is nothing more vnworthy then crueltie especiallie against the weakenesse of a prisoner Crueltie is fitter for theeues and Canniballes whom they call Antropophages or eaters of men but curtesie becomes good Souldiars who are twise Conquerours winning their hearts by curtesie whose bodies they had conquered by force The Virgin brought to Rouen and condemned The Virgin Ioane was not so well intreated by the Duke of Bedford who hauing bought her for ready money of Iohn of Luxembourg as the best prisoner of the armâ—e he causeth her to be brought to Rouen being resolued to put her to death The honoâ—â—â— of the law of Armes and the consequence which made all them guiltie which shâ—uâ—d hereafter be taken by the French did contradict his will but the vnruly passion of 〈◊〉 deadly â—atred conceiued against this maiden as hauing ruined his affaires in France preuailed aboue reason And hauing no colour to put her to death as a prisoner of the warre he resolues to make her a prisoner of Iustice but the Magistrates would 〈◊〉 heaâ—e of it Vpon their refusall he hath recourse to the diuines And as the Oâ—â—cle of Apollo spake according vnto the money that was giuen sometimes for Philip of Macedonie sometimes for the Athenians so the Diuines being pensioners to the English in this acte made their diuinitie English After they had grauely consulted and resolued on the matter they declare 〈◊〉 to bee against kinde hauing abused her sexe bearing the habit of a man against the expresse worde of God a witch working by deuills without the which she could not haue perfoâ—med so many extraordinarie deedes nor obtayned such a memorable successe Ioane condemned for a Witch and so by consequence an Idolatresse a scismatike and an heretike This was decreed in the vniuersity of Paris with many hands to the Sentence This conclusion being carefully procured by the Duke of Bedford was presented by him to Peter Cauchon Bishop of Beauuais whome hee requested to proceede speedily in the cause The Bishop assembles the deane and Chapter at Rouen he calles the Abbot of Fescaâ—â—â— thether with a newe supply of diuines for the execution of this decree There is no thing more easie then to do euill And although they were all possessed with English passions yet could they not so soone resolue themselues against her so as they were long in suspence before they could condemne her for she answered pertinently to al their accusations In the end violence preuailed the which being muffled with the cloake of religion and Iustice condemned Ioane as gultie of the abouenamed crimes to perpetuall prison but in the ende beeing deliuered by the Bishop to the secular power the Duke of Bedford caused her to be burnt at Rouen And burnt in the yeare .1431 the 6. of Iuly Thus shee happily serued France one whole yeare and was prisoner somewhat more leauing a great greefe to those that liued then to see her so intreated and a memorie of immortall praise to come hauing beene so profitable and necessarie an instrument for the deliuerie of our Countrie beeing almost ruined But the wise prouidence of God had lymited both her labors and her life He would onely vse her in the beginning to shewe that Charles hath not beene the Author of the restoring of this estate but God himselfe who would shame men by a maide most worthy to bee honord by our posterity I haue reported at once what was acted in two yeares being all of one subiect not to breake off the order of my discours in matters which followe after And nowe I will returne to Compiegne beseeged by the Bourguignon As all the French were much amazed for the losse of Ioane so the English and Bourguignons were greatly incouraged to presse the seege of Compiegne with greater force This important Cittie seated vpon the riuer of Oize at the entrie of Picardie had greatly furthered the Bourguignon who for this reason was resolute to haue it eyther by loue or force Hee doth againe negotiate with Charles assuring him of his loue Charles bewitched with the charmes of this Bourguignon giues care to his newe deuises The Bouâ—guignon professeth loue to King Charles and forgetting that hee had beene abused hee promiseth to deliuer Compiegne into his hands The Bourguignon accepts it and the better to play his part he drawes his Portuguaise to Noyon being one of the cunningest women in the world and most affected to her husband as a gage of the loue he had promised to Charles the which she should manage The Lord of Flauy Gouernor of Compiegne had receiued seuerall commandements from the King to deliuer it But hee excuseth himselfe desiring to haue a more ample warrant from the King Hee shewes him the importance of the place and the wilfulnesse of the inhabitants and so denying his maister honestly that which might be preiudiciall vnto him he dischargeth the dutie of a good seruant The gouernor refuseth to deliuer Compiegne to the Bouâ—gâ—ignon Trulie it is a good seruice to denie the maister when as hee commands that which is hurtfull vnto himselfe This policie succeeding not for the Duke of Bourgongne to surprâ—ze Compiegne hee resolues to haue it by force Bedford sends the Earle of Huntington with a thousand English Archers to fortifie this seege Iohn of Luxembourg who was there for the Bourguignon builds great forts to keepe them from succors and for a retreate he doth fortifie the Abbies of Venete and Royaulieu The Inhabitants were in great extreamitie yet were they resolute to
â—illobie two renowmed Captaines which besiege S. Celerin Charles succours it by the Lord of Bueil who hauing lodged some troupes at Viuain a village of small accompt made it famous by a notable peece of seruice Scales aduertised of these troupes lodged in this hamlet hastes thither surpriseth them and cuts them in peeces but the Lord of Bueil had his reuenge for falling vpon the Conquerours who returned in disorder he puts them in route Chartier notes it for a notable seruice that fortie lances ouerthrew a thousand fiue hundred men The English defeated at Viuain which were all slaine or taken prisoners of such force is disorder and amazement in warre The siege of Saint Celerin being thus raised to the great disgrace of the English Bedford much greeued for this affront sends the Earle of Arondell thether with new forces It was at the same time when as Charles went into Daulphiné the fame of this notable victorie holding mens minds in suspence A notable ouersight so as Arondell takes S. Celerin by force and from thence he marcheth to Silley le Guil-laume The Gouernour fearing to want succours treats with Arundell That if by a prefixed day the French were not the stronger at a certaine Elme neere vnto the place hee would then yeeld vp the Towne 1433. and for assurance thereof giues him hostages The Court was troubled at this sumons all post thether fearing to continue their shame with losse Princes and officers of the Crowne the Dukes of Aleâ—çon and Aniou the Constable of Richmont the Marshalls of Boussac Rieux Retz the Lords of Lâ—heac Grauille and Beuil with his good fortune Being all come to the â—â—me at the day appointed they summon the Earle of Arondell to deliuer vp his hostages and to fight with them but he yeelds vp his hostages and leaues the seege The hast of the omitted voiage makes our men to post presently to Court Arondell returnes to the seege of Silley King Charles makes a progresse into Daulphiné and Languedoc and not able to take it hee surpriseth Beaumont le Viconte but pressed with sickenesse hee retyres to Mans a Towne then vnder their obedience The voiage of Daulphiné was performed Charles comes to Vienne passing through Auuergne The reason of this progresse was to settle matters in Daulphiné Lionois and Languedoc which Countries had serued him faithfully and profitablie in his greatest afflictions All the cheefe of those Countries attend him and hold their Estats by his commaundement The ioy both of Charles and his subiects was exceeding great after so long and dangerous a storme Charles did gladly imbrace his ancient seruants the Earle of Foix Gaucourt and Groslee with the Nobility of Viuarez and Daulphiné who had giuen him so great testimonies of their faith and valour All men were confirmed in their gouernments no man was denyed of what hee demanded which giues them courage to do their best endeauours in his seruice The States graunt the King a notable summe of money for the maintenaunce of his warres We haue obserued the humour of Amedee Duke of Sauoie who during the doubtfullnesse of the French affaires had carried a watchfull eye to make his profit by their confusion Beeing well informed that Charles loued him not he fortifies himselfe by alliances Hee had giuen his eldest daughter to Lewis of Aniou King of Sicile The Alliancâ—â— of Sauoie and nowe he marries his Sonne Lewis Earle of Geneue with Anne the daughter of Iohn of Lusâ—gnan King of Cipres froÌ„ whence the title of the realme of Cipres comes to the house of Sauoie This marriage was honored with the presence of the Duke of Bourgongne the Earle of Neuers and the Prince of Orange These were good cautions for Amedeâ— against Charles but wee shall soone see that hee will finde an other expedient against all euents As a tree in the sappe sheweth that the spring is neere so diuers popular accidents chancing this yeare foretold what should happen The French takes armes against the English There were 60000. men in armes against the English in Vexin-Norman and in Caux .20000 Charles doth carefully imbrace those occasions and incouraging them both by letters and messages he sends them notable Commanders the Duke of Alanâ—on with the Lords of Lore and Bueil braue and Valiant Captaines But as a tree that sprouts forth through the fauour of a warme season is stayed by a sharpe winde so all these popular braueries were soone daunted and this streame was soone turned The Townes that were mutyned yeeld to the English force but they keepe their hearts for their King vntill they may shake off the English yoake But the wise prouidence of God who gouerns the worke for the restoring of this estate raised vp means which all the humaine policie of Charles or of his Councell could not foresee who had labored by all meanes to winne the Bourguignons loue He harboâ—ed in his heart a resolute discontent against the English to whome hee imputed the cause of all his crosses and disgraces The Liegeois crosse him many waies in the possession of Namur newely fallen vnto him Antwerp and Arras are discontented and readie to rise against him The English in his opinion is the author and fauorer of these discontents and it may be did all he could to molest him what shewe soeuer he made But howsoeuer it were the Bourguignon meaning to make an open breach with him compounds al quarrels with this discontented people intending to make a firme peace with Charles So the yeare of 34. passeth without any great alteration This yeare of 35. shalbâ— more happie for the French then the former Exploits of warre Charles beseegeth Gerberâ—y by Pothon and la Hire 1435. The English come to succor it led by the Earle of Arondell being a thousand against lesse then fiue hundred Our men therefore resolue to retyre to Beauuais but they must accompt with the stronger There is but one meanes of safetie to hope for no helpe So these braue warriors resolue to fight and are victorsâ— for the English troupes are defeated seauen or eight hundred slaine vpon the place and all the rest prisoners The English defeated and the Earle of Arondell slaine The Earle of Arondell beeing greeuously wounded dies at Beauuais a braue and resolute Captaine dying in the bed of honour This was the beginning of the yeare the winter was verie sharpe but it daunted not the courage of our warriors The Earle of Dunois a bastard of Orleans was the ring-leader in many exploits he causeth Saint Denis to be surprised by Captaine Deyenuille and hee followes well accompanied to keepe it In going along he takes Houdan and then hee fortifies Saint Denis with men and vittells and leaues the Marshall of Rieux to gouerne it And for that hee would loose no time hee imploies his troupes to take some places there abouts as Pont Saint Maxence Oruille and Meulan The English had fortified Saint Ouyn to keepe
Bourguignon reconciled enemy to his enimes that he should renounce all alliance and friendship with the king of England and promise both his person and all his meanes to expell him out off France The performance was according to promise Charles Duke of Bourbon and Arthur of Brittaine Earle of Richemont Constable of France in the name of Charles the 7. aske pardon of the Duke of Bourgongne for the death of his father and the Duke pardoned him for the loue of God The Cardinalls in the Popes name and the Counsels absolue the Duke from the oath which he had made vnto the English and eyther part sweares to maintaine the accord in that which did concerne him So the peace was published with great solemnity to the incredible content of all men The King the Duke of Bourgongne and the whole Realme reioyced exceedingly only Iohn of Luxembourg Earle of S. Pol wold not be therin coÌ„prehended he shall suffer for it and his house after him This was the 24. of September in the yeare 1435. a famous day for those things which happened in this raigne whereof this accord gaue the first occasion The marriage of Charles sonne to the Duke of Bourgongne with Katherine of France daughter to our Charles was concluded to seale this accord From this peace sprong a more violent war against the English The Duke of Bourgongne sends backe all his contracts to the Duke of Bedford and hauing shewed him the iust reasons which had mooued him to imbrace the Kings amity beeing his kinseman and Lord hee renounceth the alliance of England with a watch-word that euery one should looke to himselfe Euery man sharpens his sword and scoures his armes to recouer that by force which they could not obtaine by reason War very violent against the English The first fruites of this accord beganne to grow ripe euen in the heart of winter for Corbeil yeelds presently to the King with Briâ—-Conte-Robert and the Castle of Bois de Vincennes The Bourguignon imployes all his friends and intelligences at Paris he vseth all his instruments meaning to set them to worke the yeare following All Normandy begins to reuolt Diâ—pe Fescan Monstier-Villiers Harfleu Tancaruille Bec-Crespin Gomusseule Loges Villemont Grasuille Longueuille Neuf-uille Lambreuille Charles-Mesnill S. Germain Fontaines Preaux Blainuille obey the King willingly chasing away the English receiuing the French for their safety all which was acted in two dayes What more To finish this worke God takes away one of the chiefe causes and one of the principall instruments of the misery which had so long afflicted this estate We haue seene what part Isabell of Bauierre played in this Tragedy wee haue sought her after the death of her poore husband and could not finde her for in trueth she was ciuilly dead Bedford fearing the spirit of this Medea seekes not onely to stay her hands but to keepe her eyes from the managing of affaires And for that shee had deuoured the treasure of the Realme he constraines herto keepe a diet He doth therefore sequester herto the house of S. Pol where she liued vntill the ende of this yeare in great pouerty no more assisted by the Bourgongnon then by the English Beeing dead they caused her bodye to be put into a small boate Queene Isabel dies and so transported by the riuer of Seine to S. Denis where she was buried without any pompe like to a common person A light put out whose sauour doth yet offende posterity In this yeare also died Iohn of England that great Duke of Bedford called Regent of France who hath noted many blacke pages in this volume and so much terrified our Ancestors Hauing seene the former accord and felt so sodaine effects in Normandy fearing the rest would follow he drowned himselfe in sorow and knowing no meanes to auoide this storme he dies at Rouen the 15. of December leauing to King Henry the 6. a bottome very hard to vntwist The Duke of Bedford dies and to his yong wife beeing sister to the Earle of S. Pol a cause of mourning the which continued not long for she married soone after with an English Aduenturer of small accompt giuing causeto laugh at her beeing but little pittied Charles being thus discharged of a heauy burthen by this accord hath more liberty to follow his honest delights He goes to Lions visits Daulphiné and stayes in Languedoc a Prouince which he loues aboue all the rest 143â— hauing found it most denâ—â—â—d to his seruice Montpellier was his aboad a place very pleasantly seated 〈…〉 this time of â—â—reation he had left good lieutenants in France who shal soone send him 〈◊〉 of their exploytes The Citty of Paris yeelds to the King and expells the English THe Bourguignon prepares to annoy the English whilest that the Constable makes way for the reduction of Paris His intent was parting from Pontoise to put himselfe into S. Denis a Towne halfe dismantled but Thomas of Beaumont Captaine of the Bastille hauing intelligence of this desseine preuented the Constable and entred into S. Denis with a notable troupe of soldiers Richmont notwithstanding approcheth neere to S. Denis the sentinell hauing giuen warning of his approch Beaumont issues forth to the bridge vpon the little riuer which is towards Pierre-file where he met with the fore-runners who hauing drawne him forth ingage him in the battaile the which was led by the Constable marching from the valley of Montmorency This English troupe was easily vanquished most of them were cut in peeces The English vanquished S. 〈◊〉 and the rest taken hardly any one of them escapes to carry newes to Paris Thomas of Beaumont is slaine among the rest vpon the place The Constable makes vse of this good successe he presently marcheth with his victorious forces to Paris which stood amazed at this nere power wanting a Regent who was lately deceased and such as were left to command were more fit to handle an Oare then to gouerne the helme Now waâ— the time for good Frenchmen to shew themselues whereof there were many in the Citty The Bourguignon faction being now become the Kings seruants imbrace this occasion and hauing consulted together they resolue to shake off the English yoake the which they 〈◊〉 too long endured The Duke of Bourgongne was then at Bruges but he had leâ—t the Lord of Lislâ—-Adam to 〈◊〉 with his partisans at Paris It is the same whom he had formerly imployed against Câ—â—rles and his father Iohn in the murther of the King seruants He had great credit 〈◊〉 the Parisiens of whom Miâ—hael Laillier was the chiefe Tribune Hee discouers by him the peoples affections being resolute to submit themselues to the King of whom they crâ—â—e onely a generall absolution of what was past This gentle demande beeing brought to Pontoise to the Constable and easily granted all prepare for the effects That quarter nere the Halles gaue the first signe of the French libertie at Paris by the meanes
despight of the French and to this ende he caused many small boats of Leather wood cords to be brought with other stuffe fit to make bridges The bridge of Beaumont was garded by the French but the English passe at an Abbie beneath the bridge and with such danger in their arteficiall boats as ten resolute men might haue stayed a great army but the silence of the night so fauoured their passage as a great part of the English army was past before our Sentinells had discouered them Then was there no remedy but to aduertise the Kinge of the enemies passage The Duke of Yorke hauing thus happely passed the riuer and rested his soldiars that night marcheth in goodly order towards Charles meaning to charge him Charles takes Councell of his feare couered with this resolution not to hazard a generall battaile but hee was likely to haue fallen into an other inconuenience for without attending of the enemy â—e puts all the waightiest of his carriages into the fort of Saint Martin Charles retiers from Pontoise vnder the gard of Charles of Aniou and the Admirall of Coitiuy with two thousand men with them la Hire Rouhault Estouteuille with other resolute Captaines and so leauing his lodging of Maubuisson he retyers to Poissy The Duke of Yorke takes vp his lodging at Maubuisson being abandoned and makes a shewe to attempt the forte of Saint Martin but hauing tried it in vaine he takes his way to Poissy and lodgeth before the Towne in viewe of the King and his army There were some skirmâ—shes without any great successe Charles continuing his resolution to hazard nothing and Yorke his proiect to vittaile and saue Pontoise So the English retyers to Mante to send refreshingâ— from thence to the beseeged but this great brauado came to nothing The beginning was dishonorable for the King but the end was both happie and honorable Being retyred to Saint Denis and hauing sent the Constable vnto Paris he resolues to send to Pontoise and to wine it or to die The reason was that this his retrait or rather flight was so infamously spoken of by the greatest in Court and so odious to the Paâ—isiens who had defrayed a great part of the charge at this seege as it was to be feared they would make some mutiny against him if the successe were not good His spies did likewise assure him that the Princes of his bloud especially since the returne of the Duke of Orleans were resolued to make some extraordinary assemblie and to admonish him touching the gouernment It chanced then that the Earles of Saint Pol and Vaudâ—mont notable partisans of the Duke of Bourgongne left the King when he had most neede of succours and they of Tournay were of the same party He had the Daulphin with him whom he caused to watch diligently both day and night But howe could he doubt that these tricks came not out of the Bourguignons budget Choller banished feare so as being resolued to repayre this error and to preuent his enemies practises he runnes to Pontoise for he was but ten dayes away and giuing the Duke of Yorke no leasure to releeue the beseeged he resolues to take it by force This indignation succeeded happily He caused three assaults to bee giuen on three parts and at the first he woone our Ladies Church which is without the Towne whereby he might greatly annoye the beseeged He tooke this quarter for him selfe accompanied with the Earles of Marche Albret and Tancaruille The Daulphin was at the Port Friche ioyning to the riuer of Oize with the Earle of Maine the Admirall and the great maister of the Crosbowes On the other side of the batterie was the Constabâ—e the Marshall of Loheac the Lords of Moâ—y Touars Suze Serran Sanzay and the vidame of Chartres The Canon beeing planted of all sids and a reasonable breach made the French enter furiously and the King with the first of such force is resolution in a great Prince to animate a whole army as the head doth the whole bodie Pontoisâ— â—aken by assault The English were consumed like to strawe in the fire fiue hundred were slaine at this entrie and fowre hundred taken prisoners The Inhabitants were spared by the carefull command of Charles who acknowledging the happinesse of this victorie to come from God goes to giue him thanks offring him the first fruits of this victorie for without doubt if he had failed his enemies were readie to conspire against him He calles togither all the Princes Noblemen and Captaines of the armie hee thankes them for the good and faithfull seruice they had done him in this notable occasion He makes the Lord of Ialonges Marshall of France and many Knights He called for him that first entred the breach commends his valour and rewards him with an honorable pension But why hath the Historie concealed this honest mans name Happy exploits for Charles his reward had beene immortal Such was the issue of the seege of Pontoise remarkable for many circumstances but then very considerable for the Kings affaires who had an honorable reuenge of the English brauadoe But as one good happe followes an other when it pleaseth God so Charles receiued many good aduertisements at the same instant The English drewe togither many garrisons in the Country of Maine from Mans Fresnoy and Mahinne la Iuhez and had sackt Saint Denis in Aniou The French which were in Sablâ— Laual and Saint Susanne led by the Lord of Bueil meete them laden with spoile and very ioyfull they charge them defeat and kill them leauing fower hundred vpon the place Peter of Breze issues out of Conches and surpriseth the English at Beaumont le Roger sleeping without feare hee awaks them with the sword kills them and takes the Towne Iohn Flocquet doth likewise about the same time take Eureeux a Towne of verie great importance in Normandie The meanes is memorable a fisherman makes a hoale in the wall wherby he enters in the night and becomes maister of the Towne But in exchange they receiue a check The Captaines and soldiars which had taken many prisoners at Pontoise had compounded with an English Captaine for their ransome who had taken the debt vpon him The prisoners were kept at Cornilâ—e a Castell neere vnto Chartres While they expected money this mediator hauing free liberty to go and come obserues all the passages so well as he soone finds meanes to pay al these ransomes for one morning he surpriseth the place frees the prisoners and takes all them that had them in gard The Parisâ—ens honor Charles at his returne whome they were readie to deuoure if the successe of Pontoise had not beene good The Duke of Bourgongne sends his wife vnto him for many respects who returned with no great satisfaction and Charles Duke of Orleans who had not yet seene him since his returne from prison comes vnto him with a goodly trayne the King receiues him verie gratiously and allowed well the
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
dissention had already ruined the one so might it easily ouerthrow the other accordâ—ng to the saying That by concord small things increase but by discorde great are ouerthrowne In trueth it is a hard matter for great men to entertaine friendship long and for the State it is necessarie to haue one soueraigne head ouer all who by his iudgement wisedom and credit may retaine the subiects in obedience So the Duke of Normandie begs helpe of the Britton being poore ouercome and abandoned now in his aduersity of all them that during his prosperity had grounded the anchor of their hope vpon his fortunes and had newly made their peace with the King The Duke of Brittanie receâ—ues him in his fauour sends an Ambassage to the King giuing him to vnderstand that for the honour of his bloud and respect of his Maiestie 1467. he had receiued him seeing him a fugitiue and vnprouided of necessarie meanes to entertaine his estate Therevpon Lewis makes answer that he could not dismember Normandie the goodliest flower of his Diadem from the Crowne of France whose demaines are inalienable The Duke replyes That to giue a portion to his brother grounded in part of the successiue right was an alienation of long time receiued in France seeing that many held it euen then by the same title But they commonly say it is in vaine to preach to them that care not to doe well Lewis could not yeeld to the preferment of his brother and the Brittons Ambassadors returned with no other answer but a bare confession that it was reasonable to giue him some portion and that he would consider of the quantitie thereof Thus Rouan wanting their Duke some fewe dayes Rouan returns to Lewis yeeldes the King obedience with small adoe who sodenly causeth many to bee executed of his brother Charles faction The Lord of Esternay taken by Charles of Melun great Maister in a Friars weed accompanied with an Augustine was beheaded yet some write that both were drowned in the riuer of Vre Lewis discontented with the Duke of Brittanie The King offended with the entertainment the Duke of Brittaine had giuen to his Brother and aduertised that Iohn Duke of Calabria was dead beyond the Mountaines he calls home the troupes he had giuen him to haue the greater forces to assaile the Britton for receiuing of his enemies and practising intelligences within his realme And euen then the Duke of Alencon promised to giue the Duke passage through his country if he would enter into Normandie Moreouer so many Ambassages from the King to the Duke and Earle of Charolois and from them to the King from the Earle to the Dukes and from them to the Earle were but to discouer their humours and vnder colour of faith to with-draw mens affections So the Duke of Brittaine not able to perswade the King to reason enters into Normandie takes Caen The Brittons forces in Normandie Bayeux and Auranches he burnes Meruille and some other places whilest that the King assembles the forces of Aniou Poictou and Normandie and the Earle of Charolois resolues to succour his confederates hauing supprest them of Liege and Gant And for that our Lewis hath beene so confusedly incombred amidest the combustions of those people let vs leaue France to learne briefly the cause the proceeding and the end of these warres The Liegeois hereditarie and capitall enemies to the house of Bourgongne seeing all tend to open wat betwixt the King and the Earle of Charolois The Liegeois allyed with the King seekes the Kings friendship and alliance and they obtaine it vpon condition to enter presently into the countries of Hainault and Namur belonging to the Duke of Bourgongne with all acts of hostilitie the King promising vnder his seale to succour them with two hundred men at armes euery one hauing three horses at the least and not to treate any accord or peace with the Duke without their consent and to comprehend them in it puft vp with this fauour and imagined succours they send a Herald to Philip being at Bruxels The Liegeois defie â—he Earle of Charolois with letters defying the Earle his sonne with fire and sword and thereon demand an answer The Duke hauing read these Letters deliuered them vnto the Herauld willing him to carry them to his sonne So he returnes to Liege but he is presently sent backe with other Letters defying the Duke himselfe and all his allyes And sodenly they breake into the Dukes countrie they spoile rauish burne and omitte no outrage that one enemie may doe to another Philip assembles the forces of his Countries and sends for the Dukes of Cleues and Gueldres the Earles of Nassau and Horne the Marquesse of Rothelin and others that were neighbours to Liege But this multitude finding the King to faile them of his promise and that they were not able to resist so great forces they shutte themselues vp within the walles of Liege Then at the first and false newes of the ouerthrow of the Earle of Charolois at Montlâ—heri as the passions of a disordred minde doe easilie make men to beleeue what he wisheth they take a subiect of new follie Those of Dinan especially The peoples light beleefe a people of Liege proud and arrogant to haue at sundrie times endured seuenteene sieges of Emperours and Kings yet neuer conquered make an image very like to the Earle of Charolois and attired with his armes they carry it in troupe neere to Bouâ—ines in the Countie of Namur they set vp a high gibbet in the sight of the Cittizens and there they hang this Image crying with open throate See there the Sonne of your Duke that false traytor the Earle of Charolois A horrible outrage committed by them of Dinan whome the King of France hath or will cause to be hanged as you see heere Hee termed himselfe the Sonne of your Duke he lyed he was a villaine bastard changed in his infancie with the Sonne of the Lord of Hainseberghe our Bishop Did he thinke to ruine the Noble house of France From these and such like insolent speeches they come to deedes armed against the subiects of Philip with fire and sword the instruments of their horrible outrages This was not all the father must receiue the like disgrace by his picture the which they carryed to the Dung-hill before Bouuines and setting it vpon a peece of wood See heere say they the Seate of the great Toade your Duke Those of Bouuines exhort these madde men to performe the duties of good subiects to the Duke before that matters grew more bitter Buâ— the beater of this good and holsome counsell returned without his head they send an innocent child with the like Letters hoping his tender age would mooue some respect and mollifie these cruell and vnnaturall minds but in despight of the Duke and of their neighbours they killed him most barbarouslie and tare him in peeces O insolent people which hast not yet learned That
