for his Crowne vnto the Emperour foure score thousand crownes In the meane time there springs vp new seeds of warre in Germanie Pius the 2. making the Emperour and his deuotion to the Romaine sea his support puts Ditericke Isebourg from the Arch-bishopricke of Mayence establishing Adolph of Nassau in his place Isebourg opposed himselfe vigorouslie against the Popes exactions who spoiled as he said the Prouinces vnder a pretext of warre against the Turke and moreouer he would not tye himselfe by othe vnto the Pope who would likewise binde future Ecclesiasticall Electors not to assemble the Electors of the Empire for the election of any new Emperour or for any other cause concerning the Empire before he âere duely informed to the end his pleasure might bee preferred before all others An audacious and vnciuill demand Frederick the victorious Conte Palatin of ãâã then administrator of the Electorship for his Nephew Philip the sonne of Lewis his brother being a pupill stood firmely for Isebourg Lewis Duke of Bauiere surnamed the rich ioynes with Frederick The Emperour hated them both and desired much to crosse them although in his heart he had reason to fauour that party for the which they fought but hee feared the valour of Fredericke and the wealth of Lewis The Pope vrgeth him to stirre vp some great Princes of Germanie to oppose against the Protectors of Isebourg rather then against Isebourgh himselfe Adolph of Nassau was assisted by Albert Marquis of Brandebourg Lewis of Bauiere surnamed the black Charles Marquis of Bade and his brother Iohn Bishop of Mets with Vlric Earle of Wirtemberg all which enuied the prosperitie of Frederick and yet feared to trie his valour Frederick was the weaker in men but right hath a strong partie Warres in Germany They neglecting their enemies small forces charge him disorderly he resists them valiantly beats them defeats them and puts them to flight takes the Marquis of Bade the Bishop of Metz and the Earle of Wirtemberg prisoners the first of Iuly 1461. and to let them vnderstand that they had erred in the discipline of warre spoiling the corne burning tâe Mills he caused them to sup the first night of their imprisonment without bread The end of this warre was the beginning of an other more fatall for the Emperour The Pope deposed George Boiebrac from the crowne of Bohemia as fauouring the doctrine of Hus and appoint Matthias surnamed Coruinus but the Emperour would not graunt it depending of the Empire Matthias was much moued and the more when as after the death of George the Lords of Bohemia and the Emperour likewise leauing him made choise of Ladislaus the sonne of Cassimir King of Polland and of Elizabeth daughter to Albert of Austria In this warre the imperiall Maiestie was not only shaken but through Fredericks misfortune almost ruined and he in a maner expelled ãâã al Austria it reduced vnder the power of a strange Lord mighty and warlike When aâ behold Albert Duke of Saxony sonne to Frederick 2. Elector of Saxony father to the Duke George and Henry Grand-father to Maurice and Augustus Electors leaâe a goodly armie at his own charge assailes Matthias so weakens him in many battels as he abaÌdons the greatest part of Austria forceth him in the end to accept a peace with such conditions as Albert would impose During these parâiaâities in the West God raised vp some meanes to crosse the Turkes exploits if the diuisions of Christian Princes for the most part procured by the Popes whilest they setled themselues had not conuerted their owne forces against themselues Troubles in the East Three yeares after this pâtââfull wound which the christian church receiued by the losse of Constantinople Mahumed the 2. besieged Belgrade but to his confusion A handfull of men lead by that braue Huniades in two dayes togither giue him two bloudy battailes wins them A great defeate of Turkâ kills aâoât fortie thousand of his men spoiles his campe takes his Artillerie with some difficultie he saued his person being wounded in the left pappe and carryed out of the fight as dead Mahomet seeing by this disgrace â483 that the land did not fauor him he meanes to tâie an other ayre hee rigges a great fleet of gallies to seize vpon the Islands of the Archipelagus But he had purchased a mighty enemy Vssumcassan of the race of Asââbei a Turke Lord of Cappadocia Armenia some other Countries adioyning who had lately slaine Molaonhre or as some write Demir of Persia and by that victorie inuaded tâe Realme Vssameâssan hauing disapointed that desseins of Mahomet grewe so proud that to maââ ãâã victory the more famous he drewe rich presents out of the treasures of Persia and sent them vnto Mahomet requesting him not to attempt any thing against Trebiâonde nor Cappadocia a conquerors request imports an imperious commande countries which belonged vnto him by reason of the dowry of his wife the daughter of âauid Comnene Mahomet not able to digest that a meaner then himselfe should presâribâ him a lawe The Turkes ãâ¦ã twice in Asia winnâ the third âattayle imployes all his wit to obscure the glorie of this newe King Hee therefore sends a part of his fleete into Asia directly to Pontus and Sinope towards Trebisordâ And he himselfe with an incredible speed crosseth Asia and campes neere to Vssamcâssan Three battailes are fought Vssumcassan wins the first against Amurath Bascha a Greeke by nation neere to the riuer of Euphrates which Bascha was slaine and the second against Mahomet where he was in person These two battailes did wondeâfully weaken the Tuâkes forces In the third the Persians amazed with the vnaccustomed noyâe of the Turkish shot vnable to endure the terrour of the harguebusse Vssumcassan and his men oppressed with this newe army lost the honour of the two first dayes and Zemald the sonne of Vssumcassan was slaine with a shot Mahomet pursues his good fortune beseegeth and takes Sinope the capitale Cittie of the Prouince and afterwards all Paphlagonia then he campes before Trebisonde batters it by sea and land and in the end takes it spoiles the treasors of King Dauid Comnene sends him prisoner with his two sonnes and his Cousin Iohn le Beau to Constantinople to serue for a shewe the day of his triomphe causing them afterwards to be baâbarously slaine rooting out the race of Comnenes In the same voiage he tooke Cilicia from Piramet Caraman and being returned to Constantinople hee conquered with his armie by Sea the Ilands of Lemnos and Lesbos he vnpeopled Mitilene and transported the Inhabitants of the I le into an other country With his forces at land hee assayled Dracula Prince of Valachia who with such small forces of foote and horse as the shortnesse of time would suffer him to leuie did so surprise and shut vp Mahomet as both he and his army were in a manner ruined when as behold Mahomet Bascha Lieutenant Generall in the Turkes
these butchers attending their misery Lewis King of France punisheth the rebells shut themselues into the great Tower of S. Donas Lewis doth first bury the body of this good Earle honourably the which had lien without sepulchre and then doth punish the murtherers and their complices rigourously But this is not all He must prouide for the Earledome remayning without a Lord by the death of Count Charles deceassed without children Pretendants for the Earledome of Flanders There wanted no pretendants William of Ypre sonne to Philip of Flanders the second sonne of Robert the Frison King Henry of England who desired greatly to ioyne this goodly Country with his Normandy Stephen of Blois Earle of Montreuill and Bologne Baldwin Earle of Hainault and William the sonne of Robert called Court-house brother to the King of England but his sworne enemy hauing vsed his father ill and kept him prisoner Lewis was soueraigne Iudge of this controuersy Flanders depending on the crowne of France He assigned all the pretendants of the Citty of Arras signifiyng that his intent was to do him iustice but in effect he inclined to fauour adiudging the Earledome of Flanders to the last that is to William of Normandy to binde him with more strict bounds against his âânsman On the other side the Flemings assemble at Ypre and chose William of Loâ Lord of Ypre The King aduanceth with his forces to Ypre to preuent this popular election where he enters the stonger and forceth William to renownce it VVilliam of Normandy made Earle of Flanders From thence he goes to all other good Citties where by his authority he causeth William of Normandy to be receiued for lawfull Earle and puts him in solemne possession by a publike act But his fauour had ill bestowed this goodly inheritance of an vnworthy man whose fury depriued him presently Lewis hauing installed him He oppresseth his newe subiects returnes into France William insteed of winning his newe subiects by equity and mildnesse begins to oppresse them after a rigorous and imperious manner by infringing of their preuileges ostentations of his authority taxes subsidies newe impositions and by all other meanes which Princes that seeke to loose their Estates hold to torment their subiects He had so far exceeded as the Citties without any wauering resolue to prouide a better Earle and to this intent they seeke a head The memorie of their good Earle makes them to cast their eyes vpon him that hath most right to this inheritance as the neerest kinsman which is Thierri son to the Duke of Alsatia and of Gertrude daughter to Robert the Frison The Flemings intreat him to come into their country The Flemings chooâe them a new Earle promising him all assistance to conquer the State He comes and is receiued with an extraordinary ioy by all the people All the Citties assemble to acknowledge him by order and dismisse William of Normandy who seeing a flat repulse by this people thus freed repayres to Lewis for succour in this extremity Lewis fayles him not his army marcheth with great speed hee himselfe comes in person and is receiued into Arras from thence he adiornes Thierry to come and answer before him as his soueraigne by what warrant hee carries himselfe for Earle this sommons is made vnto him at Ypre whether he had retired himselfe Hauing condemned him by default Thierrithe new Earle of Flanders defeated he approcheth his army to Ypre to vexe the inhibâbitants Thierri sallies forth with a notable troupe of men they ioyne the fight is fierce but the check falles vpon Thierries forces who with much a doe saues himselfe in Alost William pursues him and approcheth the towne sommoning the Inhabitants to obey and to deliuer vp Thierri as an Vsurper VVilliam of Normandy stâââe in Flanders But he was not aduised that one with a Crossebow shot an arrow at him and pierced him through the arme Behold hee is wounded and within two dayes he dies Thierri and the Flemings send presently to Lewis to beseech him to receiue them into fauour whereby he may be assured of theyr faithfull seruice Lewis consents and confirmes him and hauing caused him to take the oath of fidelity and receiued his homage after the manner of his Ancestors 1121. he returnes into France But Flanders continued not long in quiet as we shall see hereafter To these stirres of Flanders were added some garboyles in Bourbonois and Auuergne Archibauld Earle of Bourbon was deceassed leauing one sonne of the same name Troubles in Bourbonois but a young man and a brother called Haman who abusing the time in the weake minoritie of his Nephew would make himselfe Maister of Bourbonois pretending the Earledome to appertaine vnto him by the death of his elder brother to whom hee must succeed in order as the yongest of the house The mother and friends of Archibauld opposed against Hamon the right of representation inuiolable in France in great houses which is that the sonne of the eldest brother represeâts the Father and without doubt succeeds in all his rights to enioy them as if he himselfe liued for that the Father reuiues in the Sonne Hamon building his chiefe interest vpon force would not admit any reason that made for his Nephew so as the matter was brought before the King who by the aduise of his Councell declares Archibauld the lawfull heire and puts Haman from his pretensions commanding him to leaue the possession of Bourbonois free to his Nephew 1123. This Archibauld did afterwards marrie his daughter Beatrix to Robert Earle of Clermont in Beauuoisis sonne to the King S. Lewis The stââke of the house of Bourbon and of this marriage by the royall stemme is discended the most famous race of Bourbon the which at this day doth happily enioy the Crowne and realme of France But Haman who held some places in Burbonois would not leaue the possession refusing to obey the Kings commandement relying vpon the fauour of Eustache Earle of Auuergne who sought to free himselfe There was a priuate subiect of complaint against him hauing displaced the Bishop of Clermont against the Kings will These occasions drew the King into Bourbonois where hauing besieged Haman he ended this controuersie in fauour of Archibauld The affaires of Auuergne were more difficult by reason of William Duke of Guienne who imbraced the cause for the Earle of Auuergne pretending that he was his vassall This quarrell seemed to take a long course but it was pacified by this meanes Lewis had six sonnes Philip Lewis Henry another Philip Peter Robert and one Daughter Constance He had crowned his eldest sonne Philip who dyed by a strange accident going to take the aire on horseback Philip eldest sonne to Lewis died by a strange accident a Hog passed vnder the bellie of his horse the which being feared did shake this young King so violently as he threw him downe and so brused him as within few dayes after hee
rest persisted in the Kings seruice In the meane time the Kings armie prepares to go into Base Brittanie and to beseege Guingamp but the Marshall of Rieux changing his partie makes them to change their proiect Rieux was at Ancenis wonderfully perplexed to see the French entred the Countrie by a breach which the Nobility of Brittain had voluntaâiâie made them deuising some meanes to repaire these confusions drawne therevnto by his reception into grace The Earle of Cominges going Ambassador to the King passed by Ancenis and confirmed Rieux in this good resolution perswading him to go vnto the Duke with assurance that he should be gratiously receiued Rieux thinking to strike two stroakes with one stone sends Francis du Bois to the King who at that time was at Font de Larche giuing him intelligence that the Duke of Orleans the Prince of Orange and others retired into Brittaine were willing to leaue the Country so as they night rest safely in their houses without touch for that was passed Which being concluded he beseeched his Maiesty to retire his men at armes according to the tâeaty he had signed with his owne hand Anne hearing this proposition My friend sayed she vnto the gentleman say vnto my Cousin the Marshall of Rieux your master that the King hath no companion and seeing he is entred so farre he will make it good The Earle had no better satisfaction An answer discouering the Kings intentioÌ which was to incorporate this Dutchie to the Crowne the which caused the Marshall to yeeld to his Prince without dissembling He drawes some souldiers from Nantes in October and deliuers his Towne of Ancents into their hands swearing they should keepe it for the Duke In the end Francis of Baâal Baron of Chasteaubriant sonne in law vnto Rieux suffers him to enter the Castell holding him to be the Kings seruant Being the stronger lodging his troupe within the Towne hee commands ãâ¦ã yeelded to the Duke seeing that the King had broken the contract all those that would not sweare fidelitie and seruice to the Duke to retire the next day with bag and baggage Could he be ill receiued of his maister carrying with him the deliuery of two so good places The Prince of Orange hauing ioyned with some Germaine succours sent by Maximilian and lead by Baldwin bastard of Bourâgongne and some three thousand men of the countries Cornouaille Leon Trâguer âoello resolued to besiege Quintin where the Brittons ioyned with the French that âere commanded by the Baron of Pont-Chasteau did wonderfully annoy Guingamp who being in a towne vnfit for warre left the place and gaue the Prince meanes to campe before la Chaize a Castell belonging to the Vicount of Rohan But weakened by the losse of many of his men part of them going daily to the ârench The Prince of Orange army breakes off it selfe part disbanding by reason of the winter he retired his armie to Montcontour resolute to take a view to punish such as were departed without licence Yet notwithstanding all his care and the Dukes seuere command to the gentle men to returne to the Campe within two dayes vpon paine of the losse of their goods and honors and to others of corporall punishment those few forces which remained vanished sodenly Thus the Duke wauers betwixt hope and feare fortified on the one side but weâkned on the other seeing his estate incline to ruine He had two pillers Compâtiâoâs for the ãâã of ãâã which in his conceit might raise him or at the least support him Anne and Isabell. The Prince of Orange wooed Anne for Maximilian Rieux the Lady of Laual and the greatest part of the Nobilitie for Alain of Albret The first promised greater conditions yet the King had incombred him much in Flanders supporting the Gantois against him so as he could not succour his pretended father in law neither with his person nor his subiects hauing small credit amongst them and lesse money for that they would nor assist him to preiudice the King Alain whom others call Amand had some forces in hand and fed with this plausible hope he brought about a thousand men out of Castile three thousand Gascoins The Duke would willingly haue made two sonnes in lawe of one daughter vrgent necessity forced him like vnto Charles of Bourgongne to promise her to many whom he could giue but to one euen as Erisichtâon satisfied his gluttoâ ãâã and continuall hungar whervnto Ceres had condemned him hauing cut downe her groue by the many sales of his daughter Mnestra In th' end Anne is promised to Maximilian who should come to marry in Brittanie withall he should bring great troups of men to succour the Duke against the oppression of the French But hee abuseth no lesse then he is abused Herevpon Alain comes with his Castillians and Gascons At his first arriuall he went to salute the Dâke at Nantes and then his Mistresse thiâ king to haue the greatest interest in her loue But oftentimes two braue Grey-hounds coursing of a Hare a third crosseth them and carries away the game as we shall âoone see The Marshall of Rieux being arriued gaue his consent in fauour of Alain at the Countesse of Lauals request sister in law to the said Alain It was no time now to leaue this Marsâall newly reconciled idle The Duke giues him the charge of his armie with commâssiân to take Vennes where Gilbert of Grassai Philip of Moulin of whom we shall make mention in the battaile of Tournoue commanded He marcheth thether batters iâ and takes it by composition the third of March Then S. Cir Forsais who led the hundred men at armes of Alains company declared themselues Brittons by their Captaââes commandement Vânnâs taken for the Brittââ building friuolously vpon this marriage yet some of the comâââââ reâiâed to the King The Kings armie wintered Aâceââ and ãâã tâken for thâ King but Lewis of Bourbon aduertised of the taking of Vennes by Rieux requiâes him by the surprise of Ancenis and Chasteauââââ places razed neere the riuer to make the siege of Fougeres more easie on the ãâã being a frontier towne and of good defence and on the other side that of S. ãâã Cormier The Brittons army had bin eighteene moneths in field without âest to make head against the French 1488. but now they must shew what courage is in them The Duke of Orleans Alain of Albret the Earle of Dunois the Marshall of Rieux the Lord Scales an Englishman commanding some 300. men of his nation sent by Henry King of England by the meanes of the Lord Maupertuis the Seignior of Leon eldest sonne to the Vicount of Rohan the Seigniers of Chasteaubriant Crenetes Pont â Abbé Plessis âaliczon Montigni Baliues Montuel and other Captaines of bands go forth of Nantes with an intent to raise the siege Their armie was 400. Lances 8000. foote besides 300. English and 8000. Germaines sent by Maximilian
King more âeuer subiects gaue with greater ioy to their Soueraigne then the French did to hâm âhaâ 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 fiât 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 suppâie those which were vacant hee creaâed 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 dessââins 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 widoâe 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 âerrare 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 Fâanders into Spaine holding it dangerous to stand in the midest betwixt the Kings of France and England vnited togither and not to fortâfie 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 âo all in the Duchie of ãâã 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
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 beâng 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 Kiâgs 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 Rauasâein 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 sâe moneths the Catholike King should yeeld the realme of Nauarre to Henry of Albret A peace concluded betâwixt 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 lawâull 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 condiâions 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 theâeof 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 Kâng 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 ceraâue number of men at his charge But diuersely for the eight Cantons bound themselues to furnish against all men indifferently and
commonly the better The 17. of Februarie Iohn de Medicis to be reuenged of a disgrace which his troupes had receyued by a former sallie layed a bayte for them of the Towne seconded with a double ambush the one in the trenches nere vnto the Towne the other farther of The Spaniards drawen on by their former victories pursuing them which had charged them they discouer the farthest Ambush and began to retire when as the nerer cuttââg off their way putts them all to the sword But this small victory did greatly preiudiâe the generall Iohn de Medicis had the boane of his heele broken with a shot and was carried vnto Plaisance His troupes were so dispersed after his hurt as the armie was deminished aboue two thousand and his absence did coole his soâdiaâs courage and heat in skirmishes and assaults for he was a great soldiar and the good successe of a battaile doth partly depend of the presence of such personages The Imperialls had no more meanes to maynteine themselues within their fort want of money had soone driuen them forth yet they considered that by their retreat Pauia would be lost and they were out of hope to preserue the rest which remayned in the Duchie of Milan To assaile the French within their lodging were a âangerous and vaine attempt Also the enemies resolution was not to giue battaile vnlesse âome aduantage were offred them but onely to retire their men that were within Pauia and to man it with newe troupes the which they could not do without passing in vââe of the French Caâpe They therefore prepare themselues to two effects eyther to execute their desseine or to fight if the King issuing out of his fort would stoppe their passage The night before Saint Mathias day the 25. of February the day of the Emperour Charles his natiuity they disquiet and tire our men with many false alaâums Batâaille of Pauia and make two squadrons of horse and foure of foote The first vnder the commande of the Marquis oâ Guast consisting of sixe thousand Lansquenets Spaniards and Italians The secoÌd vnder the Marquis of Pesquaire The third forth of Lansquenets led by the viceroy and Duke of Bourbon They come to the Parke wall cast downe about threescore ââdome enter within it take the way to Mirabel leauing the Kings army vpon their left hand The artillery planted in a place of aduantage doth much indomage their battaâlons and forceth them to runne into the valley for shelter Here impatience transports the King He sees the enemy disordred and thinkes they are amazed moreouer he had intelligence that the Duke of Alanson had defeated some Spaniards that would haue passed on the right hand and had taken from them foure or fiue Cannons Thus the King loosing his aduantage seekes his enemies and passing before his owne Cannon hinders their execution The Imperialls desired nothing more then to haue the King out of his forte and to be coâered from his artillery They now turne head against him which was directed to Mirabell The King supported with a battaillon of his Suisses beeing his chiefe strength marched directly against the Marquis of Saint Ange who ledde the first of the horsemen ouerthrowes them killes many and the Marquis himselfe But oh villanie The Suisses in steed of charging a battallion of the Emperours Lânsquenets which did second their men at armes they wheele about and go to saue tâem selues at Milan The Marquis of Pescara came to charge the King with his battaââons Francis Brother to the Duke of Lorraine and the Duke of Norfolke who lâd about fiue thousand Lansquenets marched resolutly against him but they are sodââââ inuironed with two great battallions of Germains defeated and cut in peeces ãâã Suisses thus retired the Lansquenets lost the whole burthen of the battaile lay vpon the King so as in the end being hurt in the legge face and hand his horse slaine vnder him charged on all sides defending himselfe vnto the last gaspe he yeelded vnto the Viceroy of Naples who kissing his hand with great reuerence receiued him as prisoner to the Emperour At the same instant the Marquis of Guast had defeated the horse that were at Mirebel and Anthony de Leue issuing out of Pauie charged our men behinde Thus seeing the pittifull estate of the Kings person all giue way all seeke to saue themselues by flight The Duke of Alanson seeing no hope of recouerie preserues the rereward in a manner whole Slâine in the battaile and passeth the riuer of Tesân The vantgard for a time maintayned tâe fight but in the ende it shronke by the death of the Maâshall of Chabannes This day depriued vs of a great number of the chiefest Noblemen of France amongest the which the Marshalls of Chabannes and Foix the Admirall of Bonniuet Lâwis of Tremouille about threescore and fifteene yeares old a worthy bedde for so valiant a Nobleman whose Councell deserued to be followed Galeas of Saint Seuerin master of the âorâe Francis Lord of Lorraine the Duke of Norfolke the Earle of Tonnerre Chaumont Soâ to the great master of Amboise Bussy of Amboise the Baron of Buzansois Beâuprâââ Marafin the chiefe Quirie of the Kings stable and about eight thousand men The bastard of Sauoie Lord Steward of France died of his wounds being prisoner There were taken Henry King of Nauarre The Eaâle of Sâint Paul Lewis Lord of Neuers Fleuranges sonne to Robert de la Mark the Marshall of Montmorency Laual Brion Lorges la Rochepot Monteian Annebault Imbercourt Frederic of Bossole la Roche Du Maine la Mââlleray The Regânts foreâight Montpesat Boissy Curton Langey and many others Of the enemy there died about seauen hundred fewe men of Marke besides the Marquis of Saint Ange Triuulce and Chandions who remayned at Milan aduertised of the ruine of their army returned with their men in to France so as the very day of the battaile all the Duchie of Milan was freed from the French forces The next day the King was led to the Castell of Pisqueton vnder the gard of Captaine Alarson alwaies intreated according to the dignity of a royall person but so farre forth as the quality of a priâoner would permit The Duke of Albanie was farre ingaged in the realme of Naples and all passages by land were by this disgrace stopt To drawe him out of danger the Regent mother to the King giuing order for the affaires of the realme sent Andrew Dorie generall of the Kings gallies vnto him with la Fayete the Viceadmirall beeing at Marseââles who without any losse of men but of some âcouts chased by the Colonnois euen to the very gates of Rome returned safely into France The estate seemed nowe neere a shipwracke as well by the imprisonment of the head as by the death of many worthy personages who might haue serued greatly in the preseruation thereof But God by many corrections would often chastise France but neuer ruine it The Kiâg of Englaâd
and not couetous The Duchie of Luxembourg and the Countie of Rousillon were worthy motiues in generall besides the priuate interest of inuasion which the King had against his enemie The causes of a new warre The Emperour did possesse them both without any lawfull title Luxembourg by the succession of Charles and Philippe Dukes of Bourgogne his great grandfather and his father who had by force dispossessed the true and lawfull Lords of the said house who had substituted our Francis by a new grant into their rights and actions besides the ancient rights which the Kings of France haue euer pretended thereunto and especially since the purchase which Lewis Duke of Orleans brother to King Charles the sixt made Besides that the Lords of la Marke had of late transported their pretensions vnto him of the said Duchie Rouââllion by the two scrupulous restitution of Charles the eight being abused and deceiued saith the orriginall by friar Oliuer Maillard his confessor a man in shew holy but in effect an Hypocrite and corrupted with money by the King of Arragon to sell and deceiue his maister King Charles hauing no power to make this alienation in preiudice of the Crowne neither the King of Arragon nor his successors accomplishing the conditions annexed to the Contract Charles now Emperour was but an vsurper and a violent possessor The situation of Luxembourg was commodious to receiue the Germains that came vnto the King Warre declared in Luxemburg but more by this approch to fauour the Duke of Cleues whome the Emperour did threaten to make the poorest man in Christendome So the King sent Charles Duke of Orleans his yongest sonne accompanied with six hundred men at armes six thousand French and tenne thousand Lansquenets and Claude Duke of Guise commaunding the armie vnder him Francis of Bourbon Duke of Anguieâ brother to Anthony Duke of Vendosme the Earle of Aumale eldest sonne to the Duke of Guise the Lords of Sedan âamets Roche du Maine la Guiche and many others men of resolution valour and experience And for the enterprise of Roussillon Henry his eldest sonne Daulphin of Viennois Warre in Rousâllon assisted by the Marshall of Annebault for the chief conduct of the warre and for an assistant in those militarie toyles the Lord of Montpesat Lieutenant for his Maiestie in Languedoc Parpignan is the chiefe Cittie of this Countie the onely barre and bulwarke of Spaine towards the South the Conquest whereof drew after it not onely the losse of that which the Emperour possessed on this side the mountaines but laied open all the Prouince beyond it and the King conceiued that assayling it being vnfurnished of many necessaries for the maintayning of a great seege either honour or feare of losse would draw the Emperour to fight and with this hope he prepared the rest of his forces to march in person But this was but a great shew without any effects The Duke of Orleans hauing assembled his troupes betwixt Verdon and Dun le Chasteau Exploits in Luxembourg he beseeged battered and tooke Danuillier a place of Luxembourg where there came to ioyne with him the Baron of Hedecq sometimes LieutenaÌt to the Earle of Furstemberg the Earles of Mansfeld and Piguelin and the Colonel Reichroc with their regiments of Lansquenets making about ten thousand men Then came Comte Reingraue to the Kings seruice a yong Nobleman and well resolued who promised in his person many good parts as we shall hereafter see Danuillier being burnt as not defensable had opened the way to Luxembourg but news comes that a part of the wall was falne at Yurye the Duke turnes the head of his armie thither makes his approches plants three Cannons and a halfe vpon the brinke of the trench 1539. but vndiscreetly without gabions without trenches this was to contemne the enemie too much and without any couering for them that garded the artillery The garrison âallies forth in the open day in vewe of the army and tie roopes vnto the ordinance but the weight of them was the let they could not drawe them into the trenches whervpon they burnt their carriages and dismount them They make trenches and batter it towards Ardennes they make a reasonable breach but it was not assayled In the midest of the breach the beseeged had a Casemate in the bottome of their trench thâ which could not bee taken from them without great slaughter of them that should attempt it They drawe from Sedan Mouzon and other neere Townes a supplie of artillerie and munition and make a neâe battery the beseeged being amazed demand a parle The bastard of Sombret the Lord of Noyelles Hannuyer Captaine Famas Gyles de Leuant and others vnto the number of two thousand men defended the place the which could not be assaulted without hazard and losse of men So it was concluded Iuoâe taken they should depart with their baggage and to carrie with them six faucons with munition to discharge them sixe times a peece Then William Duke of Cleues fortified the Kings armie with ten thousand Lansquenets and sixteene hundred horse led by Martin de Rossan Marshall of Gueldres William had lately espoused but without any consummation of marriage by reason of the Infants base age Ioan Daughter to Henry of Albret and of Marguerite the Kings sister whome hereafter we may see by the nullitie of this contract to marrie with Anthonie of Bourbon Duke of Vendosme and of their marriage was borne Henry the fourth King of France and of Nauarre nowe lyuing and raigning vnder the fauour of heauen for the happie preseruation of this monarchie Iuoye which men held the strongest place in the Country best furnished with men artillerie and munition by their yeelding caused Arlon to open her gates at the first summons Luxemberg seemed of a harder issue It was kept by three thousand fooâe and foure hundred horse But the trenches the approches and a breach made although not reasonable to giue an assault considering the trench was very deepe cut out of the rocke did so amaze the beseeged as they yeelded to depart with their baggage The Earles of Manâeild and Piguelin promised to defend it against all men but wee shall shortly see how they will discharge their duties Montmedy a small place situate vpon a mountaine so as they could not approch but on the one side mooued with this happie successe yeelded at the first vewe of the Cannon To conclude such was the successe in this expedition that onely Tionuille remaâned in the Emperours hands of all the Duchie of Luxemberg But the great âesire the Duke of Orleans had to bee at the battell which in shewe was to bee giuen before Parpignan drew him to Montpellier where the King remayned attending the progresse of the sayd seege of Parpignan to be readie to receiue the Emperour if hee came to succour it The Duke had no sooner dismissed his army and turned his backe to Luxemberg leauing the Duke of Guise
protestations of friendship were but foretelâings of the breach of his faith For this reason Zacharie entertained Pepin carefully the which did helpe him much to compasse his desire And although his ambitious humour made him sometimes to speake too peremptorily of his victories and ordinarie deserts yet could he conteine himselfe in greatest occasions and behaued himselfe in such sort as he seemed not to aspire vnto the Crowne but that necessitie and the common consent of all the French did as it were force him thereunto The most remarkable thing in all the course of this history is the order he held to compasse a desseine of so great importance As he discoursed couertly of his intention and openly of the vrgent necessitie to prouide speedily for the estate of the Realme Pepâns means to make himselfe King hee had feed men to preach forth his prayses and the disgraces of Childeric being as visible in the one as remarkable in the other reason giuing due praise to vertue and dishonour to vice In the one they see a simple stupidity in the other a wise viuacitie in the one a foolish lightnes in the other a stayed grauitie in the one a brutish fuâie and in the other a moderate and temperate spirit in the one a beastly carelesnes in the other an actiue dilligence in the one a dissolute intemperancie and in the other a well gouerned continencie So as in the one was all good and in the other all bad in the one all pleased in the other all displeased and theiractions were the table of their contrary dispositions Childeric loued no man neither did any man loue him Pepin loued all and was beloued of all tying all vnto him by all occasions and good turnes and all to his masters losse The common people loued Pepin intirely as the Protector of their libertie and hated Childeric as one that regarded not the common good in respect of his foolish and beastly volââtuousnes being neither willing nor able to doe well So the one being contemned and hated was held vnworthie to raigne the other praysed and beloued was esteemed most worthie to be a king The friends of Pepin failed not to proclaime his merits in all places and the people imbraced it with all content But there were many difficulties in the execution of this generall dâsire 746. religion much respected by the French the naturall reuerence and deâotion they bare to their Kings and the remembrance of the merits of old Clouis were strong lets to stay the violent desires of the most affectionate But Pepin could well preuent all this by an admirable and happy dexterity To the remembrance of Clouis vertues he opposed the memory of horrible disgraces and infamies wherewith his posterity had beene polluted and withall the carelesnesse of these latter Kings noating all in ranke from father to sonne And contrarywise hee did represent vnto them the liuely remembrance of the great merits of Pepin his grand-father of Martell his father and his owne and from experience past hee concludes of the future hope As for the reuerence of the French to their Kings hee shewed that it was vowed to true Kings and not to Kings in imagination painted and disguised and that the oth of fidelitie tyed them to a religious King bâing valiant iust mercifull vpright diligent practised in affaires fitte to withstand his enemies to punish the wicked to defend the good and to protect the Christian lawe according to the expresse wordes of the sollemne othe which the French giue their King at his Coronation Why should they then be bound to a vicious King negligent and carelesse of himselfe and his subiects vnder the colour of a Crowne and Scepter To conclude the contract was limited and the French were bound to obey that King that was a lawfull King who being endued with royall vertues performed the office of a true King These reasons were plaine and easilie receiued of all men finding this change to be very necessary for the common good neither was there any one but expected some profit in his owne particular and sought to purchase the fauour of Pepin But yet there remained a scruple of religion for the dispensing of their othe This article must be decided at Rome where Pepin assuring himselfe of his good friends who were necessarily to vse him hoped for a good end seeing the principall was determined by the consent of the French He therefore sends Bruchard Bishop of Bourgeâ and Folrad his Chaplaine vnto Rome men pleasing to all and faithfull to himselfe to represent the Estate of France and the generall desire of the French to Pope Zacharie The Pope duly informed of the weaknesse of Childeric being hated and contemned of all men without any support and of the generall resolution of the French to receiue Pepin but chiefely moued with hope to draw great helpes from him against the Lombards his capitall enemies dispensed the French from their oth of obedience to Childeriâ and to all his race Now shall that race be dispossessed and this decree shall be the last act of the Merouingiens Tragedie THE SECOND RACE OF THE KINGS OF FRANCE called Carolouingiens either of Charles Martel or of Charlemagne the chiefe pillers of this race Oracles to iudge rightly of the estate of this second race God is Iudge he puls downe one and sets vp another Man walkes as a shadow he striues in vaine he gathers goods and knowes not who shall enioy them O Lord what is man that thou shouldest be mindfull of him or the sonne of man that thou so regardest him Man is like vnto nothing his dayes are like a shadow that vanisheth the sonnes of men are as nothing and great men are but as a lye If they were all together put in a ballance they would be found more light then vanitie It is hee notwithstanding that preserueth Kings CHARLES MARTEL CHARLES MARTEL A particular Chronologie of the second Race From the yeare 741. vnto the yeare nine hundred eightie eight Yeares of grace Number of Kings CHARLES MARTEL OF 741. 22. The stock or stem of this second Race is numbred among the Kings the 22. for he raigned in effect during the life of the Idâe Kings and so was buried among the Kings After the royall gouernment of 25. yeares he left it to his sonne 750. 23. Pepin the briefe or short who was crowned King Chilperic 4. being degraded in the yeare 750. left the crowne peaceabâe to his sonne 814. 24. Charlemaigne great in name and in effect who remaining absolute Monarke of the realme of France Austrasia with all the dependances Northward he added to this great masse all Italy the greatest part of Spain so possessing the territories of the Empire in the west he was receiued installed Eâp of the west hauing raigneâ 40. y. 840. 25. Lewis his sonne surnamed the Gentle succeeded him and raigned Kiâg Emperour 27. yeares and to him succeeded 878. 26. Charles the 2.
