forbore meeting his Mistress that Night for fear of being surpriz'd and rightly judging that it would be impossible to continue his amorous commerce unless he could get rid of the spy that was set to watch him order'd St. Coâ—â—â—â—e to have him assassinated Thereupon St. Columbe riggl'd himself into the acquaintance of the Scotch Soldier and having carry'd him to a Tavern after they had done drinking led him through a blind street where he had posted half a dozen desperate Raskels that fell upon him and laid him dead upon the pavement One of the Duke of Tremovilles Lacqueys who was a kin to the Scotch Soldier seeing him attack'd went to call some of his comrades and came to his rescue but too late for the business was done and the Murderers were dispers'd However in regard that several persons in the Duke of Tremouilles Livery were seen about the body the Duke himself was accus'd to have been the author of the Assasination The Dauphin was the only person that would not be surpriz'd by these appearances as guessing right that the Murther was committed by the order of Chabane Nevertheless he would not take any notice of it to any body least the fear of danger should dishearten those that he design'd to employ in the farther espial of these secret rendezvouses to serve him according to his desires Therefore he said no more but set other spies to work and caus'd the Countess to be so narrowly watch'd that word was brought him that Châ—bane was enter'd her Chamber in the disguise of a Stationer with a great bundle of Books under his Arm. Immediately he went to inform the King What said he merrily I hope 't is not la Trimoâ—â—le but tho' the Dauphin knew well enougâ— 't was Chabane he answer'd his Father that he could not tell who it was but that his Majesty would be soon satisfi'd The Dauphin also had order'd all the Avenues to be so well guarded that it was impossible for the Count of Dammartin to escape But the Countess having timely notice by Mortaigne who kept diligent watch and ward lockt him up in a Closet by the side of the Bed which the King had never observ'd as being cover'd with the Hangings So that the King found his Mistress a Bed and while he was examing the Books that lay by her the Dauphin askt her between jest and earnest what was become of the Bookseller that sold her the Books To whom the Countess with a countenance no way concern'd made answer that he was gone but that he could not be out of call if his Highness had any thing to say to him The Dauphin took a Flambeau himself and finding nothing after he had sought all about retir'd without saying a word full of vexation and shame for the ill success of his enterprize The King on the otherside made a thousand excuses to the Countess and the better to make his peace would needs lye with her that night Nor durst the Countess give him the least denyal tho' she was sure to spend the night in a strange intermixture of pleasure and disquiet Nor was Chabane in a better condition he was so near the Bed that he durst not breath and which was worse he was forc'd to lye patient while his own Ears told him that another was enjoying those pleasures which were appointed for himself But at length the King rose and left him at liberty to make himself amends for his past sufferings The Countess who lookt upon the Dauphin as the Author of all her vexations no longer had the patience to carry fair with him as she had done before They had frequent quarrels together and one day such was the heat of passion on both sides that the Dauphin gave her a whirret o' the Ear. Of which she made her complaints to the King but not receiving that satisfaction which she expected despite and vexation threw her into a languishing disease of which she died in six weeks after and was buri'd in the Collegiate Church She had two Daughters by the King Charlote marry'd Lewis de Brezè Seneschal of Normandy who surprizing her in the act of Adultery stabd ' her to death and Mary who espous'd Oliver de Coitiny Lord of Rochefort Anno 1455. After the Death of the Countess of Ponthieure the King engag'd with Madam de Villequiers her Neice a Lady no less charming then she and who inherited her hatred of the Dauphin and perswaded Charles that the Dauphin had caus'd her Ant to be poyson'd On the otherside the Dauphin employ'd all the inventions of a crafty wit to set the King at variance with Madam de Villequiers but not being able to accomplish his design he withdrew into the Dauphinate whither all the male-contents resorted to him by his own incouragement The King after he had made use of all gentle means to reduce him to his duty commanded Chabane to march against him and to apprehend his person of which the Dauphin having intelligence left Grenoble privately and retir'd to the Duke of Burgundy The King seeing his Son in the hands of his mortal Enemy began to mistrust every body that came near him and imagining every moment that there was a design to poyson him continu'd without eating eight days together and weakn'd his natural heat by that long abstinence in such a manner that afterwards when he came to eat again 't was impossible for him to digest his nourishment which brought him to his Grave Such was the tragical end of the Amours of this Prince The Intreagues of the Court of France under the Reign of Lewis XI Anno 1469. LEWIS XI who had always great designs sent the Cardinal d'Albret into Spain to negotiate a marriage between the Duke of Guienne his Brother with Isabell of Castile the Sister of Henry IV. and presumptive heir of that Kingdom But that Princess rather chose to unite Castille to Aragon by the marriage of Ferdinand eldest Son of Don Juan II. This negotiation therefore proving unsuccessful Lewis XI cast his Eyes upon the Princess Joane which Joane of Castille had had by one of her favourites and which King Henry had acknowledg'd for his Daughter notwithstanding he was impotent in hopes to set up the rights of that Princess against Isabell But the Duke of Guienne to whom the King made the proposal would not so much as hear of a match that must have engag'd him in a bloody War with the King of Aragon and privately sent to demand Mary the only Daughter and heiress of Charles Duke of Burgundy But the Duke who saw that the greatest Princes in Europe sought his Daughter would not determin so suddenly upon the choice of a Son in Law but without engaging his promise to any one kept 'em all in suspence The Duke of Guyenne vex'd at this hesitation of the Duke took his leave of the King at Orleans to go and drive away his melancholy in his own Government At Amboise he had a
look't upon her only as a jealous Woman that sought to interrupt his pleasures and whose revenge was to be dreaded so that he redoubl'd his scorn of her and oblig'd her to retire into a Convent After the Queen's retirement the jealousie of ambition intermixing with that of Love the two Sisters were emulous each to possess alone the King's inclinations and dispose of all his Favours and their embitterment augmented to that degree that it enrag'd 'em to a quarrel which made a great noise and divided all the Court The King in vain endeavour'd to reconcile and perswade 'em to live peaceably together at least to keep an outward correspondence of civility if they could not love each other as sisters But at length dishearten'd by their transportments and despairing of doing any good he sell again to his old sport of Hunting and left 'em at leisure to quarrel among themselves One day being separated from his Train and very Thirsty Anno 524. he alighted close by a Fountain for want of a glass he took up the Water with the hollow of his hand at what time a young Shepherdess perceiving him drew near him and presented him an earthen Cup. The King took it and observing in her Face all the agreements of proportion and colour that Nature could afford without the help of Art he ask'd her name to which she answer'd that her name was Dandelind and that she was a Farmers Daughter who had a House hard by adjoyning Upon that Cherbert declared who he was and told her withal that he would carry her to Court she excus'd her felf with an ingenuity that charm'd him alledging that Obedience and Duty which she ow'd her Father and the Grief it would be to her to live absented from him Goe then and fetch him hither reply'd the King and I will carry ye along with me both together Immediately away ran the Shepherdess and soon after return'd with the Peasant whom she call'd her Father Presently the good old Man who understood by his Daughter that it was the King who sent for him sell at his Feet and begg'd to know his pleasure 'T is my pleasure reply'd the King to make your Fortune and your Daughter Happy come to morrow morning to me when I rise The Country-man fail'd not to attend upon him and he made him Keeper of his Palace Nor did the King believe he should meet with any reluctancy in the Shepherdess but she shew'd him â—o much Prudence and Virtue in her Conduct that he was afraid of offering any violence and rather thought her worthy of a Crown And the death of Ingoberge that happen'd soon after afforded him an opportunity to fulfil his desire So that he espous'd Dandelind and married his two Mistresses to two great Lords of his Court Cherbert however could not continue faithful to his new Queen for he involv'd himself in so many Courtly intreagues that the young Queen who lov'd him intirely dy'd for grief within two years after her Marriage Cherebeâ—t after that Marry'd Theogedild who was so far from being troubl'd at the infidelity of her inconstant Spouse that she paid him in his own coin And her extravagancies were so notorious that the King having in vain made use of intreaties and Menaces to reclaim her fell into a deadly Melancholy that put an end to his days in the Castle of Blaye whither he retir'd from the World The Amours of Guntran King of Orleans GVNTRAN the Brother of Cherebert Anno 572 to whom the Kingdom of Orleans fell for his share being very young when his Father dy'd disburthen'd himself of the weight of his Government and laid it upon the Shoulders of Rotharic who had been Prime Minister of State under the Reign of Clotair This Rotharic had two Daughters who might well be said to be the Ornaments of the Court The eldest of the two was named Veneranda not above fifteen years of age at most Fame-Rofle the youngest not above eleven years old promis'd much but she was not as yet come to perfection Their Mother was dead so that they liv'd both together in Rotharic â—s House under the care of an ancient Governess The King who often went to visit his Prime Minister was charm'd with Veneranda's Beauty so that he never saw her but he gave her to understand by a tender and passionate Look that she had obtain'd the conquest of his Heart However Veneranda was a stranger to that language or at least