That his Brother Charles lately Duke of Normandie should haue twelue thousand Franckes a yeare rent for his portion The treatie of Ancenis issuing out of some lands which should carrie the title of a Dukedome or Countie and three score thousand Frankes for his pension In the meane time Charles of Bourgongne at the instance of his allies was alreadie aduanced to Peronne Then had Pope Pius the 2. sent a Legate into France for the renunciation of the Pragmatick Sanction made by Lewis at his comming to the Crowne The Patents are read in the Chastelet without contradiction Balue comes to the Palace the first of October to haue them in like sort published But Maister Iohn of S. Romain the Kings Proctor generall opposeth himselfe directly against the execution thereof The Kings Proctor generall opposeth himselfe sâ—outly against the Poâ—es proceedings notwithstanding the iniurious threats of the said Cardinall Replying saieth the Originall that he had rather loose both his offâ—ce and all his wealth then to doe a thing against his conscience to the hurt of the Realme and preiudice of the Kings dignitie In the end the Rector of the Vniuersitie for then they mainteined by faithfull obedience their ancient authoritie and the Deputies thereof go to the Legat they appeale from him and the effect of the said Letters to the holy Councell the like they doe in all other places where need required They protest the like at the Chastelet and depart not before their opposition be registred Herevpon the King sends the said Legat and Cardinall with Iohn Ladriesche Treasurer of France to the Duke of Bourgongne to signifie vnto him the accord made with his Brother and the Duke of Brittanie and to treate of a peace with the said Duke of Bourgongne but alwaies tending to diuide him from them and for a baite he promiseth to giue him sixe score thousand Crownes of gold the one halfe to be paide before he dislodgeth for the charges of his leuie and hoping to winne him wholy to his will he concludes of an enterview at Peronne by the meanes of the sayd Balue and to this effect the Duke writes him a Letter with his owne hand as a warrant to go and come Lewis solicits the Liegeois to a new rebellion And in the meane time that Charles busied at home should no wayes hinder Lewis in the warre he pretended to make in Brittanie for he still gaped after the conquest of that Prouince he had sent againe vnder-hand to sollicite the Liegeois to a new sedition wherevnto they were too prompt for their owne good they arme and by stealth surprise Tongres and carrie their Bishoppe with many Chanoines whome they hated to the death prisoners to Liege Yet somewhat respecting the Legates presence they were content to pull out the hearts of fiue or sixe of them in sight of the Bishop with an outragious violence hewing one of them into many peeces the which with a brutish derision they cast one at another like vnto Tennis Balles These two Princes liued in continuall distrust and feared one another for the safetie of their persons at this meeting they fortifie themselues with great forces Lewis to free the Duke of all iealousie comes ill accompanied but he is followed by Iohn Duke of Bourbon his brother in lawe the Cardinall brother to the sayd Duke the Constable of Saint Paul the Cardinall Balue a man which dealt much in matters of armies and State by Tannegui of Chastel newly receiued into fauour and many other commanders of troupes Charles had sent for the Armie of Bourgongne where there were many Noblemen in former times ill intreated by the King as Anthonie Châ—steauneuf Lord of Lau who had escaped from Vsson a strong place in Auuergne where Lewis kept him prisoner vnder the garde of Charles of Melun who sauing his owne head imbâ—ued three scaffolds with bloud with that of Charles at Loches of Remonet sonne to the wife of Charles at Tours and of the Kings Proctor at Vsson in Meaux Lewis and the Duke of Bourgongne meete at Peronne Poncet de Riuiere d'vrfe who was after Maister of the Kings Horse three Princes of the house of Sauoy that is to say the Lord of Bresse the Bishop of Geneue and the Earle of Rhosmond Bretheren followed by many Gentlemen Sauoyards and Bourguignons The King seeing all these within the Towne and the armie lodged thereabout findes that hee wrought politicklie but cunning is preuented by cunning So the prouidence of God blindes man in his owne malice and shadowes his eyes to confound him in his fraudulent desseignes And to increase his folly he requires the Castell of Charles to lodge in for that the greatest parte of those that were last come were ill affected vnto him What then an enemie that had a desire to crosse the policies of his aduersarie would hee refuse him this Cage that sought to intangle himselfe in his owne snare yet he perswads him to feare nothing 1468. Let Princes learne not to commit themselues rashelie to such assemblies the very baits of deceyts collusions and periuries The newes of this second mutiny at Liege being reported vnto the Duke he sodenly causeth the gates both of Towne and Castell to be shut but vnder a colde pretext That one had lost a male full of iewells and money Lewis seing himselfe coopt vp and many archers at the gate being lodged moreouer right against a great Tower wheras that Earle of VermaÌ„dois had once caused Charles the simple his predecessor to die blame him not if hee feared So as an antient sayed malice drinkes the greatest part of her owne poison They could not treat of a more important matter then the life of a King of â—rance and of his Estate Charles doth first impart this businesse to some of his Chamberlaines and groomes of his Chamber amongest others to the Lord of Argenton to whome the King since gaue this commendation Philip de Comâ—â—â—â— to haue beene a great helpe in this pacificâ—tion of Peronne who then tempered this splene all they could He holds a counsell the most part of the second day and almost the whole night hauing all the desire in the world to do the King a shrewd turne who in the meane time practiseth with all vehemencie such as he thought might serue him he vnfurnisheth his most trusty seruants being farre from his treasure commands to make distribution of fifteene thousand crownes but the comissarie retayned a part as the King was since aduertised he giues to some and promiseth to others In the ende their resolution in counsell was That Lewis his exâ—use should be admitted who did sweare that hauing sent his Ambassadors to Liege euen when as the Duke did arme against France the great affection he had to a finall and vniuersall peace had so transported him as he had forgot to countermand them Thus promise beeing made to Charles of Bourgongne to accompany him at his request in the
who would neuer giue the least suspitition of couardise he therefore answers that he would take his part of the sport The day being come euery one repayres to his colours the signe is giuen by a field peece and two shot of a serpentine to the ende the vantgard lodged on the otherside should charge at the same instant The trompetts and drums sound the ensigns approch all march resolutely But when they thought to ioyne they found no resistance Their chiefe commanders were dead the most apparent being slipt out of the Towne some one way some an other the coÌ„mon people were gone to diner thinking that Sondaie would be a day of rest So the whole army consisting of about fortie thousand men enter at both ends finde the cloth layed they kil at the first incouÌ„ter two hundred meÌ„ The Towne taken and ruined women children and religious indifferently they rauish women maids and nunnes spoile the Cittie and holy places the Duke saues the great church of S. Lambert with great difficulty the people fly ouer the Meuze and so saue themselues in the forest of Ardennes and other places there abouts where to increase their misery some gentlemen who till then had held their party strip them kill a number and take the best prisoners and by this treachery piteous stratagem make their peace with the Duke Many died of hungar cold and sleepe the historie makes mention of a gentleman that had the palsie in one legge and a page that had two fingars on one hand falne off The misery of the Liegeoâ—s The wine was frosen in the pipes and for three dayes was cut out with hatchets And for the last act of this tragedie the Duke doth place foure thousand men about the quarters of the Câ—ttie to beate downe the bridge vpon the Meuze to defend the houses of the Clergie about the great Church to preserue the other Churches from ruine whilest that others set fire on the Towne ouerthrowe the walles and fill vp the ditches Wrath and victory do neuer forget any kinde of reuenge And if we shall beleeue some writers there perished aboue fifty thousand soules in this warre The Dukes cruell reuenge vpon the Lâ—egeois most cruell beyond all bounds of humanity Learne O yee nations to containe your selues in the obedience of your Soueraignes and not to imbarke your selues rashlie in Princes quarrells who retire themselues easily out of the mire where they leaue you ingaged Liege is a president vnto you wherein you may obserue the iust iudgement of God vpon a cruel rebellious people enemy to all soueraigntie both spiritual and temporall of long time subiect to daylie rebellions vntill their generall ruine As wee haue brought our Lewis to Liege so let vs returne him into France Charles exceeding proud with the happie successe of his desseins suffers himselfe to be sought vnto by mediators from the King for his departure and afterwards hee himselfe mooues him as desiryng to go cause their accord to be proclaymed inregistred in his Court of Parliament at Paris which else were of no moment and the next yeare to meete in Bourgongne and to feast one an other mutually for a monethes space Charles hauing drawen a promise form the King to confirme all he had sworne at Peronne yeelds but not without grudging and hauing accompained him halfe a league he causeth him to be conducted to the frontiers by the Lord of Cordes and Murs great Bayliffe of Hainault Lewis pretends a colour to get leaue to depart without trouble A pitious spectacle to see a Soueraigne reduced to that extremity as to humble himselfe before his vassall but wee must haue patience for seauen yeares and then shall wee see a strange alteration of fortune and yet seauen yeares after an other Catastrophe no lesse tragicall in this house of Bourgongne and the vniting of the sayd Duchie to the Crowne of France After the Kings departure Charles enters the Country of Franchemont hee killes spoiles burnes and makes all desolate then glutted with reuenge hee retires into Brabant Lewis taking his leaue of the Duke demanded of him captiously In case his brother who was in Brittaine would not accept the portion hee had giuen him howe hee would aduise him to gouerne himselfe and the Duke answered that if hee were content it should please him whatsoeuer they did Lewis his policy This speech was cunningly construed by the King for hauing inrouled the sayd vnion in the Court of Parliament and proclaimed it throughout all the streets of Paris hee offers Charles Guienne for Brie and Champaigne his brothers neighbour-hoode with the Bourguignon beeing suspected vnto him Charles refuseth it fearing to displease the Duke of Bourgongne who by Ambassages and admonition exhorts him not to change for if happilie the King should annoye him he might daylie haue succors out of Bourgongne Charles was in all things gouerned by an other namely by Odet de Rye Lord of Leseut and afterwards Earle of Cominges 1469. Lewis subornes him and by means wins Charles to accept of Guienne as more plentifull and rich with mutuall assurances to liue like bretheren and good friends For confirmation whereof they meet at Charrou and feast together then they depart Lewis into Touraine and Charles into Guienne The Duke of Bourgongne greeued with this exchange imploies the Cardinall Balue a turbulent and pernicious member in a State a dissembler and taking pleasure as they say comonlie to put his finger betwixt the barke and the tree A bad disposition of a Cardinall whome Niâ— Gâ—l calls a deuill incarnate An vnkinde man The trust which Lewis reposed in this man caused to procure him a Cardinalls hat to that end the King had sent an Ambassage to Paul the 2. and sends Fumee also one of his most trustie seruants to perswade the Pope to desiste from the refusal he had made therof being aduertised of many things that did disswade him at whose vrgent perswasion a Cardinalls hat was granted him yet behold he writes to the Duke of Guienn in fauour of the Bourguignon That this change tended but to deceiue diuiding him by this meanes from his friends and confederats and by other messengers he aduertiseth the Bourguigâ—on That the peace concluded betwixt the two bretheren was a baite to surprise him the which the King deferred only vntil his brother had visited his newe Duchie and set an order in his house Let him therfore arme begin first Cardinal Balue comitted to prison These letters are surprised with other instructioÌ„s so as the Cardinal is arrested and carried prisoner to Montbason where he shal contynue eleuen yeares Lewis hauing thus plastred this peace with the Bourguignon comprehended the Britton therein gaue the Duchie of Guienne to his brother Charles for his portion He had now no more so mighty enemies against whom he should imploy his forces yet would he not dismisse his troups for there
pleasing to the Duke as the peace of Conflâ—ns So the King returnes into Touraine Charles out of France iâ—to GuieÌ„ne the Duke of Burgongne into Hainault where he assembles his Estats and shewes the losse he had receiued for that his men at armes were not so soone ready as the Kings and giues order to be no more surprised vnawares Thus the Estate is pacâ—fied but the Duke of Guienne was no sooner returned home The Duke of â—uiene seeke to marry with the heire of Bourgongne but there springs vp new seeds of diuision He receiues the Earle of Armaignac into fauour and restores him to full possession of the Lands which the King had conficate Lewis moued with this reconciliatsion sends forces and takes the lands into his owne hand disappoints the Earle whome he knew to be a stirring and a factious man and euen then he resolued to diâ—possesse his brother of the Duchie of Guienne as he had doone of that of Normandie The Duke foreseing this storme sends often to the Bourguignon and vnder colour to seeke his daughter labours to bind him more fiâ—nely vnto him by that alliance The Bourguignon hauing his heart puste vp with as great conceiâ—s as his person was susceptible of trauell but exceding the capaciâ—ie of his sence he fed him with hope yet had he no such meaning but preserued her as a most pretious iewel to be courted by many and to serue him at need according to diuers occurrents both of their persons and meanes Neither would he haue so great a Sonne in Lawe as the only Brother of a King of France whome he might not rule at his pleasure neither could he digest the words proceedings of the Duke of Brittaine the Constable The Constable would haue the Duke of Guienne beholding vnto him for this marriage the Britton repined he should haue the honor The King comes to crosse it and with â—eason for this alliance had wonderfully fortified his brother who being ioyned with the Duke of Brittaine had gâ—eatly crossed the Kings estate and his childrens Moreouer the King of England did much disswade the effecting thereof said he to the Duke of Bourgongne if the King of France comes to die without children his brother succeeds to the Crowne and this marriage vniting vnto it so many prouinces and Seigneuries the estate of England were neere her ruine But to what ende serue these affectionate and contrarie poursuits Alasse some one thinks himselfe sound that carries death in his bosome But he that raigneth in heauen Psal. â— laughes them to scorne within fewe monethes our Charles of Guienne leauing the world shall leaue his loues So it is that their vehement solliciting extorted some verball promise confirmed by a letter but he had great Corriualls who all pretended to haâ—e the best part in the pie Nicholas Marquis of Pont Corriuals for the heâ—â— of Bonâ—gongne sonne to Iohn Duke of Calabria and Lorraine Philop Duke of Sauoie Maximilian Duke of Austria Son to the Emperour Frederke All these marched in equall ranke but in the end Maximilian shal be conquerour yet not during the life of Charles of Bourgongne This marriage gaue a goodly colour to these mediators but vnder the shadowe thereof they treated of other matters They must auoide this storme ready to oppresse the Duke of Guienne Behold therefore the publike Ambassadors and priuate messengers of these three Dukes are sent respectiuely one to another The Lord of Vrfé and Poncet de la Riuiere Agents for Charles of Guienne The Abbot of Begard since Archbishop of Lion is an instrument for the Britton to the Bourguignon they taxe the King to haue practised and suborned what by friendshâ—p and what by force the Duke of Guyennes seruants to haue already defaced a place belonging to the Lord of Estissac with many other things testifying that the King would soone dispossesse his brother of Guienne if he were not speedily preuented A new league betixt the Duke of Bourgâ—ngne Guiâ—enne and â—â—ittâ—ine against Lewis that to this effect he was armed and ready to enter into Xaintonge The Duke of Bourgongne sends often to the king touching these affaires The King excuseth himselfe and accuseth his brother as hauing treated with the Earles of Armaignac and Foix to his preiudice seeking to inlarge his limits without his priuitie to enter into factions with his enimies yet he promiseth to suffer him to inioy his portion peaceably This promise carryes no credit and works lesse effect the Dukes of Guienne Brittaine insist they presse the Bourguignion yet that it may be done without the assistance of the English the ancient and generall enemie of this Realme seeing that all their coÌ„mon desâ—â—ins tended but to the good and ease of the publicke that his assistance with the great intelligence he had with many gouernours Captaines of places did fortifie them sufficiently pleasant people to seeke with a blody wound once againe to abuse the coÌ„mon people with this baite of publike good to couer their priuate passions with so pleasing a shewe Charles of Bourgougne casts the stone and hides his arme and the better to disguise his proceeding he solicites the English secretly to inuade France on the one side whilst that he seemed blind not to see it .. But it was in vaine the English had more willingly assisted the King if this marriage had allyed the two houses of France Bourgongne In the end behold a number of Princes in great perplexitie the which is more lamentable for that they shall tâ—ouble their heads with so many preiudiciall extrauagant conceptions this confusiâ—n shall in fewe yeares oppresse them in a manner all Lewis particularly fauoured of heauen shall suruiue them and carry away their spoiles They preuaile thus much the Duke of Bourgongne possessed with an earnest desire to recouer Amiens S. Quintin and other townes vpon Somme he armes twelue hundred lances three archers to a Lance well armed weâ—l mounted The Bourguignâ—â— comes armed into Fâ—ance and good leaders What doth our Lewis In trueth he had too good a iudgement to want foresight he that thought to surprise shal be surprised To diuert the Bourgâ—ignons leauy he had often sent the Lord of Craon and the Chancellour of Oriole who being very trusty seruants in the end coÌ„clude an absolute peace The King yeelds to the Dâ—ke the foresaid townes Lewis makes a â—eace with the 〈◊〉 he abandons vnto him the Earles of Neuers S. Paul Constable the one hauing serued the King loyalty at Peronne had purchased the dukes indignation the other hauing nourished hatred and distrust betwixt these two princes for his owne profit had so vnreconciledâ—ie estranged them from him as they bandye ioyntly to his destruction giues him al their lands to incorporate them to his own if he coâ—â—d The Duke in exchange forsakes the Dukes of Guienne and Brittaine and their â—â—igneâ—ries to dispose at his pleasure promising
himselfe forsaken by his most confident seruants Ienlis and Mouy whome the King had receiued These might haue assisted him in his peace making the which hee shadowed with some recompence that the King had promised him for the County of Guise Lewis heares them giues them good words and commands the Constable to come vnto him But it is a grieuous testimony the conscience of our misdeeds The variety of his troubled thoughts will not admit any easie beleefe Hee offers to come so as his Maiesty wil sweare vpon the Crosse of S. Laâ— that he will neyther do cause nor suffer any treachery nor outrage to bee done to his person This crosse hath beene kept at Angiers time out of minde with an old beleefe That whosoeuer swearing theron doth forsweare himselfe he dies within the yeare of a miserable violent death Lewis refuseth this oath but submitts himself to any other The more he excuseth himselfe the more the Constable presseth him Lewis sends an Ambassadour to the Emperour Thus posts flie hourely froÌ„ eyther of them vpon this assurance Behold two great personages of sundry humours wonderfully troubled in minde and it seemed they feared alike to perish or to separate themselues absolutely Yet Lewis was the more cunning did his busines more coueâ—tly But if these two afflicted themselues in this sort Edward of England and Charles of Bourgongne were in no lesse doubt one of an other The King had sent Iohn Tierselin the Lord of Brosse to make his excuse vnto the Emperour for that he had not sent the army promised by the treaty assuring him to do it when he had ended his enterprises begun for the most part well forward both in Bourgongne and Picardie intreating him in the meane time not to make any agreement with the duke Charles in great perpleâ—â—itie that the one should not treat of a peace without the other That he should confiscate all the Duke seigneuries that held of the Empire and that he would seize vpon such as depended on the Crowne of France as Flanders Arthois Bourgongne and many others The Emperour a man of more wit then vertue answers by a gentle Apology That they must not diuide the beares skin before the beast be dead As if he should say Come according to your promise let vs take this man and then weare his spoiles Let vs nowe see what he doth before Nuz where we haue left him much perplexed how to free him selfe with his honor from that enterprise Two mighty armies attended him and cutts of his victualls both aboue and beneath the Rhin al the Princes of Germany both spirituall and temporall had ioyned their forces in infinit numbers all the Townes and coÌ„monalties did willingly contribute to this charge Two other considerations did troubâ—e him The king made great warre against him and had burnt many places in Bourgongne Picardie Arthois and Ponthieu Moreouer hee had labored all his life to drawe in the English but without any effect till now and would he abandon so goodlâ— an army passing now betwixt Douer and Calais complayning of his breach threatning if he delay it any longer to take an other course Yet must the Bourguignon finde some honorable pretext for his rising There was with the Emperour an Apostolike Legat going from army to army to 〈◊〉 a peace The King of Denmarke was there in person for the same effect In the 〈◊〉 tâ—e place is deliuered into the Legats haÌ„ds to dispose as the sea of Rome should deâ—â—ee Thus Nuz after a yeare seege sees the Bourguignon disâ—odge with the losse of foâ—re thousand of his choise men A hard departure that notwithstanding the necessity of his army and this mighty Imperiall power yet not daring to disgrace him He leaues the seege of Nuz he did see the beseeged and Cittizens ouercome with hungar and toyle who had bin forced within ten dayes to yeeld to his mercy Charles would willingly haue bin reuenged of René for his defie yet he forbeares vntil the next yeare but with an other issue then he expected he shal be well beaten and then slaine At this time vrgent necessity drawes him else where and his troupes hauing need to be refreshed he sends them to liue vpon the spoiles of Lorraine and Barr and himselfe with a small traine goes to meet Edward at Calais Edward being yet at Douer sends Garter his King at armes a Normand by nation to Lewis with a leter of defiance the tenor wherof smelt more of the French then the English He summons him To yeeld vnto him the realme of France as his right that he might restorethe Church Edward defies the King Nobility and people to their ancient liberties and free them from their great burthens and afflictions and vppon his refusall he protests of all the miseries that should follow after the accustomed manner and forme in such like cases A bare defie grounded vpon occasion long before debated and often decided The King reades the letter comands the herald to be brought into a Chamber vnto him being alone and saies vnto him That he knew well the King of England was thrust into this enterprise by the people of England The policie of Lewis by the Duke of Bourgongne and by the Constable of Saint Paul That the Duke came from Nuz like a vanquished man and needy that winter grew on vnfit for the effects of warre That the Constable would deceiue King Edward liue only in his dissimulations entertayning euery man and trusting no man In the end he sollicits Garter to perswade his Maister to make an agreement with him giuing him 3. hundred Crownes with his owne hand and promise of a thousand if it might be accomplished and in publicke he caused a goodly peece of crimson veluet to be giuen him containing thirty elles The Herald promiseth to do his best endeauour aduising him to send a Herald to obtaine a safe conduct for the sending of Ambassadors at what time as Edward should haue passed the sea The first cause of Edwards dâ—scontent against Chaâ—les who at his first entrie findes himselfe much deceiued of his expectation for the Duke had promised to ioyne with him with two thousand fiue hundred men at armes with a great number of other house and fote and for his assurance to put some strong places into his hands namely Saint Quintin relying vpon the Constable That finding the King ouercharged and redy to receiue a mate he should begin the warres in France three moneths before the leading of the English army but his army was so weake and poore as he durst not shew it Let vs here acknowledge an other notable fauour of God to this Crowne who had so blinded the iudgment of this Duke as he continued obstinate and wilfull before this strong place resolutely defended An other error of the Bourguignon that disscontents the English where as he should haue attended the English We confesse that both together
The King of Sicile René King of Sicile seconds him Charles had already vpon the â—ope this good old man gaue him sent the Lord of Chasteauguion into Piedmont with twenty thousand Crownes to make a leauie of men to take possession of that Earledome But vpon this defeat he was happy to saue his person to loose but his siluer seized on for the King by Philip of Sauoy Earle of Bresse Vpon this amazement Lewis sends to his Vncle desires him to come and to assure himselfe of good entertainment else he would prouide by force Iohn Cosse Seneshall of Prouence an honest man and of a good house in the realme of Naples perswaded his maister to this voyage giuing the King to vnderstand that the treatie of René with the Bourguignon the which he himselfe had procured tended to no other end but to let the King know the wrong he had done his Vncle Lewis reconciled to the King of Sicile hauing taken from him the Castels of Barre Anger 's and intreating him ill in all his other affaires and that he neuer had any will to performe the accord A liberty of speech very pleasing vnto Lewis who from that time respected his Vncle and they liued like good friends TheÌ„ René made a transaction with the King that after his death the Earledome of Prouence should returne to the king and be incorporate to the Crowne In doing whereof the Queene of England daughter to the said René and widow to Henry the 6. King of England whom Edward held prisoner was redeemed by the King for fiftie thousand crownes For this cause she yeelded vnto the King all the right she might pretend to the said Countie and for a certaine pension which the King assigned her during her life The Duchesse of Sauoy sent Montaigni secretly The Duchessâ— of Sauâ—y The Princes of Geâ—maâ—ie to reconcile her to the King yet will shee trie the issue of the Dukes fortune The Princes of Germanie and the imperiall Townes who before were inforced to temporise now shew themselues enemies and turne from him Frederick Prince of Tarentum grieued with the strange dissemblings The Prince of Taâ—entâ—m leaues Charles touching the pretended marriage leaues him and soone after returning into France he marries a daughter of Sauoy the Queenes sister what then shall hee flie to his Hollanders and Flemings But he knowes their inconstancie and that they fauoured not his flâ—ght yet hee sends his Chancellor Hugonnet with twelue commissioners to require ayde of men and money of his subiects who returne with this resolution That if the Duke their Lord were prisoner they would morgage and sell their liuings to redeeme him that to disswade him from the warre and draw him home into his countries they would assist him with all their power But to continue it they are not resolued to doo any thing To conclude euery bird had his peck at this Owle Euen as when a tempest ouerthrowes some great tree euery one teares off a branch Hee yeelds not yet but would be ashamed to confesse himselfe beaten by such a wretched people Charles armeâ— againe and although all these crosses had wonderfully increased his sicknesse that heauinesse melancholie choller and other passions had altered his bloud with great preiudice to his health yet he gathers together the peeces of his wracke and within few moneths goes to field with his armie Hauing staied some space at Lauzanne He besiegeth Morat he went the 9. of Iune to campe before Morat a small towne two leagues from Berne belonging to the Earle of Rhomont who lead the foreward Anthonie bastard of Bourgongne camped vpon the Lake with thirty thousand men of foote and horse The Duke lodged in the mountaine and Rhomont vpon the descent towards the Lake with 12. thousand men The Cantons were sooner in armes at this shock then at the other and if before they gaue him a lâ—ght defeat they shall now giue him a generall ouerthrow In their league are numbred twenty Townes prelats and commonalties Zurich Berne Lucerne Vri Suits Vnderual Zug Glaris Fribourg Soleurre Basill Chaf houze Appenzel Sangall the Grisons the Earle of Tocquembourg the Abbot of Sangall Valoâ—s la Casse Dye the ten iurisdictions of Malny All these did furnish eleuen thousand pikes ten thousand Halberds 10000. shot and 4000. horse and the King who made warre against the Bourguignon at an other mans cost had vnder-hand giuen the Duke of Lorraine meanes to ioyne with 600. men at armes Moreouer the Townes of the Rhin Songoy and Ferrete had sent a supply of three thousand men All these forces being ioyned the 22. of Iune behold at the first incounter the foreward is so violently charged Charles is ouerthrowne as the Earle of Rhomont is forced to saue himselfe with ten or twelue horse The garrison of Morat falles out and ioynes with the Duke of Lorraines troupes they charge the Bourguignons campe force it and ouerthrow him with a horrible slaughter of his men He recouers Besançon by the swiftnesse of his horse and from thence Riuere in the County of Bourgongne In this battaile died about eighteene thousand men others say two and twenty thousand seuen hundred and of Suisses fiftie men onely At this day are seene the spoiles of this battaile in a Chappell built where the battaile was fought and filled with the bones of such as were slaine The Suisses pursuing their victory take all the places of the County of Rhomont and along the Lake Leman euen vnto Geneua which are at this day vnder the iurisdiction of Berne and the Bishop of Basill and razed many places and Castels vpon the marches of the French Countie The Duke of Lorraine hauing a good share in this notable victory with his French troupes and some supplies from the confederates recouers Vâ—â—demont Espinal Nancy and some other places by composition Now is Charles of Bourgongne exceeding heauie and for that the house of Sauoy had bin the chiefe kindler of this warre wherof the first fire-brand had bin for some Carts laden with skins taâ—en by Rhomont from a Suisse and doubting least she would speedily be reconciled to the King Charles surpriseth the Duchesse of Sauoy with her yongest sonne he sends to take her by force brings her to Rouure neere Dijon with her yongest sonne since Duke of Sauoy Philibert the eldest then Duke was with the helpe of some seruants of his house retired to Chamberi The King who neuer lets slip any aduantage and who politickly builds vpon anothers shipwrack treates with the Bishop of Geneue a sonne of Sauoy a man of a free disposition and gouerned by a commander of Rhodes both tractable who deliuer into his hands the Castles of Chamberi Montmelian and another place in the which were all the Duchesse Iewels She seeing â—er selfe depriued of liberty dissembles no longer but sends Riuerol a Gentleman of â—â—edmont to the King to mediate her peace but with all
