might easily desend it The could not enter but with the tide and wind and the foure first ships repulsed had fallen backe vpon the rest of the fleet and disordred them They must of necessitie fight neere vnto their land 1545. and fauoured by their Fortes and Canon had they not meanes to hinder the approach to the great preiudice of â—uâ— fleete and our ships bording and grapling the force of the current had driuen them on ground one vpon anotheâ— There was as little reason to fight at anchor the Cables might be cutt and this inconuenience auoided the danger was not lesse for the nature of the current is to turne the prowe so as our ships in steed of the prowe or the broad side must haue presented their poupe to the enemie Moreouer their anchors not â—ble to stay the ships sodenly by reason of the violent turning of the streame eyther the Anchor or Cable might breake and by consequence cast the ships on ground They therefore propound two things in counsell either to saile into Picardie to fortifie the Kings armie The French consult to take the Isle of VVight to fortifie it and to cut off all succours from Boullen or to fortifie the Isle of Wight Many reasons perswaded the most part to the last opinion for hauing the Iâ—le at their deuotion they might easily become Lords of Portsmouth one of the goodliest ports of England and forcing the enemy to maintaine a continuall armie both by land and sea to crosse the Conquerours desseins it would consume them in exceeding expences Moreouer they kept the passage of Spaine and Flanders and might in time till the Iland and make it yeeld victuals sufficient to maintaine men for the garde thereof Without doubt this was an oportunitie which hath not since happened to oppose a strong barre betwixt both the realmes But let vs say that he which holds both land and Sea within the palme of his hand would leaue this Iland in the power of her ancient and lawfull Lord. But howsoeuer the Admirall might easily haue left foure thousand men and foure thousand Pioners for the defence of the Iland as he did to â—ortifie the Kings armie before Boullen after the ouerthrow of the Cheualier d' Aux a Prouensall and Captaine of the Galleys of Normandie leauing his Fleet well manned As the Admirall lay at Anchor before Boullen a Westerne winde ariseth and makes him to seeke harbour vpon the coast of England Being at the Perrais and there kept by force of winde and a swolne sea the English fleete thinking to haue the aduantage imbarke speedily being a hundred good ships and come with full sailes against our men hauing the winde in powpe The violence of the windes the greatnesse of the seas which might haue taken from our men the vse and seruice of their galleys gaue them hope of victorie On the other side the Admirall feared that the tempest would driue him to shoare or force him to weigh Anchor in disorder for that the bad wether would not suffer them to keepe together and with great danger to passe the straite at Calais or else to take his course towards Flanders and so they might stop his passage in his returne moreouer foule wether might stay him so long as hee should want victuals and in the meane time the enemie who to attend him at the passage would come to Boullen would disturbe the Kings Fortes that hee pretended to make the which he desired by all meanes to preuent And therefore following the aduice of his Captaines hee attends at Anchor the change of the tide The next day the winde and tide fauours him so as he desires to incounter the enemie The night passeth and at the breake of day the English armie appeares He followes them but was so becalmed as he could not aduance but with the tide Eyther seeke to gette the winde and coasting neere salute one another with the Canon Some ships are sunke and some men perish in the sea In the end the enemie seeing our men to haue gotte the winde set saile and take their course to the Isle of Wight hauing both winde and tide which carried them without disorder to their Port and the night approching ended the combate The enemie hauing recouered a safe Port the Admirall tooke his course towards New-hauen to refresh his Armie and to land many sicke men languishing in the shippes This was about the middest of August In the middest of August the King meant to execute his enterprise vpon Guines whereof we haue spoken His armie was of twelue thousand French twelue thousand Lansquenets sixe thousand Italians and foure thousand Legionaries a thousand or hundred men at armes and seuen or eight hundred light horse But the fort before Boullen was no more defensible then eight dayes after it was begun Fiâ—st not built vpon the point as it was appointed right against the Tower of Ordre but against base Foullen so as it could no way stoppe the entrie of the ships into the hauen The Marshall of Biez excused himselfe that they had giuen him to vnderstand he should find no water there and that thesoldiars could not lodge for the violence of the winds Secondly hee relyed vppon his Ingeneur Anthonie Mellon an Italien Captaine who was held to be a man of experience and a good souldiar who being ignorant of his measures made the worke fruitles for two moneths The Marshal notwithstanding assures the King that within eight dayes the fort would be defensible but it was no more forward then at the first day And to couer this defect he lets the Captaines vnderstand that he is aduertised how the enemie assembled at Calis to come and succour Boullen by land holding it in danger to be farnished he was therefore resolued to passe the riuer and to abandon the fort And without imparting of any thing to the Lord of Estrue Marshall of the Campe who contradicted this desseine hee leaues three or foure thousand men in the fort and goes to lodge at Mont-Lambert within Canon short of the Towne to make head against the enemie and to fight with him if he came to succour the Towne But what lâ—kelyhood was there that the English being weaker in force and numbers would hazard a battaile and by land seeing that one shippe would carrie more victuals then a thousand carts come and victuall a Towne which daily he might refresh by sea without danger in sight of the enemie But in effect it was a great honour for the Marshall of Biez to see so many yong Princes subiect to his commaund and if Boullen had beene recouered he had lost the authoritie to command so goodly and mightie an armie The hope of a battaile made all the youth in Court post to Mont Lambert the Dukes of Anguien Neuers Aumale Thouars Lord of Tremouille the Earle of Laual and others who by continuall skirmishes sometimes with gaine sometimes with losse did trie their valours with the
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
whence the name of Austrich is properly deriued being then of a greater command then at this day for it conteined Hongarie Valachia Bohemia Transiluania Denmarke and Poland Then was our Monarchie great but all these nations haue either returned to their first beginnings or were seized on by new Lords It was very needful to shew the estate that we might obserue the declyning thereof with the motiues and seasons of these diuerse changes Thus the French Monarchie grew great by the happie valour of Charlemagne and his children grew in age and knowledge by the wise care of their father who framed them to affaires meaning first to make them succeed him in his vertues and then after in his dominions But man purposeth and God disposeth France Italie Germanie Spaine Hongarie made the Romaine Empire in the West Charles being master of these goodly Prouinces was in effect Emperour therof There wanted nothing but the sollemne declaration of this dignitie to haue the title as he inioyed the thing and to be autentically inuested by a free and publike declaration of his possession The prouideÌ„ce of God who gaue him the thing procured him the title by this means Leo was the Pope of Rome against whome was raised a strange sedition by Siluester and Campull 798 men of great credit in the Court of Rome Vpon a sollemne day of procession they seize vpon Leâ— The occasion why Chaâ—â—emagne was proclaymed Emperour before Saint Laurence Church they strip him of his Pontificall roabes cast him to the ground tread him vnder their feete bruse his â—ace with their fistes and hauing drawne him ignominiously through the dirt they cast him into pryson but he stayed not there being freed by a grome of his Chamber called Albin and hauing recouered Saint Peters Church hee intreated Vingise Duke of Spolete to free him from this miserable Captiuity Vingise fayled him not hee came to Rome and carried him to Spolete Being arriued there hee presently went into France to Charlemagne whome he found full of troubles yet Charles neglected all other affaires to assist Leo in his necessity So as hee came to Rome with a goodly army to succor the Pope where hee did speedily pacifie the confusions where-with Rome was afflicted punishing Leoes enemies according to Lawe They demanded audience the which Charles graunted them assembling the Clergie and people to heare and decide this scandalous controuersie But when as hee demanded their opinions the Prelates told him plainely that the Church of Rome could not be iudged by any other then by it selfe and that the Pope ought not to vndergo the censure of any man lyuing and that he himselfe ought to be iudge in his owne cause Charlemagne willingly leaues the iudgement seate and then Pope Leo mounted vp his throane where after hee had protested by oath to be innocent of those crimes wherewith his enemies had charged him he absolues himselfe and condemnes his enemies according to his Cannon The Pope is Iudge of all men and all things and not to be iudgeâ— by any Charlemagne being drawne to Rome vpon this occasion finds all disposed to declare him Emperour of the West seeing that with the price of his bloud opposing himselfe against the furies and incursions of barbarous nations hee had valiantly gotten possession of the Empire The beginning of the Empire of Charlemagne Acknowledged and installed Emperour by a free consent of the Romaine people in the yeare of grace 800. 800 THE Pope by this possession acknowledging Charles for true Emperour Charlemagne Crowned Emperour crownes him Emperour of Rome with a full consent of all the Romaine people which assisted at his Coronation crying with one generall voice happines long life victory to Charles Augustus Crowned the great and peaceable Emperour of the Romains alwaies happie and victorious This was in the yeare 800. on Christmas day the thirtith yeare of the raigne of Charles Italy hauing suffred a horrible confusion during the space of 33. yeares without Emperour without Lawes and without order The seat of the Romane Empire since Constantine the great remayned at Constantinople a Cittie of Thrace situate in a conuenient place â—or the gard of the Easterne Prouinces all the West being full of new guests who hauing expelled the Romaines the name authoritie and force of the Empire remained in the East where the State was in a strange confusion the mother being banded against her sonne and the people within themselues Constantine sonne to Leo the fourth was Emperour being gouerned from his infancie with the Empire by his mother Irene being come to the age of twentie yeares hee tooke vpon him the gouernment There was then a great diuision in the East continued from father to sonne for 80. yeares touching Images The Bishops would needes bring them into the Christian Church 801. The Emperours with the greatest part of the people opposed themselues This contention had his beginning vnder Philip Bardanes as wee haue sayd continued vnder Leo Isaurus and from him to his sonne Constantin surnamed Copronimus and of Leo the 4. sonne to the sayd Consâ—antin This disquieted all the East with infinit scandals The same fire continued in the minority of Constantin gouerned by his mother a woman of a violent spirit who hauing vndertaken the protection of Images held a Councell of many Bishops for the defence thereof but the people growing into a mutiny expelled them Constantinople by force where their assembly was held But this woman resolute to proceed assemble the same Councell at Nicea a Citty of Bithinia honored to haue harbored the first generall Councell vnder Constantin the great the first of that name where it was decreed that the Images of Saints should be planted in Christian Churches for deuotion Charlemagne did not alowe of this decree and eyther himselfe or some other by his command did write a small treatise against this Councell the which wee see at this day with this title A treaty of Charlemagnes touching Images against the Greeke Synode This cunning woman had made choise of the Citty of Nicea that the name of this ancient first Councell might honour this newe introduction with the pretext of antiquity for there are some that confound the first Councell of Nicea with the second and Constantin the 4. with the first Constantin continued in the hereditary hatred of his father and grand-father against Images so as beeing of age and in absolute possession of the Estate hee disanulled all these new decrees and caused the Images to be beaten downe in all places yet he made all shewes of respect vnto his mother yeelding vnto her a good part of his authority and command This respect was the cause of a horrible Tragedy for this womâ—â— transported for two causes both by reason of her newe opinion and for despight that shee had not the whole gouernment in herselfe growes so vnkind as shee resolues to dispossesse her sonne of the Empire and to seize on it her selfe Thus
by the decree of Clement But this was not all those which were opposite to the Emperour chose in the place of Gregory Vrbain the 2. and their party growing strong the confusions increased opposing oâ—e Emperour against another Herman of Luxembourg to Henry and after him Egbert Marquis of Saxony the which were taken by Henry and slaine one after another Vrbain hath other practises against Henry hee animates his owne sonne by his first wife against him forcing all the lawes of nature The Pope incenseth the sonne against the father who takes from him both his Empire his life And as Henry had suppressed the practises of this his eldest sonne Pope Paschall who succeeded Vrbain the 2. succeeds him euen in the like monstrous practises incensing his other sonne Henry whom the father intended to make Emperour relying on him as on his child beloued aboue all the rest So this sonne bewitched by ill councell found meanes to seaze on his Father depriuing him first of the Empire and then of his life The Pope added to this death a new disgrace causing by his thundring Bulls The Popes malice against the Emperour being dead the body of Henry to be digged out of his graue These were the fruites of their serious controuersies for preheminence not onely vnknowne to the ancient Church nor practised by the Apostles but expreslie forbidden by the holy mouth of the sonne of God The Popes one after another troubled with these crosses had recourse vnto our Philip so had Henry the 4. being a prisoner to his sonne but the respect of his coÌ„mon friends made him to keepe the stakes and to be a spectator of these lamentable confusions And yet many orders were erected by the Popes amiddest these disorders that of the regular Chanoines for a difference of the secular the Charteaux Templiers Benedictins and Carmes Thus Philip a witnesse of others miseries raignes peaceably during this age full of confusion both in Church and State The Emperour had reduced the realme of Bourgongne to the Imperiall iurisdiction distinguished as wee haue sayd but during these disorders The begining of the estaâ—es of Daulphiné Sauoy Prouence and Francâ—e Conté the whole body was dismembred and reduced to an other forme as when one is wearie of an old garment The industrie of such as held the Citties and Countrie in their possession made foure peeces of this garment The one was for Otho of Flanders which is the Countrie about Besançon with the title of an Earledome whereof it carryes yet the name The other for Berald of Saxony who enioyed Sauoy The third for Guigue the fatte Earle of Grisiuaudan who from little grewe so great in the confusions of times hauing taken the chiefe Citties of the Country and in the end Grenoble the capitall Citty as he became absolute Lord of all that Prouince the which hee called Daulphiné in fauour of his Sonne who hauing married the Daughter of the Earle of Albon and Vâ—ennois named Daulphin would carry the same name holding himselfe honoured by so worthy an allyance The fourth peece is Prouence one of the goodlyest and richest both for the fertilitie of the Countrie and commoditie of Ports most conuenient in all the Mediterranian Sea this was fallen into the hands of Berengers successors by the meanes before specified So the Empire lost the command of these foure Prouinces which fell to foure diuers Lords leauing yet in Daulphiné some traces of the ancient name without any effect for they yet call it the Empire in their common language as wee haue sayd elsewhere But as during the raigne of our Philip these confusions were notable Voyage to the Holy Land so that great and renowned voyage to the Holy Land made by our Argonaâ—tes Christians â—s worthy to be carefully obserued The proiect was to deliuer the Christians of Asia â—ormented by the furious tyranie of the Mahâ—metaines and to repeople the land the which God had honoured with the first fruits of his Church This zeale of Christians was commendable I would to God they had at this day changed their disordered passions glutted with their owne bloud into so holy a resolution vniting their mindes and forces against the common enemie of all Christendome The occasion was giuen by a French Gentleman called Peter the Hermite The motiâ—â— of this enterprisâ— who hauing long trauelled in the East and seene the miseries of the Christians among the Barbarians the maners of the Leuantins and the commodities and discommodities of the Prouinces of Asia neerest to the Holy Land he laide a pâ—ot with Simeon Patriarck of Ierusalem to solicite all Christian Kings and Princes to imploy their forces for the conquest of the Holy land The euent was answerable to the proiect for being come to Rome to Pope Vrbain the 2. he did so well lay open the estate and importance of this action as being satisfied by him he resolues to inuite all the Kings Princes Potentates States Comoâ—altieâ— Lords and Gentlemen of Christendome therevnto To this end hee calls a Councell at Clermont in Auuergâ—e where he assisted himselfe and induced the whole assemblie by his perswasions with so great efficacie as they resolued neither to spare their persons nor estates in the execution of so important a worke Godefroy of Bouilâ—on sonne to Eustace Earle of Boulogne vpon the Sea being Duke of Lorraine by his Vncle Godefroy the Crooke-back the sonne of Gothelon a great and a generous Prince ofâ—â—ed himselfe the first to this expedition and was chosen chiefe of this famous action The Emperour and all Christian Princes promised to contribute their meanes some their persons A troupe of all the selected Nobilitie of Europe did willingly consecrate themselues The names of such as went to the Holy land The most apparent were Eustace and Baldwin brothers to Godefroy Hugh the great Earle of Vermandois brother to Philip King of France Robert the Frison Earle of Flanders Robert the second sonne to William the Bastard Duke of Normandie and King of England Stephen Earle of Blois and Chartres Aimar Bishop of â—uy William Bishop of Oranges Raimond Earle of Tholose and Saint Gilles Baldwin Earle of Hainault Baldwin Earle of Retbel Bohemond Duke of Apouâ—lie Garnier Earle of Grez Harpin Earle of Bourges Ysoard Earle of Die Rambaud Earle of Oranges William Earle of Forest Stephen Earle of Aumal Hugh Earle of S. Pol Rotron Earle of Perche and many others worthy to be registred in this Historie I haue onely noted such as I could finde out All Europe was moued with this voyage France Germanie Italy England Scotland Hongarie Denmarke and Sueden Spaine onely failed being at that time much troubled to keepe their owne home from the Sarrazins who were lodged euen in their bowels France did contribute more then all the rest of Christendom The zeale which moued these generous and valiant men made them to hazard all Dukes Marquises Earles Barons Knights and Gentlemen sold and ingaged their Seigneuries
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
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
the English Bowe-men All fâ—â—e some here some there without order without command and without courage and few fight Such as made head were slaine The rest saue themselues within Orleans There were fiue or sixe hundred of our men slaine vpon the place The English lost but one man called Brisanteau The chiefe of our side were the Lord of Oruall of the Noble house of Albret Iohn Stuard Chasteaubrun Montpipel Verduisant Larigot La Greue Diuray Puilly with better then a hundred Gentlemen This ouerthrow was called the battaile of Herings for that they carried them to the besiegers The amazement was greater then the losse for that the Earle of Clermont a Prince of the bloud who should haue beene a ring-leader of resolution and magnanimitie in these extreame accidents was so amazed with this losse as he retired with his men leauing the Cittie to the bastard of Orleans who resolues to attend the end of this siege at what price soeuer In this gallant resolution he was vertuouslie seconded by the Lords of Guitry Gaucourt Grauille Villars La Hire and Xaintrailles lights of great hope in this cruell storme and worthy of eternall memorie in that they dispaired not of this monarchie in so apparent dispaire And that which is chiefely to be obserued herein The King in dispaire of his aâ—â—aires the King vnderstanding this retreate of the Earle of Clermont said that he did see no meanes to saue the rest from shipwrack To increase this feare the Duke of Bourgongne comes to Paris at the same instant with a troupe of six hundred men at armes richly appointed Our Commanders being full of resolution were not onely to incounter with the English but with the confusion of times the Kings mâ—sfortune and which was worst of all the amazement of the men of warre who discouered plainly the disorder of the State They were loth to cast the helme after the hatchet but sought the most assured meanes to saue the Cittie in this storme Orleans stands vpon termes to yeeld to the Duke of Bourgongne They aduertise the King hereof who was so irreâ—olute as he referres all to their discretions They resolue to deliuer the Towne into the Duke of Bourgognes hands to keepe it for the Duke of Orleance or the Duke of Angoulesme his brother being then prisoners in England with the Kings good liking Pothon Xaintrailles and Peter of Orson wiâ—e and valiant men go to Paris to the Duke of Bedford vpon his assurance The Duke of Bedford refuseth the Deputies and discontents the Bourguignon He heares them and returnes them presently both for that he distrusted the Duke of Bourgongne and held the conquest assured The Burguignon was greatly discontented with the Duke of Bedford for his refusall whom after that time he neuer loued The English triumphed thus as a victor so as our Ambassadors could hardly saue themselues with their pasport Then the English saith the originall being in great prosperitie had no consideration that the wheele of fortune hath power to turne dayly But the holy veritie of the church which drawes vs to the wise prouidence of God cries I haue said to the fooles play not the fooles and to the wicked Lift not vp your hornes speake not with so great pride for greatnesse comes not from the East noâ— West neither from the Northâ—â— is God that raiseth vp and casteth downe He holds a cup of Wine in his hand he imparts it tâ— euery one as he pleaseth Truely the pride of the English who possessed of this Monarchy being drunke with his good fortune was nowe come to his height there remained nothing but the hand of the soueraigne Iudge to suppresse him but he shall not long hold it O my country forget not the time of thy visitation reade in this true discourse the estate of thy predecessors Remember their afflictions behold their feare see the image of that time wherein thou hast borne a part and iudge if now onely thou beginnest to be afflicted In this extremity as the French were exceedingly distressed so the English were transported with ioy for their late victory The estate of the French desperate and reioycing with a new hope as if all were wonne they cry to the besieged Will you buy my faire herings At the same instant the townsmen issue forth vpon the shoare The Earle of Salisbury stoode at a window in the tower vppon the bridge beholding the skirmish when as one of his Captaines named Glacidas said vnto him My Lord behold here your citty here may you view it plainely But behold a Cannon charged with stones was shot from the Towne The Earle of Salisbury slain before Oâ—leans which aymed at the Earles head strooke him and left him dead in the place This vnexpected blow comming as it were from heauen changed this exceeding ioy of the English into mourning being a man of great valour who by his carriage had wonne great credit among them beloued honoured of all for the mildenesse of his manners So this losse troubled both the wits and affaires of the English armie The Lord Talbot commandâ— in his place the which had greatly disbanded if the Earle of Suffolke Talbot Iohn Fastoll and Scales famous Captaines had not happily beene there to reuiue their spirits and forces attending the Duke of Bedfords pleasure who gaue the charge to Talbot beeing the choise of their best men with new foâ—ces So as the siege is continued with more vehemencie then before with great presumptions that all would go worse with the besieged In this occurrent Charles knewe not what to doe to whom should he flie his Princes forsake him Orleans beeing taken whether should he retire Bourges was ready to yeeld and withall the Country adioyning King Charles his miserablâ— estate He had no whole Prouinces vnder his obedience but Languedoc and Daulphiné And at the same instant the Bourguignon and Sauoyard prouide worke for him in those countries The taking then of Orleans which in reason seemed vnavoydable was the ouerthrowe of Charles and his estâ—te There was no winking at that which was too apparent That considering the estate of his affaires in generall and of his house in particular If Orleans should be lost all the citties vpon the riuer of Loire and in like fort the rest already varring would abandon him Amidest these fearefull considerations what could the braue and Noble Commanders within Orleans doe but plant their hopes in God and in themselues A soueraigne remedâ—e in extreame daungers So to purchase an honourable and profitable composition they set a good face on it giuing the English to vnderstand that if they desired their liues they should buye them deerely France reduced to so great an extreamity and truely such as men could doe no more behold God raiseth vp an extraordinary meanes the which meanes reason could not foresee and much lesse prouide A meanes which reuiued the daunted spirits God raiseth vp a newe meanes