she seign'd to be ignorant of it which troubl'd the inamour'd Prince so much the more because he could never have an opportunity to speak to her in regard her Governess would never permit her out of her sight Desirous therefore he was to corrupt the old Woman nor did he think it impossible but he knew not whom to intrust with the secret for fear it should reach Rotharie's ear who having the disposal of all Favours had all the Courtiers â—t his command But while he was in this perplexity fortune gave him a fair opportunity to get rid of it For Rotharie recommended to him for one of his Pages a Nephew of the Governesses who discover'd so great an affection for his Service that the King thought he might impart his Mind to him without danger Thereupon he adventur'd to speak to him and found him well inclin'd to second his designs Accordingly the Page gave his Aunt an account of the King's desires and the great advantages she might justly expect as the Rewards of her faithful Services Presently the old Woman suffer'd her self to be overcome and being well acquainted with Veneranda's Humor which was naturally ambitious she told her that 't would be her fault alone if she did not come to be Queen provided she would but comply with Gontran's Affection but in regard it became her first to be assur'd of Gontran's Heart before Rotharie were acquainted with the business 't was requisite she should admit the King to visit her in private Veneranda firmly believ'd she could never go astray while she follow'd the Counsels of a Woman to whose care and conduct her Father had intrusted her and who had never preach'd to her any other Lessons but those of Virtue So that by her means she saw the King more then once she hearken'd to his Courtship and enter'd into those strict engagements with him that she became the Mother of Prince Gondebaut In the mean time Fame-â—oâ—le's Beauty Anno 574 which augmented as she grew in years arriv'd to so extraordinary a perfection that Gontran fell in love with her at the same time that he began to be tir'd with Veneranda's Favours But Fame-Rafle who was not ignorant how her Sister had engag'd her self by her example had learnt how unsafe it was to relye upon Gontran's protestations and therefore taking better measures she kept her ground and disputed the Conquest inch by inch She oppos'd her Reserv'dness against the Transports of the Prince and neatly and ingenuously gave him to
upon Hugo gave him several mortal Stabs before the King's Face thô he made himself known to 'em on purpose to stop their fury out of that respect which was due to his Person and when they had done they threw themselves into a Forrest adjoyning and soon became invisible Several Months find away before the King could discover the Authors of so dating an enterprize but at 〈◊〉 he understood that the Murder was committed by the Queens Order and so far he was from shewing himself either griev'd or displeas'd at it that he lov'd her the more ever after and wholly fortook Almafrede who out of despair retired to a Convent and veil'd her self As for Foulqueâ— he underwent a severe Penance for having contributed to the Homicide being at Jerusalem whither he accompany'd Godfrey of Benillon and others of the Croisado For he caus'd himself to be drawn naked upon a Hurdle with a Rope about his Neck and to be whipp'd till the Blood came crying out with a loud voice Have mercy Lord upon the treacherous and perjur'd Foulques Bertrade Mistress to Philip. Anno 1086. Foulques Rechin going to pay a visit to Amaney Lord of Montfort and condole with him upon the death of his Mother fell in love with his Sister Bertrade He left nothing omitted to procure her Affection during the stay that he made at Montfort and not being able to obtain any Favour from her he resolv'd to marry her thô he were already marry'd to Ermengard the Daughter of Archambaut Lord of Bourbon and that he had a Son by her who was afterwards call'd Jeoffrey Martell To which effect he caus'd his Marriage with Ermengard to be declar'd null under pretence of being near akin and took Bertrade to Wife by whom he had a Son that bore his Fathers Name and who going to the Holy Land was King of Jerusalem In the mean time Foulques Rechin having had a Quarrel with his Brother Jeoffrey about sharing the Succession of their Father Foulques Nera the contest came to a Battle near Brochelac where Jeoffrey was overthrown and taken prisoner but took his being detain'd in Prison so hainously that for meer vexation he run mad Pope Gregory VII being inform'd how hardly Foulques had us'd his Brother and of the unlawfull Marriage which he had contracted with Bartrade excommunicated him Jeffery Martell who by this time was arriv'd to years of maturity taking advantage of the excommunication thunder'd out against his Father took Arms to revenge this Mothers Quarrel and set his Uncle at liberty Bertrade seeing her self so dangerously threatn'd by the ambitious Youth who was already become the head of a potent party sought which way to rid him out of the World and caus'd him to be poyson'd Pope Gregory being dead Foulques sent Embassadors to Vrban VI. who succeeded him to obtain his absolution offering to set his Brother at Liberty and to quit Bertrade Upon which the Pope empower'd Hugo Archbishop of Lion to take off the censure provided the Count perform'd what he had promis'd In the mean time Phillip coming to Tours to give Foulques a visit year 1093 and settle affairs between 'em in reference to the County of Gatinois which the Count had mortgag'd to him during the Wat with his Brother saw Bertrade who appear'd to him most charmingly beautiful notwithstanding those Clouds of sorrow that hung upon her countenance because her Husband was just going to put her away The King therefore having engag'd her to entrust him with the cause of her grief offer'd her his service and promis'd to marry her having under pretence of consanguinity vacated his Marriage with Bertha the Daughter of the Count of Frise whom he had banish'd to Montrevil upon the Sea Bertrade suffer'd her self to be surpriz'd with these alluring hopes and consented to be conveigh'd away by force The King thus satisfy'd after he and Bertrade had consulted upon the ways and means which way to effect their designe departed for Orleans and left behind him at Tours a Gentleman whose name was William Rechin to put the project in execution Bertrade and the Knight having conserted together how to manage the business she her self went to hear Mass at St. Martin's upon Easter-eve and after she had sent away the persons that attended her upon several errands slipt into a by Street where Rechin waited for her with two Horses She made choice of that which went most easily and being got a little way out of the City they met with laid Horses fresh and fresh every six Leagues and made such hast that before Night they reach'd Orleans where the King who had notice of every thing receiv'd 'em with those transports of joy that are hardly to be express'd He carry'd Bertrade to his Palace and by a thousand caresses endeavour'd to alleviate the Fatigues of her journey As for Foulques he did not much trouble himself for the loss of his Wife whom he lookt upon as an obstacle of his reconciliation with the holy See and finding himself well stricken in years he wholly gave off his debauchery Some time after Philip publickly espous'd Bertrade and caus'd her to be Crown'd with extraordinary magnificence He had two Sons by her Philip to whom he gave the Barony of Mang upon the Lâ—ire and whom he Marry'd to the Daughter of Gontier Lord of Montbery Henry who was design'd for the Church and a Daughter named Cecilia who was first marry'd to Tancrede Son of the Sister of Bremond Prince of Antiochia and after his death to Ponce the Son of Beritand Count of Tiral in Stiria descended from the Counts of Thoulouse However several Bishops who where present at the nuptials to which they were invited according to the custom of the Kingdom remonstrated to the King that the Church could not approve a Marriage directly contrary to all the Canons as well by reason of the proximity of Blood between him and Bertrade as for that Bertha was still living as well as Count Foulques But none of 'em took upon 'em to speak with more freedom then Yves Bishop of Chartres which exasperated the King to that degree that he caus'd him to be apprehended However in a short time after he releas'd him again at the sollicitation of the Clergy Pope Vrban VI. being inform'd of these disorders sent away on purpose a Legat into France who assembl'd a Council at Auâ—uâ— where it was decreed that Philip should be excomunicated But the Pope suspended the effect of the Decree till the next Year and then he thunder'd out his Anathema's against the King in the Council of Clermont The King terrifi'd with these censures parted from Bertrade for some time but he recall'd her shortly after by the consent of her Husband Foulques himself over whom she had so powerfull an ascendant that he sigh'd at her feet like the most passionate of Lovers The Popes Legats perceiving that the King had renewâ—d his crminal familiarity assembled another Councill
Daughter was sent away by that private conveyance during his Sickness Nor was he ignorant how prejudicial the conjunction of Bretagne to the Dominions of Spain would be to France which was the reason that without many more to do he resolv'd to cross a contrivance so dangerous notwithstanding he was assur'd that the Queen would never forgive him should the King happen to die of his Sickness Thereupon he stopt the Princess with most respectful protestations of his sorrow for being constrain'd to come to that extremity This action of the Marshal was commended by the King and all good French men and the Queen her self feign'd to applaud it however when the King was recover'd she made use of her credit to ruin that faithful subject Nevertheless she could not prevent the marriage of her Daughter with the Count of Angoulême because it was generally desir'd But it was such an inward vexation to her that sinking under the weight of her corroding anguish she dy'd in the thirty seven Year of her age 'T is true the King did not express that sorrow for her death as 't is thought he would have done considering the passion he had for her as long as she liv'd whither it were that his mind was taken up with his cares of the Wars of Italy or that the Queen's attempts against his authority had cool'd the heat of his Love However after that he liv'd such a reserv'd life that no body believ'd he would ever have thought of a third Marriage but the Duke of Longueville was the occasion of reviving that desire in him That Prince having rashly engag'd himself in a battle against the English year 1514 lost the battle of Spurs and became a prisoner to Henry VIII of England