the end yeelds by composition and Didier who had hated Charles without cause and attempted warre vpon an houre âalâs into his hands who shewes himselfe wise and modest both to vndertake a warre and to vse the victory Thus Charlemagne hauing wisely vndertaken a iust warre and ended it happily hee ruined the Kingdome of the Lombards carrying Didier prisoner to Lion or to Leege The Kingdome of the Lombards ruined for writers speake diuersely of the place of his imprisonment This was in the yeare 776. A notable date to represent the tragicall end of so great a Kingdome the which continued in Italy onely two hundred and âoure yeares vnder Princes of diuers humors But iniustice tyranie and pride prouoked the wrath of God against them so as thinking to take from an other they lost their owne to vsurpe the liberties of others they fell into an ignominious slauery and their subtilty was the cause of their owne misery A mirror for Princes and great States neuer to attempt an vniust and vnnecessary warre to vsurpe an other mans right neuer to thinke to preuaile ouer a good cause by craft and policy Charlemagne vsed his victory with great moderation towards the conquered nation to the great content of all the Italians who held it a great gaine to haue lost their old master and to be rightly free being subiect to so wise a Lord for he left them their ancient liberties and to particular Princes such as were vassals to Didier their Seigneuâies to Aragise sonne in lawe to Didier hee left the Marquisate of ãâã He placed French Gouernors in conquered Lombardy meaning to haue theÌââtreated with the like mildnesse as the ancient patrimony receiued from his Predecessors During the seege of Pauia a Councell was held at Rome by Pope Adrian in fauour of Charlemagne 778. to giue him honours answerable to his deseruing of the Church and namely the right to giue all benefices throughout all Christendome was said to belong vnto him Charlemagne being returned into France Aldegise the sonne of Didier sought to disquiet Italie aided by the Emperour Constantine and the practises of Rogand to whome Charlemagne had giuen Friul who reuolted from his obedience but all these rebellious were âoone suppressed by the faithfull care of the French Gouernours whome Charlemagne had left in the Countrie newly conquered and Rogand being seized of it suffered the paines of his treacherous rashnes being beheaded by the Kings commaundement Thus Italie remayning quiet to him and his as conquered by a iust warre it shal be hereafter incorporate to the French Monarchie in this second race being giuen in partage to the chidren of France whilest that the good gouernmeÌt of our kings maintaines the dignitie of the Crowne A memorable warre in Germanie But the end of this war was the beginning of an other in Germanie wherof the Saxons were the chief darwing vnto them according to the diuersitie of occasions other people of Germanie their neighbours This war continued 33. yeares not all successiuely but at diuers brunts seasons the Saxons hauing for a perpetual subiect to crosse Charlemagne in his desseins especially being busied in many other matters of great consequence I will breefly relate this war of Saxony reporting with one breath what hath beene seuerally dispersed in the whole history without confusion of times or mater following a stile fit for this history In those times Germanie was subiect to the Crowne of France although it had particular Estates vassals to our Kings whatsoeuer the Germaines say who confesse but a part thereof The Saxons were subiect to our Crowne as appeares by that aboue written and namely vnder Martel and Pepin his sonne The motiues of this warre were diuers the impatiencie of a people desiring their ancient libertie not able to beare an others command as the Germains say the hatred and iealousie of a mighty neighbour thâeatning them with seruitude the controuersie for the limits of their lands but the greatest and most important cause of these wars The causes of this wââre was the diuersitie of religion for that the Saxons would obstinatly hold the Pagan superstition which they had receiued from their Ancestors and Charlemagne vrged them to forsake their Paganisme and to make open profession of the Christian faith moued with zeale to the generall aduancement of the truth and the priuat dutie of a Prince to his subiects to prouide for their soules health A thing very worthie obseruation Belial did then fight against Christ The differeâce betwixt the warres which Câarles ãâã and ãâã this day Pagan superstition against Christian veritie But alas by whome and wherefore are these vnciuill warres at this day Christian fights against Christian the most sacred signe of Christianitie appeares on either side in Christian and French armies Christians bloud is spilt by Christians through a blind furie want of vnderstanding in the fundamentall accord of the sauing trueth These are not onely different but coÌtraâie wars to those of Charlemagne and our inâaged tumults are begun nourished without reason both against the good of the Estate and Church Vpon this controuersie of religion the Saxons made war eight times against Chaâlemagne especially when they found him busied elswhere watching their oportunitie either to crosse him in his desâeine or to frustrate his attempts At such time as hee was in Italie they played the wild colts not onely in reiecting the French coÌmand but also making open war against those Cities in Germanie which obeyed Charlemagne they had taken Eresbourg from the Crowne of France euen vpoÌ his returne beseeged Sigisbourg robbing spoyling al the Country about Charlemagne assembling a Parliament at Wormes Hee subdues the ãâã and perswades ãâã to be a Christian leuies a great armie to charge the Saxons in diuerse places This Councell succeeded happily for hauing vanquished the Saxons twise in one moneth in a pitched field he reduced them to their ancient obedience vsing his victorie with much modestie and wisedome desiring rather to shew them the power of his authoritie then the rigour of his force The chief among them was Widichind as religion was the chief motiue of these ordinary rebellioÌ so Charlemagne seeking the establishmeÌt of Christian religion in Saxony with great zeale happily eâââcted it Hauing vanquished this Widichind by reason and humanitie and brought him to the knowledge of the truth by his graue wise conuersatioÌ whom he perswaded without any violence to leaue the Pagan superstition 784. which force of armes could not effect in him nor in the Saxons for Mens soules are not gained by force of armes but by reason By the meanes of this Widichind the greatest part of the Saxons were drawne to the knowledge of the true God and the obedience of the French monarchie the most obstinate were forced eyther to obey or to abandon the country as in deed great numbers of the Saxons retyred themselues into diuers strange
of grace 920. the Empire being then very weake After Conrad was chosen Henry the âouler Duke of Saxony and after him his sonne Otho Princes adorned with great singular vertues fit for the time to preserue the West for the East did runne headlong to her ruine so as since Nicephorus who liued in the time of Charlemagne they did not esteeme them but held them as abiects in regard of those great Emperours which had liued before them namely Michel Curopalates Leo Armenien Michel the stamering Conâusion in the East the two Theophiles father son Basiâe the Macedonien Leo the Philosopher Alexander Constantine a Romaine all which had nothing of the Romaine but the name Thus this poore sicke bodie languished being torne in peeces by the infamies of these men either of no valour or altogither wicked attending the last blow by the hand of the Mahomeâans whose power they fortified by their vitious liues vntill they had lodged them vpon their owne heads A notable spectacle of Gods iust iudgement who dishonours them that dishonour him In the Church and expells them from their houses that banish him from their hearts In these confusions of State the Pope of Romes power increased daily by the ruines of the Empire who thrust himselfe into credit among Christians by many occurrents Their desseins was to build a Monarchie in the Church by authoritie power Seigneuries ciuil Iurisdictions armes reuenues and treasor being growne to that greatnes as afterwards they sought to prescribe lawes to Emperours and Kings who refusing it and disputing vpon this primacie many dissentions grew among them and so were dispersed among the people This is the summe of all that shall be discoursed in the future ages in Christendome wherein we shall view the the sea of Rome the Empire and the kingdome I treat but of matters of State 929. wherevnto the subiect and the order of our desseine doth tie me to report by degrees so long and so obscure a discourse of those ages plonged in darkenesse Plantina the Popes Secretary reports a very notable accident happened at Rome in those times a yong maide loued by a learned man these are his words came with him to Athenes attyred like a boy In vita Ioannis octaus and there profited so well in knowledge and learning as being come to Rome there were fewe equall vnto her in the Scriptures neyther did any one exceede her in knowledge so as she had gotten so great reputation as after the death of Pope Leo she was created Pope by a generall consent was called Iohn the eight But it chanced that hauing crept too neere to one of her gromes shee grewe with child the which she did carefully conceale But as she went to the Basilique of S. Iohn de Lateran betwixt the Colises and S. Clement she fell in labour Pope Ioan deliuered of a Child in the open streete and was deliuered of this stolne birth in a sollemne procession in view of all the people And in detestation of so fowle a fact a piller was erected where this profane person died So without flattering the truth not the Empire alone went to wrack but also the realme and the Church being in those daies full of confusions in which they fell from one mischiefe to an other by the barbarous ignorance of all good things both in the State and Church as the wise and vnpassionate reader may obserue in the continuance of the history plainly described But let vs returne from the Empire and sea of Rome to France Wee haue sayd that when Charles the simple was first imprisoned the Queene Ogina his wife had carried her sonne Lewis into England to Aldestan the King her brother She had patiently suffred all during the furious raigne of Raoul the vsurper while the experience of diuers masters did ripen the French-mens discontents to make them wish for their lawfull Lord. After the death of Raoul Aldestan King of England hauing drawne vnto him Willam Duke of Normandie the sonne of Rhou sends a very honorable Ambassage to the States of France intreating them to restore his Nephewe Lewis to his lawfull and hereditary dignity The French wish it so as without any difficulty Lewis the sonne of Charles was called home by the Estates of France whether he was accompanied with a great troupe of English-men and Normans as the shewe of a goodly army which might seeme to force them to that which they willingly yeelded vnto LEWIS the 4. surnamed from beyond the seas 33. kâng LEWES .4 KING OF FRANCE XXXIII 935. LEWIS returnes into France hauing remayned nine yeares or thereaboutes in England surnamed D'outremer or from beyond the seas by reason of his stay there He beganne to raigne in the yeare 935. and raigned 27. yeares A disloyall and vnfortunate Prince hauing made no vse of his afflictions ãâ¦ã disloyaââârince vnworthy the bloud of Charlemagne And thus their ruine aduanced by the default of men the which God held back by his patience He fouÌd the Estate of his realme like vnto one that returnes to his houâe after a long and dangerous nauigation He was receiued with great ioye of all men Those which had beene most opposite vnto him made greatest shewes of faithfull and affectionate seruice to insinuate into his fauour Amongest the rest William Duke of Normandy but especially Hugâes the great Maior of the Pallace whome wee haue already noted as the sonne of Robert the chiefe of the said League Hee had imployed all his meanes for the calling home of Lewis into France and at his returne he spared nothing to confirme his authority This was the meanes to âay the foundation of a greater authority for his successors They must begin the newe gouernment of this Prince with a wife to haue lawfull issue The Emperours allyance was very needefull Otâo heâd the âmperiall dignity being the sonne of Henry the fowler Duke of Saxony âewis marrieth one of the Emperors sisters ãâã âather to Hâgh Caâet marriâth an other He had two sisters Heâbergue and Auoye King Lewis marrieth the eldest and in signe of brotherly loue he motioned the marriage of the youngest with Hugues the great Lewis had two sonnes by Herbergue Lothaire who succeeded him to the Crowne of France and Charles who shal be Duke of Lorraine and contend for the Crowne but shall loose it Hugues the great was more happy then Lewis for of the yongest hee had Hugh Capet who shall take their place and ascend the royall throne to settle the French Monarchie 937. shaken much in the confusions of these Kings vnworthy to raigne or beare any rule And of the same marriage Hugues had Otho and Henry both Dukes of Bourgongne one after another Behold now vpon the Stage two great and wise personages the King and his Maior whom we may call a second King they striue to circumuent each other the which their actions will discouer but man cannot preuent that on earth
flies to Philip who comes himselfe with a very great army and enters Flanders The vncle supplaâââ his Nephew for the County of Flanders His meaning was to make a benefit of their common quarrell But it fell out otherwise by his prouidence who doth pull downe one raise vp an other alwaies iustly although the causes be vnknowne vnto vs. Robert defeates the King and his Nephews After this victory hee is receiued Earle of Flanders without any discontent of the King for the distressed pupills who relying no more on him fled for succor to Thierry Bishop of Liege who makes an accord That Robert the Frison should haue the Earledom of Flanders giue his Nephews some recompence After this peaceable possession of the Earledome of Flanders Philip fârsâks Baldwins Children at their neede In England Philip became a deere friend to Robert forgetting the good offices hee had receiued from his tutor measuring friendship by proffiâ Such was tâeÌ the state of Flanders England had a greater change we haue sayd that Robert Duke of Normandy had instituted William his bastard sonne his heire and that hee had gotten possession of the Dâchie but behold a greater happinesse attends him Edward King of England hauing receiued much kindnesse from him and knowing him fit for the gouernment of the realme names him his heire by his testament by vertue whereof notwithstanding all the policy and force that Herould brother to the Queene could vse William is receiued King of England and crowned in a soâlemne assemble of the English homage is done vnto him as to their lawfull Lord this great dignity continued in his posterity Philip sees this new power impatiently Philip discontented at VVilliams aduancement to the crowne of England yet can he not preuent it but God hath prepared it as a rod to correct this realme by the three sonnes which William left to succeed in his Estates Robert William and Henry Ambition is the Leuaine of these warres it shewed it selfe soone after the birth of this new power growen to the Dukes of Normandy whose first breeding we haue seene in the second race by the increase of the realme of England Robert and Henry the sonnes of William come to the King at Constans vpon Oise As they play at Chesse with Lewis the sonne of King Philip there fell some contention among these yong Princes and from iniurious words they fell to blowes Lewis called Henry the sonne of a Bastard Henry struck at him with the Chesse-board and had slaine him if Robert had not staied him This blow being giuen Robert and Henry made all hast to saue themselues in Normandy The Leuaine of distention betwixt France and England where they incensed both heauen and earth with their complaints From this light beginning grew all the troubles which disquieted these two Estates during 400. yeares vpon diuers occasions Robert Henry being escaped the fathers so imbrace the quarrell for their children as they fall to armes Philip goes to field and takes Vernon depending of Normandie Robert goes out of Normandie and doth seize vpon Beauuois King William parts from England and lands in France with a great and mighty power The English enter into Guienne and inuades Xaintonge and Poitoâ Behold the first check of a dangerous game Philip moued with these losses enters into Normandie with a great and mighty armie but he cures not one wound in making of another William on the other side runnes and spoiles all the Country euen vnto the gates of Paris where hee entred not then but his posteritie did after him Hee dies soone after but the quarrell suruiued in his children who augmented this hereditarie hatred in many sorts While they began to weaue this web Italy was in no better estate being full of horrible combustions and the cause was so much the more lamentable for that the mischiefe came from them Conââââons in Italy betwixt the Emperour and Popes from whom all good was to be expected We haue formerly spoken of the deuisions growne betwixt the Emperours and the Popes of Rome for their preheminences In all ancient times the Popes were subiect to be summoned before the Emperour who had authority to create them to depose them that were vnworthy of their charges to call Synods and to confirme all things which concerned the outward gouernment of the Church The Pope on the other side maintaines that all this authority was his The Popes vsurpation as vniuersall Bishop hauing power to bind and loose to iudge of all men and all causes as the soueraigne Iudge of the Church not to bee iudged by any man and so to dispose absolutely of all matters as well Ecclesiasticall as Ciuill as Monarch in the Church not only armed with power of excommunication to damne rebels and authority to remit sinnes but hauing also the temporall sword with soueraigne authority ouer Emperours Kings and Princes of the earth to place and diâplace and to dispoâe of their estates Hereafter we shall find in euery raigne some memorable example of this soueraigne authority This raigne giues a very notable one After the death of the Emperour Conrade called Salique Henry the 3. of that name hauing happily gouerned the Empire left it to his sonne Henry the 4 yet very yong so as the Popes during this weakenesse of the Empire had meanes to fortifie themselues and so imbracing this occasion Gregory the 7. called Hildebrand did prohibite the Emperour all authority ouer the Clergie and forbad vpon paine of excommunication to haue any recourse vnto him for the collation of benefices or for any thing else that depended on the Church Henry moued with so great an affâont Sârange confuâoâs betwixt the Emperoâr and the âope lets Gregory vnderstand that this his decree was contrarie to the ancient orders the vse of the Catholike Church Vpon this refusall he lets him know that hee will maintaine the rights of the Empire and complaines to the Clergie of Rome in an open assembly Gregorie calls an other wherein hee doth excommunicate Henry and all his adherents and sends forth his Bull into all parts wherby hee declares him excommunicate and degraded of the Empire and in his place causeth Rodolph Duke of Sueuia to be chosen Emperour Thus there growes two factions in Italy and in Germanie one for the Emperour and the other for the Pope behold two armies leuied of these factions ready to shed Christians bloud nine battailes were giuen vpon the quarrell of these preheminences In the end Rodolphe the new Emperour is taken and slaine by Godefroy of Bouillon who followed the Emperour Henry the fourth who after this victorie assembled a great Councell at Bresse where as Gregorie the seuenth is excommunicated and Clement Bishop of Râuenna appointed to succeed him they conduct him to Rome with an armie take the Citty after a long siege whereas the new Pope is sollemnlie installed and Henry the 4. Emperour restored
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 oâe 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 coÌmon 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 estaâes of Daulphiné Sauoy Prouence and Francâe 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 Vâennois 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 Argonaâtes Christians âs worthy to be carefully obserued The proiect was to deliuer the Christians of Asia âormented by the furious tyranie of the Mahâmetaines 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 motiââ 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 pâot 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 Comoâaltieâ Lords and Gentlemen of Christendome therevnto To this end hee calls a Councell at Clermont in Auuergâe 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 Bouilâon 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 ofââed 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 âuy William Bishop of Oranges Raimond Earle of Tholose and Saint Gilles Baldwin Earle of Hainault Baldwin Earle of Retbel Bohemond Duke of Apouâlie 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
as are aduanced to these dignities our Kings hauing right to be soueraigne ouer-seers of the Church The King would not allow of Peter thus aduanced to this dignity The Pope king of France at ãâã although the Chapter of Bourges had giuen their consent to the Popes decree Peter being reiected had recourse to Thibaud Earle of Champagne to the Earle of Blois men discontented with the King and onely fit to be opposed But to this difficultie there was added a greater at the same instant Raoul Earle of Vermandois had put away his wife Gilibert the daughter of Roger Lord of Chasteau-briant vpon suspition that she had beene prodigall of her honour without any proofes to conuince her But iealousie made him to see that plainly which was concealed to others so as he put her away and tooke Peronnelle the Bastard Daughter of William Duke of Guienne in her place being aduowed sister to Queene Elenor and her deere friend Gilibert complaines to the Pope being reiected as shee pretended without cause and demands Iustice. The Pope commands Raoul to receiue his wife againe and to put away Peronelle as vnlawfull and for not obeying doth excommunicate him The King intreates the Pope for Peronelle but he preuailes not for hee sends Yues into France as his Legat to reuiue the first censure 1143. not onely against the Earle but also against the Bishops which had consented to the diuorce of Gilibert forbidding them any more to exercise their charges The Earle Thibaud had vndertaken to haue the Pope obeyed to the great dislike of the King as it were attempting it of purpose to offend him Lewis moued with this affront went against Thibaud And at the first takes Vitry and not onely sackes the Towne but in disdaine of the Pope caused the Churches to bee spoiled and many being fled out of the villages to saue themselues from the furie of the disordred troupes A horrible massacre committed by the soldiars of Lewis and by his consent had retired themselues into a Temple as to a place of safetie Lewis giues such libertie to his Souldiars as they set fire of the place and burne fifteene hundred persons men and women The horror of this Massacre offended all good men but especially Lewis who was so much grieued as hee could not bee comforted Misfortune is good for some thing Lewis loathing the voyage to the East for the foresayd occasions was easily confirmed by Saint Bernard who had perswaded him to yeeld all succours to the afflicted Christians for a reparation of so execrable a fact committed by his commandement vpon so many poore innocents And likewise he imbarked Conrad the Emperour and the Germaines These two great Princes carried with one zeale and vnited in one will to this worke make great preparations for the voyage Conrad armes three score thousand horse and an infinite number of foote and hee himselfe is chiefe of this goodly Armie taking the way of Hongarie to Constantinople through the Countrie of Alexis his brother in lawe Emperour of Greece The Emperor and Lewis go into the East hee arriued some moneths before Lewis for the Emperour parted in Februarie and Lewis went to field in Maye and takes the same course the Emperour had done The Kings Armie was nothing inferiour to the Emperours and so much the more remarkeable for that Queene Elenor desired to accompany her husband in the voyage so as after the King and Queenes example all France thought to flie into the East They sent a Distaffe and a Spindle to all those that were fit for Armes if they marched not with this tâoupe of braue Warriors Conrad arriued first at Constantinople And so he returned much sooner into Germanie Hauing passed into Asia by the Bosphorus of Thrace it was likely that all should yeeld to so mightie an Armie but it fell out otherwise then he had desseigned All the Cittie 's wonne at the fiâst voyage were almost lost and the Christians ill gouernment was so well knowne as the Turkes made head in all places The Emperour measuring his triumph by the number of his men contemned the enemie and was negligent in his proceedings Hauing referred the prouision to Alexis Emperour of the East The Emperors voyage to no profit his brother in lawe he found little Bread and store of enemies in all places So as what by Hunger and the Sword scarce the tenth part of his men come to his friends in the Holy Land where hee found them all amazed Lewis warned by Conrads example did somwhat better in the beginning for being refreshed at Constantinople and other Citties of Greece he passed the Chanell into Asia happily where hauing beaten the enemie hee came without losse to Athalia and hauing caused his Fleete which was at Rhodes to come to the friends Ports of Palestina he arriued by land safe with all his troupes at Antioche where hee was honourablie recâiued by âaimond Earle of Saint Gilles his brother in lawe In the meane time the Emperour besiegeth Ascalon alone but preuailes not Lewis arriues at Ierusalem whether Conrad comes likewise After they had visited the places of deuotion they resolue to besiege Damas in Siria a Cittie very important for the commerce of Iudea but after a long and fâuitlesse siege all are dispersed The Emperor who came first The Emperor of Greece deales âââacherously with the Emperor King returnes first The King stayed not long after him There were foure yeares spent in this fruitlesse voyage with much paine and cost and not onely without fruite but it also tooke away the terror of Christian armies in these miscreants and left the affaires of Asia in farre worse estate then when they came There was yet another inconuenience The Emperor Alexis a friend at their entrie shewed himselfe an enemie to them both at their departure Conrad saued himselfe as well as he could more fearing the treacherie of the Greekes then the crueltie of the Turkes 1146. Lewis prouides in time to haue the Fleete of Sicile come for his conuoy else had he lost both himselfe and his treasure The Emperor and King of France make a shamefull returne from the East the which had beene a meanes for the Greekes to make their peace with the Turkes and open warre against the other Christians being better then themselues This shamefull and preiudiciall departure was hurtfull to the whole Christian Church But there was a greater losse for Lewis very troublesome to himselfe and preiudiciall to all France for Queene Elenor his wife who made profession to go visit the holy places suffered her eyes to be abused with an vnchaste and filthy lust which tainted her honour and the King her husbands heart with an outragious iealousie This woman accustomed to the liberties of Time and Place had so abandoned her selfe to the pleasures of the East as the stenche of her incontinencie was publike to the whole world before her husband had any notice thereof
Venaâsin and in Prouence He besiegeth Auignon and takes it from thence he passeth into Prouence where as all yeelds to his will The Counties of Viuaret and Dié yeelds without blowes and many families were made desolate Dâsâlation of the Albigeois by Lewis by the rigour of these Edicts which did forfaite both bodies and goods The house of Montlor one of the greatest of Viuaret hauing followed the Albigeois partie being cursed makes his peace by meanes of the Towne of Argentiere giuen to the Bishp of Viuiers who enioyeth it vnto this day These poore miserable people were dispersed here and there and such as remained in the Countrie were forced to acknowledge the Pope as soueraigne pastor of the Church This heat was for a while restrained but the seeds were not rooted out as we shall see in the following raignes Lewis hauing thus subdued the Albigeois gaue order to suppresse them if they should rise againe appointing the Marshall Foy of the house of Myrâpois to command his forces and leauing the Lord of Beauieu for Gouernor and Lieutenant generall of Languedoc he tooke his way towards France But comming to Montpensier in Auuergne hee dyed in the yeare 1225. the 27. of October leauing foure sonnes by his Wife Blanche Lewis which succeeded him Robert Earle of Arthois who dyed in Morea Alphonso Earle of Poitiers and Charles Earle of Aniou who shall be Earle of Prouence and King of Sicilia and Ierusalem Lewis dyes In this yeare the Flemings were much disquieted by meanes of an Impostor who said he was their Prince but hee receiued condigne punishment for his rashnesse and by his death this error vanished wherewith many had beene bewitched Lewis the eldest sonne of France succeeding his father goes now to sit in the royall Throne LEWIS the 9. called Saint Lewis 1227. the 44. King of France LEWIS .9 KING OF FRANCE XXXXIIII THE piety and good disposition of this Prince consecrated to the happy memory of his posterity represented vnto France goodly first fruites but his age not yet capable to gouerne the helme of this Monarchie suffred him onely to take the first and most pretious gage of his lawfull and hereditarie right for being but twelue yeares old he was crowned at Rheims but his mother Blanche a wise and couragious Princesse tooke vpon her the gouernment of his person and Realme Blanche regent of the Kânâ and realmâ according to the the decree of Lewis the 8. who knowing her capacitie had appointed her for Regent He began to raigne in the yeare 1227. Blanche had much honour in the education and instruction of her Sonne the which purchased her the free consent of the Estates assembled at Paris to be admitted Regent but this was not pleasing to the Princes of the bâoud who pretended this prerogatiue to appertaine vnto them and not to a woman and a stranger borne From these discontents sprung two warres in France in the beginning of this raigne the which were suppressed not onely by the discretion of Blanche but also by the wisdome and valour of young Lewis who then played his parte with so good successe as he purchased great credit in his youth The heads of this faction were Philip Earle of Bologne A Faction in France for the Regencââ Vncle to the King by the Fathers side Robert Earle of Champagne Peter of Dreux Duke of Brittanie and Robert Earle of Dreux his Brother Princes of the bloud valiant and factious men who had imbarked many of the Nobility vnder a goodly pretext That it was not reasonable a Spanish woman abusing the Kings minoritie should gouerne the Realme at her pleasuâe and by the Councell of Spaniards whom she aduanced reiecting the Princes keepâng back the Naturall French from all preferments But that which was most to be feared in this occurrent of affaires was that Raymond Earle of Tholouse who had so great a subiect of discontent against the King being spoiled of the greatest part of his estate should ioyne with that partie and drawe his cousin the Earle of Prouence into the same quarrell Men which were neither dull witted nor goutie handed and who were nothing altered in minde although they had made a good shew yeelding to necessitie the which Blanche preuented happily winning Count Raymond who now began to rise in Languedock by the mariage of Ioane his only Daughter with Alphonso the Kings brother Languedoc annexed to the Crowne by mariage and Earle of Poitiers vpon condition that Raymond should enioy it during his life and that after his death the said Alphonso should succeed in the right of his wife and if they had no issue the Earldome with all the dependances should returne to the Crowne as to his first beginning Thus Languedock shaken at the first by Armes as we haue said was honourablie vnited to the Crowne of France by this accord as the Historie will hereafter shew in the raigne of Philip sonne to our Lewis By the like meanes she drew Robert Earle of Champagne vnto her a very factious man and did not onely thereby weaken the party of these discontented Princes thus disioyned by withdrawing the most sufficient man they had but also shee imployed him against them There remained a Triumuirate Blanch supplanâs the discontented Princes the which she deuided They made a good shew but Blanche did cunningly countermine them discouering their actions euen within their Cabinets where she found accesse by money In the end their practise must breake forth The Earle of Bologne fortified Calais and the Duke of Brittaine with the Earle of Dreux did purposely demand some of the Crowne lands which they knew well that Blanche would not yeeld vnto as Inalienable whereby they might pretend some colour to rebell They now go to armes and at the first seize vpon Saint Iames of Beâron and of Belesme Blanche flies to the Maiestie of the King and threatens these armed Princes to proclaime them rebels and guiltie of high treason if they obey not The confederate Princes answer That they most humblie beseeche his Maiestie to giue them free accesse to complaine of his Mother who abused both his name and his authoritie Blanche admits them being well aduertised by the Earle of Champagne that their intent was vnder colour of this parley to seize vpon the Kings person Their desire was to haue this meeting at Vendosme but they had layde their ambush neerer to surprise him by the way Lewis in danger to be surprised by his rebels They had aduanced their troupes to Corbeil when as the King parted from Paris being arriued at Mont-lehery newes came that the troupes marched to surprize him The King retires to the Castell then being of some strength and Blanche giues it out that the King is in a manner besieged The Parisians aâme speedily and goe in great troupes to fetch their King to make the Leaguers thereby more odious and to confirme the Queenes authoritie These Princes being thus discouered
hee allyed himselfe with this Fredericke the second Emperour who hath filled some leaues in our discourse and made his peace with the Pope vpon condition That hee should succour and ayde the Christians in the East Fredericke hauing recouered Ierusalem by the truce hee made with the Sultan as we haue sayd left it to Iohn of Breyne his Father in Lawe and returned into Germanie to make the end which wee haue before set downe On the other side as Christian Kings and Princes laboured what they could to repaire this their decayed estate Andrew King of Hungarie the Sonne of Bela assisted by the Dukes of Austria and Neuers whose names are not specified went into the East with a goodly Armie and to make worke for the Christian enemies hee besieged Damiette in Egipt where being succoured by Iohn of Breyne after a long siege hee takes it but it was soone after recouered by the Mammelucks Lewis therefore vndertooke this voyage of the East when as extreame necessitie called him to succour the afflicted Christians The Popes Innocent the third Honorius and Gregorie had one after another vehemently perswaded him to this voyage but the affaires of his realme had stayed him from attempting rashly to settle the generall estate and ruine his owne particular Yet being fallen extreamly sicke hee resolued to delay it no longer preparing for this expedition vpon his recouerie Hee assembled his Estates and by their free consent left the Regencie of the Realme to his Mother Blanche who was gladly receiued of all men vpon the conceit of her first gouernment Lewâs goes with an armie inâo the East Hee parts accompanied with Alphonso Earle of Tholouse and Poiters and Robert Earle of Arthois his Bretheren Hugh Duke of Bourgongne William Earle of Flanders and Guy of Flanders his Brother Hugh Earle of Saint Paul and Gautier his Nephew Hugh Earle of Marche the Earles of Salbruke and Vandosme of Montfort of Dreux and Archibauld of Bourbon very renowmed in the course of this Historie being Father to the Mother of our King now raigning the Lord of Ioinuille who hath worthily written this Historie Hugh Brun and his Sonne Gauberd of Aspremont William Morlet William of Barres men of great esteeme in their times the Lordes of La Voute Mont laur Turnon and Crusol men of accoumpt in the Countrie of Viâarez intouled with Count Raymond who dyed vppon the point of their departure and the rest passed on This was in the yeare 1258. about the twentith yeare of the raigne of Saint Lewis The Queene accompanies the King The Armie consisted of two and thirty thousand fighting men Queene Marguerite his Wife bare him company in his voyage but more faithfull then Elenor was to Lewis the seuenth the Countesses of Tholouse and Arthois did also goe with their husbands after the Queenes example Blanche his Mother bare him companie to Lions where Innocent the fourth attended him Hee imbarkes at Marseilles From thence hee went to Marseilles where hee imbarked with the Geneuois that were hired by him His departure was the 25. day of August to the best voyage vnder heauen Hee arriued happily in the Iland of Cipres held by Guy of Lusigâan where attending the rest of his Armie the plague wasted many of his men euen of the chiefe of his Court Archibauld of Bourbon Iohn of Montfort and others dyed The fame of his Holinesse moued the King of Tartaria to send his Ambassadors vnto him to offer him his friendship 1260. and to acquaint him with the desire he had to become a Christian Lewis sends him Preachers to instruct him in the Christian religion The Tartares refuse the Christian religion by reason of the Christians ill life But the Tartarians vnderstanding that the Christians liues were not answerable to their profession they returne without any better fruite then the shame of their ill life whose doctrine was so famous At the releefe of Cipres Lewis had conference with the Christians of Iudea where they resolued to recouer the Cittie of Damieâte as most riche and very important for their state The Mammâluckes sought to hinder Lewis his discent but to their great losse and also of their Commander the Satrape of Canope Behold Lewis is now landed and from thence he goes to Damiette the which hee speedily besiegeth yet not with so great foresight Lewis takes Damieâte but the stranger garrison hauing made shew to yeeld at the first summons had meanes to make a hoale in the night and to saue themselues This happy taking of Damiette gaue sundry Councels both to Lewis and to the Mammeluâks To Lewis to pursue his victory to the Mammelucks to defend themselues and the rather for that soone after the losse of Damiette Meledin Sultan of Babilon died leauing his Sonne Melexala for his successor a young man of great hope The proiect of Lewis was to pursue his victory to keepe his enemy busied in attempting Caire the capitall Citty of Egipt anciently called Memphis Beâiegeth Caire indiscreetly but the ignorance of these strange places where he was not onely depriued him of the fruite of his first conquest but gaue Melexala meanes not onely to preserue himselfe but to defeat Lewis his armie and to take him prisoner Whilest they attend Count Alphonso his Brother with new forces and spend too much time vpon the passage of Nilus behold the miscreants forces flie into Egipt from all parts to succour the yong Sultan from Arabia and Siria The iealousies betwixt the Satrapes of Halape Damas were by this occasion conuerted into vnion and firme loue to expell a common enemy whose victory would proue their generall ruine Lewis ingaged beyond Nilus in an enemies country where he must either vanquish or die behold a great and mighty armie of enemies against him assembled from all parts Lewis a braue and resolute Commander desired nothing more then to imploy the first furie of the French in battaile Melexala a politike Commander incouraged by the happy successe of Damiette But Melexala who was within his owne Countrie and prepared rather to defend himselfe then to assaile resolued to weary Lewis his forces the which he knew would be more anoyed by the foggie aire where they were lodged and by the want of all kind of victuals then by his sword The successe answered his desseigne the Campe is presently full of diseases those contagious The common souldiers the NoblemeÌ The plâgue in Lewis his Campe. and in the end the King is sick all is disordred with this infectious sicknesse The Gards and Sentinels stand in feare all are amazed Melexala well informed of their estate surchargeth them with an other discomodity he takes from them the passage of Nilus by the which victuals came from Damiette to the Christians Campe. And to braue these poore sick men who had neither hands to fight nor feet to flie he sends troopes hourely to their trenches to prouoke them and cuts them in peeces