the surety that mâ—ght be knowing well that it was dangerous to displease him beseeching his Maiestie to free her Lewis a better brother then she had bin a sister sends to deliuer her by Charles of Amboise Lord of Chaumont Lewis sets â—er at libertie gouernour of Champagne who brought her to Plessis by Tours whether the King was returned who hauing renounced the alliance of Bourgongne recouered her children of the King with the places Iewels and all things that belonged to her then coÌ„ducted her home at his own charge But Charles is he tired So many disgraces Charles in a desperate estate so many losses of men of warre places friends treasors haue all these so daunted him as he hath lo st all courage He is now solitary at Riuere sad mournfull grieued displeased in himselfe wayward to his seruants despised of his subiects abandoned of his friends and hatefull to all the world he seekes neither comfort or counsell of any man and his great austerity is the cause that no man dare giue it him And doubtlesse these incounters were sufficient to make him lay aside armes humbly to acknowledge that the scourge of God doth aduertise vs that we are straied from our duties and to lift vp our eies hands hearts to heauen there to seeke for consolation and not among men rather restoring that which we haue pulled from another vniustly then continuing obstinate in our reuenges But Nancy must be the place of his funerall it was wonderfull commodious for his passage to his other Signeuries but his armie being vtterly ouerthrowne it was not possible to leuie new troupes so speedily to succour the Lord of Beures of the house of Croy who defended it against the Lorraine Campobasso did diuert him shewing that the Citty was but flackly besieged that it was needfull to breath to refresh his spirits tired with the forepassed toiles in the meane time continues his practises with Duke René Beures pressed him still for succours yet could he not arriue vntil the day it was yeelded Nancy taken by René and besieged by Charles with such forces as he could get out of Flanders Luxembourg Bourgongne He besiegeth it before it could be fortified victualed and within few daies brings it to exceeding famine The Lorraine not yet strong inough attending such troupes as came to him out of Germanie Suisserland aduentures a company of souldiers carrying some victuals They crosse through the campe maynteining the skirmish whilest that such as carried meale entred the towne Cifron a gentleman of Prouence Steward to the Duke of Lorraine was taken priâ—â—ner amongst others Charles commands he should be hanged This gentleman had bin the actor betwixt Campobasso and the Duke René Seeing that he must of necessity die he desires Charles to heare him and that he would discouer a matter which concerned his person Charles answers in choller that they were but shifts and Campobasso fearing his tongue doth hasten both the Dâ—ke Prouost to this execution for said he by the law of armes euery one that seekes to releeue a place after the CanoÌ„ hath plaied is takeÌ„ deserues death Cifron makes a new request and the Duke sends to know what he would say He refuseth to reueale it but to the Duke himselfe and as they returned with this answer to the Duke Campobasso remaining at the chamber dore A notable vilanie of Caâ—pobasso where the Duke was writing with a Secretary makes them beleeue that the Dukes pleasure was they should dispatch him so Cifron was hanged He still continues his siege and neither shame losses the season of the yeare nor his weake armie neither the great succours which he sees coÌ„ming to the Lorraine nor the secret aide the King gaue vnto his enemy neither Alphonsus King of Portugall his cousin germaine who then attended some succours from the King at Paris against the Castilian and went expresly to him to mediate a peace to bee the sooner dispatched for the King excused himselfe vpon the issue he feared of this warre of Lorraine could moue him Nancy pressed with famine was ready to compound if Campobasso had not by secret intelligence reuiued their spirits Nancy releeued by Dukâ— Renâ— when as behold the Duke of Lorraine comes with an armie of fourteene or fifteene thousand men French Suisses Germaines and Lorraines lodgeth at S. Nicholas of Varengeuille Compobasso not able to doe the Bourguignon a greater dispight leaues him with nine score men at armes with him and the Lords of Ange Montfort with six score they go to René A great maime for the duke whose troupes were but bare and weake Notwithstanding vpon the Suisses protestation The intâ—grity of the Suissâ—â— in old time that they would not fight in the company of a traytor the Duke sends him to Condé a Castle vpon the riuer of Moselle a passage for victualls which came to Charles from the vallie of Luxembourg Metz. He takes this passage and stops it with trees and carts to stay the flight of such as should thinke to saue themselues foreseeing already the Bourguignons ouerthrow hoping by this means to haue a share of the booty prisoners as it happened indeed But the fowlest and most trecherous act of his tragedy is that he left men suborned to begin the flight at the first charge others to obserue the Duke and if he fled to kill him Charles vnderstanding these newes Good counsell not â—ollowed by Charles harkeneth thereto contrary to his custome yet he followes not the aduice of his counsell The most experienced counselled him to retyre to Pont a Mouson which he held yet to fortifie himselfe there suffering theÌ„ to victuall Nancy They told him that the Germaines loued the ayre of their hothouses too well that René would want money so all would disband without meanes to ioyne together againe in long time that their victualling could not be so plentifull but it would be spent before the middest of winter in the meane time he should refresh his army increase his troups furnish himselfe with all things necessary seeing that he had money which was the sinew of warre A wise counsel but Charles hasted to his ruine He had in his army but foure thousand men wherof not aboue 12. hundred were in case to fight yet by the aduice of some foolish people he will hazard a third battell exposing a handfull of men ill armed ill mounted panting yet with the first and second encounters against an army fresh lusty and glorious with two notable victories The 5. of Ianuary vpon twelfe Eue René puts his army into battel neere vnto a lake at Neuf-uille The Germanes Suisses diuide themselues into two bataillons the Earle of Abestein the Gouernours of Zurich and Fribourg lead the one The battailâ— of Nancy the Aduoyers of Berne and Lucerne the other the rest both French Lorraines
day of their iourney they had certaine aduice by a messenger which the Lord of Craon sent to the King Abbeuille made the way to the rest The Admirall and Argenton had sent a man before to treat with the souldiers Townes in Picardie yeeld to the king who atteÌ„ding the coÌ„ming of these noble meÌ„ there came forth to the number of foure hundred Lances Being come forth the people open the gates to the Lord of Torâ—y they spare the King those crownes pensioÌ„s which the Admirall by vertue of his warrant had promised the Captaines This was one of the Townes which Charles the 7. had deliuered by the treatie of Arras the which should for want of heires males returne to the Crowne Dourlans followes They summon Arras the King pretending this Towne to be his by confiscation for not performance of duties and in case of refusall they threaten force The Lords of the Rauastein and Cordes make answere to Maister Iohn of Vacquerie afterwardes chief President of the Parlement at Paris that the CouÌ„tie of Arthois appertayned to Mary of Bourgongne and came to her directly from Marguerite Countesse of Flanders Arthois Bourgongne Neuers and Rhetel married to Phillippe the first Duke of Bourgongne son to King Iohn yoÌ„ger brother to King Charles the 5. Beseeching him to mainteine the truce made with Duke Charles deceased So they returne without doing any thing but onely wonne some men that soone after serued the King well who resoluing to reduce such places by force as should disobey his commaund goes into Picardie In this voyage he causeth his Court of Parlement at Paris to come to Noyon with the masters of requests and some Princes of the bloud to resolue vppon the processe of Iames of Armagnae Duke of Nemours and Earle of Marche prisoner in the Bastille at Paris and taken in the yeare 75. at Caâ—lâ—t by Peter of Bourbon Earle of Beauieu at what time the Dukes wife died partly for griefe and partly by childbirth She was daughter to Charles of Aniou Eaâ—le of Maine By which Court being found guiltie of high Treason he was condemned by a sentence pronouÌ„ced by master Iohn Boulenger the chief president to loose his head vpon a scaffold at the Hales at Paris on munday the 3. of August The Duke of Nemours beheaded and was by the like grace buried at the gray friars as the Constable had been He was one of the chiefe of the warre for the common weale whome the King laboured to bring to his end all hee could Lewis is exceeding glad to haue surmounted his most malicious aduersaries the Duke of Guienne his brother the Earle of Armagnae the Constable the Duke of Nemours All the house of Aniou was dead René King of Sicile Iohn and Nicholas Dukes of Calabria and their Cousin the Earle of Maine afterwards Earle of Prouence whose successions he had gotten But the more the house of Bourgongne exceeded all the rest in greatnes and power hauing with the helpe of the English continually shaken the estate of this realme for the space of thirty two yeares vnder Charles the 7. and their subiects being alwaies readie to trouble this Crowne by warres so much the more pleasing was the death of their last Duke vnto him knowing well that being now freed of his greatest incomber he should hereafter finde greater ease Yeâ— he erred in his proceedings not taking so good a course as he had forecast in the life of Charles of Bourgongne Lewis his error after the death of Charles in case he should die for allying him selfe by the marriage of the Daulphin his sonne with the heire of Bourgongne or at the least with some of his Princes for that there was a difference of age betwixt them hee had easily drawen vnto him the subiects of these large and rich Seigniories and had preserued them from many troubles the which haue afflicted both them and vs by the same meanes and freeing them from war he had greatly fortyfied his realme recouering with small toyle that which he pretended to be his The which he might easily effect for the Bourguignons were very humble without support without forces notable to make aboue fifteene hundred horse foote which were preserued at this generall ouerthrow But these are humane discourses wherein he had done better then thus resolutly to haue sought the ouerthrow of that house and by the ruine thereof to purchase to himselfe friends in Germanie or elsewhere as he pretended but without effect Presently vppon his arriuall Han and Bohain yeelded Saint Quentin takes it selâ—e and calls in the Lord of Mouy Maister William Bische borne at Mâ—lins in Niuernois a man of base qualitie but inriched and raysed to great authoritie by Duke Charles Gouernor of Peronne yeelds the place and the Lord of Cordes inclines to the french party They fayled of their enterprise at Gand but yt succeded at Tournay The King had sent Maister Oliuer le Dain his SurgioÌ„ borne in a village neere vnto Gand not onely to carry letters of credit to Marie of Bourgongne who then was in the possessioÌ„ of the Gantois that suffered no man to speake vnto her but in the presence of witnesses perswading her to yeeld vnto the kings protection seeing that both by father mother she was issued from the bloud of France being well assured that hee should hardly obtaine her whilest that hee prouided her a husband fitt for her qualitie as also to worke some alteration in the Cittie discontented with the Priuileges which Philip Charles had taken from them the rigorous exactions they had made Oliuer hauing staied some daies at Gand is called to the Town-house to deliuer his charge The Surgions 〈◊〉 He deliuers his letter to the Infanta assisted by the Duke of Cleues the Bishop of Liege and other great personages She reads it and they call him to deliuer his message He answeres that hee hath no charge but to speake to her in priuate They reply It was not the custome especially to a young gentlewoman that was to marrie He insists that he will deliuer no thing but to her selfe They threaten him with force Hee is amazed and going from the Counsell considering the qualitie of the person they doe him some disgraces and if hee had not speedily escaped hee had been in danger to haue had the riuer for his graue Doublesse it is a great hazard when matters of importance are managed by men of meane estate and the people thinke themselues contemned if they bee treated withall by men of base qualitie This barber knewe something for to preuent this inconuenience he termed himselfe Earle of Meulan others write of Melun whereof he was Captaine But Lewis reposed great trust in two men of the same sort Being gone from Gand hee retyâ—es to Tournay the which lies vpon the frontiers of Hainault and Flanders a strong and a goodly Towne but free and at that time a neuter seated fitly to
eldest sonne the Emperour for his sonne Maximilian King of the Romains Mary desired much the alliance of France but the King had done her a great disgrace deliuering her letters to the Gantois 1478 the which shee had secretly written which caused the death of those two good men and the banishement of her most affectionate seruants Moreouer her Estate required a man to gouerne it She would willingly haue married with the Earle of Angoulesme if the King had beene so pleased The humours of the heire of Cleues pleased her not nor such as were about her The Emperour kept as a pawne a diamond with a letter which the Infanta had written vnto him by her fathers commande whereby she promiseth to accomplish the marriage in forme according to her fathers pleasure He sends it to the Duchesse to auerre her hand and promise demanding if she would persist therin She doth auouch the contents and agrees to make it good So Maximilian comes to Gand and there the marriage was consummated A marriage which should proue a firebrand to kindle by their descendants both within this Realme and in manie other Estates the Combustious tumults and furies which haue followed the which happilie had beene auoided by a french alliance But God had other wayes decreed This marriage was consummated during the Orangeois reuolt in Bourgongne Maâ—â—iage of Maximiliâ—â— and Marie the which continued somewhat long by the support the Germaines gaue him in fauour of Sigismond of Austria vncle to Maximilian who hauing his territories adioyning and especially the Countie of Ferrete the which he had retyred by the Suisses meanes would gladly haue gotten somewhat of his neighbours But the indiscretion of Sigismond and the want of money to pay the Bourguignons were a meanes that the King did more easily preuent the Prince of Orange his practises who nowe called himselfe Lieutenant to the sayd Germaines They supplied him with some troupes with the which he recouered almost all the Countie contynuing his course vntill that Craon came to beseege him in Gy a small Towne of the sayd County Chasteauguion seeing his Brother cooped vp and the place readie to yeeld to Craons discretion posts thether with all the forces he can The Prince of Orange deâ—eated and comes to charge Craons armie in front whilest that the beseeged should set vpon him behind So charged both before and behinde he found the match hard yet by the defeate of fourteene or fifteene hundred men for the most part enemies and the taking of Chasteauguion he wonne the victorie Craon leads his army after this victory before Dole the chiefe Towne of the County but for that he did presse it but slackly and neglected his enemie whose forces he knewe to be but small he had ill successe For in a fierce sallie they slewe many of his men and carried away a great part of his artillerie This affront brought him in disgrace with the King Craon beaten before Dole who fearing a more dangerous checke hearing likewise complaints from all parts of his great exactions and money vniustlie taken puts him from the gouernment of Bourgongne preferring in his place Charles of Amboise Lord of Chaumont a valiant wise and vigilant Captaâ—ne Loue preuayles more then force He is in disgrace with the King He perswades the King to pacifie the Suisses and other Germaines who followed the Prince of Orange in fauour of the house of Austria and to make the way more easie for the King he him selfe doth practise the Commanders Then began the Suisses first league with the King the which he effected by meanes of twentie thousand franks he gaue yearely among the Cantons and the like summe to be distributed among some Captaines which he imployed And to please them he made himselfe a bourgeois amongest them and obtayned the title of the first allied to their Commonweale A title which the Duke of Sauoie pretended to be due vnto him aboue all others They likewise for their parts promised to furnish six thousand men to serue the King continually for foure Germaine Florins and a halfe a moneth a number which continued alwayes vnto the death of Lewis A league with the Suiâ—ses The Suisses 〈◊〉 vnder the Kings pay and so the Bourguignons party much weakened who asseâ—ble the Nobility of the Country togither vnder the Prince of Orange and defeate the companies of Salezard and Coninghen neere vnto Grey But Amboise being fortified with men and artillerie takes Verdun Montsauion Semeur in Lauxois Chastillon vpon Seine Bar vpon Seine Beaulne and Rochefort neere vnto Dole belonging vnto Vauâ—ray Thus hauing freed all the approches to Dole Dole with many other Townes taken by Amboise he Campes before it batters it makes a breach giues an assault and takes it Some troupes of the Townes last subdued thrust themselues into it either to warrant it from spoile or to haue a better share but there enters such a multitude of franke archers as it was impossible to saue it from sack and fire Yet the King repaired the ruines about the walles building a great part of the wall towards the riuer of Doux with a great trenche whereby a great part of the said riuer did runne forth inuironing of that part of the wall but this is nothing in regarde of the fortifications which haue beene since built whereby it exceeds most of the Citties of Christendome beeing excellent at this day in Senate Vniuersitie and armes Auxonne deserued a long and sharpe siege but the wisdome of Amboise preuailed so well after the siege of Dole that giuing the chiefe offices of the Towne to such as demanded them it was yeelded within fiue or sixe dayes and likewise the Castles of Iou S. Agnes vpon Salins Champagnole Arguel and some others built vpon rockes Besançon an Imperiall Towne yeelded to the King by his Lieutenant Generall the like duties as they were accustomed to doo the Earle of Bourgongne Thus Bourgongne being conquered remained some time in the Kings quiet possession A young horse hath need of a gentle hand to make him taste the Bit with delight But Verdun and Beaulne not able to endure the command of the French began first to kick yet by the Gouernours discretion they were speedily subdued and recouered from Simon of Quingey who led a troupe of sixe hundred men of foote and horse Germains and others tumultuouslie assembled in Ferrete and thereabouts to put into the aboue named places Verdun was taken by assault and subiect to the accustomed insolencies in the like prises Beaune yeelded by composition in the beginning of Iuly with liues and goods saued and for a fine they payed fortie thousand Crownes These sodaine exploites did so terrifie the other Townes as all kept themselues within their due obedience But how doth Edward King of England looke vpon this Theater where our men play the pettie Kings And how doth he suffer the King without any opposition to enlarge his estate by the taking of
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
from the Fâ—ench Presently Capoua Auerse Nole the Castle of Montdragon and many other places follow this example and the greatest part of the realme turnes to Ferdinand Some one must needs pay for all Caiete hauing taken armes for Ferdinand the French garrison enters the Towne with furie Caiete sacke by the French makes a horrible slaughter of the rebels and sacks it The Venetian army at sea besiegeth Monopoli a Citty of Apulia both by sea and land giues a hote assault they take it by force and the Castle by composition and afterwards the Towne of Pulignan Charles aduertised of these reuoltes being parted from Ast towards Turin he sends away Peron of Basche his Steward to hasten away an army at Sea from Vâ—llefranche neere vnto Nice the which carryed two thousand fighting men with store of victuals vnder the command of the Lord of Arbaâ— a valiant Captaine and well experienced at sea yet very vnfortunate in this expedition for hauing discouered Ferdinands fleete about the Isle of Poreze consisting of thirtie saile and two great ships of Genoua they presently turne taile to the enemie leauing him a small Biscaine ship for a pawrre and recouer the Port of Liuorne The French fleete flies voluntarily where the Captaine could not stay the greatest number of his souldiers from landing who tooke the way to Pisa. In the meane time the Arragonois imployes all his forces against the new Castel the Castle de l' Oeufe other forts held by the French And to make the way the more easie he fortifies the Hippodrome mans the Mont S. Herme and Puisfaucon and assailes the Monasterie of the Crosse. Bâ—t being at the first greatly annoyed by the Artillerie he conuerts his force into pollicie which prooues vnfortunate for the Author There was in it a Moore sometimes seruant to the Marquis of Pescara The Marquis sounds him and hee promiseth to giue entrance For this effect The Marquis of Pescara slaine he mounts in the night by a Ladder set to the Abby wall to conclude of the conditions the manner and the time but he discouered not an other Paris who lying behind the battlements of the wall cut the throate of his Achilles with a Crosbow The Marquises death was repaired by the reuolt of Prosper Fabricio Colonnes The reuolt of the Collonnes who notwithstanding the great aduancements they had from the King carryed away with a light beleefe spred abroad by certaine lying letters of Lodowicke Sforce that the King was dead at Fornoâ—e and seeing moreouer that the French affaires declined they returne to Ferdinands pay The Castels thus beleaguered the sea shut vp by Ferdinands fleete famine encreasing daily and all hope of forraine succours cut off by the voluntary route of Arbans nauie made the Viceroy to yeeld vp the new castle to Ferdinand after three moneths siege with promise to go into Prouence if hee were not releeued within thirty dayes The new Castle at Naples compounds with Ferdinand departing with bag baggage and for assurance of this capitulation he gaue for hostages Yues of Alegre la Marche of Ardenne lâ— Chapelle of Aniou Roquebertin Catelan Ienlis this was the 6. of October If any releefe came vnto them it must be of those forces that were dispersed within the realme So the Lord of Persi d' Alegre brought the Suisses with many of the companies of men at armes accompanied by the Prince of Bisignan and diuers other Barons persisting yet in their fidelitie Monteleone put to flight by the French Ferdinand aduertised hereof opposeth the Earle of Monteleone They incounter at the Lake of Pizzale neere to Eboli where our French had a reuenge of that braue flight of their armie at sea For the Earles forces exceeding Persi in number flie at the first approch without any fight leauing Venantio sonne to Iules of Varane Lord of Camerin prisoner but being not pursued for that our men came to an other end they retire without any great losse to Nole and after to Naples This victory thrusts forward our men to the execution of their desseigne Ferdinand to hinder their approach casts vp a trench from Mont S. Herme to Castle d' l' Oeuf and plants artillerie vpon the hils adioyning the which doth greatly indomage the French and takes away all meanes to enter the Castle This side wanting fresh water made them retire in disorder leauing behind them some peeces of Artillerie and part of the victuals they had brought for the releefe of the Castels being discontented with the small endeuour the besieged had vsed to receiue them He that giues ouer looseth the game The Viceroy frustrate by this dislodging of all hope of succours leauing three hundred men in the Castle Neuf Castle Neuf abandoned by the Viceroy a number proportionable to the victuals that remained a conuenient garrison in that of de l' Oeuf he imbarkes by night with the rest of his souldiers being 2500 and takes his way to Salerne Ferdinand complaines that the accord is broken That it was not lawfull for the Earle of Montpensier to depart sodenly without taking leaue and with such a company before he had consigned him the Castles threatning to be reuenged of the hostages for this iniury deceit the which were yeelded a moneth after the prefixed time when as the garrisons compounded for their departure being vnable to endure the famine any longer Those of Castle Neuf vpon condition the hostages should be deliuered Those of de l' Oeuf if they were not succoured by the first day of Lent ensuing But let vs leaue Ferdinand confirmed in his throne and returne to Nouarre Nouarre was at the last cast they had no more Corne no more horses but for few dayes some died of hunger some languished of sicknesse Mugnes Brione Camarian Siege of Noâ—arâ—e Bolgare and other neere places with the forts built by the French were taken by force and the enemie lodged in the Suburbes were so many Block-houses neither was there any meanes to succour them without a battaile But how The King tooke his pleasure at Turin and at Quiers he had no will to hazard another battaile for one Towne onely which the Duke of Orleans would keepe and no man would fight but in the Kings presence The Prince of Orange who in matters of warre had great credit with the King and all the other commanders desiâ—ed rather to end the siege by some friendly agreement then by the hazard of a battaile Winter approched euery one sees his store spent many are sick some retire without leaue others obtaine it The enemy giues â—are to a peace His armie was newly increased by a thousand Reisters led by Frederick Capelare of the Countie of Ferrete and by eleuen thousand Lansquenets commanded by George of Abeâ—â—ing borne in Austria The leuie which the Bayliffe of Dijon went to make in Suisserland was not yet ready Why then considering the consent of both parties are
on eyther side the Venetians craue respite for two moneths to accept or not and the King transported with a great desire to see his France resolued to part the next day But aduertised that the Suisses practised eyther to assure themselues of his person or to seize vpon the cheefe in Court for three moneths pay which they sayde was due vnto them by an accorde made with Lewis the eleuenth That so often as they should go forth with their Ensignes displayed The Suisseâ— practise to seize vpon the King they should receiue that payment hee parted from Verceil into the which many Suisses were gotten and went towards Trine a Towne belonging to the Marquis of Montferrat This humour possessed them by the instigation of those to whom this peace was not pleasing From Trine the King sent the sayd Marshall of Gié the President of Gannai and Argenton to Lodowicke Sforee to moue him to an enterview But hee grounded his excuse vpon some speeches which the Earle of Ligni and the Cardinall of Saint Mâ—lâ— had vsed 1496. That they should take him when he came to the King to Pauie yet would he willingly parle with the King hauing a barre and riuer betwixt them He had heard talke of the parle betwixt Edward the CoÌ„stable of S. Paul with Lewis the eleuenth Charles taking this distrust in ill part receiued his hostages of Milan and impatient to attend the Geneuois aduancing to Quiers he sent Peron de Basche to Genes to receiue the two carrakes promised by the treaty and to arme foure others wherein hee made accoumpt to shippe three thousand Suisses to releeue the Castells of Naples knowing that the armie of Nice had beene altogither vnprofitable But it was sufficient for the Milanois to promise hee knewe well that hungar would force the wolfe out of the woode that is to say that want of victualls would shortly expell the garrisons out of those Castells Moreouer being perswaded the King would hardly repasse the Alpes he seekes the friendship of Ferdinand arming two ships for his seruice Charles did then send the Lord of Argenton to Venice to knowe if they would accept of the peace and to passe three articles To re-deliuer Monopoli which they had taken from him To draw back the Marquis of Mantoue their Lieutenant generall all others they had in the Realme of Naples for Ferdinands seruice and to declare King Ferdinand to be none of the league lately made in the which there was onely named the Pope the King of the Romains the King of Spaine and the Duke of Milan For answer they flatly refuse all the Kings demands as hauing no warre with him and that their meaning was only to succour the Duke of Milan as their Allie whome the King sought to ruine And for the making of an agreement they offer to be a meanes That Ferdinand should do homage to the King for the Realme of Naples with the Popes consent and should pay a hundred and fiftie thousand ducats yearely and a present summe of money the which they would lend for the loane whereof they should haue Bruduse Otrante Trani and some other places in Apulia in pawne That Ferdinand should giue the King some places for safety to make warre against the Turke according to the hope wherewith Charles had fed all Christendome The Venetiaâ—â— prâ—positions to the King The which if he would vndertake all Italie should contribute therevnto That the King and they should dispose of all Italie without contradiction and for their part they would serue the King with a hundred gallies at their owne charge and with fiue thousand horse by land But this Turkish warre was but a glorious cloake for euery priuate mans couetousnes And who can wonder if God did sodenly frustrate out desseignes hauing an other ground then we made shewe of Who will not iudge but this offer had beene as honorable for France as the generall losse of the sayd Realme was dishonorable Charles would willingly haue vndertaken it and the greatest part of his Counsell did allowe it But Tacitus obserues of Vitellius That his iudgement was such as hee found all harsh that was profitable and tooke nothing in good part but what was pleasing and that proued hurtfull A lesson for Princes not to trust so confidently to some particular persons for the gouernment of their affaires as not to impart it sometimes to others neyther to aduance any one so high as all the rest should bee his inferiors for making himselfe to be feared and respected aboue all as the Cardinall Briçonnet his Bretheren and kinsfolke did he commonly makes his house great at his maisters coste But it was the humor of this young King fearing sayeth the history to displease them to whome hee gaue credit and especially such as gouerned his treasure as the aboue named Our Conquerors are nowe arriued at Lion in the moneth of October not greatly carefull of those they had left at Naples without any intelligence or letters from the King but onely counterfeit and nothing but promises for assignations of pay whereof followed the generall losse of the Realme who for a signe of their conquest left them nothing but the possession of a stinking and contagious disease which afterwards spred ouer all France The beginniâ—â— oâ— the pockes the which beeing till then vnknowne in our parts and the Phisitians not acquainted with the cure thereof lodged manie in the graue leauing many deformed and lame of their limmes 1495. and subiect to continuall torments Charles hauing continued two moneths at Lion hee receiued two very troublesome and vnpleasant aduertisements One was Domesticall the death of his sonne the Daulphin deceased at three yeares of ages A goodly child saith the Originall and bold in speech who feared not those things which other children are accustomed to feare The other was forreine the yeelding of the Castels at Naples The King passed ouer his mourning lightly for being little both of bodie and vnderstanding he began to feare least the Daulphin growing in these generous dispositions which they noted in his infancie should soone blemish the fathers power and authoritie A lamentable thing that so great a Monark should feare his owne child lying in a cradle But that was certaine that Charles the seuenth his grandfather had beene iealous of Lewis the eleuenth his sonne Lewis had terrified his father and was in feare of his sonne Charles the eight and now Charles apprehends some decay in his estate by his son Iealousie is a disease which doth commoÌ„ly infect Princes houses The other accident was of greater consequence and toucht him more neerely But were not these crosses sufficient to afflict him but he must receiue a publike shame by meanes of a priuate mans couetousnesse The Florentines prest the performance of their treatie sworne at Florence confirmed at Ast and afterwards at Turin Charles writes to this effect to Entragues Captaine of the Citadell at Pisa and to the bastard