To repair this fault he undertook during his imprisonment to bring off that Prince from his confederacy with the Emperor nor did he find any great trouble to perswade him to it For thô he were very young he was very thrifty and he was a weary of paying the Emperours Troops who was extreamly poor and of furnishing him a hundred Crowns a day for his table There only wanted therefore a plausible pretence to break the Confederacy and there was not a better at that time to be found then a more strict alliance between France and England Henry VIII had a Sister whose beauty was a domestick mischief to him as we shall find in the sequel of this history She was born after another Daughter so much unprovided of the graces of the body that the King of Scotland had never marry'd her but because the King would not marry the youngest before the eldest The youngest being come of Age the Duke of Milan and several other Sovereign Princes sought her in vain because 't was not then the custom to marry the King's Daughter out of the Island This custome which had not been alter'd for four Ages together had infus'd into the young English Lords of the highest Quality a confidence to pretend to the Princess and the King gave way to it lest he should be accus'd of too much severity toward his Sister tho' he had no design to have marry'd her to any of his subjects for fear of drawing a civil War upon himself not unlike to those wherein several of his predecessors had miscarry'd Nevertheless in regard it is a difficult thing for a Woman to hold out any long time against Love when she makes it her business to allure the Princess of England after she had entangl'd in the snares of Love all those that could give any cause of jealousy to her Brother was her self smitten with one whom he had little reason to fear There was introduc'd into the Court of England a young English Gentleman whose name was Charles Brandon without any other recommendation then that of the King's Nurse whose Son he was He was extreamly handsome well proportion'd in his person and very active in all manner of exercises He had the air of a person of Quality and there was observ'd in him that sweetness of temper and that discretion that he was welcome into all societies and chiefly into the Ladies company who were altogether prevalent at Court The King took him for his second in all his matches at Tenis and made him the confident of all his most secret pleasures He conferr'd upon him the office of his chief Huntsman and lest his name should remind the Courtiers of the meaness of his Birth he caus'd him to assume the title of the Counts of Suffolk illustrious for the merit and quality of the persons who had born it for above two hundred years It is not certainly known whether this new title had convinc'd the Princess that she might bestow her affection without any dishonour upon the person whom the King her Brother had honour'd with it since the English Histories are full of presidents of several Earls of Suffolk that have pretended to the marriage of the Sisters and Daughters of their King 's or whether the Love which she already had for him had imprinted that Idea in her mind in his favour but it was observ'd that in a short time after the Princess lookt upon Suffolk with a more passionate glance then she was wont to do Nor wat it so much to be wonder'd at that the Earle should make her suitable returns with Eyes no less inflam'd and sparkling And the Courtiers in a little time were so us'd to it that they took little notice of it whether it were the custome at that time to love at well beneath as above their quality or whether it were that the Courtiers thought it not proper to be more concern'd about it then the King himself was who only laught at the business and made himself merry with the two lovers so soon as he discover'd their reciprocal affection Not that he approv'd it in the main or that he had so high a value for Suffolk as to make him his Brother in Law thô he had a greater kindness for him then for the rest of his Courtiers But he was in hopes to draw some advantage from the inequality of this Amour which he thought would exasperate the English Lords against her and cause 'em to desist from looking any more after her besides that he assur'd himself that he should be so much the master of his Sister and Suffolk that nothing should be acted between them two but by his consent This was the posture of the Court of England when the Duke of Longueville made a proposal as from himself of a match between the Princess and Lewis XII The King of England listen'd to him with those marks of respect and approbation which suficiently discover'd what he had in his Heart He was importun'd to bestow his Sister out of the way and he met with the most lucky means that Fortune ever could have offer'd him 'T is true he could not without some trouble to himself put an end to a War so advantageous to him
Lothaire the Kindom of Lorraine and Charles Provence with part of Burgundy The young Lothaire had marry'd in his Father's life time Thietberge the Daughter of Hubert Count of Burgundy Transjurana at this day call'd Savoy He was tenderly belov'd by that Princess and on the other side he had all the Affection for her that her Virtue deserv'd but this Union lasted not long For Hunting being the chief Divertisement of this Prince one day being surpriz'd by a violent Storm while he was impriming a Stag near Metz he retir'd to a Castle hard by where he was receiv'd after a most obliging manner by Valdrade the Daughter of the Lord who was the owner of it He was no less charm'd with her Wit then her Beauty and thought himself Happy that the bad weather had procur'd him such a fortunate meeting Afterwards he paid Valdrade such frequent 〈◊〉 that the Queen perceiving him so much estrang'd from her was resolv'd to know what sort of pastimes he follow'd To that purpose she caus'd him to be dogg'd and by that means discover'd that she had a Rivaless Nor could she dissemble her Jealousie She plagu'd Lothaire with such tart and bitter reproaches that to be reveng'd of her he no longer observ'd any Decorum He sent for Valdrade to his Palace and allow'd her as many Officers as if she had already been his Wife Valdrade also abusing the Power which she had over the King's Heart perswaded him to get rid of Thietberge whose fretful taunting Humour disturb'd the King's pleasures and to dissolve the Marriage Thereupon Lothaire propos'd to Gontier Arch-Bishop of Cologne his Grand Almoner the design which he had to repudiate the Queen and that he might engage him to a compliance the King put him in hopes that so soon as he should be at liberty he would marry his Niece Hermengard Flatter'd with these pleasing Hopes Gontier summons a National Council to meet at Metz compos'd of all the Prelats of the Kingdom and having gain'd Thietgand Archbishop of Treves who promis'd to serve him with all his Friends he propos'd the Dissolution of the Marriage upon these grounds that Thietberge had committed Incest with her own Brother and that the King had been affianc'd to Valdrade before he marry'd the Queen He likewise produc'd false witnesses to support the Calumny and so well manag'd his Affairs that he obtaâ—â—'d whatever the King desir'd Thietberge was summon'd she was examin'd upon the Articles exhibited against her and confronted by the Witnesses who persisted in their Depositions Upon which the Assembly order'd that she should be divorc'd from the King her Husband and banish'd whither his Majesty should think convenient Now tho' this Sentence set Lothair at liberty to enjoy his Amours nevertheless he was not wholly satisfy'd Valdrade would needs be crown'd and secure the succession of the Kingdom to the Children begot upon her Body and with this design she press'd the King so to order the matter that the Clergy of Lorraine should more clearly explain themselves upon the invalidity of Thietberge's Marriage Upon that Lothaire calls a second Assembly to meet at Aix la Chapelle where he represented to the Prelates that it being necessary for the publick good that he should have Children to inherit his Crown he desir'd 'em to consider whether his Marriage with Theitberge were contracted in due Form to the end he might take her again if she were his lawful Wife or marry another if his first Nuptials were of no force Wherein he testify'd such a seeming Sincerity to the Assembly that they gave him permission to marry another and he immediately caus'd this Sentence to be publish'd over all the Kingdom This done he declar'd to Gontier that he had a full intention to accomplish his promise and engag'd the Archbishop to send him his Neice Hermengard but after he had obtain'd whatever he desir'd he return'd her back to her Uncle and espous'd Valdrade publickly at Savern Thietberge finding her self so unworthily and undeservedly us'd Anno 863. retir'd to her Brother who implor'd the aid of Charles the Bald King of France and Lewis the German who were both glad of the pretence to invade the Dominious of their Nephew Lothaire But Nicholas VI. then Pope having intelligence of the War that was just ready to breake into a flame sent away his Legate Arsenius with Orders to accommodate the difference and take cognizance of the affair After Arsenius has fully inform'd himself of every thing he return'd to Rome accompany'd with the two Archbishops Gontier and Thietgaud who pretended to obtain at Rome a confirmation of the sentence given against Thietberge But the Pope understanding their prevarication and treachery against the Queen at a Council assembled on purpose in St. John di Laterano cancell'd the sentence depos'd the two Prelats and excommunicated ' em Instead of submitting to this Judgment they retir'd to the Emperor Lewis Lothaires Brother and wrote an insolent letter to his â—onnels wherein they declar'd himself to be excommunicated Which done they joyn'd with John Archbishop of Ravenna and Pâ—otius Patriarch of Constantinople and had like to have made a schism in the Church But Heaven protected the justice of Nicolas's cause and enforc'd all those Prelats to submit to his Authority The Pope sent back Arsenius to Metz that he might oblige Lothaire to take the Queen his Wife agen But the Legat unwilling to do any thing of his own head in so nice a matter assembled all the Bishops of France and having made known to those Prelats the innocency of Thietberge he desir'd 'em to instruct him what course it became him to take for reparation of the scandal which Lothaire had commmitted Thereupon it was resolv'd in that assembly that Arsenius should admonish the King in the name of the Holy See to take his Lawfull Wife again and to break of all commerce with Valdrade under pain of Excommunication The Legat acquitted himself of his Commission with all the respect that was due to His Royal Majesty but yet withall the resolution and constancy that became his character Lothair surpriz'd at such a terrible menace recall'd Thietberge and put away Valdrade who being cited to Rome ordered Angeltrude her confident and the Daughter of Count Mainfroy to sollicit her pardon For Angeltrude was oblig'd to take that journey with the Legat for her own interests as being under Excommunication for having quitted Boson her Husband to marry Auger his Vassal When Angeltrude departed from Metz she appear'd to be the greatest penitent in the World and fully resolv'd to do penance for her past disorders But she was hardly arriv'd at the foot of the Alps when being no longer able to live absented from the person she lov'd but she slipt away secretly without saying any thing to the Legate and hasten'd back to seek out her Lover Nor was Lothaire more constant in his resolution For so soon as hâ— saw that Arsenius's back was turn'd he expell'd the innocent