many discourse The Virgin answered We must go to Rheims to crowne the King It is true the King is the lawfull heire but his right is called in question by the English this maske deceiues many and makes them disobedient As for the meanes leaue that to the God of Heauen he will prouide for it This aduice preuailed as an Oracle all things are prepared in readinesse for the Coronation Charles retires to Bourges for this intent as if the preseruer of the Monarchie would mocke his enemies who called him King of Bourges in iest For shortly after hee partes from Bourges to bee proclaimed King of France But whilest hee attends there vntill that all things may bee made fitte for his iourney to Rheims behold an encrease of good newes to crowne his late and happy victorie against the English That the Bourguignon and Sauoyard who would haue seized vpon Daulphine were defeated The particular of this discourse is The realme beeing set to sale to Strangers and that euery one sought to haue his part The desseine of the Bourguignon and Sauoyard in Daulphiné Languedoâ— the Dukes of Bourgongne and Sauoie had layed a plott to appropriate vnto themselues both Daulphiné and Languedoâ— with other Prouinces that obeyed Charles vsing in this negotiation the helpe of Lewis of Chaalons Prince of Orange a man of valour and credit especially in those Countries by reason of his principality which laie neere vnto them The diuision of this marchandise was thus made betwixt them three The Bourguignon had the Viennois neere vnto Lions and that which depended on Lions whereon hee had cast his eye to make profit of that goodly Cittie Grisâ—uaudan with Grenoble euen to Romans Ambrunois Gapensois Briançonois and all the Countries of the Mountaynes were the Sauoyards part The Orangeois to inlarge his principality had Valentinois Dyois and the Baronies where hee held some land vnder the obedience of this Crowne This portion was alotted to him for his paines They all arme vpon this proiect euen when as the English pressed Orleans most The best houses of Bourgongne and Sauoie contribute to this warre as to a fleete that goes to the East or the West Indies but they had not assured their venture in the port with an intent to haue all the proffit This leuie is made with great shewe the Duke of Sauoie sends fiue hundred Lances Preparationâ— against Daulphiné and Languedoc vnder the commaund of the Lord of Varembon besids voluntaries and three thousand foote The Bourguignon with his mothers assistance a thousand Lances Many Noblemen repayre thether as to an assured gaine There were leuied in his territories nine or ten thousand foote The Princes of Orange assembles a goodly troupe as well of his subiects as of his friends in Prouence where hee had a good portion and for his beginning hee seizeth vpon Enton a Towne vpon the Rosne a fitt passage for Sauoie and Bourgoâ—gne and Colombiers a Castell of great importance neere vnto it Hauing brought sixteene hundered men thether he attends the troupes of Bourgongne and Sauoie which repaire vnto him daylie Hee putts fortie men at armes into Colombiers for the gard of the place and keepes the rest of the troupes about him with great securitie fearing no enemie in this generall amazement of the Kings affaires but the successe was contrarie to his desseine for Raoul of Gaucourt gouernour of Daulphiné resolues in this extremitie who attending no succors from the King beeing visibly ingaged and in great danger doth husband such forces as hee could gather togither within his gouernment from Lions and Viuarez Countries that were vnder the French obedience Imbert of Grosâ—e gouernour of Lions and Marshall of Daulphiné Iohn de Leuis Baron of la Voute the Lords of Ioyeuse Turnon and Crusol great men in the Countrie of Viuarez did their best deuoir the Nobility of Daulphiné renoumed alwayes for their fidelity and valour assisted as much as could bee desired in so great a necessitie The Baron of Maubec is noted aboue the rest for his well deseruing Don Roderigo de Villandras a Castillian was there with a goodly and valiant troupe The Lord of Caucourt resolues to charge the Prince of Orange with this troupe â—â—uing him no leisure to assemble the body of his Armie the which increased â—â—ily So without any further delay he besiegeth Colombiers and takes it by force before the Orangeoiâ— had any intelligence of his approache Hauing this good successe hee would giue the enemie no time to take breath but desirous to make his profit of this happy beginning he partes sodenly with these resolute troupes to drawe the Prince of Orange to fight who was then parted from Enton hauing intellâ—gence onely of the siege but not of the taking of Colombiers beleeuing confidently that the very brute of his forces would make our men to hide them selues but hee was deceiued Hee had foure thousand men with him and Gaucourt had about two thousand The Prince of Orange defeated yet notwithstanding his small number being nothing amazed hee chargeth and defeates them The neerenesse of Enton saues many There were fiue hundred slaine vpon the place and two hundred of the brauest Souldiers taken prisoners The Prince of Orange hauing recouered Enton passeth the Rosne in a boate and saues himselfe The common report is that hee passed this violent streame on horsebacke all armed The people of that Country do beleeue it from father to Sonne that this horse was kept died at Orange hauing a long time been nourished there by the Princes commandement acknowledging the seruice he had receiued of this beast in his extreame necessity Monstrelet sayeth That he parted in great disorder and was chased euen vnto Authun Alain Charretier Secretary to our King Charles writes in expresse words That he passed the Rosne at the ferrie of Enton He setts downe that the bootie was aboue a hundred thousand Crownes besides many notable prisoners of Bourgongne and Sauoie which came to bee spoyled thinking to do the like to our Charles This defeate happened the twentith of May the same day that the English which retired from Orleans were defeated at Patay To credit the worke against such as made their accompâ— alone without God who seeking to rauish an other mans goods vniustlie lost their owne deseruedly Thus GOD workes speedily as may appeere by the course of so many happy exployts linkt one to an other in this moneth of May as a prediction of the restoring of this estate in this Realme The Bourguignons and the Sauoâ—ards desseine being disapointed by this defeat Gaucourt resolues to haue his priuate reuenge of the Orangeois beeing the factor of this filthie traficke To conclude without giuing him any respit hee passeth the Rosne with his victorious armes takes many places from him the which he sackes and burnes But not ingaging himselfe farther in the Franche-Conté where those of Chaalons haue many goodly places â—aucourt takes Oranges from
you haue yet done So the accord was made without comprehending of these three The Dukes of Bourbon and Alenson sweare to serue the King and yeeld vp Loches Corbeil Bois de Vincennes Sancerre Sancouins Erie Conterobert and other places which they held The Daulphin remaynes with his father who changeth all his trayne except his confessor and Cooke But all this is but counterfeit you shal soone see other broyles This phrensie of state bred in the Kings house against the King himselfe was by our Ancestors called the Pragâ—â—â—y Nine monthes of this yeare being spent in these garboiles Charles returnes to Tours to prouide for the raysing of the seege at Harfleu where the Earle of Somerset had lien long but it was in vaine for the Towne was taken in the end after a long and painfull constancie of the Inhabitants who could not be releeued in time by reason of these home-bred troubles and yet there was a second mischiefe The Lord of Gaucourt gouernor of Daulphiné a most profitable seruant of the King returning from the seege and causing some of his baggage which was scattered from the troupe to retire he was surprised by a companie of English and led prisoner to Rouen to the great griefe of Charles who loued him hauing giuen good testymones of his loyaltie in his greatest extremities But in exchange Charles takes Conches and Loâ—â—iers Townes of importance in Normandie from thence he came into Champaigne to subdue a part of these aduenturing theeues who had surprized some places in this Prouince Musse l'Euesque Montagu and others The Kings army led by the Constable takes them and razed them by the Kings commande pardoning most of these theeuish Captaines the bastard of Vergy and the Lord of Commercy A memorable execution but he caused Alexander bastard of Iohn Duke of Orleans to be drowned a notable theefe who hauing followed the discontented Princes had spoken vnworthilie of his maister This execution of Iustice is memorable vpon one of so high a birth being followed the same yeare with the exemplarie death of Gylâ—s de Raiz Marshall of France issued from a great and famous house The Marshall de Raiz burnt for sorcerie who beeing found guilty of Negromancie and Sorcerie was condemned by the Court of Parliament of Brittaine and burnt at Nantes with some of his seruants culpable of the same crymes He was honored for his valour but neither his armes nor his bloud could stay the hand of diuine Iustice meritoriously exâ—cuted by this iust decree of the magistrate Priuate actions worthie to be registred in the historie to shew that the greatest cannot flie the hand of God after they haue long abused his patience But the treaty of peace betwixt France and England being discontinued aboue a yeare was againe reuiued by the industrie of the Duchesse of Bourgongne a Portugall but much affected to the quiet of the Realme and a very sufficient woman who had great credit with her husband She followes it so wisely as in the ende two Kings sends their Ambassadors to Calais On Charles his behalfe were the Archbishops of Rheims Narbon A treatâ—e betwixt the two Kings for a peace but 〈◊〉 and the Earle of Dunois bastard of Orleans For Henry King of England the Cardinall of Yorke and the Duke of Exeter who brought with them Charles Duke of Orleans so being longe kept prisoner in England This poore Prince after the languishing of so long a prison was exceeding glad to see some meanes to returne to his house hauing felt the aire on this side the Sea and imbraced the Earle of Dunois one of the branches of his house hee who â—ad so faithfully serued him in his afflictions but hee greeued to see himselfe presently carried backe into England for that they could not agree vpon the foundamenttall points the English being resolute not to leaue one foote of that which they held in France And although the King were content they should freely inioy what they possessed so as they held it as they had done in times past of the Crowne of France by homage yet would they not yeeld in any sort being loath to relinquish their pretended souerainty But he refuseth which afterwards doth sue At this time they were inforced to retire with this resolution That without infringing any thing of the treaty begun euerie one should go home and consider of his affaires to assemble againe when neede should require The Duke of Orleans deliuered the which eyther part desired And this is al could be done for the general They proceeded farther for the duke of Orleans but as in these trafficks such as hold the possession do coÌ„monly vse policy the stronger giuing lawe to the weaker so in so precious matter as life the English must bee sued vnto making no hast to deliuer him for that they drewe great profit yearely for the pension of this great Prince Moreouer Charles had no great care of his deliuerie for that some malicious spirits had seasoned him with some bad impression against this poore Prince perswading him that his long imprisonment was not without some mistery and that it hatched some mischiefe against the King and his estate The which being miserable in so great a person gaue all men a iust cause of compassion But notwithstanding all these difficulties yet must this Prince one of the goodliest plants of this Crowne be now deliuered to leaue a successor for the realme of France The diuers aâ—flictions of the Duke of Orleans and God who would honor his race with the Crowne had prepared an admirable meanes for his deliuery by his helpe from whom in reason he might least hope euen when his owne friends had abandoned him A notable example for all men in many respects a prison of fiue and twentie years was a great affliction to a Prince borne to commande and yet captiue to an other The losse of all his goods gaue him a sufficient occasion to resolue to perpetual miserie and to leaue it for an inheritance to his posterity In the ende sclander a most cruell sting to a generous minde which hath honour for his assured Treasor had beene able to suppresse him But God who goâ—erns the rodde wisely giues him libertie goods and honour in due season in despight of this deuilish enuy which seeking to afflict the afflicted and controuling aduersitie as well as prosperity is then corrected when it seekes to correct an other but God doth neuer send helpes too late The Duke of Bourgongne vndertaks for the Duke of Orleans ransome Philip hauing resolued to do this good turne for the Duke of Orleans and to withdraw him out of prison compouÌ„ds for his ransome with the King of England for three hundred thousand Crownes He giues his word for it and payes it and so Charles Duke of Orleans being honorably conducted comes first to Calais where the mony beeing payed hee comes free to Grauelin to the Duke of Bourgongne his deliuerer
King of England had a lawefull 〈◊〉 Gâ—iâ—â—ne bends all his forces to driue the English out of Guienne the which hee had inioyed by a lawefull title aboue a hundred yeares Charles assembles his great Councell with the chiefe of his Prouinces at Tours 1451. for the performance of this voiage of Guienne and to finde meanes how to maintayne his army This done he giues the gouernment of Normandie to his Constable and setled Peter of Brezay at Rouen for the well preseruing of that which he had happily gotten And to bee the neerer to his affaires he resolues to remaine at Tailbourg for all occurrents He had then a small army in Guienne vnder the commande of the Earle of Foix who had not onely kept the enemie in breath during the warres of Normandie but also had wonne part of the Country by the taking of Mauleon in Sole and Guisans Three French armies in Guienne Charles giues the commande of the army to the Earle of Dunois and Longueuille a bastard of Orleans but the Earle of Ponthieure and Perigort haue an other part to molest the English in diuers quartes yet these three armies shall make but one bodie vnder this lieutenant general to his Maister when the necessity of his seruice shall winne them all in one The Earle of Ponthieure did happily begin the conquest of Guienne in taking of Bergerac the which was well defended and then Gensac Saint Poy and Montferrand with their dependances by the terror of his victorious armes Our braue Gascons did no lesse on their side About the same time Amalon d' Albret Lord of Oruâ—ll was in garrison at Tartas a Towne of good presage being the beginning of many blessings which God gaue vnto France Hee had scarse six hundred men at armes and some good footemen of the Countrie but he was well accompanied with Toleresse Robin and Epinasse wise and valiant Captaines and with his generous resolution the hereditarie ornament of his noble house He shewed by the effects that we must not number the men but weigh their valour for with this small troup he presumes to braue Bourdeaux euen at their gates and giues a Lawe vnto the Country of Medoe making not onely the whole Country to contribute but also to bring their commodities to Tartas The â—ourdelois to free themselues not onely from these brauadoes but from their ordinarie toyle and charge thrust on by the authority and commande of the Eâ—gâ—iâ—â— who were then their superiors leauie eight thousand men vnder their Maâ—ors commande The Cittizens promise themselues an assured victorie but this troupe incounters them defeats them kills and takes them prisoners The neere retreate preserued many but there remayned two thousand vpon the place and the victor led two thousand two hondred prisoners to Tartas the which were taken like sâ—ares in a nett from whome he drewe great ransomes with the honor to haue vanquished a great multitude with fewe men This onely was memorable during that yeare The next shall bring vs in an absolute victorie of all that held in Guienne for the English Charles hauing giuen some respit to his Nobility and men of warre 1452. appoints the first day of May to go to field The army was verie faire the Earle of Dunois had the chiefe commande as we haue sayed the which did not hinder Iohn Earle of Angoulâ—â—me brother to the Duke of Orleans from ioyning with the army with a goodly troupe of the Nobility as the Lords of Taillebourg Pons Rochefoucault Rochechouard and â—â—â—terre Duke Chaâ—les was then in Italie for his priuate affaires whence he shall returne with an other traine when he shal be King Philip Duke oâ— Bouâ—gongne was much troubled in pacifying a mutinie of Gantoâ—s who molested 〈◊〉 when he had most neede to succour France in the conquest of the two Prouinces whereof we nowe speake To auoâ—de tedâ—ouâ—nâ—sse in the priuate relating of all these seeges the Kings army did first attempt Montguyâ—â— and takes it then the Earle of Ponthieure arriues with his troupes and ioynes with the Earle of Dunois the generall and so the army being increased both in men and courage beseegeth Blair one of the goodliest fortresses of Guienne a Towne seated at the mouth of Dordonne Blaie taken and enriched with a goodly hauen of the sea the which was well assayled and well defended but in the ende the Towne is taken by force and the Castell by composition although the Cittizens of Bourdeaux labored to releeue it with a fleete of fiue armed shippes Bourg was added to this victorie of Charles and in this amazement Liborne being summoned to yeeld vnto the King obeyes without any contradiction Bourg and Liborne yeeld But their chiefe force was prepared against Fronsâ—c and in the meanes time the Earle of Ponthieure beseegeth Castillon a Towne in Perigort seated vpon Dordone the whiâ—h shal be famous in the warres of our time and takes it by composition Saint Million by their example yeelds obedience In the meane time all march to Fronsac a place renowned since Charlemagne and one of the strongest forts of Europe being belaeguered of all sides Fronsac beseeged demands a truce as all prepare for some great force they within demaunded a parle Their request was to haue a truce vntill Midsommer if they were not succored by that day they would yeeld the place and submit themselues to the Kings seruice and imploy all their meanes to draw Burdeaux to obedience These offers pleased the Princes and the Earle of Dunois being generall The daie being come no succors appeere It yeelds and so Fronsac is yeelded vnto the King to the incredible content of the whole armie which expected great resistance from this inuicible fort If the Earle of Dunois preuailed wel on this side the riuer of Garonne on the other side the Earles of Foix and of Armagnac failed in no point of their duties hauing taken Rion they ioyntly beseege Acqs a towne of importance in that Countrie These happy exploits performed in lesse then two monethes did as much incourage the French as it did daunt the English who could not keepe the Townes which yet held for them from affecting of the French and much more in the champion Countrie hauing more libertie So as the Nobilitie together with the Townes resolue to expell the rest of the English that the King might bee wholy obeyed Bourdeaux makes a composition and yeelds Onely Bourdeaux and Bayone remained the most important Townes of that Prouince whether the whole force of this royall army doth march but the Cittizens of Burdeaux loth to bee forced resolue to obey Beeing thus affected they treate and make a profitable accord as it is set downe at large in the Originall Their fredomes and priuileges were confirmed vnto them by Iohn Iuuenall of Vrsins Chancellor of France they brought their keyes to the Earle of Dunois as Lieutenant generall to the King in his armie and receyued the French into
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