had greater occasions then euer Experience had made him wise He remembred the errors he had committed in his first iourney and obserued theÌ„ wel hoping if he might recouer his losses to prouide better for the gard of the Realme His intelligences from all parts called him He had a truce with the Castillian Reasons to drawe the King into Italy He had a new league with the Suisses The Emperour was discontented with the Venetians and sought his friendship beâ—â—g desirous to ioyne with him to seise vpon the states of Italie with their common force and expenses imitating the Castillian Pope Alexander labored to reconcile himselfe The Venetians deuised how to estrange themselues from Lodowike The Florentins had resolued to free themselues as soone as Charles should begin the warre And to this end they demanded the Lord of Aubigni for their generall with a hundred and fiftie Lances whereof they should pay a third part The Marquis of Mantoua was discharged from the Venetians pay and should bring to the King with the Vrsins the Vitelli and the Captaine of Rome brother to the Cardinall of S. Pierre fifteene hundred men at armes Italians He had the friendship of the Duke of Sauoye and the Marquises of Saluces and Montferrat Iohn Bentiuole promised to ioyne with his troupes as soone as he should passe the mountaines But he is diuerted by diuers meanes Some of his fauorits thrust him forward to this enterprise but with so huge a preparation both by sea â—and and so great prouision of money as it required a long time Hindred by diuers meanâ— Others entertayned 〈◊〉 his delights and loathed him with all difficulties and the Cardinal of S. Malo according to his vsuall manner lackt the prouisions of money Thus the time was â—â—st matters made fruitlesse which were almost brought to their perfection There â—ere no dispatches for the Lord of Aubigni no money for the Vrsins Vitellies Fregoses no man passeth into Italy So as all mens mindes growing cold the Fregoses make their peace with the Duke of Milan The Vitelli had passed to the Venetians pay if the Florentins had not entertayned them for a yeare The Florentins themselues counselled by Lodowike Sforce â—n the beginning of the yeare 1498 sent an Ambassage to Rome sigâ—iâ—â—ing although in doubtfull termes that if Pisa might be yeelded vnto them they â—ould ioyne themselues with the rest for the defence of Italy against the French A 〈◊〉 â—olicy but made frustrate by a Venetian shift The Venetians beeing labored to yeeld to the restitution of Pisa seeing there was no 〈◊〉 meanes to separate the Florentins from the French The Venâ—tiaâ—â— oppose against the Floâ—eâ—tiâ—s they couer their couetousnes with many colours they complaine that this counsell proceeds not of any care they haue to the coÌ„mon good but from the bad affection which some one carries to their estate â—or say they by their Ambassador at Rome the Florentins hoping to enioy the greatest port of Thuscany by the returne of the French into Italie the yeelding of Pisa were not able to diuert them from their naturall inclination to the house of France but contrariewise the more mightie they are the more meanes they shall haue to disturbe the quiet of Italy Why then haâ—e the Confederats by a common consent promised the Pisans to defend their libertie aâ—d nowe to violate both their honour and faith Is this the reward for the exceeding charge we haue so willingly maintayned when as all the other confederats were so vnwilling to disâ—â—rse any thing for the common good By what meanes was Italy preserued With what forces did they fight at Taro With what armes haue they recouered the Realme of Naples Wherewith haue they forced Nouarre to acknowledge her first Lord Can any one denie but tâ—â—sâ— actions did proceed from a sinceere affection to the good estate of Italy seeing wee were not the neerest vnto dangers neyther are the disorders growne by vs whereof wee suffer the paine Whilest these things were treated of at Rome among the Confederates The Caâ—teâ—â— of 〈◊〉 built by Câ—arles not without apparent signes of future diuision a newe humor carries away our Charles to his Castell which he caused to be built at Amboise a building of admirable worke charge hauing to that end brought the most rarest workemen that could be found 1498. from Naples and all other parts and for the beautifying thereof he had gathered together the goodliest plots that could bee found in France Italy Flanders and else-where not able to foresee that in steed of a proud and stately Palace he should end his life in a base and filthie gallerie Broken off by his death Hauing his minde inclined besides his building not onely to a second voyage beyond the Alpes but to reforme his life honouring the Queene his wiues bed with a chaste respect whereas many loose allurements had transported his youth To restraine the pompe and ambition of the Clergie To order Iustice giuing audience twise in the weeke to all complaints and free accesse to any that would desire iustice Doubtlesse Note O yee Princes The King sitting in his throne of Iustice saith the Wiseman disperseth all ill with his looke To reâ—orme his house to dispose of his treasure to ease his subiects restraining all taxes which had beene made vpon his subiects to twelue hundred thousand Frankes besides his reuenews a summe which his estates had graunted at his comming to the Crowne for the defence of the realme It chanced the 7. of Aprill going after dinner with the Queene into the Castle ditches he strooke his forehead against the doore of a gallerie whereas he meant to see a set at Tennis this blowe being a certaine aduertisement to driue him to the premeditation of his approching end the last pangs of death moued him presently with a godly and holy resolution but wisely conditioned according to mans weaknesse the which he testified by these words talking with Iohn of Beauucis Bishop of Anger 's his Confessor touching the faults he had committed in his younger age I hope saieth he neuer to commit mortall nor veniall sinne if I can auoide it Presently vpon this protestation he fell backward falling into an Apoplexie wherewith he had beene a little before troubled which closed his eyes with the sleepe of death about eleuen of the clock at night A notable example wherein wee read the pittifull estate of Princes when as death knocketh with an euen hand both at Kings Palaces and at poore mens cottages giuing them an end like to all other men and the inconstant loue of Courtiers Behold a King who commanded ouer so many Prouinces whom so many great Citties obeyed who had such numbers of sumptuous Castels at his pleasure and now building a house of a royall attempt giuing vp the ghost in a chamber neere to a gallerie stinking with the Vrine which euery one made as he passed through it laid vpon a poore
of Pisa the Venetians practises whose greatnesse Lodowick did much feare in Italy might bee crossed by the Florentins they purchasing fauour credit with the King he might imploy them to mediate some accord betwixt the King him the which he desired with all his heart Lodowick did foresee the storme and laboured to auoide it but in vaine for the time of his shipwrack was at hand 〈◊〉 comes to Court Then Caesar Borgia the new Duke of Valentinois came vnto the King with the Bull of dispensation where he was no sooner arriued but as the soâ—ne of his Father he plaid the first act of a bloudy Tragedie vpon the alliance which the King did contract with the Pope his father Caesar following the instructions of Alexander dissembled the bringing of this Bull iudging the Kings disposition to be like vnto those who desire that most which is refused to make him the more plyable to his desseignes But the Bishop of Sept hauing sent intelligence vnto his Maiestie of the truth the King thinking it sufficient to haue the Bull dispatched concluded the marriage with Anne giuing for a portion to his wife diuorced the Duchie of Berry Caesar hauing discouered the author of this aduise He commits a trâ—â—cheâ—ous murther caused the Bishop to be soone after poisoned The peace with other Princes which might somewhat disturbe the proiects of Lewis was no lesse expedient he therefore concluded with Ferdinand King of Castâ—le and thereby did associate him in the conquest of the realme of Naples Peace with the 〈◊〉 he confirmed that which his Predecessor had with the English and renewed the alliance with the Suisses granting them the pensions which Lewis and Charles were accustomed to giue Maximiâ—ian alone working vpon the old leuaine of his Ancestors shewed some bitternesse amidst these contents Troubles in Bourgongne casting the coales of diuision in Bourgongne Champâ—gne by the Lord of Vergi Comtois when as they least doubted it seeing that Lewis being taken prisoner at the battaile of S. Aubin and hauing aboue all others imploied Maximilian for an intercessor to Charles the 8. they thought that Maximilian should reioyce at this new succession more then any other Prince and that the discontent he had against Charles hauing forsaken his daughter and married with Anne of Brittaine his Spouse had beene mortified by the death of the said Prince The Emperour was thrust on by the Duke of Milan who being perswaded that the King busied at home should haue no leisure to attempt any thing in Italy or any accord being made betwixt them he should be comprehended therein This war put the realme in alarme but Lewis opposed so great a power vnder the commaÌ„d of Iohn of Foix Vicount of Narbonne his brother in law as it was quenched as soone as kindled by a tirce of many moneths without any mention of Lodowike Sforce And to the end that Phillippe Arch-Duke of 〈◊〉 and Earle of Flanders sonne to Maximilian might reape the fiâ—ites of their rereâ—oâ—â—â—â—ement he did homage to the King for the places hee held of the Crowne and those of Artois were restored vnto him In the meane time they consult at Venice vpon the tearmes of confederation with the King The chiefe difference was The Kings association with the Venetians the holdâ—â—g of â—isa The Venetians offering all other conditions would not haue this string tâ—â—cht and the King being resolute to haue it restored vnto him in fauour of the Floâ—â—â—tines refused to treat vnlesse this article might be granted But the Duke of Valenâ—inoiâ— and other Agents for the Pope the Cardinall of S. Pierre Triuulce and all the 〈◊〉 who for their owne priuate interest perswaded him to warre hauing layed beâ—â—re him the losse he should receiue by the want of the Venetians ayde considering their power and meanes to annoy the Duke of Milan hee yeelded without any more â—pâ—ech That at the same time as he should inuade the Duchie of Milan they should doe the like vpon their frontiers That hauing wonne the rest of the Duchie Cremona and Guiaraâ—add should be taken by their common forces for the Venetians except the bredth of fortie fadome along the riuer of Adde That after the conquest of Milan the Venetians should bee bound to defend that for a time with a certaine number of horse and foote the King should doe the like for Cremona and other places which they possessed in Lumbardie euen vnto the marshes of Venice This conuention tooke all hope from Lodowike both of peace with the King and reconciliation with the Venetians Being thus left naked hee resolues to defend himselfe and beginnes by the fortification of Anon Nouarre and Alexandria Townes lying neerest to the French meaning to oppose against their violence Galeas of S. Seuerin with the greatest part part of his forces and the rest against the Venetians vnder the command of the Earle of Caiazzo. He commands Galeas to passe the Pau with sixteene hundred men at armes fifteene hundred light horse ten thousand Italian foote and fiue hundred Lansquenets but rather to defend his places then to keepe the field hoping that the prolonging of the warre would breed him some aduantage for that he expected an issue of the accord which he did mediate betwixt Maximilian and the Suisses the which effected he had promise of notable aide On the other side the King caused Lewis of Luxembourg Earle of Ligni to march with Eâ—erard Stward Lord of Aubigni Iohn Iaques of Triuuâ—ce leading 6. thousand horse The first exploits of this voyage and twentie fiue thousand foot The Castle of Arazze vpon Tanare was the first obiect of thier armies a place kept by 500. foote assayled the tenth of August and taken within few dayes Seuen hundred men being lodged in Anon did likewise suffer it to be lost in two dayes and all those put to the sword that were retired in armes into the Castle Donat Raffagnin a Milanois Captaine of the Castle of Valence well furnished with men artilerie corrupted by the promises of Triuulce gaue entrance to the French the same day as he had by the like treacherie twentie yeares before deliuered one of the gates of Tortone to Lodowike Sforce to the preiudice of Bonne of Sauoy and of the little Duke Iohn Galeas All the souldiers were slaine or taken amongst others Octauian brother to S. Seuerin was prisoner The same deluge ouerflowed euen vpon the very brute Basignagne Voguere Chasteauneuf and Poâ—t Coronnâ—e Antonie Maria Palauoism yeelded vp Tortone not attending any assault Alexandria makes head against the armie and whilest they presse it Lodowike shuts himselfe into Milan and seeing his estate lost by peece meales he flies to those remedies which are vsuall in greatest dispaire He inroules all that could carrie armes assembles the people dischargeth them of a part of their ordinarie impositions shewes them with most vehement wordes That if happely hee had ouercharged 〈◊〉 not any desire to
But he knew morâ—ouer that being diuided from his maiesty his Councells could not succeed happily in the ende they treaâ— a new amity league togither and to make the king the better aâ—â—ected he giues a Cardâ—â—â—ls hat The Pope and King are reconciled to eyther of the forenamed Bishops and power vnto the King to dispose of all benefices wiâ—â—in the Duchy of Milan The more the King confirmed himselfe in the Popes alliance the more he loaâ—hed that of Maximilian and of Philip his sonne the passage which hee pretended into Italie with a mighty army to receiue his imperiall Crowne and to cause â—is sonne to bee chosen King of the Romans being greatly suspect vnto the King anâ— tâ—e greatnesse of Philip who by capitulation had sent his Father in-law Ferdinand back into Arragon hauing already so apparently estranged the Kings loue from him as he gaue Clâ—ude his daughter in marriage to Francis Earle of Angoulesme the next heyre to this Croâ—ne after the Kings discease without heyres males at the sute suppâ—ication of all the Parliaments of his Realme The which serued for an excuse to Philip. And the more to dâ—uert Maximilians passage into Italy the King sent men to succour the Duke of â—uâ—â—dres a great enimy to Philips prosperity and to molest his Prouinces of the Lovv-â—â—â—nâ—râ—es in his absence As these things passed the Pope burniâ—g with desire The Kinâ— seekes bâ— alâ— meaneâ— to 〈…〉 sonne 〈◊〉 to restore vnto the obedience of the Church all such placeâ— as had beene taken away intreâ—ted the King according to their agreement to ayde him in the recouery of Perouâ—e and Bologne This request was very pleasing vnto the King it was a meanes to tye the Pope whom they had in some â—ealousie in Court to haue beene prâ—uy to some practâ—se which Octauian Fregose had made to dispossesse the King of the Seâ—gneury of Genes Moreouer Bentiuole Lord of Bologne seemed more affâ—cted to Maximilian then to him and Iohn Paul Baillon the vsurper of Perouze was in diâ—grace with the King hauing refused to ioyne with his army when it was vpon the Garillan Notwithstanding the protestation which the Venetians made vnto the Kâ—ng The Popes expâ—oâ—â—s To take armes for the defence of Bologne if the Pope did not first make theÌ„ grant of the rights of Faenze belonging to the Church did somewhat diuert â—im referring the execution to another time Yet the Pope being vehement and pereÌ„â—tory by nature goes out ofâ— Rome with fiue hundred men at armes and giues notice of his comming to the Boloâ—nois commanding them to prepare to receiue him and to logde 500. French Lâ—nces in their country whereof he had yet no assurance Then Baillon fearing his comming goes to meete the pope and deliuers him the forts of Perouze and Perousin In the end by the perswasion of the Cardinal of Amboise the King commanded Charles of Amboise Lord of Chaumont 1506. to assist the Pope in person with fiue hundred Lances and three thousand foote amongst the which were Gâ—ston of Foix the Kings nephew and Duke of Nemours Peter of Foix Lord of Lautrâ—c his cousin the Lord of Palisse and others Bentiuole and his children amazed at this sodaâ—ne aâ—riuall Bentiuol compounds with the Pope anâ— deliuers vp Bologne beseech Chaumont to be a mediator and to procure them some tollerable conditions who dealing with the Pope obteined leaue to depart safelie out of Bologne to remaine in what part he pleased of the Duchie of Milan to sell and carry away all their mouables and to enioy the reuenues they possessed by any iust title without any molestation Thus Bologne returned to the obedience of the Church and the Pope hauing giuen the Duke of Nemours a sword inriched with precious stones amongst the which there was one Diamond of inestimable value eight thousand Ducats to Chaumont and ten thousand for his men he conuerted all his thoughts to annoy the Venetians The death of Philip Archduke of Austria At this time dyed Philip the Archduke of a Feuer within few dayes in the Cittie of Bourges young of yeares strong and healthfull of body leauing an heire the fatall scourge of the French Monarchie who within few yeares sâ—all mount vpon the Theater of our Historie to acte many and diuers tragicall parts And the Duke of Valentinois to finish the last acte of his Tragedie hauing slipt downe with a corde from the forte of Medina de'l Campo and sought for refuge with Iohn of Albret King of Nauarre The Duke of Valentinois slaine brother to his wife was in the end slaine before Viane fighting for his brother in law Too honorable a death for such a tyrant Chaumont was no sooner returned but there sprung vp a new occasion to imploy his â—orces Rebellion at Genes the Genouois taking occasion not of any desire they had to rebell but onely of ciuill discords betwixt the people and the Nobles the which do often transport men beyond their fiâ—st resolutions did sacke the Noblemens houses and did tumultuouslie create a new Magistracy of eight popular men whom to authorise them the more they named Tribunes of the people they sâ—ized by force on Spetie and some other Townes lying vpon the Easterne riuer The Lord of Rauastein being absent flies speedily to Genes with a hundred and fiftie horse and sâ—uen hundred foote The King had sent vnto thâ—m Michel Riccio a Doctor banished from Naples to perswade them to seeke rather the mildnesse of his mercie then to trye the rigour of his forces But a mutinous peopâ—e is like vnto a wilde horse which runnes furiously vntill some downefall stay him â—or in steed of giuing care to his counsell they go to besiege Monaco lying vpon the sea in a commodious place and of great importance for the Câ—ttie of Genes they create Paul de Noue a Dier of Silke Duke of Gâ—â—â—s beate downe the Kings armes and set vp Maximilians they take Castellat a Castell built abâ—ue Genes in the mountaine and â—gainst their faith cut the French mens throates that were in Garrison So the King imputing that to the Genouois as a rebellion which they had done by ciuill discord marched himselfe in person followed by eyght hundred Lances eighteene hundred light horse twelue thousand foote and an armie at sea consisting of eight Gallies The King goes with his armie against the â—ebels at Genes eight Galleons and many Foâ—sts and Brigantins he raiseâ—h the siege at Monaco takes the Bastion which they had built in the top of the mountaine forceth the Genouois to yeeld to his mercy disarmes theiâ— the 29. day of Aprill enters into Genoua â—n câ—mpleat aâ—mour with his sword in his hand vnder a Canopie accompanied with all his companies of men at aâ—mes and Archers of his garde who at the pittifull crye of the people demanding mercy of his Maiestie he grants them pardon paying a hundred thousand Ducats in ready money and two hundred
on this side the Pyrenâ—e mountaines So as the English seeing that Ferdinand did vse them onely to satisfie his priuat couetousnesse tooke shipping and sayled into England To recouer this vsurped realme the King sent Francis Duke of Longneuille gouernour of â—uienne Charles Duke of Bourbon sonne to Gilbert late Viceroy of Naples Odet of Foix Vicontu of Lautrec Iohn of Chabannes Lord of Palisse Marshall of France Peter of â—errâ—â—l the Lords of Maugiron Lude Barbezicux Turene Escars Ventadour Pompadour and other valiant Captaines and Gascons which hee assembled from all parts But the army being diuided by the dissention of the Duke of Longueuille who as Gouernour of Guienne pretended the commande to belong vnto him and the Duke of â—ourbon vnwilling to yeeld vnto him by reason of his quality proued fruitlesse for the King of Nauarre Thus the realme of Nauarre was inuaded by the Spaniards who remayned master thereof The departure of the English and the enterprise of Nauarre being made frustrate 〈◊〉 affects the affaires of Milan with greater vehemencie whilest that the Castel and that of Cremona held good but the opposition of so many enemies bred many 〈◊〉 There were many hopes to drawe some one of these from this common alli 〈…〉 Bishop of Gurce had courteously giuen eare to a friend of the Cardinall of S. 〈…〉 whome the Queene of France had sent vnto him and held one of his people at 〈…〉 Court to make a motion that the King should bind him selfe to aide the 〈◊〉 against the Venetiâ—nâ— that Charles grand-child to Maximilian should 〈…〉 â—ingâ— yongest daughter to whome he should giue the Duchie of Milan 〈…〉 the King shoâ—ld yeeld vnto them the rights he pretended to the realme of Naples 1513. and that the said Duchy being recouered Cremona and Guiaradadde should be held by the Emperour Moreouer the Veneâ—â—ans were wonderfully grieued at the Popes new treaty with the Emperour which put the King in hope to draw the Venetians vnto him The Arragonois came betweene by a politike stratageme to assure his new Conquest of Nauarre he had sent two Fryers into France it is the Spaniards custome to manage affaires by the meanes of religious persons to make their negâ—tiations the more graue and to colour their policies with more subtilty to treat with the Queene touching a general peace or a priuate betwixt the two Kings The amity of the Suisses did import much But remembring that by their forces Charles the 8. had first troubled the peace of Italy Lewis his successor by meanes thereof had conquered the Estate of Milan recouered Genes and ouerthrew the Venetians that at this present the Pope and other Potentates of Italie payed them annuall pensions to bee receiued into their confederacie They grew obstinate in refusing the Kings alliance whâ—ch he sought by the Lords of Tremouille and Triuulce In the end the King being reiected by the Suisses seekes the Venetians who conclude to make a league with the King according to the capitulations made formerly betwixt them by the which Cremona Guiaradadde should remaine to theÌ„ Robertet Secrettary of the State Triuulâ—e and almost all the chiefe of the Councell approued this league But the perswasions of the Cardinall of S. Seuerin opposite to Triuulce and the Queenes authoriâ—y who desired much the greatnes of her daughter by the foresaid marriage so as sâ—e might remaine with her vntill the consummation thereof made the King and his Councell incline to the Emperours party But discouering that these were but practises of the Emperour to make the King proceed more coldly in his courses he soone gaue it ouer Whilest that armes ceased on all sides the Popes passions encreased He reuiued his desseines against Ferrare Sienne Luques Florence and Genes and as if it had beene in his power to beat all the world at one instant he thrust the King of England into warre in whose fauour he had dispatcht a Bull in the Councell of Lateran whereby the title of most Christian was giuen vnto him and the Realme of France againe abandoned to him that should conquer it But as he deuised of all these things and without doubt of many other more high secâ—â—â—s according to the capacity of his terrible spirit howe great so euer death ended the course of his present toyles the 21. day of February at night Pope Iulius dies A Prince doubtlesse of courage of admirable constancie and most worthy of glory if he had directed his intentions to aduance the Church by peace as hee sought to grow great in temporall things by policies in war Iohn Cardinall of Meâ—icâ—s succeeded â—im and was called Leo .10 The happy memory of his father his lawfull election free from bribes and Sâ—monye his faire conditions his liberality and mildnesse of spirit A new election gaue great hope of the quiet of Christendome Yet soone after his instalment he shewed plainely that he was rather successor of his predecessors hatred and couetous passions then of S. Peter According to the treaty of the aboue named Friers the Kings of France Arragon concluded a truce A truce betwixt â—rance and Arragon whereby our Lewis hauing more liberty to thinke of the warres of Milan resolued to send an army knowing well that the people of that estate oppressed with excessiue taxes leauied to pay the Suisses and with the lodging and payment made to the Spaniards desired earnestly to returne to his obedience And to make this enterprise the more easie the accord propounded before with the Venetians was againe renued so as the Venetians considering that a concord with Maximilian keeping Verona from them was not sufficient to protect them from troubles and dangers and that hardly they should get such an occasion to recouer their estate they binde themselues by Andrew Gritti Peace betwixt the king of Fâ—ance and the Venetians To ayde the King with eight hundred men at armes fifteene hundred light horse and ten thousand foot to recouer Ast Genes and the Duchie of Milan And the King to assist them vntill they had recouered all they had possessed in Lombardie and in the Marquisate of Treuise before the treaty of Cambray The King knew well it were but labour lost to seeke the Pope who desired to haue no Frenchman in Italy Yet the deuotion he had to the Romaine sea made him sue vnto Leo not to hinder him in the recouerie of the aboue named places offering not onely not to paâ—se any further but also at all times to make such peace with him as he pleased But Leâ— â—reading the steps of his Predecessor perswades the King of England to ioyne with the Arragonois in the oppression of France according to the Bull gâ—uen by Iulio he protested to continue in the League made with the Emperour with the Catholicke King and with the Suisses The King thus frustrate of a peace with the Pope A royall army in the Duâ—hie of Milan sends the Lord of Triuulce with fifteene
Lords of Lantree and Lescut brothers to Arual a yonger brother of the 〈◊〉 of Alâ—ret Tremouille Renè bastard of Sauoye who was afterwards Lord Steward of France and gouernour of Prouence whose dâ—ughter Anne of Montmoreâ—ce the Coâ—stable married and Captaine Bayard to whome the King did that honour the day of the battaile as to receiue his knighthood at his hands hoping that the happinesse of so gentle and braue a Knight would accompanie his armeâ— The Reereward was committed to the Duke of Alanson who had married with Marguâ—rite of France afterwards wiâ—e to Henry of Albret King of Nauarre granâ—father by the mothers side to our King happily raigning at this day At the first brute of this armie the Emperoâ—r the Arragonois Sâ—orce and the Sâ—â—sses contract a League togither A League â—gainst the King to force the King to renounce his rights to the Dâ—â—hie of Milan the Suisses receiuing thirtie thousand Crownes a moneth of the other confederates should keepe the passages of the mountaines and inuade Bourgogne or Daulphinè and the Catholike King of France by Parpignan or Fontarabâ—â— The Pope although the King made some accompt of his friendshippe for that Iulian of Medicis his brother had lately married with Philiberte sister to Charles Duke of Sauoy and Aunt by the mothers side to his Maiestie in the end ioyned with them The Duke of Genes swomme betwixt two streames and as they say held the Wolfe by the eare Both the French forces and the confederates victorie were fearefull vnto him namely the Popes Genes yeelped to the King who vnder colour to keepe this Duchie from any Stranger desired exceedingly to vnite it to the Church In the middest of these contrarieties hee yeelds Genes to the King vpon condition That he should lay aside the title of the Duke of Genes Genes yeelded to the King and take that of Gouernour of Genes perpetually for the King with power to giue the offices of Genes this was to retaine some markes of Soueraigntie That the King should giue him an hundred men at armes the order of Saint Michel and a yeerely pension during his life That the King should not repaire the Fort of Todisa and should restore vnto the Cittie all the priuileges which King Lewis had disanulled That he should giue certaine Ecclesiasticall liuings to Frederick Archbishop of Salerne brother to Octauian and to himselfe if hee should bee expelled Genes some places iâ— Prouence The armie approched neere the Alpes which dâ—uide France and Italy and the Suisses according to their capitulation had stayed vpon the pasâ—ages of the mountaines vallees aswell of Montsenis which is of the iurisdiction of Sauoy the shortest way but the most vneasie as of the mount of Geneure which is of the iurisdiction of Daulphiné the longer way but the lesse painfull being the ordinary passage of the French armies The King had intelligence that Prosper Colonne was at the foote of the Mountaines within Piedmont with fifteene hundâ—ed horse which the Pope had sent to succour Milan not fearing any enemie for that the Suisses as he thought had seized vpon all the approches But some guides belonging to Charles of Soliers Lord of Morete hauing shewed them a passage neere to Roâ—que Espierre the King sent Palisse whom hereafter we will call the Maâ—shall of Chabannes â—mbercourt Aubigni Bayard Bussi of Amboise and Montmorency at that time highly fauoured by the King leading foure Corners of light horse vnder the charge of the said Morete and his guides who hauing waded through the Po beneath Villefranche whereas Colonne lodged they came to the gates not discouered but by some inhabitants who runne speedily to preuent their entrie but two hardie men at a mes of Imbercourts company which led the Scouts whose names were Beauuais thâ— braue a Normand and Hallencourt a Picard set spurres to their horses so as Hallencourt was carried into the Ditche and amazed the inhabitants Prosper Colonnes surpâ—ised Beuuais thrusting forward his Launce kept the gate open vntill the troupes arriuing surprised both Villefâ—anche and Colonne as he dined they made bootie of the baggage and about twelue hundred Neapolitane horses and carried away the Commander and his troupe pâ—isoners to â—â—ssan In the meane time the forces passe some with the Artillerie betwixt the Alpes towards the Sea and the Coctiennes descending towards the Marquisate of Saluâ—e the toile of men exceeding all the dâ—fficulties King Francis his first passage ouer the Alpes which the steepie and craggie mountaines and the â—ough downefalles in the deepe valleys of the riuer of Argentiere did present vnto them where the artillerie not able to passe in those straights the horses being vnprofitable in fiue dayes it was foâ—ced vp with roapes by maine strength in those places where as neuer Canon noâ— horseman was seene to passe Others with infinite paines and difficulties recouered the pace of Dagonniere some the high toppes of the rock of Perrot and Cuni passages lying towards Prouence where the Marshall of Chabannes had passed Thus the Suisses deceiued of their hope abandoned the Straight of Suze where they defended the passages of Mont Senis and Geneure and that of Coni returning with shame toward Milan spoyling and sacking Chinas Verteil and other places where they entred whâ—lest that Ainard of Prie hauing passed with the first had with the helpe of Octauian Fregose reduced Alexandria Tortone and all that lyes beyond the Po to the Kings obedience who hauing passed the Po at Monâ—callier and presenting himselfe before Nouarre receiued the Towne at his deuotion and then Pauia The Milanois sent Ambassadors to the Kings lodging at Bufalore to beseech him to rest satisfied with victualls and a promise from the people to remaine affected to his Crowne and so to march on against his enemies· assuring him that Milan should most willingly giue him entrie when hee should be maister of the field It is an ordinarie stratageme of inconstant Townes to set vp the Ensignes of the stronger paâ—tie The King hauing a mightie armie in front granted their demands for that time Then the Duke of Sauoy did mediate an accord betwixt the Suisses and the King his Nephew wherein he preuailed so much as they concluded That the King paying vnto them foure hundred thousand crownes promised by the treaty of Dijon and aâ—l which they pretended to be due for their ancient seruices they should yeeld vnto the king his Duchie of Milan and the vallees which the Grisons enioyed and the king should giue vnto Maximilian Sforce threescore thousand Ducats of yeerely pension But some hope to gaine who loose all especially in these cases A new supplie of Suisses fierce and bold Inconstant treachery of the Suisses by reason of their forepassed victories being dissuaded by the Cardinall of Sion breake this treaty and bring matters to the same estate they were beâ—fore Thirty fiue thousand take the way of Monse to lodge in the suburbes of Milan vnâ—â—ll