did the Spaniards make between your Majesty and the King of Castille upon your thread-bare Cap and your Leaden Agnus Dei instead of one beset with Diamonds The King was so amaz'd at this Curtain Lecture that he had not the power to interrupt her However as he was a great dissembler he did not discover his disgust tho he thought it high time to get him a more complaisant Mistress To that purpose having heard much talk of a young Lady of Dijon whose name was Huguette de Jaqueline that was well descended but very poor he sent for her to Court and having taken her for his Mistriss he had a Third Daughter by her whom he bestow'd upon Amà nd of Poitiers Lord of St. Valier Intreagues of the Court of France under the Reign of Charles VIII Anno 1483. LEWIS Duke of Orleans had the misfortune to be belov'd by Ann of France the Daughter of Lewis XI I say the misfortune because the Passion of that Princess was in good part the cause of all the crosses that befell him during his life She gave him to understand her Inclinations toward him and thô the Duke did not comply with her but in terms rather of Respect then Tenderness yet she surceas'd not to interpret 'em favourably and to believe she was belov'd because she deserv'd to be so She refus'd for love of the Duke of Orleans a Match which her Father would have made for her with Nicholas of Anjou Duke of Lorrain and acknowledg'd to that Prince that it was the only reason of her refusal He answer'd with so much indifferency to what she spoke to him the most obligingly in the world upon that occasion that she began at length to open her Eyes and to understand that she had flatter'd her self to little purpose when she thought he had comply'd with her tenderness which was the reason that she resolv'd to marry Peter of Bourbon Duke of Beaujou Upon the first proposal of it that the King her Father made her as she was unwilling to be unfortunate alone she perswaded Lewis XI over whom she had a powerful Ascendant to marry the Duke of Orleans to Joan of France his Daughter who was neither beautiful nor of an agreeable temper The Duke would fain have excus'd himself but the King laid his Commands upon him so imperiously that he was forc'd to obey 'T is true that the Marriage was not consummated whether it were that he had an aversion for the Princess or that she had some natural defects as it was afterwards pretended which hinder'd her having of Children After the death of Lewis XI the Duke of Orleans demanded the Regency during the minority of Charles VIII who was not above Thirteen years of age but the Dutchess of Beaujou carry'd it before him But thô she had got this advantage yet for all that she could not chuse but seek the Duke of Orleans's friendship whom she had not the power to hate notwithstanding his indifferency and she offer'd him a share in the Government if he would but live in a friendly correspondence with her but he return'd those Answers that ill became him to her civilities Thereupon the Dutchess exasperated by his Contempt studied nothing so much as which way to be reveng'd She grounded her pretence upon a quarrel which the Duke of Orleans had had with the Duke of Lorraine while he was playing at Tennis with him and would have had the Duke apprehended but he withdrew to the Duke of Bretagne In whose Court while the Duke of Orleans resided he waited most sedulously upon the Princess Ann his Daughter and fell so deeply in love with her that he preserv'd his Passion for her till his death In the mean time he enter'd into a strict confederacy against the Duchess Regent of which himself and the Duke of Bretagne were the Heads They betook themselves to Arms on both sides and they came to the decision of a Battle in the Plain of St. Aubin where the Confederate Princes were defeated and the Duke of Orleans being taken pris'ner was afterwards lock'd up in the Tower of Bourges nor was he releas'd till after Charles VIII had espous'd Ann of Bretagne and at the same time that the King was preparing for his expedition into Italy Intreagues of the Court of France under the Reign of Lewis XII LEWIS of Orleans being come to the Crown made it his whole study to marry the Princess Ann Widow of Charles VIII his Predecessor He caus'd the Reasons for the dissolving of his Marriage with the Princess Joan to be laid before Pope Julius as being uncapable of ever bringing forth Successors to the Crown and desir'd a Dispensation from his Holiness to marry the fair Queen whom he dearly lov'd Nor would his impatience permit him to stay till he receiv'd the Dispensation 't was enough to hear by the Legate's Secretary whom he had gain'd to his side that it was allow'd and drawing up Yet for all this the love of that Princess surceas'd not to cause him new disturbances She became jealous of Louise of Savoy Countess of Angoulesme Mother of Francis the First and their hatred brake forth to that degree of exasperation that it divided the whole Court into Parties Lewis XII had a design to marry the Princess Claudia his Daughter with the young Count of Angoulême whom he look'd upon as his Successor but the Queen oppos'd it to the utmost of her power Therefore to cross this design she resolv'd to marry her with Charles of Austria who was already call'd Prince of Spain and to give him Bretagne in favour of that Alliance To this purpose she sent privately a Gentleman of the House of Rieux into Flanders and thence into Germany This Gentleman made the Proposal to the Emperor Maximilian the Prince's Grandfather by the Father's side and to Chieuvres his Governour They agreed upon the Articles which were Sign'd and there remain'd nothing but the Ceremony of the Nuptials which had been solemniz'd unknown to the King had not the tender age of the Parties been an obstacle to the Consummation and had it been in the power of the Queen to have dispos'd of her Daughter as she would her self to which end fortune sometime after gave her an opportunity of which she try'd to make her advantage The King falling sick at Paris his distemper increas'd to that degree that the Physicians gave him over for lost and while the whole Court was in a consternation upon the desperate condition of the King's health the Queen took her opportunity privately to send away her Daughter by water down the River Loire to Nantes But passing through Angiers she was stop'd by the Marshal de Gi◠who was Governor of that place The Marshal was one that took part with the Countess of Angoulême and in regard he was not ignorant that the Queen oppos'd the King's design of marrying Claudia with the Son of that Princess he soon conjectur'd the reason that his masters
the Count not having any longer before his Eyes the only beloved object that Dayly begg'd the t'others Pardon thought of nothing more but his Revenge To which purpose he enter'd his Wives Chamber with Six Men in disguise and two Chirurgeons who open'd the Veins in her Feet and Legs and so left her to Bleed to Death The King upon his return was all for making examples of the guilty but a new Amour soon blotted out the remembrance of the first Nor was the Count forgetful of his own safety in the excesses to which his jealousy had transported him for he prevented the prosecutions of justice by a voluntary exile and liv'd in Forreign Countries so long as the House of Foix was in a condition to prosecute him At length he address'd himself to the Constable Montmorency who was become a greater Favourite then before by the Death of Bonnivet and Monchenu who shar'd with him in the King 's good will The Count offer'd him a deed of gift of his Royalty provided he could get him out of his Troubles and Montmorency chose rather to purchase Chasteau-Brian by that means then by a Confiscation which would have engag'd him in perpetual quarrels which the House of Laval from whence the Count was decended Some Critiques have pretended that M. de Varillas from whom I drew these Memoirs was ill inform'd and that the Countess of Chasteau-Brian was reconcil'd to her Husband and that she did not Die till ten Years after the King's return But these objections are so well answer'd that I am convinc'd of the Countess's tragical end so that I made no scruple to follow that famous Historian word for word No sooner was Francis I. deliver'd out of the hands of the Spaniards bat he re-enter'd into a new imprisonment which thô more easie and pleasant yet was do less dangerous The Countess of Angoulême going to meet him as far as Mont de Marsan carry'd along with her the young Ann de Pisseleu who was call'd Mademoiselle de Hellé who was entertain'd as a Maid of Honour into the Houshold of that Princess The King found her so amiable that he was not able to defend his liberty against her Charms He marry'd her in a short time to the Duke d' Estampes who conniv'd at her conduct neither willing to approve it for fear of injuring his Reputation nor to condemn her lest he should bring himself into trouble The Dutchess finding her self at liberty to make the best of her good fortune to please the King ne'er minded any longer the avoiding any occasion that might advance her prosperity She had got so much experience at Court as to know that the most dangerous Rock that the King's Mistresses could hazard their Fortune against was to quarrel with the Favourites or Ministers who having often the Prince's Ear may take the advantage of certain moments of disgust and petty fallings out between Lovers to exasperate 'em and perswade 'em to an absolute Rupture This consideration made her resolve to unite Interests with the Constable Montmorency the Admiral Chabot and the Chancellor du Prat who by the Authority of their Imployments and by the King's Indulgence had got possession of the prime Ministry Those three Officers very obligingly corresponded with the first movements which the Duchess made toward the Quadruple League well knowing that notwithstanding the