great troupes of men O light and inconstant people how easâ—y is it to moue thy affections and to make thee in an instant to applaud that partie which euen now thou diddest abhorre But let vs leaue them in this good humour and see what remedy the King had for these garboyles attending the succors the Duke of Milan sent him Lewis being after the battayle retyred from Corbeil to Paris flatters the peoples humours treates popularly with them erects a priuie Counsell of six Counsellors of the Court sixe Doctors of the Vniuersitie and sixe Burgesses to gouerne his affaires according to their aduice and direction he leaues sixe hundred Lances in Paris vnder the command of the bastard of Armaignac Earle of Cominge of Maister Gilles of Saint Simon Bayliffe of Senlis la Barde Craon Charles of Mares and Charles of Melun his LieutenaÌ„t in the said towne Then he goes into Normandy to assemble al the Nobility and men of warre he could from whence he sent the Earle of Eu to haue the commande of the war and of the Cittie followed with two hundred archers well in order The Earle being arriued he sends the Lord of Rambure to the Leagâ—rs offring to bee a mediator for their discontents vnto his maiestie but it was without effect The King hauing intelligence of the confederats trafficke with the Parisiens knowing that this people doth easily change their affections with the successe and foreseeing that this baâ—te of the commonweale would soone bewitch them displeased also that the Bishop had without his knowledge treated of an accord he hastens his returne accompained with the Earles of Maine and Ponthieure and the forces of Normandie And for the first fruits of loue to his subiects hee confirmed all the priuileges they inioyed in his fathers life he abolished all new impositions and retayned none but the ancient and ordinary farmes of marchandise that is sold by great Meanes to pacifie a people that wauer then did hee punish eyther with banishment or death such as had yeelded to the reception of the heads of the League into the Cittie He doth sharpely blame the Bishop and at the Instigation of the Cardinall of Albi to haue beene a dealer in his absence for his enemies with an inconstant and il-aduised people and hauing prouided for the surety of the Cittie hee prepares to offend and defend The Bourguignoâ— likewise vseth all force great and daylie skirmishes with the Parisiens Lewis his proding at Paris Newe succors to both parties sometimes chasing and sometimes chased And therevpon comes newe supplies to the Leaguers the Dukes of Bourbon and Nemours the Earle of Armaignaâ— and the Lord of Albret notwithstanding the former treaty with about six thousand men On the other side the King receiued from Francis Sforze Duke of Milan fiue hundred men at armes and three thousand foote commanded by Galeas his eldest son with this Counsell of State A Politâ—ck aduice That to diuide this company hee should yeeld to all conditions and onely preserue his men An aduice which Lewis shall cuningly put in practise speedily Thesâ— Milanois were imployed in Bourbonois vntill newes of the peace shall come The Earle thus fortified offers battaile but the King would not hazard any thing desiring to disperse this mistie cloud without effusioÌ„ of bloud And to annoye them of Conâ—â—â—ns Charenton he sends foure thousand frank-archers about foure hundred pioners supported by the Nobility of Normandie and some at armes who plant themselues vpon riuers side right against Conflans at the English port where they make a large and a long trench vnto the Cittie with a bulwark of wood and earth whereon they plant many peeces of artillery the which at the first driues the Duke of Calâ—brâ—a out of Charenton with great losse of his men and an extreame terror to the Earle of Charolois who lodged at Conflans in a house belonging to his Father Two Cannon shot passed through his Camber being at dinner and slewe his trompetor carrying a dish to his table This amazement makes him go downe with speed he fortifies his lodging pierceth the walles and plants a Cannon for a counterbatterie But they must dislodge these frank-archers preuent the losse they receyued from the other side of the water A bridge of boats at Charenson For the effecting of this he obtaines a truce for two dayes in which time he made a bridge of boats The bridge almost finished the franke-archers leaue their trenches carrie away their artillerie and retire to the suburbes into the Carthusians cloister A part of the Bourguignons army passeth the water they enter the suburbes of Saint Marceau and skirmish but with little losse on eyther side Herevpon our Captaines resolue to assaile the enemy in diuers parts A page sent by night giues them intelligence At the breake of day some horsemen charge home to the artillery and kil a Canoniere This was in shewe the effect of the pages aduertissement All arme they make barricadoes and stand firme The artillery thunders the Kings answers them They send forth two hundred horse to discouer who see a troupe issuing forth the Cittie to learne the cause of this tumult and moreouer a great number of Lâ—nces in conceit and so they report that all are come forth in battaile but the daye breaking they proue but thistells So this alarme turnes to laughter In the meane time they treate of peace but the demands of the Confederats were excessiue The Duke of Berry demands Normandie for his portion The Earle of Charolois the Townes of Somme lately redeemed For the better effectâ—ng hereof the two commanders conclude of an enteâ—uiew An enterview of the two heads The King mounts vp the water right against the Bourguignoâ—s armie accompanied with the Lords of Montauban Admirall Nantouillet Du Lau and few others The Earles of Charolois and S. Paul come to receiue him He then offers to giue his Brother the Prouinces of â—rie and Champaigne excepting Meaux Melun and Montereâ—u the which he would not accept He graunts the Charolois his desire disauowes Moruilliers in certaine speeches wherein he saith he had exceeded his charge and for the Earles sake he promiseth to giue the office of Constable to the Earle of S. Paul These entercourses of either side proue lamentable for the King Fatall for the King for besides that the Princes doe daily suborne more of his men then he can draw from them behold Pontoise is deliuered to the Britton by Sorbier commanding there vnder the Marshall Ioâ—câ—â—m and to finish so notable a treacherie he marcheth towards Meulan to the same intent but the inhabitants being aduertised he returnes without effect There growes an other vpâ—ore in Paris the Souldiers vaunt insolently The 〈◊〉 ready to mutine that the Cittizens goods are at their free disposition that they will take the Keyes of their houses from them and for a need will pull the cheines out of their streetes Herevpon the
keepe those two Prouinces in subiection Oliuer was there some dayes without suspect during the which hee corrupted thirtie or fortie men and fraught with their promises hee sent secretly to the Lord of Mouy that at the breake of a certaine day appointed hee with his company and some other troupes would be in the suburbes Hee comes at the appointed time and maister Oliuer with his men giues him entrance to the content of the people but not of the gouernours of the which hee sent seuen or eight to Paris who departed not whilest that Lewis liued To speake truly Oliuer shewed both witt and valor in this stratageme and for the action of Gand he is not so much to be blamed as he that imployed him Conde a smal Towne betwixt Tournai and Valenciennes cutt of all vittels from the french and hindred the victualling of Tournay It was taken and burnt for that it did but imploy men which might serue elswhere and Tournay was sufficient to keepe the Countâ—ie in obedience It seemed that the prosperitie of the kings affaires and his great desseings began to trouble his spirits for proofe whereof a gentleman of Hainault the originall doth not name him associated with many others offers to deliuer vp the principall Townes and places of the said Countie Hee talkes with the King who likes not of him nor of the rest he named The reason is they would sell a good piece of seruice very deere Yet he referred them to the Lord of Lude bred vp from his youth with him But Lude seasoned with the same humour transported with his priuate profiâ— demands at the first what the townes would giue him to manage their affaires So as the Hannuyer who would haue no competitor in his gaine departed without effecting of any thing and the enterprise proued vaine Without doubt God would not glutt vs with felicitie and it is needfull to haue some crosses to make vs to know our selues Moreouer it was not reasonable to vsurpe any thing vpon this Countie of Hainault for that it holds of the Empire and in regard of the ancient alliances betwixt the Emperours and our Kings whereby they ought not one to take from another And for proofe Cambray Quesnoy le Conte and some other places of Hainault had willingly put themselues vnder the protection of Lewis the which hee deliuered as freely with the 40. thousand Crownes that they of Cambraie had lent him for the charges of the war Ambassage from Mary of Bourgongne Whilest the King was resident at Peronne an Ambassage comes to him from the Infant of Bourgongne consisting of the principall men about her as namely Chancellor Hugonnet a very wise man and honorable Himbercourt a gentleman experienced in matters of waight Vere a great Nobleman of Zeland Cripture otherwise called Grutuse or Gruture with other Ecclesiastical and secular men They intreat the King to retire his armie Their propositions to the King that al controuersies might be quietly ended according vnto right reason They shew that by the customes of France the ordinances of his Predecessors Kings the women did succeed in the Counties of Flanders Arthois and other prouinces there abouts That remaining but one only daughter of the deceased Duke of Bourgongne yong an orphelin he should rather protect theÌ„ oppresse her That the mariage of the Daulphin with her should be more proportionable then with the daughter of England And for the more credit they brought a letter writteÌ„ part of it by Mary the Infanta of Bourgongne and some part by the Douager her Mother in lawe Sister to Edward King of England and some part by Rauastein brother to the Duke of Cleues and neere kinsman to the yong Ladie yet none of any credit but that of the Infanta This letter gaue authority to Hugonnet and Himbercout and sayed moreouer That Mary Duchesse of Bourgongne was resolued to gouerne her affaires by the aduice of foure persons The Douager Rauastein Hugonnet and Himbercourt Mary beseeched the King that whatsoeuer it should please him to negotiat with her should passe by their hands and that hee should not impart it to any other The King foreseeing that by the confusion of this people hee should settle his affaires will cunningly make his profit of this letter but not thinking it should cost two so vertuous heads in sowing diuision betwixt the Dâ—chesse her subiects Yet before he giues audience to these Ambassadors he treats priuately with eyther of them Diâ—isiâ—n betwixt Mary and the Gaâ—toâ—â— Huâ—gonnet and Himbercourt whereof the first had all his liuing in Picardy and the other in Bourgongne they desirous to be continued in their ancient authorities giue eare to the Kings offers they promised to serue him so as the foresayd marriage might take effect The rest whose Estates were not vnder the Kings command would not tie them selues by promise but with the alliance of the houses of France and Bourgongne This was most expedient for the King but the violent conditions they propounded withdrewe his loue much both from her them in particular supposing he should soone haue all without accepting of a part by an accord Lewis esttranged from Mary by the violent conditions that were propounded Moreouer he was possessed with a wonderfull desire to conquer Arras The Lord of Cordes might do much Hee was Lieutenant in Picardie vnder the deceased Duke Seneshal of Ponthiâ—u Captaine of Courtray Boulongne and Hedin Gouernor of Peronne Montdidier and Roye he was younger Brother to the Lord of Creuecoeur and alreadie did shewe himselfe to bee french his estate lying within the territory of Beauuais The Townes vpon the riuer of Somme by the death of Charles the last issue male of the house of Bourgongne returned to the King so des Cordes became the Kings liege man His duty then bound him to yeeld vnto the King such other places as he coÌ„manded but he was bound by oath to his mistresse seruice A dispensation will salue it There is no â—oâ—le but Lewis finds a pinne for it Vpon his motion to the Ambassadors that the deliuery of Arras would make the way plaine for a good peace and request that they would be a meanes to Cordes to open the Citty of Arras vnto him for in those dayes there were both walles and ditches betwixt the Cittie and the Towne Hugonnet and Himbercourt dispense des Cordes of his oath and consent to the deliuery of the sayd Cittie Arras yeelded to Lewis by des Cordes Hee doth it willingly and sweares fealtie to the King who presently stoppes vp all approches to the Towne then he goes to incampe before Hedin leades acs Cordes with him whose men made a shewe to defend the place as ingaged by oath to their Ladie for their credits sake they endured the battery some dayes then seeing their defences taken away and their loope-hoales battered Ralfe of Launoi Hedin followes giues eare to his Captaine and
stratagems Nowe are we deepely ingaged in warre The Duke of Brittaâ—io accompanied with Lewis of Orleans the Earles of Dunois and Cominges the Lords of Mâ—â—lmorency Ioyeuze du Lis Saint George The Duke of Brittaines army Dampâ—erre and Beauuau tooke a viewe of 〈◊〉 army at Malesâ—roit consisting of six hundred Lances and sixteene thousand foote good and bad iâ—l armed and ill trained whilest the French and Brittons being ioyned tâ—gither â—ake Redon to terrifie Rennes they spoile the Country euen vnto Maçaye beseege Ploërmell batter it and in three dayes take it spoile and ransome it The Dâ—kes armie marched to succor this Towne when as Maurice of Mené being great of bâ—th and courage â—ayd Whether go we my friends Our Duke is onely gouerned by the Fâ—ench by whose perswasions we march against the French who at their first incounter will betraâ—e him to their nation whereof I am well aduertised Were we not better to remaine in our houses with our wiues and Children then to be thus led by the humours of others A speech of great consequence He was of the best allied in Brittanie issued out of the house of Guerlesquin and had well serued Lewis the Xâ— as gouernor of Guise and Captaiâ—â— of a hundred men at armes in the warre against the Flemings a man of valour and â—ounsell and well aduanced by the sayd King hauing the proffits of la Ferté-Bernard Aâ—guesmortes Beuuurage and Gorlonniere but very in constant in his changing of parties At this speech they all scatter so as of sixteene thousaÌ„d scarce the fourth part keepe the field the Duke amazed here with leaues Malestroit and recouers Vennes but he was pursued so speedelie as he looseth his baggage being fauored in his retreat by the Prince of Orange who had posted from Nantes to his succor ' very happily for otherwise hee had beene beseeged and taken Vennes being beleagard yeelds for feare The Duke at his departure had left two thousand eight hundred horse in it vnder the command of Coetquen Lord Stuard of Brittany of Amaulry of Moussay for Captaine of the Towne Iames le Moine who vnable to maintaine the seege retired in hast Coetquen went to Dinan where he commanded la Moussaye with his horse to Nantes where the Duke was and the Kings army did bend that wayes Adrian de l'Hospital a Captaine of men at armes meetes him vpon the way defeated him killes a great number of his troupe and takes many prisoners some six hundred recouer Nantes This was about Witsontide The Duke thus pressed being weake in his person weake in his sâ—bâ—ects being diuided weake in friends weake in those who had ingaged him in this warâ—e for their quarrell Moussayâ— dâ—feated sends the Earle of Dunois and Oliuer of Coetman who soone after fell to the French and was made gouernor of Auxerre to craue succors froÌ„ Henry King of England But to increase his misery Henry was not yet in quiet possession of his Realme crossed by some remainders of Richards party the which he must suppresse The King resolued to beseege the Duke in Nantes he comes in person to Ancenis thether come the associat Brittons repenting their indiscretion for that they had taken Townes spoiled the Country contrary to their promise and their owne Lands suffâ—ed the like extremities Thus Nantes was beseeged the 19. of Iune well battred wel assayled as well defended The deputies of England were foure times shipped to crosse the seas foure times put back by tempest of wether In steed of English they brought fiftie thousand Brittons of the commons greeued to see their Duke beseeged The Kings army eyther holding themselues vnable to fight with them Nâ—ntes beseeged or neglecting them free passage and holding it likewise impossible to force a Towne well furnished with Commanders men and victualls they raised the â—eege the 6. of August to go without losse of men to Dol the which was taken and spoiled without resistance the Brittons and other soldiars were put to ransom During the seege of Nantes Peter of Rohan Earle of Quintin of the French faction surprised Montcontour summoned Guingâ—mp a passage for succors that came to the Duke from the Bishopriks of Treguer Montcontouâ— taken Leon and Cornouaille Iohn of Coetmen Loâ—d of Chasteaugui Captaine of the Towne was at Nantes He flies thither and furnisheth the place with men sufficient to defend it and hauing intelligence that Plusquaelâ—ee with about fiftie Gentlemen Bretons of the Kings armie spoyling the countrie and drawing the Nobility to their partie dined in the Abbie of Begar hauing called togither the neighbour parishes and assembled some troupes he charged them ouerthrewe them and led them all prisoners to Guingamp where the Iudges of Goellâ— and Guincamp by the Dukes expresse commandement began to informe against them and had finished their processe if some friends and kinsmen had not found meanes of delay vntill the Dukes death ended that proceeding This prise gaue courage to the Captaines of Dinan They assemble about fiue thousand men and beseege Montcontour But the Vicont of Roâ—an and the Earle of Quintin offring to succour it and moreouer the seege of Nantes requiring force and expedition they retire to Rennes to ioyne with the other forces consisting of six or seauen thousand men At the same instant Youn of Rocerf Lord of Bois de la Roche Peter Long Lord of Kaeruegues inticed with the great welth which the Earle of Quintin had left in his Castell assemble some soldiars with many pesants and beseege Quintin they take it and against the composition sworne spoile the Towne and Castel and in hatred of the Earle who followed the King burnt it to ashes The Earle by meanes of his subiects recouered it soone after The Briâ—â—ons reconciled to their Duke and Gouiâ—quet captaine thereof before expelled them againe and spoyled the Towne But to what end serued this cruell stratagem seeing that Rocerf had a house in the country and the Earle good meanes to be reuenged as he was a yeare after by the taking of Rocerf himselfe and the spoile and burning of his house The Phrigiens grow wise too late sayeth the Prouerbe The Nobility of Brittain finding their error by drawing their Kings forces into the country to their owne ruyne they send to the Duke protesting to be no way associat with the King but to defend themselues against the French that were neere his person who they doubted had beene drawne in to preiudice them they offer to serue him hereafter and against all men so as he will pardon them The Duke receiues them and graunts â—iâ— letters of abolition deliuery and restitution of al their goods and dignitâ—es as before the warres namely to the Vicont of Rohan to the Lords of Auangour and Rieux lately put from the Office of Lieutenant generall and Marshall of Brittaine as well for themselues as their assistants Rieux enioyed it Rieux reuolts from the King but the
in France In the meane time the soldiars sacke Ferdinands lodging and his stable the men at armes disperse themselues theresome here some Virgilius the Earle of Petellano craue a safe-conduit from the King and retire with their companies to Nole Ferdinand thinking by this iourny to haue assured the Neapolitaines returnes at the time perfixt when as the Capuans aduise him not to set forward seeing they were other wise resolued Auerse a Towne betwixt Capua and Naples sends their keyes to the King Auerse yeelds and the Neapolitains determyned to followe them Ferdinand retyred into the Castel knowing that fiue hundred Lansquents ment to take him prisoner he giues theÌ„ the mouables of the said Castell and as they were busie to diuide it he slips from them setts the yong Prince of Rosane at liberty whome by loue or force he carried with him and the Earle of Popoli Ferdinand King of Naples flies he causeth the ships that remained in the port to be burnt and sunke and saues himselfe with the Queene Don Frederick his vncle his daughter Ioane and some few seruants in the I le of Ischie and whilest he was within sight of Naples he often repeated this goodly Oracle If the Lord keepe not the Citty the watchmen watch but in vaine Thus all wauer at the Conquerors fame and with such cowardise as two hundred horse vnder the command of the Earle of Ligny going to Nole tooke both Nole Virgilius Nole taken and the Earle of Pettilano without resistance being retired thether with foure hundred men at armes attending the safe conduit they had obteyned from the King being amazed like to the rest of their army and from thence they were led captiues to the fort of Montdragon Naples yeelds and all their men stript In the meane time the Neapolitans Ambassadors come with their keyes desiring a confirmation of their ancient exemptions and priuileges The King enters the 21. of February and is receiued with such excedâ—ng â—oâ— both of great and small of all ages all sexes and all qualities as euery one runs as to their deerest redeemer from a hatefull insupportable tiranie Thus Charles without planting of tent or breaking oflaunce in foure moneths and a halfe with an admirable happines The whole Kingdome of Naples conquered by Charles came sawe ouercame They saie commonly that the poyson lies in the taile and that the hardest part to flea of an eele is the caile The perfection of the victorie consisted in the taking of the Castels of Naples The Tower of Saint Vincent built for the defence of the port was easily taken The new Castell the lodging of their Kings seated vpon the sea strong by nature by art plentifully furnished with victuals and munition and manned with fiâ—e hundred Lansâ—â—enets but abandoned by the Marquis of Pescare to whome Ferdinand had left it in gard who seeing the garrison bent to yeeld the place had followed Ferdinand was after some small defence yeelded vpon condition to depart in safetie to carry what they could away And see heere the first and greatest error which the King committed in this exploit himselfe wanting experience but his minions and fauorits no couetousnesse Hee gaue all these victuals and other moueables to the first that begged them who furnished themselues with the munition He committs a great error whereon the preseruation of the Towne and place depended The Castle de l'Oeuf built vpon a rocke hanging ouer the sea being battered with the Canon the which might onely indamage the wall but not the rock it selfe compounded if they were not releeued within a certaine time and after foure and twenty dayes siege it was deliuered into the Kings hands The King made his entrie into Naples the 12. of May in an Imperiall habit and was receiued as King of France and of both Siciles whereof the realme of Naples makes a part Emperour of Constantinople Charles makes a royall entry into Naâ—â—es But herein he made no iust accoumpt with him that gi es and takes away Kingdomes The Barons and commonalties sent away their Captaines and troupes dispersed into diuers parts of the realme Those which depended most of the house of Arragon do first turne taile The Caraâ—ses who enioyed forty thousand Ducats of inheritance The Dukes of Mâ—lfe Grauina and Sora. The Earles of Montorio Fundi Tripalda Celano Monteleon Merillano and Popoli come to doetheir homage and generally all the Noblemen of the Realme except Alphonso Auolo Marquis of Pescare the Earle of Acre and the Marquis of Squillazzo whose liuings the King gaue away An other rigour which shall be a great cause of the following reuolts Calabria yeelds willingly to the Lord of Aubigny sent thether with a small troupe except the Castell of Rhegium but they wanted meanes to â—orce it the Towne held for the King Abruzzo yeelds of it selfe Apulia erects the Standard of France except Turpia and Mantia who notwithstanding had planted the Flower-de-Liz yet refusing any other command then of the King himselfe who had giuen them to the Lord Persi d' Alegre and they returne to their first maister The Castles of Brundusium and Gallipoli were neglected with too gâ—eat confidence but they shal serue shortly as a leuaine to stirre vp a masse of rebellion The rocke of Caiette well fuâ—â—ished with all things necessary yeeldes at dâ—scretion after some light assaults Tarentum Otrante Monopoli Trani Manfredonne Barle and in a manner all other strong places yeeld at the first brute But some holding themselues wronged for that they had in a manner disdayned to heare their deputies others for that they had sent no man to receiue them will soone returne to their first demand The I le of Ischia remained yet and Ferdinand vpon the first intelligence of the yeelding of the Castles of Naples had abandoned it to Ianick d' Auolo brother to the Marquis of Pescara both most faithfull to their Prince and was retyred into Sicile The King sends thether his armie at sea the which was cast by a tempest vpon the 〈◊〉 of Corse yet in the ende they anchored vpon the realme but after the last acte of this expedition This armie holding it selfe too weake to force the foote of â—scâ—ia would not assaile it and therefore the King resolued to send into Prouence and Genes formore shippes and to assure the Sea the which Ferdinand scowred with foureteene galleys ill armed Bâ—t prosperitie doth oft times make vs become insolent and without considering the consequence wee easily let matters passe at aduenture Our French are now well lodged they dreame of nothing but feasting dancing and Turneys and the greatest about the King haue no other care but to make the victorie profitable to themselues without any regarde neither of the dignitie nor 〈…〉 of their Prince who not satisfied with the conquest of these goodly and riche estates determines to aduance his victorious forces Let vs leaue them gâ—â—tted