of the golden fleese on Saint Andrewes day and the King of Spaine that of Saint Michell on the said Saints day The Venetians also by the Kings meanes had prolonged their truce for fiue yeares with the Emperour But the soueraine Iudge of the world hauing decreed to punish the disorders of Christendome with sundry afflictions tooke Maximilian out of this world The death of Maximilian in whose life we may obserue a strange alteration of affaires for if prosperity did often present vnto him goodly occasions aduersity did as often crosse him in the execution A good Prince mercifull courteous very liberall a great spender the which did many times hinder his good successe painfull secret well seene in the arte of warre but his happie beginnings did commonly proue fruitlesse through his owne delayes and inconstancie This death bred an equall desire in the mindes of two great Princes Francis King of France and Charles King of Spaine Francis sent the Lord of Boissy Lord Stuard of France to purchase the fauour of the Germaine Electors for the Empire Some promised all fauour for the King his master yet the cause was not so fauorable for the French hauing no correspondencie with the Germains neyther in tongue manners nor life Moreouer the Commons of Germanie were sutors that the Imperiall dignitie might not go out of the nation The Pope fauored the King but in shewe onely hoping that by these demonstrations of loue hee would hereafter giue more credit to his Councells whereby discouering that in his inward thoughts the election both of Francis and Charles were alike suspect vnto him hee labored to perswade the King that seeing there was small hope for him to carrie it by voices he should seeke by his authority to aduance some other Germanie Prince to this Crowne rather then Charles But whilest that Francis feeds himselfe with vaine hopes giuen him by the Elector of Brandebourg and the Archbishop of Triers who to drawe money from the King gaue him great assurances 1519. Charles in steed of gold brings armes to the field An aâ—my approacheth neere to Francford for the King of Spaine vnder colour there should be no force in the election the which increased their courage that fauoured his cause made them yeeld that wauered and troubled the French faction So Charles of Austria King of Spaine The election of Charles the fift of that name was chosen Emperour of Germanie the 28. of Iune The Election of a newe Emperour consists in the voyces of sixe Germaine Princes Three are of the Clergie the Archbishops of Maience Cologne and Treues Three seculars the Count Palatin the Duke of Saxony the Marquis of Brandebourg The King of Bohemia is Vmper when as the voyces are equall The Emperour is chosen at Francford and crowned at Aix la Chapelle Who could doubt but these two yong princes hauing so many occasions of Ieloâ—sie and quarrel would soone breake forth into fierce and cruell warres the which had taken deepe roote in both their hearts The King desired infinitely to recouer the Realme of Naples and did greatly affect the restitution of Henry of Albret to â—is kingdome of Nauarre whereof he sees himselfe now frustrate by the sodaine aduaâ—cement of Charles to so high a dignitie and all that which the French held in Italy was in great danger The Emperour on the other side was disconteÌ„ted that the King contemâ—iâ—g the accord first made at Paris and knowing the necessity of his passage into Castille for the which his fauour did much import had in a manner forced him to agree to new Articles Moreouer the king had taken the Duke of Gueldres into his protection an enemy to the Flemings who where subiects to Charles a sufficient cause to drawe both Francis and Charles into armes But aboue all the recouerye of the Duchie of Bourgongne caused strange alterations in the minde of this new Emperour The Duchy of Milan was a sufficient motiue of quarrell the King since the death of Lewis the 12. had neither demanded nor obtained inuestiture and therfore they pretended the possession to be of no validity and his interest to be voide yet all these were not sufficient motiues to stirre vp those horrible confusions which so afflicted the Estates of these two Princes for the space of thirty yeares Ambitious hatred is alwaies grounded vpon light beginnings In the meane time the Preachers of this voyage against the Turke dispersed through out all Christendome 1520. grew vehement promising according to the Popes Bulls pardon for all sinnes and the kingdome of heauen to such as paid a certaine summe of money Without doubt Leo vsed the authority of the Apostolike sea too boldly diâ—persing throughout the world without distinction of time or place most large pardons not onely for the liuing but also to redeeme the soules of the dead from purgatory for money And for that euery one did plainely see that these pardons were oâ—ly granted to get money which the Commissioners appointed for such exactâ—â—â— demaunded after an impudent and shamelesse sort being also well knowne that the greatest part of them had purchased their authority from the Popes officers Leo incurred great dislike many were discontented with this insolent proceeding especially â—n Germany where the ministers of this collection appointed aâ—cording to the common opinion for the deliuery of poore Christians fighting vnder the burthen of the Turkâ—sh yoake sold for a small price yea played away in their Ale-houses their authority to redeeme dead mens soules from purgatory And that which did more increase the peoples spleene it was generally reported that Laurence of Medicis had carried a breefe froÌ„ his vncle to King Francis whereby he allowed him to imploy the money gathered throughout his Realme for this warre to what vses hee pleased vpon condition to yeeld it when it should be demaunded for the voyage beyond the seas and to imploy fifty thousand crownes to the benefit of the said Laurence his Nephew A worthy cause to make the French repine seeing the money they gaue to a good intent was conuerted to contrarie vses But that which made the Germains wonderfully impatient Leo had giuen to his sister Maudlin the profit of the exaction of Indulgences in many parts of Germany who appointed the Bâ—shop Arembauld a Commissioner in that part Worthy saith the history of such a charge the which he executed with great couetousnes and extortion Being the more odious for that this holy money went to satisfie the greedinesse of a woman So as not only this exaction and the Agents thereof but also his name and authority that granted it became odious in many prouinces Martin Luther a religious man of the order of S. Austin learned and vehement The beginning of Lutheâ—â— doctrine began to preach against these indulgences in his publike sermons he taxeth the Popes authority complaines of Albert of Brandebourg Archbishop of Mayence and of the doctrine which these gatherers did teach
inducing the people to beleeue confidently that by the purchase of these pardons they must needes be saued as if the vertue of these money-pardons could wipe away any sinne and the money put into the coffers of the Church or of the Commissioners could drawe mens soules out off purgatory and send them into Paradice And therevpon he exhorts euery man to beleeue soberberly and to gouerne himselfe wisely in this busines and rather to imploy their money otherwise then in this friuolous marchandise The people giue eare vnto him finde his doctrine plausible and Frederic Duke of Saxony his Prince doth embrace it Luther supported by the fauour of his Prince and the people proceedes he publisheth propositions wherein he doth dispute at large Of purgatory of true repentance of the office and duety of Charity of indulgences and Pardons to seeke out said he the trueth calling all such to dispute as would propound any argument to the contrary He intreated all such as could not assist to answer by writing protesting that he would not maintaine any thing but submit himselfe to the censure of the holy Church yet reiecting all things that should not be conformable to the holy Scripture and the decrees of the fathers In the end he incounters the Popes authority the Images of the Church the celibate of religious persons restrayning the Popes authoritye within the limits of the Bishopprick of Rome and publishing the doctrine which hath caused the Generall schisme vnto this day The Pope to quench this fire cites Luther to Rome forbids him to preach declares him contumax if hee do not obey and submit himselfe to the Ecclesiasticall censure Notwithstanding the Originall saith he did not reforme many things that were of bad example which Luther did blame with reason being very odious to all men vsing his pontificall office with small reuerence But this was to cast oyle into the fire These Ecclesiasticall armes did but increase Luthers reputation with the people Neither the religious men which Leo sent to preach against him nor the letters which he did write to the Princes and Prelats nor all the other meanes he imployed to suppresse him could any thing withdraw the peoples inclination nor the fauour of Frederic from him This action seeming still of greater importance to the Court of Rome made them to feare some great disgrace to the Popes greatnesse to the profit of the Court of Rome and the vnion of Christian Religion Many assemblies were made at Rome many consultations in the Popes chamber betwixt the Cardinalls and Diuines appointed to preuent these inconueniences Some did shew that for as much as they did not correct in themselues so many vices and damnable things which did scandalise all Christendome the persecution of Luther would but augment the hatred of nations against him giuing Councell like vnto that of Gamaliel in the fift of the Acts of the Apostles that it had beene better to haue wincked at such a folly which happily would haue vanished of it selfe Notwithstanding the heate and violence of others preuailed so as not onelie the persecuions were doubled against him and his followers who by his name were called Lutherans but an excommunication was decreed against Frederick Duke of Saxony the which did so incense him as of a fauourer hee became a vehement protector of the cause the which since hath beene dispersed ouer all Christendome so as neither prisons nor banishment fire nor water sword nor tortures nor any other punishments could preuaile against it Without doubt wee haue learned by experience that religion is not planted nor rooted out by violent meanes The altars of pietie are enemies to armes drums and trumpets Mens consciences must bee gently intreated not violently forced Let vs attend this so desired re-union from heauen The mediation of the mâ—st Christian King is necessary let vs hope that the continuance of a holy peace wiâ—l giue him the meanes as hee hath a desire to chose men capable thereof who not regarding their priuate interest will seeke the aduancement of Gods glorie But let vs returne to our history Whilest that Charles the fift was crowned at Aix the people of Spaine foreseeing Troubles in Spaine that by the meanes of his aduancement to the Empire he should remaine for the most part out of Spaine being also incensed against the Lord of Chieures and some Flemings which had gouerned Charles in his youth through whose couetousnesse offices graces priuileges and expeditions which had beene vsually giuen to Spaniards were now deerely sold vnto them they rebelled refusing to obey the Kings officers They erected a forme of popular gouernment with the aduice almost of all Spaine whilest the Nobilitie sought by force to suppresse this popular libertie The King by the Popes Counsell who makes his profit of Chistian Princes quarrels that he might haue peace whilest they are at war seeing that the Emperour being often vrged did in no sort performe the articles of the treatie of Noyon sent an armie into Nauarre vnder the commaund of Esparre brother to Lautrec Nauarre recouered who in lesse then fifteene dayes reduced Nauarre to the obedience of Henry of Albret their lawfull King This was enough for Esparre It had beene better to returne a victor triumphing with glory and honour then to follow the aduice of too violent a Councellor Saint Colombe Lieutenant of Lautrecs company promising to him selfe it may be the conquest of Spaine as easily as that of Nauarre or fed with a hope to make some good bootie carried Esparre euen to the frontiers of Catalogne who hauing taken Fontarabie did runne as farre as the Grongne The Spaniards being incensed the Nobilitie against the people had endured the losse of the kingdome of Nauarre but seeing them to inuade their owne marches they put in practise the by-word of the dogs who fighting togither laied aside their quarrell to fall vppon the wolfe their common enemie So these being at great discord amongst them selues gaue ouer their intestine quarrels to pursue their generall professed enemies The Nobles and Commons ioyne their forces they incounter Esparre who to saue the souldiars pay had dismissed some part of his armie giuing leaue to all that would in yeelding halfe a pay they charge him defeate him and take him prisoner being hurt in the eye with a Launce whereof hee was blinded The Lord of Tournon was likewise taken with many other good men So the Spaniards finding Nauarre vnfurnished of souldiars Taken again recouered Pampelune with as great faciâ—â—ie as the French had conquered it The first breeder of the horrible confusions which shall follow But let vs see an other motiue of warâ—e betwixt these two Monarchs which rising from a small fire shall flame ouer all this Realme and many other estates The Prince of Simay of the house of Croy had before time obteined a sentence against the Lord of Aimeries giuen by the Peers of the Duchie of Bâ—uillon which iudge souerainly for the Towne
intelligence that warre was proclaimed against him prepared his forces to withstand the Emperour and to this end he gaue a commission to Francis of Bourbon Earle of Saint Paul to leuie six thousand foote to the Constable of Bourbon eight hundred horse and sixe thousand foote and to the Duke of Vendosmâ— the like charge And to reuenge the disgrace receiued by Esparre he sent six thousand Lansequenets of whom Claude of Lorraine Earle of Guise was generall vnder William of Gouffiers Lord of Bonniuet Admirall of France to whom he gaue fiue companies of horse and commission to leuie what number of Gascons and Basques he should thinke necessarie The Lord of Lescut was in like sort â—eleeued with French and Suisses Open warre for the warre of Italy The armies on eyther side were in field there remaines nothing but for the one to make a breach the imperialls begin There had beene a long and a great quarrell betwixt Lewis Cardinall of Bourbon and the Lord of Liques a Gentleman of Hainault for the Abbie of Saint Amand which the Cardinall enioyed Liques takes this occasion to assault the Abbie which being of no strength was deliuered vnto him by Champeroux Lieutenant for the King in Tournaisis in the which de Loges Gouernour of Tournay was surprised We might pretend that these were but priuate quarrels but Liques aduanced with his forâ—es to Mortaigne a place subiect to the King the which he said he had some times enioyed In the end Pranzy Captaine of the sayd place hauing no hope of succours yeelded it Seege of Tournay not to Liques but to the Lord of Portien vpon condition to depart with their liues and baggage But contrary to the lawe of armes and honestie they were pursued stript and hardly escaped with their liues On the other side Fiennes of the house of Luxembourg Gouernour of Flanders besieged Tournay with a thousand horse eight thousand foote and six Canons continuing there fiâ—e moneths whilest that the Bourguignons did take spoyle and raze Ardres the Lord of Teligni in exchange did charge defeat and cut in peeces six hundred Bourguignons that were entred the realme to spoile it In the beginning of these garboyles Henry King of England did offer himselfe an Arbitrator betwixt these two Princes Charles and Frances and Calis was named for the treatie of a good peace But what meanes was there to yeeld to the Emperours vnreasonable demaunds to restore him to the Duchie of Bourgongne with an abolition of the homage which hee ought vnto this Crowne for the low Countries beeing vnreasonable as he pretended that an Emperour should doe homage to a King of France as if wee did not commonly see Princes hold their lands by homage of simple gentlemen So this parle tooke no effect Hitherto the Imperials dealt vnder had protesting not to make warre against the King· but now they discouer themâ—elues and come with enseignes displayed to beseege Mouzon they batter it in two places the one by the medow towards the Port of Rheims the other from the mountaine going to Iuoy The footmen newly leuied and not yet trayned grew amazed and force Montmort the Captaine of that place to demaund a composition for the obteyning whereof hee went with Lassigny his companion to the Earle and obteined That euery man at armes should depart Mouson takeâ— with a â—urtall vnarmed and the foote men and archers without armes and a white wands in their handes what policie was this to see two Lieutenants to a King go forth off a place to capitulate with the enemie without doubt they diserued the shame which many haue suffered â—or the like rashnesse to be detained prisoners put to ransome and forced to yeeld the Towne at discretion The taking of all these Townes without opposition drew the Earle to Meâ—â—eres commaunded by the Cheualier Bâ—yard Seege of Mezieres but hee found a more valerous resolution then at Mouzon The experience and valour of the Captaines and the desire which Anne Lord of Montmorency had to doe the King some notable seruice in his youth had drawne him into the Towne with many well minded gentlemen of the Court amongst the rest the Lords of Lorges d'Annebault Lucè Villeclair Iohn de la Tour Lord of Bremont Iohn Dureil Lord of Berbee Nicholas of Thouâ—rs Lord of Suilly Mathurin and Charles des Cleres whose valours and fidelitie deserue a place in our Historie Anthony Duke of Lorraine whose Lieutenant Bayard was and the Lord of Orual gouernour of Champangne commaunded either of them a hundred men at armes Boucart and the Baron of Montmoreaâ— had either of them a thousand foote This might seeme too much for a small place but it was strong and of importance The Canon did no sooner begin to batter but most of the foote grew amazed and in despight of their Captaines â—â—ed some by the gate others ouer the wals Bayard by the basenesse of them that fled tooke occasion to assure the resolutions of such as remained For said hee preseruing the Towne with the helpe of few men wee shall haue the more merit and reputation our troupes are of the more force being discharged of this vnprofitable burthen The Earle comming neere to Mezieres sent to summon the Commaunders to yeeld the Towne vnto the Emperour The Valianâ— resolution of Bayard He reports to the Earle of Nassau sayd Bayard to the Trâ—mpeâ— That before hee shall heare mee speake of yeelding vp the Towne which the Kâ—ng hath giuen mee in charge I hope to make a bridge of my enemies carkases ouer the which I may march Henry makes two batteries and shakes the wals for the space of a moneth But fiâ—ding by sundrie sallies in the which the beseeged did most commonly carrie the honour and profiâ—e the resolution of the Commaunders men at armes and souldiers hauing also intelligence of the defeat of a hundred choise horse of the Eâ—perours Campe and two hundred foote led by Earle Reinfourket to spoile Attigni vppon Aisne all which Francis of Silli Baylife of Caen Lieutenant to the Duke of Alenson had put to the sword except fiue or six which were carried prisoners to the said Earle to Rheims the Towne hauing beene also releeued the first of October with a thousand foote led by Lorges foure hundred horse by â—â—â—gni and some munition hee abated the first furie of his aâ—tâ—llerie and despayring to 〈◊〉 the Towne by force or famine he raised his Campe and made his retreat by Mont-Coâ—â—et in Ardennes Maubert fontaine and Aubenton to Verâ—in and Guise spoyling burning and killing The Earle of Nâ—ssau leâ—ues Meâ—â—ers men women and children without distinction a mournefull beginning of the cruelties which haue beene committed in the succeeding warres Bâ—yarâ— for a worthie reward of his vertue was honored by the King with a companie of a â—undred men at armes and the order of Saint Michell In the meane time the King assembles his forces at Fernacques to cut off the enemies way about
the King and such as were held by Inheritance appertayned vnto her as the next heire and daughter to a sister of the sayd Peter married with the Duke of Sauoye The sute depended in the Court of Parliament at Paris Charles eyther distrusting the equity of his cause or fearing least the Regents authority should preuaile against his right so by consequence dispossesse him choosing rather to abandon his Country then to liue in want he practiseth with the Emperour by the meanes of Adrian of Croy Earle of Reux and to make the articles of his transaction the more strong hee obtaynes a promise from the Emperour to marry Eleonor his sister widow to Emanuel King of Portugall The King being past the Alpes the Constable should inuade Bourgongne with twelue thousand Germains which should bee secretly leuied by the Emperour and King of England who at the same instant should inuade Picardie whilest the Spaniards recouered Fontarabâ—e as they did Of their Conquests he onely reserued Prouence pretending to call himselfe King of Prouence as belonging vnto him sayd he by the house of Anâ—ou yeelding all the rest to the English A practise sufficient to shake France before the King being absent with his forces should returne in any time to succour it But they reckoned without their host and the gardian of this Crowne did preuent them for Argouges and Marignon gentlemen of Normandie and house-hold seruants to the Duke had aduertised the King of his pretended retreat to the Emperour but they were ignorant of the agreement made betwixt them To diuert him from this resolution the King passing by Molins did visit the Duke in his chamber who made a shewe to be sick and that cunningly I vnderstand sayd the King of some practises which the Emperour makes to withdrawe the loue you vndoubtedly beare vnto the Crowne as issued and neere allyed to the house of France I do not beleeue that you haue giuen eare to any such perswasions mooued with any dislike of mee or of my realme Some feare of distrust to loose your offices hath perchance made a breach in the loue you haue alwayes made shewe of Let not this conceyt trouble you I promise you in case you should loose your sute against my selfe and my mother to restore you to the possession of all your goods Prepare therefore to followe mee after your recouerie in the voiage of Italie The Duke being very wise dissembled his intent cunningly confessing vnto the King that in truth the Earle of Reux had sought him for the Emperour but he would giue no eare vnto him that his intention was to haue aduertised his Maiestie at the first view being loth to commit it to any mans report that the Physitians gaue him hope to be soone able to go in a litter and that he would not faile to come to Lions to receiue his Maiesties commandements But considering that he had to deale with too strong a partie and that hardly he should enioy his goods which were alreadie sequestred by a decree of the Court he retired to Chantelles in the beginning of September a house of his owne where he had the most sumptuous moueables that any Prince could haue From thence he sent the Bishop of Autun of the house of Hurauts to the King with instructions signed with his hand promising To serue his Maiestie well and loyally in all places whensoeuer it should please him during his life and without any breach vpon restitution of the possessions of Peter of Bourbon The King finding this manner of proceeding hard and insolent sent the Bastard of Sauoy Lord Steward of France and the Marshall of Chabannes with foure hundred men at armes the Captaines of his gardes and the Prouost of his house to besiege the Duke in Chantelles And vnderstanding that many Lansequenets did troupe together vpon the frontier of Bourgogne he caused the Bishop of Autun the Chancellor of Bourbonois the Lord of Cars Saint Vallier Bussy brother to Palisse Emard de Prie la Vauguion and many others to be taken prisoners who for the loue of him were content to abandon their country families and goods notwithstanding they found grace with the King But the Duke despairing of his estate resolued to hazard all and to begin a furious Tragedie in the which we shall see our Francis act the part of an vnfortunate prisoner of the warres and Charles reserued for a bloudie and tragicke end The Duke of Bourbon flies disguised He disguiseth himselfe and taking the Lord of Pomperant for his onely companion whose seruant he seemed to be After many turnings being often feared as appeares in the Originals the wayes being layed and the passages stopt or full of troupes marching into Italy he recouers the French Court and so by Ferrete crossing through Germanie he came into Italy and according to the choise which the Emperour gaue him eyther to passe into Spaine or to remaine in Italie with his armie in the end hee continued at Genes to see the end of these two great armies The Marshall and Lord Steward seized vpon Chantelles with the moueables of Carâ—at and generally of all the lands of the house of Bourbon for the King In the meane time the Marshall of Montmorency had made such speed as his twelue thousand Suisses were ioyned with the Admirall attending the Kings comming at Turin But his presence was necessarie in France there were strange practises against him He therefore sends part of his forces to the Admirall and commands him to execute the enterprise of Milan as they two had concluded Hee had eighteene hundred Launces twelue thousand French ten thousand Suisses Six thousand Lansquenets and three thousand Italians a sufficient armie for a great attempt but want of iudgement to imbrace occasions and negligence of his businesse made the Admirall loose the opportunitie to recouer Milan at the first and to bee vnfortunate in this voyage Prosper Colonne considering the Venetians league with the Emperour and the treachâ—â—â—e of the Duke of Bourbon could not beleeue that the King should continue constant in his resolution to inuade the Duchie of Milan that yeare This perswasiâ—n had made him carelesse to make necessarie prouision for this warre But now noâ—â—â—thstanding his infirmitie he imployes all his meanes and forces to keepe the French from passing the riuer of Tesin neglecting to repaire the Bastions and Rampars of the Suburbes of Milan being for the most part ruined and spoiled But the French finding the waters lowe some passed at a Foard others in Boates about sâ—me foure myles from the imperiall Campe making a Bridge for the Artillerye Colonne knowing that an incounter of the French is verye dangerous in their fiâ—st heate retired into Milan and finding the Cittizens and Souldiars wonderfully amazed seeing no meanes to keepe the Cittie in the estate it was he abandons it to prouide for the defense of Laude Without doubt the captious propositions of an enemie must be duly examined and moreouer an
offers all loue to the French King being a prysoner And now touching the King of England who was then readie to imbarke for Calais he sodenly changeth his hatred into Loue so as growing iealous of the Emperours exceeding greatnesse the Regent hauing intreated him by Iohn Ioachin a Genouois his Ambassador to giue eare to some mylde treaty rather theÌ„ to inuade the Estate of a Captiue Prince he promiseth all succors both of men and money for the Kings deliuery and without any demand of restitution for his charges he dismisseth his army In the meane time the Emperour aduiseth in Councell what course he should hold with the King The Bishop of Osime the Emperours confessor is commended â—o haue aduised him to shew a brotherly loue and to set him free referâ—ing this notable victory to the expresse will of God shewing that the chiefe vse thereof should bee thâ— peace of Christendome thâ—eatened with a totall râ—ine by the â—uâ—kâ—sh armes wheâ—eof we shall soone see fatall effects But the aduice of Fredeâ—ic Duke of Alba a man oâ— great authority with the Emperour was of more force Hee yeelded to the â—ingâ— libeâ—tie but with so excessiue conditions as it might haue been the meanes for Charles to lay the fondation of an absolute monarchie in Châ—istendome According to this aduice he sent the â—arle of Râ—ux his Lord Steâ—ard The Emperours vnâ—â—â—sonablâ— demands to offer the King liberty so as hee would resigne all the rights hee pretended in Italie restore the Duchie of Bourgongnâ— as belonging to him by right with Prouence and Daulphiné for the Dâ—ke of Bourbon to incorporate â—hem with other laâ—ds which he had formerly enioyed and to make all to gither a Kingdome Moreouer the Emperour offâ—ed to giue him his sister in marriage propounding many other condâ—tions so absurd and vâ—ide of reason as it is better to let the curious reade tâ—em in the Origâ—nals themselues Amongest all losses that of liberty toucheth nerest bâ—t our Francis â—aâ—ing learned to â—iâ—â—stand all aduersities with a constant resolution I will die sayd he a prysoner rather then make any breach in my realme for my deliuerance Whereof I neyther wiâ—l nor can alienate any part without the consent of the soueraine Courts and Offâ—cers in whâ—se hands remaynes the authoritie of the whole realme Wee preferre the generall good bâ—foâ—e the priuate interâ—st of Kings persons If the Emperour will treat witâ— mee let him demandâ— reasonable things which are in my power then shalâ— he â—inde me readie to iâ—yne with him The Kingâ— reaâ—onable offâ—rs and to fauour his greatnesse And to redeeme his libertie with hoâ—or and his subiects content 〈◊〉 wonderfully desired his enlargement hee then offred To marrie his sayd sister widow to the King of Portugall and to hold Bourgongne for her dowrie the which should belong to the Children that should come of this marriage to resigne his interest to the realme of Naples and the Duchie of Milan To accompanie the Emperour with an army both by lâ—nd and sea when he should go to Româ— to receiue the Imperiall Crowne Was not this propeâ—ly to giue him all Italie in prey To yeeld vnto the Duke of Bourbon his offices lâ—ndes and moouables confiscated and the râ—uenewes receiued by â—eason of this seisure and to giue him to wife the Duchesse of Alanson his sister newely a widowe by the death of thâ— Duke of Alanson insteede of Eleonor the widowe of Portugaâ—l which had beene promised him To content the King of England with money and to pay what summes of money should be sâ—t downe for his ransome Here vpon the Earle of S. Paul hauing corruâ—ted his gards eâ—caped out of prison ioyntly with the Earle of Vaudemont and the Marquis oâ— Salussâ—s treated by the means oâ— Francis Earle of Pontresme with certaine Princes and Captaines of Italie to stay the Kinâ— froÌ„ being transported out of the Dâ—chie of Milan hoping that the Potentates of Italie fearing least the Emperour should seeke to supplant them would seeke his maiesties deliuerie with their commune forces And the Venetians beinâ— not aduertised of the reconciliation of the English with the King retired themselues from their League with the Emperour But the Viceroy discouering these practises gaue the King to vnderstand that hee had commandement from the Emperour to passe him into Spaine that being there their maiesties by a gracious and fauorable enteruewe would easily conclude a peace which should cause his libertie So the King vnderstanding that the Duke of Bourbon pursued his marriage in Spaine with Eleonor yeelded to this passage hoping shee would rather desire to marrie a King of France then a Prince dis-inherited They imbarke the seauenth of Iune and within fewe dayes after the Emperour hauing commanded that hee should bee receiued The King tâ—ansported into Caâ—tilâ—e with all the honour that might bee as hee passed they arriue happiâ—y in Castille the King was lodged at Madril a place of hunting and pleasure but farre from the sea or the confines of France The Emperour would not admit the King to his presence before the accord were made or in such termes as there were no doubt therof for the aduaÌ„cing wherof a truce was concluded vntill the end of December during the which Marguerite the Kâ—ngs Sister Duchesse of Alanson came with a large commission into Castille to treate â—ith the Emperour Her arriuall was very pleasing and healthfull to the King who findiâ—g him so sick as few men hoped for his recouery she did more reuiue him then aâ—l the Phisitians art But hauing found the Emperour who was come to visit the sicke King constant in his vnreasonable demands especially for the restitution of Bourgongne wherevnto the King would not yeeld but vpon the former condition or that tâ—ey might trie it by lawe to whom it belonged and seeing that the King had recouered his former health she returned into France leauing with the Emperour the Archbishop of Ambrun afterwards Cardinall of Tournon Iohn de Selue chiefe President at Paris to pursue the treatie begun bringing with her an ample declaration from the King whereby resigning vp his Crowne hee gaue her power to inuest the Dauâ—phin his sonne the King remaining resolute rather to continue in perpetuall prison then to passe any thing to the preiudice of his realme But the Emperour seeing the King constant in this resolution in the end agreed to his Maiesties deliuerie The King set at libertie whereof we will set downe the most important points That within sixe weekes after his deliuerie he should consigne the Duchie of Bourgongne to the Emperour with all the dependences as well of the Duchie as of the Countie the which should hereafter be sequestred from the Soueraigntie of the realme of France That at the â—erâ— instant of his enlargment they should deliuer into the Emperours hands the Daulphin and with him the Duke of Orleans the Kings second sonne or twelue of the chiefe Noble men of France such as