Greatness of their Credit yet it might be shaken if the King's Mistress understood how to make the best of those Favourable Minutes when a Lover can deny nothing to the person upon whom he doats This correspondence between these four Persons prov'd successful during the remainder of time that the Chancellor liv'd because that cunning Minister by his experience and diligence provided so well for all the exigencies of the State that the Favourites had no other care upon 'em but to divertise their Master But after his death the Council wanting a Director the Constable and the Admiral who took no heed to instruct themselves appear'd such Novices in the Government that the King was constrain'd to call up the President Poyet He was one of the most able Magistrates in the Kingdom and his Capacity was equally the same to manage as well great as small Affairs only his Genius led him rather to put things into confusion then bring 'em to a final end So soon as he had taken his place in the Council he propos'd the removal of the two Favourites that only serv'd to fill up the number because the haughtiness of the first was become insupportable to him and he fear'd the resentment of the second by reason of a Suit of great consequence wherein he had caus'd him to be overthrown Fortune seem'd to favour his Designs for the King disgusted at the ill success of his Enterprizes had it put into his Head that he might justify his ill Conduct to posterity if he laid the blame of it upon his Favourites and that their downfal would render 'em guilty of all the false steps which he had trode in the publick management of Affairs The Admiral was the first that was to feel the effects of his ill humour thô he were in friendship vvith the Dutchess of Estampes They who did not dive into the King's more secret Thoughts ascrib'd the Fall of Chabot to his imprudence which had hinder'd his Majesty from utterly despoiling the Duke of Savoy of his Territories The King intrusted Poyet whom he had invested in the Office of Chancellor with his Indignation against the Admiral and consulted with him the best way to proceed against him in due form of Law The Chancellor was overjoy'd to find the King so well dispos'd to favour his designs and made him those Proposals that gave him great satisfaction Nevertheless because he stood in awe of the Dutchess d' Estampes's Anger whose Power he well knew he sought the Protection of Diana of Poictiers Wife to the Seneschal of Normandy and the Dauphin's Mistress That Lady was the Daughter of John of Poictiers Lord of St. Valliere who had preferr'd her very young to the Countess of Angouléme after which she was advanc'd to the service of Queen Claudia as one of her Maids of Honour Neither was St. Valliere deceiv'd in his design of getting some Protection at Court through the power of his Daughter's Charms for it may be said that she sav'd his Life by the secret Engines that she set at work St. Vallier had had a hand in the revolt of the Constable of Bourbon and the misfortune to be apprehended For which he had been Arraign'd and was condemn'd to lose his Head Diana was so astonish'd when she heard the news that she thought her self oblig'd to do her utmost to save her Father from such a threatning danger Thereupon she went and threw her self at the King's Feet all in Tears and begg'd pardon for him to whom she was beholding for her Life And she appear'd to the King in that deplorable condition so amiable and so
Dutchess was extreamly allarum'd at her being so ill fearing lest it the Queen should dye the King would Marry some young Person whose Charms might â—oâ— her of his Affection But the distemper which had been so violent at first was but of short continuance for that in eight days the Queen was past danger and her recovery resâ—or'd tranquillity of Mind to all that were concern'd in her preservation year 1549 The Chancellor Olivier because he could not comply with the Dutchess as he ought to have done to preserve himself in the Ministry fell into disgrace Nevertheless because they could not deprive him of his Imployment without taking away his life and for that his integrity would not permit 'em to fasten any accusation upon him the Dutches to suspend him from the execution of his imployment caus'd the King to deliver the Seals into the custody of Commissioners Bertrand whom she had already advanc'd to be first President of Paris and Giles le Maitre a Creature of her own And now the Dutchess to secure her self a Protection both within and without the Kingdom marry'd her two Daughters that she had by the King the eldest who was call'd Diana to Heratio Farnese Duke of Castro the youngest Son of Pope Paul III. and the youngest to Claudius of Lorrain Duke of Aumale she also procur'd the Battoon of Marshal of France for Brissae for whom she had still the same tenderness year 1556 Pope Paul III having embroil'd himself with Philip II. King of Spain sent into France Cardinal Carâ—ffa his Nephew to engage King Henry II. in a League against the Spaniards The Affair was debated in Council where the Duke of Guise maintain'd with great hear that 't was requisite to give assistance to his Holiness with a design to make advantage of it He was in hopes that by sending Forces into Italy he might be able to advance his Brother the Cardinal of Guise to the Pontificate so soon as the See should become vacant and in the mean time to make himself Master of the Kingdom of Naples which as he said belong'd to him as Heir to the House of Anjou The Queen upheld his Opinion in hopes to procure the Command of the Army for her Kinsman Marshal Frotzi The Dutchess of Valentinoiâ— who was in a strict Union with the Guises was of the same Opinion nor durst the Constable Montmoranci oppose her for fear of displeasing her and in hopes that the Guises going into Italy would give him an opportunity in their absence to fix his Credit more stedfastly at Court Thus the League with the Pope being resolv'd upon a numerous Army was rais'd to be sent to the Pope but Davaâ—son the King's Ambassador at Rome a Creature of the Guises who was acquainted with this Intreague explain'd himself so openly upon it that the King who was inform'd of it alter'd his opinion for fear of contributing to their ambitious designs Their credit also receiv'd a kind of check but they recover'd themselves in a short time by the marriage which they negotiated between the Dauphin and Mary Stuart Queen of Scotland their Kinswoman The Dutchess of Valentinois who began to grow jealous of their advancement cross'd this Match as much as in her lay but not being able to prevent it resolv'd to unite her self more strictly with the Constable by marrying her Daughter to his eldest Son she being now the Duke of Castro's Widow who was slain at the Siege of Hedin There was one obstacle in the way which she had much ado to surmount For the young Montmoranci privately and without his Father's consent had marry'd Mademoiselle de Pienne of the House of Alvin The Constable sent his Son to Rome in order to get his Marriage declar'd void by the Rota But Montmoranci after the Affair had been examin'd at several Sittings could obtain no definitive Sentence for the Pope was desirous to make the best of the Dutchess and to tye her to his Interests by keeping her in hopes of a favourable Judgment But the Dutchess tir'd out with these delays took a shorter way obliging the King to make a Law by which all Marriages contracted by Infants under Age without the consent of their Parents were declar'd void After this Ordinance was verify'd upon Montmorancy's averrment that he never gave his Faith to Madana de Prenne but upon condition that his Father would give his consent the Parlament cancell'd all the Engagements that were between 'em and then the young Lord marry'd the Dutchess of Castro The Guises seeing that the Dutchess of Valentinois treated 'em but very coldly and trusted no body but the Constable who was of kin to the Marshal de Brissac her Favourite endeavour'd to revenge themselves The Queen of Scotland had brought along with her into France Madam Hamilton a kinswoman of hers who was Mistriss of all the Graces both of Body and Mind Presently they spread abroad the fame of her Beauty and by their Emissaries cunningly and neatly gave her such frequent commendations in the in the King's Ear that he desirous to know whether her applauders did not flatter her found so much sweetness so much life and gaiety in her Conversation that he could not chuse but love her He had aleady for some time taken some disgust against the Dutchess but she had such an ascendant over him that he durst not give her the least offence and he took as much care to conceal from her his Intreague with Madam Hamilton as if she had been his Wife Moreover his new Mistress proving big with Child he provided for her Lying in with so much privacy that no body at Court knew any thing of it The Prince that she brought into the World was Christen'd Henry and under the ensuing Reigns was Grand Prior of France and Governor of Provence The King that he might shew his activity to Mrs. Hamilton for whom his Passion was much increas'd since she had brought him a Son would needs make one in the Turnaments that were prepar'd in Honour of the Nuptials of Elisabeth the King's Daughter with Philip II. which was a Match concluded in pursuance of the Treaty of Chateau Cambresis Toward the end of the third Day which was the 30th of June 1559 the King who had already broken several Lances with good success would needs Tilt with his Beaver up against the Count of Montgomery the Son of Lorge Captain of the Guards of his Body The Count did all be could to excuse himself but he was at last constrain'd to obey his Master and that Course prov'd so unfortunate that Montgomery's Lance being broken into shivers the Truncheon that remain'd in his hand struck the King above the Brow of the right Eye with that terrible force that the King fell to the ground without either Motion or Sense in which condition they carry'd him to his Bed and notwithstanding all the remedies they could apply to him for eleven days together that Life remain'd in him they