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
the Italian troupes giue way and are put to rout The Suisses pressed to fight answere That they will not fight against their brethren kinsmen and others of their nation without leaue from their superiors And approching neere their Countriemen making as it were but one armie they protest that they meane to returne and so obteine free passage through the French armie Lodowike compassed in in this nation could neither by prayers nor promises diuert them from their disloyall intent only he got a promise To set him in a place of safetie So they agreed that disguised armed like a Suisse on foote hee should march in their rankes But going betwixt two great troupes of men at armes this poore Suisse disguised is discouered in one of their Battailons with Galeas of S. Seuerin Fracasse and Anthonie Marie his brethren and stayed the Italians were stript but the Lansqueuets and Bourguignons were sent away without touch and Lodowike was led prisoner to Lions where the King remained and within two dayes after was sent to the great Tower at Loches Lodowike taken where he continued captiue about tenne yeares vntill his death Behold the ambition and aspiring conceits of him whome all Italie could not conteine now restrayned in a straight prison And to auoyd a greater corsey he intreats Tremouille that he might not see Triuulce his enemie Who being aduertised and hasting thither Sforce sayd hee with a brauing speech thou seest the wrongs thou hast done me are now repaied in the same measure This happened the thursday before Palme sunday Doubtles the circumstances of Lodowike Sforces miseries are remarkable wherein we may learne that the diuine Iustice doth alwaies punish offenders and takes from them at need both iudgement courage wit and all other faculties Let vs obserue in this Tragedie that Lodowike being feareful Lodowikes disposition promising praying sighing flying disguised is mockt taken finally dies in a most pitiful estate A Prince excellent in many perfectioÌ„s of nature industrious eloqueÌ„t of an high and busie spirit but infamous for the death of his nephew couetous vaine ambitious turbulent proud treacherous impious cruell paying a Crowne for euery french-mans head that his hoast should murther going to the Iubile Lodowikes dispositions So as it is not strange if he hath felt the rigour of Gods iustice in his owne person And to fill vp the measure of affliction in his fâ—milie the Cardinall Ascanius vppon the brute of this defeat flying from Milan to recouer â—ome place of safetie with many gentlemen of the Gibelin faction who hauing affected Lodowike dispayred of pardon refreshing themselues at Riuolte in theterritorie of Plaisance Conrad of Lande Lord of the same place his kinsman and ancient friend sends presently for Charles vrsâ—â— and Sonzin Benzon Captaines vnder the Venetians pay and treacherously deliuer vnto them the said Cardinal with Hermes Sforce brother to the deceased Duke Iohn Galeas with most of the gentlemen in their company who presently conueied them to Venice but the Senate at the Kings instant request who considered how necessarie it was for the safety of the State of Milan to haue these men in his power deliuered both the Cardinall Baptista Vicomt and Hermes with all other Milanois that were retyred for the same cause into the Townes of Guiaradadde The Cardinall was sent to the great Tower at Bourges vntill that hauing the whole Realme for his prison hee obteined leaue by the intercession of the Cardinall of Amboise to goe to the election of a newe Pope promising vppon his oth â—euer to attempt any thing to preiudice the Crowne and to bee a meanes to aduance one of the French Cardinals to Saint Peters chaire But oh the ingratitude and treacherie of this Milanois the Colledge of Cardinals inclyning to choose the Cardinall of Amboise hee alone by his faction wrests the popedome from the French to giue it vnto Iules the second a Geneuois in the yeare 1503. Milan being restrayned from all meanes of religion sues presently for pardon Milan pardoned by the King the which they obtaine of the Cardinall or Amboise in the Kings name vppon condition to repaire their rebellion by the payment of three hundred thousand ducats whereof his Maiestie did afterwardes remit the greatest part The rest of the rebelling Citties were euery one taxed according to their abilities Thus all the Duchie of Milan was quiet the Suisses were dismissed who returning to their houses seize vppon Belinzone lying in that mountaine the which not drawen out of their hands as the King might haue done for a little money shall hereafter greeue the author of this error being a most conuenient passage to stoppe the Suissers entrie into the Duchie of Milan and shall giue occasion to liberall tongues to scoffe both in publike and priuate at the greedinesse of Lewis whereof these braue Commaunders returning into France had had more cause to complaine if the Queene had not supplyed this defect with that bountie which the King did owe vnto their merits Doubtlesse she did bountifully repaire those errors which the King did ofteÌ„ commit in that respect And the King restrayning his libertie within the bonds of frugalitie would not seeme bountifull with the oppression of his people Now let vs see how the remainder of the yeare was imployed The exceeding prosperity of a Prince is suspected vnto other great personages who feare some diminution in their estates Maximilian considering how the alienation of so gooly a fee was preiudiciall to the Empire and the blame he did incurre by suffering Lodowike to be thus spoyled who had cast himselfe into his protection hee dismissed the Ambassadors of France and Venice being readie to proclaime warres against them as vsurping the laÌ„ds of the Empire With this desseine he acqauints the Princes Electors with the iniurie done to him to them and to all the Germanie nation the apparent danger least their too still patience should make the King of France seeke to ioyne the Imperiall Crowne vnto his owne like vnto some of his predecessors That partly through necessitie and partly through the ambitious desire which the Pope had to aduance his sonne Borgia Duke of Valentinois he would willingly winke at these proceedings This consideration made the King to put off the war of Naples vnto the next yeare But as the forces of Germanie moue but heauily so had hee leisure to assist the Florentins who had shewed themselues readie in the recouery of Milan for the King to discharge the oath made by his Predecessor The King â—uccors the Florentiâ—â— and his owne with six hundred Lances maintained by his maiesty and seauen thousand Suisses but payed by their common-weale and diuers companies of French with artillery and munition necessary for the recouery of Pisa Pietresancte Montpulcian Mâ—tron and other places vnder the command of the Lord of Beaumont whome they demanded but ill chosen for them To auoide this storme the Pisans Geneuois Siennois and Luquois
he continually returned towards Rome to ioyne with the armie that was marching to the conquest of Naples Nothing crossed the course thereof but the alarums which the Emperour had formerly caused But when one treats with a Prince that is flexible for money the accord is soone made The gold of France must now stay the iron of Germanie Philippe the Arch-Duke might doe much he was a Prince inclined to peace and it may be he died too soone for the good of France leauing an heire Lewiâ— confirmes a truce with the Emperour whose birth and al the course of his life hath beene most fatall to the Crowne and the traffict of his subiects made them loth to heare speake of warre with the French But that which did most import the King offred to giue Claude his onely daughter in marriage to Charles son to the said Arch-Duke and for a dowrie when they should be both of age to consuÌ„mate the marriage for neither the one nor the other was yet three yeares old to giue the Duchie of Milan So by the meanes of Philippe and for money Lewis obtained a prolongation of the truce in the which the King of Naples was not comprehended who nothwithstanding by the meanes of fortie thousand ducats and a bond of fifteene thousand more monethly pourchased a promise from Maximilian Not to make any accord but to comprehend him in it and to make warre in the Duchie of Milan when as need should require to diuert the Kings forces There yet remained one scruple Ferdinand King of Arragon and of Castille by Isabell his wife might stirre vp the Venetians and happely the Pope both prompt inough to oppose ioyntly against the greatnesse of this Crowne Hee was concurrent with our Lewis in the right of the succession of Naples for although Alphonso King of Arragon had dispoposed thereof to Ferdinand his bastard as his owne proper good gotten without the rights of the Crowne of Arragon Yet Iohn his brother successor to the Realme of Arragon and since Ferdinand sonne to Iohn had alwaies protested of their lawful pretentions to the estate of Naples as a good purchased by Alphonso with the forces and treasour of Arragon And this Ferdinand King of Arragon temporised like a Spaniard watching his opportunitie to attempt some great matter for his owne benefite â—â—e did not onely make demonstration of all the dueties of a good kinsman to Ferdinand King of Naples and his other successors but the better to lull him a sleepe hee allied himselfe to the sayd Neapolitain giuing him his sister Iane in marriage and consenting that Iane her daughter should marrie with young Ferdinand This concurrence of two Kings in like desire The Realme of Naples diuidâ—a betwixt the Kings of France and Arragon caused the one to free himselfe from letts and crosses and the other to get a part of that which hee could not compasse wholy and so then to share betwixt them the conquests of the sayd Realme vpâ—on condition That the King of France should haue the Cittie of Naples with all belonging to the land of Labour and the Prouince of Abrazzo Ferdinand should for his part haue all the lands and territories belonging to Apulia and likewise to Calabria agreeing that euery one should conquer his owne part without any bond to ayde one another but onely not to hurt one another and that they should doe homage vnto the Pope Lewis with the title no more of King of Sicile but King of Ierusalem and Naples imitating the example of Frederick the second Emperour of Rome and King of Naples by his wife the daughter of Iohn King of Ierusalem in name but without effect and of Naples and Ferdinand in qualitie of Duke of Apulia and Calabria The armie going to Naplâ—s The capitulation was no sooner concluded but the King prepared his armie vnder the command of Lewis of Armagnac Duke of Nemours sonne to Iames beheaded at Paris vnder Lewis the eleuenth and the Lord of Aubigni an ancient wise and well experienced Captaine In the which were Francis of Bourbon Earle of S. Paul brother to Charles Eaâ—le of Vendosme sonnes to Francis of Vendosme who dyed at Verceâ—l Lewis of Bourbon Prince of la Roche-sur-Yon great grand-father to the Duke of Montpensier now liuing Charles of Bourbon afterwards Duke of Bourbon and Constable of France Lewis of Bourbon Earle of Montpensier his brother Gaston of Foix Vicount of Narbonne the Kings Nephew sonne to Iohn Vicount of Narbonne but by reason of their yong yeares obeying the aboue named commanders The troupes were a thousand Lances foure men to a Launce sixe thousand French foote foure thousand Suisses and the Duke of Valentinois with his forces The armie at sea commanded by the Earle of Rauastein Gouernour of Genes consisted of three Caraques of Genuoa and â—â—xâ—â—ene ships with many other small vessels laden with many foote men so as they esteemed their footemen to be twentie thousand who by the Popes fauour and Borgias his sonnes Fredericks simplicittie passed through all Italy without any resistance Frederick King of Naples had not yet discouered the secret conuention of the two Kings who proceeding plainly did sollicit Gonsalue who lay at Anchor in Sicile vnder colour to succour him to come to Caiete and very simply put some places in Calabria into his hands as he demanded but this was but to make the conquest of Ferdinands portion the moâ—e easie So hoping that Gonsalue hauing ioyned with his armie he should haue sufficient forces to withstand the French he went and camped at S. Germaine with seuen hundred men at armes six hundred light horse and six thousand foote with the troupes which the Colonois brought vnto him hauing likewise sent his eldest sonne Ferdinand to Tarentum to commit the Prince of Basignan and the Earle of Melete to prison accused to haue intelligence with the Earle of Caiazzo who was in the French armie the which being come neere vnto Rome the Ambassadors of France and Spaine giue notice vnto the Pope of this diuision made betwixt their maisters with an intent afterwards say they to make warre against the enemies of Christian religioâ— and according to the tenour of thiâ— agreement they demand a leagar the which was presently granted Doubtlesse the more wee seeke to shadow and colour an iniustice with goodly shewes the greater it appeares Two Kings blamed for this diuision Behold the desseignes of two Kings discouered and layde open to all the world and both ioyntly blamed Ours for that he had rather drawe a corriuall into Italy to whom his enemies and ill willers might flie then to leaue the full possession vnto Fredericke offering as we haue sayd to hold the realme of him and to pay him a yeerely tribute The other for that desire to haue a part of the realme had made him to conspire against a King of his owne bloud whom the more easiâ—ie to ruine hee had alwayes entertained with lying promises of
of his person would force him vnto he parted out of Siene The King discontented with the Pope and his sonne leauing the same gard the authority with his friends so as his departure bred no alteration in the gouernment Tâ—is enterprise displeased the King for although he were not sorry to see Vitellozze his adherents punished yet desired he not their totall ruine the which with the conquest of so great estates made the Pope and his Borgia too mighty He desisted therefore froÌ„ this attempt not so much to obey the King as finding the taking of Sienne difcult being a great Towne strong conuerting all his forces to the totall destruction of the house of Vrsins Iohn Iulio Francis Fabian and Organtin who hauing ioyned with the Sauelli were in Ceruetre had takeÌ„ the bridge of Lamentane scoured al the country When he had restrayned their courses he inuaded the possessions of Iohn Iordan who was then in the Kings protection and pay bearing armes for his seruice at Naples The King was greatly mooued here with and to controule the presumption insolencie of the Vâ—lentinois he coÌ„mands him to forbeare to molest the estate of Iordan to restrain his excessiue couetousnes he procures an vnion betwixt the Florentins Sienois Bolognois for their coÌ„mon defence to take from the Pope his son all means to extend theÌ„selues any farther into Tuscane The Spaniard fortifies himselfe in the meane time in the realme of Naples and our affaires decline The Earle of Meleâ—e the Princes of Salerne Bâ—â—ignan were incamped at Villeneufue Don Hugues of Cardone passing from Messina into Calabria with 16. hundred foote Spaniards Calabriens and Siciliens and a hundred men at armes marched to succour it going through a narrow plaine betwixt a mountaine and a litle â—iâ—er ioyning to the way with a causey desiring rather to enter into Villenefue then to fight The Earle incounters them beneath the riueâ— not able to draw them into the plaine he passeth the water to cut of their way to Villenefue to charge them But very indiscreetly for being troubled with the causey they were easily defeated and the Towne releâ—ued And behold Manuel of Benauide The French defeated hauing Anthony de Leue with him who of a simple soldiar became a braue Captaine and shall win many victories leading two hundred men at armes two hundred Genetaires and two thousand foote takes Losarne at the second assault where the Lord of Ambricourt was lately entred with thirty Lances and the Earle of Melete with a thousand foote Ambricourt was taken but the Lord of Aubigni approching with three huÌ„dred Lances fiue thousand foote â—orced the victors to retire to Villeneufue and gaue the Earle means to saue himselfe to keepe the Castel Aubigni following them in the tayle to the foote of a high mountaine cut off threescore men at armes some thousand foote with 13 hundred prisoneâ—s taking 15. enseignes But this was with the death of Grigni abraue captaine wholed the company of the Earle of Caiazzo being dead of sickenes a little after the taking oâ— Capoua At the same time Porta Carrera brought two hundred men at armes The Spaniaâ—ds defeâ—ted two hundred light horse two thousand foote who dying at Rhegium left the command of his troupes to Fernand Andrade his Lieutenant Fewe daies after Gonsalue departing from Barlette set vpon the Lord of Palisse who lodged in Rubos with a hundred Lances three hundred foote as securely as in an assured peace hauing surprised him sodenly battred it furiously and made a breach he forced him to yeeld the place and to remaine prisoner with his troupe and then he retired safely to Barlette notwithstanding the Duke of Nemours companies lodged for their ease in diuers places about Barlette whilest Gonsalue endured with an admiâ—able patience both hungar pestilence within the same Citty Moreouer fifty French Lâ—nces sent to surprise some money which was brought from Trani to Barlette were defeated by such as Gonsalue had sent for the conduct thereof All these petty losses were without doubt foretellings of a change of our good fortune But what neede was there in the beginning of this so visible a Catastrophe to hazard a fruitlesse coÌ„bate for falling to our disaduantage it must needs greatly diminish our reputation make the whole nation to be scorned although the honor valour of a whole country consists not in the combate of a fewe priuate persons A Trumpeâ— returning from Barlette where he had treated of the ransome of some prisoners reports some speeches which he had heard to the preiudice of the French who displeased therewith they defie the Spaniards and Italians Thirteene French make offer to fight with thirteene of theirs The field was chosen betwixt Barlette Andrie and Quadrate It chanced that hauing broken their lances The French defeated in combaâ—e with no aduantage to either party falling to their other armes a Frenchman ouerthrew an Italian and aduancing to kill him he himselfe was slaine by an other Italian that came to rescue his companion In the end after a rough and bloudy fight of some houres the Italians hauing slaine many of the Frenchmens horses remained maisters of the field and bodies leading their enimies prisoners to Barlette While a State stands firme euery one feares to attempt against it but vpon the first disfauour euery one seekes to pull a plume Some Cantons of the Suisses seeke to fish in a troubled water Troubles by the Suisses and to obtaine by force what they could not get by fauour which was the case of Bellinzone the which they had surprised in Lombardy To this end they come before Locarne camping towards the wall vpon that great Lake which stops the descent from the mountains into the plaine and the other Cantons seeing the enterprise succeed well in fauour of the first assailants run to ayde their companions to the number of fifteene thousand These were too many mouthes in a straight barren country whose fury must soone faint for want of artillery victualls money and horse The Lord of Chaumont did wisely fore-see al this who furnishing his castles vpon the mountains keeping his troups in the plaine kept this great swarme from comming into open places whilst that he assembled al the forces of Lombardie and the allies of Bologne Ferrare and Mantoue The Venetians being required to send the succours which they were bound vnto for the defence of the State of Milan sent some companies but so late as they were vnprofitable Thus the Suisses wanting victualls the French hauing sonke many barkes which brought them prouision vpon the Lake and the Suisses themselues beginning to be diuided for that the whole gaine of of their armes redounded to them alone that possessed Bellinzone they retyred in the ende vpon condition to deliuer what they had taken of the Kings except Musocque as not belonging to the Duchy of Milan and