they feared Of this great army there hardly escaped three hundred all are pact together great smal Not one CoÌmander escaped very few Noblemen Robert Earle of Artois cosin to the King of France General of the army Arnoul Lord of Neele Constable of France Iames of Chastilion A wonderfull defeate of the French Gouernor of FlaÌdârs Iohn King of Maiorica Godfroy of BrabaÌt his Son the Lord of Viezon the Earls of Eu la Marche Damartin Aumale Auge Tancaruille many other great personages which were the offerings of these cowardly spirits They number 12000. Gentlemen slaine in this battell by this inraged multitude A notable president not to contemne an enemy which teacheth what a furious people well led may do An enemy is not to be contemned howâ weake soeuer and especially that victories come froÌ heauen for here the lesser number vanquished the greater the weakethe strong This victory called of Courtray or Groeminghe was followed with an absolute reuolt of all Flanders against the French It happened in the yeare 1302. the 11. of Iuly Iohn of Namour remaining their gouernour in the absence of their imprisoned Earle Philip receiued a great check in this battell but he had more botoms to vntwist Aââ the târeats of Edward King of England of the Emperor Adolphe vanished only Pope Boniface the 8. shewed himselfe obstinate in his hatred against Philip. A discourse worthy to be carefully described In the hottest of these Flemish affayres Pope Boniface did excoÌmunicate Philip curse his Realme vpon this occasion A notable affront done by Pope Boniface to Philip. The Christians estate was lamentable in the East the Tartarians encreased dayly Cassan King of Tartars allyed with the King of Armenia a Christian made a great professioÌ of loue to the Christians and for that the Mamelus held Iudea Ierusalem he desired to drawe the Kings and Princes of Christendome to their ayde To this end he sends an Ambassage to Pope Boniface the 8. and to Philip King of France to intreat them both to imploy their authorities and meanes in so good a worke Boniface failes not to imbrace this occasioÌ he not onely exhorts Philip to succor the Tartar but also commands him proudly and imperiously vpon paine of excommunication This Bull was giuen to a sufficient man named Stephen an Arragonois whom he had made Bishop of Apaâters a Cittie in the Countie of Foix which they commonly call Pamiers and had erected this new Bishoprick in the Archbishoprick of Tholouse without the Kings priuity or consent who acquitted himselfe of his charge so stoutly that when as Philip represented vnto him the greatnesse of his affaires so as he could not obey the Popes command he answered with a bold face That if the King would not obey the Pope hee would depriue him of his Realme The subiect the manner and the person aduanced thus against his will did so moue Philip grieued with this late losse as if the Pope would insult ouer him for this bad successe that hee imprisoned this Bishop Boniface transported with choller sends to him againe one Peter a Romane borne Archbishop of Narbonne with sharper Buls to summon him to vndertake this voyage of the East to command him not to touch the reuenues of the Clergie to reprehend him sharpely for that hee had presumed to lay hands vpon the Bishop whom he had sent to inioyne him to send him presently back in full libertie His charge extended to no other censures in case he disobeyed not in the principall The Archbishop executed his charge boldly Philip shewed him with great modestie the impossibilitie of this voyage the reasons which had moued him to leuie this tenth of the Clergie and so to intreate the Bishop hauing spoken vnto him without any respect Arrogancie of the Popes Nuncio The Archbishop replied with more arrogancie That he was ignorant of the Popes authoritie who was not onely the Father of Christian soules but also Soueraigne Lord and Prince in temporall things And therefore by that authoritie he did excommunicate him declaring him vnworthy to raigne and his realme forfaited to the Church of Rome to inuest whom he pleased Moreouer he brought another Bull directed to the Prelats and Noblemen of France by the which he did acquire and dispence all Frenchmen from their oth of obedience to Philip. And a third by the which he did cite all the Prelats and Diuines of the French Church to appeare before him at Rome disanulling all indulgences and priuiledges granted to the French by any Popes his predecessors The Earle of Artois disdaining this affront takes the Bull and casts it into fire saying That no such dishonor should euer befall the King to submit himselfe to any such conditions Philip amazed at these bold affronts referres the whole matter to his Councell who conclude to send back the Popes two Nuncios to Rome and to forbid the Prelats of France to goe or to send any money to Rome beseeching Philip to proceed in the affaires of his Realme and not to stay in so goodly a course This done Philip raiseth new great forces to returne into Flanders At his entry the Flemings were defeated at Arques neere to S. Omer in a straight passage Guy of Namur beseeging Xiriâxé was ouerthrowne by the Kings Nauie assisted by 16. Galleys of Genoa vnder the command of Renier Grimaldi and being taken is carried to the King being in his armie betwixt Lisle and Douay After this fortunate beginning Philip subdâes the Flemings many Cittie 's yeelded to the French the rest fearing the euent stood amazed the sume of their victorie being evaporated so as the first heat being colde they intreate the Earle of Sauoy to be a mediator to Philip for a truce whereby they might obtaine a peace after so many miseries Philip of Flanders Iohn of Namur brethren were great persâaders thereof for the naturall desire they had to free their poore father so long time a prisoner But Philip thirsting after reuenge for his losse at Courtray refuseth it He aduanceth and defeats the Flemings at Aire and at Tournay There chanced in the end that notable incounter at Mons in Penelle where they were wonderfully beaten to make them loose the âast of the battaile of Courtray yet Philip was in danger of his life and bought this victory dearly and the Flemings like men in dispaire assembled together from all parts although vnder-hand they did sue to Philip for peace the which in the end they obtained Philip makes peace with the Flemings at the instance of Iohn Duke of Brabant vpon these conditions That the Soueraignty remaining to the King and the Flemings enioying their liberties the Earle Guy all other prisoners should be set at libertie without ransome and the Flemings should pay eighty thousand pound sterling for the charges of the war the Castels of Lisle Douay Cassell Courtray should be deliuered into the Kings
nothing memorable vnder his raigne but that through his facilitie all was tollerable to his bad seruants who vnder his name laid great exactions vpon the people the which caused them to mutine in many places neither did he being great of body and therefore called Long but little of witte vse his authoritie Vnder colour of a voyage to the East two seditious men a Priest and a Monke of the order of Saint Benedict 1322. assembled a multitude of mutinous people which committed a thousand insolencies where they passed Rebels calling themselues Shepherds calling themselueâ Shepheards but in the end they were defeated in Languedoc The Iewes expelled before were now admitted to returne for money a wretched nation giuen to all kinde of wickednesse and therefore odious to the people An artificiall plague who exclaimed against the disorders growen vp by the facilitie of Philip. This generall hatred bred such a rage in the licentious mindes of the Iewes as they brought the plague into diuers parts of the realme vsing the helpe of Lepars Many were greeuously punished by Iustice and the rest banished out of the dominions of France Flanders seemed ready to fall into new troubles but in the end they were pacified by the marriage of Marguerite the Kings second Daughter with Lewis Earle of Flanders Flanders pacified Neuers and Rethel and the paiment of certaine summes due by the sayd accord These are the most famous acts of that raigne for to what end serues it to relate that priuate Iustice was done vpon a Prouost of Paris who was hanged for that he had put to death a poore innocent for a riche man that was guiltie and condemned to dye Or that Philip would make one waight and one measure throughout his Realme but he could not maintaine his authoritie by the rule of reason These things either too common or not effected are not worthy of a Historie Thus Philip the fift died with small fame the fift yeare of his raigne in the yeare 1322. CHARLES the 4. called the Faire the 49. King of France CHARLES .4 KING OF FRANCE XLIX 1322. AS Philip the Long had succeeded Lewis Hutin his brother with some dispute Charles crowned without opposition so Charles brother to Philip the last of the Sonnes of Philip the Faire succeeded without any dâfficultie the question being formerly decided He was Crowned King with great solemnitie the Princes of the bloud and Noblemeâ assisting ân the yeare 1322. and raigned six yeares A wise and a temperate Prince His dispositioÌ louing Iustice and yet vnfortunate in his familie He was thrice married His first wife Blaâche was acâuâed and conuicted of Adulteâie duâing his fathers life and was confined to Chasâeaâ-gaillârd by Andely vpon Seine His second Wife was Mary the Daughter of Henry of Luxenbourgh Emperor by whom he had one Sonne whiâh dyed as he was borne and his Mother soone after at ââssoudon in Bârry His third Wife was Marguerite the Daughtâr of Lewis Earle of Eureux by whom he had Daughters onely His issue leauing âer with Child as shall be said But let vs make a collection of his life which is not long The facilitie of Philip the Long the furie of Lewis Hutin and the long warres of Philip the Hârdie had peâuerted all and giuen libertie to euery man to do what he pleased especially the Nobilitie who being armed committed many insolencies by this libertie and impunitie Charles being annointed he held a great Sessions in his chiefe Citty of Paris to heare all mens complaints and causeth many Gentlemen to be punished Câarles punisheth disorders without respect Among the rest Iourdain of Lâsâe a Gasâon who vnder colour of being Nephew to Pope Iohn the 22. then resident in Auignon hauing had his pardon for eighteene crimes whereof the least deserued death continued still in his wickednesse In the end he was taken and brought to Paris The remitting of what was past made him presume of Impunitie But the Iustice of God which comes in ãâã euen when the insolent and obstinate sinner dreames not of it preuented him 1324. ãâ¦ã laying all respect aside caused him to be hanged as a memorable examâââââat respâct is an enemy to Iustice which must bee executed without sparing of any oâââhat is guâltie of any notable crime ãâ¦ã second King of Eâgland stood vpon termeâ for his homage of Guienne ãâ¦ã sânt his wife Isabel the Daughter of Philip the Faâre and Sister to the King ãâ¦ã pouâd with him Chaâlâs brought him to reason bâ his authoritie and as Hugh ãâã Lord of Montpesat in Agenâis would haue fortified his house without his permisâââââe forced him to obey razing the Casteâl of Montpesat whence the quarrell ãâã and made him to giue hostages for the assurance oâ that hee had promised ãâã lâst these generall quarrels Isabel complaines of her husband Edward King of England there chanced a iarre betwixt Edward and his wife Isabââ dââcontented with her husband for that both she and her Sonne had lost their ãâã wiâh him by the pernicious councell of Hugh Spencer Yet was he so supported by King âharles as he sent her back into England without any countenance commandiâg her to apply her selfe to her husbands humors the which she endeuored to doe bâing a wiâe and a couragious Princes yet being assisted as it is likely vnderhand by tâe meaâes of her Nephew Charles the Faire she preuailed in her desseignes causing Hâgh to be apprehended and punished as the Leuaine of all their breach and hauing bâougât heâ Husband vnto reason she confirmed her Sonne Edward the third a Prince who shortly shall be the cause of much trouble to this Monaâchie Charles likewise râduced Lewis Earle of Flanders to obedience although he were husband to his Aunt ãâã hauing called and condemnâd him by Court of Parliament at Paris he restored hâm to his estates the which he had forfaited by fellonie shewing in one subiect both hâs seueritie to punish offences and his clemencie to remit the due punishment The same Eaâle being fallen in some dislike with his chiefe Townes seeking to reclaime them by force Charles aduised him to winne them by mildnesse The subiectâ infirmities must be cured by mildnesse a true remedie to reconcile subiects which are accustomed to oppose themselues against rigour and in resistâng to know their owne forces the which belongs to their Princes by obedience Thâs he pacified these discontents betwixt the Earle and the Citties of Flanders by a common reconciliation vpon condition That the Earle should bee acknowledged in his degree and the King as Soueraigne Tâis is all that chanced worthy of obseruation in the raigne of Charles the Faire A Prince worthy of the French Monarchie and to bee numbred among the greatest aâd most famous men of State His life was veây short in regard of his great sufficienciââ yet with more order and authoritie then his brother Philip the Long who left noâe but
the 19. of May 1364. hauing before his coronation prouided honorablie for his fathers funeralles He raigned sixteene yeares being called and knowne by the name of Wise. In his youth he did taste the bitter rootes and in his age the sweet fruites of vertue His manners beloued honoured feared and respected both of his owne subiects and of strangers A deuout Prince wise temperate chast vigilant louing Iustice order and the people indued with as great authoritie as any Prince that euer raigned ouer this Monarchie accompanied with other vertues fit for those tâmes to preserue a state the which had more need of councell then of force too venturously hazarded by his grand father and father He was well assisted by the Princes of his bloud and the officers of the crowne very wished worthy aduantages for a King who being the head of an estate ought to be well serued by the principall members to guide and gouerne the whole body We haue said that he had three brethren Lewis Duke of Aniou Iohn Duke of Berry Philip Earle of Tourraine to whom according to his fathers testament he resigned the Duchie of Bourgongne with a mariage of great aduancement He gaue to Lewis the Duchie of Orleans Charles augments his bretherens portions and to Iohn he gaue Auuergne Poitou and Xaintonge besides Berry for his portion and Languedoc for his gouernment He was likewise well serued for Militarie causes by Bertrand of Gueselin a Britton an excellent Captaine whom he honoured with the dignitie of Constable in the place of Maurel de Fiennes hauing deposed him for sundrie crimes and for affaires of state he had Iohn Dormans Bishop of Beauuais and Chancellor of France in the end Cardinall whom his brother succeeded in the same charge With these helpes of councell and force he soone restored the realme being dismembred by the strange confusions of the forepassed raignes In his youth during these former broâes he was poisoned by the practises of the Nauarrois of whom we haue so often spoken This was preuented by counterpoysons yet left it a great infirmitie in his bodie the which forced him to a quiet life more profitable both for himselfe and his whole Realme then if he had beene a man of action 1364. for he dispatched affaires in his Closset without danger and incountred his enemies with a happie successe In the beginning of his raigne Charles his marriage and his children he married with Ioane the daughter of Charles Duke of Bourbon a Princesse of excellent beautie the which he preferred before the great wealth of the heire of Flanders and the benefit of his owne realme he had three sonnes and one daughter In the former raigne there was nothing but warre desolation teares cryes lamentations despaire and generally the mournfull image of death After these long and insupportable calamities the wisdom of Charles reducing things to their first beginning by his happy dexteritie gaue France a new forme like vnto a man who hauing a long dangerous sicknesse recouers himselfe by carefull keeping But there remained an infinit number of men accustomed to liue dissolutely through the licentiousnesse of the warre the which if he had sought to reforme by any good order it had bred some tumult in the State according to the violent and head-strong or restlesse humour of the French who must be doing at home if they be not imployed abroad The Eâglish prouided worke for these warriers in Brittaine in Flanders in the heart of France and in Castille but the wisdome of Charles preuented all I will note what happened rather according to the subiect then the order of times for that the matters are so confused as I cannot represent the dates distinctly without repetition and tediousnesse Brittaine was the first list to trie our men of warre there might they make warre without breach of tâuce and the quarrell betwixt Charles of Blois and Iohn of Montfort continued more violent then before for that Iohn of Montfort had married the daughter of the King of England and Lewis Duke of Aniou the daughter of Charles of Blois who imbraced and inkindled their pâiuate quarrels by these new occasions Bertrand of Gueselin a Gentleman of Brittanie of whom we haue before made mention had done the King good seruice during the warre with the Nauarrois Warre in Brittaine Charles relying vpon his fidelitie and valour giues him the charge of the warre to assist Charles of Blois being old and broken who was pressed by the enemie being supported with forces from England Gueselin being arriued the Nobilitie of Brittanie which were of Charles his faction repaire vnto him to the number of 1500. lances The Historie names the houses Rohân Lâual Leon Dinan Rieux Chasâeau-Briand Tourne-mire Raiz Malestroit Quintin Auaâgour Loheâc Ancenis Pont and many others This notable occasion was ministred to imploy these forces seeing that Ioane the heire the Dutchesse of Brittanie would not end this controuersie by composition as her husband Charles of Blois desired Iohn of Montfort beâieged the Castell of Aulroy well defended by the contrary faction Iohn Chandos an Englishman a wise and well experienced Captaine commanded the English troupes He had an aduersarie in front no lesse valiant then himselfe Gueselin who âought for his countrie and the despaire of Charles of Blois much grieued with the t0ediousnesse of so painfull a processe The French English fight in Brittanie was a new spurre to animate him to fight They ioyne with their troupes the encounter is furious well charged well defended The two commanders made great proofe of their valours Gueselin Clisson are noted to haue omitted nothing of their duties but God who holds victories in his hand gaue it to Iohn of Montfort and the English armie The ouerthrow was great The French army defeated for Charles of Blois the head of the armie with Iohn his bastard brother the Lords of Dinan Auaugour Loheac Malestroit Pont Quergourlay and many others were slaine the Lords of Rohan Leon Raiz Mauny Tonerre Rouille Frainuille Reneuall and Rochfort were taken prisoners and so were Iohn and Guy the sonnes of Charles of Blois with Bertrand of Gueselin the which did greatly preiudice our Kings reputation The place of battaile the ensignes and the dead bodies remained in the power of Iohn of Montfort who sent the body of Charles of Blois with an honorable conuoy to his widow The Castel of Aulroy the cause of this battaile yeeld to the conquerour This hapned the 29. day of September .1364 This great defeat tâoubled Charles as a thing beyond his expectation Iohn of Montfort sends his ambassadors beseeching him as his Soueraigne to receiue homage of him and his ãâã the Duchie of Brittanie wonne by rightfull armes by the defeat of his enemie as God adiudging vnto him this right and possession 1365. Charles imbraceth this occasion he assignes him a day for the performance thereof and to do right and iustice to both
who was yet liuing The Inhabitants of Gand a mutinous people by nature who neuer want matter to mutine Troubles in Flanders pacified by Pâilip had then a great discontent both against their Earle in generall by reason of some new impositions and against them of Bruges in particular iealous to see them in so great fauour with their Prince by reason of a Chanell which they had drawne from the riuer of Lis for the commodity of their country which Riuer crossing the riuer of Gand the Gantois supposed it was all theirs in proper so as none might vse it without their liking This iealousie grew so great that this great citty as big with their wayward and contenâious humors as it was populous and rich being thus moued resolues to make shewe thereof and in this fury they make a League and choose a head bearing a marke or token of their faction and from words they go to blowes One called Leon a bold practiser of popular seditions was found fit to be the Ringleader of this tumult their marke was a white cap for all the troupe These Gaâtois gather together they hinder the worke of this chanell and the gathering of the custome beeing the cause of this quarrell they kill Collecters and receiuers and in the ende the gouernour of the cittie called Roger who being there for the Earle laboured to teach them their duties Their fury exceeded so farre as they spoyle the Earles Pallace fire it and in their rage pull it downe to the ground They run in great troupes to other townes to draw them to their league They beseege ãâã held by the Earles men crying in al places Liberty as hauing a meaning to change their Lord and then to seize vpon Flanders This cruell disorder amazed the Earle when as behold Philip Duke of Bourgogne his sonne in law flies vnto him to quench this fire and as men admire rather the Sunne rysing then sitting and that the name of the house of France and the greatnesse of his goodly portion gaue him great authority so it chanced that he pacified this rebellion to the content both of the Earle and cittyes taking a happy possession of this great inheritance by a famous and profitable occasion But Flanders alone was not subiect to these madde mutinies for those of Montpellier newly reduced to the obedience of our King Sedition at Montpelâier grew into so great a fury as they slew Iames Pontel a Knight of the order and Chancellor to Iohn Duke of Berry Gouernour of the Country Guy of Scery Senâshal of Rouergue Arnauld of Montelaur Gouernour of the said citty and other officers of the Kings and Dukes to the number of fower score and cast their bodies into a well As the outrage was odious so the punishment was memorable The Duke of Berry comes with forces assisted by the whole Prouince detesting so âoule an insolency so as the Inhabitants calling to minde their audacious phrensie resolue to submit themselues to punishment and not to stand desperately against force The Consuls of the Cittie hauing halters about their necks and torne cloaths The Duke of Berry comes to Montpellier to punish the seditions the keys of the citty in one hand and a red cap the marke of their office in the other met with the Duke their gouernour being followed by the Clergy carrying a crosse all crying for mercy and weeping with a lamentable noyse In this mournefull sort the Duke enters the citty gates being without any gard he finds the streets full of poore and desolate people vpon their knees men and women olde and yong crying for mercy and redoubling their pittiful cries as witnesses of their repentance Then the Duke commands they should presently bring all their armes into one place nere vnto his lodging placing a gard at the gates and vppon the walles The next day he caused a scaffold to be made in the market place where hauing sharply rebuked the people for their rebellion he pronounced a sentence in the Kings name whereby he declares That all their priuileges were taken from them their Consulship Towne house The sentence pronounced against them of Montpellier common Arches vniuersity their Bells Saltpannes and all Iurisdictions of the cittye eyther of soueraigne courts or of the commonalty six hundred Inhabitants to be chosen at aduenture condemned to die that is two hundred to loose their heads two hundred to be hanged two hundred burnt their children declared infamous and slaues for euer their goods confiscate The commonalty should pay six score thousand franks of gold and the charges of the Dukes voyage and his armies The Consuls with certaine Councellers that were named should drawe the bodies of such as had beene massacred out of the well and bury them A Chappell should be built for their obsequies With the same Bell which did sound the alarum The gates and citty walles should be beaten downe and their armes burnt publikely This was their doome but it was moderated at the intercession of Pope Clement The sentence moderated then resident in Auignon by the meanes of Cardinall de la Lune The same was qualified the priuileges restored the gates and walles preserued but the Aurhors of this sedition were put to death that the rest of the Inhabitants might liue in safety A notable president for subiects to suppresse their fury euen when they thinke to haue a iust cause of complaint feeling themselues surcharged or otherwise grieued considering the errours are sooner committed then repaired And for commanders that it is a dangerous resolution to let loose the raines to a mad multitude which augments the mischiefe supposing to cure it Queene Ioane wife to our wise Charles daughter to Peter of Bourbon dies about this time Queene Ioane dies to the great griefe of her husband to whom she left two sonnes Charles Lewis both very yong for Charles was borne the 3. of December 1371. and was carried to the Font by Charles of Montmorency and baptised by Dourmans Bishop of Beauuois and Chancellour of France Lewis was Duke of Orleans She leât him also one daughter Isabell marryed afterwards to Richard King of England Necessary obseruations for the course of our history Her children This good Prince after his wiues death was nothing healthfull so as broken with poyson the which had much weakened him with the tedious toiles of his youth more then with age he decayed dayly and he himselfe perceiued it so as feeling the ende of his life to approach remembring what troubles he had past during the mournefull imprisonment of his Father by the contempt vsed of his yong age least the like should happen to his sonne Charles vnder colour of his minority gouerned by tutors he decreed in a general assemblie of the States by a lawe and an irreuocable Edict That after the decease of the king of France his eldest sonne should succeed him presently and at the age of 14. yeares should be
he would not accept of this gouernment without the good liking of the Duke of Berry so as all the punishment fell vpon Betizac his chiefe Treasurer who ãâã burnt at Beziers Betizac the Dukes treasurer burnt purging in the fire the extorsions he had committed vnder his maisterâ authoritie At that time Charles King of Nauarre died so often blemished in the truth of this historie we haue noted how he had retired himselfe from Court into his realme of Nauarre As this retreat was vnto him a reprochfull banishment so this shamefull solitarinesse was a ciuill death But the Catastrophe of his tragicall life was a famous proofe that God doth often reuenge notable sinnes by notable punishments euen in this life He was much broken by the excesse of venery and all sorts of dissolutions the which he had exceedinglie vsed with his wonderfull tyrannie and crueltie As they did anoint him with medicines fit to warme and comfort his benummed members some say they had chafed him with Aqua-vitae The tragicall ãâã of the Nauarroâ and wrapt him in a sheete but behold fire takes hold of this sheete with such violence as being vnable to quench it he was consumed by degrees liuing some daies as suruiuing his paine and that which encreased the horror of Gods iudgement his death made both great and small to reioyce and was receiued in France with as great content as the winning of a great and famous battaile Great robbing during the truce There was a generall truce betwixt the French and English so as the garrisons lying stâll the Souldiars bred vp and nourished in armes fighting no more by order vnder their eâsâgnes sought now their prey by disorder vpon the labourer and marchant The countries of Rouergue Perigort Limosin Auuergne and La Marche had English garrisons who spoiled these countries and did runne vp into the neerest parts of Languedoc Velai Geuaudan Viuarez and Suenes where the villages are for the most part walled in to preuent these sodaine incursions There were many theeues amongst them Teste noire or Black-pate in the Castell of Ventador Amerigor Marcel at Roâh-Vandais who breaking the truce sought to be supported by the King of England but in the end they all fell into the hang-mans hands or perished miserably by some strange death an Image of our late confusions Libertie had bred vp these warriours with so great aboundance as the English passed the sea to make Turneys and to fight at Barriers as they vse at great Triumphes There was a Tilt set vp betwixt Calais and Saint Iaquelvuert where the Nobilitie made triall of their valour as in a Schoole of Fence To take away this troublesome aboundance they tooke occasions to make long voyages into Castille and Italie but in the end there was a very famous one offred against the miscreaâts of Barbarie at the Geneuois request who suffred many discommodites in their traffick by these barbarous Affricans Charles granted them succours willingly and gaue the charge of this warre to Peter duke of Burbon assisted with the Earles of Auuergne and Foix the Lords of Coucy Guy of Tremouille A voyage into Affâââke by âhe Frenâh English together Iohn of Vienne Admirall of France Philip of Arthois Earle of Eu Philip of Bar Harcourt Antoing Linge Pyquiny and many other great men from all parts of the Realme which ranne to so famous an action vnder so worthy a commander and at so great leysure more painfull then the toyle of warre to men that desired nothing but imployment Richard King of England to imitate Charles granted succours to the Geneuois vnder the command of the Earle of Salisburie accompanied with many Noble men and Engââsh Gentlemen moued with desire like vnto the French in the enterprise of this pleasing paine The Deputies of the Kings of France and England assembled to treate of a generall peace but not able to effect it they continue a truce for foure yeares with goodly pâouisions against robberies for the safetie and quiet of their Estates Charles gaue free passage to the English by the Countries of Langâedââ and Daulphiné to passe the Alpes safelie All come to Genes to the great ioy of the Geneuois Being shipt they land within fewe dayes in Barbarie Presently they beseege the Citty of Affricke So our histore termes it as bearing the name of all the vast and barbarous counâry They call the Afâricanic commanders Agadinquor of Oliferne and Brahadist of Thunes But our Argonautes found them which stayed their fuây The Barbarians defended themselues with an obstinate resolution But their foâce did them lesse harme then the ayre and diet beeing very contrary to theiâ complexions so as our armie decreased dayly especially of men of accompt This siege conâinued six weekes with much losse no hope to preuaile The ãâã noated alwaâes to be âaithlâsse The Geneuois hauing conceiued a hope of a sodaine victorie began to grow cold and slacke in furnishing of the armie The Duke of Bourbon foreseeing the difficulties which might grow in continuing obstinaâe at this siege fearing the winter and not trusting the Geneuois who are famous for that they haue no faith remembring the example of the King S. Lewis resolued to returne wiâhout any greater losse He trusseth vp his baggage bringes backe his troupes into France coÌtinuing the example to al such as are capable of reasoÌ how difficult it is for Christâans to performe these strange attempts after the experience of many ages The ârench and the English hauing liued louingly together in this voyage returned to their houses without doing of any memorable act but to haue endeauored to doe sometâing worthy of memory to auoide idlenesse during so peacefull a time âritâaine did then conceiue and afterwards bring forth more preiudiciall effects then Bârbary iâ selââ and the way was made by light occasions to horrible and monstrous efâects to the great preiudicâ both of the King and Realme for a notable tesâimonie to posterity what Councellors Enuye and ambition be in a state we like wretches seeke for peace and when God gâues it we flie from it we maligne an other mans good and depââue our selues of our owne But alas it were a small matter for a great personage to hurâ himselfe by his owne passions if this poison did not spred abroad to the preiudice of âhe common weale We haue said that Iohn of Montfort remained peaceably Duke of Brittaine by the death of Charles of Blois and the agreement he made with his widow Hatred betwixt the duke of Briâââine the Constable Clisson whose eldest sonne Iohn of Brittâine Earle of Ponthieure was redeemed from prison out of England by the constable Clisson who gaue him his daughter in marriage payed his âansome The constable was a Briâton and so a subiect to Iohn of Montfort Duke of Brittaine his ancient and capitall ânimy and yet by this newe succession was become his Lord. Doubtlesse in this quality Clisson could not