fourscore thousand men whereof there should bee tenne thousand horse with artillerie requisite for the said Campe. And besides this treatie these two Kings had many causes of discontent Our King found himselfe grieuously wronged for that the Pope and the Emperour with theâ—â— partisans had newly made a League for the defence of Italie whereof they had declared Anthonie de Leue to bee generall The King of England had no lesse cause to complayne of the wrong he sayd the Court of Rome did him touching the matter of 〈◊〉 diuorce seâ—king to force him either to go to prison to Rome for to send then with expresse deputation men of great account that should stand to the Popes Iâ—dgement An insolent proceeding in like cases chanced among soueraine Princes seeing thâ—t such a businesse of that importance and touching the conscience so neere did well deserue that according to the vsuall custome they should send Iudgeâ— to the place it being reasonable that the persons should speake personally and 〈◊〉 by their Atturneyes and very vnreasonable that a Soueraine Prince leauing the 〈◊〉 and gouernment of his estates should goe and plead his cause at Rome Moreâ—â—er hee did complaine vnto the King of the exactions of the Romaine Church vppon the clergie and people of England and did instantly require that they two sâ—ould send their Ambassadors ioyntly togither to the Pope to summon him to appeare at the next Councell forto heare the extortions he did vnto Princes and Chrisâ—â—â—n people The King propounded like abuses The Pope had dissembled with him touching certaine tithes which hee had graunted him to leuie vppon the Clergie and the French Church complayned of him of the vndutifull and new exactions which vnder colour of pietie they made at Rome for the expedition of Bulls by meanes whereof all the treaâ—or was daily carried out of his Realme to the preiudice of the Clergie which grew poore the Churches were not restored nor the poore â—â—â—thed nor fedd their yeerely rents were excessiue no equalitie in them many officeâ—s newly created which were payd vpon the dispatch and expedition of Bulls ouer and aboue the iust price which they were wont in former time to pay the offices which fell voyd were sold to the great benefit and profit of Saint Peter entertaining many gromes Chamberlaines Protonotaries their seruants Gardâ—ners and others and for the repairing of Saint Peters Church a great summe of money was leuied the which they did afterwards imploy to make warre against the King Yet the King would neither wholly allow nor disallow of the King of Englands complaints but for that the Pope had sent him a promise by the Cardinall of Grandmont of an enterview at Nice or Auignon after the Emperours returne into Spaine he reqâ—ested the King of England to attend the issue of their parle These griefes of the French Church had beene presented vnto the King in thâ— assembly of the Estates of the Countrie and Duchie of Brittaine with many other things farre from that charitie which ought to be in the Church In the said Estates it was concluded The Duchie of Brittany incoâ—porate to the Crowne That Francis the Kings eldest sonne Daulphin of Viennois should be acknowledged Duke of Brittaine that the eldest sonne of France should hereafter carrie the titles of Daulphin of Viennois and Duke of Brittanie and the said Duchie should for euer be incorporate to the Crowne So the treatie made by the marriage betwixt King Charles the 8. and Anne Duchesse of Brittanie and others following were disanulled in regarde of the said Duchie As these things passed in England William of Bellay Lord of Langey promised the Germaine Princes in the Kings name That for the affection he bare to the preserâ—â—tion of the priuileges rights and customes of the Empire if the Emperour 〈◊〉 whom he desired to obserue inuiolably the alliances and treaties he had with 〈◊〉 would in that case imploy his forces to their oppression A treatie betwixt the King and the Princes of Germaâ—â—e he would succour them 〈◊〉 all his power so as neither his men nor money should not be imployed to the offâ—â—ce â—f any of his confederates namely of the Emperour but onely to defend the rights 〈◊〉 priuileges of the Empire A great desseine is alwayes shadowed with goodly sheweâ— Herevpon the Emperour came to Bologne to conferre againe with the Pope The Kings of France and England well informed of the Emperours bad disposition and especially the English of the Popes to him by reason of his preâ—ended diuorce they sent the Cardinals of Tournon Grandmont the Popes seruants that vnder coâ—ourâ—â— accompanie him at this enterview they might imploy their authorities that nothing might be done to the preiudice of their Maiesties The Kings of France and England complaine of the Pope or at the least they should giue iâ—â—elligence of their conclusions And the sayd Cardinals had commission to lay â—pen vnto the Pope the griefes and complaints of the two Kings and to summon him to make reparation if not they would take order for it So as his Holynesse might weâ—l perceiue that they two together were not to be contemned and to wish him to câ—nsider wisely of the support and profit he might draw from these two Kings and what disgrace otherwise in discontenting them especially the King of England whose cause the King did no lesse affect then his owne For sayd these two Princes if wee come to demand a generall councell and his Holinesse doth not grant it or delayes it we shall take his delay for a deniall and calling it without him we will easily 〈◊〉 the fact with other Princes who producing the like or greater complaints would in the end forbid their subiects to send or carrie any money to Rome If his Holinesse for so did our Francis protest will proceed by censures against me and my realme and that I be forced to go to Rome for an absolution I will passe the Alpes so well accompanied as his Holynesse shall be glad to grant it me The scandales of Rome haue already withdrawne most part of Germaine and the Cantons from the obedience of the Romaine Church It is to be feared that if these two mightie Kings seuer themselues for want of Iustice they shall finde many adherents and these two together with their open and secret allyes may make such an attempt as it will be hard to resist That if the holy father be disposed to moderate things especially towards the King of England there is hope that at the first enterview all may be ordered by mildnesse before they should proceed to greater bitternesse by a generall summons from both the Kings Thus the King spake vnto those Cardinals whom he sent to Rome But we haue elsewhere obserued that men of the Church do commonly prefer the Popes respect before the seruice of such as imploy them These flea the Eeâ—e by the taâ—â—e 1533 and in steed of following their instructions from point
Duke of Bourbon and to fauour his rebellion against the King the letters of congratulation he had written for his taking at Paâ—â—a his pursute to withdraw the Suisses from the alliance of France the purchase of the Countie of Ast his refusall to lend Nice for the enterview of Pope Clement and his Maiestie and to giue him passage against Sforce the detention of his Mothers inheritance which the King could not by any amiable meanes drawe his Vncle to restore This must be tryed by the sword The King therefore sent Francis of Bourbon Earle of Saint Paul who before the Duke could oppose his forces conquered all Sauoy Conquest of Sauoy except Montmelian where Francis of Charamont a Neapolitane commanded who wanting victuals and without â—ope of succours in the end yeelded vp the place to depart with baggage and aftâ—râ—ards contemned by the Duke he followed the victors fortune in the end did good seruice to the Crowne Then the Emperor granted by the Lord of Cannes and Granuelle the Duchie of Milan to the Duke of Orleans But when it came to demand the securitie and conditions of his instalment they made ansâ—er to the Ambassador de Velly That it was sufficient for that time to haue granted the principall the rest should be treated of with Philip Chabot Earle of Busançois Admirall of France who should presently arriue they supposed he should first make a voyage without any forces and that they must keepe this conclusion secret from the knowledge of his Holynesse All this discouered plainely that it was a tricke of their ordinary craft and dissembling to lull the King asleepe in the beginning of his course At the same instant the King hath newes The Emperours practisâ—â— vnder hand sufficient to giue hâ—m a certaine impression of the Emperours desseins That the Pope had beene duely aduertised by the Emperours ministers of all these practises which hee would haue secretly managed That the Venetians at the vrgent request of the Emperour were entred into a defensiue League for the Duchie of Milan in fauour of any one hee should inuest That he offered great matters to the King of England to drawe him to his dâ—uâ—tâ—on That Du Prat passing by Milan had deliuered speeches quite contrarie to the hopes and promises which the Emperour had giuen and that in 〈◊〉 he had made great preparation for warre That the Emperour tooke vpon him 〈◊〉 protection of the Duke of Sauoy And for the sixt point the preparations made 〈◊〉 Andrew Dorie It was therefore resolued to proceed in Sauoye and farther without breaking off on his part this negotiation with the Emperour To this end the King sent for his Lieutenant generall the Earle of Busaâ—sâ—â—s Admirall of France with eight hundred Launces whereof the seuerall Captaâ—â—â—s weâ—e Iames Galeat The Kings armie maister of the horse and maister of the Ordinance of Fraâ—ce Robert Steward Maâ—shall of France René of Montiean Francis Marquisse of Salussâ—s Claude of Annebault Anthonie Lord of Montpesat Iohn d'Estouteuille Lord of Villebon Prouost of Paris Gabriel d' Alegre Charles Tierâ—â—lin Lord of Roche du Maine and Iohn â—aul dâ— Cere A thousand light horse vnder the command of the Lords oâ— Esse Terme Aussun Verets of Sauoy Twelue thousand of his Legionarie men that is tâ—o thousand Picards commanded by Michel of Brabançon Lord of Cany and Anthonie of Mailly Lord of Auchy Two thousand Normans vnder their Captaines La Sale and Saint Aubin the Hermit Two thousand Champanois lead by Iohn d' Arâ—lure Lord of Iour and by the Lord of Quinsy A thousand of Languedoâ—s vnder the Knight d' Ambres Foure thousand out of Daulphiné vnder the Lord of Bresâ—â—â—x and others And a thousand vnder the Lord of Forges the Kings ordinarie Câ—pbearer of all which bands René of Montiean was Colonell sixe thousand Lâ—â—â—quenets lead by William Earle of â—ursâ—emberg Two thousand French not Legionaries lead by their Captaines Lartigue-Dieu Blanche Anguar and Warâ—â—s a Nauarrois Two thousaâ—d Italians vnder the command of Marc Anthonie of Cusan a Gentleman Milâ—nois and a thousand vnder Captaine Christopher Gâ—â—â—o eight hundred Pioners sixe hundred and foure score horse for Artillerie and the charge thereof appointed to be â—â—der the gâ—uernment of Claude of Couâ—is Lorde of Burie Count Philip Torniel and Iohn Iaques of Medicis Marquis of Marignan marched before to stoppe the passage of Suze but Annebâ—ult aduancing with the troupes of Daulphiné Beginning of the warres in Piedmont pâ—euented them with speed chased them before him from lodging to lodging and at the first summons putâ— into the Kings handes the tâ—wnes of Turin and Chiuas Don Laurence Emanuel Iohn Iaques de Medicis and Iohn Baptista Caslaldo camped vpon the riâ—er of Doaire The French and Lansquenets impatient to attend the making of a bridâ—e wade thrâ—â—gh the water euen vnto the brestâ— repulse the Imperialls and make them retâ—re towards Verceil A gallant Legionarie to whom the Historie ought his name â—wimming through the riuer brought away a Boate in despight of the enemies shotte for the building of a Bridge The Admirall to incourage the rest according to the Kings command caused a gold â—iâ—g to be giuen him in view of the whole armie The Emperour was vpon termes of his departure from Naples to make his entrie into Rome when as these happy beginnings made him to renue the treaties of an accord but with such slow proceeding as a man might easily iudge that his onely intent was to staye the King in his course labouring to entertaine him with doubts hopes and delayes In the meane time hee sollicites the Pope to declare himselâ—e on his partie hee assured the Duke of Sauoye to cause all hee had lost to bee soone restored to him againe hee hastened the leuie of his Lansquenets causeth his horsemen to aduance drawes Artillerie and Munition out of Imperiall Townes makes them to march towards Italy protests againe to the Pope that he would neuer yeeld Milan to the King nor suffer him to possesse one foote of land in Italy hee sollicited the Court of Rome the Senate of Venice and all other Potentates of Italy to oppose against the inuesting of any stranger in the Duchie of Milan These were vehement presumptions to shewe that the Emperour meant not to treate but armed which caused the King to command his Admiral to proceed in his first course he had temporised by his Maiesties commaundement attending the issue of this new parle and to march against Verceâ—lâ— and if hee encountred his enemies with equalâ—tie to â—ight with them There were three thousand men to defend Verceil and foure miles 〈◊〉 Anthonie de Leue camped with about six hundred horse and twelue thousand 〈◊〉 not as Lieutenant to the Emperour but as Captaine generall for the League of Italâ—e cutting off the passage to Caguin and Hanniball Goâ—sâ—gue Guy Earle of â—â—â—gan anâ— some other pensioners to the King who had brought for his seruice fiue hundred
himselfe of the towne of Yuree and of all the valley towards the Suisses to receiue men for the Kings seruice if they should come to open warre and to succour Turin when neede should require But hauing intelligence of the Emperours care to increase his forces and that Anthonie de Leue was resolued to passe into Astisan to cut off his victualls behind hee sent Montpesat with two hundred men at armes foure thousand French foote and eight hundred Italians to seize vpon Fossan Vignon Sauillan Cony Mout-deuis and other townes there abouts And to prouide for the fortification of Turin he sent Stephen Colonne with a hundred men at armes and foure thousand foote From words in the end they fall to blowes The Emperour hetherto fed vs with good words now he discouers himselfe and to make an open declaration of warre he makes three armies to assaile at one instant the Prouinces of Picardie 1536. Prouence and Champagne To crosse him the King disperseth fourteene or fifteene thousand of those men which he had in Piedmont to fortifie those places The Kingâ— preparation for the warre which hee held beyond the Alpes and cals back his Admirall to the end he might lay all the blame of this inuasion vpon the Emperour Considering moreouer that the Admirall hauing placed his garrisons had beene too weake in field hee sent Commissions with great summes of money to Charles of Bourbon Duke of Vendosme Gouernour of Picardie Grandfather to our most Christian and victorious King and to Claude of Loraine Duke of Guise Gouernour of Champagne brother in law to the said Duke to leuie sixteene thousand Aduenturers to diuide them into frontier Townes and to prouide for the victualing and fortifications thereof At Marseilles hee placed Antonie of Rochefoucault Lord of Barbezieuz In Daulphiné Iohn Lord of Humâ—eres In Guionne Henry of Albret King of Nauarre for his Lieutenants and gouernours in the said Prouinces And himselfe resolute to oppose against the enemie some fortified places vppon the frontier to make him to consume time men munition victuals and money in the seege and batterie thereof assembled the rest of his forces neere to his owne person The Admirall retyring out of Piedmont left Claude Lord of Annebault to commaund within Turin as the Kings Lieutenant with a hundred men at armes and three hundred light horse led by the Lords of Aussun Termes and Essa foure thousand fiue hundred foot vnder the enseigns of the Lords of Auchy Cany Sale Quincy Lartigue-Dieu Blanche and Anguar and two thousand Italians vnder the charge of Marâ—e-Anthonie of Cusan of all which footmen Charles of Coucis Lord of Burie was head and Colonell generall and the rest of the armie Francis Marquis of Salusses commaunded This was to giue the purse to keepe to the veriest theefe but his trecherie was yet couered with a great shew of hypocrisie He had long determined to reuolt Feare and hope moued him thereunto feare to loose his estate hope to bee fauored by the Emperour in the cause hee pretended to the Marquisat of Montferrat Moreouer hee was a man curious to know what was to come and did superstitiously beleeue Southsayers who had foretold him that the Empâ—rour should this yeare dispossesse the King of his Realme The first act of his treason appeared in this that the enemie being neere and strong he sayd he had neither order nor meanes to fortifie any place in time or to make it tenable but that of Turin and that to put in more men then tâ—ose that were were to loose them wilfully The second was when as the Lords of Monâ—pesat Roche du Maine Villebon the Knight of Ambres Saint Aubin the Earle of Pontreme and other Captaines were resolued to attend the enemie in some place of importance before he came to Turin and was concluded to put themselues into Fossâ—n after they had receiued commaundement to hold Fossan or Cony onely for fifteene â—ayes to keepe the Imperials occupied hee discouered this desseine to Anthonie de Leue aduising him to come thither with speed promising to deliuer into his haÌ„ds both the Towne and men that were in it and in steed of sending to Fossan the meale a culueriâ—g three Canons powder and bullets which he had drawne out of Cony he conâ—â—ied thither but one Canon a Culuerin fiue barrels of pouder and some bullets Treacheriâ—â— of the Mâ—rquis of 〈◊〉 but of an other sise he put all the rest into his house at Rauel retyred the night following A horrible treason He had beene brought vp with the King from his infancie well maintained during the life of the Marquis Michel Anthonie his brother and honoured with the order of Saint Michel And which is more his Marquisate hauing beene adiudged vnto the King for the treason rebellion of Iohn Lewis the eldest of the house after the decease of Michel the King had not onely inuested him but also giuen him freely out of the conquest of Sauoie to the number of seuenteene Townes the flower of Piedmont amounting to more in reuenue then the Marquisate amongst the which Sauillan Cony Fossan Cauallimont Mont-Deuis and others which he pretended to bee ancient appertenances of the said Marquisate According to the aduice of Francis of Salusses Anthonie de Leue leauing at Turin which he had belegard tenne thousand men Fossan beseeged to continue the seege came and camped before Fossan the twelfth of Iune makes his approches begins his trenches many of the assaylants loose their liues few of the beseeged The third day the Canon playes but slowly The Marquis assured them that shewing themselues before one gate the beseeged would go forth at an other they go forth indeed but not like men that fled The Baron of Castelpers Lieutenant to Montpesat led the horse Warts the foot A gallant sallie The Imperiall Lansquenets were lodged somewhat farre from blowes and therefore their gards were but weake Wartis doth charge them and at the first giues them a great checke Castelpers arriues and reenforceth the Alarum Anthonie de Leue sends a good number of Spaniards to cut off our men in their retreat and they whome he had appointed to gard the trenches seeing euery one runne to the alarum would likewise haue their share in it Saint Petre Corse appointed with Villebon to gard the Bastion newly begon within the Towne perceiuing the trenches vnfurnished issues forth with some Champanois and Normans kils fiue and twentie or thirtie men and puts the rest to flight Anthonie de Leue sends the rest of his men which remained to second them Anthonie de Leue foâ—ced to flie out of his Campe. and himselfe being old and full of the gout is carried forth of his lodging to saue himselfe they follow him but those which carried him set him in the come where the heigâ—t of the eares couered him from such as sought him It is a rashnesse yea in the greatest Captaines to contemne an enemie Anthonie de Leue building
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
come out of Albe and Quieras he forceth the passage of Suze against Cesar of Naples who kept it with ten thousand men chaseth them two miles wins all their baggage makes the Marquis to retyre all his forces to Riuole and Montcallier leauing Pignerol at libertie opens a way by the taking of Villane from two hundred Spaniards which were cut in peeces addes to his conquests Riuola abandoned by the Marquis turnes head to the enemie incamped on this side the riuer of Po right against Montcallier but hauing the bridge to fauour him to retyre when he pleased he begins the skirmish with his light horsemen against theirs kills many takes some and looseth few he chaseth all their troupes beyond the bridge who breaks it after them but with the hazard of their liues that remayned behind Those of Montcallier come with a great shew of affection and repaire it and then receiue into their Towne all the souldiars which the Daulphin had left to guard the riuer whilest the armie passed at Carignan The Marquis dislodging still left in Quiers Don Anthonie of Arragon his brother in law with foure thousand men and himselfe recouered the Countrie of Ast. Thus our men being at libertie on all sides become masters of Poirien Riue de Quiers Villeneufue d' Ast Montafié Antignan and of all other forts vnto the gates of Ast of Quieras Albe and Fossan whether they retyred all the Corne of the Country which did serue for the victualing of the Campe and places of conquest About thirtie thousand sacks of corne which the Marquis had gathered togither but had not leysure to bring from Montcalier and much other munition found in diuers places supplyed Turin for a yeare During these actions the King comes accompanied with the Earle of Saint Paul the Cardinall of Lorraine and many other great personages And as his Maiestie tooke councell at Carignan with the Daulphin and the Lord Steward newes comes vnto him that the garrison of Vulpian kept the valley of Suze The King comes into Piedmont and for that Riuole nor Villare had any horsemen to stay their incursions they did wonderfully annoy those that followed the Campe. Hee presently sent away Martin du Bellay and very happily They had newly seized vppon six moyles laden with money for the payment of the armie driuing the moyles and the treasorers in the midest of them Du Bellay passeth the riuer of Doüaire intercepts their way and ouertakes them three miles from Vulpian he makes them to leaue the moyles and only with the losse of the Treasorers which they carried away brings them safe to Riuole The conclusion of this Councell was to beseege Quiers where the King would imploy the first fruits of his last forces But the great commander of battailes 〈◊〉 him a more fauorable issue Truce betwixt the two Princes The truce of Picardie had giuen libertie to the 〈◊〉 of Hongarie and likewise to the King to send some gentlemen into Spaine to 〈◊〉 a peace or a generall truce and the deputies had so well performed their 〈◊〉 as a suspension of armes was concluded on either side from the eight and 〈…〉 of Nouember vntill the two and twentith of February following whereby euery oâ—e enioying that whereof hee should bee found seized at the time of the pubâ—â—cation the garrisons of Turin Vorlin Sauillan Montdeuis and other frontier places were no t slacke to inlarge their limits as farre as they could nor to put men in the Kings name into all the small places and castles there about Three dayes after the truce was proclaymed the Marquis of Guast came to â—â—sse the Kings hand whome he receiued very gratiously and the king making the Lord of Saint Montiean gouernour of Piedmont he left William of Bellay his Lieutenant generall in Turin Francis Earle of Pontreme at Pignerol the Baron of Castell-pâ—â—s 〈◊〉 Sâ—uillan Charles of Dros a Piedmentois at Montdeuis hee had surprised and kept the place from the Imperials when they were the strongest in field Lodowike of â—â—rague at Vorlin and Nicholas of Rusticis at Carmagnole he dismissed his Suisses and taking his way to France he sent the Cardinall of Lorraine from Lions with Montmorency the Lord Steward to Locate where the Emperours deputies should meet concerning a peace betwixt their Maiesties The confusions had bin great their splene not easily to bee pacified which made them to prolong the truce for sixe moneths more After all these toyles and painfull endeuours the loyall seruice of the most worthy deserued reward which make the King being at Molins to aduance Anne of Montmorency to bee Constable of France the place being void by the reuolt of the Duke of Bourbon he gaue his place of Marshall to Montiean and that of the Marshal la Marke deceased to Claude of Annebault It was now time to suppresse these infernall furies An enteruew at Nice which had so long troubled the quiet of Christendome with such fatall combustions and that the Pope doing the office of a common father should therein imploy his authoritie Hee procures an enteruew of these two great Princes at Nice and himselfe assists being about threescore and fifteene yeares of age in the beginning of Iune Their mutuall hatreds had taken too deepe roots in their hearts and that fatall and bloudie checke which his brother Ferdinand King of Hongarie had lately receiued from the Turke had nothing mollified the Emperour Time doth pacifie discontents Ten yeares were sufficient or neuer â—o dispose both the one and the other to a generall peace A truce foâ— ten yeares The Pope therefore seeing that by the full deciding of their quarrels he could not confirme a finall peace he propounded a truce for tenne yeares the which they concluded betwixt their Countries and subiects and then euery one returned home But Charles was borne to bee a perpetuall scourge to this realme and many yeares shall not passe before â—e put vs in alarum with an vnworthy and base motiue of new confusions Let vs now see how he worketh like a foxe to produce effects for his owne benefit The Emperors polâ—icy The Gantois being opprest with many extraordinarie tributs had spoyled the Emperours officers who growing desperate and seeking to fortifie themselues against the reuenging wrath of Charles they secretly offer obedience to the King as to their Soueraine Lord. The King performing the dutie of a good brother and faithfull friend giues the Emperour intelligence thereof The Emperour deuiseth by some notable examples to suppresse the Gantois insolencies But the passages thither were not very certaine By Germanie the protestants might somewhat hinder him By sea a storme might as well cast him vpon the coast of England as vpon Flanders the diuisions he had with the King of England by reason of the diuorce of Queene Katherine his Aunt would not suffer him to take any assurance from him France was very comodious for him to this end he demaunds the Kings word for his
and not couetous The Duchie of Luxembourg and the Countie of Rousillon were worthy motiues in generall besides the priuate interest of inuasion which the King had against his enemie The causes of a new warre The Emperour did possesse them both without any lawfull title Luxembourg by the succession of Charles and Philippe Dukes of Bourgogne his great grandfather and his father who had by force dispossessed the true and lawfull Lords of the said house who had substituted our Francis by a new grant into their rights and actions besides the ancient rights which the Kings of France haue euer pretended thereunto and especially since the purchase which Lewis Duke of Orleans brother to King Charles the sixt made Besides that the Lords of la Marke had of late transported their pretensions vnto him of the said Duchie Rouâ—â—llion by the two scrupulous restitution of Charles the eight being abused and deceiued saith the orriginall by friar Oliuer Maillard his confessor a man in shew holy but in effect an Hypocrite and corrupted with money by the King of Arragon to sell and deceiue his maister King Charles hauing no power to make this alienation in preiudice of the Crowne neither the King of Arragon nor his successors accomplishing the conditions annexed to the Contract Charles now Emperour was but an vsurper and a violent possessor The situation of Luxembourg was commodious to receiue the Germains that came vnto the King Warre declared in Luxemburg but more by this approch to fauour the Duke of Cleues whome the Emperour did threaten to make the poorest man in Christendome So the King sent Charles Duke of Orleans his yongest sonne accompanied with six hundred men at armes six thousand French and tenne thousand Lansquenets and Claude Duke of Guise commaunding the armie vnder him Francis of Bourbon Duke of Anguieâ— brother to Anthony Duke of Vendosme the Earle of Aumale eldest sonne to the Duke of Guise the Lords of Sedan â—amets Roche du Maine la Guiche and many others men of resolution valour and experience And for the enterprise of Roussillon Henry his eldest sonne Daulphin of Viennois Warre in Rousâ—llon assisted by the Marshall of Annebault for the chief conduct of the warre and for an assistant in those militarie toyles the Lord of Montpesat Lieutenant for his Maiestie in Languedoc Parpignan is the chiefe Cittie of this Countie the onely barre and bulwarke of Spaine towards the South the Conquest whereof drew after it not onely the losse of that which the Emperour possessed on this side the mountaines but laied open all the Prouince beyond it and the King conceiued that assayling it being vnfurnished of many necessaries for the maintayning of a great seege either honour or feare of losse would draw the Emperour to fight and with this hope he prepared the rest of his forces to march in person But this was but a great shew without any effects The Duke of Orleans hauing assembled his troupes betwixt Verdon and Dun le Chasteau Exploits in Luxembourg he beseeged battered and tooke Danuillier a place of Luxembourg where there came to ioyne with him the Baron of Hedecq sometimes LieutenaÌ„t to the Earle of Furstemberg the Earles of Mansfeld and Piguelin and the Colonel Reichroc with their regiments of Lansquenets making about ten thousand men Then came Comte Reingraue to the Kings seruice a yong Nobleman and well resolued who promised in his person many good parts as we shall hereafter see Danuillier being burnt as not defensable had opened the way to Luxembourg but news comes that a part of the wall was falne at Yurye the Duke turnes the head of his armie thither makes his approches plants three Cannons and a halfe vpon the brinke of the trench 1539. but vndiscreetly without gabions without trenches this was to contemne the enemie too much and without any couering for them that garded the artillery The garrison â—allies forth in the open day in vewe of the army and tie roopes vnto the ordinance but the weight of them was the let they could not drawe them into the trenches whervpon they burnt their carriages and dismount them They make trenches and batter it towards Ardennes they make a reasonable breach but it was not assayled In the midest of the breach the beseeged had a Casemate in the bottome of their trench thâ— which could not bee taken from them without great slaughter of them that should attempt it They drawe from Sedan Mouzon and other neere Townes a supplie of artillerie and munition and make a neâ—e battery the beseeged being amazed demand a parle The bastard of Sombret the Lord of Noyelles Hannuyer Captaine Famas Gyles de Leuant and others vnto the number of two thousand men defended the place the which could not be assaulted without hazard and losse of men So it was concluded Iuoâ—e taken they should depart with their baggage and to carrie with them six faucons with munition to discharge them sixe times a peece Then William Duke of Cleues fortified the Kings armie with ten thousand Lansquenets and sixteene hundred horse led by Martin de Rossan Marshall of Gueldres William had lately espoused but without any consummation of marriage by reason of the Infants base age Ioan Daughter to Henry of Albret and of Marguerite the Kings sister whome hereafter we may see by the nullitie of this contract to marrie with Anthonie of Bourbon Duke of Vendosme and of their marriage was borne Henry the fourth King of France and of Nauarre nowe lyuing and raigning vnder the fauour of heauen for the happie preseruation of this monarchie Iuoye which men held the strongest place in the Country best furnished with men artillerie and munition by their yeelding caused Arlon to open her gates at the first summons Luxemberg seemed of a harder issue It was kept by three thousand fooâ—e and foure hundred horse But the trenches the approches and a breach made although not reasonable to giue an assault considering the trench was very deepe cut out of the rocke did so amaze the beseeged as they yeelded to depart with their baggage The Earles of Manâ—eild and Piguelin promised to defend it against all men but wee shall shortly see how they will discharge their duties Montmedy a small place situate vpon a mountaine so as they could not approch but on the one side mooued with this happie successe yeelded at the first vewe of the Cannon To conclude such was the successe in this expedition that onely Tionuille remaâ—ned in the Emperours hands of all the Duchie of Luxemberg But the great â—esire the Duke of Orleans had to bee at the battell which in shewe was to bee giuen before Parpignan drew him to Montpellier where the King remayned attending the progresse of the sayd seege of Parpignan to be readie to receiue the Emperour if hee came to succour it The Duke had no sooner dismissed his army and turned his backe to Luxemberg leauing the Duke of Guise