could never recover his Speech and in that manner he expir'd Intreagues of the Court of France under the Reign of Francis I. WHen Queen Catherine de Medicis saw that her Husband was mortally wounded she consulted with her Confidents whether it were her best way to close with the Constable or the Guises For she lookt as well upon the one as the other to be her Enemies in regard they were equally alli'd to the Dutchess of Valentinois whom she mortally hated thô while the King liv'd she carry'd it very fair with her At last she resolv'd to unite with the Guises because they were the Queen her Daughter-in-Law's Uncles and for that somtime they had carry'd themselves but very coldly toward the Dutchess The Constable being inform'd of this Union dispatcht a Courrier to Anthony of Bourbon King of Navarr giving him an invitation to the Court there to assume the degree and Authority which his Birth allow'd him But the King who was afraid lest the Spaniards should possess themselves of his Kingdom during his absence remain'd in his irresolution so long that the Queen and the Guises had leisure to form their Cabal to remove such persons as they suspected and fill up the principal offices with their own Creatures The Duke of Guise had the Command of the Armies and the Cardinal the management of the Treasury The Dutchess of Valentinois was banish'd and forc'd to restore the Jewels and costly moveables that Henry II. had given her and more then all this they took from her the noble House of Chenonceaux which the Queen Mother would neeeds have for her self giving her in Exchange the Castle of Chaumont upon the Loire Bertrandi was depriv'd of the Seals which were restor'd to the Chancellor Olivier and he himself resettl'd as the Head of the Law in all the functions of his Office The Constable had Orders to retire to his House of Escouan and the Cardinal of Tournon was recall'd The Dutchess of Valentinois made her self amends for her misfortune with Brissac's company who continued faithful to her and being reconcil'd to the Guises prevented her being any farther persecuted But the King being arriv'd at Orleance after twelve Days Sickness di'd not without some suspition of being poyson'd in the Eighteenth Month of his Reign which gave occasion to new Intreagues The Intreagues of the Court of France under Charles IX year 1560 THere was great bustling and contending at Court for the Regency during the Minority of Charles IX but at last Queen Katherine obtain'd it and enforc'd the King of Navarr to be contented with the Lieutenancie General of the Kingdom The Queen Mother was a refin'd Politian and one who thought she might make use of illegal as well as legal ways so she might Reign She was magnificent in all her actions and lov'd all manner of divertisements which she made subservient to her Ambitious designs During the troubles that turmoyl'd the State the same Wagons that carry'd the Warlike Ammunition carry'd the Accoutrements for Balls and Masquerades By these Artifices it was that she retain'd the Young Courtiers about her who finding in their attendance upon her pleasures conformable to their Ages and their inclinations and Charm'd with the beauty of her Maids of Honour generally preferr'd her part before others that were set up in contempt of the Royal Authority The Court was then divided into two Factions Huguenots and zealous Catholicks Lewis Prince of Conde headed the first and the Guises govern'd the second The King of Navarr the Constable and the Marshal de St. Andrè seem'd to make a third party and the Queen's aim was to preserve the Authority which the Regency gave her by dividing and balancing these three cabals in such a manner that the one should not oppress the other two The third party which was usually call'd the Triumvirate seem'd to her to be most powerful and she made use of the Dutchess of Valentinois to divide the King of Navarr and the Constable for fear least being united they should leave her no more then the shadow of Government And the Dutchess undertook it so much the more willingly because her Interests agreed best with the Queen 's She feign'd as if she had suffer'd her self to be over-rul'd by the tears of her eldest Daughter and the submissions of the Duke of Aumale her Son in Law to reconcile her self and renew her good correspondence with the House of Guise which had abandon'd her to the mercy of her Enemies and the Court took this reunion for an effect of Heroic Virtue thaô indeed an indispensable necessity was the only motive that induc'd her to it The Dutchess had both Wit and experience enough to Judge that 't was impossible for her to preserve the vast wealth which she enjoy'd but by the support of the House of Guise which was not in a condition to hold up any long time but by a reconciliation with the Constable so that indeed the Dutchess labour'd for her self while the Queen and the Duke of Aumale fancy'd to themselves that she acted for them In a word she made such effectual use of the Authority which she had still over the Constable that she accustom'd him by degrees not to look upon the Guises any longer as his Enemies Thus the Dutchess maintain'd her self till she dy'd in the same flourishing condition wherein Henry II. had left her no body daring to cross her any more when they saw her have such potent protectors But it was not enough for the Queen to have broken the Triumvirate it behov'd her also that she might get all the power into her hands to fasten to her Interests the two Princes of the House of Bourbon And in regard she knew that Love was the most powerful engine to move the inclinations of that Age she made use of the Charms of her Maids of Honour to bring about her design The two most amiable were Mademoiselle du Rouet the Daughter of Lewis de la Berandiere de Guiche Lord of the Island of Rouet in Poitou and Mademoiselle de Limueil The first undertook the Conquest of the King of Navarr and the second to subdue the Prince of Condè To that purpose M. de Rouet wherever she came spoke so highly in praise of the King of Navarr that she infus'd into him a long desire to knoe who it was that so much oblig'd him with her encomiums in all companies Mademoiselle de Limueil on the otherside said nothing that could reflect upon the reputation of the Prince of Condè but still she gave out every where that he should be the last Man that she should make choice of for a Lover because he was naturally unconstant and minding nothing so much as his Ambition he could not condescend to those petty complaisancies that more frequently win upon the affections of Ladies then great Services The Prince of Condè hearing of these discourses thought himself bound in Honour to undeceive M. de Limueil and by that
King found the Marchioness more reluctant then he imagin'd and was so far from offering her any violence that he was so charm'd with her Beauty that he had some thoughts to have maâ—â—â— d her But the cares of the War eâ—â—orcing him to absent himself from her long absence abâ—ted his Passion and suffer'd him to be surprized by the Charms of another Beauty While he was tak'n up with the Siege of Paris Maâ—â—â— de Beauvilliers Daughter to the Count of St. Agnan and Abbess of Montmartre sent to him for a safe conduct which he granted after a most obliging manner She came to return him thanks and made her addresses so Gracefully that being a Woman of a comly Presence he could not consent that she should be lockt up in a Convent But being oblig'd in a short time after to raise his Siege he order'd her to be conducted to Senlis which was under his obedience where he paid her those respects and sedulities of which she could not be insensible She had been cloyster'd by force and for the private interest of the Family and she lookt upon the affection of the Prince as a kindness of Fortune to release her out of Prison But tho the King were extremly devoted to her yet could he not forget Madam de Guercheville and knowing her deserts he resolv'd to make her amends for the loss of his heart by helping her to a Husband upon whom he might heap his Favours He cast his eye upon Charles du Pâ—essis Lord of Liancourt in whose favour he wrote to the Marchionoss and so soon as he had marri'd her he gave him the Employment of Grand Squire One evening the King discoursing of the Beauty of the Court Ladies cri'd â—p extreamly the Abbess of Montmartre and said more over that he never saw a person so charming Upon which the Duke of Bellegard the present told him that he would soon be of another opinion if once he saw Mademoâ—selle d'Estrees and made him so lively a description of her Beauty that the King had a great desire to be acquainted with her Some days after the Court remov'd to Mante where the King divertis'd himself extreamly with the Ladies of the neighbourhood but Mademoiselle d'Estrees never appear'd After that he went to Senlis to visit his Admirable Abbess where he gave here all the divertisments that his small stay would admit him to prepare for her When he return'd to Mante the Duke of Bellegarde begg'd leave of his Majesty that he might go to Coeuvres where Gabriella d' Estrees then resided with whom he was deeply in love and for whose sake he had quitted Madam d'Humieres tho she had taken great care of him during a sickness that had held him for some time at Mante and had also sacrafic'd for his sake the Admiral de Villars who had left nothing omitted to gain her affections However the King would not suffer him to take his journey but upon condition that he might go a long with him Bellegard would have been glad to have been rid of such a Companion but in regard it became him not to dispute with his Master he was constrain'd to take the King along with him and which was more had the misfortune to see that his Soveraign found her much more amiable then he had imagin'd her to be The King ingag'd her to come to Maâ—te where she made a new Conquest and deprived Madam de Humieres of a Lover that is to say of Henry of Orleans Duke of Langueville That Prince who had endeavoured to chear up her heart for the loss of the Duke of Bellegard prov'd as unfaithful as he and went to dash himself against the same Rock leaving nothing omitted to gain the affection of Mademoiselle d'Estrees during the King's absence who was forc'd to take the Field to compleate the ruin of the Leaguers and was detain'd in Action longer then he expected Upon his return he apply'd himself more sedulously to Mademoiselle d'Estrees then ever and declar d openly in the tone of a Master that he would have no Companion If the Duke Of Longueville were not a little disconsolate Bellegard was much more who was to renounce a Heart of which he had been in possession whereas Longueville built upon a foundation of ill grounded hopes Nevertheless he promis'd obedience and contented himself with expressing himself to his Mistress after so sensible a manner that she could not forbear to share in his grief But she was not so moderate herself for she flew out against the King and told him with an extraordinary resolution that she would be free in her inclinations and that he would but incur her Hatred if he hinder'd her from marrying Bellegard which was a match that had been agreed upon with the goodliking of her Relations She also departed from Mâ—nte without taking her leave and return'd to Coeuvres Her Anger and her departure equally afflicted the King and he resolv'd to make use of the greatest Submission that might be to gain her Favour The main difficulty was which way to get to Coeuvres