sight That which he ignorant call foâtune in dâuers âuents of woâldly things is a secâet operaâion of the wisdâme of God alwayes iust euen when it is most vnknowen vnto vs the which is no more pollutâd with humaine passions then âhe Sunne beames with âhe most infected carâon whereon it works by his heat Necessââie obseruâtions for all men O man distinguish the rod from the hand that rules it do thou thy dutie and leaue the euents to God feare God and thou shalt haue to need to feaâe âortune An assured pasport not only to a void the strange alterations of Coâââ but al other accidents of mans life which hath nothing constânt in it but incââstance it selfe But euery man ââeads on him that falls saith the same hiâtory Eueây man speaks iâfamously of the dâsgraced Constable they crie out against him as hauing bewââched âhe King Thus âhe affâicted is alwayes held culpable according to the censââe of âhis wiâe world which âudgeth onely by outwaâd circumstances But who would beleeue that Clisson and his companions who had so great an intârest in the Kings healâh wold make him sick The âsâue wil shew âhe contrarie verifing That as Slander is the touchsâoâe of vertue so there is noâhing more couragious then a good cause nor more victorious thâu âhe trââh Clisson stirres not all this bâute he stands vpon hâs gââd âourchaseâh âriends and attends the time which in the ende brought him to a saâe poât as we shall sâe hereaââer Aâter his condemnation the Dukes of Bârry âourgongne hasâened noâhing so much â to aduance one to this goodly charge wheâeby they might tye some greaâ peâson ânto them Philiâpâ of ãâã Made CoÌntable They offer it to the Lord of Coussy who reâuseâh it wherevpon Philippe oâ Eu Eaâle of Archois is aduanced and âor a confirmation of this newe league he giues ãâã sonne to the Duke of Berryes daughter Tâus passed the beginning of this newe authoritie when as Charles by rest a good aââr the coolenes of the winter good vsage began dâââe to recouer his health comming first to the knowledge of such as were ordinaâily about him of his wââe chââdren and Broâher who parted not from his bed whilest his vâcles made this goodly worke at Paris ãâã reâoâers hiâ hâalâh Hauing recâuered his health âames Harsely dismissed with an honorable reward all France was reuâââd with incredible ioy to see their King as it were raised ouâ oâ the graue and giuen deuouâly to his praiers But he hath a gâeaâer relapâe into this miserable dââease by a newe accident and this was the occasion Charles returned to Paris to his subiects great comfort who souâht to delight him with alkinds of spoâts Euery man imployed his witts there to âo as there was a new inuention of a maââ of wild men attired in finâ linnen cloth all coueâed with very fine flaxe from the foote to the head beeing glued tothe clothe so artificially as if it had growne to the skyn âhat they which ââd weare iâ had beene naked They were sixe and the King would make the seuenth to lead the daânce for the auoiding of al danger of fiâe which might âasely take the flaxe Commandement was giuân to put out al torches but it chanced that the Duke oâ Orleans vnacquainted with this maske came into the Hall followed by his pages who carried torches according to the vsuall manner euen as these Sauage men tyed one to an other like prisoners present themselues vnto the Companie the King who marched first goes presently to the Duchesse of Berry she holds him and âefuseâh âo let him go without knowledge what hee was And euen then the Duke of Orleans with a quicke resolutenesse answerable to hâs age and naturall wantonnes takes a Torch and comes neere to these Sauage men to know them by the lifting vp of their maskes when as fire takes hold of this flaxe so sodainely as al wâre on a flame not able to free themselues being all tied to onâ line The violence of the fire kindled with the rozen caused a most horrible crie but generally all men crie out Saue the King whoÌ they knew to be one of the Sauage meÌ The Duchessâ of Berry wraps him in her gowne beeing long large after the manner of those times and so drawing him out of the Hall they led him into the next chamber without any hurt to his person But the amazement was such by the horrible cries of these poore men which burnt in the flames The King âalls into a relapse by a straÌge accideÌâ not able to be helped well in so sodaine an outâry as the King could not be stayed in this amazemeÌt They lay him on his bed but his spirits could take no rest Thus the night passeth away this poore Prince being much distempered in minde and all his seruants distressed with griefe There fell out another vnhappy accident In the morning it was bruâed through the citty that the King was dead so as the people dâd run in flockes to his vncles lodgings exclaiming against them for the ill gard they had kept of his person whom they desire to see eyther dead or aliue so as the Dukes of Bârry and Bourgongne yelding to this violence were forced euen when as the King began to take some rest to raise him out of his bed and to leade him through the Citty to our Ladies Church to pacifie the peoples fury A this returne his spiâiâs faile him âhe fallâs into his former phrensie and neuer after were they setled notwithstanding all the heâps men could apply He languished twenty and two yeares in this pittifull estate and in the tediousnesse of so long an infirmity the Realme was not without languishing Sometimes he was in good temper as phrensies haue their respits The Parisâeâs mad to see thâ King and do not alwayes distemper the faculâes of the minde but still he fell and euen when as he thought to do best he erred most when as he sought to retaine the authority to himselâe and that nothing should be done but by his commaund Hence sprong the horrible confusions in this raigne âor âhat dâuers pasâionate men ruled his weake braine diuersely one vndoing what another had done couering their passions with the Kings name and authority And al the liberty to do ill grewe from this spring But let vs returne to the end of our painefull web The Duke of Orleans wonderfully perplexed to haue bin cause of this scandale excuseth himselfe presently in the hall and to the king his Brother The Duke of Bourgoâgne seeks to makâ the Duke of Orleans odious Iâlousie betwixt ââe Dukes of Oâleanâ Bourgongne but all this did not satisfie The Duke of Bourgongne repâocheth him and exceedes the censure of an vncle for he laies hold on this occasion to make him odious to the people as if it had bin done of purpose to kill the King This Maske of burning
giues him the offiââ of Loâd Steward and marâies his eldest sonne to the sister of the Lord of Albert his Constable although Montagu were but of a meane calling The shew of his trayne exceeded Princes houses and made him odious to all in generall so as they accused him to haue robbed his Prince and the publike Treasure The Bourguignon beginnes with him in the reformation of the State The Princes of the bloud were easily drawne to allow of his proceeding Montagu put to death so as Montagu was taken examined condemned speedily beheaded Whether this were done by commissioners or iudicially as it was said to be iustified after his death it is not certaine This is a good lesson for meane men that growe rich by the publike treasure not to abuse their wealth by excessiue pompe to keepe their credit in Court and to flie the fury of great men vnder his protection that hath power of life and death arming themselues with a good conscience and vnreproueable in their charges But the Bourguignon had a farther reach then Montagu for vnder colour of the publike good he reuenged himselfe of him who else might haue crost his desseines Hâs meaning was not to reforme the State but to gouerne it absolutely Thus he seekes to vsurpe all and in the ruine of Montagu he will haue all men knowe that he hath power to hurt and helpe This first insolencie furthered his enemies beeing in a manner forsaken of all men euen of their owne bloud for Iohn Duâe of Berry carried away with the vent of this newe fauour had subiected himselfe to the Bouâguignon But finding himselfe contemned by him who tooke all to himselfe and reiected such as had serued him to âise Iohn resolues to ioyne with the house of Orleans and to oppose themselues against the Duke of Bourgongnes greatnesse This is the bâginning of the tâo factions of Orleans and Bourgongne which troubled all France during this raigâe This league wherof the house of Orleans bare the name as the first and most interessed was concluded at Gyen in the yeare 1410. the tenth of March beeing defensiue and offensiue against the house of Bourgongne The chefe were Charles Duke of Orleans and his bretheren Iohn Duke of Berry Lewis Duke of Bourbon The League of Armagâaâs and Iohn Earle of Alencon Francis Earle of Clermont Bernard Lord of Armâgnââ and Charles Lârd of Albreâ Constable of France with their friends and followeâs ân gâeat numbers Of the Bourguignon faction were Iohn Duke of Bourgongne with his brethren Charles King of Nauarre sonne to that wicked of whom we haue made mention the Dukes of Lorraine Bourgâiânons Brabant and Brittain the Marquis of âont the Earls of Neuers Vaudemont S. Pol. Ponthieure and many others This mournefull diuision continued vnto the yeare 1419. in the which Iohn was slaine but it endes not so During these eight yeares wee shal see diuers changes one in and an other out as they could enable themselues with the Kings authority which is the strongest battery of ciuill warres Now the Duke of Bourgongne is in quarter and plants his ordinance against the Orleanois as guilty of hightreason but shortly hee shal be dispossessed and they of Orleans shall take their turne The ãâ¦ã Orleans complaines 1410. that they are not respected according to their ãâ¦ã to be admitted to the priuileges due to Princes of the bloud The house of Oâlâanâ coâplains of their wrongs and that âhe Dâke ãâã âoârâorgne should not command absoluâly holding as they saied both the bodies aâd wââes of the King Queene and Daulphin in captiuitie They assemble in great âroupes fiâst at Chartres and after to manage their affaires with greater shewe neer vnto tâe capitall Cittie of Paris they lodged at the Castell oâ Wincester then called Bicâstre buâ now ruined The Duke of Burgongne accuâed the Duke of Orleans for practâsiâg to take the Crowne from the King and Daulphin in forcing the King to what he plâasâd against them as against rebels and disturbeâs of the publicke quiet This fire câââânued but seuen or eight moneths wherein there chanced no memorable accident buâ only the death of Lewis the good Duke of Bourbon who died for greefe in the beâââning of thâs warre being accused as the motiue of these troubles Qâeene âsâbell labored to reconcile these Princes but she preuayled not being suspected by the Orleans faction whom she had left without cause to ioyne with the Bourgââgâân Afâer some Edicts of confiscation not executed like Canon shot spent in the ãâã a peace was made by meanes of the Duke of Berry vpon condition that he and âhe Duke of Bourgongne should ioyntly haue the Daulphin in gard and the house of Orleans shâuâd be respected in their degree and that Peter of Essards a sworne enemy to theiâ parâe and a most passionate seruant to the Duke of Bourgongne should be no more Prouost of marchants This was concluded at Wincester The peace of VVincâsâer whereoâ it bears the name âhe twentith day of Nouember in the same yeare hauing contended this sommer abâut Pâris only to the hurt of the poore people discontented cheefely with the Gâsâoâs that came out of Armagnac who gaue their name to the troupes of the Orlean âaction called for this occasion Armagnacs wearing for their colours a white scarfe the which they haue vsed in our last troubles This first peace continued not long neither were al promises performed The Burgââgnon did eate the âake alone and yet he complayned first as hauing to doe with ãâã He sends the Lords of Croy and Douries to the Duke of Berry to disioyne him ãâã the Duke of Orleans his Nephew who hauing intelligence of their negotiation and pasâage caused them to be suâprised in Sologne and brought prisoners to Blois But ãâ¦ã backe Douries and deteyned Croy as suspected to be guiltie of his fathers death and by conâââuence punishable by the treatie of peace The King commands him to set ãâ¦ã and he demands iustice of his fathers murtherers Here vpon they go al to ãâã They cauâe the King to summon him by his Edicts wherevnto Charles Duke of ãâã answers by a challenge to the Duke of Bourgongne as the murtherer of his father and âhe author of all the miseries which then rained in France Beginning of the sâcond Waâââ Thuâ beâan this second warre the twentith of Iuly the yeare following 1411. ãâ¦ã passions giuing the poore people scarce seuen monethes respit to breath in so many calamities which they suffered through their voluntary dâuisions The Orleââ ãâã assembles at Gârgeau vpoÌ the riuer of Loire to resolue of the meanes to make ãâã against Iohn Duke of Bourgongne whome they challenge by a publike cartel as âhe murâheâer of a Prince of the bloud the Kings only brother and as vsurper of the âââall authoâiây holding the persons and wills of the King and Daulphin Captiue Ioân Duke of Bouâgongne had great aduantages the Kings
but too late for la Baume not able to take the Castle abandons the Towne In the meane time the bruite thereof drawes forces thither from al parts as a cupping glasse doth humors The Dowager of Bourgongne mother to duke Philip sends a goodly troupe vnder the conduct of Toulangeon Marshall of Bourgongne The Duke of Bedford doth sodainely furnish a notable supplie for the respect hee bare to the Duke of Bourgongne his brother-in-lawe Charles feaâing least his Constable should miscarye assembles what forces hee can with all speede and sends them vnder the conduct of the Lord of Senerac Marshall of France the Earle of Ventadour the Lord of Fontaines Velay and Gamaches The notable battaile of Creuant vnfortunate for France The number was very equall but the incomber fell vppon our armie And this was the occasion The Constable hauing made his choyse of a little hill a place of aduantage to attend his enemy 1423. The English come with a conqueâing brauerie as he that was accustomed to gaine euery where without any stay he forcech our gard placed vpon the bridge to keepe the passage Hauing thus passed in vewe of our army impatience seizeth on our men by this proud contempt and they crie to the Constable who galled with despight for this affront resolues to the combaâe So all with one furie leaue the hill march towards the English and offer him battayle The Earle of Salisbury makes a stand to temper the heart of our French who durst not approach very neere fearing the furie of their English arrowes This first motion thus slackt the Earle of Salisburie giues the signe to battell Those of Creuant halfe madde hauing beene some dayes beseeged issue forth and charge on the one side On the other side the bodie of the English army doth maâch with such violence against the Scottes which were in the first battaillon as not able to withstand this storme they open and giue them entrie against the French who hauing âought resolutly in the ende they leaue the place to the victors All are in route The Marshal of Senerââ forgetts his honor and flies in this disorder They accompt the losse about three thousand men Of marke the Lords of Fontaines Guitry and la Baulme of Scottishmen the Lord of Karados nephew to the Constable Thomas Seton William Hamilton The ouerthrow at Creuant with his Sonne Dauid and Iohn Pillot all worthy of the memorie of France seeing they died for her in the bed of honour There were many more taken prisoners then slaine by the resolution of the Captaines who in this generall ouerthrow rallying their troupes intrenched themselues and fought for their liues with the English and saued themselues honourablie with their armes The chiefe prisoners were the Constable of Boucqham and the Earle of Ventadour It is a thing worthy remembrance that either of these two lost an eye in the battaile this was the 29. of Iuly The gaine of this victorie to the Bourguignon was that Mascon a Cittie of the French obedience yeelded vnto him without any foâce but feare This continuance of so many losses was exceeding greeuous but as God ment to chastise France and not to ruine it so he counterpeised these great losses with some small gaine These victorious troupes returning without feare all disordered Some English ouercome were defeated by the Earle of Aumale sent by the King to preserue the rest of Champâgne eight hundred English were slaine But this checke awaked the Earle of Salisburie Gouernour of Champagne for the English who hauing recouered new forces goes to field to cleere the countrie He besiegeth and taketh the strong Towne of Sedan in the Countie of Vârtus and then Rembouillet in Brie and Neele in Tartenois Then the tide flowes for the French The Bourguignon exceeding glad of the seizure of Mâscon a Towne very important vpon Saone commanded Thoulangeon his Constable to rid all that the enemie held there abouts and to leaue the trafficke free La Buissiere a most strong Castell betwixt Tournus and Mascon did much annoy it He resolues to take it by one meanes or other But he did not foresee that in seeking to take hee should be taken He had some familiaritie with the Captaine of the place And trusting to the vsuall practises of those times he did confidently hope to corrupt him with money He sounds him and findes it pregnable They agree vpon the price but hee was ignorant of the Captaines meaning to haue more then his money A faithfull seruant to the King and worthy to be named in this Register The Captaine doth aduertise Imbert of Croslee the Gouernour of Lions of this trafficke who wisely prouides to take him Lewis of Cullant Admirall of France was then happily at Lions attending some horse for the King from Philip Marie Duke of Milan The plotte is laide to surprize ãâã Constable of Bourgongne and the successe is answerable Thoulangeon comes to ãâã at the appointed houre and brings with him men and money The Constable of Bourgongne taken by his owne practise He enters the Castell with as many men as he held sufficient and coumpts the money to the Captaine He hauing leât his troupe in the field behold the Lionois issue forth their Ambuscado like Lions indeed some seize vpon the Castle gate and assure the place others charge his troupe which was easilie defeated The Constable with the chiefe that had followed him into the Castle were taken a countercharge which shall deliuer the Constable of Boucqham and the Earle of Ventadour soone after the battell of Cullant And almost at the same instant Stephen of Vignoles called la Hire and Pothon of Xaintrailles âoused themselues Vignoles surprised Compiâgne and Pothon Han vppon the riuer of Some But this ioy lasted little for Iohn of Luxembourg gouernour for the Dââe of Bourgongne in Picardy flies thither besiegeth and recouereth both the one and the other with a happy celerity Pothân saues himselfe with much difficulty in Guise being pursued by the Bourguignons to their cost that were ill mounted Luxembourg managing his victory wisely attempts other places he takes Oysi Broissy and other smaâl Townes of Tirasche Pothon of Xaintrailles taken prisoner and in the ende he besiegeth Guise where Iohn Proissy commanded for the King Pothon to anoy the besiegers issues forth of Guise but beeing too farre ingaged in the fight he is taken prisoner to make the siege of Guise the more easie but Proisy doth his best indeauour to defende it The Towne belonged to René of Aniou Duke of Bar and brother to the King of Sicile He intreats the Duke of Bourgongne to leaue it him in peace but it was in vaine The siege is vehemently continued so as in the ende Guise falles into the Bourguignons hands and so hee remaines maister of all Picardy And as if this storme had fallen vppon Charles from all parts la Charité a very important Towne vpon the riuer of Loire is surprised by
good Iohn Louuet President of Prouence disputed his departure with some bitternesse and obstinacie What iniustice is it saith hee to condemne a man without hearing What breach to vse the Kings seruants thus for an others pleasure But not onely the Bourguignon and the Britton hated him to the death but also the Court and people did detest him A man of a high minde cunning obstinate reuengefull cruell Great men hated him as crossing their affaires with the King abusing his tractable disposition and meane men as the horse-leech and the spunge of the publicke treasure and a man without mercie The Bourguignon hated him as the first motor of his Fathers murther and the Britton as hauing giuen counsell to the Earle of Ponthiure to take him prisoner at Chantonceaux Hauing gotten great welth and impouerished the King and the Realme hee had matched his Daughters in good houses The one with the Earle of Dunois a bastard of Orleans the other with the Lord of Ioyeuse The respect of this alliance saued his life He was safely conducted to Auignon and from thence hee retyres into Prouence without any other fame then to haue gouerned the King ill His daughter of Ioyeuze died with thought for her fathers disgrace Gyac returnes into grace more then before hauing purchased the fauour of the Queene of Sicile But hee shall soone pay for these imaginations of his happinesse not onely succeeding the President in his misfortune but also loosing his life after an ignominious sort These men thus chased away the Constable of Richmont went for his brother Iohn Duke of Britaine The Duke of Brittain comes to King Charles who came to Charles to Saumur he tooke the othe of fidelitie offring him all seruice The Burguignon speakes not yet one word for the King onely he forbeares to make warre against him hauing a plausible excuse for his not leading any more men to the Duke of Bedford being busied for the Brabantine against the Glocestrian in the warre of Haynault and Holland So this accident bred some ease to Charles but no âeleefe During these confusions in Court Mans was lost and after it the rest of Mayne obeyed the Earle of Salisburie But the Constable of Richemont being freed from those domesticall crosses which might hinder his credit with the King would make proofe of his valour The Britton armes against the English in arming the Brittons against the English And as in the beginning all is good at this first command all Brittaine riseth and runnes to this warre But these troupes being raised and not yet ioyned to frame the body of an armie behold the Earle of Warwicke marcheth sodenly with a goodly armie gathered out of all the garrisons of Normandie the inhabitants of Townes and the Nobilitie of the Countrie with great speed who besiegeth and taketh Pontorson a towne vpon the conâins of Normandie Brittaine neere Saint Michels mont This prickt forward the Constable to whome this scorne belonged After that Warwicke was retired hauing left a garrison in his conquest The Constables âll successe behold the Constable comes to Pontorson with his Brittons he beseegeth it beats it and takes it by force making a great slaughter of the English This successe gaue him courage to passe on the Towne of Saint Iames of Beuueron did much disquiet that Countrie Hee attempts it hoping to be succored with men aâd mony from France But hauing words alone without effects his Brittons being for the most part voluntaries slippe away dayly notwithstanding any preuention of the Constables who resolued before this warlicke multitude had abandoned him to make profit of his presence and to giue a generall assault The neerenesse of Auranches where the Earle of Suffolke with Scales famous captaines among the English ãâã with goodly troupes gaue him occasion of feare least they should change âis men in the heate of the assault To this ende he sends forth two thousand men ouâ oâ the body of his army to meete with these imagined English The Comanders hauing discouered euen to the gates of Auranches 142â and found nothing they resolue to returne to the army not giuing the Constable any other aduertisment The Brittons being at the assault seeing those men come suppose them to be English and fearing to be coopt in hauing an enemy both before and behinde they resolue to leaue their ladders and retyer to their Campe. Their retreat was very difficult by reason of a poole with a narrowe Causey which they had wonne with great labor and paine The beseeged seeing the Brittons forsake the walls sally forth couragiously after them recouer the quarter abandoned where there was a point that flanked the poole in the which they plant threscore archers There were eight or nyne hundered Brittons shut vp betwixt the walles and the poole so as from this recouered point they might choose them one after one The ãâã deâeââed ây thââ ãâã erâor The rest of the English garrison issuing forth the Towne furiously put these amazed Brittons to the sword who are eyther gauled with English arrowes like beasts in a toyle or with a disperate courage leape into the people Thus lesse then fiue hundered men ouerthrewe aboue eight thousand The Campe was abandoned and spoyled eighteene ensignes lost with the banner of Brittain Many prisoners were taken after the English had beene wearied with killing The principall that were slaine were the Lords of Molac Coitiuy la Motte many captaines of marke The artillery enginâ and all the rest of the munition remayned for a pawne This vnseasonable alarum greatly troubled the Constable who was now become all the hope of the French as if hee carried all France vpon his shouldiars like an other Atlas To repaire this ridiculous disgrace he raiseth newe forces in Brittain with all speed he ioynes vnto him the troupes of Ambrose of Lore to be assisted with his valour and hauing giuen them their pay hee causeth them to march into Anton where hee takes âa la Flesche Galerande Ramâfort Malicorne Richmont sâirs vp new troubles in Court and so reuiues the hearts of his men after so notable a losse and kept his enemy in awe From thence he goes to Court where there were other desseings then to fight with the English A man fitter to braue it in a counsell of State then to dispute a battaile or the seege of a Towne He came to Court to be the author of many confusions during thâs yeare and on the other side his brother the Duke of Brittain before it passe shall leaue the party of France and reconcile himselfe vnto the English that the honour of our deliuerance might bee giuen to God the gardian of this Monarchie and not to these Princes of Brittaine to whome Charles was too much affected in buying their friendship so deere being euen then vnprofitable when as hee had greatest neede yet in their season alâ these instruments worke to restore our decayed estate But these were
of the Curat of S Eustace and al S. Houores street ioynes in this hardy resolution In the meane time the Vniuersity beyond the bridge doth the like Lewis of Luxemâourâ Bishop of Therouenne Chancellor for the English the Bishops of Lisieux Mââaux the Lord Willoby with others deuoted to the English aduertised of these mutinâe ãâã diâers parts of the Citty fearing some sedition retire towards S. Anthonies gate hauing carried all their best furniture into the Bastille and fortifie the houses adioyning All being thus prepared at Paris the Constable of Richemont guided by Lisle-Adam parts ãâã Pontoise comes to S. Denis in the night where hauing rested some houres âe marcheth early in the morning accompanied with the Earle of Dunois a bastard of the house of Orleans the Lords of Suze and Bueil with a great company of resolute souldiers approching nere the Citty Lisle-Adam with a choise troupe goes before S. Iames gate the appointed place for the Rendez-uous where he finds all in a readines so as Laillier hauing planted ladders for him at the lowest part of the wall he mounts with his troupe Beeing entred the citty the people of that quarter who were assembled for his comming begin to crye A peace a peace God saue the King and the Duke of Bourgongne Lisle-Adam beeing ioyned to the chiefe of the citty goes directly to the Gate The Constable is receiued into Paris the which was set open by the captaine of that quarter and the Constable who was before it with his troupes entred in good order Then the people redoubled their cries They all stand at a gaze being aduertised of this entry and exceeding glad to see themselues ready to recouer their ancient liberty they prepare to march where they should be commanded to expell the English All run to the Bastille The Tournelles are presently seized on and al approches vnto the Bastille are soone won Such as were within it at the first made some shewe of defence but as all things were prepared to force them they demand a parle and agree to depart with their liues and baggage They are conducted about the Towne beneath the Louure to imbarke vpon the riuer of Seine and so to passe to Rouen They could not well haue passed through the citty The people aduertised hereof run to the walles and cry out with great shoutes bayting the English like dogges Paris obeyes the King whom a little before they had feared and honoured as their masters This happened the 27. of February in the yeare 1436. Thus Paris returnes to the obedience of this Crowne hauing passed seuenteene yeares vnder the gouernement of the English which made the fatherly command of their King more pleasing vnto them and them more willing to obey him hauing tasted the imperious commande of a stranger Charles aduertised of this happy successe parts from Montpellier and returnes slowly by Auuergne The Kings entry into Paris to giue the Parisiens time to prepare for his entry the which was performed with great pompe six moneths after the reduction of the citty but with so extraordinary an affection of the people as drinking after a great thirst All the townes within the Realme had followed this example if Charles had imbraced this goodly âccasion all being drawne vnto their duty by a naturall instinct He was of a milde spirit plyable to all windes flying toyle but patient when he had vndertaken it We haue hitherto seene him constant inough in his afflictions Câaâles his humour although the waight of blowes so often doubled had made him senselesse so as he bare his crosses with lesse feeling as a mortified member doth the rasor or corrosiue but prosperity had so reuiued his spirits as he recouered himselfe returned to his owne disposition He wanted authority to command well and iudgement to make choyse of his seruants for he often iâbraced and rewarded vnnecessary men and put back such as were profitable This proceeding discontented such as seruing him faithfully did see themselues contemned These discontents gaue them liberty to speake and doe things which offended the King The nature of tâactable humors Experience teaching that these tractable humors are as soone moued as pleased and aboue all are suspitious and cholericke for impressions creeping into these weake spirits makes them to fall into another extreamity of vnmeasured passion We haue seene the like in the life of Lewis the gentle but we shal not find the like excesse in our Charles yet shall we see that by the like indiscreet facility he disordered his owne affaires The inconueniences of Charles his facility discontented his bloud grieued many of his best seruants filled his life with languishing in the prosperity of his affaires to cast him headlong in the midest of his greatest triumphs into the gulph of a fearefull graue what we are to represent in this discourse shall be the comentary of this trueth As soone as the spring appeares the Duke of Bourgongnes army goes to field to besiege Calais it consisted for the most part of the commonalties of his estates He easily ingaged them in this warre both by his authority and the shew of profit to haue a Towne so conuenient for trafficke The Bâârguignân attempts Calais in vaâue This army had scarse continued in field ten dayes but they looke homeward to their houses shoppes and fieldes besides the Engliââ wrought them vnder hand and sent a great supply to defend Calais This humour did so possesse this armed multitude as the Bourguignon had no power to hold them All passe away like to a violent streame and this his desseine came to nothing although he chafed in vaine like vnto the Persâân that threatned the tempest whipt the sea So all enterprises succeede not The Duke of Bourgongne being thus retired the English hath his reuenge of this affront spoiles the marches of Boulongne and Grauelins to the great losse of the Countrie The Lord of Croy sought to make head against the English being followed by a goodly troupe but he was defeated and saues himselfe with diâficuâtie in Ardres The Flemings stirre at this losse The Lord of ãâã dââeated by ãâã and march vnder the Duke of Bourgongâes commande but they returne with shame for Calais was reserued for an other season We haue sayed that Charles had a sonne named Lewis borne in the midest of his greatest crosses the first yeare of his raigne in the yeare .1423 Being thirteene yeares old he married him to Marguerite Stuard the only daughter of Iames King of Scotland a Princesse of excellent vertues The Daulpâiâ Lewis married to a daughter of Scotland and a gage of the faithfull seruice which Scotland did to this Crowne in her greatest dangers who suruiued not much this felicity of France Charles was desirous to returne to Montpellier where hauing called an assemblie of that Prouince he heard many complaints of the outrages his soldiars had committed running vp and downe
excuses of his long delay and to crosse the Duke of Bourgongne hee giues his Cousin of Orleans towards the payement of his ransome a hundred and fiftie thousand frankes a very great some in those dayes the which was not giuen for nothing in so great a necessity of the Kings affaires Lewis of Luxembourg and the widowe of Iohn of Luxembourg partisans to the Bourguignon do homage to Charles and yeeld the Towne of Marle vnto him these be fruits no doubt of the victorie at Pontoise In the meane time the Princes assemble at Neuers the Dukes of Bourgongne Bourbon and Alençon with the Earle of Vendosme The Duke of Brittain sent his Ambassador not able to come himselfe for that he was not yet in the Kings good fauour There were for the most part priuate discontents The Princes admonitions to the King and their demands tending to euery mans priuate interest As not to be maintayned in their degrees to be called to Councelles respected in their aduises honored in their charges payed their pensions and eased in their lands But the zeale of the publike good shadowed all with a shewe of Iustice peace order and releefe of the people That it was fit the King should proceede more speedily in the treaty of peace with the English the which had beene too coldly followed That he should supplie his Parliaments with good and sufficient men and thereby prouide for the offices and not for the persons that by their faithfull diligence suites might be shortned and speedie âustice administred without delay or respect of eyther of the parties That he should prouide for the ease of the subiect ouercharged rule the soldiars preuent robberies ransomings and extortions the which were daylie committed vnder too apparent an excuse that the soldiar was not payed That he should giue honors without respect of forepassed diuisions and declare alâ his subiects capable of Offices and dignities indifferently not remembring what was past That he should haue a competent number of graue men in his great Councell worthy of that charge not to coÌmit the gouernment of the affaires of the Realme to two or three as had beene done in former times These are the chiefe points of their demands drawen word by word out of the Originall Charles was nothing pleased with these Assemblies made both in his absence and without his priuitie whereby many inconueniences must ensue all being done without his authority But being taught by his owne experience he digested this kinde of affront quietly being loath to alter any thing at such a season when as he had no neede of newe enemies and hauing eyther excused what had beene done or contented euery priuate person he proceeded to the principall which was the establishment of the affaires of the Realme The disorders of men of warre were insupportable the which must be reformed but that which troubled the King was the seege of Tartas remarkable by this circumstance Tartas is a Towne in Gasconie belonging to the house of Albret This Towne was beseeged by Captall de Buch a great Nobleman of that Countrie and of the English faction It was concluded for the extreame necessitie of the Country that there should be a surceasse of armes and lâbertie of free trafficke in that Prouince vntill midsomer following vpon condition that if the King did not succour the Towne by that day it should yeeld to the English or else the French should remayne in free possession without any controuersie And for assurance of this treaty the eldest sonne of the Lord of Albret should remayne in hostage The matter was of great waight being not onely a question of the losse of a place of great importance but of the Kings reputation who leauing his subiects was in danger to be abandoned by them so to loose all Gascoââe where the English had gotten many paâtisans Charles prouiding carefully for his affaires giues two blowes with one stone wherewith he strooke both the theeues and the English He armed with exceeding speede hauing drawen togither foure thousand horse eâght thousand archers and eight thousand other foote An infinit numbeâ of great personages and voluntarie Noblemen posted to this iourney as to a solemne assignation whereon depended the quiet and honour of France The Daulphin did accompany him in this voiage Charles of Aniou Earâe of Maine the Constable of Richmont the Earles of Marche Eu Castres Foix Lomaigne the eldest son of the Lord of Aâmaignac the Lords of Albert Gaure Cominge Estrac Tartas Tancaruille and Montgascon the eldest son to the Earle of Boulongne Auuergne Philip of Culant Admiâaâ of France with an infinit number of gallant Nobility Thus Charles parting from Parââ comes first to Saumur whither Iohn Duke of Brittaine sent his Ambassadors to offer him homage and men Shame to haue so often lest him in al his extremities would not suffer him to see the King although the Constable were a good mediator for him He restored to the King the forts of âssars Palluau which annoyed al the CouÌtry of Poââtou and Charles gaue them in gard to the Constable from thence he passed into Poiâtou and prouids that Marueil and Saint Hermine should no more trouble the people he then comes into Xaintonge which had beene much tormented by the Lord of Pons who humbled himselfe vnto the King promising to liue in peace Taillebourg was taken by force and the theeues punished Bretueil was taken and razed Thus Charles spent this yeare against theeues who had surprised some Townes The next yeare was haâpilie imployed against the English our open enemies making a great breach in Gasâânie and there abouts where the English had gotten deepest footing by the ancient and lawfull possession of his Ancestors In the ende by this breach the whole Prouince remained his but the prouidence of God imparts his blessings by degrees 1442. Hauing thus pacified Poitou and Xaintonge he comes to Limoges and so to Tholouse which was the Rendez-uous of all his troupes Being arriued hee giues notice to them of Tartâs that they should continue firme and that they should be releeued by the prefixed day but as he labors on the one side to settle his affaires so the English on the other side seeke to ouerthrowe them Behold Talbot comes out of England into Normandie with two thousand men and the Duke of Yorke hauing leuied men in the Countrie it selfe and places of their obedience goes to field with foure thousand men With these forces he thinks to take all that Charles held in that Prouince where he had left the Earle of Dunois and the Vidame of Chartres for the gard of those places but this enterprise had small successe Talbot beseegeth Couches and at the same instant the Earle of Dunois Galardon a place holding for the English to cause a diuersion Talbot hauing taken Couches the Earle leaues Galardon hauing no reason to hazard his small troupe against so great forces and putts them into garrison