a Germaine but aboue all Gonsalue grieued for Dom Hugues of Cardone and Roderike Maurice slaine with a Cannon shot There small good haps were crossed by the taking of the fort of Euandre Aquâ—â—e and al other places of Abruzze the which drewe all Calabria to the Spanish obedience The King in the meane time sent seuen thousand foote The Kings new army for Naples and eight hundred men at armes commanded with the Title of Generall by the Lord of Tremouille who then by common consent was held one of the chief for martiall affaires but surprised by sicknes at Parma he gaue the charge therof to Francis of Gonzague Marquis of Mantoâ—a and eight thousand Suisses to the which the Florentines did adde 2. hundred Lance â—â—e Duke of Ferrare the Bolognois and Gonzague a hundred men at armes and the Siennois a hundred more the which being ioyned with those troupes that were in Caâ—ete made about the number of a thousand eight hundred lances French and Italian and aboue eighteene thousand foote besides the army at sea wherein were great forces For the passage of this army by land the King desired to bee satisfied of the Popes intention and of the Valentinois for the Pope who made an ordinary trafficke of other mens losse and calamity signified that as a common father aâ—d hee to both parties he would remaine a newter suffering either of them to leaâ—y troupes indifferently in the territories of the Church he granted free passage to the said armie And the Valentinois offered the king to ioine vnto his army 500. men at armes and two thousand foote but some letters intercepted from the Valentinois to Gonsalue discouered the very botome of his thoughts capitulating that Gonsalue hauing taken Caiete and consequently all the realme of Naples the Valentinois should seize vpon Pisa and then ioyning their forces they should inuade Tuscane But as the Pope and his Borgia would serue two maisters The estate of the Church and the King pressing them vehemently to declare their mindes plainly behold a strange Catastrophe of the Popes Tragedy The Pope and Borgia had before time poysoned the Cardinalls of Saint Angelo of Capoua of Modena Vrsin and many other rich personages whome commonly by their death they disrobed of their goods They had likewise sworne the death of Adrian Cardinall of Cornete They were to suppe coolely in an arbour in a garden belonging vnto Adrian for the effecting of their desseing the Valentinois had sent before some flagons of poysoned wine whereof hee gaue the charge to a grome that was ignorant of the busiâ—es with expresse commandement that no man should touch them It chanced that the Pope comming before the cloath was layed distempered with heate and thirst called for wine The taster thinking this flagon had beene especially recommended for the Popes owne mouth and his sonnes filled of this wine to the Pope And as he was drinking the Duke of Valentinois comes to whome beeing desirous to drinke they gaue of the same flagon Thus Pope Alexander the 6. died the next day the 18. of August whose immoderate ambition The death of Pope Alexander His disposition vnrestrained arrogancie detestable treachery horrible crueltie vnmeasurable couetousnesse selling both holy and profane things had infected all the world verifying in his person That the wicked man labours to bring forth outrage but he shall bring forth that which shall deceiue him hee hath made a pit and is fallen into it And The eternall God searcheth out murthers and remembers them The Valentinois through the vigor of his youth and speedie counter poysons beeing put into the belly of a moyle newly killed prolonged his dayes to feale many deathes in his soule not dying so soone He had often foreseene al accidents that might happeÌ„ vnto him by the death of his father prouided remedies for theÌ„ all but he reckoned without his host not supposing to see his father dead himself at the same instant in extreame danger of death And whereas hee did alwayes presume after his fathers decease partly by the feare of his forces partly with the fauour of the Spanish Cardinalls which were eleuen to cause a Pope to be chosen at his pleasure hee is nowe forced to apply his Counsells to the present necessity And imagyning that he should hardly at one instant withstand the hatred of the Colonnois and Vrsins if they were ioyntly handed against him he resolued to trust them rather whom he had onely wronged in their estates So restoring to them their lands and possessions hee presently reconciles himselfe with the Colonnois and others of their faction who by the comming of Prosper Colonne to Rome had already fiâ—led all the Câ—tty with iealousies and tumults some fearing least this reconcilâ—ation should drawe the Valentinois to the Spanish party others apprehending the comming of the French army Moreouer the Vrsins assembled all their partisans and thirsting after the Valentinois bloud sought to reuenge the outrages which all their famimely had sustayned So as in hatred of the deceased Pope and his sonne they burne all the shoppes and houses of some Spanish marchants and courtiars at Mont-Iordan All the other Parons in the dominions of the Church by their meanes returne to their lands and goods The Vitelli returne to Citta of Castello Iohn Paul Baillon chased from before Perouâ—e at the first seege returnes and by a furious assault takes it The Towne of Plâ—mbin receiues her first Lord. The Duke of Vrbin the Lords of Pesere Camerin and Siâ—igalle are reestablished in their possessions The Venetians assemble many men at Rauenne and giue cause of suspect to inuade Romagnia which onely remayned vnder the Valentinois command desyring rather to serue one onely a mighty Lord then to haue a particular Lord in euery Towne Notwithstanding all these disgraces yet both the French and the Spaniard made great instance to entertayne him or to winne him to their party the French for that he might beeing armed crosse their passage into Italie if hee discouered himselfe in fauour of the Spaniard and molest them in the estate of Naples the Spaniard for that they desired to make vse of his forces and to get by his meanes the suffrages of the Spanish Cardinalls for the election of a future Pope But the French armie approched Rome and the King might hurt or helpe him more then the Spaniard both within Rome and in his other Estates He therefore passed this accord the first of September the Cardinall of Saint Seuerin and the Lord of Trans Ambassador vndertaking for the King To aide the King with his forces in the warre of Naples and in any other enterprise against all men except the Church And the sayd Agents bound his maiesty as well to protect the person of the Valentinois as all the estates which he possessed and to aide him to recouer those which he had lost The Cardinall of Amboise vp on the first newes of Alexanders death postes thether
house of Austria the Suisses in the French armie and those in his which refused plainly to fight one against an other vniting their forces should deliuer him to the enemie for that Iames Stafflet Colonell of his Suisses had with much arrogancie demanded their pay he secretly departs from his armie in the night Maximilian retires with two hundred horse so as he was twentie miles off before they were priuie to his departure His armie wanting both a commander and money tooke the same course The Earle of S. Paul with the Lords Montmorencie and Lescu pursuing them defeated a great number whereof three thousand part Germaines and part Spaniards yeelded to the French and Venetians being in Campe and our Suisses notwithstanding they had beene paied for three moneths went home to their houses except some three hundred which remained with Peter During these garboiles the Pope smothering his conceits laboured to be as pleasing as he could to either party yet was he grieued the Emperour had brought so great forces for he could not remaine a victor but he must afterwards seeke to oppresse all Italy or put Leo from the Papall seat to hold it himselfe according to the common report On the other side as we iudge of causes by the effects the King had many reasons to suspect the Pope He had consented to the Emperours descent Colonne the Popes pensioner did accompany Maximilian He refused to send fiue hundred men at armes for the defence of Milan and to pay three thousand Suisses as he was bound by the treatie of Bologne So as the King to let Leo know that the brightnesse of his Miter did not so dazell his eyes but he discouered his practises he made him Brewiste of the same bread· declaring that seeing the league they had made was fruitlesse in time of warre he would contract a new one which should not tye him but in time of peace The Emperours armie being dissolued the Duke of Bourbon returnes into France and of his owne motion resignes his gouernment into the Kings hands by whose command the Lord of Lautrec Bresse yeelded taking the charge of the armie to free the King from that bond ioyning with the Venetians returned to Bresse which pressed with two batteries one by the French the other by the Venetians yeelded to the King their liues goods saued and Lautrec deliuered it to the Venetians Verona had a harder issue for beâ—ng battred by the French towards Mantoua Verrona yeelded and by the Venetians towards Vincence giuing two assaults afflicted with want of victuals and munition and troubled by the hurting of Marc Anthonie Colonne gouernour of the Citty yet being assured of eight thousand men led by Cont Roquendolfe that came to their succour they held out vntill Christmas at what time famine forced the Spaniards to yeeld the Towne the which was in like sort deliuered to the Venetians The Pope to make profit of the Kings victory and forces solicits Lautrec to aide him to dispossesse Francis Maria of Rouere of the Duchy of Vrbin The motiues of this warre which Leo pretended against him were for that Francis had denied the Pope those men for the which hee had receiued pay of the Church and had treated secretlie with the enemie That hee had slaine the Cardinall of Pauia and committed many other murthers That in the hottest of the warre against Pope Iulius his Vncle hee had sent Balthasar of Chastillion to the King to receiue his pay and at the same instant he denyed passage to some companies that went to ioyne with the army of the Church and pursued in the estate Francis Maria chased from Vrbin and. Laurence of Medicis inuested in the Duchie which he held as a feudatarie of the Church the soldiars which saued themselues at the defeate of Rauenna Lautreâ— desyring to please Leo sent Lescun his brother the Lord of Chifle the Knight of Ambrun the Lords of Aussun and S. Blimond and many other Captaines with good numbers of horse and French foote Who in fewe daies reduced the sayd Duchie to the Popes obedience who did inuest Laurence of Medicis his Nephew in the sayd Duchie Moreouer the Kiâ—gs friendship was very necessary for the Catholike King Charles the Archduke tooke vpon him that title after the death of Ferdinand his grand-father by the mothers side to make his passage more easie from Flanders into Spaine and to assure himselfe of the obedience of those realmes Fitting therefore his resolutions according to the time and necessitie by the aduice of the Lord of Chieures his gouernour hee sent Philip of Cleues Lord of Rauasâ—ein to the King to make choise of a place where their deputies might meete to decide all controuersies betwixt them Noyon was named and for the King there came Arthur of Goufiers Lord of Boissy Lord high Steward of France for the King of Spaine Anthonie of Croye Lord of Chieures both gouernors of their masters nonage and both assisted with notable personages Who concluded That within sâ—e moneths the Catholike King should yeeld the realme of Nauarre to Henry of Albret A peace concluded betâ—wixt the King and the Archdukâ— Charles sonne to Iohn of Albret and Catherine of Foix deceased the same yeare or els should recompence the sayd Henry within the sayd terme to his content els it should be lawâ—ull for the King to aide him to recouer it That the King should giue his daughter Lowise who was but a yeare olde in marriage to the Catholike King and for her dowrie the rights he pretended to the realme of Naples according to the diuision made by their Predecessors vpon condition that vntill shee came to yeares of marriage Charles should pay vnto the King a hundred and fiftie thousand Ducats yearelâ— towards the maintanance of his daughter That shee dying if the king had any other daughter hee should giue her to the Catholike king vpon the same condiâ—ions If hee had none then Charles should marrye with Renee Daughter to the deceased king To propound and conclude marriages so disproportionable of age is it not properly to mocke one an other Seeing that onely two yeares time bring forth occasions which make Princes to alter their courses whose wills are often inconstant This treaty was respectiuely sworne by both Kings who appointed an enteruiew at Cambray attending the which they sent their orders of knighthood one to an other And sence the Emperour ratified these conuentions but wee shall see small fruits theâ—eof France reaped an other benefit of this peace The Suisses seeing a surceasse of armes betwixt the Emperour and the King compounded as the former had doone That the Kâ—ng should paie vnto their Cantons within three moneths three hundred and fiftie thousand ducats and after that a perpetuall and annuall pension That the Suisses should furnish him whensouer hee demanded a ceraâ—ue number of men at his charge But diuersely for the eight Cantons bound themselues to furnish against all men indifferently and
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
Montmorency was ouerthrowne but sodenly releeued by the gentlemen that were about him In the meane time the Marshall of Foix forced the gards vpon the bridge and charging the enemie within his fort gaue hope of victory But this violent heat of the Suisses was soone quenched All retire yet keeping a kinde of order The Imperials freed from the Suisses turne all their forces vpon the Marshall and Vandenesse who had not aboue foure hundred horse and force them to repasse the bridge with the losâ—e of some men On the other side the Spaniards issuing forth charge the Suisses in the rereward and had put them to route if Pontdormy had not by a furious charge kept them within their fort The Venetians kept themselues safe from danger but if they had charged with the Suisses and men at armes and the Marshall of Foix had beene well followed the French in shew had wonne the victory But when things are done there neuer wants an if The Suisses lost about three thousand men and two and twentie Captaines The enemy lost fewe no men of quality but Iohn of Cordone Earle of Culisane So Lautrec returned with the rest of his army the Suisses and the artillery to Monce from whence the Tewsday after the Suisses returned to their houses and the Bastard of Sauoie the Marshall of Chabannes and Galeas of Saint Seuerin retired with them Nowe shall we see this nation so daunted as of many yeares they shall not shew their accustomed vigour The remainder of the French hopes was chiefely grounded vpon the Towne of Laude for the passage of the riuer of Adde and preseruation of the Country of Cremona Lautrec sent Iohn de Medicis and Frederic of Bossole thether with their troupes which were about foure hundred men at armes three thousand foote comprehending those which Bonneual Laude happily taken from the French Captaine of the place had These companies tired with their march in the night arriued in the morning and leauing the gard of the Towne to Bonneual they tooke their lodgings to refresh themselues and their horse The Marquis of Pescara had followed them and his foreward marching neere vnto the Towne gaue occasion to the garrison to come forth to skirmish in the which 〈◊〉 men were so roughly repulsed as the enemie entred with them pel mel into Laude and surprised most of the soldiars in their bedds at noone day Thus foure hundred men at armes and three thousand â—oote were shamefully taken in a Towne without batterie without breach and without ladder Iohn de Medicis and Bâ—sâ—le saued themselues in Cremona The losse of Laude for the French was the cause the enemy recouered Pisqueton one of the strongest places vpon Adde Herevpon Pontdormy offers to put himselfe into Cremona with such as would followe him and being strong or weaâ—e fight with all that should come desyring rather to die by the enemies sworde then to fall into the mercie of villaines or returne into France without armes and without honour Lautrec yeelds and hee gathers togither a troupe out of many companies The Marshall of Foix would haue his part of this glorie fiue or sixe dayes after the Imperialls campe before it At their arriuall Iohn Medicis mutines he demands pay for fifteene or sixteene hundred men which hee had gathered togither presently after his retreat he seizeth vpon one of the gates towards the enemies campe and threatens to deliuer it for want of payement They search their purses and pay him the summe demanded But hee was corrupted and our men seeing his treacherous intent hauing no hope of succors did capitulate That if within three monethâ—s the King did not send a strong army able to passe the riuer they should depart with their baggage armes and all their artillery marked with the armes of France and should bee conducted in safety vnto Suze Cremona yeelded and the sad Marshall should deliuer into Prospers hands all whatsoeuer was held in the Kings name in the estate of Milan eâ—â—ept the Castells of Milan Cremona and Nouare This capitulation was found of hard digestion for Montmorency was in possibilitie to renewe the League with the Venetians but aduertised of this composition they changed both affections and partie The reason which made Prosper yeeld to so honorable a composition The Venetians forsake the King was the desire he had to restore the Adornes into Genes before the leuie of foure hundred Launces and foureteene thousand Gascons should be readie to enter into Italie Prosper Colonne plants himselfe before Genes which was then gouerned by Octauian Fregose a man of excellent vertue who for his Iustice and other commendable parts was as much beloued as any Prince might bee in a Cittie diuided into factions hauing not yet lost the remembrance of the ancient libertie Fregose seing Ierome and Anthonie Adorne to take armes in fauour of the Imperials and the people inclyned to sedition treated of an accord when as Peter of Nauarre enters into the port with two gallies and some two hundred to assure the Towne attending the succours of France But a Towre which the Marquis of Pescara had battered neere vnto the gate made them returne vnto their parle Being readie to conclude the Spaniards discouering the small gard they made within vnder colour of this hope seised on the Tower Genes taken and spoyled entring the Towne thereby and by the wall which was ruined killing all they mett and geting a great spoyle Fregose being sicke yeelded to the Marquis of Pescara and within few dayes after died Peter of Nauarre was taken fighting in the market place The Archbishop of Salerne brother to Octauian and many Captaines saued themselues by sea Anthonie Adorne was chosen Duke of Genes and within few dayes receiued the Citadell the Chastelâ—t and the Church of Saint Francis by composition Sixe thousand men newly sent by the King vnder the commaund of the Lord of Lorges for the succour of Genes and the armie of Claude of Orleans Duke of Longueuille to repaire the affaires of Lombardie returned without any effect being alreadie entred into the territorie of Ast and Lescut prest by the terme limitted by the composition deliuered Cremone to Colonne leauing Bunou Captaine of the Castle Thus the French were againe expelled out of Italie Lautrec seeing the enterprise of Laude made fruitlesse his armie ruined and the Suisses and Venetians retyred The French expelled out of Italie hee retâ—â—nes into France bringing to the King rather iustifications of his actions then any signes of his victories imputing the cause of these disorders to want of money without the which hee could no longer keepe the men at armes togither who had serued eighteene moneths without any pay the Kings mother hauing stayed foure hundred thousand Crownes appointed for the payment of the armie which summe she sayd she had spared out of her reuenues and had long before put it into Semblâ—sais hands being ouerseer of the Treasor of France Hereupon theKing
he wished him to appoint the field he would bring the armes the King protesting that if hereafter the Emperour shall write or speake any thing preiudiciall to his honour the shame of the delay should redound vppon himselfe seeing that the combat is the end of all writing Without doubt this proceeding had beene more seemely for Knights then for such Princes and no enterprises are commendable but so farre forth as they agree with the dignitie of their persons and States And for that Granuelle refused to take vppon him this charge the King dismissing him Henry King of England deâ—yâ—s thâ— Empâ—rouâ— puâ—s away his wiâ—e did accompany him with an Herald to present this writing vnto the Emperour Within few dayes after Henry King of England sent him the like defie and did put away Catherine his wife daughter to Ferdinand and Elizabeth Kings of Spaine whom he had married being widow to Arthur his elder brother A diuorce which Pope Clement graunted vppon promise that Henry should for his safetie maintaine him agard of foure thousand foote Lautrecs successe in the Realme of Naples In the meane time Lautrecs forces preuailed in the Realme of Naples with such applause of the people as whether for affection of the French or hatred of the Spaniard almost all the Townes sent to offer their keyes and gates Peter of Nauarre had chased the Prince of Melphe out of Aquile and reduced all Abruzze to the Kings obedience the whole estate of Naples was readie to set vp the banners of France when as the Prince of Orange hauing assembled within Troye and thereabouts fiue thousand Germaines fiue thousand Spaniards and fifteene hundred Italians he made Lautrec to vnite his forces which were dispersed and to turne head to the enemie with an intent to fight with him He wanted the siâ—ews of warre the Kings assignations failed so as he could not long maintaine the burthen of the warre The adauntage of men victuals and the field did inuite him hee must therefore attempt some great matter He goes to field with three thousand French whereof the Lord of Burie was Colonell foure thousand Gascons vnder the command of Peter of Nauarre and the Lord of Candale eight thousand Germaines commanded by the Earle of Vaudemont three thousand Suisses vnder the charge of the Earle of Tende with ten thousand Italians and approched neere the enemie but there was no meanes to draw him out of his fort Many dayes were spent in skirmishes and courses In one of them three hundred horses comming out of their battaillons which marched after the artillerie were charged by Moriac and Pomperant it is that faithfull Achates to the Duke of Bourbon whom the King had drawen to his seruice and honoured with a company of fiftie men at armes for the good seruice he had done him at his taking of Pauia hauing freed him from some souldiars that had inuironed him in and not knowne him were wholy defeated and their enseignes and guidons carried away Lautrec offered battaile yet well pleased not to fight in the absence of Horatio Baillon who brought thirteene enseignes of foote whome Iohn de Medicis had long before trayned in the exercise of armes But behold a heauie signe of a fatall desaster the winds were so violent and the skie so troubled as all the tents in the French campe were ouerthrâ—wne many men slaine Baillon arriues the enemie packs vp the baggage stops the bells of his moyles and marcheth through the woods directly to Naples without sound of drumme or trumpet It had beene a goodly thing to pursue these runawaies The French Captaines flewe after them in their hearts but Lautrec sayd I will haue them at my mercie and without losse of my men But the spirit of man is ignorant of future destinies The emeny retyres Don Hugues de Moncado and other chiefe seruants to the Emperour did so hate the Prince of Orange as without doubt they had shut the gates of Naples against him the which had giueÌ„ the French a great aduantage But the soueraigne Iudge of armes had otherwise decreed The Prince of Orange being dislodged Lautrec sent some troupes of French horâ—e and foote with the blacke bands which were those of Baillon to go before Melfe which might cut off the victualls from the army lying before Naples the Prince thereof defended it with three thousand men who by their continuall â—allies had much indomaged our troupes They made a small breach with two Cannons and the Gascons burning with heat offer themselues to the assault the blacke bands follow them without any commandement or direction from their Captaines A volley of shot makes them retire kiâ—â—es many Gascons and some threescore of the black bands At night they renue the batterie and make a second attempt but with like successe yet at length they carrie it The next day they haue a supplie of artillery wherewith they make two great baâ—â—eries The pesants which were in great numbers within Melphe mutine for feare they are in deed more fit to amaze then to serue at neede Melphe taken The â—oldiars terrefied with this tumult abandon the defenses and recouer the Castell they enter the Towne spoile it and kill of soldiars and Inhabitants six or seauen thousand they take the Castell by composition and the Prince with his wife and children prisoners Barleta Trant Venouse Ascoli with all the places there abouts except Mansfredonia yeeld to the victors fortune who prepared a great masse of victualls for the seege of Naples the Venetians 〈◊〉 hauing fortified the armie with about two thousand men Capoua Acerre Nolâ— Auerse and all places there abouts hauing voluntarilie opened their gates made the way easie for Lautrec who campes before the walles of Naples in the ende of Aprill the Imperialls were resolued onely to defend Naples and Caiette It was a great matter to haue chased the enemie out of the field and to keepe them coopt vp within the capitall Cittie But alas what shall become of so great a multitude of men our French must learne once more to their cost that all their strange enterprises attempted farre off haue beene mournfull graues vnto them The issues of death belong to the eternall God Lautrec imploies all his witts in the seege of Naples but who can hope for any happie successe The Cittie was full of men of defence Naples beseeged and the meane to famish it verie vncertaine for the galleies of Phillipin Nephew to Andrew Dorie being vnable to stoppe vp the port some shippes fraught with meale stoale in those of Venise came not the enemies light horse which were many cut off the victualls from our men the ordinarie grossenesse of the aire the continuall rayne the discomodities of the soldiars who for the most part lay open filled the campe full of diseases The discomodities of the sâ—ege the Kings â—lowe prouision and the negligence of the Treasorers were the cause that no money could passe the mountaynes
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