in regard he was to travel seven Leagues in the Enemies Country nor could he march with a numerous Convoy without making his Passion known and giving his Mistress a new occasion of Distast so that he ran a great Hazard with a few Men For that the Country was cover'd with the Enemies Forces and there was a necessity for him to cross a very dangerous Forrest However he took the last Resolution love causing him to shut his Eyes against all other considerations Thereupon he got a Horseback with five or six of his Officers in whom he most confided whom he dismis'd when he came within three Leagues of the Castle of Coeuvres and when he was alone he allighted disguiz'd himself in the Habit of a Peasant and taking a sack full of Straw upon his back trud'g on with his Burden till he came to his journeys end Mademoiselle d' Estrees who together with her Sister Madam de Villars stood at the Window of a Gallery that over look't the Country saw the Countreyman at a distance but never dreaming of such a Fantastick adventure n'ere examin'd his Face When the King came into the Court of the Castle he threw down his Burthen and going directly up Staires without taking notice of any body to the place where he had seen her stand who was the cause of his Disguise he accosted her after a most submissive manner But he surpriz'd her extreamly when she perceiv'd him in a Garb so little conformable to his dignity and far from being oblig'd to him for what he had done for her sake she receiv'd him with a disdainful look which was more suitable to the Habit which he wore then the Luster of his Birth So strangely does hatred Impoyson the most Heroick Actions Had Bellegard done as much for her sake she would have valu'd it at a high Rate because she lov'd him but she took it ill at the
and hated Madam Gabriella because he was belov'd by her She had a mind to the one in hopes to reingage him and observe the other in hopes to find out some way to be reveng'd of her But for the better understanding of this intreague we must go a little backward for the beginning of this Story While Paris was Beseig'd by the King's Army there were frequent Truces during which all the Courtly Cavaliers met by the sides of the Trenches to discourse and entain the Ladies who to that purpose appear'd upon the Ramparts Annas d' Anglurre Lord of Giury who was in love with Mademoiselle de Guise still made her acquainted with it or else did her some other Civility But she never return'd him any favourable answer because she had some pretentions to the King's heart who had desir'd her Picture and testifi'd an inclination to marry her provided that Marriage would engage the Heads of the League to return to their obedience These hopes of a Crown made her despise all those that durst declare themselves her Lovers But she could not always keep in that haughty mind One day Bellegard suffering himself to be haul'd a long by some of his Friends to one of the most convenient Posts for conversing with the â—â—dies took notice of Mademoiselle de Guise who appear'd so amiable to him that 〈◊〉 could not forbear fixing his eyes a long 〈◊〉 upon her Nor was the Dutchess insensible of it and therefore explaining his staring upon her to her advantage made no question of an absolute Victory over the Dukes Heart She examin'd him afterwards her self and finding him a person worthy to be belov'd she thought it might not be Impossible for her to comfort her self for the loss of those grandeurs to which she had aspired provided she might spend the rest of her days with person for whom she had already so great an inclination Bellegard had been accus'd to have contributed formery to the death the of the Duke of Guise who was murder'd at Blois and Madam de Guise who had been inform'd of it represented Bellegard to her self as a person whom it behov d her to hate but the more she incens'd her heart to hate him the less she found it disposed to obey her but with a strange confusion found that her sentiments for him were quite of another sort Thus Mother and Daughter fell both in love with a Person whom a thousand reasons supported by decency and point of honour oblig'd to detest Mademiselle de Guise well understood that her Mother was her Rivaless and resolved to combat her growing passion or at least to conceal the disorder it had made in her Breast Bellegard on the other side thought it behov'd him to extinguish those thoughts of tenderness which he felt budding in his heart for Mademiselle de Guise or at least to make as if he knew nothing of any such thing for fear least Madam Gabriella who had been the principal support of his fortune should go about to ruin him when she came to understand his unconstancy He knew that Princess had been informâ—d of the reports that ran about to his prejudice concerning the murder at Blois and not being able to indure she should be his enemy tho he gave over all thoughts of being belov'd by her he employ'd some of his friends who kept good Correspondence in the House of Guise to speak in his justification as well to the Mother as to the Daughter Those excuses were so well receiv'd that the Dutchess declar'd to those that spoke in his behalf that she never gave Credit to those Calumnies and forbid her Daughter to accuse the Duke for the future of being concern'd in her Fathers death Nor did Mademoiselle de Guise shew the least reluctancy to obey so pleasing a command so agreeable to reason and experience is the Proverb that Love justifies all things The Dutchesses civilities put Billegard to a new non plus he call'd to mind how Mademoiselle de Guise had answer'd his passionate looks and judg d that it would not be impossible for him to be belov d by her On the other side he laid before himself what a fowl piece of ingratitude it would be to fail in his Fidelity to a Person that prefer'd him before a King greater for his vertue then for the Throne to which his birth had advanc'd him Nevertheless tho Reason Ambition and Honour condemn'd his change he could not find in his heart to extingish a Passion supported by such pleasing hopes nor would he renounce either the one or the other of his Mistresses but took a resolution to serve 'em both at the same time With this design he thought it behovâ—d him to make the best of the Affection which the Dutchess of Guise had for him and to that purpose he frequently sent her Letters or Messages and always receivâ—d obliging answers The Duke of Guise having made his escape out of Prison where he had been confin'd since the death of his Father Bellegard who knew it particularly sent away a Trumpeter to congratulate him and withal gave him two Letters to deliver to both the Princesses The Trumpeter who understood his business slipt into Mademoiselle de Guises hand the Letter that was directed to her unperceiv'd by any body And she because she could not speak to the Messenger as being too strictly observâ—d gave him to understand by an obliging sign that his message no way displeas'd her Of which Bellegard being inform'd by his Trumpeter he receiv'd the news with as much joy as if some considerable happiness had befall'n him This was the condition of these three persons when Madam de' Guise requested the Passport already mention'd Bellegard therefore understanding that the Dutchess was upon the Road intending for Maâ—te perswaded the King to send some body to meet her and obtain'd that permission himself I shall say nothing of what pass'd at that enterview But 't is easie to guess that the Mother let slip no favourable opportunity to give the Duke a full understanding of her Passion and that the Daughter answer'd the Duke's more passionate looks with glances no less tender tho her modesty somewhat ecclips'd the vivacity of ' em When the Dutchess arriv'd at Court she could not forbear praising Madam Gabriella's Beauty but the Princess tho she agreed in her thoughts to every thing her Mother said could not find in her heart to applaud those Charms that disputed with her the possession of an Affection to which she had such great Pretentions On the otherside Madam Gabriella after she had cast her eyes sometimes upon Bellegard sometimes upon Mademoiselle de Guise felt in her self a kind of secret vexation to find the Princess so lovely So that the two Rivalesses shew'd as much coldness one for the other as it was possible for 'em to express without failing in those Civilities which it behov'd 'em to pay each other mutually to avoid rudeness More then that Mademoiselle
to come and repose himself at her House in his Return from Hunting The King who had heard much talk of Mademoiselle d' Entragues's Beauty willingly fell into the Snare which was laid for his Liberty and accepted the Marchionesse's Offer He found the Eldest of her Daughters to be a Thousand times handsomer then she was represented and therefore not being able to quit her so soon he remain'd for some days at Malherbe with those that were his chiefest Considents During his stay the two Young Mademoiselle's Sate at his Table and lay near his Apartment This little Court remov'd afterwards to Hallier and Madam d' Entragues to Chenaut whether the King went to Visit her every day that he might have the pleasing Opportunity to discourse his new Mistress After the Marchioness was return'd to Paris the King went to Orleans where he arriv'd upon St. John's Eve There he met the Marshal de la Chastre's Lady with her two Daughters but tho thy were very lovely they could not stop him any longer then two days He took post for Paris and alitt at the Hostel de Gondy that he might be so much the nearer to Mademoiselle de Entragues who lodg'd at the Hostel de Lyon The King often sent his Compliments to her by the Count de Ludâ— but the Father and her Brother who had not so much Complacency for the King's Affection as the Mother told his Agent very surlily that they took amiss his bringing messages to their House that dishonour'd their Family and desir'd him to forbear coming anymore Nor did the Marquiss think it sufficient to have quarrel'd with the Count he order'd his Horses to be put in the Coach and carry'd away his Daughters to Marcoussis The King being inform'd of it rode post thither some few days after faining to take that Rode in his way to Blois now in regard his journey to Blois was only a pretence to cover his journey to Marcoussis the King staid their but a very few days and return d Post to Paris He alitt at the President Verdun's where he call'd for a bed but he was no sooner retir'd to his Chamber but Bourigueux who lay in his Chamber rose and committed a thousand extravagances for the heat of the Sun had lain upon his head all day as he rode with his Majesty and had turn'd his Brains The King surpriz d at his ravings would have lockt him up in his Chamber but not finding himself strong enough he call d for help and after they had got