in their words countenance appaâell the Castillian of the plainnesse of the French attire for Lewis had short garments of bad stuffe the which the Spanish nation did impute to miserablenesse wherewith he was neuer blemished So as from that day these Kings did neuer loue but both nations conceiued such a mutuall hatred one against an other as they haue left it hereditarie to their posteritie and we haue felt the bitternesse of this old leuaine in our late and more then vnciuill tumult So perilous shall the enterview be of our Lewis with Charles of Bourgongne who shall hereafter come often in place at Peronne as we shall see Lewis being returned to Paris as by the purchase of Roussillon he had fortified his realme towards Spaine so desired he to assure it on the other side redeeming the townes lying vpon Somme the which had beene ingaged by the treatie of Arras to Philip Duke of Bourgongne for foure hundred and fiftie thousand crownes with this condition that the King should maintaine all the officers aduanced by the Duke in the said Townes a promise without performance for after the oath taken to serue him against all persons at the first he tooke away the Captainship of Amiens of Arras of Dourlans from Saueuse that of Mortaigne from Haut-bourdin a bastard of Bourgongne and the Bailâwike of Amiens from the Lord of Creuecoeur whose lands he did confiscate soone after aduancing to these offices Launoy the Nephew of Croy 1463. whereby he did greatly discontent the Duke and the Earle of Charolois his sonne more who in despite of the said redemption did afterwards chase away the Lord of Croy with his whole family and confiscate their goods they beeing the meanes thereof Beeing retyred into France Lewis gaue him the county of Guynes with the office of Lord Steward of his house A discontent which shall hasten the Charolois to arme against our France Moreouer Lewis to tye the Pope vnto him by the meanes of Iohn Balue Bishop of Arras who since was made Cardinall in recompence of so good a seruice done to the court of Rome sends Godfrie Bishop of Albi Cardinall of Abbeuille vnto him to renounce all rights of the pragmaticall sanction So doing the Pope promised to send a Legat into France that should giue all benefices to the ende that all the money which should bee raised thereby might remaine within the Realme and be no more transported to Rome But the Pope beeing seized vpon the charter of the said Sanction made no accompt to performe his promise and to please the Romans he caused it to be dragged through the streetes So as Lewis being thus deceiued did forbid to carry any more money to Rome nor to bring any Bulls from thence He made Sforce Duke of Milan his vassall giuing him Sauonne which the French held a heauy motiue of lamentable warres which followed and receiued his homage But whilest he labours to purchase friends abroad he procures himselfe insensiblie mighty enimies at home The princes and Noblemen to whom the first places in court The League of the common âecale and offices of the crowne did appertaine seeing themselues with great indignity supplanted by these mushromes growne vp in one night put from the Kings fauour they sound one another both by mouth writings and by diuers messengers being assured of their mutuall loues they open their mindes discouer their conceptions and conclude To defend and maintaine their dignities For say they to what end do we suffer the indignities and braueries of these new vpstarts we should shew want of courage not to apprehend the wrong the King doth vs. Wee haue armes men friends money to force him to reason seeing we are debarred his preseÌce by these base people that posâesse him The cheefe were Charles Duke of Berry the kings brother The chiefe of the league Iohn Duke of Bourbon who had married Charlotte the kings sister Francis duke of Brittaine Iohn Earle of Dunois bastard brother to Lewis Duke of Orleans the Duke of Nemours the Earle of Armaignac and the Lord of Albret The Duke of Berry was easily drawne into this league discontented to haue no better portion then Berry The Duke of Bourbon had not yet receiued his marriage money The Britton could not digest foure hard conditioÌs the which Lewis hauing an army ready in case he refused required of him That he should no more intitle himselfe By the grace of God Duke of Brittaine That he should coyne no more money without his permission That from thence foâth the King should leauie taxes and subsidies in Brittaine and not the Duke And that all that were beneficed within the Dukedome should acknowledge him immediately for Patron soueraigne Priuileges which till then had bin alwayes expresly reserued to all the Dukes his predecessors in the homages they did to the crowne The Earle of Dunois had alwaies bin of the chiefe of the army Lieutenant generall to Charles the 7. and now is depriued of all his offices and dignities by Lewis his sonne So euery one pretended diuers causes of complaint Charles of Berry must carry the bable a young Prince credulous an age which doth easily make men bold âash for they would vse him as the reuenging instrument of their passions But it is the means to draw him from Court without iealousie Behold an occasion is offred After that Lewis had visited the Townes of Picardy lately redeemed hauing crossed Normandie and Touraine he passeth to Poitiers leading Charles his brother with him Lewis going one day to his deuotion Iohn of Rommillé Tanneguy of Chastel Nephew to that Tanneguy that was charged for the death of the Duke of Bourgongne agents for the Britton in this action vnder colour to carry Charles Duke of Berry to the huntiug they lead him into Brittayne Tanneguy was discontented for that hauing disbursed fifty thousand franckes at the funeralls of Charles the 7. in the absence of Lewis he had neither recompence nor any thankes of the king and was not satisfied for the space of ten yeares There remayned nothing but to be assured of Philip Duke of Bourgongne 1464. who euen then had great cause of discontent for during the partialities of England betwixt the houses of Lancaster and Yorke Lewis supported Henry against Edward he being of Lancaster and this of Yorke for that Henry had married the daughter of René King of Sicile and by consequence was neere kinsman to Lewis In fauour therfore of this Queene he makes a proclamation in the territories of the Duke of Bourgongne forbidding them to aide or assist Edward terming himselfe King of England And for a greater disgrace King Lewis would impose a custome vpon the Salt in the Duchie of Bourgongne The Bourguignon opposeth he protests that Edward King of England is his allie and that he could not deny him succors being required As for the custome he shewes forth the ancient priuileges of
mounted on a horse of the same proportion rushes through them diuids them that held him Then happilie arriues the bastard of Bourgongue and the Earles garde by means whereof the French retire themselues to their ditch Charles of Bouâggongâe taken and rescued where they had beene in the morning During the which a false brute of the Kings death had almost ouerthrowne all for euery one began to faint The Earle of Maine the Admirall of Montauban and the Lord of Barde imbracing this common beleefe flie with al the rereward Lewis aduertised of this amazement takes off his helmet shewes him selfe to his soldiars and so assures them that he is aliue On the other side the Bourguignon rallies his men dispersed and wearied readâe to flie if they had bin charged At the same instant the Count Saint Paul goes to the field and gathers together vnder his enseâgne about eight hundred men at armes and but fewe foote Behold the two armies ranked one against an other noâ like vnto tired men but hauing vewed one another and mutuallie discharged their Canon The night approched A famous battaile for running away which ended the battaile an in counter where the nâtable flying on either side did wonderfully moderate the furie of the fight The which beâng thus ended the King was conducted by the Scottes to the Castell of Montlehery hauing neither eaten noâ dronke all that day and then he retyres to Corbâil The Earle keeps the field âpoiles the dead and therfore holds himselfe a Conqueror· Amongest the Kings men were knowne Iefferie of Saint Bâlain Charleâ Earle of ãâã mastâr of the plââe of Battaile the great Steward of Normandy Captaine Flââ uel Baylife of Eureux with many gentlemen to the number of foure hundred horse and but fewe of foote men Our Burguignons the Lords of Lalain Hames Oâgnie Varenne and almost all the Earles Archers Haplainonurt Aimeries Inchy and many others were taken flying and brought prisoners to Paris of footemeÌ there were more slaine then of the Kings part A'l which were estemed by some at two thousand of both sides The number the dead others heâd theÌ three thousand six hundred but al affirme constantly that there were more Bouâguignons theÌ French although Lewis lost more horsemen In trâth the firme resolution the constant labour the dangerous hazards manfully passed by the King were sufficient motiues to incourage his men to honor and if he had beene well and couragiously followed notwithstanding his small number and want of artillery the Earle of Charoloâs soldiars had digged their graues at Montlehery Three daies after the battaile the Earle of Chârolois being aduertised that his confederates approched Succors come to the Earle of Charolois went to receiue them at Esâampes The Dukes of Berry Brittaine the Earle of Dunois and Dammartin the Lords of Lohâae Marshall of France of Buââl Chaumont and Charles of Amboise his sonne all disgraced by Lewis and put from their offices although they had well serued the King his father They brought with them saith the historie eight hundred good men at armes most Brittains who had newly lest the companies euery one pretending some discontent Of Archers and other men of war resolute wel appointed six thousand on horsebacke all of the Brittons charge who assured by some meÌ at armes that fled vpoÌ the Kings death promiseth to himselfe much good in conceit in case the Duke of Beâry come to the Crowne And if at that instant they would haue giuen him credit they should haue suppressed the Bourguignons or at the least dismissed them verifiyng That there is small loyaltie and lesse pitty in men of warre On the other side the Duke of Berry began to loath these broyles for in open Councel hauing vewed seuen or eight hundred hurte men wandering vp and downe the Towneâ he said how much more glad would I haue beene if this warre had neuer begon ãâã Duke Beâây lotheâ the esâuâiân of bloud then to purchase my selfe riches and honor which the price of so much bloud A speech worthy of a milde Prince and not bloudie but ill digested by the Bourguignon supposing that Charles would easely make his peace vpon the least motion made by Lewis And to assure him selfe as wel without as within the realme he sends William of Cluni afterwards Bishop of Poitiers to Edward King of England although he had alwayes supported the house of Lancaster from whence he was issued by his mother against that of Yorke Hauing refreshed their troups they all dislodge from Estampes and take the way to Saint Mathurin of Laroham and Moret in Gastinois and hauing an intents to passe the riuer of Sâine the Earle imployes many coopers to make pipes hauing brought great store of stuffe for that purpose whereon a bridge was made for want of conuenient boats through the fauour of the Canon which the Earle had planted in an Isâând in the midest of the riuer There ioynes with them Iohn Duke of Calabria the onelie sonne of René King of Sicile the Prince of Orange Thibauld of Neuf-chastel Marshall of Bourgongne Other succors come to the confederate Princes and Montagu his brother the Marquis of Rotelin the Lords of Argueil and Thoulongeon with many others leading nine hundred men at armes of the Duchie and Countie of Bourgongne six score men at armes barded Italians commanded by Galeot and Campo-bâsso foure hundred Germain crosse-bowes sent by the Cont Palatin and fiue hundred Suisses the which were the first that came to our warres A fatall and lamentable alliance for the Bourguignon as we shall see in his place of other footeman very fewe All this great torrent of a hundred thousand men inuiron Paris Paris beleagard they seize vpon S. Maur on the ditches Pont Charenton Consâans S. Deâis and other Places there abouts they tyre the inhabytants with contynuall skirmishes euen at their gates and shakes theyr affections by practises and deuises The Duke of Berry writes to the Clergie to the Court of Parlement to the vâiuersitie which then was in great credit in Paris and to the Bourgesses to euery one a part shewing them that all these forces tend not but to the peoples ease and profit and requires them to depute men of iudgement and learning to vnderstand more at large the causes of this their great assemblie Ten Deputies heare their complaints being led by William Chartier Bishop of Paris they report it to the Counsell of the Cittie who answeres That the Cittie shal be free for the Princes to enter into at their pleasure they and theirs abstaining from violence and paying their expences Surely this would haue beene a Conquest of the cittye of Paris But the great Maister of Nantouillet the Marshal Ioachim and other Captaines take a vew of their forces and by this meanes retayne the Parisiens who changing their minds are fully confirmed by the arriuall of Iohn of Rohan Lord of Montauban Admirall of France with
great troupes of men O light and inconstant people how easây 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 LieutenaÌt 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 Leagârs 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 baâte 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 Politâck 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 Conâââns 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 Calâbrâa 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 Lânces 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 effectâng hereof the two commanders conclude of an enteâuiew An enterview of the two heads The King mounts vp the water right against the Bourguignoâs 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 ârie and Champaigne excepting Meaux Melun and Montereâu 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 Ioâcââm 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 vpâore in Paris the Souldiers vaunt insolently The ãâã 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
That his Brother Charles lately Duke of Normandie should haue twelue thousand Franckes a yeare rent for his portion The treatie of Ancenis issuing out of some lands which should carrie the title of a Dukedome or Countie and three score thousand Frankes for his pension In the meane time Charles of Bourgongne at the instance of his allies was alreadie aduanced to Peronne Then had Pope Pius the 2. sent a Legate into France for the renunciation of the Pragmatick Sanction made by Lewis at his comming to the Crowne The Patents are read in the Chastelet without contradiction Balue comes to the Palace the first of October to haue them in like sort published But Maister Iohn of S. Romain the Kings Proctor generall opposeth himselfe directly against the execution thereof The Kings Proctor generall opposeth himselfe sâoutly against the Poâes proceedings notwithstanding the iniurious threats of the said Cardinall Replying saieth the Originall that he had rather loose both his offâce and all his wealth then to doe a thing against his conscience to the hurt of the Realme and preiudice of the Kings dignitie In the end the Rector of the Vniuersitie for then they mainteined by faithfull obedience their ancient authoritie and the Deputies thereof go to the Legat they appeale from him and the effect of the said Letters to the holy Councell the like they doe in all other places where need required They protest the like at the Chastelet and depart not before their opposition be registred Herevpon the King sends the said Legat and Cardinall with Iohn Ladriesche Treasurer of France to the Duke of Bourgongne to signifie vnto him the accord made with his Brother and the Duke of Brittanie and to treate of a peace with the said Duke of Bourgongne but alwaies tending to diuide him from them and for a baite he promiseth to giue him sixe score thousand Crownes of gold the one halfe to be paide before he dislodgeth for the charges of his leuie and hoping to winne him wholy to his will he concludes of an enterview at Peronne by the meanes of the sayd Balue and to this effect the Duke writes him a Letter with his owne hand as a warrant to go and come Lewis solicits the Liegeois to a new rebellion And in the meane time that Charles busied at home should no wayes hinder Lewis in the warre he pretended to make in Brittanie for he still gaped after the conquest of that Prouince he had sent againe vnder-hand to sollicite the Liegeois to a new sedition wherevnto they were too prompt for their owne good they arme and by stealth surprise Tongres and carrie their Bishoppe with many Chanoines whome they hated to the death prisoners to Liege Yet somewhat respecting the Legates presence they were content to pull out the hearts of fiue or sixe of them in sight of the Bishop with an outragious violence hewing one of them into many peeces the which with a brutish derision they cast one at another like vnto Tennis Balles These two Princes liued in continuall distrust and feared one another for the safetie of their persons at this meeting they fortifie themselues with great forces Lewis to free the Duke of all iealousie comes ill accompanied but he is followed by Iohn Duke of Bourbon his brother in lawe the Cardinall brother to the sayd Duke the Constable of Saint Paul the Cardinall Balue a man which dealt much in matters of armies and State by Tannegui of Chastel newly receiued into fauour and many other commanders of troupes Charles had sent for the Armie of Bourgongne where there were many Noblemen in former times ill intreated by the King as Anthonie Châsteauneuf Lord of Lau who had escaped from Vsson a strong place in Auuergne where Lewis kept him prisoner vnder the garde of Charles of Melun who sauing his owne head imbâued three scaffolds with bloud with that of Charles at Loches of Remonet sonne to the wife of Charles at Tours and of the Kings Proctor at Vsson in Meaux Lewis and the Duke of Bourgongne meete at Peronne Poncet de Riuiere d'vrfe who was after Maister of the Kings Horse three Princes of the house of Sauoy that is to say the Lord of Bresse the Bishop of Geneue and the Earle of Rhosmond Bretheren followed by many Gentlemen Sauoyards and Bourguignons The King seeing all these within the Towne and the armie lodged thereabout findes that hee wrought politicklie but cunning is preuented by cunning So the prouidence of God blindes man in his owne malice and shadowes his eyes to confound him in his fraudulent desseignes And to increase his folly he requires the Castell of Charles to lodge in for that the greatest parte of those that were last come were ill affected vnto him What then an enemie that had a desire to crosse the policies of his aduersarie would hee refuse him this Cage that sought to intangle himselfe in his owne snare yet he perswads him to feare nothing 1468. Let Princes learne not to commit themselues rashelie to such assemblies the very baits of deceyts collusions and periuries The newes of this second mutiny at Liege being reported vnto the Duke he sodenly causeth the gates both of Towne and Castell to be shut but vnder a colde pretext That one had lost a male full of iewells and money Lewis seing himselfe coopt vp and many archers at the gate being lodged moreouer right against a great Tower wheras that Earle of VermaÌdois had once caused Charles the simple his predecessor to die blame him not if hee feared So as an antient sayed malice drinkes the greatest part of her owne poison They could not treat of a more important matter then the life of a King of ârance and of his Estate Charles doth first impart this businesse to some of his Chamberlaines and groomes of his Chamber amongest others to the Lord of Argenton to whome the King since gaue this commendation Philip de Comââââ to haue beene a great helpe in this pacificâtion of Peronne who then tempered this splene all they could He holds a counsell the most part of the second day and almost the whole night hauing all the desire in the world to do the King a shrewd turne who in the meane time practiseth with all vehemencie such as he thought might serue him he vnfurnisheth his most trusty seruants being farre from his treasure commands to make distribution of fifteene thousand crownes but the comissarie retayned a part as the King was since aduertised he giues to some and promiseth to others In the ende their resolution in counsell was That Lewis his exâuse should be admitted who did sweare that hauing sent his Ambassadors to Liege euen when as the Duke did arme against France the great affection he had to a finall and vniuersall peace had so transported him as he had forgot to countermand them Thus promise beeing made to Charles of Bourgongne to accompany him at his request in the
not to deale at all in the warres which Lewis pretended against them A foule and dishonest trafficke made to the preiudice of so great personages The Duke signes and sweares this fraudulent and counterfeit peace A blowe able to amaze the Dukes of Guienne and Brittaine at the first hearing to see themselues thus abandoned of their chiefe support But he repayres it with an after blow by letters of credit writteÌ with his own hand giues theÌ aduice to continue their course that his intent was only to recouer his townes vpoÌ Somme Notable deâââ and ãâã which done he will beseech the King by especiall Ambassadors to desist froÌ making war against theÌ vpon his refusal he will succour theÌ with body goods that as the King at his pleasure had brokeÌ the treaties of CoÌâtans Peronne so might he infringe his promise oath As for the Earles of Neuers and S. Paul Constable although he had a iust occasion to hate them 1472. yet would he remit their iniuries and suffer them to inioy their owne and beseech the King to doe the like by the Dukes of Guienne and Brittanie suffering euery one to liue in peace and safetie vnder the Articles respectiuely accorded if not he would succour his allies Craon and Oriole had likewise sworne for the King leading Simon of Quinchi a gentleman bred vp in the Dukes house to receiue the othe of his Maiestie But from a new subiect springs a new proiect Behold newes are brought that the Duke of Guienne is sick and without hope of recouerie Vpon this aduice the King delaies the oath findes âuasions attending the course of his disease and in the meane time doth speedily seize vpon many places of Xaintonge he doth presse Rochell the which vpon these accidents of reconciliation and sicknesse inclines to a composition he withdrawes many of his brothers chiefe seruants and resolues to signe this peace as the sundrie euents of his affaires should lead him and in the meane space he protracts time with the Bourguignon during the which Charles Duke of Guienne dyes at Bourdeaux the 12. of May The Duke of Guienne dyes by the which Lewis recouers the Duchie without blowes and moreouer retaines Amiens and Saint Quintins O subtill wits both deceiuers but not of like industrie so our Lewis shall more easilie auoide the snare But oh death in generall which by the dissolution of the body and soule doest dissolue great desseings The Brittons were ready to enter building vpon great intelligences and practises within the Realme the which without doubt had much troubled the State But oh vnseasonable death in particular how fitly shalt thou serue to shadow the filthy and hatefull yet well coloured reproches of enemies and the murmurings of the most respectiue A death too much neglected but by some affectionate seruants to the deceased Duke who discouer that Iourdain Faure borne ãâ¦ã Daulphiné great Almoner to the Duke and Abbot of S. Iohn d' Angely By poison assisted ãâã Henry de la Roche one of the said Dukes Kitchin had hastened his death by so violânt a âââson that with a strange and lamentable contraction of his sinews his hayre ãâã and teeth fell out before his death The Lord of Lescut retired himselfe into Brittanie leading prisoners with him these cursed murtherers Note the murtherers of Princes where the Abbot was found one morning starke dead in his Chamber with a Thunder-clap Hauing his face swollen his body and visage black as a coale and his tongue hanging halfe a foote out of his mouth God doing that iustice in the twinckling of an eye which men delayed Let vs confesse the trueth and without passion the veritie of the Historie doth presse vs vnto it that Charles had beene an ill brother and ought more honour and obedience to him to whom that great Author of Nature had giuen the right of eldership aboue him yet should he haue beene regarded as a sonne of France Note and from his infancie receiue a portion fit for the entertainment of his estate and house Kings haue alwaies power to comptroule the insolencies of their neerest allied when they forget their duties But howsoeuer let vs obserue the order of diuine iustice who easily raiseth vp home-bred scourges but in the end he doth cast the rod into the fire Lewis must be measured with the same proportion he had measured his father and Charles must suffer for the rashnesse of his rebellions This death being little lamented makes such to speake as had but too diligently obserued Lewis his speech hearing one day of the death of the King of Castils brother He is but too happy saith he to haue lost his brother but hatred and ill will grounds their passions euen vpon a Needles point At the same instant Nicholas Marquis of Pont heire of the house of Aniou one of the aboue named riualles made sure to Anne the eldest daughter of Lewis abused with the great yet vaine promises of the Duke of Bourgongne renounced this so worthy an alliance of hâs Soueraigne Lord for a frustratorie hope which the vassalle gaue him to marry his daughter but he was ignorant that death the yeare following would punish this rashnesse and preuent him from the inioying either of Anne or Marie The Marquis of Pont dyes and the Earle of Eu. A season likewise famous by the death of Charles Earle of Eu a wise and vertuous Prince whose faithfull seruice to France deserues this testimonie that being sonne to Philip of Bourgongne Earle of Neuers and Rethel and grand-child to Philip the hardie a sonne of France and Duke of Burgongne and by consequence neere kinsman to Charles yet in all these combustions he had faithfully serued the King and preferred the Flower-de-Luce before the Red Crosse. Let vs likewise obserue the death of William Chartier Bishop of Paris The Bishop of Paris dyes who after his conference with the League before Paris in the Kings absence was alwaies in such disgrace with him as after his death Lewis caused his Epitaph to be changed making mention of the bad seruices he had done him during the warre of the common-weale suborning the inhabitants in fauour of the Burguignon The death of the Duke of Guienne had wonderfully afflicted Charles of Bourgongne to increase it he had intelligence that the Brittons would not arme considering that he was dead for whom they should rise In the meane time the chance was cast he had beene at great charge The Bourguignons practises against Lewis and to turne head without restitution were a shame but that which made him mad Amiens and S. Quentin were lost he must hazard all And first he writes to many townes he chargeth the King to haue consented to his brothers death and labours to draw them into armes declaring himselfe their protector but no man stirres so the small effect of his letters sets him on fire and in this choller he marcheth to Neâle
home but the chance fel vpon Iohn Deymer being quartered at Tours who dying charged the Lord of S. Basill a yonger brother of Albret with this treason being nourished and bâeâ vp in the house of Bourbon for which crime he lost his head at Poââiers the 7. of Aprill 1473. And to increase Lewis his crosses Parpignan a towne in the Countie of ãâã is by treason deliuered vp to the King of Arragon the ancient Lord Paâpignan deliuered by treason to the King of Aââagon where he enters with his sonne about the end of Aprill But the Kâng had an armie ready the which he sends thither and besiegeth it hotly the French were yet maisters of the Castell by the faithfull valour of maister Iames of Fou issued out of the house of Bâittanie he recouers it gâues the gouernment to Tanneguy of Chastel Thus the troubles raised by the Earle of Armagnac and the King of Arragon were like to a fire of Straw Let vs obserue in the same course the apprehending of the Duke of Alancon so shall we see the carriage of our Lewis He is accused to haue offred the sale of his Duchie and other lands in Perche and Normandie 1473. to the Bourguignon and then to follow his fortune a crime which shall put him in minde of his condemnation pronounced at Venââsâe he was seized on by Tristan the Hermite Prouost of the Kings house a speedy execâtioner of his Maisters will and lead before the King The Duke of Alanson apprehended condemned to dye but pardoned by the King who sends him to the Louure at Paris where by a sentence giuen by the Chancellor of Oriole the 17. of Iuly 1474. he was condemned to loose his head reseruing notwithstanding the Kings good pleasure who in the end of the yeare 75. shall binde him vnto him the second time for his life Lewis hauing recouered Guienne reduced Lestore punished some and pacified Parpignan he assembles all his forces vpon the Marches of Brittanie to the nuÌber of 50000. men ready to imploy them in that country But the duke by reason of the death of the Duke of Guienne being frustrate of the intelligences he had in France too weake to auoid this storme that threatned him Warre in Brittanie pacified sent vnto the King lodging at Pont de See Philip of Essars a gentlemaÌ of his house WilliaÌ of Soupleinuille a follower of the Lord of Lescut His maiestie giues eare to an accord The duke of Brittany being possessed of so wise valiant a maÌ as Lescut might much annoy him For in Brittany there was neither iudgmeÌt nor vertue but what proceeded from him so saies the History Moreouer he had alwaies during these partialities shewed himselfe a Frenchman and would neuer yeeld that any places of Normandie should be giuen to the English he must therefore be dealt with To thiâ end the Kiâg commands Souplâinuille to giue him the demands in writing which his maister made as well for the Duke as for himselfe He doth it and obtaines them all fortie thousand Frankes pension for the Duke the which was paid two yeares For his maister The conditions of the peace six thousand Frankes pension the moitie of Guienne the two Seneshalships of Vannes and Bourdelois the Captainship of one of the Castles of Bourdeaux that of Blaie the 2. Castels of Bayonne of Dax of S. Seuer foure twenty thousand crownes in guilt payable in foure yeares the Kings order and the Countie of Comminges for Soupleinuille six thousand Crownes payable at like termes twelue thousand Franckes pension the Mairaltie of Bayonne the Bailywike of Montargis and other small preferments in Guienne for Phillip of Essars foure thousand Crownes in reward and twelue hundred Frankes pension the Baiâiwike of Meaux and to be maister of the waters and Forrests of France which things they should enioy during the life of Lewis who was alwayes well and faithfully serued by Lescut Now the Britton is satisfied and sequestred from the alliance of Bourgongne against whom Charles now turnes head but the season in the which the Duke of Bourgongne retired into Picardie caused a truce for one yeare ending the first of Aprill 1475. A truce which while the Bourguignon shall giue our French leaue to breath shall imbarke him in so many quarrels The causes of the King and Boââguâgâons hatred against the Constable as in the end the most important shall swallow him vp A truce likewise concluded to the Constables great preiudice for both the King and the Duke hated him deadly as the motiue of these diuisions He had lately seized on Saint Quintin expelling the Lord of Curton and a hundred men at armes which he had in enteâtainment from the Kiâg Charles had likewise many causes of hiâ dislike he was the instrument to take Amiens and S. Quentin for the King he sought to reduce him to that estate as to force hiâ to marry his daughter with the Duke of Guienne but the câiefe âround was that during the seege of Amiens by the Duke of Bourgongne the Constable had made a roade into Hainault spoiled the Country and burnt among other exploit the Castle of Seure belonging to Master Baldwin of Launai of whom the Duke made good accompt for reuenge whereof he passed into Picardie and Normandie as we haue seene Moreouer he had mighty enemies both with the King and Duke who all iointly conspired his destruction and animated their maisters with all their creditâ So all this yeare of truce is spent chiefely in making marchandise of the Constables life Himbercourt Hugonnet Chancellor of Bourgongne had some priuate splene for in a conference held of late at Roye where the Constable was imployed for the King they grew so bitter in words as the Constable had giuen them the lie to whoÌ the Bourguignons modestly answered That they did not impute this iniurie done vnto them but to the King vpon whose word they were assembled and to their maister whose person they did represent to whome they would make report In the end at the instance of either part a day is held at Bouuines 14ââ for the King there came the Lord of Curton Gouernour of Linosin They ãâã his death and Maister Iohn Heberge afterwards Bishop of of Eureux and for the Duke the two aboue named They pronounce tâe Constable an enimy and guilty to both Princes they promise and sweare one to an other that the first that may apprehend him shall put him to death within eight daies or deliuer him to his compagnion to doe his pleasure That he should be proclaimed by Trumpet an enimy to both parties with al those that should serue assist him and confiscate all his goods mouables and immouables The King promiseth to giue S. Quintin Han and Bohain to the Duke with all the money that might be found within the Realme appertaining to the Constable and all his lands holding of the Duke and at
fiue and which was worse the gates were shut vpon them The Senators seeing these rascalls thus handled put their heads out at the windows they see this tumult and heare Iames Pacis and others crying Liberta Liberta and Popolo popolo words to moue the people and to make them follow their faction but they moued not so as Pacis and his companions fled from the place and those that were entred were presently hanged at the barres of the Pallace windowes Francis Saluiat Archbibishop of Pisa The mutinie appeared and the murtherers hanged hauing said masse with a cuirasse on his backe was taken and hanged in the same habit The Gouernours seeing the whole Towne to stand firme for them and the Medicis they send presently to all the passages to apprehend all such as should be found flying Iames and Francis Pacis were presently taken with an other Captaine of the Popes troupes vnder the Earle Ieronimo and hanged instantly with other great personages to the number of fourteene some groomes and other base people were knockt downe in the streets Nicholas Cardinall of S. George nephew to the Earle was a long time prisoner The King aduertised of this hurliburly sends the Lord of Argenton both to take in his Maiesties name the homage which Bonne Duchesse of Milan ought for the duchie of Genes in the behalfe of the yong Duke Iohn Galeas her sonne and to receiue the men at armes which they had granted in fauour of the Medicis The Pope aduertised of the execution done at Florence doth excommunicate the cittizens and with the same breath commands his armie to march to ioyne with that of Naples being great and faire It was commanded for the Pope by the Duke Vrban Robert d' Arimini The Pope and the king of Naples send their forces against Florence Constantin of Pesaro and many others and for Ferdinandâ by his two sonnes the one Duke of Calabria the other Don Frederike They take many places about Florence and almost ruine the whole state There were few Commanders of smal experience and weake forces The Kings assistance did somewhat comfort them beeing after much war absolued and reconciled to the church as also to terrifie the Pope Lewis had called a councell of the French Church at Orleans for the restoring of the pragmatick Sanction in France and to abolish the custome to carry money to Rome for the obtayning of Bulls yet the assembly brake off without any conclusion was referred to Lions the next yeare but without effect Thus passe the affaires of this world but many doe oppresse at the length Our Lewis hath in a manner out-liued al his greatest enemies Lewis begins to decline and now he begins to decline Troubles care waywardnesse call him mildly to his graue the vigor of his spirits faile him hereafter wee shall see a strange alteration in his humors The truce ended and seeing we must returne to warâe let vs begin it by some notable stratageme The Archduke Maximilian hath nowe the Flemings hearts at his deuotion To imploy theÌ he camps before Therouenne with aboue twenty thousand Flemings some Germaine troupes and three hundred English ledde by Thomas Abergeiny an English Captaine The Lord of Cordes Lieutenant generall for tâe King in Picardy assembles what troupes he can out of the neighbour garrisons eight thousand franke archers eleuen hundred men at armes and makes haste to relieue it Maximilian vnderstanding of their approch raiseth the siege marcheth towards theÌ affronts them at Guynegaste The battell of Guinegaste Des Cordes was the stronger in horse but the weaker in foote The forwards ioyne without any stay the Archdukes being ledde by Rauestein doth not mainteine the fight but is soone broken and chased euen vnto Aire by Cordes Torci The foote stand firme supported by the Archduke himselfe the Lord of Rhomânt the Earle of Nassau two hundred Gentlemen all on foote the franke Archers of the French supposing that these footemen would flie with the foreward and fall vppon the baggage The Duke doth charge them forcing them to leaue their booty and fall to armes The slaughter was great but most of the enemies 1479. Eleuen thousand Bourguignons were slaine sayeth the History and nine hundred prisoners Many slaine on both sides but the French left the field amongest the which was a Germaine Earle and the King of Polands sonne of the French there died fiue thousand and the small number of the Kings army made the enemie continue master of the field who gathering togither the remainders of his troupes tooke the Castell of Malaunoy by assault where Captaine Remonet notwithstanding the faith which was giuen him when he yeelded was hanged For satisfaction hereof fiftie of the aboue named prisoners Cruelties against the lawe of armes were hanged by ten in a place ten whereas Remonet was executed ten before Douay ten before Saint Omer ten before Arras and ten before Lisle Des Cordes did runne rashly to this battaile and without the Kings commandement who was somewhat amazed with the first newes thinking they had concealed the truth that it was quite lost for him If it be so saith he farewell all my latter conquests he was not accustomed to loose but alwayes verie happie being loath to hazard much in fight Lewis much perplexed But if any Captaine had meanes to sell him a good place he was a liberall purchaser at what price soeuer but the seller must afterwards take heede to his gossip Tristam the Hermit This blast made Lewis resolue to treat a peace with Maximilian so as it might bee profitable vnto him and that he might thereby curbe the Arche-duke and by the helpe of his owne subiects so as afterwards he should haue no meanes to annoy him For this effect the King seekes to the Gantois that by their mediation a marriage might be made betwixt Charles the Daulphin and the Daughter of the sayd Arche-duke Lewis seekes for a peace of Maximilian vpon condition to leaue him the Counties of Bourgongne Auxerre Mascon and Charolois and to quit him Arthois reseruing Arras in the estate hee had setled it the Citty commanding the Towne the which hereafter should be held of the crowne by the Bishop As for the Duchie of Bourgongne the Earldome of Boulongne the Townes lying vpon Somme and other places in Picardie there was no mention The Gantois and by their soliciting those of Bruges with some other chiefe Townes of Flanders and Brabant who desired rather to suppresse then to fortifie their newe Lord gaue eare to this transaction ill intreating Maximilian and his wife all they could The Gantois and those of Flanders and Brabant hate their newe Lord. being loath to submit themselues to his commande first for that he was a stranger secondly for that they knew more iudicious Princes but not any more couetous then his father whose son was seasoned with the same base couetousnesse which carries