as Lieutenant generall for the King but the Imperialls presented themselues before the Towne and receiued it very easily of the Earles of Mansfeild and Piguelin and by the recouerie of Montmedy did wonderfully endomage all the French troupes at Stenay and along the Meuse ifthe Duke assembling what hee could of those companies hee had dismissed had not chased them from Montmedy before they had any time to bethinke them selues A stratageme which did pacifie the Kings wrath for the dismissing of so gallant and braue an army in the heate of their most honourable and happie successe 〈◊〉 commonly sayd That youth can do what age doth knowe but cannot do What dâ—d this youthfull escape of the Duke of Orleans benefit preferring a desire of vâ—â—ertaine glorie before the fruits of an assured Conquest No increase of his reputation small assistance vnto the Kings troupes if hee had beene vpon the point of battaile 1542. and a great preiudice to his Maiesties affaires for this voyage of Rousillon being wonderfull sumptuous and of no profit he might with great honour haue continued his victories the which he had so happily begun Let vs now obserue the successe of this enterprise Annebault hauing brought vnto the Daulphin Attempt of Roussillon fruitlesse being at Auignon eight thousand Suisses six thousand French foote of the old bands whereof Charles of Cossé Lord of Brissac was Colonel six thousand Italians foure hundred men at armes and sixteene hundred light horse whereof the Lord of Termes was generall and Mompesat hauing ioyned with him at Narbonne with his legion of Languedoc and part of that of Guienne sixe thousand Lansquenets and a great number of Suisses newly leuied who being ioyned with their Countrymen made about foureteene thousand so as the whole armie was esteemed fortie thousand men of all nations two thousand men at armes and two thousand light horse The rough entertainment the Imperials gaue them at the Castle of Saulses with their Canon and Culuerin made them to coniecture that the intelligences which Montpesat the first fire-brand of this attempt pretended to haue were vncertaine And what successe could Parpignan promise them finding it very well fortified with platformes well manned and well furnished with Artillerie and munition what assurance could the assailants haue in a plaine field behind gabions which they could not fill but with sand The long time which was spent in assembling so many sundâ—ie nations and the fruitlesse stay of Annebault six or seuen weekes in Piedmont had giuen the defendants time to preuent their enemies desseines Moreouer winter approched and the Emperour might well keepe the place without hazarding of his person or trying the chance of battaile wherevnto the King sought by all meanes to drawe him This was the meanes to take cold and to consume himselfe in vaine Vpon the first raine there had beene no meanes to retire this armie by reason of the flouds which runne on all sides from the mountaines the which the neerenesse of the Sea makes to ouerflow the champion Countrie that lyes neere it so as being shutte vp betwixt two Seas and the mountaine the enemy would easily haue preuailed The King foreseeing these dangers retyred the Daulphin and his armie knowing but too late that he had beene ill serued These flourishing troupes fresh and resolute might haue beene most profitably imployed in the estate of Milan But the assurance they gaue the King to take Parpignan at the first of two parties made him chose the worst Moreouer in an armie there is alwayes some one of those that are of the Councell being iealous and enuying that any other should doe better loue rather to crosse and frustrate desseins then to aduance them In Picardie In the meane time Anthony Duke of Vendosme Gouernour and Lieutenant for the King in Picardie suffered not his armes to rust The enemie lurkt in diuers places which did greatly annoy Ardres and the countrie about Bolongne namely Montoire and Tournehan the first being strong of situation vpon a little hill at the entrie of the Countie of Oye discouering all that come out of Ardres The other vpon the edge of the Countie of Bologne going from Ardres to S. Omers belonging to the Countie of â—ures one of the strongest places of the countrie The taking and razing of these two was the destruction of many others which held for them and yet the enemie being the stronger in men made some shew to trie his forces In Piedmont But on the other side the countrie of Piedmont was left in prey to the enemy by reason that Annebault had carryed away the troupes for the enterprise of Parpignan The Marquis of Guast imbracing this occasion assembled his forces at the bridge of Esâ—â—re a fit place to haue the riuers at commandement and where soeuer he pleased on this or the other side of Po to assaile Piedmont Langey Lieutenant for the King in Piedmont to crosse the Marquis drawes a company of foote out of euery Towne makes an enterprise vpon Cony Quieras and Albe being ill furnished with Souldiars The vndertakers for Cony and Albe wander in the night and the daye approching made their voyage fruitlesse Aussun Gouernour of Sauillan and Centall of Riez appointed for Quieras planted their Ladders notwithstanding the day breaking had giuen the alarum in the Towne they force it and the Castle hauing but one horse and two sacks of meale in it yeelded after they had fasted 36. houresâ— Centall being made gouernour manned it with two thousand Souldiars which hee leuied as well vpon his owne hands as elsewhere The Marquis posted to succour them but the distance of the places required three dayes iourney He tooke his reuenge vpon Villenenâ—ue of Aâ—t Poiâ—ing 〈◊〉 small places not fortified resolute to passe the Po and to campe 〈…〉 to take from the French all the plaine countrie and to famish Turin and Pignerol with the other places which they held 〈◊〉 this side to take from them all commoditie of the Marquisate of Salusses Fiue thousand foote with some few men at armes and lighthorsemen which Langey might oppose against the Marquis A gallant stratagem of Langey who lead fifteene thousand foote and two thousand fiue hundred horse were not sufficient to stoppe his passage But the industrie of a well aduised commander doth often that which force cannot effect Hee comes first to lodge at Carignan fortifies himselfe speedily and with continuall skirmishes keepes the Marquis from forcing of the passage â—he waters were lowe it was in the moneth of Iuly they might easily wade through both aboue and beneath Carignanâ— these two armies had already camped fifteene dayes one against an other and the weakest in number was almost tyred Langey himselfe with his exceeding toile was growne lame yet hauing his tongue and his spirits free he winnes from the Imperiall armie sixe thousand Italians so as weakning his enemie hee fortifies himselfe The Marquis amazed and fearing least these should suborne
Quotidian So finding his houre come he disposed of his conscience and of his house he greatly recommended his subiects and seruants to the Daulphin his successor and the last day of March The death of Franâ—is the â— in the yeare 1547. being fiftie and three yeares old hee changed the painfull and continuall toyles of this mortall life with the eternall rest which the happie inioy for euer A Prince wonderfully lamented both of his subiects and strangers whose vertues deserue to bee placed among the most famous valiant Courteous bountifull iudicious of a great spirit and an excellent memorie A louer of learning and men of merit to whome arts and sciences owe the perfections they haue gotten at this day hauing by his bringing vp of youth founded Colleges in Paris in the Hebrew Greeke and Latine tongues assembled from all parts of the world learned men and of good life and by this meane cleered the darknes of Ignorance wherewith the world had beene so obscured by the malice of time and negligence of former ages A Prince fauoured with many good yet crost with as many bad and sinister fortunes Happie notwithstanding that no aduersitie could euer make him degenerate from a noble and royall mind nor from the true beleefe of a good and faithfull Christian. Happie and blessed in his end to haue pacified all forraine confusions which had so long troubled his estates and his subiects quiet But without doubt hee had beene far more happie if he could haue left his realme free from those fatall diuisions which euen in his raigne had so miserably diuided his subiects and shall cause hereafter strange combustions the first consideration whereof makes my haire to stand vpright and my heart to tremble at that which is to come HENRY the second 59. King of France HENRY .2 KING OF FRANCE .59 · NAture his age and the good education he had receiued vnder his father in the gouernment of the Estate 1547. did countenance him in this succession the which he receiued on the same day that he was borne and confirmed it in Saint Germaine in Laie by the restâ—tution of the Constable of Montmorentie by the publication of many goodly ordinances for the reformation of apparell ordering of the Treasure prouiding for the poore suppression of new erected offices gouernment of the riuers and forrests maintenance of Iustice and releeuing of his subiects but aboue all that necessarie lawe against blasphemers as we may see in the Originall Doubtlesse this was a commendable beginning and worthy the homage he did owe to the Soueraigne Lord as an acknowledgment of the fee whereof he tooke possession if he had not polluted it with the mournfull spectacle of that bloudie and fatall combate betwixt Iarnac and Chastaigneray whereof he would be an eye witnesse and behold the laters bloud shed contrarie to all mens opinion by Iarnaâ— being the weaker and newly recouered from sicknesse So shall we see in the end of this raigne that Gods diuine Iustice doth suffer That the man which did thirst after an others bloud shall finde some one to drinke his owne The restoring of the Constable disapointed the Cardinall of Tournon The Constable restored and the Admirall of Annebault touching the chiefe gouernment of the State and the Lords of Longueual Esâ—ars Boncour Framezelles Antibe Grignan the Baron of la Garde the Generall Bayard and many others accused some for theft some for other disorders in their charges did somewhat trouble the Court It was an olde saying That he which eaâ—es the Kings Gooâ—e will cast vp the feathers a hundred yeares after but since they haue turned this saying into a Prouerbe He that steales a hundred thousand crownes from the King 1548. is quit if he restore ten thousand So some preâ—aâ—â—â—d by 〈…〉 others escaped rigorous punishments through fauour In the meane time the ceremonies of the Kings Coronation were 〈…〉 Rheims and hauing receiued it the 27. of Iuly by the hands of Charles of Lorraine Archbishop of Rheims Henry the 2. crowned he made a voyage into Picardie and did visit the 〈…〉 were made about Boullen then did he prepare an armie to succour Scotland 〈◊〉 whom the English made warre for that the Lords of the countrie had refused to giue their Princesse Mary Steward in marriage to yong Edward hoping by this bond tâ— vnite the two realmes of England and Scotland to the preiudice of the French of the common alliance betwixt France and Scotland The Lord of Essé was chiefe of the armie Peter Strossy generall of the Italian bands d' Andelot Colonnell of the French â—oote the Reingraue chiefe of the Lansquenets An armie in Scotland marching by land against the English forces and Leon Strossy Prior of Capoua by sea spoiled the English of the greatest part of their conquests but the confirmation of the peace lately concluded betwixt the deceased Kings of France and England ended this warre and brought back our aduenturers into France 1548. Francis at the end of his daies had well foreseene the leuaine which should soone breed new combustions with the Emperour Henry must be heire to his quarrell aâ— well as to his crowne and knowing that the Pope had a fresh and iust cause of indignation for the murther of Peter Lewis Duke of Parma and Plaisance his sonne and sortâ—â— inuasion of Plaisance by Ferdinand of Gonsagne Lieutenant for the Emperour in Italieâ— he sent Charles of Lorraine lately honoured with a Cardinals Hat this is he that shall minister so much matter to talke of him vnder the successors of Henry to draw the Pope from the Emperours partie to the Kings alliance but death shall frustrate the Pope of his intended reuenge Commonly men fish best in a troubled streame many knowing this new King to be of a mild spirit addicted to the delights of Court little practised in affaires they kindled a desire in his minde to reuenge the wrongs the Emperour â—ad done to France whereof they vrged for a testimonie the death of Vogelsberg beheaded in Ausbourg at his returne from the Scottish warres for the Kings seruice Oâ— the other side the Emperour grew not a little iealous of the progresse the King made into Bourgogne Bresse Sauoy and Piedmont as if he had carried with him an alarum 〈◊〉 to sâ—â—rre vp the people to the following warre And it may be it had then been kindled but an home-bred mutinie staied it for a time During the Kings voiage the extorsioâ—s of the tol-gatherers and farmers of Salt Sedition for the customes caused the commons of Guienne Xainâ—onge and Angoulmois to rebell In few weekes forty thousand men go to field armed with all kind of weapons the Ilanders ioyne with them and with a common consent fall vpon the tol-gatherers The people of Gasconie do presently follow this pernitious example The commons of Bourdeaux rise finding la Vergne Estonnac Maquanan and others Tribunes fit for their humors they
Bishop carried the spirituall sword in his hand to draw it for vnlawfull things at the fiâ—st impression of his fantasie To crosse the Pope the King forbids expresly to carry or send any gold or siluer to Rome for any dispatches Bulles Annats Dispensations or any other thing commaunding the Metropolitaines of the Realme to prouide according to the ancient priuileges and liberties of the French Church And for that Gonzague beseeged Parma to giue both the Emperour and the Court of Rome a blowe hee commâ—unded Charles of Cosse Marshall and Lord of Brissac his Lieutenant generall in Piedmont by the death of the Prince of Melphe to fortifye and furnish Miranâ—oâ—e Brissac sends some Souldiars Gonzague surpriseth them and puts them secretly to death and sodaynly doth belegar Mirandola War in Italy Warre is nowe begunne on all sides and for light occasions hee that seekes a quarrell wants no apparent shewes to colour it Both these Princes expected some worthye occasion But let vs raise vp our thoughts and say That GOD had not powred 〈◊〉 all his iudgements against Christendome being full of excesse and worthy of 〈◊〉 puâ—â—ishment 1551. The King sends newe forces into Piedmont and commands the Marshal to 〈◊〉 Parma and Mirandola He effects it and by the taking of Quiers S. Damain 〈…〉 places he forceth Gonzague to abandon the country of Parmesan to succour Montâ—errat and to defend the estate of Milan On the other side Mary Queene of Hongary and Gouernesse of the Lowe Countries for the Emperour armed in fauour of her brother both by sea and land And vnderstanding that for a greater confirmation of loue the Marshall S. Andre earned in the Kings name the order of France to young Edward King of England she caused certaine ships to lie betwixt Calais and Douer to seize on him in his passage Buâ—â—o preuent her policy the Marshall caused some Flemish ships to be stayed which lay at anchor in the road of Diepe vntill they were assured of his arriuall in England And Mary likewise seized vpon all the French ships that were within her gouernement Thus hart burning grew on all sides which burst out into open warre euery one calls home his Ambassadors and assures the places neerest to the enemie the King especially of Lorraine hauing some iealousie of Christienne the Dowager and neere allied to the Emperour who to free her selfe from that imputation did put her selfe with her Sâ—n Charles into the Kings protection who caused him to be brought vp with the Daulphin Francis and afterwards he married one of his Maiesties daughters Before we proceed to open acts of hostility the King excused himselfe vnto the Pope by the Lord of Termes for that which he did in sauour of Octauian Farnesâ— and by the Abbot of Bellosanne he protested against the decrees of the Assembly which was held at Trent the which considering the Popes and the Emperours spleene against France he could not hold to be a lawfull and holy generall Councell Not that I pretend said he to withdraw my selfe from the obedience of the Church but onely to auoide the surprises of such as vnder colour of reformation seeke to disgrace both my person and realme And in trueth he confirmed sufficiently this last clause by the rigorous ordinances which he published against those which had their cause common with the Protestants of Germany touching matters of religion whereby fires were a new kindled against them in many parts of the Realme and yet the King treated priuately with the Protestant Princes of Germany and generally with all the Electors and free Citties of the Empire Who sawe their liberties and freedomes in a manner ruined if they did not oppose some mighty aduersary against the Emperour who by maine force might stay the course of his vnmeasured couetousnesse The Emperour contrary to his oath detained Iohn Duke of Saxony and Philip Landgraue of Hesse in miserable captiuity A league betwixt the King and the Proteâ—â—â—nts of Germany He had vanquished most of the other Princes in war and fearing least the French should in the ende demaund the right vsurped in old time by the Saxons ouer the heires of Charlemaigne when the Empire was hereditary he pretended to transport the Imperiall Crowne into his house for euer and now he thought to haue a fit oportunity He had suppressed his enemies in Germany he had a Pope at his deuotion he was armed The most part of the Cardinalls who assisted at the Councell were either naturall Spaniards or of the Spanish faction and by consequence might easily by a decree of this councell giue authority to what hee intended With this disseine he had caused his son Prince Philip to come out off Spaine who died King of Spaine in the yeare 1598. to haue him declared his successor or at least his associate in the Empire oppressing the people of Germany by insolent and tyrannicall exactions The Electors not accustomed to seruitude and lesse to the slauery of Spaine not able with their own forces to shake off the yoake which they see ready to be layd vpon them they repaire vnto the King shewe him the wrongs and outrages done vnto them they pretended the ouerthrow of the holy Empire and the abolishment of the rights and priuileges of the Electors Commonalties and Lords of the same they beseech him that in regard of the auncient league betwixt the Empire and the crowne of France he would take their iust cause in hand and maintaine the common liberty of Germanie The King resolues to enter into League with them 1552. and graunts the succours which they demanded They giue him this honorable title Defender of the Germains The King makes a league with the 〈◊〉 of Germany against the Emperour protector of the nation and of the holy Empire He armes thirtie thousand men and desirous to countenance his forces with his owne presence he appoints Queene Katherine his wife Regent in France he makes many goodly Edicts for the gouernment of the state for the ordring of his men at armes and for the obseruation of military discipline hee reformes the abuses of Commanders suppresseth the insolencie of souldiars a commendâ—ble institution in comparison of that which hath beene seene in the raignes of his children and giues the Rendezuous â—or his armie at Vitry Hee was accompanied with â—â—thonie Duke of V ndosme whom we shall shortly see King of Nauarre by the decease of Henry of Albret his father in Lawe Iohn Duke of Anguien Lewis Prince of Conde all bretheren Lewis Duke of Montpensier Charles Prince of Roche-sur-yon al of the royall familie of Bourbon the Dukes of Neuors Nemours Guise Aumale Elbeuf The Kings armie the Lords of Rohan Rochefoucault Chastillon d' Andelot and others in great numbers in very good order The Câ—nstable of Montmorencie was made generall of the armie a house which sâ—aâ— hereafter be made a Duchie and Peere of France Claude of Loâ—râ—ine Duke of 〈◊〉 a yonger brother
by a second stratageme he giues the King an assured testimonie of his defection and to the Emperour the effects of the seruice which he had vowed vnto him The Duke coasted the Marquis his retreat and cutts the heauiest of his troupes in peeces when as the Marquis â—urning head ouerthrowes a great troupe of seruants mustered togither to make a shewe and chargeth a squadron of light horse who making but a weake resistance leaue the place So all fall vpon the men at armes they were ill furnished to withstand the shocke of the Reisters pistolles The Duke seeing his men at armes broken and seeking to saue themselues â—allies a small troupe and returnes to the charge The multitude inuirons him and doth oppresse his best men some are wounded and others taken two hundred Gentlemen by their death and the taking of many others made the Marquis valour famous The Duke beeing ouerthrowne remayned as a pawne of an assured victorye and shall not bee deliuered vntill the King hath payed fifty thousand Crownes for him This chanced in the ende of October â—ut we shall see this losse recompenced with a happy successe against the Emperours attempts The Earle of Reux entred Picardy at the same time with the desolation thereof The Imperialls spoyâ—e Picardy and the burning of Noyon Nesle Chauny Roye Folembray and aboue eight hundred Villages a testimony of the Emperours spleene Then hauing beseeged Hesdin and filled vp the trench with the ruines of a wall which they had vndermined the Towne was very lightly yeelded by the Lord of Rasse who was in daunger to haue beene made a publike spectacle vppon a scaffolde if the Constables fauour had not protected him This second brunt made them to apprehend a third The Emperour incamped before Metz. and the King desirous to vnderstand in what estate the beseeged were as thâ— Duke of Guise Iohn and Lewis of Bourbon the one was Duke of Anguien the last was Prince of Conde brethren to the Duke of Vendosme Charles of Bourbon Prince of Roche-sâ—r-yon Francis and Renè of Lorraine the first Grand Prior of France the last Marquis of Elbeuf brethren to the Duke of Guise the Lords of Rochefoucault and Randan brethren Peter Sâ—roâ—â—y la Brosse Brion Gonnor Parroy with an infinite number of others who had voluntarily thrust themselues within the walles to eternise the memory of so generous a preseruation of their new conquest against the Imperial forces They all with one consent resolution free the king of this suspence and the effects second their promises They toyle the enemy with continual sallies both of horse foote they come vp to the canon ouerthrow their tents force their quarters put the whole campe in alarum and performe more then hath beene heard of in any former siege The place did well deserue it and their vertue was the more admirable for that the time was so vnseasonable both for the one and the other being in the cold of winter But the constancie of the beseeged and the obstinacy of the beseegers encountred the rigour of raine snowe cold and ice The 26. of Nouember they batter the wall with forty Canons without any intermission but to coole them and the beseeged both Princes Noblemen and souldiers carry earth indifferently to rampar vp the breach making the Imperialls admire their diligence and valour The King resting assured leaues the Duke of Neuers to commaund his army in Lorraine and gaue commission to the Lord of Chastillon then Admiral of France Annebault being lately dead at la Fere to go into Picardy as Lieutenant to the Duke of Vendosme The Duke of Neuers imployes all his cares to cut off the Emperours victualls and the Admiralls approach chaseth the Earle of Reux from about Hedin leauing his sonne with a strong garrison in the castle Hedin recouered Hauing made foure thousand and threescore cannon shot he makes a breach the 16. of December but yet not resonable notwithstanding the beseeged being amazed yeeld it to haue their liues and goods saued This blowe troubled the Emperour the iniuries of the ayre molested his men before Mets extreame hungar made them weake the continuall sallies of the beseeged diminished them his treasure grewe short his reputation decayed his mynes were blowne vp and all his attempts were made fruitelesse to conclude all went against the haire So the Emperour giuing charge to the Duke of Alua The Emperor retires from Mets. to order the retreat he left the Empire depriued of the country of Messin and the Crowne of France assured of this newe conquest by the Constables industry and happily preserued by the valour of the beseeged 1553. But there followed rough encounters Hedin and Therouenne had till now beene the instruments of warre It is better saith the Prouerbe to stumble once then to sâ—agger alwayes The Emperour to be reuenged of some part of his losses sends the Lord of â—inecourt with a mightie armie to beseege Therouenne The Lord of Essé and Francis of Montmorency defended it The place is furiously battered the beseeged sâ—staiâ—e a most violent assault of three charges and many die on either side The cheefe among the French were the Lords of Esse of Vienne of Beaudisne of Roche-posay of Blandy Captaine Ferrieres with many gentlemen and souldiars They vndermine they â—â—ne and with the ruines of the wall fill vp the trenches which caused the beseeged to demaund a composition But whilest they are busie in parle an errour which often chancing should make a Commander wise the Germains and Bourguignons enter at diuerse places Therouenne taken and raâ—ed and kill all they incounter The Spaniards louing money at that time more then bloud saued many And the Emperour causing the Towne to bee razed and spoyled shall saue many soules which should be lost in the defence and winning thereof Hedin taken and lackt Hedin assayled battered and vndermined more then a foxes burrow had like successe vnder Emanuell Phillibert sonne to the Duke of Sauoy and Lieutenant Generall for the Emperour his vncle by the mothers side The Duke of Bouillon and Horaâ—io Farnese newly married to Diana the Emperours bastard daughter had taken the gaâ—d thereof and had prepared great store of wildfire at the breach to defend the assault A Preest either through malice or negligence sets it on fire and consumes many souldiars readie for the defence The Imperials on the other side blow vp their mynes and burie a great number of men in the ruines thereof they enter pel mell and so become masters of the place Farnese the Vicont of Martignes the Seneshal of Castres with many other gentlemen were slaine there The Duke of Bouillon with many others The Duke of Aâ—scot taken had a long and hard imprisonment Let vs take our reuenge The French armie assembled about Amiens Piquigny the Prince of Cande led the light horse who in the midest of August incountred with some troupes led by the Duke of Arscot he
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
battered Ganache the fourth of Februaâ—â—â—â—uing spent eight hundred Cannon shot hee made two breaches and gaue a◠〈◊〉 with the losse of aboue three hundred men and growing resolute in this 〈◊〉 where his honor was ingaged hee letts Plessisgecte Captaine of the place vndeâ—â—tand that hee had wonne reputation inough in the defence of so weake a place that his obstinacie did preiudice the King of Nauarres affaires That the King by the execution done at Blois had sufâ—iciently declared warre against the League and that he mâ—â—t to imploy the saied Kings forces against them Plessis aduertiâ—eth the King his mastâ—â— he marcheth to succor him but his violent traâ—ell on foote to get him a heate in an extreame colde season Ganacâ—e yeelded to the Duke of Neuâ—rs made him stay so dangerously sicke of a feuer at Saint Pere as the newes of his death was carried to Court So Plessis yeelded vp the Towne his armes and baggage saued But this royall armie came to nothing The Duke went to refresh himselfe at his house wauering some moneths doubtfull of his party and the King of Nauarre whom God would vse in so confused a time to bring him vpon the Theater not as a disinâ—erited Child according to the intent of the Estates but to teach men that their sâ—â—â—uing is in vaine against the decrees of his diuine prouidence hauing recouered his peâ—â—eâ—t health assured himselfe of the places neere vnto Niort Saint Maixant Mallâ—zaye Chastelleraut Loudun Lisle Bouchard Mirebeau Viuonne and others pretending to do the King some great and notable seruice The King by this blowe had amazed but not suppressed the League He had begun well for the waranty of his Estate but he must not do things by halues In steed of going to horse making his armes to glister shewing himselfe betwixt Orleans and Paris calling backe his army out off Poictou to oppose it against the attempts of the Duke of Mayenne Error in state and being armed and the Townes amazed at this great effect to diuert the mischiefe which oppressed him within fewe monthes hee returnes to his first remedies being soft and fearefull against a mad multitude hee is content to send words to retayne his subiects alreadie entred into sedition hee releaseth some prisoners whome he held least dangerous continues the Estats renues the Edict of vnion and by a generall forgetting of what was past thinkes they will lay downe their armes against him to imploy them against the King of Nauarre But a multitude growes mad with mildenesse and is reteyned by seuerity The King finds that in lesse then sixe weekes â—ours and Baugency are the fronters of those prouinces that were vnder his obedience And whereas he thought to begin hee nowe ceaseth to raigne So God who had laughed at the vaine attempts of the one will likewise heâ—pe vpon the other remedies no lesse violent then those he had practised Nowe manie awaked from their amazement and began to stirre the people studâ—â—ed of new mutinies and new armes Orleans shut vp their gates the Towne made barâ—icadoes against the Cittadell Paris shewed the furie of their mutinie against the Louurâ— they beate downe the Kings armes impryson his seruants and aswell by their ransomes and spoile as by a voluntary contribution they leuie a great summe of money for the warre Marteau Cotteblanche Compan Roland and others deliuered vpon promises to reclaime the Parisiens had contrariwise seduced the people The sixteene let vs know them by their names euen as they are set downe in an oration made by the Bourgeses of Paris to the Cardinall Caietan la Bruyere Crucé â—ussyle Clere the Commissary Louchard Morlier Senault the Comissary de Bart Drouart an Aduocate Aluequin Emonnâ—t â—ablier Messier Passart Oudineau Tellier Morin a proctor of the Chastelet euery one of which had many Agents followers like sixteene fuâ—ies coÌ„ming out offhel sharpened their weapons kindled the coales of murther dissolutenes first at Paris then in a maner in al the good townes of the realme being seasoned with the leuaine of these furious tribuns The Preachers fire brands of these furies came not into the pulpit Paâ—isiens insolencies but to poure forth reproches and iniuries against the King and by an Iliade of Curses to kindle the peoples mindes to rebeâ—lion The people came neuer from their sermons but hauing fire in their heads readines in their feet to runne and disposition in theâ—r hands to fall tumultuously vppon such as were not branded with the marke of the League Hee was neither a good nor a zealous Catholike that had not a beadroule of outrages to detest and abhore that execution of Blois The porters at the Palace babled nothing but a cursing of the Kings life an elegie to lament the calamitie of these two bretheren an oration in memorie of the commendable exploits of the Duke of Guise in Hongary against the Turke at Iarnac against the Protestants at Poitiers at Montcontour against the Reistres of Thoré at Vimorry and at Auneau They cried aloud at Paris That France was now sicke and could not bee cured but by giuing her a drinke of French bloud And because they haue not the bodie at their deuotion those things he possesseth must suffer for it his furniture at the Louure his pictures are broken his armes beaten downe his images dragged vp and downe his great sâ—ale defaced they call him impious vniust vilaine prophane tyrant damned The Colledge of Sorbonne concludes by a publike act of the 7. of Ianuary That the people of France are freed from the othe of obedience and fealtie which they ought to Henry of Valois and that lawfully and with a good conscience they may arme against him receiue his reuenues and imploy it to make warre against him On the other side Charles of Lorraine Duke of Mayenne dreaming on his brothers death prouided for the assurance of his owne life The Duke of Maâ—ennes courâ—â—â—â— and consulted with the Arche-bishops Officiall the Lord of Botheon Seneshall of Lionnois and some others of the chiefe whether there were any safety for him within their Towne We are sayd they bound vnto the King before all others Make no tryall we pray you of your seruants in that which shall bee contrary to the Kings will Arme not your selfe against him without doubt hee will seeke your seruice when you shall submit the passion of reuenge vnto reason and will aduance your house to the good of all France the which trembles with apprehension of the calamities which this warre shall cause If the people call you to set them at lâ—berty you shall abandon them to the spoile and to defend the Monarchie against the King you shall make your selfe the head of a confused and monstrous Anarchie God did neuer forget the protection of Kings against their mutinous subiects They bee the image of God the children of heauen and whosoeuer armes against them armes against heauen Moreouer the winde of the peoples