The pesants and montaâ—â—ers lying in ambush in the straights and narrow passages along the Alpes and issuing forth sodainly sometimes vppon the scowts sometimes vppon the reerward stayed them euery two hundred paces to defend themselues hauing no meanes to offend this swarme of men who being charged vanished by crooked and vnknowne wayes Fiftie men of the Countrie resolute for all euents had shutt themselues in a fort called our Ladies Tower with an intent to shoote at the Emperour in the passage and all of them at one instant to discharge their harguebuses But they take Martha for Marie they kill a Nobleman with a rich coat of armes and followed by a troupe of men which did him great honour The Emp. brings the canon batters the Tower forceth them to yeeld at his pleasure to purge the offence they had made sends them al to be hanged Moreouer being aduertised that a great number of pesants women children catttel were hidden in the ground in a wood on the side of a mountaine he caused the wood to be fired in many places aboue the wind so as all were miserably burnt or slaine A stratageme which did so incense the people against the Emperour as neuer any of his men fell into their hands but he made tryall of a most tragicke and cruel death These first fruits might induce the Emperour to drawe a consequence from the lesse to the greater in comparison of these people vnacquainted with armes with those whome nature â—nd exercise had instructed and to make him knowe that it was no small enterprise to aâ—saile a King of France at his doore But this troubled his minde Hee thought in the beginning of this warre to haue 〈◊〉 disgraced the King with the Germains and Suisses as he should drawe no men from them Notwithstanding aduertised that besides the eight thousand Suisses leuied by Lewis of Anguerrand Lord of Boisrigault Stephen d' Aigne Lord of Beauuais and William Lord of Isernay gentlemen of the Kings house had made a leuie of the like number all which had in a manner ioyned with the Marshall of Montmorency who had nowe about thirty thousand men in his campe he is nowe much greeâ—ed in his heaâ—t that hauing in the former warres wonne so many happy victories vnder the command of his Captaines now marching in person with so strong and mightie an army after he had published his triumphes throughout the world he should performe no honorable exploit of war Therefore the 15. of August he makes choise of three thousand Spaniards foure thousand Italians and fiue thousand Lansquenets and takes in his coÌ„panie the Duke of Alba a Spaniard Alphonse d' Aualos the Marquis of Guast and Don Fernand Gonsagne Italians and the Cont Horne a Germaine followed with all the floâ—er of his horsemen and aduanceth neere to Marsâ—illes hee goes himselfe in person 〈◊〉 vewe the Towne being couered with the ruines of a house lately beat down an◠〈◊〉 forth the Marquis to marke a conuenient place for the planting of his artillery agâ—inst the weakest place of the Towne This resolution had beene good when as the Kings forces were not yet vnited and his people terrefied by the sodaine and vnexpected landing of so mightie an enemie The watch vpon the rampars discouered the Marquis they send forth men to compasse him in behinde if there were no more then those which appeared with him Hee retires towards the place from whence hee parted and by his retreat they discouer a greater number of men behind that ruined house They set vpon them that issued forth and some Cannon shot scatter the stoanes kill some and hurt otherâ— This first amazement carried the Emperour to his Campe after hee had appointed the Duke of Alba and the Cont Horne to stay about Marseilles and the Marquis of Guast with twelue hundred horse and six enseigns of foote to go and vewe Arles that if they found it not able to bee taken by assault he would come thether with all his forces In the meane time least the first that sallied forth should fall into some ambush they send other fresh men in fregats and boats armed who going along the shoare get aboue the place where they had seene the harnes shine and landing take a compasse among the mirtells and other bushes which grow in that Countrie The Duke discouers them and to busie them sends certaine horses to drawe the whole troupe which followed vpon them Our men had the like desseine and when as the enemies whole strength appeeres they seeme amazed retire without order and drawe them that pursued towards an open plaine commanded by the Cannon and turning their backes saue them selues among the bushes The Cannon plaies and passing through the Imperialls makes heads legges and armes to flie into the aire so pittifully mangled as the cries of them that died the terror of them that fled and the amazement of them that were found turnes them all into a hastie flight the soldiars hidden in the bushes makes a furious sally vpon them that fled the Duke gathereth againe his men far from the shoare into a valley couered with rockes and hilles and hauing vewed them hee found his number greatly diminished amongest others those of the Cont Horne and of an other Germaine Captaine his nere kinseman The Marquis of Guast had alreadie discouered that they had abated a little hiâ—l 〈◊〉 did ouerlooke the Towne of Arles vpon the which a few peeces of artillerie being planted would haue held the Towne in great subiection Arles is seated vppon Rosne at the point where it parts in two and runs with two mouths into the sea mâ—king an Iland which they call Camarole Iohn Carraciol a Neapolitane Prince of Melphe commanded there as the Kings Lieutenant with a thousand foot Gascons of the troupes of Iohn of Foix Eaâ—le of Caâ—maine a thousand Champanois vnder the commaund of Iohn Anglure Lord of Iour two thousand others vnder the enseigns of the Lords of Marieu of Daulphiné la Goute a Bourbonois du Palais of the Countie of â—oix and the Baron of Rixâ—u of Languedoc to euery one fiue hundred and Bonneual about a hundred and thirtie men at armes As the Marquis lying in ambush behind certaine windmils viewed the weakest parts of the Towne being discouered Anthony of Anâ—ienâ—ilâ—e Lord oâ— Villiers Commissarie of the artillery plants two peeces of artillery so 〈◊〉 against these mills as if the Marquis seeing them giue fire had not slipt aside hee had there ended his dayes So as the Marquis frustrate of his hope either to surprise or to forâ—e the Towne of Arles 〈◊〉 his way to Marseilles Marseilles was beseeged by the Dâ—ke of Alba more in shew then with any hope to force it and onely with an expectation to draw the beseeged to some rasâ—â—allie or to haue the Kings armie to come to succour them and then to fight with them wâ—th an aduaÌ„tage With this desseine the Emperour lay so neere as
at the first dislodging of the French Campe he might easely prâ—uâ—nt them and ioyne with his forces But those â—â—thin the Towne had good and â—iâ—e commanders who suffred not their men to issue forth but to good purpose and alwaies to the enemies losse As for remouing of the Campe Montmoâ—ency would not hazard the estate nor the forces of the King his master he â—opes by the rout of his enemies aâ—mie to preseâ—ue his owne and according to the aduertisements he had of the Imperâ—als deâ—â—eins he restrayned or gaue libertie for the execution of his Councels and commandements The surprise of Brignoles had made him more warie yet not to dâ—unt the courage of his men he continually stuâ—â—ed of reuenge vexing the Impeâ—ials with daily alarums incounters and charges and all without any losse or preiudice The Dâ—ulâ—â—in comâ—s to the Campe. The King being aduertised of the approches which the Emperour had made to Marseilâ—es Henry the new Daulphin and Duke of Brittaine desirous to make proofe of his person in so iust and honourable a war and against so worthie an enemie obteines by 〈◊〉 instant prayers and the intercession of such as might preuaile much with his Mâ—iestie leaue to go to the Campe Not to commaund presently sayd the King but to leaâ—â—e to commaund hereafter and vnder the Lord Steward as an other Palantes vnder â—neâ—s who passeth his appâ—â—ntâ—ship in the art of warre His coming made the youth â—o câ—ie for battaile whensoeuer they went to consult whether it were more expâ—diâ—â—t to approch neere their enemie or to prolong the warre by tempoâ—â—sing and delayes and many which till now had followed the last opinion were carried away to the â—ontrary Many considerations mooued them the Kings forces able to incounter the Eâ—perours the presence of a yong Prince burning with desire to trie himselfe in the warre the dishonour as they sayd in suffering the Towne of Marseilles to be beseeged the meanes they had to defeat their enemies before the Emperour could bring all his forces to succour them who for want of victuals were constreined to â—e dispersed But the Lord Steward and the wisest heads found it farre more safe to win the victorie without striking stroake cuting off the enemies victuals as they had done before Marseilles was well fortified furnished with all necessarie munition manned with valiant Captaines Reasons why the French would not fight with the Emperour and men of resolution Contrariwise famine and pestilence which did much afflict and daily increase in the Emperours campe would soone ruine his power It was now neere at hand The pesants had lately carryed away slaine and hurt all the beasts which carried the biscuit that was made at Toulon and continuing to molest them by these affronts they brought the imperiall arâ—â—e into wonderfull wants and necessitie Moreouer the dayly checks which the French men at armes gaue vnto the enemie made the Emperour thinke of his retreate It was therefore a wise constancie and resolution of the Lord Steward not to submit the importance of this warre to the discretion of a doubtfull hazard There is no lâ—sse honour to vanquish an enemie by counâ—ell and gouernment then by battaile and not to hazard himselfe to the chance of armes without necessitie it is an abusing of the bloud and liues of men Herevpon newes comes to the King Exploits in Piedmont that his armie beyond the Alpes had brought most part of Piedmont vnder his obedience and all the Marquisate of Salusses except some Castels His Maiestie vsing his tights might haue annexed this Marquiâ—ate vnto Daulphiné whereon it depends as confiscate by the rebellion treachery of the Marquis Francis But let vs heare an act of his naturall clemencie and bountie Iohn Lewis brother to the sayd Francis was prisoner at Paris for the like rebellion The King â—et him at liberty he did inuest him in the Marquisate takes his oath of fealtie to â—im and against all other men he causeth money to be giuen him to furnish him and â—is â—â—aine and then sends him to take possession Francis within few weekes after came to â—â—rmagnole Iohn Lewis receiues him into the Castell and suffers himselfe to be so carried away with sweet words as he sweares by nothing but by the confidence he had in his brother Francis Francis was farre more malitious and cunning Iohn Lewis â—â—â—inst the aduice of Saint Iulian a Gentleman Gascon bred vp in the house of Salusses whom the King had sent with Iohn Lewis to obserue the actions and the going and comming of this new Marquis being a simple and dull man he suffers himâ—elfe to be dâ—â—â—ne out of Carmagnole and to be lead to the Castle of Valfeniere where Francis â—â—â—â—ined him prisoner then seekes to recouer the places of the Marquisate S. Iulian foreseeing the issue of this subtill stratagem practâ—sed Saluador d' Aguerres by his persâ—asions and receiued of him in the Kings name the strongest Castle of Vrezeul a beâ—â—e in Francis his eye which kept him from being absolute Marquis Andrew Dorie comming then from Spaine brought victuals and money to the Emperour vpon whose arriuall he made a Proclamation throughout the Campe The Empeâ—ouâ—s retreat That all men bearing armes should be ready to muster without doubt the great decay of his armie the which from fiftie thousand men that hee had parting from Nice hee found decreased to 25. or 30. at the most did touch him to the quick to receiue money and prepare to depart vpon the day assigned euery man to be furnished with eight or ten daâ—es victuals This proclamation made the King suspect that he meant to come and assâ—â—â—e his campe or to marche after the Duke of Alba to the siege of Marseilles And seeing the Emperour was there in person the King did hope to haue meanes in the midest of these great armies to effect the contents of the challenge he had before sent to the Emperour by an Herald as we haue heard But his Maiestie was no sooner come fâ—om Valence to his campe neere Auignon as he was giuing order to prepare to receiue or giue battaile newes comes vnto him that the Emperour with all his Campe is â—â—â—lodged from Aix leauing behind him besides the dead bodies which were infinit aâ—re being corrupted round about a great multitude of sick men which could not follow the armie neither on horseback nor on foote and taking the route of Spaine Aix burnt by the imperials spoiled with all the desolations which warre could bring forth except fire from which the Emperour did preserue it Onely the pallace and especially the Chamber of accompts were abandoned to the fire at the instance of the Duke of Sauoy who would assist in person at the burning thereof hoping it may be to abolish the memorie of the titles whereby it appeares that Piedmont belongs to the Earldome of Prouence But the Lord Steward had foreseene this inconuenience sending them to a strong
their lodging and finds nothing done Some exclayming first would haue made their cause good Others storme their pay being nowe out and protest that if it bee not satisfied they will wrappe vp their enseignes A fruitlesse attempt vpon Ast. and sound a retreate They had reason it is an ordinary course when as the chiefe foâ—â—â— of an army consists in a mercenarie nation Humieres searcheth all the purses in the campe makes for euerie Companie fiue hundred Crownes and with this boane did somewhat satisfie their greedinesse But in the meane time the beseeged giuing the alarume to the Campe they bring in seauen companies of foote 1534. and three hundred horse to their succors Thus the small likelyhood to force the Towne and lesse to famish it seeing that for want of pay the strangers were no men of resolution Humieres leaues the Towne of Ast to surprise that of Alba. About eight hundred Spaniards were parted from Alexandria to enter into it Iohn Paul de Cere meetes them Alâ—a and Quers taken chargeth and defeats them so as at the arriuall of the French the Câ—ttâ—zens of Alba vnfurnished of soldiars yeelding to the yoake of obedience gaue occasion to them of Quiers to follow their example This absence of the army made Caesar of Naples gouernour of Vulpian a man actiue and Vigilant A dangerous attempt against Turin but vnfortunate in his enterprises to attempt Turin Turin had in it but two companies of foote vnder de Wartis and d' Angart weake forces for a place of such importance yet the Inhabitants were well affected to this Crowne Caesar â—ubornes a Corporal a GascoÌ„ to deliuer him the next day of his gard a bulwarke of the Towne right against our Ladies Church Such base people should neuer knowe the day nor houre of their watch The night being come he brings ten enseignes of foote and some three hundred horse the soldiar giues him notice by a signe of the most conuenient place to plant his ladders he settes them vp before the alarume was in the Towne he putts fiue enseignes into the bulwarke two or three base soldiars whom the traytor had of purpose drawne in with him saued themselues by flight Boutieres gouernour of Turin hearing the alarume goes into the streete followed onely with the Suisses of his gard and some gentlemen hee finds the Townsmen armed and resolute to do their duties he marcheth directly into the bastion with no armes but a halberd shutts the gate by which they came from the sayd bastion into the Towne the darknesse of night had hindred the enemie from seeing it open the which preserued the Towne for whilest that Caesar made fit his ladders to enter into the Towne the alarume grew hot Wartin arriues with two hundred shot and forceth the enemie to abandon the bulwarke The Imperialls râ—pulse at Tuâ—in hauing lost seauen or eightscore men at whose departure the soldiar payed for his offence with his life This attempt the bad inclynation of the forren forces the quarrels betwixt Caesar Fregâ—se who led the foreward and Iohn Paul de Cere Colonnell of the Italian foote the controuerses of Brissac with Anniball of Gonsague Earle Laniuolare six thousand Spaniards and twelue hundred horse being entred into Montcallier and thâ—eatning Turin but weakly furnished with men made Humieres to leaue Iulio Vrsin in Alba with a thousand foote vnder his charge and a thousand more vnder Artigue-Dieu and Peter Strossy in Quieras Caesar Fregose with the like number of men such as he would chose with the rest of the army turnes head towards the enemy to surprise him at Montcallier The Marquis of Guast aduertised of this desseine puts the rest of his troupes into the sayd place This enterprise prouing fruitlesse and Humieres not able any longer to hold his strangers without pay he sent Francis Earle of Pontreme with sufficient forces to make good Pignerol against the Marquis who threatned to surprise it to take froÌ„ tâ—e French all meanes of retreat succours in keeping the passage of Suze Then hee supplied Turin with two thousand French foote commanded by Allegre and Laâ—â—gny Quiers with a thousand men of the bands of Aramont besids eight hundred which the Knight Assall gouernour of the place had Sauillan with a thousand Italians vnder the command of Iohn of Turin leading the Lansquenets and the rest of the troupes into the Marquisate of Salusses to attend newes and money from the King for their pay for want whereof this army serued to small vse The Marquis of Guast seeing Humieres retired into Pignerol whether the violence of the Lansquenets had driuen him there to attend their pay he sent thirteene enseigns of foote to Siria a small Towne vpon the mountaine to keepe the valley of Suze in subiection and by the taking of the Castells of Riuole and Villane to take from them of Turin all meanes to heare newes out of France So the way by the valley of Suze being cut off and that of Pignerol by the meanes of Montcallier Carignan and Carmagnole which the enemy enioyed Humieres being ill obeyed by the Lansquenets whome they forced to pay vpon their olde rowle although their number of ten thousand were halfe decreased and those of Turin prest with want of victuals and money 1537. which they could not endure after Saint Andrews day Piedmont in danger to be lost for want of money the King was in danger to loose all Piedmont The Marquis hauing taken the Towne of Quiers by assault with Albe and Quieras by composition was become master of the field and held Pigneroll a great and vast Towne so straightly begirt as no victuals might enter when as the King by a supplie of fiue and twentie thousand Crownes which he sent to Boutieres made an entrie for the Countrimen to bring victuals to Turin which before was shut vp for want of payment for their wares then he caused the the bands of the Earle of Furstemberg and of Nicholas de Rusticis to march to Lions vnder the commaund of the Daulphin his son and of the Lord Steward with ten thousand French foot commaunded by Montiean followed by fourteene hundred men at armes and light horse attending a leuie of fourteene or fifteene thousand Suisses which the Earle of Tende made for his Maiesties seruice resolute to march after himselfe in person And not to leaue his realme vnfurnished he left the gouernment of Paris and the I le of France Picardie Normandie and other Countries about to the Duke of Orleans his yonger sonne hee sent backe the Duke of Guise into Bourgogne and Champagne Henry King of Nauarre his brother in law into Guienne and Languedoc and the Lord of Chasteaubriant into Brittanie The Daulphin accompanied with Anthonie Duke of Vendosme parts from Lions about the tenth of October The Daulphins voiage into Piedmont gathers togither in Daulphiné some three thousand Legionaries and the remainders of Humieres armie which were
and victualls the Daulphin hauing brought but for two dayes the enemies which assembled at Monts and at Quesnoy le Comte the daunger the King did foresee in keeping his troupes diuided the feare that going in person to ioyne with his sonne with whom were his chiefe â—orces he should be constrayned to leaue the fortifications of Landrecy imperfect his Maiesty drawes the Daulphin vnto him he causeth him to beate downe the defences of Maubeuge in his passage and for that the Emperour was wont to assemble his forces there that came out off Germany and the Low Countries to fire the Towne Trelon and Glayon places betwixt Auennes and Simay did greatly annoy the frontiers of Tierasse and Champagne Bonneuall and Stenay Lieutenant to the Duke of Anguien who was in Prouence as we shall shortly see had commission to preuent it Beeing come to Trelon with two thousand French and foure thousand Lansquenets those within at the fiâ—st sight of the Cannon yeelded to haue their liues saued Glayâ—n afterwards submitted with the like facility Both being burnt but their fortifications not ruined shall serue againe to lodge the Imperialls Emery remained still whole but it might not be made fit to endure the attempts of a mighty army in twelue dayes Moreouer it must bee furnished with victualls Two â—iuers noâ— to be waded through betwixt Landrecy and Emery made the victualing difficult Auennes did cut it off and the Commissaries of the victualls reported that to put victualls into Emery were in time to famish the armie to take away the meanes to victuall Landrecy for the want of carriage which was greatly hindred by a continuall raine three weekes together And that which did most import newes comes to that the Emperour armes and approched neere the countries of the Duke of Cleues whom he might not abandon to the pawes of a roaring Lion who had long time vowed his ruine So the Towers of the Dungeon of Emery and the portall of the walls flying into the ayre by myne and other meanes serued to fill vp the trenches Hitherto we haue made warre with small resistance· hereafter wee shall haue a stronger party and by consequence more glory to crosse the Emperours attempts whilest that the famine and the winter driues him from before Landrecy In the end of Iuly Landrecy was in such estate as without any support of an army the fortifycations might well be continued leauing some troupes at Guise and the Duke of Cleues against whom the Empeâ—our banded all his power appealed to the King for succours The King therefore to diuert the Emperours forces to draw him to battell and to trye if he were accompanied with the like happinesse leading his forces in person as hee had beene by his officers or at the least by the taking of Luxembourg to make the way easie to succour his ally he sent the Duke of Vendosme to encounter the enemies attempts vpon the frontiers of base Picardy and to fauour the necessary victualing of Landrecy and for the execution of his enterprise he appointed the Duke of Orleans vnder the conduct of the Admirall of Annebault The Prince of Melphes whome the King had left in Guise with three hundred men at armes and Brissac Collonell of fifteene hundred light horse assembled to go and ioyne with him about Rheims And the Earles of Reux and Roquendolfe with the forces of the Lowe Country came from a skirmish at Landrecy which they did hope to surprise being vnfurnished of victualls As they trouped together with a desseine to attempt the Castle of Bohain newes comes that La Hunaudaye and Theaude Bedaigne an Albanois either of them beeing Captaine of two hundred horse were lodged neere vnto the Castle of Bouhourie making account to dislodge so earely as they might come in time to part with the Generall To surprise them the Lord of Liques Lieutenant to the Duke of Ascots companie drawes eight hundred choise Bourguignon horses out of the Imperiall troupes two hundred Englishmen the King of England being then fauoured by the Emperour The Imperialls charge the French in their lodging are repulst pretended to inuade vs as we shall see hereafter and foure enseignes of footemen But least he should come too late he leaues them behind him and marcheth before with his horsemen At the first they charge Bedaignes lodging who whilest the enemy was breaking open the gate had leysure to put on his Cuirasse he goes to horsebacke with his launce in his hand forceth furiously through them ouerthrowes them he meetes and ioynes his troupe with La Hunaudaye who was likewise on horseback Aché and Bertrand of Foissy Lord of Crené Captaines of two hundred harguebuziers on horsebacke being lodged at the same Abby post to their succours they force the bridge which the Imperialls kept ioyntly with the light horsemen repulse the enemy The alarum is giuen at Guise Theaude Manes arriues with his two hundred light horse to second his companions and Brissac borrowing about threescore horse of the Prince of Melphe his troupes had already taken the way to Marle goes to their aide he is aduertised by Bedaigne that the enemy fearing to haue the whole armie vpon them began to wauer all the troupes ioyne and charge them sodainly they ouerthrowe their horsemen vpon their foote which aduanced put them to rout they pursue them speedily leaue three hundred dead vpon the place carry away six hundred prisoneâ—s and winne foure Enseignes on foote and two Cornets on horse The rest of the Imperiall armie going to assaile Bohain hearing of this defeat and doubting they should be forced to fight with the whole army grew amazed retyred to Quesnoy le Comte The Duke of Orleans hauing already by the taking of S. Mary for Montmedy Yuoy were vnder the Kings obedience since the first conquest made by the said Duke Danuilliers Vireton Arlâ—n and other places made his approches to Luxembourg hee â—â—st it with two batteries at a corner of the high towne towards France the one crossing the other the one was coÌ„mitted to the Duke of Aumale the other to Peter Strossy a Florentine kinseman to Pope Clement deceased who being lately come out off Italy had brought three hundred Tuscane souldiers all men of note and commandement two parts armed with Pikes the third with Harguebuziers all with gilt coâ—selets The Towne was defended by foure hundred horse well appointed three thousand fiue hundred foote well armed vnder the commaund of Giles of Leuant a man well esteemed by the Imperialls and Iohn de Heu one of the Lords of Metz. Yet at the fift or six volle of the Canon hauing demanded coÌ„position they departed with their baggage Longuâ—uil entred as gouernor with his company of men at armes Anglure with a thousand of the Legion of Champagne Haraucourt a Lorraine and the Vicomte of Riuiere commaunding eyther of them fiue hundred men and Ierom Marin a Boulenois sixe score Italians The King hauing passed the feast of