ãâã in the King if he heard thereof he caused them to be trussed vp in packes of silke with cotton These armes passing vpon moyles through Aâuergne The Duke of ãâã armes ãâã Doyac Gouerâor âf the Country had some intelligence and aduertiseth the King thereof who dâclâreâ them forfeited to the benefit of Doyac This buying of armes made Lewis to gâpe more then euer after Brittain but he defâr the execution to practise the Gouernors of Gand by the Lord of Cordes and treats tâe mârrâage of the Daulphin his son with Marguerit the daughteâ of Maximilian and ãâã lately deceased The late suâprise of Aire by de Cordes amazed the Flemings and ãâã made theÌ willing to seeke an agrement with the King To this end Maximiââân they togither send a great Ambassage to Arras managed for the Arche-duke bâ the Lords of Bârgues and Launoye âiâh some Secretarâes and for the Comonalties bâ the Abbots of S. Bârtin and Saint Peter of Gand. âhe King appoints his Lieutenant generâll in Picardie to heare theÌ with la Vacquârie lately created first President of the ãâã of Paris and other graue peâsonâges A peace is concluded by meanes of ãâ¦ã marriage in fauor whereof they giue as a portion to the sayd Marguerit the ãâã of Arthois Bourgongne the Lands and Seigneuries of Mâsconois Auxerrois Chârolois Salins Bar Sens and Noyon to enioye them for euer A peace betwixt the King and Maximilian And in case that young ãâã Earle of Flanders should die Marguerite should succeed him in all the Lordships that belonged to her deceased mother the souerainty of Flanders remayning to the King By meanes hereof the Artesiâns that haâ beene confined returned to Arras and the Citty recouered her ancient name Thus Marguerite was conducted into France by the Lady of Rauastein the bastard dââghter of âhilip Duke of Bourgongne and receiued by the Duke Duchesse of Bourbon who lâd her to Amboise the place of the Daulphins abâade where the marriage âas solâemnly celebrated Eâward King of England was wonderfully inceâsed at this maâriage seing himâelfe depriued of hââ peâsion The Dâulphins mârriage with Maâguerite and fearing least this disgrace should bâeed him great contempt yea a rebellioÌ of his subiects seing the effects of that which he would not beleeue Moreouer he did finde the King had newly planted strong defences betwixt them two and his conquests did stretch very neere vnto him He concâââed so great a griefe vpon all these considerations as soone after he died partly for ãâã and partly of an Apoplexie Soonâ after the death of Edward Lewis recâââes letters frâm the Duke of Glocester Edward of England dies who by the murther of his two Nephewes tâe sonnes of Edward his brother had vsuâped the Crowne of England and was called Richard This Richard sought the Kings friendship but Lewis abhoring so barbarous a câuelâie would not vouchsaâe to answere his letters nor to heare his message But he enioyed not long this tirannous vsurpation Troubles it England Richard murthers his two Nephews vsurpes the Crowne God raised vp that Earle of Ricâemont whome we haue seene so long prisoner in Brittain who with some little money froÌ the King and 3. thousand men leuied in the Duchie of Normandy passed into Walles ioyned with his father in law the Lord Stanley with 26. thousand English with which forces he encouÌtred Richard fought with him and slewe him in the field then waâ câowned King of England At the same time William of Marche brother to him whom tâey commonly caâled the Boare of Ardenne to install his sonne in the Bishoprike of Lâege leaues a great number of foote and horse and beseegeth Lewis brother to the Duke of Bourbon being Bishop there The Bishop craues succors froÌ the Arche-duke of Austria and the Prince of Orange his brother in lawe who not able to come in time anâââest by some secret partisans of la Marche he goes forth in armes to fight with his enemy was slaine whereby la Marche entred into Leige but soone after he was surprised by the Lord of Montaigni aided with some troupes froÌ the Archduke sodenly beheaded 1483. Our Lewis is now well satisfied touching the affaires of Flanders there remained nothing but a reuenge of Brittaine The last act of Lewis his life But oh how doth suspition feare distrust and finally death breake off his great desseins He is now at Plessis neere Tours priuate solitarie and shewing himselfe to few He feares a decay of his estate and yet is become vnable to gouerne a great Estate The opening of a doore feares him his owne shadow amazeth him death terrifies him but the worst is his conscience troubles him Hee puts his most trustie seruants from him hee doubts his neerest kinsmen hee abhors them he suspects them suspects al the world Those whom he doubts most hee dismisseth His disposition in his declining age with a couple of his gard to guide them pensiue sad dreaming froward peeuish and cholerick euery thing displeaseth him all is vnseasonable all offends him he knowes not what is fittest for him either life or death and yet would he liue raigne He knowes that he hath many enemies and hath offended many that the greatest of the Princes loue him not that the meaner sort murmured and that the people hated him for he hath ouercharged them yea more then any of his Predecessors and hath not meanes to ease them and although he hath a will yet it is now too late Oh what a greeuous testimonie is the conscience of our misdeeds fewe enter at Plessis Consciencia mille âââtes but his houshold seruants and the Archers of his gard whereof there are fouâe hundred daily in gard at the gate No Nobleman lodgeth there none come there but his sonne in law Peter afterwards Duke of Bourbon by the death of Iohn his brother and few of his followers and yet he thinkes still that some one enters in to offer vâolence to his person or that by loue or force they will pull his scepter from him He causeth his sonne to bee straitly garded and will not suffer many to see him least hee should be made the head of a faction His daughter hath no accâsse to him His son in law no credit His sonne in Law returnes from the Daulphins marriage Lewis with a deuise makes the Captaine of his gard to search such as are entred with the Duke to see if they were not secretly armed He commands him to hold the Counsell then he dissolues it for in his abseÌce they would make Monopoles Who did euer see a mind more distract more vnquiet and fuller of cares Hee distrusts his sonne his daughter his sonne in law and generally all those that may commaund The Castle gate is safely garded but they may leape ouer the walls they must bee planted with gadds of iron with many points and so thicke as no man might
some there the Brittons horse into the wood and likewise their foote The Duke of Orleans and Earle of Dunois fighting ânhappely on foote doe what possibly may be expected The Duke of Orleans and Earle of Dunoââ taken prisoners from such gallant Princes but the Duke flying among the Germaines was taken in the wood the other seeing this generall ouerthrowe toare of his blacke crosse the liâââie of Brittaine and hid himselfe among the dead bodies an Archer that had beene of his company knew him and both of them were led prisoners to Saint Aulbin whence the Duke of Orleans was soone after carried to the great Tower of Bourges The Marshall of Brittaine and the Lord of Albret saued themselues in Dinan by the swiftnes of their horses All the counterfeit English with red crosses were slaine without remâssion The Lord of Leon sonne to the Vicont of Rohan Pont l' Abbé the Lord ââales an Englishman issued from that braue Talbot The cheefe that were slaine Monfort kinsman to the ãâã of Orange with six thousand souldiars of their armie were slaine Mosen âralla a ââme sauouring of the Iewe Lord Steward to Ferdinand King of Castill and chiefe of the Spanish troupes was taken prisoner Of the French Iames Galeot a Neapolitaine a valiant and renowned Captaine and others to the number of a thousand or ââelue hundred men but few of any marke This was on monday the 28. of Iuly A day of great import for the State the which did wonderfully shake the Dukes affaires being troubled in mind and his subiects tired with toyle and terror whereoâ dotâ follow practises of places yeelding vp of Townes and finally euery one frames himselfe to follow the CoÌquerors fortune a day eternising the happy memorie of that noble Knight Lewis of Tremouille great great grandfather to Claude Lord of Tremouille now liuing Duke of Thouars Prince of Talmund Earle of Guines c. and of the noble Princesse Charlotte Katherine of Tremouille Princesse of Condé Countesse of Taillebourg Baronesse of Suille Craon Bousmiers S. Hermine la Chaise in the Vicountie c. mother to the most high and mighty Prince Henry of Bourbon Prince of Condé first Prince of the bloud and first peere of France c. hauing at the age of 25. or 26. yeares by his incomparable valour and vertue wonne the honor of so memorable a victory The next day the Lord of Tremouille turnes towards Rennes summons the Towne and to terrifie the inhabitants he lodgeth his armie in the Villages of Acigné Chasteaugiron Veru S. Supplice and others thereabout The Heralds returne an answer That the King had no right to the Towne and that he wrongfully made warre in Brittanie That notwithstanding his forces and happy suceesse God the gardian of their right might well doo vnto him as he had in former times to King Iohn before Poictiers and to Philip of Valois at Crecy That if Tremouille come he shall finde twentie thousand men to resist him Dinan yeelds So the armie leauing Rennes marcheth to Dinan vnder the command of the Vicount of Rohan Amaulry of Moussay gouernour of the Towne compounds at the first summon to deliuer it into the Kings hands vpon the accustomed conditions in like cases to commit the gard thereof to whom he pleased and the inhabitants to sweare vnto the King which done the French armie should retire On the other side Guy the 15. of that name Earle of Laual causeth some French troupes to enter by night into his Castell of Vitré and so they became maisters of the Towne and by the same meanes he drew his brother Francis Lord of Chasteaubriant and Montafilant to the Kings party The Baron of Pont-Chasteau brother to the Vicount of Rohan followed the example of Francis of Auaugour the Dukes base sonne who had already deliuered the Towne Castle of Clisson into the Kings hands Clisson yeelds and the greatest part of the Nobility followed the same course Hereafter we shall see a ciuill warre rather then a forreine And for the last worthy exploit of this army Tremouille besiegeth S. Malo both Towne Castle S. Malo yeelds by composition one of the strongest places in Brittany beautified with a goodly hauen It was able to hold out against the forces of a mighây army as well for the seat thereof as for the fortification but they easily enter into composition The Kings affaires aduanced thus as the Dukes declined his Maiesty being at Anger 's hee propounds in counsell whether he should proceed to an absolute conquest of the duchie seize vpon the dukes person The Kings proposition in Councell and his daughters giue them some pension and marry them at his pleasure He wanted no fire-brands in Court to kindle these combustions dispersed throughout all Brittanie My Liege say they if you once get the father and his daughters into your hands you shall easily obtaine the whole country without striking stroake reduce the nobility at your discretion Guy of Rochefort Chancellor of France a iust man and of a good conscience shewes That the Duke of Orleans retreat into Brittanie had bin the cheefe motiue to draw downe the Kings forces That his Maiestie hauing now the said Duke in his power The Chancellor disâwades him from the inuasion of ârittanie the cause ceassing the effect should cease That the Duke was somewhat to be excused if by the bond of alliance affinitie he had bin intangled in the disgraces of these noble men fled vnder the shadow of his wing Moreouer the King had no iust cause to pursue his owne vassall with such violence to ruine his estate to inuade a pupils patrimony to spoile her of her grand-fathers inheritance If the King were not satisfied to haue the chiefe motiues of these confusions in his power he armed himselfe with a transport made to K. Lewis by the Lord of Boussac and Nicole of Brittanie his wife that he must then examine the titles and appoint men to looke into the rights of the one the other if the Kings pretensions were iust it was in him to put them in execution if not the people would exclaime against this violence and God the protector of the oppressed would soone or late raise vp some to reuenge it for the peoples voyce is the voyce of God who cries to Princes Doe right to the needy and Orphelins do iustice to the afflicted and poore This aduice made the Lords of the Counsell pause a while and many in the end conclude That it was more conuenient to agree vpon Iudges to decide this controuersie iudicially Doubtlesse God holds the heartes of men in suspense and makes them yeeld to what he pleaseth But our Countesse of Beauâeâ was not well pleased with this resolution hoping to haue the Earledome of Nantes for her share They let the Duke vnderstand what the Counsell had decreed The crosses distemperatures age and weakenes of iudgement hindred the apprehension of his affaires
Yet will âe deale surely He chargeth the Earles of Dunois and Cominges with offers and submissions to the King The King refers them to Verger to consider thereof a house belonging to the Marshall of Gyé Behold there growes great pretensions The King pretends the propertie of Brittanie by reason of the grant made by Boussac Pretendants for Brittanie The Vicoât of Rohan did not renounce his interest Hee descended of Marie of Brittanie sister to Marguerite the Dukes first wife the onely heire of Francis the first and Marie preceeded the Duke that then was in degree of bloud But the pittie was she was a woman As for the pretended rights and grants of Boussac they answered That the matter had beene fully decided by the treatie made at the Abbie of Victorie and many others To the Vicount of Rohan That it was ended by the contract of marriage testaments and ordinances of Dukes their Predecessors and decrees of Parliaments But the King hauing two strings to his bow like a Conquerour grew wilfull and his sister Beauâeu more then he If one fayled the other was readie bent Charles demaunds the wardship of the Dukes daughters It was of purpose that obtaining this wardship he might marâie Anne at his pleasure being twelue yeares old and hir Sister seuen This might not be the Nobilitie would neuer haue endured it Moreouer Charles discouers that forraine Princes repined thereat and were readie to imbrace this quarrell They must therefore agree vppon Iudges and a certaine place Yet leauing nothing of his conquests of Brittanie and being seized of some Townes won by their swords letthe Iudges determine what they will we will doe what we please In the end they draw articles The King accepts them sends them to the Duke at Coyron vpon Loire wher the Duke remained He signes theÌ some willingly the rest by force enioying this happines in the end of his daies to haue changed this wretched war into a publike rest So a peace is concluded and sworne on either part the twentith one of August A peace betwixt the King and the Duke of Bââttanie The King promiseth to call home all his men at armes and the Duke to dismisse all strangers he promiseth to giue the King for hostages the Lord of Montaflant Rainfort and the sonne of the Lord Steward of Brittanie and within a certaine time to assemble the Estates of the Countrie and to make them confirme this treatie But Francis the second of that name Duke of Brittanie oppressed with greefe The Duke dies melancholie and age and sore brused with a fall falles sicke and dies the ninth of September leauing the Marshall of Rieux gardien of his daughters the Earle of Cominges for an assistant and Francis of Laual Ladie of Chasteaubriant for gouernesse Presently after the Dukes decease The Kings newe and strange demaunds the King sends Ambassadors to Anne the new Duchesse who giues her to vnderstand that the Kings intention was to mainteine the treatie made betwixt his Maiestie and the Duke deceased but to make it more firme it was expedient for her to yeeld in three points to the King The first That seeing they were allyed vnto the King reason would that hee should haue the gârd oâ wardshippe and during their minoritie the disposing of their landes and Seigneures The second That Comissioners appointed should decide their controuersie touching the principalitie of Brittanie by the first day of Ianuarie next ensuing and in the meane time neither the one nor the other should carrie the name nor the authoritie of of a Duchesse nor receaue the oath of fealâie The third ââat all strangers should void the Countrie as was conteyned in their couenant Anne makes answere that shee desires to satisfie the treatie betwixt the King and her deceased Father without any other conditions Annes answere And for confirmation of her wordes shee calls a Parliament the 29. of December following as the Duke was ãâã to haue them ratifie the conuentions of peace In the meane time there were robberies taking of ransoms massacres thefts desolation of the Counârie sale of Townes 1489. euen as in open warres The Vicount of Rohan labored to winne the Townes by sweet wordes and amiable letters hee shewes vnto them the miseries of this warre far from any end by the decease of their Duke that at his request the King had retyred his armie attending if the Nobilitie and commons New troubles by the Vicount of Rohan would put themselues into the hands of the said Rohan vnder whose commaund his Maiestie ment they should remaine otherwise he was ready to reduce the obstinate to reason by force Rennes Guingamp and others to whom he had particularly writteÌ answere That neither they nor the rest can or ought acknowledge any other commander then the Duchesse to whom during her fathers life and since his decease they were bound by oath Moreouer they were aduertised that the King was resolued to enterteine a peace with their Princesse in the same maÌner as had bin accorded They beseech him to rest satisfied with this answere vntill they be informed of the Duchesse intention of the Counsels and the Marshal of Rieux and in the meane time to haue the good of the Country and the peace in recomendation This answer puts the Vicount into choller The Brittons ouercome and the Earle of Quintin his brother thrusts him on being desirous to be reuenged for the often taking and spoyling of his Towne Hee goes to field with his troupe and neere vnto Pontrieu hee incounters some men gathered together with an intent to go to succour the Duchesse he doth charge them defeats them and kills a part of them being abandoned by some gentlemen that conducted them then he takes sackes Pontrieu and Chasteaulin vpon Trieuf and so makes his way to Guincamp He summons Chero Gouiâquet Captaines to yeeld the Towne They answere that they will not obey him so long as there shal be a Duke or Duchesse in Brittanie Vpon this refusall he sends a Captain called S. Pierre Seneshal of Tholouse la Forest to belegar it who being repulsed out of the suburbes of Treguer takes them of Montbareil and Pontauquen spoile and burne them and Rohan being arriued hee takes the suburbes of S. Croix then he lodgeth in Montbareil from whence he discouereth the whole Towne so plainly as hee might shoote point blancke into the market place he burnes a part of the suburbes lodgeth his artillerie he plants another batterie in the Iacobins garden to batter the curtin of the wall betwixt the ports of Reâes and Fontanie and hee makes a breach but not sufficient yet he giues an assault and is repulsed The next day he changeth his batterie and plants it at the vpper end of the fiââers garden he playes a whole day beats downe a part of the wall betwixt the Ports of Montbareil and Treguer he offers a second assault but it was as
valiantly defended as assailed Gouiâquet thrust into the thigh with a pike is carried out of the fight The night brings counsell those which had withstood 2. assaults will be vnable for the 3. being now weakned of one of their chiefe supports who was made vnable to serue by reason of his hurt moâning being come a truce is graunted to take aduice of their Duchesse Rohan presseth it the Captaines seeing their men decayed in number as well by the taking of the suburbs as at the two assaults coÌpound for ten thousand Crownes to the Generall to retire his armie and to receiue them into his protection promising to furnish victuals and munition for the siege of Concq the which he had charge from the King to besiege and for want of present money by reason of the losses sustained by the warre Fougeres taken to giue hostages But this parle was friuolous During which time Captaine Boissel declares himselfe for the French seizeth of the gate of the Tower Quencile and brings in the Earle of Quintin who gaped onely for reuenge of this place hee takes and spoiles the Towne and ransomes the inhabitants and amongst them Captaine Chero Gouiequet saues himselfe at la Roche de Rien This chanced the 23. of Ianuarie after fiue dayes siege Concq yeelds vpon the approach and Brest followed a most strong place and the key of all the Countrie Thus Ploermel Ghasteaubriant Malestroit Vitré Fougeres S. Malo Dinan S. Aulbin Guingamp The pittifull estate of Brittanie Concq Brest and other places are in the Kings power The Nobilitie dispossessed for the most part of their best places shroud themselues vnder the conquerors there is small hope of succours The English are diuided amongst themselues the King of the Romains hath worke at home and those small succours that come from both preuaile nothing there is no money in the Treasury the Souldiers are not paid the Crowne is worth eight Frankes Anne is forced to sell of her reuenues for the maintenance of her house and to aggrauate these mischiefes her counsell is greatly diuided about her maâiage The Marshall of Rieux and the Lady of Laual hold for Alain of Albret· but she will none of him She protests that what soeuer she had done in her fathers life was in respect of him being loth to disobey him or to cause his griefe and causeth the said protestation to be signified vnto him The Chancellor the Earle of Cominges support her against the Marshall he flyes to armes and besiegeth the Chancellor at Guerrende being seized of Annes person to keepe her from falling into his hands who would marry her against her will where he pleased but he could not enter All these confusions made an easie way to the King for the execution of his enterprises Being thus oppressed she sends to her allies the Kings of England Castile and Romaines the English succours her and in a manner beyond her expectation with an army of nine or ten thousand men vnder the command of Chene Maister of the horse accompanied with the Comptroller and Ambassador of England not for any hatred he bare vnto the King but for feare of too mighty a neighbour if hee vnited this goodly Prouince to the Crowne The Marshall of Rieux hauing an other meaning a part seeking to tye the English commanders vnto him and to draw them to his faction sends the maister of the horse of Brittanie and the Lord of Kaërousi to Penmarch to receiue this Ambassador and to offer him a conuoy to go to the Duchesse who to haue this armie neere vnto her person makes it to land at Croisiâ a port neere vnto Guerrende And to haue the people at his deuotion Rieux giues out that the Earles of Dunois and Cominges the Chancellor and others had laied a plot to deliuer the Duchesse to the King of France Anne fortified with this new supply goes to field desirous her selfe being a Virgin to attend the Marshall of Rieux if he presented himselfe and being preuented of her entry into Nantes by the Marshall shee retires to Rennes to giue order for the recouery of Guingamp For this effect she assembles some troupes being assured that the French garrison could not be sodenly releeued the Kings armie being imploied farre off in the conquest of the Townes of base Britaine These troupes were seized of Pontrieu and to stop the courses of Guingamp had sent some Gentlemen with a number of the common people Those of Guingamp incouÌter them charge them ouerthrow them kill many of the chiefe gentlemen of note William of Rostrenen Lord of Breledi Yuon of Ploësqueler Seigneur of Kaërgabin Yuon of Lesuersault Kaërloët Pontglou Kaernechrion Botloy The Brittons ouercome ãâã Pontrieu Pregent the eldest sonne to the Lord of Lanechriou and an infinite number of the commons They presently take Pontrieu sack it and burne it This was the 7. of Aprill The next day Gouicquet aduertised that about 1500. men of the English armie appeared at the Isle of Brehat he went vnto them and so wrought with the commanders as they landed at Pontrieu The French hauing notice hereof being about 1500. horse being loth to ingage their honours in a place not to be held without succors and ill furnished with victuals and munition they set fire of many places of the towne carry away what they can exact 12. thousand crownes of the inhabitants and retire themselues leading eight hostages for the security of fifty thousand Frankes granted by the inhabitants to the Vicount of Rohan This English armie was presently followed by another of Spaniards commanded by Don Diego Peres of Sarmiento Earle of Salmas consisting of 2000. men at armes and a great number of foote Now Anne is strong Anne succoâred by the English and Spanish fortified with two new armies and the king feares that in steed of inuading another mans country he shall be forced to defend his owne To preuent all danger he fortifies his frontiers sends Francis of Luxembourg Vicount of Martigues Charles of Marigni to Henry the 7. K. of England to draw him from the alliance of Brittany considering his bond vnto the King by whose meanes he was installed in the royall throne but they were fruitlesse admonitions The King calls for his Nobilitie and all his companies of ordinary and resolues to enter Brittaine with the greatest forces of his Realme Iâ the meane time he putts two thousand foure hundred foote into Chasâeaâgontier and Prouence Iohn of Bellay with his company of fortie Lances into Brest into Coâcq Claude of Montfauson and Bongars Captaine of foote with artillery victualls and munition and foure thousand French and Suisses were distributed into Dinan Fougeres Saint Malo and Vitre But this was not sufficient to assure these places a man of seruice doth ofte times import more then the whole bodie of a Towne He therfore practiseth with Iohn of Quelleneâ Vicont of Fou The Admiral of Brittanie for the King Admirall
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 excedâng âoâ 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 fiâe hundred Lansââenets 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 Naââes 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 Caraâses who enioyed forty thousand Ducats of inheritance The Dukes of Mâlfe 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 âorce 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 gâeat confidence but they shal serue shortly as a leuaine to stirre vp a masse of rebellion The rocke of Caiette well fuââished with all things necessary yeeldes at dâscretion 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 ãâã 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 âscâia 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 Bât 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 ãâ¦ã 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 gââtted
with his Presence And to make this gouernment more popular hee made Iohn Iaques of Triuulce a Milanois gouernour of Milan giuing vnto him Vigeuene and many other things in regard of his merits and loyall seruice As the French forces prospered thus in the Duchie of Milan and the Venetians buâââd in the Country of Cremona the Florentins gaped after the restitution of Pisa to obtaine it they giue vnto Paul Vitelli their generall an army of ten thousand foote with â great number of horse with the which hauing taking Cascine and other places that ââââorted Pisa he incamped before the Cittie the last day of Iuly An enterprise of ãâã as well for the strength of the Towne as for the valour and resolution of the Cittizens who willingly would haue suffered any misery rather then to haue fallen vnâââ tâe Florentins command Hee batters the fort of Stampace and the wall of eyther ãâã 20. peeces of artillery Vitelli giues an assault forceth it with so great a terââ to the Pisans as abandoning the rampars euery man seekes to saue himselfe by ãâã And if the generall had pursued it vigorously that morning had crowned him ãâã or whereas it proued the beginning of his downefall Pisa beseeged by Vitelli. for seeing his soldiars ãâã of spoile run togither by heapes hee stayed their heat causing the most of âis troâpeâ to retire and gaue the beseeged leysure seeing this first brunt past to ãâ¦ã courage and returne to the gard of their âampers So as whilâst he labored to âinne a victory with the least preiudice to the army that might be beeing lodged in a Country full of pooles marishes which lie betwixt the sea and the Towne and the season being subiect vnto pestilent windes a generall contagion infects so many of his men in few dayes as the healthy were not sufficient for a generall assault so as he raised the seege against the Florentins will who promised to renew his troupes ââth fresh supplies So as the bad opinion which the Florentin people had conceiued of him increased nowe in such sort that being called into Cascine by the Comâââaries of the army vnder colour of lodging the Companies Vitelli beheaded they tooke him prisoâââ and from thence he was led by the Magistrats commandement to Florence there publikely beheaded An ordinary reward for generous minds that subiect themselues to the seruice of a multitude During Lewis his aboad at Milan all the Potentats of Italy except Frederike King of Naples eyther came or sent vnto him some to congratulate some to purge themselues from suspition to haue beene more affected to Lodowick then to him as also to assure their priuate estates The King receiuing them all gratiously compounded with them according to the qualities of their persons the benefit he might reape by theÌ The Marquis of Matoua and the Duke of Ferrare came in person The King gaue the Marquis a company of a hundred Lances and the order of S. Michel with an honourable pension The Ferrarois being in disgrace in Court since the time that he deliuered the Castle of Genes vnto Lodowick was glad to buy the Kings loue with ready money Iohn Bentiââle sent his sonne Hanniball the Florentins had some trouble to make their peace They had offended all the Court for that fearing to incense Lodowick Sforce touching the affaires of Pisa they had held themselues newters betwixt the King and Lodowick Moreouer the death of Paul Vitelli to whome the Crowne of France was beholding made the King strange vnto them and the credit of Triuulce did them harme who aspiring to the Seigneurie of Pisa was as much desired of the Pisans to warrant them from the Florentins oppressions Finally the King had need of money and the Florintins paying a fine as the rest did were receiued into grace vpon condition To aide on another for their common defence they of the Estates of Italie for the King and the King for them for the recouerie of Pisa and some places held by the Siennois and Luquois That being repossessed of Pisa they should furnish the King with fiue hundred men it armes and fiftie thousand Ducats paying also vnto the King six and thirtie thousand Ducats which Sforce had lent them abating that which they had disbursed for him The Pope also did not forget himselfe but vrging the performance of the treatie made with the King obtaines for the Duke of Valentinois who hauing married the Daughter of the Lord of Albret had repassed the Alpâs with his Maiestie three hundred Lances in the Kings pay and foure thousand Suisses to be payd by the Pope to ayde him to make warre in Romagna The King hauing setled such order as hee thought fit for his conquest and prolonged the truce he had with the Emperour vntill May following tooke the way to Lion leading with him the grand child of Iohn Galcas whom the mother had vnaduisedly deliuered him he made a Monke Then he receiued newes of a faire Daughter that was borne vnto him the which shall hereafter be wife to Francis the first of that name and Queene of France An other accident but fatall made that season famous The fall of our Ladyes Bridge at Paris drawing after it the ruine of threescore houses Our Ladyes âridge at Paâiâ âalls and a great number of persons swallowed vp in the riuer This yeare Italie besides forraine and home-bred decisions felt also the Turkes foâces Baiazet Ottoman being expresly drawne by the perswasions of Lodowick Sforce The estate of the East hauing no other meanes to be reuenged of the Venetians assailing with a mighty armie by Sea such places as the Venetians held in Greece he sent six thousand horses by land to spoile Friuli who finding the Country without defence expecting no such guests did spoile sack and burne all euen vnto Liuence they chained together an infinite number of prisoners and being come to the riuer of Tagliamente they reserued such as they thought fit to carry with them The Duke of Valentinois exploits and murthered all the rest In the meane time the Duke of Valentinois hauing ioyned the forces of the Church with those troupes he receiued from the King tooke Imole with ease in the end of the yeare And in the beginning of the next famous for the celebration of the great Iubile at Rome Furli But as hee marched to other Townes the course of his conquests is stayed by vnexpected accidents bred by diuers motiues The most part of the Lombards could not fit with the French humour and all were discontented for that they had not tasted this great bounty of the Kings whereby they were promised a generall exemption of all impostes and tributes Moreouer the Gibelin faction very mightie in Milan was wonderfully grieued to see Triuulce chiefe of the Guelfe preferred to the gouernment and hee by nature factious proud and stârring did much increase this bad disposition fauouring them of his partie beyond