the madman out of the Room he went to Bed retaining la Roquelaure with him all night Now in regard the King had no attendants at Paris he din'd at the Presidents and sup'd with some Prince or other Lord of the Court as the fancy led him never giving 'em notice of his coming to avoid expences But his Ministers fearing least a fancy should take him to marry Mademoiselle de Entragues who was no less ambitious then the Dutchess of Beaufort perswaded him to mind only his Interest and the good of the Kingdom in the choice of a Wife To that purpose they propos'd to him Marie de Medicis the Grand Dukes Daughter and he consented that they should demand her in Marriage giving Silleri Commission to mannage the business with the Pope During this Negotiation they endeavour'd to bring him off from Medamoiselle de Entragues who disputed her Ground with him Inch by Inch. Nor had he obtain d any other then slight favours hitherto whither he could not find an opportunity to compleat his Conquest or whither she thought to make him the more eager and inflame him the more by affected resistance to find his affection employment They perswaded him to spend one night at Zamet with Mademoiselle de Glandee whose vertue was not so morose as that of Madam de Entragues Bâ—t fortune would not let him long quietly enjoy â—he pleasure which they had procur'd him For he was no sooner laid in his Bed but he heard the clattering of Swords upon the Stairs He presently call'd and Bassompirre went to him whom he ask d the reason of that noise and understood that Bellegarade and the Prince of Joynville afterwards call'd Duke of Cheureuse had quarrell'd about some pretences and discourses which the latter pretended that Bellegarde had had with his Majesty about Mademoiselle de Entragues and him That they had drawn their Swords that the Prince of Jonyville had receiv'd a wound in his Buttocks and that the Vidam Dumans was dangerously wounded in going about to part ' em Upon that the King rose in his night Gown and taking his Sword in his hand hasten'd down Stairs preceded by Bassompierre who carri'd a light before him But he met with no body but Praslin who had shut the doors of the Houfe the two duellers being retir'd The King was extremely offended and sent the same night for the first President to come to him the next morning together with the Parlament Accordingly that Illustrious Body attended the King the next morning at Zamet House where they receivd orders to take the Quarrel into examination and to do Justice Flessevin and de Turin Counsellours of the great Chamber were appointed to draw up the Informations and took the Depositions of Cramail Bazaut Chasseran and Bassompierre But the Dutchess of Guise and the Princess her Daughter being informd of these Proceedings made use of all their Credit to put a stop to em and obtain d a Supersedeas from the King during which time the Constable made up the accommodation at Constans Sometime after the King return d to Blois fro whence he pass'd on to Chenonceaux to give Queen Louise a visit and there he saw Mademoiselle de Bourdaisiere Maid of Honour to that Princess who found some work for his Heart Madâ—â—â—â—â—â—lle de Entragues having notice fo all these Intreagues and fearing least the King should escape her at length resolv'd to be less severe The King frequently visited her at Malherbe where he obtain d the full of his desires and lodg'd her in the Horâ— d' Aâ—chand When he return'd to Paris towardâ— the end of Autumn she became big with Child and went to lye in at Monceaux whither the King carry d her himself protesting that he lov d her so well as to Marry her But she hurt her self by an unlucky accident so that a dead Child being torn from her Body she lay a long time in a very sad condition But at length she recoverd her health through the care which the King took of her hardly ever leaving her till he saw the effects of the remedies which were given her When she was in a condition to go abroad she understood there was a Treaty going on at Rome for the Marriage of the King with Marie de Medecis which put her into such a violent Rage that forgetting all her obligations to the King and all the marks of friendship which she had rcceiv'd from him she treated him with
with her into Poland Madam d' Arquten together with the Daughter which 't was said she had by St. Mar's After the death of Ladistau's the IV. she marry'd in second Wedlock Casimir his Brother and being no less desirous to prefer the pretended Young Madam Darquien she marry'd her to a great Lord of Poland and when she came to be a Widow to the Grand Marshal Sobiesâ—ki at present raigning by the name of John IV. Thus if the Story be true the Daughter succeeded the Mother and as she did before now wears the Crown of Poland In the mean time St. Mar's to make himself amends for the loss of his Mistress apply'd himself to Marion de Lorme who in truth was but of a very obscure extraction but might well pass for the most lovely Person in Europe and as she was none of the cruel ones so was he soon happy So soon as the King was in bed away flew he from St. Gemains and rode full speed to meet her at Paris and the delight which he took in her hindring him from rising early in the morning he was very rarely at the Kings rising The King who knew not the reason of his neglect ask'd several of his Officers what was become of him but they said not a word whether out of ignorance or whither they were afraid to provoak a favourite But La Chenaye the Kings first Vaiet de Chambre who had very much contributed to the putting his Mistresses out of favour finding that St. Mar's never made him any grateful acknowledgment for what he had done resolv'd not to let so fair an opportunity of Revenge escape him He knew that the King who was extreamly reserv'd in his Pleasures had an Aversion for those that gave themselves over to their Debaucheries and therefore thought he could not meet with a more certain expedient to plague the favourite then by acquainting his Master with his Love for Marion de Lorme which he did and faild not to infuse into the King those sentiments which he was desirous his Majesty should have of him St. Mar's perceiving the King's coldness toward him fetch'd him about so many way 's that he made him confess the many ill Offices that Chenaye had done him After the Count had discover'd from what hand the blow came he study'd nothing but Revenge upon the Author of his disgrace and to ruin so dangerous an Enemy in the good opinion of his Master To that purpose he imparted his design to tha Marshal de la Meilleraye who had some reason likewise of disgust against the same Officer and they were so assiduous in their endeavours to degrade him that they compass d their design La Chenaye had some kind of preceding inward Divination of his fall and spoke of it to the Cardinal who promis'd to support him But unfortunately for him his Patron was then at his House of Ruel when the order was brought him to be gone so that having no recourse to his Eminency he was forc'd to depart without delay The Cardinal was very much surpriz'd when he heard of Chenays's being dismiss'd from his employment and knowing that St. Mars was the author of it he upbraided the Favourite with it and told him he never thought he would have remov'd a Person from the King's Person whom he khew to be his Creature and this too in his absence and without his knowledge St. Mars whose interest forbid him to quarrel with that Minister while his Credit stood immovable was constrain'd totall him all the particulars of the Intreague and acknowledge his Affection for Marion de Lorme and as it is a weakness in all Lovers to enhaunce the Charmes of their Mistresses he gave the Cardinal so lively a description of her that he infus d into the Cardinal a great desier to see her How ever the suttle Minister made no the least discovery of his thoughts but in the Evening he spoke of it to the Abbot of Boâ—s Robert who was the Trustee of all his Private Pleasures The Abbot told him that he knew Mademoiselle d' Enclos commonly call'd at Court Ninon who ws an intimate Acquaintance of Marion de Lorme's and that by her means it would be and easie thing to entice St. Mars Mistress to Ruâ—l under pretence of seeing the Writers and for his Eminency to take a View of her at leisure yet she perceiving nothing of his Curiosity The Cardinal approv'd the Abbot of Bois Robert's Project and desir'd him to loose no time Thereupon the Crafty Confident went the next day to give Ninon a Visit and made the match so dextrously that Ninon as cunnung as she was knew nothing of the design The Cardinal having notice of the day that the two Lady's were to come and see his House order'd a Magnificent Collation to be prepar'd ready in a little Island in the middle of the Park where he had also the King's Musick both Violins and Hautboy's and all the Gallantry went under the Abbots name the Lady 's all that while not knowing any thing of the mistery of the Banquet which was carefully conceal'd from ' em The Cardinal also saw Marion de Lorme without being seen himself and found her a thousand times handsomer then he imagin'd her to be He had a desire to know wheher she had a kindness for St. Mars and order'd Bois Robert to make the discovery Tbe Abbot on the other side fail'd not to give his Eminency the satisfaction which he desir'd and gave him to understand that Vanity had a greater share then Love in Marion de Lorme's complyances with the King's Favourite but that the Lady kept all her tenderness for Desbarreaux a Councellor in Parliament a Young Gentlemen of a Graceful Meen a lievely wit and bonny Conversation but debauch'd and Irreligious to the highest degree Richilieu order'd the Abbot to make a proposal to Desbarreaux that if he would part with his Mistress to the Cardinal and engage her to correspond with his Affection he would be so far beholding to him for such ah acceptable Sacrifice that he would do for him whatever he desir'd to advance his Fortute Bois Robert discharg'd himself of his Commission with an extraordinary address but Desbarreaux return'd him nothing but jocose answers not believing the Cardinal could be guilty of so much weakness Which incens d tne Prime Minister to that degree that he persecuted Desbarreaux as long as he liv'd and forc'd him to fell his place and quit the Kingdom After Desbarreaux was gone Madam des Enclos at the request of Bois Robert spoke to her friend concerning the Cardinal's being in love with her and the first overture of his Affection that he made her was accompani'd with a Present of a Pair of large Silver Andirons and a Candle-stick which were valu'd at 20000 Livers St. Mars surpriz'd to see this ornamental furniture in his Mistresses Chamber would needs know from whom so much liberality procecded and not being able to clear the point