of Birons troupe make them abaâ—don the trench become masters thereof spoile all the Kings soldiars take the Enseignes of his Maiesties Suisses Lansquenâ—ts and deliuer this trench vnto the Leaguers but they shall not long enioye it For the King seeing that the treachery of these villaines had made the issue of the câ—mbaâ—e doubtfull seconded by the Duke of Montpensier and his Cornet and releeued with fiâ—e hundred shot led by the Lord of Chastillon hee comes furiously to charge A third charge imbrâ—ues his sword with the bloud of many of them takes many priâ—oners driues them out of the trench and presently plants two Cannons there which shot into the battayllon of the enemies Suisses that made the retreat and strikes such a terror among them as in short time all leaue him the place of battaile beeing couered with the carcases of his rebells Doubtlesse this spittle-house should bee honored with an eternall triumphe It is the place where they thought to haue driuen the King into an extremity eyther to suffer himselfe to be taken at Diepe or to seeke his safety beyond the seas It is the place where the veines of the League beeing opened they poured forth streames of that bâ—oud and vigour which maintayned their first ioylity It is the place where fiue hundred horse â—welue hundred French foote and tâ—o thousand Suissets had as it were prodigiously triumphed ouer thirtie thousand men who with a giantlike brauery boaâ—ted to bring eyther dead or bound hands and feeâ—e the greatesâ— King the greatest Captaine of the world who like a lightning finding nothing that might withstand the â—urie of his victorious armes dispersed and suppressed with the point of his sword the presumptuous and rash attemptes of his mutinous subiects The Earle of Blain one of their Marshalls of the field was taken prysoner many souldiars but a greater nâ—mber of men at armes many Gentlemen and moâ—â— Commanders serued as a prey to the birdes of the aire and the beastes of the fiâ—â—ds The King lost the Earle of Roussy sixe or seauen Gentlemen and some souldiâ—rs Some few dayes after the King doubting his troupes being but small might be beaten from their lodging at Arques he abandoned that quarter and lodged them neere vnto Deepe vnder the fauour of the Castle The Duke of Mayenne finding that lodging abandoned passeth with his whole armie vnto the other side of the Towne within halfe a mile he plants sixe Canons and about midnight shootes into the port of the Towne to keepe them from issuing forth The King vpon this alarum cast vp a trauers before the port to blind their sight and sends speedily into England to hasten the forces which he expected from the Queene the which were 4000. men vnder the command of the Lord Willowbie But some few dayes after these troupes being ready to land the Duke of Mayenne seeing all his attempts prooue vaine dislodgeth and thinkes he hath done much for his reputation if by some volee of Canon â—here the King was and then against Argues hee publisheth throughout all France that he is maister of those Townes without entring In the end toiled with the Kings continuall skirmishes and toucht with apprehension at the first newes he hearing of the Earle of Soissons approch who had cunningly escaped out of prison of the Duke of Longueuills and the Marshall D' Aumonts with their troupes he went to seeke his safetie beyond the riuer of Somme To assure sayd he those places which by the treatie of Arras he was to deliuer vnto the Spaniard and then returning to Paris did nothing memorable but established his Councell of sixteene and forty the which afterwards he reuoked and disanulled all he could as wee shall see in the course of the Historie In the meane time to busie the Parisiens those three Enseignes which the treacherous Lansquenets had by a traiterous stratagem stolne in the Trenches brought forth twenty other counterfeit which the Dowager of Montpensier sister to the Duke of Mayenne caused to be made at Paris in the Lombards streete This was a patterne of the subtill deuises of that woman who euery morning suborning some new poste made him to go forth at one gate and to enter at an other as bringing still some aduertisement of happy successe which she sent vnto the Curats to deliuer in their Sâ—rmons And by these politike stratagems entertained the people in their disorder and â—â—eeced the purses of the most credulous The Dukes retreat made the Kiâ—g suspect that hee retired for an aduantage and tâ—at marching to defeate the supplies that came vnto him he would returne puft vp with greater courage and new hopes His Maiestie therefore leaues the Mâ—rshall of Biron at Diepe with the armie and resolues to goe meeâ—e the Earle and the rest with foure hundred horse Being ioyned he takes the Towne and Caâ—tell oâ— â—amache and recouers the Towne of Eu. This bayte might haue drawne the Duke but hee found his aboad in Picardie more safe and La Fere which hee deliuered into the Strangers and enemies hands made him continue the intelligences hee had with the Duke of Parma whereof wee shall shortly see strange effects So the King returning to Diepe prouided for the affaires of Normandie leauing the Duke of Montpensier there with the forces hee had brought for his Lieutenant generall hee receiued from the Queene of England foure thousand men money and munition belonging vnto warre With this supply his Maiestie parts the 21. of October and alwayes coasting the enemie comes to passe the riuer of Seine at Meulan and marcheth directly to Paris The King approcheth to Paris with a double desseigne eyther to fight or at the least to drawe the Duke out of Picardie The last of October hee arriues about Paris and diuides his troupes into three bâ—tâ—aillons The first had foure thousand English two regiments of French and one 〈◊〉 â—he Suisses vnder the command of the Marshall of Biron for the suburbes of Saint 〈◊〉 and Saint Marâ—ell The second was of ten regiments of French and 〈◊〉 committed to the Marshall D' Aumont for Saint Iames and Saint Michell The 〈◊〉 ten Regiments of French one of Lansquenets and one of Suisses commanded 〈◊〉 Chasâ—illon and La Noue for Saint Germaine Bussy and Nesâ—e Hee giues to eyâ—â—er oâ— these troupes a good number of Gentlemen on foote well armed to support the footmen in case of resistance and behind eyther of them two Cano◠〈◊〉 two Culuerins The King commanded the one the Count Sâ—issons and the 〈◊〉 of Longueuille the other Hee causeth the Trenches and Rampars withoâ—◠〈◊〉 Towne to be viewed and the next day by the Sunne rising hee sets vpon them and forceth them in lesse then an houre The Suburbes taken seauen or eight hundred souldiers slaine in the streetes thirteene peeces of Cannon carried away foureteene Enseignes taken and much spoile gotten did verifie the saying That all comes to one end to him that can attend Here
losse euen to the fronters of Arthois by the King the Dukes of Neuers and Longueuille by the Baron of Biron Giury Parabell and others To teach Strangers that France cannot be taken nor ruined but by it selfe Hee had no sooner turned his backe but Corbeil and other small places held by them returned to the Kings obedience the garrisons placed there by them repayed the French bloud lately shed at the taking thereof and Paris fell againe into new confusions and like necessitie The Duke of Mayenne was greatly troubled to assist the Parniesâ—n in his retreâ—t During the which the Maâ—shall of Biron tooke Clermoâ—â— in 〈◊〉 â—uoisin for his Maiestie fiâ—e or sixe other Townes and twentie Fortes or 〈◊〉 â—ossessed by the enemie The Duke of Parma being out of the Realme the King made his entrie into Saint Quentin being receiued with an honourable entertaâ—â—ment and exceeding ioye of the Inhabitants and the tenth of December hee was aduertised that Humieres Boissiere his brother in lawe and Parabell had forced Corbie Corby taken for the King sâ—aled the walles fought with the garrison slaine all men of defence and conquered the Towne for his Maiestie We haue conducted a mighty enemy out off the realme let vs now obserue some particular exploits for which we would not interrupt the continuance of our History The Leaguers forces consisted of men Diuers exploits who sought their priuate profit in the confusion of the Estate and by consequence wished for nothing but increase of disorders so all their desseignes tended onely to spoile and desolation to the preiudice of the Kings subiects but to no aduancement of their party In Daulphine those of Vienne sought in the moneth of Marche to shew some effects in fauour of the crosses of Lorraine Those which had the Flower de Luze printed in their hearts assure the Towne for the King The Colonel Alphonso and Les Diguieres go to succour them and from thence go and take Pont of Beauuoisin and Saint Laurence du Pont possessed by the League In the meane time the Marquis of S. Sorlin brother to the Duke of Nemours hath an enterprise vpon Vienne These two Commanders flie thether with speed and repulse the enemie Alphonso desires to see how he carries himselfe in his retreat hee falls into an ambush layd by the Baron of Senecey is taken prisoner and payes afterwards fortie thousand Crownes for his ransome Les-diguieres tooke the Townes and Castles of Brianson and Dexilles and entred vpon the territories of the Duke of Sauoy Then in Nouember hee beseeged and forced Grenoble a Parliament Towne to set vp the armes of France and to change their affections which inclined to the factions of Strangers So wee may say that Daulphiné was the first Prouince of the realme wholy subdued to the King from the League the which was chiefely performed by the valour and diligence of the Lord of Les-Diguieres In Normandie the Duke of Montpensier tooke Honfleur and forced the Leaguers to leaue the field Thus the League decreased in diuers Countries and to giue them a mare the King did sollicite a leuie of Reistres in Germanie by the Viconte of Turenne On the other side Gregorie Sfondrate lately installed in the Pontificall Chaire and a Partisan of Spaine Gregorie the 14. a partisan of Spaine reuiued the hopes of the League promising a succour of fifteene hundred horse and eight thousand foote vnder the command of Francis Sfondrate his Nephew During these preparations the Cheualier D' Aumale attempts vpon Saint Denis sâ—ales the wall by night enters the Towne without losse and held himselfe for maister thereof when as the Lord of Viâ—q a valiant wise and resolute Gentleman comes into the streete chargeth the Knight layes him dead vpon the place killes most of his followers and puts the rest to flight This Knight was one of the chiefe of the League violent hardie and valiant but of a strange disposition in supportable and dissolute The King tyred the Parisiens with continuall alarums and new enterprises but rather to terrifie them then to ruine them and to giue them occasion to open their eyes and to consider of their estate They growe so amazed as they wall vp Saint Honories gate vpon an aduertisement that the Kings troupes would make some great attempt the 20. of Ianuarie The Parisiens feare serues the Agents of Spaine for a pretext to drawe in some regiments of Spaniards and Neapolitaines attending some greater succours from the Duke of Parma The hope of these new succours from Spaine and Italy serued the chiefe of that faction as a bridle to restraine the Parisiens But the more to incourage and content the whole body Gregorie the 14. of that name assisted by many Cardinalls doth againe excommunicate the King and his adherents hee sends a monitorie to the Cardinall of Plaisance his Legate at Paris by Marcellin Landriano his Nuncio and for the effect of his purposes and promises hee begins to armâ— to nourish in steed of quenching as the common father the combustions of 〈◊〉 Realme On the other side the Castillian hauing priuate intelligence with the Duke of Mertoeur the Spaniards land in Brittanie and fortifie Blauet a port of the sea and thereby in a manner dismember the whole Prouince 1591 vnited to the Crowne vnder Charles the eight The King sent la Noue to make head against them and retyring to Senlis hee tooke the way to Brie accompained by the Duke of Neuers who hereafter shall be of the Kings party vpon the assurance the Cardinall of Bourbon gaue him that hee might without scruple of conscience carry armes for his King although of a contrary religion he makes a shew to beseege Prouins Sens or Troyes then with a sodaine change he giues out that his meaning was to go to Tours to redresse some disorders but heâ— commands the Marshall of Biron who returned from the conquest of Caudebee Harfleur Fescamp and almost al Normandie for his Maiesty except Newe-hauen Rouan Pontoise and two or three other places to make a shewe to passe through Beaulse to ioyne with him and that sodenly hee should turne and beset Chartres before that any greater forces should enter Chartres was enuironed the tenth of Februarie beseeged battered and assaulted but valiantly defended almost two monethes and a halfe Chartres beseeged and taken La Bourdaisiere commanded there who hauing endured some assaults it was propounded in the Kings Councell to raise the seege but the Earle of Cheuerny lately restored to the office of Chancellor by his Maiesty did vehemently impugne it hauing an especiall interest in the reduction of this towne by reason of some lands he possessed there about he aduiseth the King to giue a general assault insistes vpon the dishonor preiudice it would bring to the Kings affaires and the commodities hee should receiue by the taking thereof beeing one of the keyes of Paris which might greatly settle his Estate and annoy his rebells The Lord of
the common licentious conuersing with the people for the auoiding of scandales which do often followe That all reuersions of Benefices may be taken away as well for that it is against the Cannon Lawe and the holy Constitutions of Councells as also for that it is a cause to shorten the liues of the Incumbents That the Contracts before time passed betwixt their Maiesties and the Clergy may be confirmed without breach or supposition for the Subsidy granted vnto his Maiesty by the Clergie That it would also please his Maiesty to prouide them conuenient remedies vpon the complaints which they had presented vnto him Wherevnto the King made a very short but a pithy answer the effect was this I confesse that what you haue saied is true The King â— answer to the Clergy but I am not the author of these Innouations these mischiefes were brought in before my comming During the Warres I haue runne to the greatest fire to quench it I will nowe do what is needfull in time of Peace I know that Religion and Iustice be the foundations and pillers of this Estate the which is maintained by Pietie and Iustice. But if they were not I would plant them by little and little as I do all things with the helpe of God I will settle the Church in as good Estate as it was a hundred yeares since as well for the discharge of my conscience as for your content but Paris was not al built in one daie Let the people bee as much perswaded by your good examples to do well as they haue beene heretofore disswaded You haue exhorted me of my duty I do admonish you of yours let vs all do good Go you one way and I will go an other if wee meete we shall soone haue done My Predecessors haue giuen you Words but I with my graie Iâ—cket will giue you Deeds I am all gray without but I am all of Gold within I will write vnto my Councell to see your complaints and will prouide for you as fauorably as I may During these admonitions of the Clergy The Iesuitâ— seeke to be restorâ—d the Cardinall of Florence mooued the King for the restitution of the Iesuites The 7. Article of the treaty of Peace at Veruins did suffer the Subiects and seruants of either side as well Clergy men as Laye to returne enioy their Offices Benefices Reuenues obtayning permission letters patents vnder the broad seale from the Prince Many thought that the Iesuits should be comprehended in this Article and that if by this Peace the Spaniards were held Allies and as it were Cousin germains to the French those whom the Kings Aduocate had the yeare before in open Parliament termed Emissaires to the King of Spâ—ine shold returne to their Colleges from whence they had bin expelled by a sentence giuen in December in the yeare 1594. But the light ofPeace shines not vpon them The neâ—e world which it doth produce hauing cast the cenders of Warre Rancor and Reuenge into the Aire allowes them no retreat within the Iurisdiction of Paris The decrees which had banished them are grauen in Marble the Water of Praâ—ers Fauours and Teares although it perceth Stoanes preuailes nothing At the same time was concluded the marriage of Madame Catherine Princeâ—se of France and of Nauâ—rre The Kings only Sister 〈◊〉 to the Prince of Lorraine the Kings onely Sister with the Marquis of Pont Duke of Baâ— and Prince of Lorraine after many Iourneyes made by the sayd Prince vnto the most Christian Kingâ— in which accord there were great difficulties as well by reason of the diuersity of Religion the sayd Princesse refusing to leaue the reformed wherein sâ—ee had beene bred as also for that she could not be perswaded to go out off France Sâ—e had beene formerly sought by many great Princes to whom shee would not consent for the one or the other of these two causes and somtimes for both togither Francâ—s Monsiâ—ur Duke of Alenson desired her in the yeare 1582. but the difficulty was then greater for matters of Religion And before that King Henry the 3. comming out of Poland did affect her and it is thought that if he had seene her at Lion at his returne he would haue married â—er but Katherine de Medicis the Queene Mother described her to be a Dwarfe and crooked the which was most false for she was of a meane stature and of a good countenance It is true she had one legge somewhat shorter then an other which is a marke of the house of Albret for so had Alain Lord of Albret Father to King Iohn great Grand-father to the sayd Princesse Katherine The Qâ—â—ene Mother did this good turne for her God-daughter seeking to disgrace the King of Nauarre â—hom she haâ—ed from his youth vpon an imagination beeing told by an Italian Sooth-saier that he should succeed her Children Then the Duke of Lorraine who since was her Father in Lawe sought her The Prince of Condy loued her The King of Spaine sent to see her in the yeaâ—e 1580. promising great aduancement to the King of Nauarre This fayling the Duke of Sauoy sent twise in the yeare 83. promising no waie to impeach her Religion His Agent being refused he went into Spaine about his marriage with the Infanta Catherina Michelle In the yeare 86. the King of Scotland sent Master Meluin a Scotishman and others The Prince of Anhault being come to the succour of tâ—e Kâ—ng her Brother at his first comming to the Crowne of France demaunded her himselfe in person but through the necessity of the Warres which were dispersed throughout all France he returned as hee came with some discontent During these Warres two Princes of the bloud affected her the Earle of Soissons and the Duke of Montpensiâ—r but the neerenesse of bloud the diuersity of Religion and the indisposition of affaireâ— hindred the effect of their desires So as in the end he enioyed her to whom God had appointed her The ceremonies obâ—erued at this marriage wee will shew in the following yeare In Italie there grewe newe â—â—irres by reason of the death of Alphonso d' Esté Duke of Ferrara who was the last of that Noble house of Esté The Duchie of Ferrare is a masculine â—ee for so the Lawes call it belonging to the Holy Sea This fee had in former times beene graunted to the family of Esté by the Holy Sea in regard of seruices done by them vnto the Church Tâ—â—ubles for the Duâ—hy of Feâ—rara vpon condition that the Males onely should hold the sayd Dâ—chie and for want thereof it should returne againe vnto the Church to dispose thereof as it pleased Alphonso then being deceased without lawfull heires Males the Church demaâ—nds her right and for this effect there were great stirres on either side Duke Alphonso had in his life time labored all hee could to settle Caesar de Esté his last Brothers Sonne in the right of this dignity and the succession