enuying the Florentins greatnesse offred the King a hundred thousand Crownes in ready money to the ende the Florentins should not benefit any thing by the recouery of those places so important for their states promising to pay him fiftie thousand crownes yearely foâ euer vpon condition that the Pisans should recouer their liberty by his meanes and the fortresses of Liuorne with all the territory of Pisa. Triuulce and âiesque pleaded for the Pisans shewing howe expedient it was for the King to weaken the Florentins and some other Potentats of Italy but offring a great some of money to the King they discouered their inward greedinesse to make themselues Lords thereof Finally the matter was concluded in fauor of the Florentins And whilest this army remaynes in Lombardie expecting their pay the King causeth the Lords of Mirandole Carpi and Correge to pay their fines who for twenty thousand Ducats obtayned remâssion of their rash rebellion The Potentats of Italâ reconciled to the King The Marquis of Mantoua to auoide the like censure humbly craued pardon Iohn Bentiuole hauing fauored Lodowike as the rest payed fortie thousand Ducats and the King by this meanes tooke both him and the Citty of Bolongne into his protection whilest that the army to loose no time tooke Mont chiarucole in the territorie of Parma belonging to the Torelli fauorers of Sforce then returning backe to passe the Appenin by the way of Pontreme at Fregoses request they spoiled Aubri Malespine Lord of Massa with small credit and other places although he were in the Florentins protection In the end the Cardinall of Amboise performing his promises but badly with the Florentins receyued for a summe of money the Luquois into the Kings protection agreeing that his maiesty should hold Pietresancte in gard vntill it were decided to whome it did appertayne The Pisans being resolued to make a defensiue warre repaire their fortifications men women and Children worke with great earnestnes The Pisans fortifie themselues and to coole the heate of the French comming to their seege they made knowne the affection they bare to the Crowne of France by an antentike Instrument sent to the Lords of Beaumont and Rauastein Gouernor for the King at Genes who receyued them in the Kings name and Beaumont suÌmoning the Towne of Pisa had for answere That they desired nothing more then to liue vnder the obedience of his Maiesty and therefore they yeelded vnto the King vpon promise not to deliuer them into the Florentins power Doubtlesse he was ill practised in politick and military affaires to seeke that by force which hee might haue without toyle or shame And was it not a hard thing to ruine a people which made such shewe of tender loue and voluntary obedience to this Crowne Beaumont campes before Pisa the 29. of Iune Pisa beseâgâd batters it all night and some part of the day following beats downe about threescore fadome of the wall and mounts to the assaults both with foote and horse But he discoâered not a deepe and large trench which the Pisans had made betwixt the wall and the rampar within so as the bredth and depth amazing our men they remayned vpon the breach rather as spectators of the worke then hauing any desire to enter Strangers speake truely that wee are but a brunt and that beeing withstood at the first wee are easily broken The quality of the rampiers the obstinacie of the Cittizens their ancient inclynation to the French ingenders such a familiarity betwixt the beseegers and beseeged as conferring familiarly togither going into the Towne of Pisa and comming out safely as from a friend Towne the soldiars nowe fall to accusing their Commander of rashenesse and support the Pisans against their Captaines so as in stead of assayling them they themselues incouraged them to defend suffers Tarlatin borre at Costello The French armie tauours the Pisans to enter the Towne with some old soldiars to receive the commaund for matters of warre as hee did euer aâter with much âonor This sufferance both of horse and foote breeds other disorders They defiriâg to haue the seege raised spoyled the vittles that came to the campe and Beaumont vnable to stay this insolencie the Gâscons first leaue the armie in tumulâuous manner and giue example to all the rest of the foote And abandons the seege The Suisses likewise found a retreat the horse returne into Lombardie leauing the Florentines affaires in great confusion and diâorder The Pisans imbrace the oportunitie and with one breath take Librefacta âreeing themselues towards Luâques And the King complayning that the Florentines had preferred Beaumont before the Lord of Alegre would haue sent backe his men at armes to winter about Pisa that roading vp and downe the Countrie they should keepe it as it were blockt vp giuing them hope and promise of a new seege in the Spring But the Florentines refusing this offer dispaiâing of any better successe by the French forces exposed themselues to the common iniuries of their ill willers the Genouois Siennois Luquois and all others who desired their ruine On the other side the King considering that the Popes vnion with the Emperour would bee wonderfull preiudiciall vnto his desseine for the reuenge of the reuolt at Naples The King sends forces to Pope Alexander although he had some reason of discontent against Alexander who had nothing assisted him during the warres of Milan yet his Maiestie shewed himselfe alwaies most tractable to second the Popes continuall desseines in fauour of the Duke of Valentinois sending vnto him vnder the comand of the Lord of Alegre three hundred Launces and two thousand foote accompanied with threates To be reuenged of those that should oppose themselues against the Popes desseins as an iniurie done to his owne person And the Pope likewise promised him both his sonnes person and his men whensoeuer hee should recouer Naples So Borgia ioyning sixe hundred men at armes and sixe thousand foote to the French troupes enters Romagna takes Pesere Rimini Brisiquelle and runs without any resistance throughout all the vallie vntill that Faënze stayed for a time the violence of this streame He campes before the Towne in Nouember The exploits of Caâaâ Borgia batters it makes a reasonable breach and the fist day of the seege giues a fierce assault sâ valiantly defended as the death of Honore Sauelli and a great number of his men sâaâne at the first charge forced him to sound a retreat and the snowe falling with an exceeding cold to raise the seege The former threats had terrified the Potentates of Italie and the Kings request vnto them in priuate made them abandon Romagna The Venetians renounced the protection of Peter Astor Lord of Faënze Iohn Bentiuole his vnkle conteines himselfe fearing to incense the King and the Popes forces and the Duke of Valentinois could not endure that an vnwarlike people hauing no otheâ head but a yong man of eighteene yeares
of age should obscure the fame of his first exployts he returnes in the beginning of the new yeare laden with ladders and seeks to surprise it but in vaine Cooled by the seege of Faânze Pollicie not succeeding he returnes to force and by the taking of Russy and other places of the countrie he makes the enterprise easie A new breach is made and new asâauâts giuen the first without effect the second gaue hope of victorie but the violence of the Canon which battred in flanke the incouÌtring of a deepe large trench the death of Ferdinand Farnese with many other men of worth and the number of the wounded makes them to leaue the assault But at length he carries it The losse the Fauentines had receiued in this assault and the dispaire of succours cooled this first heate feare making theÌ apprehend hard conditions if force reduced them into the victors power they treated to yeeld their liues and goods saued vpon condition that Astor their Lord Facuze yeelded should with his libertie choose what retreat he pleased enioying the reuenewes of his patrimonie But poore Astor oh Burgia who soeuer shall read the detestible life and horrible death of thy father will alwaies iâdge thee a right and worthie sonne of such a father being yong and verie beautifull was with goodly shewes and honorable demonstrations of loue reteyned in the Valentinois Court 1501. and soone after conducted to Rome where some one sayeth the Originall The pittiful death of the Lord of Faââs murthered by Borgia naming no man but noting the vilain with his fingar hauing taken his pleasure of him and glutted his lust they caused him to be secretly murthered with his bastard brother and the Pope with the approbation of the Colledge giues to his sonne Borgia the inuesting and title of Duke of Romagnia This estate seemed to him imperfect without the adiunction of the territory of Bologne But the Kings expresse commandement not to attempt any thing against the estate of Iohn Bentiuole whome he had taken into his protection caused the Valentinois to content himselfe for that time with a transaction from Bentiuole to haue passage and victualls through his country a tribute of nine thousand ducats yeerely a certaine number of horse and foote and Castel-bologne a place vnder the iurisdiction of Bologne and so he transported his forces into Tuscane Marke here a notable example of a childe to his father One of the sonnes of the L.G. Montpensier going to Pozzuolo to visit the sepulcher of his father suffred himselfe to be so much ouerruled with passion that after he had washed all parts of the monument with his lamentable teares he fainted and fell downe dead vpon the Sepulcher of his father who had as little sence of those his latest forrowes as he had feeling of so great a fault to giue such libertie to the rage of nature The Florentins are mightely perplexed they had greatly mooued the King by their bad order in the recouery of Pisa The Florentiâs in gâeat perplexity as we haue heard before but there springs vp newe motiues of discontent The exceeding charge they had beene at and were still forced to beare for the warres of Pisa the iealousie of the Popes forces and of his Borgia made them slacke in paying the King the money which the Duke of Milan had lent them and the debt which hee pretended to bee due vnto him by reason of the pay made by his maiesty to the Suisses which he had sent against Pisa whom hee had maintayned with his owne money vpon refusall which the Florentins had made them vnder colour that they would retire into their Country before their time perfixed and the King who sought to empty their cofers to the ende he might gouerne them more absolutly demanded it very earnestly Moreouer they grewe more weake by their owne ciuill discords which troubled them in the popular gouernment wherein many of the Cittizens being suspected eyther as friends to the Medicis or desiring an other kind of gouernment matters were managed with more confusion then counsell and to increase their crosses the King did presse them for the aides and summes of money promised for the voâage of Naples pretending That he had performed the conâentions they had made togither whereto they were bound seeing that by their owne fault they had hindred the recouery therefore hee was no more bound to protect them And in truth Iulian de Medicis beseeching him in person and at the Popes perswasion The Fâoâentins freed by a fayned transaction with Borgââ to restore him and his breâheren into their estates vpon promises of a great summe of money hee most willingly opened both eare and heart to these offers All these considerations drewe the Valentinois into Tuscane with seauen hundred men at armes fiue thousand choise foote which Bentiuole gaue him the French companies lodging apart to attend the Kings army which began to march But he knew that the King would not bee pleased with this entry in Hostile manner into the Florentins Country and that otherwise his army was both weake of men and munition to force any Towne The Florentins also knowing themselues naked both of horse and foote others then of the Country oppressed with iealousie feare and diuisions hee makes this accord with them That there should bee a confederacie betwixt the common-weale of Florence and the Duke of Valentinois with a prohibition not to aide the rebelles on eyther side and that the Florentins should entertayne him for three yeares at their charge with three hundred men at armes and six and thirty thousand Ducats yearely which men at armes hee should send to them when soeuer they had neede eyther for themselues or any other and should not oppose themselues against him for the defence of the Lord of Plombin who was in their protection But this composition was onely to disarme the Valentinois and to send him packing And hee well informed of the policie staying in the same County spoyled it in reâenge both by fire and sacke most like to an open enemy tyring them with demandes which partly they refused partly differred hoping that the Kings authority should free them from these bonds which necessity of the time and Borgias force had extorted from them The King indeed held the rodde but stayed his arme he was pleased the Valentinois should terrifie them but not tyranise ouer them For although hee would willingly haue seene some other forme of gouernment at Florence yet an alteration then would haue beene very preiudicial vnto him the King being loath to see the Valentinois aduanced to any other authoritie or by any other forces then his Maiesties So The warres of Naples reââued by the commaundement of Lewis he leaues Florence and enters the territorie of Plombin taking Surgeretâe Scarline and the Islands of Elbe and Pianosa where leauing a sufficient garrison as well to guard the places as to molest them of Plombin
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 consuÌmate 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 ââe 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 diuidâa 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 vpâon 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 Naplâs 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 Eaâle of Vendosme sonnes to Francis of Vendosme who dyed at Verceâl 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 ââxââene 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 moâe 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 easiâie to ruine hee had alwayes entertained with lying promises of
warre against Gonsalue if he speedily depart not out of the Capitanat And seeing the King of Spaine resolued not to leaue the possession hee enters Tripalde by force the 19. of Iune and consequently the other Townes which Gonsalue held in that Country They are now imbarked in warre and the King is at Lions to prouide necessary things more commodiously to crosse the vniust practises of his aduersary Vpon this desseing he sends 2000. Suisses by sea to supply his men and entertaynes the Princes of Salerne and Bisignan with an intent to passe into Italy if neede required The newe tumults which Vitelloze impatient of the death of his brother Paul Vitelli beheaded at Florence as we haue sayd did raise in Tuscane drewe him thither They begun by the reuolt of Aretzo against the Florentins at the perswasion of the sayd Vitelloze New broiles in Italy of the Vrsins Iohn Paul Baillon Pandolfe Petrucci and others which desired the returne of Peter of Medicis into the state of Florence The Florentins protecting themsâlues with their new leâgue with the King flie to him accuse the Pope and the Duke of Valentinois to be the Authors of these stirres sound forth the iminent danger of the Duchie of Milan Lewis succors the Florenâins if the aboue named vnited and conâured to ruine their estate reduce it into their power The King had beene long tyred with the insolency and ambition of the Pope and his sonne He did foresee that the treaties of accord being broken with Maximilian the Venetians would soone crosse him· and that hauing open warre with the Spaniard the inuading of Tuscane doone by the secret practices of others would proue very preiudiciall vnto him And therefore he sent foure hundred Lances to succor the Florentins with commandement to Vitellozze and his adherents Not to molest those any more whome he had receyued into his protection the which he declared to all those that should feare to incurre his indignation In the meane time the Duke of Valentinois vpon the confusions of Aretze went out off Rome with his army and vnder a false pretext to take Camerin hauing before to weaken Guidobalde Duke of Vrbin drawne men and artillery from him leapes into that Duchie and takes all his estate without any let except the Rocke of S. Leon Maiuolâ to the great discontent amazemeÌt oâ Vittellozze the Vrsins Petruccio who by an others ruine began plainely to discouer their owne This coÌquest had made the Valentinois to assaile the Florentins if the commaÌdement made him froÌ the King or rather the coÌming of his maiesty had not diuerted him The Duke of Valentinââs his cruelty Camerin was the obiect of his armes He tooke it with a barbarous inhumanity caused Iules of Varane Lord of the sayd place to be strangled with his two sonnes The King arriues at Ast and Lewis of Tremouille comes into Tuscane with two hundred Lances three thousand Suisses and great store of artillery for the recouery of Aretze in fauour of the Florentins The Pope with his Borgia foreseeing that the King being incensed against them as the chiefe motiues of this warre would spoile Borgia of Romagnia and other places which he possessed and that they were too weake to withstand this storme they returne to their accustomed practices imputing the bellion of Aretze to Vitellozze and his Associats whome they could not say they neyther by prayers nor authority diuert from this enterprise And to pacifie the King the Valentinois sent word to Vitellozze that if hee did not giue vp Aretze and other places belonging to the Florentins he would cast him out by force Vittellozze was ready to beare the whole burthen but by what meanes considering the weakeness of his forces and that the strongest were ready to reconcile themselues and to leaue him in the mier therefore makes no delay but consignes Aretzâ and the other Florentin Townes which the violence of his forces had put into his power Moât Saint Souin Chastillon d' Aratze Cortone and the rest of Valdichiane al which were presently by the Kings command restored to the Florentins An other allâance bâtwixt the King and Pope The affaires of this world require euery man to shroude himselfe vnder the strongest The King hath no sooner set footing into Italy but all the Princes and common-weales according to their accustomed manner flie vnto him some to get pardon some to maintaine their estates and all in generall to draw his Maiesties forces against the Pope and his sonne But doth it not commonly fall out that what many desire succeds but seldome Their priuate intrest and respects are most commonly contrary to their outward and shewes and desires So the King not so much mooued by the Popes exact diligence who by all meanes and messages sought to pacifie him and to returne againe into fauour as by the Cardinall of Amboises perswasion who to entertaine the Pope in vnion with the King presumed to frame himselfe a ladder to mouÌt vnto the Popedome to aduance some one of his house to be Cardinall he happely followed of two wayes the worst fauouring the Pope and his followers The wise reader may iudge thereof by the euent of the historie True it is the Emperour was a chieâe motiue to draw our Lewis to this accord His fiâgars itched he could not be quiet and vnder colour of his passage which he did so much affect to receiue his Imperiall Crowne of the Pope he might happely trouble the state of Italie to the Kings great preiudice and indeed he had alreadie sent many horse and foote to Trente making great offers to the Pope in fauour of this passage Moreouer the King was not ignorant Made vpon sundry considerations how vnwillingly the Venetians did see the state of Milan the realme of Naples in his hands Adding thereunto the imperious threats which foure Cantons of the Suisses made That if the King did not yeeld them the rights he had to Belinzone and giue them Volteline Schafouze The Suisses braue the king with other outragious demaunds they would compound with Maximilian But to adde more crosses he must dispute the conquest of Naples by the sword All these considerations made our Lewis desirous to entertaine the Popes friendship whereby Maximilians desseins were sodainly disappointed So the King hauing more libertie to prouide for the estate of Naples sent a fresh supply by sea of two thousand Suisses and tenne thousand French the which ioyned to the Viceroy who had alreadie taken all the Capitanate except Manfredonia and S. Angelo They camped before Canose the which Peter of Nouarre yeelded by composition to depart with bag and baggage The taking of this place did shut Gonsalue into Barlette without money with little vittels and lesse munitâon And the French Captaines alledging The exploits of the Fâench in the Kingdome of Naples against the aduice of the Lord of Aubigni that the armie could not all campe
to labour for the Popedome building chiefely vpon Cardinall Ascanius promises whome two yeares before he had drawne out of the Tower of Bourges But so many ambitions braines fraught rather with diuisions and partialities euery one for his owne priuate proffit then assisted with the holy spirit to whome notwithstanding they giue the first voice in their election Election of a newe Pope did in the ende frustrate both the French and Spaniard to install Francis Piccolomini Cardinall of Siene beeing old worne sickely to the which the whole Colledge agreed both for that this neutrall election might disperse the diuers pursuits of the pretending nations as also for that the newe Popes infirmity gaue them hope to proceed shortly to the subrogation of another To reuiue the memory of Pius the second his vncle who had made him Cardinall hee was called Pius the third Yet this election did not pacifie the troubles within Rome The Valentinois and the Vrsins being within the walles fortify in themselues daylie with newe companies resolued to obtaine by force the Iustice which their reasonable demandes could not get of the Colledge of Cardinalls when as their Partisans were arriued This contention did greatly trouble both the Court and the people of Rome did mightily preiudice the French affaires for this vehement affection wherewith they see the Valentinois supported by France drewe the Vrsins to the Spaniards pay whose forces were of no small consequence for an absolute victory But the desire the Venetians had to see the King disapointed of the Realme of Naples The Vrsins Colonnois reconciled âbandie against the Valentinois and the liberty they gaue the Vrsins to leaue their pay made the world to iudge that eyther they had perswaded this family to the Spanish party or at the least they had coÌsented thervnto And this was an other cause of discontent to be reuenged of them in time The Vrsins being entertayned by the Spaniard and reconciled with the Colonnois by the mediation of the Ambassadors of Spaine and Venice and ioyntly resolued for a common reuenge vpon the Valentinois they fall vpon his troupes in the suburbes the which beeing vnable to withstand so violent a charge were forced to giue way vnto their violence and the Commander to saue himselfe in the Castell Saint Angelo hauing likewise with the Popes consent taken the Captaines oath to depart when hee pleased The tumult beeing thus pacified it gaue them free liberty to attend a newe election for Pius nothing deceyuing their conceyued hope of his shorte Popedome died the twentie sixt day after his creation But alas Alexander had serued but as a scourge for that great Iudge but nowe hee takes his rodde in hand to breake Italie in peeces The Cardinall of Saint Pierre mighty in friends in reputation and in wealth was chosen the last of October and named Iulius the second by nature factious and terrible vnquiet and turbulent but stately Iulius the 2. chosen Pope a great defender of the liberties of the Church and a most franke receiuer of the loue and fauour of all those that might aduance him to this dignity The Valentinois flight to the Castell of Saint Angelo and the dispersing of all the troupes hee had with him made the Townes of Romagnia which had till then continued constant firme in his obedience to call home their ancient Lords or to imbrace sundry parties And the Venetians good fishermen in a troubled water aspiring to the coÌmand of all Romagnia had seized vpon the Castels of the vally of Lamone of the Towne of Forlimpople of Rimini Faenze Montefiore S. Archange Verruque Gattere The vsuâpaâions of the Venetians Sauignagne Meldole and in the territorie of Imole Tossignagne Solaruole Montbataille and had easily seized vpon Imola and Furli if by the new Popes complaints whom they had strangely discontented they had not put their men into garrison The Venetian vsurpations did wonderfully displease Iulio but what could he doe being newly aduanced to the chaire vnprouided of forces of money or of any hope of succours from the Kings of France and Spaine being not yet resolued whose Ensignes to follow To retaine in fauour of the Church some places which the Valentinois yet held and to oppose him in some sort against the Venetians although he loued the Valentinois heeles better then his face he agrees with him that he should go to Ferrara and Imola to receiue such forces as he could leuie But he is no sooner parted but a new desire of command sugests that it should be good the Valentinois should deliuer vnto him such Castles and places as he commanded to the end the Venetians should not inuade them in his absence And to this end he sends vnto him the Cardinals of Volterre and Surente Vpon the Valentinois refusall the Pope being offended sends to arrest the Gallies wherein hee had imbarked at Ostia and causeth him to be brought from Magliana to Vatican honoured and much made of but safely garded Thus you see the Valentinois power reduced to nothing spoiled in a manner of all he had vsurped The Valentinois a prisoner his troupes stript by the Florentins and himselfe at this instant so well watched as he could not go the length of himselfe But let vs see what becomes of so many great and goodly desseignes of our Lewis He intends not onely to recouer his losses in the realme of Naples but also with one breath to crosse the affaires of Ferdinand in Spaine The Lord of Albret and Marshall of Gié marched towards Fontarabie with foure hundâed Lances among the which Peter of Foix Lord of Lautree and the Lord of Lâscun so famous in our Historie made first shew of their vertues and fiue thousand foote Gascons and Suisses And to make warre in the Countie of Roussillon was sent the Marshall of Rieux accompanied with Geston of Foix Duke of Nemours by the death of Lewis of Armagnac the Vicounts of Paulin and Bruniquet the Earle of Carmain The attempts of the French against Spaine the Lords of Montaut Terride and Negrâpelisse leading eight hundred men at armes and eight thousand foote French Gascons and Suisses And at the same instant an armie was readie at sea to inuade the coast of Catalogne and the realme of Valence but he that ouergripes himselfe holds little these were but shewes without effect For the Lord of Albret being entred into the Prouince of Guiposcoa whether that the enemies forces were greater then his or fearing least the Castillan should be reuenged of the King of Nauarre his sonne he retired and went into Languedock to the Marshall of Riâux to besiege Saulses with their ioynt forces But the King of Spaine hauing assembled a great armie at Parpignan from all his realmes and marching in person with a resolution to raise the siege by some notable stratagem ouâ men finding themselues too weake retired to Narbonne with a successe contrary to the Lord of Albons in
hundred Lances eight hundred light horse and fifteene thousand foote halfe French and halfe Lansquenets The whole Countrie was already in a mutinie the Earle of Mussocque sonne to âohn Iames of Triuulce was entred into Ast and Alexandria the French had taken Cremona Sonzin Lode and other places neere and the Milanois had excused themselues to their Duke who was at Nouarre for that hauing no man to defend them they made their composition with the French yet giuing him hope to returne to his subiection when as the Suisses and his confederates should ioyne in field Bartholmew of Aluiane Generall of the Venetian armie had taken Valege Pesquiere and Bresse when as the Kings armie at sea approching to Genes and finding Othobon and Sinibaud the sonnes of Lewis of Fiesque leading foure thousand foote and on the other side Antonel and Ierome Adornes Genes taken with a gâeat number of the country men they tooke Genes from the Fregoses where the victors entring transported with the furie of reuenge the two Fiesques bretheren caused Zacharie brother to the Duke of Genes to be slaine and then to be tyed cruelly to a horse tayle and dragged through the Cittie being present a little before at the death of Ierome their brother who comming out of the Palace had beene murthered by Lodowike and Fregosin brothers to the Duke All this succeeded well but forty thousand Ducats lately sent by the Pope to the Suisses had drawne an infinite number into the estate of Milan thrusting themselues into Nouarre at the first bâute that the French meant to besiege it It was the same Nouarre wherein Lodowick Sforce father to this present Duke was taken prisoner In the Kings campe were the same Captaines Tremouille and Triuulce some of the same Ensignes and Colonels which had sold the father accompanied the sonne in this warre And these presumptions caused Tremouille to make this ouer-bold promise to the King That he hoped to deliuer him the sonne of prisoner in the same place where before he had gâuen him the father The remembrance of happinesse past comforts the hope but let vs take heed least vnder this colour we grow insolent and carelesse Now the arrogancie of our French findes a firme resolution in the Suisses whereof followes a strange catastrophe and an ouerthrow of the desseine The armie batters Nouarre furiously and layes a great part of the wall euen with the ground but whereas the descent was wonderfull hard and dangerous so as Tremouille aduertised that new Suisses were entred into it and that Altosasz a very famous Colonell brought a greater number which comming by the valley of Aoust approched to Iuree dispairing to take the Towne he retired his Campe to go fight with the succours that came making his accoumpt to breake the enemies rather by their owne disorders for want of pay then by the force of his armes But by the perswasion of Moâin one of their Captaines ten thousand Suisses issue forth in the night the 6. of Iune without horses and artillerie against a mightie armie and better prouided they set vpon our French not asleepe but in a lodging vnfortified The men at armes assemble at the first alarum of their Sentinels range themselues in battaile and the foote vnder their colours The artillerie laide many Suisses on the ground when as the sunne beginning to appeare the body of their armie resoluing rather to be cut in peeces then retire seuen thousand of them fall violently vpon the Laâsequenets who garded the artillerie and 3000. of them plant themselues with their Pikes charged against the horse The Suisses and Lansequenets thrust on with a mutuall hatred and a desire of victory hewe one another with a bloudy furie one while the one shrinkes is chased and recoiles and then the other filling the field with âead bodies wounded men and with bloud in view of the men at armes lodged so as they could not succour the foot by reason of brookes and ditches that were betwixt them So the Suisses after two houres combate remained victors winne the Artillerie turne the mouth of it against our men and put both foote and horse to flight of whom there is nothing remarkeable obserued but that Robert of la Marke Lord of Sedan vnderstanding that Floranges and Iamets his sonnes The memorable valour of Robert de la ãâã Colonels of the Regiments of Lansquenets lay among the dead carcases moued with furie and a fatherly affection he runs into the middest of the Suisses troupes and in despight of them laies the eldest vpon his horse and the yongest vpon one of his men at armes bringing them aliue out oft the conflict being reserued to shew future proofes of their valour There died about fifteene hundred Suisses with the Author of this glorious Councel Of ours the most part of the Lânsquenets fighting and of the French flying vnto the number as the Italian Authors say of ten thousand All the horse in a manner saued themselues the Suiâes not able to pursue them for want of horse all their baggage was lost and two and twenty pecees of great Artillery with all the horse appointed for the same Doubtlesse it was one of the most glorious battailes that euer the Suisses wonne whereby we obserue that to bee surprised and preuented takes away all iudgement of command from the best commanders daunts the soldiers courage breeds confusion in order This victory being gotten all places which had declared themselues for the French craue pardon and purchase their peace for money Milan for two hundred thousand Ducats the tâst according to their power to be distributed to the Suisses to whom was due the glory and profit of this victory gotten by their bloud and valour Octauiân Fregose aided by three thousand Spaniards commanded by the Marquis of Pâscare enters Genes and causeth himselfe to the preâudice of Iohn his brother to be created Duke of Genes Aluiane fearing least this happy successe of the Suisses and Spaniards should draw them vpon him retires himselfe takes Legnague from the Germaines besiegeth Verona but in vaine and then lodgeth his armie within Padoua The two chiefe Authoâs of the Councell of Pisa Bernardin Caruagial and Frederic of S. Seuerin amazed wââh this route went and craued pardon of the Pope and were restored to the ranâe oâ Cardinals In the end of the yeare the Castels of Milan and Cremona returned to the Duâe of Milans obedience so as the King held nothing in Italy but the Lanterne of Genes the which wee shall see taken and razed by the Genouois Without doubt he that seekes profit farre from his owne home is oft times forced to returne poore and naked Troubles in ãâã by the Engââsh The King thus dispossessed of his estates in Italy turnes his thoughts now armes to crosse the attempts of England Henry King of England hauing at the Popes perswasion resolued to inuade the realme of France agrees with the Emperour to giue him six score
of Hierges in Ardennes yet through the fauour and credit which Aimeries had with Charles of Austria and the greatest in his Court hee was releeued although hee had not appealed from the said sentence in time grounding the causes of his reliefe vpon the lets and hinderances hee had had during the former warres at the which hee had alwayes assisâed in person So as a Commission being granted before the great Chancellor of Brabant and a day assigned to the heires of Symay 1521. to come to heare the reasons of Aâmâries releefe and if neede were to see the former sentence giuen to their behoofeâ reuoked They found this commission so vniust and vnreasonable seeing that both their father and they had beene in long and quiet possession of the said Towne and that this decree was not subiect to appeale as they repaired to Robert de la Marke Duke of Bouillon as to their Lord and Protector that with their right hee might defend the liberties and priuileges of his Duchie Robert discontented that his companie of men at armes had bin cassierd for the extorsions and robberies they had committed in Italie and else where had left the King and was retired to the Emperour But seeing that iustice was denied him as well for the priuate interest of puââls whose vnkle and Tutor hee was hauing married their Aunt sister to the Prince of Symay hee made his peace with the King by the mediation of his wife and his sonne Fleuranges being daughter to the Earle of Brenne with the Kings mother A bold and insolent âact Robert hauing assured his affaires with the King sent to defie the Emperour at Wormes where he had called a Diet of the Princes and free Townes of Germanie against the new-bred troubles by reason of Luther A bold attempt of a pettie Prince against an Emperour mightie in meanes men and courage A great riuer runs quietly betwixt the bankes that bound it but at the first breach it ouerflowes the whole Countrie so there is nothing more easie then to incense Princes but being once moued they are hardly appeased This defie giuen Fleuranges the eldest son of Robert notwithstanding the Kings expressed prohibition made leuie as well in France as in other places of three thousand foot and foure or fiue hundred horse with the which hee beseeged Vireton a small Towne in Luxembourg belonging to the Emperour But soone after he retired his armie by the Kings commaundement and dismissed it But their spleens were wonderfully incensed vpon new occasions The King for that the Emperour fayled in the payment of the pension for the Realme of Naples and in the restitution of Nauarre and withall his preferment to the Empire had greatly discontented him The Emperour was greeued for the enterprise of Nauarre and the attempt of the Duke of Bouillon being also well informed Lâos ordinary dissembling that the King sought the meanes to recouer the Realme of Naples Francis had sent a gentleman to the Pope to know when it should please him to performe his part for the execution of that which they had concluded togither the which his Maiestie knewe according to the disposition of Leo to bee more counterfeit then currant And Leo giuing to the gentleman a note of the horse foot and artillerie that was necessarie for this enterprise assigned the King two and twentie dayes to arme whilest the Venetians might enter into this League The Pope had no meaning that Naples should bee subâect to the French If the King had not in the meane time neglected his affaires Leo had beene forced to runne another course And the Pope glad to haue some colourable shew of disdaine accuseth the King either to be carelesse or ill affected hauing not drawen the Venetians into the sayd League for the defence of Italie He complaines that his maiestie had not payed but the first moneth for the leuie of Suisses which they had beene forced to make against the Spaniard who a little before had inuaded the territories of the Church whereof the King should pay a moitie and makes a shew as if the King had treated some thing with the Emperour without his priuitie and to his preââdice Thus Leo seeming iustly dspleased receiued into Regium contrary to his agreement with the King all the banished men of Milan hee inuested Charles of Austria The Pope capitulates with the Emperour in the Realme of Naples made a defensiue League with him including the house of Medicis and the Florentines and deuising how to conquer Milan they agreed That Parma and Plaisance should remaine to the Church to hold them with the same rights it did before That Francis Sforce brother to Maximilian should bee put in possession of the Duchie of Milan as hauing right from his father and his brothers renunciatâon and that the Emperour should ayd the Pope against his subiects and feudataries namely to conquer Ferrara This mutuall resolution of allyance was a meanes by Gods prouidence to shew his wonderfull iudgements and a scourge to punish both French Italians and Spaniards for many yeares whereby followed so many euersions of Townes oppressions of people desolations of Prouinces and the death of so many men of valour La Marks estate ruined The Emperour in the meane time leuies a great armie of horse and foote vnder the command of Henry Earle of Nassau who tooke Longnes from Robert de la Mark rased the Towne and hanged the Captaine with twelue of the chiefe of his troupe The Captaine of Musancourt deliuered by some of his souldiers with the place to the said Earle escaped the gallowes at the intreatie of the chiefe of his armie but twentie of his Souldiers were hanged and the place likewise razed and spoiled to the ground About this time there was much controuersie touching the Duchie of Milan the Emperour pretending it to belong absolutely to him not onely by conquest but much rather by inheritance concerning which the most learned in the lawes of the Empire produced many and very probable reasons and arguments These two prises caused Fleuranges and Sansey his brother the sonnes of Robert to put themselues into Iametz with a resolution to die or to keepe it The Earle after foure dayes siege hauing seene the garrisons firme resolution raised his campe to take the way to Fleuranges The Germaines which kept it yeelded vp both the Towne and their Captaine the Lord of Iametz the sonne of Robert into the Earles hands who hauing ruined it did the like vnto Sansy Bouillon was afterwards yeelded vnto him by intelligence After this Robert obtained a truce of the Emperour for six weekes But the Emperour Charles dreamed of a more important warre If his spleene had beene onely against the house of La Marck why should he grant them a truce being almost ruined The Kings armie against the Emperour and being a conquerour and strong enough to subdue the said Robert why did he still increase his armie The King hauing