vnto God Lord come not neere mee vntill I bee fortefied I must confesse that I feare your Countenance hauing admitted such men to accuse me seeing that your Maiesty demands my Iustification the which hath retayned me not that my coÌ„science doth accuse me of any fault that is worthy of such an examination Seeing it doth import your seruice it is requisit I should satisfie your Maiesty your Realme mine Honor and free them of my Relligion from the scandal which they should receiue if my crime were not punished mine Innocency known For the attayning wherof I assure my â—elfe that your Maiesty would not depriue me of the liberty which all your subiects of the Relligion enioye and the rather for that no Iudges can be more interessed in these affaires seeing the question is of the decaye of your Realme to augment that of Spaine where-in all your subiects haue one coÌ„mon losse but those of the Relligion whereof the Chambers do consist haue a more particular the which they esteeme more deare then their liues which is the losse of their exercise They will therefore bee seuere Iudges rather then milde If they shall finde mee guiltie they will hate me more then any other from whom they did least expect it I most humbly therefore beseech your Maiestie to send my Accusers Accusations thinking the imputation which is layd vpon me heauie the time tedious vntill your Maiestie may be fully satisfied of mine Innocencie for the speedy effecting wherof I will attend at Castres the Iustification of my fault or Innocencie Iudging that the time which I should haue spent in going to your Maieâ—â—ie would haue but prolonged the affliction of my Soule remayning accused seeing that your Maieâ—â—ie was to send mee backe to the Chambers to condemne or obsolue me being the Iudges which your Edict hath giuen me That it would therefore please you to releeue my minde speedily in giuing mee the meanes to make my Innocencie knowne and that by this proofe you may rest assured of my faithfâ—ll seruice and I of your fauour the which shal bee aboue all things desired of your most Humble most Obedient and most Faithfull Subiect and Seruant Henry de la Toure The King caused the Prince of Ginuille to be coÌ„mitted to the Duke of Guise his brother Sillery examined him very carefully The Prince of Ginuilâ—â— committed his Maiestie relying vpon his wisedome and integrity He aduertised the Gouernours of Prouinces why he did it vsing these words I haue committed my Nephew the Prince of Ginuille vnto my Nephew the Duke of Guise his brother for that he had rashly and indiscreetly giuen eare to certaine propositions that were made vnto him against my seruice I will hold him in the same gard vntil that matters be made plaine But I assure my selfe it concernes him only wherein those of his house haue no share neither is there any one named or coÌ„prehended with him whereof I thought good to aduertise you The King hauing since bin satisfied of the truth he returned againe into fauour Humbert de la Tour Daulphiâ— giues Daulphiné to the fiâ—st sonnâ— oâ— Fâ—ance There came 15. or 16. Deputies out of Daulphiné to Paris This Prouince was giuen to the Crowne of France by Humbert Prince of Daulphiné vpon condition that the Kings eldest Son the presumptiue heire of the Crowne should be soueraigne thereof from his birth Hauing made great ioy for this blessing and to see that which they had not seene since King Charles the 8 they made choise of some out of the three Estates of the Country to go performe their first duties of subiection to know their Soueraigne Lord. Ierosme of Villards Archbishop of Vienne was the cheefe of this Ambassage the which he gouerned and ended happely and with honor Hauing done their duties to the King and Queene and let them vnderstand the charge which he had from the States of the Countrie with the other Deputies hee was led to S. Germans to see their new Prince who was vnder a cloth of Estate in his Cradle vpon a little bed The Archbishop of Viâ—nnes speeâ—h to the Daulphin The Count Soissons Gouernour and Lieutenant generall of Daulphiné his Gouernesse and his Nurse were by him The Archbishop of Vienne spake vnto him standing al the rest kneeled of one knee The substance of which speech was That the ioy of France had beene infinite by his birth foreseeing that her felicitie should be imperfect without it and that the blessing of Peace could not continue without his Birth who should bee the death of all pretexts of Ciuill warres but your Prouince of Daulphiné hath farre greater cause of Ioy â—or that it feeles in effect that which the rest of the Realme hath but in hope Those which haue beleeued that felicitie could not be in the infancie of a Child Children cannot beâ— tâ—rmed happy seeing it requires a continuance of years and a constant knowledge of virtue and fortune ment it not by Kings Children and aboue all of the first borne of the Crowne of France at whose first birth wee see all the fauours raigne vpon his head the which Heauen can powre vpon them whome it will make happie The same day my Lord that you saw the light the Sunn did salute you a great Prince and the Sonne of a great King you are borne our Soueraigne Lord and wee are become your faithfull vasâ—alls and most humble Subiects so as this Prouince which amidest so many afflictions hath sighed aboue a hundred yeares for the day when it should see borne that sacred bud of the Royall flowre houlds it the greatest point of glorie and felicitie not to know any power more absolute and soueraigne then yours and to obey you before that you know what it is to command This Cradle my Lord about the which the Eternall Prouidence which hath a speciall care ouer this Realme and hath appointed his Angells for your grad is the Throne wherein wee adore in your lyuing Image the inuisible Maiestie of the liuing God The rocking of this Cradle hath setled the filicitie of France which began to bee shaken by furious and dangerous attempts both without and within It is an extreme greefe vnto vs that the lawe of this Cradle will not suffer vs to heaâ—e you make vs so happie as to vnderstand you And if you vnderstand not but by the LaÌ„guage of InfaÌ„ts which be Tears you shal knowe the affection of your peoples Harts by the tears of Ioy which fall from their eyes praising God that it hath pleased him to giue them a Prince issued from the first Crowne of the world who carries in his Heart the generosity of his Father and in his eyes the sweetnes of the Mother A Prince which in greatnes of courrage and in reputation of braue and immorâ—al Actions shall exceed the glory of all the Princes of the Land and Sea as the Daulphin in lightnes and swiftnes passeth
made Duke of Amou ibid. A treatie betwixt the Emperour and Lewis fol. 368 The beginning of diuision betwixt Lewis and Ferdinand fol. 369 Gonsaâ—ue the great captaines vertues ibid. New broyles in Italie fol. 370 The Duke of Valentinois cruelty ibid. The exploits of the French in the kingdome of Naples fol. 371 The Valentinois fearefull to the potentates of Italie ibid. The Venetians oppose against him fol. 372 The King discontented with the Pope and his sonne fol. 373 A counterfeit peace with the Spaniard but not ratified fol. 374 The Duke of Atri defeated by the Spaniard fol. 375 A generall ouerthrowe of the French and the Duke of Nemours slaine fol. 376 The kings new armie for Naples fol. 377 The estate of the church and the death of Pope Alexander the 6. fol. 378 The Vrsins and Colonnois reconciled bandy against the Valentinois fol. 379 Iulius the 2. chosen Pope ibid. Borgia the Valentinois a prisoner fol. 380 A truce betweene France and Spaine the wars of Naples reuiued ibid. The Marquis of Mantoua general of the French giues ouer his charge of the army fol. 381 The realme of Naples wholly lost by the French fol. 382 Lewis makes peace with the Spaniard and Emperour against the Venetian fol. 383 The death of Fredericke of Naples fol. 384 Lewis seekes by all meanes to crosse the Emperor and his sonne Philip. fol. 385 Bâ—ntiuoll deliuers Bolonia to the Pope fol. 386 The death of Philip Archduke of Austria ibid. The death of Borgia duke of Valentinois ibid. An enteruiewe of the Kings of France and Arragon fol. 387 The Suisses forsake the Emperour and Maximilian is defeated fol. 388 King Lewis goes into Italie fol. 389 The Venetians excommunicated by the Pope and ouerthrowne at Agnadell by the French fol. 390.391 The Venetians begin to recouer their losses take Padua and surprize the Marquis of Mantoa fol. 392 Padua besieged againe by the Emperour fol. 393 The Venetians make warre against the Duke of Ferrara fol. 394 The Suisses forsake the alliaÌ„ce of the FreÌ„ch and ioyne with the pope fol 395 A French armie enters Italie and the pope seekes to expell them fol. 396 397 The Suisses retire and the Venetians make an attempt against Genoa fol. 398.399 Eight conclusions made by the French Church against the pope fol. 400 The siege of Bolonia fol. 401 The death of Charles of Amboyse Lord of Chaumont fol. 402 A Councel begins at Pisa and is transported to Millan fol. 403 Bolonia beseeged by the Spaniards where there happened a miracle fol. 404. Brâ—â—â—e taken by the Venetians and recouered by the French fol 405. The French Army in Italy getts the battaile of Rauenna where 〈◊〉 of Foâ—x is slaine fol. 406.407 Rauenna taken and sackt fol. 408. The French Army disordered they loose Milan fol. 409. Lodowick Sforze restored to the Duchy of Milan fol. 410. Nauar vsurped by the Arragonois fol. 411. A royall Army in the Duchy of Milan and Genoa taken fol. 413. The memorable valour of Robert de la Marke fol. 414. Terouenne and Tournay taken by the English fol. 415. Charles the Emperor affects to be Pope fol. 416. Queene Annâ— of France dies and Lâ—wis marries Mary of England fol. 417. The death of Lewis the 12. and his vertues fol. 418.419 Francis the fiâ—st of that name the â—8 King of France HEE goes with a Royall Army into the Duchie of Milan and takes Genoa fol. 421. His first passage ouer the Alpes fol. 422. The inconstant treachery of the Suisses with the battell of Marignan â—ol 423. Milan yeelds to the French fol. 424. A League against the King broken by the death of Ferdinand fol. 425. Brescia and Verona taken by the French and deliuered to the Venetians fol 426. Francis Maria chased from Vrbin and Laurence of Medicis inuested in the Duchy fol. 427. Franâ—â— the Daulphin borne fol. 428. A peace concluded with the English and Spaniards fol. 429. Charles the 5. elected Emperor 1520. fâ—l 430. The beginning of Lutâ—ers doctrine fol. 431. Troubles in Spaine fâ—l 432. The Pope capitulates with the Emperour fol. 433. The King and the Emperor at open warre Tournay Meziers beseeged and Mouson taken fol 4â—4 4â—5 Mouson recouered Fontarabâ—e taken fâ—l 4â—6 The Emperor retreating dishonourably Hedin and Turney are recouered by the French fol. 4â—7 The Pope declares himselfe against France fol. 4â—9 An ominous signe to the French at Milan Ibid. Errors of the French Army fol 440. Lautrâ—ch odious to his Army fol. 441. Milan taken and sackt iâ—id Pope Leo his death with the altâ—râ—tions afterwards fol. 442 Adâ—ian the 6 created Pope and the war reuiued fol. 443. Milan and Pauia beseeged by the French and Nouarre taken fol. 444. Lâ—utrech forced to fight by the Suisses and is ouerthrowne fâ—l 445. Laude and Cremona taken from the French fol. 446. The Venâ—tians foâ—sake the French Genoa is taken by the Spaniards fol. 447. Fontarabie beeseeged by the Spaniard and â—eleeued by the French ibid. Wars in Picardy Douilans beseeged Teâ—igny slaine fol. 448. The English land in France take Hedin and returne fâ—l 449. Rhodes taken by the Turke ibid. The Castle of Milan yeelded fol. 450. A League betweene the Emperor and the Venetians fol. 451. The Duke of Bourbon reuolts and flies disguised fol. 452.453 The Milannois fâ—aude with the seege of their Towne fol. 454. The Castle of Cremona releeued Baionne beseeged ibid. Fontarabie taken from the French fol. 455. The valour of 〈◊〉 with the taking of Roy and Mont-didier by the English fol. 456. Pope Aâ—riaâ— diâ—s and Pope Clement the 7. chosen in his place ibid. Iohn de Medicis stratagems with the death of Prosâ—er Colonâ—â— fol. 457. The French charged and ouerthrowne by the Imperialls fol. 458. Briares taken by the Milannois and the Admirall defeated fol. 459. Marseilles beseeged by the Imperials froÌ„ whence they retreate in disorder fol. 460. King â—rancis goes into Italy and takes Milan ibiâ— The Esâ—ate of the Imperialls fol. 461. The Pope makes a League with the King who sends an Army into Naples fol. 462. A notable victory gotten by the Marquis of Salusses ibid. The death and worthy exploytes of Pontdormy fol. 463. The Imperiall and French Army approch ibid. Sadde fore-runners of an ouerthrow fol. 464. Battell of Pauia where the French King is taken prisoner fol. 465. The King of England offers all loue to the French King beeing a prisoner fol. 466. The Emperors vnreasonable demands with the Kings resonable offers fol. 467. King Francis carried prisoner into Castile ibid. King Francis released fol. 468. The Marquis of Pescara dies fol. 469. The miserable estate of Milan and Cremona taken by the Confederates fol. 470. Rome surprized and sackt by the Imperialls where the Duke of Bourbon is slaine fol. 471.472 A newe League against the Emperor fol. 473. Genoa Alexandria and Pauia taken by thâ— King and the Pope deliuered fol. 474. The King of England and France proclaime war against the
discourse BY VVHAT MEANES AND DEGREES THE TOWNES SVBdued by the English returned to the obedience of this Crowne and how the English were chased out off this Realme From the yeare 1429. to 1454. after the ebbing and flowing of many actions and the accord of the Duke of Bourgongne with Charles long debated and in the ende obtained by the meanes of the Duke of Bourbon Paris yeeldes to the King The other Citties and Prouinces of this Realme one after another in diuers seasons and by diuers occasions returne to the King as to their head and expell the stranger who held the state TO THE REDVCTION OF PARIS ARE 7. YEARES TO THE FVLL RESTORING OF THE REALME 18. AND IN ALL 25. YEARES AFTER HIS CORONATION THis happy beginning of the Kings affaires seemed to bring with it a generall restoring of his whole Realme by the absolute obedience of all Townes and Prouinces But God which gouerns nature by seasons and giues not haruest when as they sâ—w the seede he doth likewise gouerne the society of mankind by degrees that the force of mans industry of it selfe may appeare vaine and nothing and not successefull but by his grace without whoÌ„ man can do nothing We haue hitherto seene into what distresse the preseruer of this estate hath drawne both the King and Realme but in the ende his prouidence shal appeare no lesse admirable in preseruing it The English seeke to crossâ— Câ—arles in his course The Duke of Bedford wonderfully discontented with his happy successe resolues to stop the course both by force and policie To this ende hee sends to Englâ—nd for succors both of men and money he leauies all he can in France and practiseth with the Duke of Bourgongne who was held of both parties to haue power to strike the lâ—st stroake in this equality of affaires So as finding himselfe sought vnto by them all he intertaines them all giuing Charles secretly to vnderstand that he was for him and yet he presently takes armes for the English The Bourguignons dispositioÌ„ A man wholy adicted to his affaires hauing â—â— other obiect but his owne greatnesse yet shall he effect no wonders beeing nowe so much sought vnto Charles parts from Rheims to obserue his enemies way he passeth by Soissons Chasteau Thierâ—y Prouins Coussy in Brye and comes to Crespy in Valois all these Townes shake off the English yoake to obey him Bedford was at Senlis with an armie of ten thousand men from thence he writes letters of defiance to Charles as to the vsurper of the realme He represents vnto him at large the compassion he had of the poore French people so long opprest with warres and doth challenge him to appoint a day and place to end this long miserie eyther by a peace or battaile A part ill acted by a Stranger for who could beleeue these protestations in the mouth of a Stranger against the heire of the Crowne Charles answers him by effects and offers himselfe to the combate the English armie was before Senlis being lodged in that renowmed Temple of victorie the antient monument of the valour of Philip Augustus The French armie was opposite against them without hedge or bush in a large Plaine The King called a Councell whether he should giue battaile Ioane the Virgin diswades King Charâ—es from fighting The Virgin held opinion they should not hazard these happy beginnings vpon a doubtfull combate being sufficient to staye the enemie in shewing him the Armie without striking So as these two Armies stood two dayes together in battaile looking one vpon another without mouing although many skirmishes seemed to offer occasion to drawe them to a generall fight In the end there was a confused charge of some fore-lorne hopes Picards and French but the battailes stood firme After this countenance Bedford takes his way to Paris to auoide the alterations which the Kings approche and prosperitie might breed Charles hauing receiued the obedience of Compeigne Senlis Creil Beauuois Pont Saint Maxence Choysi Gournay Remy Neufuille Mognay Chantely Sainctines and other places thereabouts with the homages of the Seigneuries of Mont-morency and Mouy he marcheth towards Paris The Bourguignon abuseth King Charles vpon promise made by the Bourguignon to be receiued by the Cittizens Being at Saint Denis he not onely findes Bedford in Armes without the Cittie but also the Cittie well garded by the Inhabitants Ioane the Virgin sore wounded and her men defeated so as the Virgin seeking to surprize Saint Honories ditche had like to haue beene taken being sore wounded and loosing a goodlie troope of her best and most resolute souldiars The inconsiderate desire which Charles had to winne the loue of the Duke of Bourgongne did much preiudice his affaires for all Picardy held him in great esteeme especially the great Townes of Amiens Abbeuille and S. Quintin but the respect he bare the Bouâ—guignon made him to neglect these occasions to his great hurt Hauing therefore found this passage to be very perilous he retires into Berry and the Duke of Bedford freed from the feare of his forces goes into Normandie where the Constable Richemont had surprised Eureux Aumâ—le Chasteau-gaillard and Audely places of importance in that Prouince But during these alterations the Duke of Bourgongne married with Isabell daughter to the King of Portugall adding this third wife to his two former deceased The Duchesse of Bedford was at this marriage not in regard of the feast but for her husbands affaires The Bourguignon conducts her to Paris with foure thousand armed men where he renewes the League more strongly somewhat shaken through the affaires of Iaqueline Duchesse of Hainault with his brother in lawe The Duke of Bourgongne makes the order of the Golden fleese There hee made the order of the Golden Fleese as if he had already conquered the Gardens of Hespâ—rides like a second Iason but hee determined to make violent warre against Charles the yeare following and returning into Picardie hee tooke Gournay and Choissy places lately subdued to the Crowne Melun Sens and Villeneufue le Roy gaue a happy beginning to this yeare yeelding to the Kings obedience but the losse of the Virgin Ioane and the taking of Pothon two of the greatest and most valiant heads of the Armie quailed all the ioye of these conquests The Tragedie was thus acted The Bourguignon hauing taken Choissy by force hee buies Soissons of the Captaine that commanded and so hee marcheth against Compiâ—gne with his armie 1430. with whom the Earles of Suffolke and Arondel ioyne with two thousand men The Virgin issues forth with a notable number of the best Souldiers to charge the besiegers Ioane the Virgin taken at Compeigne by the Bourguignon who being too farre ingaged in the fight alone was taken by the Bastard of Vendosme and presently brought to the Duke of Bourgongne Hee reioyced much at so notable a prize as hauing conquered all Charles his good fortunes and reserues
Bourgongne and intreats the King to forbeare in the excution of this charge Behold a sharpe touch which might easily open the Dukes eares to harken to these malcontents yet would he not enter but suffers the Earle his sonne to vse all his meanes for this effect beeing discontented for the gouernment of Normandie taken from him and his pension not payed for the redeeming the Townes vpon Somme and the aduancement of Croy in France Lewis discouers the League And although the passing and repassing of the Agents and factors of these Princes were very secretly performed by men disguised like religious men pilgrims beggars yet could they not worke so secretly but the King had intelligence that the Britton had sent to practise the loue and association of the King of England that by Iohn of Rommilli vice-chancellor of Briâ—tanie he had made a strict allyance with the Earle of Charolois a violent valiant Prince Thus the King sends the bastard of Rubempré a sea Captaine to surprise such as hee should finde passing out of Brittanie into England or from the Bourguignon to the Britton This bastand lands at La Haye in Holland hee enters the Towne with three in his company where then the Earle was resident Being examined of his quality and of the cause of his landing he makes some difficultie to discouer himselfe He is put in prison as a pirate sent saied they by Lewis to surprise the Earle trecherously and so to preuaile more easily with the Duke his father This brute was dispersed through the Countrie and made the King odious At the first report of these newes Philip being at Hedin dislodgeth without taking his leaue although he had promised not to depart without speaking againe to the King Lewis aduertised of the bastards detention sends the Earle of Eu the Chancellor Moruilliers and the Archbishop of Narbonne to Philip beeing at Lisle Ambassadors from Lewis to Philip. they accuse his son of treachery and infidelitie for that he had made a League with the Duke of Brittanie a friend and confederate with the English he complaines of the restraint of Rubempré his seruant and demands amends for words blowen giuen out against the Kings honour that the prisoner should be inlarged and for expiation of the crime that the authors of this slander should be deliuered into the Kings hands especiallie Oliuer de la Marche one of the chiefe in the Dukes Court to bee exemplarily punished The Chancellor who deliuered the speech being but a blunt man made it as bitter as he could and omitted nothing that might make the fact odious and criminall for the which he shall in time and place bee disauowed by the King and loose his office adding moreouer that he could not conceyue the cause of the Earles discontent if it were not for the pension and gouernment which the King had giuen him and since taken away Philip answers that Rubempré being charged with many crimes was iustly taken and in a Countrie where Lewis had no right If the informations did acquit him Philip answers to the Ambassadors he would send him to the King That la Marche was of the Country therfore the King not to be his coÌ„petent Iudge yet if he had done or sayed any thing against the honor of his maiestie he would punish him to his liking Moruillier insists vrging that Philip should not deny the King and that he should command his sonne not to entertaine any bad conceite of his Maiestie nor beleeue the sclanders imposed vpon Rubempré The Duke replies That till then hee had neuer denyed the King anie thing and contrariwise the King had failed of his promise 1465. in that contrary to their transaction he had fortified the Townes redeemed with great garrisons the which he should haue inioyed during his life taking an oathe of the Nobility to carrie armes indiffereâ—tly against all he should command That if his sonne were iealous and distrustfull hee tooke it of his mother who had often suspected him to go to other Ladies not from him who suspected no man The Earle of Charolois toucht with the Chancellers speech would haue taken the defence of his honor and the Duke of Brittaines but Philip fearing least choller should transport him beyond reason commands him to prepare for the next day The night brings Counsel The Earle hauing considered well of his plea answers very respectiuely yet he maintaynes that the proces of Rubempre would shew that his imprisonment was both iust and duly made That hee had made an allyance and strict league with the Duke of Brittain being brothers in armes but their association did nothing preiudice the Kings seruice nor the good of his realme but rather their common forces should be alwaies ready for the preseruation of his crowne and the publicke good As for the losse of his gouernment and pension whereof he had neuer receyued but one quarter hee was nothing displeased that as for any welth and honours the fauour of the Duke his Lord and father did suffice him Thus the Ambassadors returne nothing to Lewis but threats from the Earle who charged the Archebishop of Narbâ—nne particularly with this speech That within one yeare he would make the King repent the iniurious words he had caused his Chaunceller to giue him in the presence of the Duke his father And hauing spedily assembled a great armie out of Artois Henault Boullen Flanders Holland and Brabant consisting of foure thousand men at armes The warres of the Common weale and eight or nine thousand archers vnder the enseignes of Lewis of Luxembourg Earle of Saint Paul and afterwards Constable of France the Lord of Rauestin brother to the Duke of Cleues Anthonte bastard of Bourgongne Haut-bourdin bastard brother to the Earle of Saint Pol Contai and Lalain valiant and wise knights with many other Noblemen and gentlemen and great store of artillery and carriages hee enters into Picardie as Lieutenant generall to the Duke of Berry taking armes to releeue sayes he the people surcharged with taxes and subsidies The Earle of Câ—arolois enters Picardie and to recouer their ancient freedomes and liberties to restore the Nobilitie to their honors and ancient dignities and to gâ—ue vnto the Clergie their rights and preheminences In truth these were goodly shewes able to perswade the credulous and to supplant the affections of the simple For the first fruits of his forces he takes Nesle a little Castell neere vnto Noyon in the which there was a garrison Roie He takes Nesle Roie and Mondâ—dâ—er Montdidâ—er Beaulieu and Pont Saint Maxence then hauing passed the riuers of Somme Oise he comes with little spoile of the Country to S. Denis where all the confederats should meete but they failed of their appointâ—enâ— Hauing presented himselfe before Paris and skirmished at the gates with some losse to the Inhabitants supported onely by the companies of men at armes of Charles of Melun Baylife of Sens
of the Marshall Ioachim Rouault and the Lord of Nantouillet afterwards gâ—eat Master he seized vpon Saint Cloud where his army passed the Seine to drawe towards Estampes and to ioyne with his confederats whome the Kings army stayed in their march In the meane time the Duke of Bourbon seizeth vpon the Kings reuenues and treasor of the chiefe officers from whom he might draw any money Then did Anthonie of Chabannes Earle of Dampmartin escape out of the Bastille at Paris whom Lewis held prisoner for that he had made warre against him in Daulphine by the command of Charles the 7. vntill he had prouided such caution as he demanded for the preformance of the condition for the which he had giuen him his life That hee should passe the remainder of his life an Exile at Rhodes Who going through Gastinoâ—s tooke spoiled the Castells of S. Forgeau S. Maurice and carried away the captaine prisoner â—effroy the son of Iames Coeur he seized vpoÌ„ S. Poursain being aduertised that the King sent to beseege him by the Baylifs of Sens Melun he retyred him selfe to the Duke of Bourbon This flight did sodenly drawe the King vpon Duke Lewis The places of Bourbonâ—nis were in a maner all taken assured hauing intelligence that the Duke of Nemours with the Earles of Albret Armaignac did march that succors came to the Duke of Bourbon out of Bourgongne leuied by the Earle of Beauieu and the Cardinall of Bourbon brethren to the said Duke the which were of more shew theÌ„ profit he willingly harkens to an accord with these Princes An accord by the meanes of Iames Duchâ—â— of Bourbon wrought by his sister being wife to the Duke of Bourbon that they should beare armes for the King labor to win their confederats vnto him A coÌ„uention ill obserued by means wherof Lewis had caused the siege of Rion in Anuergnâ— to be raised the which was at their deuotioÌ„ this done he goes towards Anger 's to trie if by mildenes good meanes he might reclaime his brother being in â—ritain Not able to effect it hearing the Earle of Charolois approched with great expedition to Paris he leaues René King of Sicile and Duke of Aniou Charles Earle of Maine his Vncles by the mother side vpon the fronters of Brittain to hinder these great forces from ioyning with the Bourguignons And least the Parisiâ—ns abused with this goodly shewe of the coÌ„mon weale should receiue them he being so far from them he makes his Vncles to go forward who dislodging alwayes before the Britton did greatly anoye him for want of victualles and hindred his march and he himselfe posts to Orleans with speed and from thence to Chartres vnder Montlehery with no intent to fight vntill he had visited Paris and gathered a greater power but necessitie forceth him vnto it The Earle of Charolois hearing of the Kings approch marcheth towards him goe forward with the Bastard of Bourbon coÌ„manding the rereward The battailâ— of Monlâ—hâ—â—â— to ioyne with the Earle of Saint â—ol who led the foreward and takes his place of battaile in the plaine of Monâ—lehery where they appeere at the breake of day the 27 of Iuly Hauing discouered the Kâ—ngs army led by the Lord of Brezey great Senâ—shall of Normandie hee commands all his archers and the greatest part of his men at armes to leaue their horses and euery man to plant a stake before him in the formost rankes to withstand the furie of the horse behind he compasseth himselfe in with his carriages and on the fâ—ank he fâ—rtifies himselfe with a forest adioyning hauing resolued to sight on foote in a place of aduantage for the foote before that all Lewis his troupes were ioyned Lewis had about two thousand two hundred well appointed Lances besides the Nobility of Daulphiné and some gentlemen of Sauoie and Bresse a great number of Archers and other men of warre but not equall to the Bourguignon God who disposeth of battailes would now chastise our King but not to his ruine The Earle Charolois like a great commander in war vsed a good stratagem seeing the French army could not descend into the valley of Tourfou but by smal troups fâ—r wheÌ„ as tâ—e fâ—reward appeered they were not aboue 400. Lances yet hee gaue respit to tâ—eÌ„ that were farthest off to set forward whilest the two armies spend the time in light 〈◊〉 â—â—shes and Canonshots Hauing past some foure houres the Earle aduertised that the 〈◊〉 being sent for by the King might come and compasse him in behind he 〈◊〉 fâ—â—st our foreward doth likewise march but he beats them backe vnto the 〈◊〉 and to dislodge them from thence hee fiers certaine houses so as the winde 〈◊〉 the slaâ—e and smoake into our archers faces who did likewise fight on foot â—â— forceth theâ— to abandon the place and to recouer their horses The Bourguignons 〈◊〉 mount gallop after our runn-awayes but they had recouered a long large â—â—tch â—hich they found by chance in the field with a strong quickset hedge behind the which they breathed whilest the enemy labored in the pursute but issâ—ing aâ— eyther 〈◊〉 troup vpon the Bourgongnons they charge them so resolutly as they turne their 〈◊〉 ouerthrowing their owne archers in the flight some recouer their carriages and soâ—e the â—orest â—mongest others the Earle of S. Paul his bretheren the Lords of Rauâ—â—â—in Haplaincourt d' Aâ—mâ—ries d' Inchi Rabodenges many others The nobility of Daulphine Sauoiâ— Bresse had the chiefe honor of this defeate The archers thus broken reâ—ained at the mercy of the French But being pestred with the baggage some Bourguignons rallied togither turne their carts compasse them in beat them downe with great bettles of lead And to increase the losse Charolois fighting on the right hand towards the Castel had an easie victory ouer our men chasing theÌ„ back aboue a thousand paceâ— But hauing intelligeÌ„ce that they were ioyned againe that if he passed but two arrow shoots farther he should be taken he returned sodeâ—ly incounters an amazed troâ—pe of footemen flying in the village He chargeth them but no man turnes head sauing onlie one soldiar who strooke him on the brest with a borespeare but the foote man lost his life with some fewe others who could not in time recouer the gradens orchards As he passed against the Castell he met by chance with a troupe of men at armes which saued themselues from the route at the cariages one of them in the charge giues him a dangerous wound in the throat with his sword by reason of his beuer that was fallen Iefferie of Saint Belain called la Hire Baylife of Chaumont and Gilbert of Grassay knewe him they presse him to yeeld and not to be slaine but behold the sonne of a Physitian of Paris called Iohn Cadet the historie in truth owes his name for so worthy an act being big and mighty of body