the Rhine that it would please his Imperiall Maiestie and their Excellencies to write as well to the Admirall as to Andrew the Cardinall of Austria being at Bruxelles Gouernour in the absence of his cousin Albertus the Archduke and to the Generall Estates of the vnited Prouinces that either side should leaue the Townes which they held with any garrisons vpon the Territories of the Empire restoring euery one to his Prince or proper Lord. The Princes Electors of the Empire being aduertised hereof did write presently vnto the Emperour The Electors write vnto the Emperour to whom they sent an ample information of the hostilities committed by the Admirall vpon the lands of the Empire Vpon these Letters and aduise of the said Electors the Emperour did write as well to Albert the Archduke being at Milan as to Andreas the Cardinall at Bruxelles by the which hee commanded them to make reparation for the wrongs their Armie had done and admonisheth them to carry themselues modestly He did write also of the same date to the Estates of the vnited Prouinces and to the Admirall and therevnto did adde an Imperiall command whereby he charged them to depart out of the territories of the Empire restoring the Townes and Castels which they held vnto their true Lords and repairing the wrongs which they had done vpon paine of Proscription But the Admirall nor his Spaniards were not greatly moued at this charge they must haue other meanes then Edicts to chase as well the Admirall as the Pâ—ince Maurice out of the limits of the Empire All this yeare hath beene very tumultuous almost throughout all Christendom Hungarie vexed by the Turke The troubles of Ferrara had disquieted all Italy if the pietie and wisedome of Pope Clement the 8. had not preuented it Frâ—nce was not fully in quiet but had a suspension and cessation of Armes by the 〈…〉 that Noble King whom God had happily sent them England was troubled 〈…〉 Irishmen who were ayded and succoured by the Spaniard Spaine being exhaâ—sâ—â—d 〈◊〉 money by reason of the many expeditions which they were forced to mak◠〈…〉 feaâ—e to see Portugall wrested from them by the meanes of Sebastian King 〈◊〉 Portugall whom the Portugais hold to bee yet liuing and that they did see hi◠〈…〉 1598. Onely Poland had some rest but sodenly warre disquiets them Sigismonâ— Kiâ—g of Poland by election and by succession of Sueden Gothe and Vandale was â—ome tâ— make his residencie in Poland and had left Charles Duke of Suiderman his Vnâ—le 〈…〉 Fathers side for his Viceroy in his Countries of Sueden By this election 〈…〉 Polanders had made of Sigismond for their King who pretended the Duchie oâ— Liâ—â—nia by the right of his Mother it seemed that these two Realmes vnder one Kâ—â—g should haue enioyed a good and a long Peace But it fell out otherwise for the Duâ—e of Suiderman did many things in Sueden which Sigismond did not allow off Aâ—d therfore he had often intreated the Palatins and chiefe of the States of Poland to suffâ—r him to go into Sueden the which with much importunitie they granted Aâ—â—u tâ—e middest of Summer he imbaâ—kes at Dantzik with an armie promâ—sing to returne presently He arriues at Colmar a Sea Towne in Sueden The chiefe cause which hee pretended of his voyage was to reforme the State of Sueden and to restore the Catholâ—ke Religion But his Vncle Charles who was a Lutheran according to the confession of Ausbourg much respected both of great and small knowing the Kings arriuall and his intention and seeing that some of the best although few in number had gone and yeelded vnto the Kng he puts himselfe into armes leuies men in all parts and opposeth himselfe against the King his Nephew Warre in Sâ—edâ—n going to incounter him at Stekenbourg with whom he had many skirmishes sometimes with gaine sometimes with losse In this doubtfulnesse of the euent which might ensue hee sends Deputies to his Nephew to end their quarrels by a Peace the which the King refused saying that hee would not receiue a law from his Vncle and so the Deputies returned The King finding himselfe wronged with this taking of armes and with these skirmishes and incounters wherein hee had lost much resolues to Warre and marcheth towards the Towne of Lincop Duke Charles hearing that hee was dislodged followes him sodenly and sends him another Mediator for Peace by an Herauld after the maner of those Countries the King giues him no audience but according to their custome appoints tâ—e place of Battaile The Kâ—ngs Armie is ready at the day appointed but Charles and his people appeaâ—e not The Polonians held themselues for victors and went to lodge as they commonly say after the manner of the French Charles discouering their estate by his spies A sâ—â—atagem oâ— warre chargâ—th them being a sleepe and so were the Polonians surprised and defeated The King thinking to do well caused the Bridges to be broken which was the cause of a greater losse of his men The King of Suâ—dâ—n deâ—eaâ—ed who had no other meanes for their safety but to cast themselues into the water so as in a manner all perished that fled from the Battaile The King saued himselfe as well as hee could and sending Deputies tâ— his Vncle for a Peace in the end it was concluded First that all offenceâ— past should be forgotten and neuer more to be remembred That all Officers of the realme of â—ueden Pacification 〈…〉 which were at that time with the King should bee giuen in Hâ—stage to Dâ—ke Charles And that the Estates of Sueden should bee called in the Kings name witâ—in foure moneths to determine of all controuersies to whom they referred themselueâ— promising to allow of whatsoeuer they should determine Things thus concluded the King was expected by his Vncle at Stockholm but in steed of going thâ—ther he imbarked with his Sâ—ster at Stekenbourg and arriued at Colmar from whence hee set saâ—le to returne into Poland Most of his ships were spoiled and some perished in the tempest so as he landed at Dantzik more like vnto one that had escaped shipwrack tâ—en returned from a iust nauigation and it seemed that all adueâ—sities did bandâ—e against his fortune Such was the successe of King Sigismonds enterprise About the end of September Omar Bascha Vizir that is to say Lieutenant geâ—erall to the Turke with an armie of three score thousand men besieged Varadin â— Towne of Transiluania in the which one Melchior Reder a Silesian Gentleman was Gouernour The Turke 〈…〉 in vaâ—ne a man of great reputation as well for his knowledge as for his practise in Warre finding the Towne not defensible he burnt it and withdrew all he could into the Castell whereas the Gouernour Melchior Reder tooke an oth of the Souldiers that none should presume to parlee with the enemie or once to speake of yeelding vpon pâ—ine of death as well for the Author of this Councell as for his Adherent iâ—
hauing seuerall charges to plant Petards to two gates whereof the one was towards the Sea and the other to the Land eyther of them being followed by twenty Knights and Souldiars There did two squadrons aduance to support them eyther of them consisting of fifeteene Knights and fiue and twenty Souldiars the one of them was commanded by the Seigneur of Harleâ— Sonne to the Lord of Saint Luc deceased great Master of the Artillery of France In the meane time the Knights who had the charge to plant the Ladders were dilligent so as both the one and the other contemning the infinite number of shot which came fâ—om the Towne in the which there were 800. fighting men to defend the walles in a short time the gatâ—s were forced and layed open with the Petards Then came they to handâ—e blowes with the enemies as they did in like sort that were appointed for the Scaladoe who recouered the Walles notwithstanding any resistance the Turkes could make but the Christians increasing both in number and courrage forced them to abandon the Courtine and to retire into the streetes and houses then the bodie of the Christians aduanced which entring slewe many Turkes who seeing themselues still forced got vp to the toppe of their houses from whence they did much annoy the Christians with Arrowes Dartes and Stones desiring rather to be slaine then to yeeld themselues Captiues so as after foure houres fight the Christians were Masters of all the Towne During this time some Turkes and Moores had fortefied themselues in the Sangiacs house whether the Seigneur of Harleu came with his troupe hee entring the first into the house the which by his and their valour was soone forced but neglecting to put on a Cuirasse hee was vnhappely thrust through the bodie with a Lance and died six houres after being much lamented of the Christians His body was buried at Malta with a funerall Pompe worthy of his name reputation The Christians hauing no knowledge of a false Port there were aboue 2000. perâ—ons that escaped The Seigneor oâ— Harlâ—â— S. Luâ—â— sonne slaine at Maâ—omâ—â—te so as there remained but 396. prisoners The Towne was sackt and not being able to keepe it for many wants especially of victuells they fired it and made an honorable retreate to their Gallies in the vewe of a great number of horse and foote that were come to succor the Towne returning to Malta the sixteenth of August The great Master went presently with al his Knights to the chiefe Church praising and thanking God for so notable an assistance in so dangerous an enterprise hauing lost but foure Knights and fiue and twenty souldiars and about fourescore and ten hurt and of the Mahometains there were aboue three hâ—ndred slaine vpon the place But let vs returne into France and obserue the tragicall History of two famous Murthers which happened this yeare by reason of Adultery the one in Burgundy Murâ—hers happened this yeare for Adultery the other at Paris The first of a Gentlewoman which caused her Husband to bee slaine and his Nephew by her Ruffians and the last oâ— a Gentleman which slew his Wife and her Adulterer finding them in bed together In the Iurisdiction of the Towne of Langres in a Village called Aprez Claude Berenger Lord of Pont and Guillemette of Metz his Wiâ—e made their residence hauing also a Nephewe of the sayd Berengers with them named also de Pont. This Woman being suborned by a Chanons Bastard of Langres named Chauvitey Nicholas Iourneè and Iohn Pernet called the youth to satisfie their fleshly lust without suspiâ—ion and at more liberty they resolued with her and a Maide of hers to make away her Husband and his Nephewe This plot being layd they found an easie meanes for the execution These three Adulterers seeing the Gentleman gone to Langres goe a hunting with his Nephewe whom they slewe in the thicke of a Woode and thrâ—we him into a deepe hollowe place betwixt two high rockes out of the which he could neuer be drawne These Murtherers seeing themselues ridde of this poore young man reported vnto the Gentlewoman what they had done concluding with her to cut her Husbands throat at his returne from Langres the which they put in practise the same night that hee returned for this poore Gentleman hauing receiued a kisse of this daughter of Iudas being very weary went to bed and slept the which shee knew and presently brought these Murtherers into his chamber who comming easily to this poore yong mans bed beeing a sleepe they cut his throate and burye him abroad among the Rockes After this Murther they giue it out that the Lord of Pont was slaine in his voyage to Langres His Wife puts on a Mourning weede and makes a counterfeit shewe of heauinesse but God suffers not such offences to be vnreuealed a poore man found out the hole where they had buried him and gaue notice thereof vnto the Iustice who went to the place and caused the Gentlewoman to be brought thither who at the first seemed not to know him but seeing that he was knowne by euery one and vanquished by apparent signes which they shewed her in the ende shee knewe him But the Officers did not proceede against her with that dexterity that Lugoly did to the wife of Claude Anthoine a Marchant of Wines at Paris who had also caused her Husband Anthoine to bee sâ—aine comming from a house of his by Souldiars whom one named Iumâ—au her Adulterer had suborned for the Wife of the saide Anthony was hanged and Iumeau broken aliue at the place Maubert but this Gentlewoman du Pont seeing the Iustice to proceede against her by Informations and that they ment to apprehend her she made an escape with all her Complices and her Seruant and could neuer after be taken yet through their contempt their processe was made and all of them were hanged in Picture The other accident happened at Paris One Scipio at Paris slew his Wiâ—e her Adulterer together of a Gentleman which slewe his Wife and her Adulterer lying together in this manner This Gentleman called Seigneur Scipio beeing aduertised that his Wife a fayre young Gentlewoman did abandon her selfe to lust and defiled his bed with a yong man he admonished his Wife and said vnto her That he did willingly pardon what was past but if she returned any more to her sinne he would kill her with her Ruffian if he found them together The Gentlewoman skornes this aduice and to an other giuen her by a Wise and Vertuous Gentlewoman That if shee did not carry her selfe more discreetly without doubt her Husband would do her a shrewde turne She answered her That her Husband was too very a Foole to attempt it Seigneur Scipio aduertised of the Impudency lewd behauiour of his Wife takes his horse makes a show to go into the Country his wife goes to the Sermon at S. Germain l Auxerrois Scipio returnes and shuts himselfe into his Closet
Guise and to fight with him during whose retreat the Cont Saint Paul recouered Mouzon for the King Mouzon recouered Such was the estate of Picardie and Champaigne whilest the Admiral of Bonniuel arriued at Saint Iohn de Luz The enterprise of Nauarre for the enterprise of Nauarre His purpose was to surprise Fontarabie To hold the enemie in suspence hee first tooke the Castell of Poignan vpon the mountaine of Ronceuaux then making shewe to take the way of Pampelune hee turned head through the mountaines towards the Towne of Maye and whilesâ— he lodged his artillery he caused the Earle of Guise who commanded the Lansquenets to take the way by the riuer of Behaubiâ— running at the foote of the mountaines which come from Nauarre and so passeth into the sea before Fontarabie and in the morning he followed with his army Hauing some Spaniards in front which camped on the other side of the water hee passed the riuer at a ford the sayd Earle marching before them with a pike in his hande Don Diego de Vere chiefe of the enemies armie beeing equall in number and hauing an aduantage ouer those that came wett from the passage of a riuer amazed at the resolution of our men left the field and fled with his men through the mountaines The Castell of Behaubie kept all victualls from our Campe and held it in great distresse But the first Volee of the Cannon hauing split one of their best peeces and slaine the gouernour with some others that did assist him the soldiars beeing amazed force their Captaine to yeeld at discretion whereof the Admirall sent the best prisoners to Bayonne the rest hee turned away beeing disarmed The way beeing thus layd open to Fontarabie a place which they held impregnable and one of the keyes of Spaine fortified on three parts Fontarabie taken with the sea riuer and mountaine in fewe daies hee made a breach but not assaltable Notwithstanding the Gascons Basques and Nauarrois demanded the assault the which was defended with as great resolution as it was assayled but the beseeged hauing discouered some peeces which the Admirall had planted on the mountayne to beate them the nexâ— day in flanke at the second attempt and knowing the resolution of the assaylants by the proofe they had formerly made caused them to yeeld vpon condition to depart with all their bagge and bggage Iames of Aillon Lord of Lude was made Captaine Let vs returne to Fernaques where we haue left the King preparing to fight with the enemy To this end hee giues the foreward to the Duke of Alançon who had married Marguerite of Valois the Kings sister accompanied with the Marshall of Chastillon this was the first motiue of the Constable of Bourbons discontent the which place was due vnto him as Constable of France He tooke the battaile himselfe taking the sayd Duke of Bourbon vnto him and committed the rereward to the Duke of Vendosme Bapaume did much annoye the frontier towards Peronne Corbie and Dourlans The Earle of Saint Paul The ruine of Bapaume the Marshall of Chabannes and the Lord of Fleurâ—nges tooke it beat downe the defences and burnt it to ashes The Duke of Vendâ—sme had Commission to do the like vnto Landrecy who arriuing late foure or fiue enseignes of the bands of Picardie march without commandement and withoâ—t ladders and fire furiously to the â—ort where they plant their Ensignes vppon the drawe bridge Landrecy but they were repulsed by seauen or eight hundred Lansquenets and some of their Ensigne bearers slaine This fury of the Picardes did so amaze the Germaines as without attending batterie breach or assault they retyred into the next forrest where they could not pursue them by reason of the riuer running thorough the Towne Thus Landrecy vnfurnished of men was the next day taken razed and burnt The Emperour was retyred with his army towardes Valenâ—iennes the King makes a bridge ouer the Riuer of Escau beneath Bouchain eyther to fight with him or to make him abandon the country with dishonour Charles hauing intelligence of this bridge sent twelue thousand Larsquenets and foure thousand horse to stop the passage but the Earle of S. Paul with those six thousand men which he commanded was already in battell on the other side of the water in a marsh towards Valenciennes and the King followed him speedily with all his army which were about sixteene hundred men at armes and six and twenty thousand foot with the light horse The which the enemye perceiuing he left seauen or eight hundred horse The Emperours dishonorable retreat to recouer the retreat of his footemen taking the way to Valenciennes Tremouille and the Marshall of Chabannes offer to charge them in the reere the Suisses cried out for battell to giue a testimony vnto the King that they desired to seale the confirmation of their new alliance with some notable seruice and if their aduice had beene followed the Emperour had that daye by all likelihood lost his honour and the flower of his army So the enimy retyred without any losse except the bastard of Aimeries and some prisoners GOD doth often minister occasions the which beeing once neglected are neuer recouered with so great aduantage But howsoeuer the Emperour retyred by night into Flanders with a hundred horse leauing all the rest of his armye behinde him The next day Bouchain yeelded at the first summons of the Duke of Bourbon This shamefull retreat of the Imperialls drawes our armie to Hedin being vnfurnished of souldiers when as the Inhabitants feared no enemie beeing busied at the marriage of the daughter of the Receiuer generall of Arthois The Dukes of Bourbon and Vendosme and the Earle of S. Paul with the troupes commonly called the blacke bands notwithstanding the continuall raine were at the Towne gates before the Cittizens had anye intelligence of their departure from the armie The Towne being resolutely attempted was taken by assault Hedin taken and was spoyled by the footmen the which abounded in wealth for that in old time the Dukes of Bourgongne had made their chiefe residence there But in the midest of the spoile one quarter of the towne was fired contrarye to the Constables expresse commandement the which depriued the souldiars of part of their bootie The Lady of Reux and the garrison of the Castle departed with their baggage but all the inhabitantes that were retyred and come into it were put to ransome The Lord of Biez had the gouernement of the Castle and Lorges of the Towne with a thousand foote This happened on all-Saintes day Winter was come and the enemy appeared no more the King dispersed his army and giuing the most of the Gentlemen that had followed the Dukes of Bourbâ—n and Vendosme the command of twenty fiue horse a peece putting his companies into garrison and disposing of the rest of the armie hee retyred to Compiegne about Christmas not able for the distemperature of the weather to releeue Tournay
necessity forcing the Lord of Champroux to depart with an honourable composition armed their Ensignes displayed Drummes sounding Tournay lost and their baggage saued Nowe may wee see what effects the Popes league with the Emperour shall bring forth Being both equally desirous to expel the French out of Italy they thought it best before they came to open force to shadow their practises with a Foxes skinne and by meanes of the banished men to assaile the Duchies of Milan and Genes at one instant with the Citties of Parma Plaisance Cremone and Creme But he that attempts too much performes little so many sundry enterprises do most commonly terrifie more then hurt According to this plot the Emperours galleys remaining at Genes the Popes come sodenly into the Port of Genes with two thousand Spaniards led by Ierome Adorne hoping that the Partisans of that familie would not faile to mutine but the good order which Fregose had set made their desseine frutelesse On the other side Lautree before his comming into France to marry the Daughter of the Lord of Orâ—all had expelled many out of Milan that were ill affected to the King whereof they said the most part had beene banished for sleight occasions or to seize vpon their goods Without doubt seueritie looseth those hearts which clemencie and moderation in a temperate commander would make vse of at need Francis Sforce Ierosme Moron Manfroy Paluoisin and Soto of Brindesi were the chiefe who hauing assembled a great number of their Partisans for the execution of their desseins retyred to Regium belongâ—ng to the Church although neither the Pope nor the King according to their treatie ought to haue supported them in their territories Lescut Marshall of Foix Lieutenant to his Brother aduertised of these stirres by Frederick of Bossole parted from Milaz on Midsomer eue accompanied with foure hundred Lances and followed by Bossole leading a thousand foote to require Count Guy of Rangon gouernour of the Towne for the Pope that according to the treatie he should deliuer these banished men into his hands Whâ—lest that Lescut and Rhangon conferred together vpon their faith at a posterne entring into the Rauelin at the gate which goes to Parma the one complaining that contrary to the Articles of the League they did support in townes belonging to the Church the banishâ—d men assembled to trouble the Kings estate and the other that hee had sodenly entred with armes into the territories of the Church behold a gate being opened for the letting in of a Cart laden with meale the Loâ—d of Bonneual aduanceâ—h with some men at armes to seize vpon the port but they were repulsed and the gate shutte Some banished men being vpon the walles discharge their Harquebuses and hâ—â—t Alexander Triuulce whereof he dyed two daies after Nothing saued Lescut but the feare which the Harquebusier had that aâ—med at him to kill the Gouernour The indiscretion of one man is pernicious to such as accompanie him During this garboâ—le the Earle to assure Lescuts person led him vpon his faith into the Rauelin The men at armes taking this for an imprisonment fled to carry newes to the troupes which stayed two miles from Regium who standing doubtfull whether they shouâ—d marche against the Towne to recouer their leader or returne to Parma thinking tâ—a practise to surprise the Towne in their absence the Marshall arriued being released by the Earle forbearing to stay him hauing giuen him his faith and receiued commâ—ssion not to proceed against the King by open warre This enterprise as badly effected as rashly attempted was of consequence It was a good colour for the Pope to accuse the King and to iustifie his confederacie with the Emperour To preuent this Lescut sent La Motte Grouin to Leo to disauowe the attempt at Rhâ—gium and to let him vnderstand that what he had done was neither to attempt against him nor against the estate of the Church For answer The Marshall of Foix sayd the Pope in great choller hath lodged in armes like an enemie vpon my territories I will make him know the wrong he hath done vnto the King Presently after this threat he did excommunicate the Marshall out of the Church An enterprice vpon Como â—â—â—all The desâ—eine vpon Como succeeded no better then that of Genes for Manfroy of Paluâ—â—sâ—n and Soto of Brindizi hauing in the night approched to the walles with eight hundred Italian foote and Lansâ—uenets hoping that Anthonie Rusque a Cittizen of Come would make a breach for them in the wall behinde his house as hee had promised to Benedict Lorme an other of that cittie that was banished Captaine Garrou a Basque by nation a man well practised in armes did mingle the townes-men with the souldiers at the gard of the wall to preuent the execution of their intelligence if happily they had any So as the conspirators not daring to discouer themselues Paluoisin deceiued of his foolish enterprise hauing planted his gards about the towne where he thought most fit went to sleepe Garrou issues forth to giue them a skirmish he kils the greatest part some seeke their safety vpon the lake others vppon the mountaine Three barkes were sunke in the Lake and seuen taken by Garrou Many were taken prisoners amongst others Manfroy and Soto who after they had coÌ„fessed the reuolts and practises in the estate of Milan were publikely quartered at Milan and Bartlemew Ferrier their complice a man of authority in the Towne was beheaded vpon the returne of the Lord of Lautâ—ce whom the King being aduertised of these disorders sent presently to Milan The Lansquenets had leaue to depart into their Country Seeing the Popes secret practises could not succeed he now discouers himselfe The Pope declares himself against FraÌ„cis he complaines in the consistorie of Cardinalls of the attempt of Rhegium and concludes that the King is ill affected to the Apostolike sea and concealing the capitulations he had secretly made with the Emperour he protestâ— that he is forced to allie himselfe vnto him who said Leo had neuer committed any thing vnworthy of a Christian Prince and very zealous to religion So the Woolfe in the fable accused the sheepe for troubling the water Therevpon he preâ—ently makes shew to contract with Dom Iohn Emanuel Ambassador to Charles the league which he had formerly concluded and resolues by the aduic of Prosper Colonne to inuade the Estate of Milan with sixe hundred men at armes and the companies of horse which the Emperour had in the Realme of Naples sixe thousand Italian foote two thousand Spaniards which Adorne had in the riuer of Genes two thousand Neapolitanes which the Marquis of Pescara should bring foure thousand Lansquenets and two thousand Grisons which should be leaâ—â—ed at their common charge and â—wo thousand Suisses which had remained voluntarily of a greater number vnder the Popes paâ—e Whilest this was working behold a fatall signe to our Frenchmen of their instant calamities for on S. Peters day the Sunne