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 Orâall 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 belongâng 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 Whâlest 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 banishâd 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 Loâd of Bonneual aduanceâh 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 hâât Alexander Triuulce whereof he dyed two daies after Nothing saued Lescut but the feare which the Harquebusier had that aâmed at him to kill the Gouernour The indiscretion of one man is pernicious to such as accompanie him During this garboâle 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 shouâd marche against the Towne to recouer their leader or returne to Parma thinking tâa 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 commâssion 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 Rhâgium 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 âââall The desâeine vpon Como succeeded no better then that of Genes for Manfroy of Paluââsân and Soto of Brindizi hauing in the night approched to the walles with eight hundred Italian foote and Lansâuenets 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 coÌfessed 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 Lautâce 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 FraÌcis 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 preâently 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 leaââed at their common charge and âwo thousand Suisses which had remained voluntarily of a greater number vnder the Popes paâe Whilest this was working behold a fatall signe to our Frenchmen of their instant calamities for on S. Peters day the Sunne
they were not acquainted with it especially the King of England notwithstanding his secret desseins made him to temper his choller He ment to put away Catherine his wife Aunte to the Emperour and daughter to Ferdinand King of Spaine saying as it was true that shee âad beene before married to his eldest brother wherewith the Pope could not dispence belonging to the Lawe of God which conclusion hee obteyned by the means of the Lord of Langey in the vniuersities of Paris Pauia Padoua âologne and others The Emperour and his ministers crost him in this desire This quarrell had neâde of a strong support To make vse of the Kings fauour at neede hee lent him the sayd summe of foure hundred thousand Crownes to bee paied in fiue yeares hee foâgaâe him fiftie thousand Crownes and gaue the flower de Lis to his good sonne Henry Duke of Orleans The tenth of May was come when as the deputies should meete at Bayonne for the exchange of the Infants of France with the paiement of their ransome Montmorency Lord Steward and Marshall of France came for the King for the Emperour came Velasque Constable of Castille the Crownes are told and put to the proofe but being found somewhat altered by the aduice of the Chancellor du Prat who thought to make it a benefit to the King fortie thousand Crownes more payed the interest of the whole summe The Kings children and their ransome payed There were about âoure monethes spent in the triall of these Crownes and in the beginning of Iulie the Daulphin of France and the Duke of Orleans came to the riuer which runnes by the walls of Fontarabie and diuides France from Biscâie A great boate was fastened in the midest of the streame with anchors and cables that the sea which flowes twise a day raysing the boate to the height of the water might serue as a bridge and ouerthwaât this great boate they made a barre to the ende that the boate which carried the Infants of France and that which brought the money for their ransome beeing fastened on eyther side the great boate the French men should passe into that where the Infants were and the Spaniards where the ransome was Thus it was performed and they came accompanied with Queene Eleonor to meete the King their Father betwixt Roquehort of Marsan and Caprieux in a little Abbie of Nunnes where the King and Queene were espoused an houre before day Then taking their way by Bourdeaux Cognac Amboise and Blois they came to Saint Germaine in Laye attending the prepaâatiues for the Queenes coronation at Saint Deâis and her entrie into Paris The Emperour beeing thus assured of the King who aboue all others might crosse his desseines he is nowe resolued to bee crowned To this effect hee must winne the Pope for he must receiue the Crowne from him and the Pope who desired some notable reuenge of the Florentins for the iniurie they had done him during his captiuitie vnder the Imperialls they had spoyled all the goods belonging to the Medicis The Empeâour comes into Iâaây and chased them and their adherents out of the estate of Florenâe was easily drawne to the Emperours will yea with such extraordinarie priuileges as the Emperour fitting himselfe to the Popes passions settled the foundation ãâã that admirable greatnesse which his house doth at this present inioy in Italie 1530. The Pâpe hauing graunted the Crowne to the Emperour which hee could neuer obteine of his Predecessor Iulius vpon condition that for recompence thereof he should ãâã âim with an armie to âestore them of his name to their ancient authoritie withââ Florence he imbarkes at Barcellone lands at Genes passeth to Plaisance and at the Pâpes request restores Francis Sforce to the Duchie of Milan but he reserues in his ãâã power the Castles of Milan and Cremona hee marrieth the sayd Sforce with ãâã Neece Daughter to the King of Denmarke a prisoner and diâpossessed of his âââlme and on Saint Mathias day so famoâs for his Nâtiuitie and the taking of tâe King before Pauia hee receiued the ornaments of the Imperiall dignitie from tâe Pope One scruple withheld the Emperour from resoluing against the I lorentines The Tââke besieged Vienna in Austria with two hundred and fiue twentie thousand fightâââ men but the valour of Philip Count Palatin the Earles of Salme and Rokendolf and ãâã âââcours brought by Ferdinand Archduke of Austria and King of Hongarie hauing ãâã the Infidels to take their way to Constantinople with shame and âosse the Empâââuâ gaue the charge of this warre to the Prince of Auranges who ioyning with Don ãâã of Gonzague and the Marquis of Guast takes from the Florentins Cortone Arââzâ Lastre Pistoia Prato Volterra Empoli campes before Florence and redâceth the ãâã to extremitie The Prince of Auranges âlaine but as he marched to encounter some forces that came to âââcour the besieged meaning to winne the horse or to loose the saddle he was slaine ãâã tâe charge being in the head of his troupes performing saith the Originall rather ãâ¦ã of a man at armes then of a Captaine The succours notwithstanding ouercome the Florentines after a long and painfull sieâe of eleuen moneths fell in the end into the popes power who by many and sâââây punishments of death and banishment did so weaken the Cittie as in the end the power of the Medicis being more free they haue setled the Soueraigntie in either âamily The Duke of Ferrara had in time purchased fauour with the Emperour and happy was hee for without it they would haue clipt his wings shorteâ Wherewith the pope was so greatly mooued as hee would not ratifie the sentence by the which the Emperour had condemned the âerrarois in a hundâed thousand Crownes to the Pope neither would hee accept the money nor the rent which according to the ancient custome the sayd Duke caused to bee offered vnto him at the feast of Saint Peter following and euen then began to studie how hee might secretly oppresse or greeue the Duke by ambush or finde some matter or occasion to wrong him openly with the ayde of great princes But hee did not foresee that death would soone cut off the thred of his life and interre with him the issue of his desseins The present estate of things promised in shew a generall peace betwixt these two great princes but their mindes were possessed That of ouâ Francis with a wonderfull desire to bee reuenged for the rigorous conditions of the treatie of Cambray being forced to renounce the Soueraigntiâs of Flanders and Arthois ancient members of the Crowne of France and to quitte his rights to the estates of Milan and Naples the which had wonderfully discontented him That of Charles who feared least the King or his successors should draw those prouinces within the bounds of the realme and by the recouerie of the Duchie of Milan molest him continually in the possession of Naples and Sicile To exclude the King from
breach and into the Towne they kill or at the least huât aboue a third part of the defendants those which were set to defend the breach being forced to lie flat vppon their bellies They discouer the breach draw seuen or eight enseigns more into the ditch which diuided the great bastion from the Towne they had had no leysure but to make two Courtins of pipes full of earth to defend the way which went from the bottome of the Trench into the Towne they set fire to the props which supported the point of the BastioÌ that was vndermined it sinks downe and presently ouerthrows all them that defended this point into their trenches they giue the assault by that place and are valiantly receiued by la Sale and Saint Aubin But during the assault those which the enemie thrust into the trench winne the curtine made of Pipes force fiue and twentie or thirtie shot that kept it and enter the Towne pel mell with them come behind them who performing as much as valour and nature could doe that defended the bastion and cut in peeces all they incounter Those which defended the breach ignorant what passed on the other side had alreadie endured a furious assault when as behold those which were entred by the port of the great bastion come and charge them behind and the greatest number surmonting the lesse at the first charge they kill Moyencourt and his brother d' Yue they masâakeâ in the furie of the fight seauen score of the company of Du Bellay Saint Paul recouered by assault and the most part of that of Villebon Villebon and Yuille were taken prisoners by Tonnoire a Spanish Captaine Du Bellay and Blerencourt were saued by Bose a Germaine Captaine La Palleâiere forced in the Castell by the bulwarke which was not yet in defence remayned prisoner but the contention of some euerie one maintayning that hee had giuen his faith vnto him was the cause of his death Finaly sparing neyther men nor children wiues nor maides religious nor Nunnes about foure thousand fiue hundred persons tryed the pittilesse chance of a horrible and cruell victorie wherevnto they are commonly subiect who against the Lawes of armes vndertake the defence of a place not defensible or that is not readie to withstand the violent attempts of a mightie armie Saint Paul being burnt the Castell and all the defences razed to the ground the Imperialls come before Montrueil Montrueil was ill furnished Canaples gouernouâ of the Towne entred but three or foure dayes before with a thousand foote and some two hundred horse of the bands of Normandie but the Towne not being retrenched it required at the least sixe thousand foote and three hundred men at armes Sâ the Earle of Bures placeth a part of his Campe at the port of Hedin one part at the Celestines vpon the way of Therouenne and a part at the gate of the great market towards Abbeuille hee plaints his artillery in three places makes a breach along a great courtin from the gate towards Hedin to the port of the great market and then pâepares for the assault The breach was reasonable but the trenches full of water made the accesse difficult On the other side the defendants were troubled with many disaduantages Two batteries of the enemies kept them from comming to the breach and beeing at their defence they lay open vpon both the flankes and had no meanes to couer themselues besides their number was not sufficient to keepe the one halfe of the base Towne so as the enemie comming to the assault had the rest of the Towne at his discretion the which is of a great circuit These considerations made Canaples demand Comââsition and the Earle intending the conquest of Therouenne to preuent the next victuaâing which he did foresee he graunts the men of war to depart in armes with bagge and baggage and to the Inhabitants to carrie what goods they could about them This done the want of men and powder which he knowes to be in Therouenne inuites him to this enterprise Francis of Montmorency Lord of Rochepot then Lieutenant generall for the King in Picardie knowing the importance of Therouenne and the enemies desseine besides threescore men at armes a hundred foote and some hundred dead paies which kept it hee sent the Lord of Cany Lieutenant to the Companie of the yong Duke of Vendosme whom we shall see King of Nauarre and father to our most Christian King nowe raigning Foudras Lieutenant to Cany the sonne of Dampierre guidon to the Daulphin leading foure score men at armes and Saint Brise foure hundred foote He comes before it Therouenne beseeged makes his approches plants his Cannon in batterie forceth our men to abandon the Castell which had but two towers the English Talbot hauing taken the Towne in the yeare 1513. had razed the Castell and makes a breach in the Towne wall about two hundred paces long but hardly to be forced our Frenchmen retyring had made a trench behinde them and made the rampar in such sort as the enemie winning it should fall into a trench well flanked When as the Imperial army began to march against Saint Paul the King sought to redresse his army hoping according to the promises of the fortificators it would hold out vntill that succors should come Nowe the Daulphin accompanied with Montmorency Lord Steward Commander of the army vnder the Daulphin giues the rendezuous towards Abbeuille to the Earle of Furstemberg and to Nicholas of Rusticis newely arriued with foure thousand lowe Germains warlike men and in good order Whilest the Daulphin attends the rest of his troupes the beseeged giue him notice that they had great neede of shot and powder for the furnishing whereof they choose Annebault generall of the light horse With this desseine Annebault followed with an hundred men at armes and sixteene hundred light horse made choise of ãâã hundred harguebuziers vnder the charge of Biendras euery one carrying a sacâe of lether bound about him full of powder many voluntary gentlemen desirous oâ honour a braue ambition if we could temper the heat of youth augment this troupe resolute to bee either taken or defeated rather then to faile of their enterprise The Imperials hauing intelligence of this desseine go to horse to preuâât the execution Therouenne victualed and the French light horsemen prickt forward by these yong Nobâemen desirous to trie their valour giue them an alarum Mischance is good for some thing It was night and the darknesse hindring the enemies foreward from âhowing tâeiâ battaile which came from an other side to ioyne with them they charge and kââl one another whilest that our shot enter into Therouenne without discouerie being entred they make a signe whereby Annebault should make his retreat and might haue done it without danger Notwithstanding aduertised that his light horse were in skirmish he sought to retyre them The enemie preuents him and cuts off his way at the passage of a bridge
of their libertie Montdenis yeelded he imployed his forces elsewhere Montdeâiâ ãâã the fiâst place of the Kings obedience in Piedmont opposed in âhis reâââne ãâã âoutiers hauing âew French foot to maââ it hâ was forced to put in Suisses The Suisses are more fit for the field yet ãâã they coÌmââded to haue done their dââles But after many assaults and toyles want of victuals and despaire of succours The Capitulation broken made them enter into capitulation the which was ill obseruâd by the Spaniard for âhey were stript and many put to the sword A wound which shall proue bloudie to the Spaniards at the battaile of Serisoles This victory caused the Marquis to passe the âo and to take from our men the commoditie of all the plaine of Piedmont on this side the water for that which they held on the other side as Sauillan Beine Roque de Bâu and Cental wâre without hope of succour hee turnes head towards Carignan whether the Lord of Aââsân and Francis Bernardin of Vimarcat hauing no forces to make head against eighteene thousand men Carignan abandoned and to take from the enemie all meanes to make vse thereof they razed the fortifications which were made the yeare before by Langây But they had no meanes to furnish their enterprise nor leysure to recouer Moncallier for the enemie meeting them at the passage of a riuer slew many and tooke the greatest part of them prisoners This losse was readie to bee seconded by that of Luxembourg Luxembourg beseeged which the Earle of Furstemberg a man variable in his parties beseeged in the Emperours name with twelue thousand Lansquenets and a good number of horse The beseeged wanted victualls and the winter had not beene so violent in twentie yeares They diuided the prouant wine with hatchets and it was sold by waight and then the souldiars carried it way in baskets The King being loth to loose any part of his conquests sent the Prince of Melphe with about foure hundred men at armes Brissac Colonnell of the light horse and some foot The Earle seeing that the extreame frosts did kindle the courage of the commanders and souldiars who marched with an intent to fight with him raysed his Campe and tooke his way to Germanie The Prince retyred Longueâal and his troupes hauing beene long kept in to inioy the libertie of the fields leauing the VicoÌt of Eustauges surnamed Anglure with his company of men at armes fifteene hundred foot in it then he dispersed his armie into Garrisons in Champagne Picardie to make head against the enemie the rest of the winter and to preserue the last conquests On the other side his Maiestie knowing that the Imperials armie was master of the field he supplyed Boutieres his Lieutenant in Piedmont The Kings armie in Piedmont with foure thousand French foot leuied by the Lord of Tais in Prouence Daulphiné and therabouts and fiue thousand Gruyers to ioyne with the fiue thousand Suisses entertayned in Piedmont with some three hundred men at armes With this supply hee recouered the field which he had long before lost tooke many small places betwixt Verceil and Yurâe forced Saint Germain a Towne vpon the way from Chiuas to Verâeil where the counteâ scarfe of the trenches is as high as the wal so as the Canon cannon beat at the foot thereof to plant the enseigns of France and then hee marched before Yuree and beseeged it on all parts But hee had small credit with the souldiars and the King was discontent with him The Duke of Anguâân made Liuââenant in Piedmont for that hee had so lightly suffred the Marquis to fortifie at Carignan and to victuall it without any resistance Hee therefore sends Francis of Bourbon Duke of Anguâen in Boutieres place to bee Lieutenant generall in Piedmont The Duke hauing taking charge of the army he marched down the Po at the first subdued Palezol Cressentin Desanne other places there abouts to make the way easie to Carignan the which kept all the plaine of Piedmont in subiection and the King desired infinitly to haue it in his power But the meanes to force it It is a place in a plaine Country it was fortified with fiue goodly bastions of earth courtaynes and a great trench defended by foure thousand the best soldiars of all the Imperiall army so as their onely hope to ãâã it was to famish them To this end hee burnt the bridge they had vpon the Po whereby they might dayly haue refresshing from Quiers Ast and other places vnder their commande He seekes to famish Carignan and to cut off the victualles they had on this side the Po hee went to campe at Vimeuz two miles beneath Carignan They receiued also many commodities from Pancallier vp the riuer a fort built vpon the sayd way a quarter of a mile from Carignan cutts off âll and to enioy the riuer of Pâ freely hee builds a bridge of boats two miles beneath Carignan with a fort at either end manned with foure enseignes of Italians Then passing the water he went to campe at Villedestelon betwixt Carignan and Quiers The Marquis made hast to assemble his forces to succor the beseeged and came to lodge at Carmagnole Holding this lodging he might fortifie himselfe and suffring our men to die for âungar in a Country already wasted on that side Po he found the Maâquisate of Sâlusses full of all commodities wherewith he might without danger refresh Carignân The Duke preuents him and lodging at Carmagnole driues the beseeged to that extremity as within fewe weekes they were drawne to the Kings obedience Carignan was the chiefe trophee of the Marquis victories he was loath to loose it without some blowes and the Duke as loath to loose a prey which was readie to fall into his hands So the Court filled with the hope of an approching battaile that gallant Nobility which had alwayes so willingly gone to horse-back at the first brunt of a battaile would now haue beene loath to haue lost the sport All post thether some with leaue others without Gaspar Lord of Chastillon Francis of Vendosme Vidame of Chartres the Lords of Saint André Dampierre of the house of Clermont in Daulphiné Iarnac the three brothers of Bonniuet Bourdillon Escars the two bretheren of Genly Assier maister of the ordinance la Hunauday the onely sonne of the Admirall Annebault Rochefort Lusarche Wartis Lasigny to conclude the Court was left in a manner naked namely of those which as the Sunne rising followed the Daulphin and hee was not held an honest man that would not haue his part therein A happie arriuall they were all men of accoumpt they had by this voiage emptied their owne or their Fathers cofers and the Dukes treasor was so wasted as both hee his treasorers and all the rest of the campe had emptied their purses and for want of money the soldiars would haue beene lesse couragious in this occasion that was offred But what
treate with him So as hee begins to taste of some proposition of peace moued before Saint Disier by the Lord of Granuelle and his Confessor a Spanish Monke of the order of Saint Dominike and of the house of Gusmans A âreatie of peace A day is appointed for the meeting of the Deputies at La Chaussee betwixt Challons and Vitry For the King there came the Admirall of Annebault and Chemans Keeper of the Seale of France âor the Emperour Fernand of Gonzague and to know if the King of England would enter into it they sent the Cardinall of Bellay Raymond chiefe President of Rouan and Aubespine Secretarie of the State and Treasurer As the Emperour camped towards the riuer of Marne a league beneath Chalons and within two leagues of the French armie a riuer being betwixt both William Earle of Fursiemberg parted about midnight with a guide onely to view a âoard which hee had in former times passed when as he came into France for the Kings seruice Being come to the foard he leaues his guide vpon a banke sounds it findes it easie and passeth the riuer But he discouered not some Gentlemen of the Kings house and part of the Admiralls company who had the gard that night who without giuing any alaââm put themselues betwixt the riuer him take him without resistance lead him to the Campe know him and send him to the Bastille at Paris from whence he shall not depart vntill he hath payed thirtie thousand Crownes for his ransome In the meane time the Emperour sees his armie ready to breake for hungar they cutt off his victuals behinde and on either side And if that goodly Captaine whom the Daulphin had sent to draw into Espernay the victuals thereabouts to breake the bridge vpon the riuer and to spoile the Corne Wine and other prouisions which could not be saued had carefully executed his commission the Emperour disappointed of the munition and victualls which he found in Espernay and hauing no meanes to passe the riuer had not in the end enioyed those commodities which he found in Chasteau Thiery an other Storehouse of the French campe whereby his troupes languishing for hungar recouered some strength In the end the Daulphin being come to campe at La Ferté vpon Iouarre and hauing sent a good number of men to Meaux to hinder the Emperours passage who deuising to make his retreat by Soissons he takes his way by Villiers-coste-Retz vnder hand reuiues the proposition of peace with the King The King knowing that a battaile could not be giuen in the heart of his realme so neere vnto his capitall Cittie without a verie doubtfull and dangerous consequence and the losse of men and in case he should vanquish the King of England and the Earle of âures would encounter him with as mightie an armie as his owne that by the losse of one and perchance two battailes his realme were in danger that winning them hee should get little especially vpon England being an Iland Moreouer the Marshall of Biez was almost forced to yeeld vp Montrueil to the English âor want of victualls and succours the sufficiencie of the Lord of Verâein gouernour of Boullen as we shall shortly see was not without cause suspected and without a conclusion with the Emperour hardly could these two important Townes be releeued The King therefore sent the Admirall of Annebault againe to the Emperour being in the Abbie of S. Iohn des Vignes in the suburbes of Soissons where in the end was concluded A peace concluded That Charles Duke of Orleans should within two yeares after marry with tâe Emperours daughter or his neece daughter to Ferdinand King of Roâaines and at the consummation of the said mariage the Emperour should inuest the said Duke of Orleans in the Duchie of Milan or in the Earledome of Flanders and the Low Countries at the choise of the said Emperour And in exchange this done the King promised to renounce all his rights pretended to the said Duchie and the Kingdome of Naples and to restore the Duke of Sauoy to the possession of his Countries when as the Duke his sonne should eniây the said Duchie of Milan or the Earledome of Flanders and all things during the terme of two yeares as well on this as the other side the Alpes should remaine in the same estate as they were at the truâe made at Nice So the Emperour deliuered vnto the King on this side the mountaines Saint Desier Ligny Commercy and the King Yuoy Montmedy and Landrecy Steâââ was deliuered into the Duke of Lorrains hands and the fortifications razed On the other side the Alpes the Emperour had nothing to yeeld but Montdeuis and the King Alba Quieras Antignan Saint Damian Palezol Cresentin Verruë Montcal Barges Pont d' Esture Lans Vigon Saint Saluadour Saint Germaine and many other places which he possessed These treaties thus concluded and pâoclaimed beyond the Alpes the Duke of Anguien returned into France with as great glory and honour as a wise and valiant Prince could enioy and the Emperour retired his armie which the Earles of âeux Bures lead ioyntly with that of England he dismissed his owne and parting from Soissons tooke his way to Bruxelles accompanied beyond the frontiers by the Duke of Orleans the Cardinals of Lorraine and Meudon the Earle of Laual la Hunauday others The Emperour is now out of the realme let vs also seeke to send the King of England beyond the seas Henry the 8. King of England according to the League he had with the Emperour landing at Calais with an armie of thirty thousand men fortified with ten thousand Lansequenets and three thousand Reistres which the Earle of Bures lead and the troupes of the Earle of Reux chiefe of the army of the Low countries for the Emperour he found Picardie very much vnfurnished of men the King had withdrawne his forces towards Champagne to oppose them against the Emperour and the Duke of Vendosme being weake in men had fiue places of importance to furnish Ardre Boullen Therouenne Montrueil Hedin all equally opposed to the inuasion of the English Henry therefore seeing no armie to withstand him making his accoumpt to carrie a legge or an arme of the body of this realme sent the Duke of Norfolke and the Earles of Reux and Buries to besiege Montrueil The King of England besiegeth Boullen Montrueil and himselfe went and camped before Boulen The Marshall of Biez was gouernour But when hee saw the enemy turne the point of his armie towards Montrueil he left the Lord of Veruein his sonne in lawe to command in Boullen from which he was disswaded by some to whom his sufficiencie was well knowne assisted by Philip Corse a Captaine very well experienced in armes the Lords of Lignon and Aix otherwise called Renty young and without experience with their regiments and halfe the company of a hundred men at armes of the sayd Marshall and he put himselfe into
Montrueil with the Constables companie of a hundred men at armes lead by la Guiche his Lieutenant a man of great experience in the Arte of warre Genly Captaine of foure Ensignes of French foote the Earle Berenger and Francis of Chiaramont Neapolitans eyther commanding a thousand men At the beginning of the siege of Montrueil the Duke of Vendosme aduertised of a Conuoy of victuals which came from Aire and S. Omer to the enemies campe garded by eight hundred horse and twelue hundred Lansquenents with foure meane Culuerins to fortifie them selues if they were charged he sent the Lords of Villebon Estree and Eguilly with their companies of men at armes to busie the enemy vntill that hee might come with his company of a hundred men at armes Chastaigneray with fifty of the Daulphins and Senerpont with the like charge who arriuing in troupe charge the enemie breake them put them in rout and besides the dead carrie eight hundred prisoners of Therouenne win two Culuerines the other two remayning for that their carriages were broken and foure enseigns of Lansquenets On the other side the Kings presence before Boullen kindled the courage of the beseegers and daunted Veruein the head of the defendants a man of no worth The first approch of the Cannon killed his heart and amazed with the furious batterie of the enemie after hee had endured a kind of an assault but whilest that Philippe Corse stood by him who being slaine with a Canon shot hee sends presently to sound the intent of the King of England and yeelds him the Towne by composition That the men of warre and Cittizens should depart with their baggage deliuered him the place with all the artillerie munition and victuals whereof there was great store The inhabitants refuse this bad composition the Maior offers with the Townsmen Boullen yeelded and those that were well affected to keepe the Towne A shew of loue very commendable in this people but in such an action he should haue proceeded farther and haue lodged the Captaine where he might haue yeelded a good account to the King and by the effect haue performed what was offered Without doubt his Maiestie would haue allowed the enterprise as done for the good of his seruice for the Capitulation was no sooner concluded and hostages not yet giuen but a horrible tempest of wind and raine ouerthrowes all the enemies tents and leaues not one standing and the soyle being fatt and slipperie they had no meanes to mount to the assault An vndoubted signe of the present assistance of heauen Moreouer the Daulphin marched with speed to succour them who by his approch had made the King of England to change his desseine But sayd Veruein I will not breake my word with the King of England A foolish and impertinent scruple to continue constant in a treacherous promise to the enemie and to make no conscience to breake his faith to his naturall and Soueraigne Prince A scruple which shall soone make him iustly to loose his head on a scaffold at Paris This peace with the Emperour had greatly impayred the King of Englands forces Seege oâ Montrueââ To surprise their campe before Montrueil and to take Boullen from them before they had fortified it the King causeth his armie to march with speed But the Duke of Norfolke fearing least the French armie would come betwixt Boullen and him and cut off his retreat he raysed his campe and went to ioyne with the King of England who knowing his forces being diuided from the Emperours would be vnable to incounter the Kings armie he imbarked a part of his great artillerie for England and leauing the Duke of Somerset for the gard of his new Conquest hee retyred to Calais The hast he had to dislodge caused him to leaue part of his artillery victuals and munition in base Boullen being fortified only with some small trenches for the surprising whereof the Daulphin sent in the night two troupes led by Fouquessolles and Tais and to second them he leaues six thousand Grisons in a valley Fouquessolles and Tais enter the place cut all in peeces they meet winne both the artillerie and munition and thinke to haue gotten an absolute victorie but for want of making a stand of tenne or twelue enseigns betwixt base Boullen and the high Towne to hinder their sallies and to leaue some troupe in battaile in the market place of the base Towne fiue or six enseigns issue forth from the high Towne and finding souldiars in disorder busied at the spoyle they put them in rout Fouquessolles was slaine Tais hurt The Freâââ defeated and no perswasions of the Captaines could euer stay the rest but they cast themselues confusedly among the Grisons to saue their liues yet were they saith the Original as good souldiars as any were that day in Europe but in matter of enterprises if all accidents bee not foreseene it is too late to repaire them when the disorder is happened Day being come and the rayne falling in such aboundance as the most part of our shott had no fire the victuals by reason of the bad way could not followe all the Countrie of Boullenois was wasted spoyled and burnt euen vnto Montrueil and from Montrueil to Abbeuille 1545. which were seuenteene Leagues no grasse nor forrage for their horses So the Daulphiu hauing receiued newes from the King dismââsed his Suisses and Grisons leauing the Marshal of Biez in Montrueil with the French and Italian bands come out of Piedmont and retyred to the King his father at Saint Germain in Laye Then dyed Iames King of Scotland leauing by his death his realme in prey to his neerest neighbour To saue it from oppression and keepe the people in the obedience of the Queene Dowager he had taken to his second wife the daughter of the Duke of Guise the King sent with a good number of men and money the Earle of Leâox of of the house of Steward Nephew to the deceassed Marshall of Aubigny The Earle being yong and ill aduised hauing in his vaine and riotous expences imployed the Kings money and fearing to be accused of theft retyred to the King of England who desiring to vse his seruice and to tie him by some notable bond caused him to marrie a Neece of his daughter to his sister mother to the deceased King of Scoââ Tâe King aduertised of this reuolt sent la Broche a gentleman of Bourbonnois wise and well aduised to giue councell and comfort to the widowe and soone after the Lord of Lorges Earle of Montgomery to crosse the King of Englands attempts against the Scots But in caring for the affaires of an other should hee neglect his owne Boullen possessed by the English was too great a beame in his eye it was an open port for the enemie to take footing daily and to fortifie himselfe within the realme They therefore make great preparations by sea and land Boullen beseeged by the King to dislodge them By sea hee
expell the customers sack many good houses vnder colour to seeke for these exactors the commons enter to the towne massacre all that follow not their party Moneins lieutenant for the King within Bourdeaux sends a number of shot out of the Castle of Ha thinking to terrifie this inraged multitude But all this increased their popular furie They forced the Councellors of the Parliament Cruelties comitted in Bourdeaux by the rebels to lay aside their gowns to put on Mariners caps to carry pikes to follow their Ensignes the maisâers of Saulx bretheren the one Captaine of the towne the otheâ of Castle Trompet to be their leaders to assist at the sacking of many houses and to see their friends fellow cittizens massacred before their eyes They spoile the Towne-house a goodly store-house for armes to increase their villanies they murther Moneths most cruelly being come amongst them thinking with courteous words to pacifie the fuâie of these muâmes Hauing wrought their wils and being laden with booây they disband some one way some another the parliament fortified with men of honor and resuming their authority punish by exemplary iustice La Vergne one of the chiefe Tribunes of this rebellion La Vergne drawne with âoure horses and some other of the most apparent The King was no lesse ready to reuenge this outragious and rashe rebellion then the commons were actiue in the execution The Constable had the commission for Guienne Francis of Lorraine Duke of Aumale whom we shall afterwards see Duke of Guise so famous vnder Francis the 2. and Charles the 9. that of Xaintonge with foure thousand Lansquenets many French horse This man seeking to win the reputation of a mild mercifull Prince pacified the CouÌtry without punishment of what had passed The other marched after another maner for ioyning both armies togither he entered into Bourdeaux disarmed the people tooke and burnt all the records registers rights priuileges of the Câttizens of al the country of Bourdelois he caused the Court of Parliament to cease beats downe their bells forced 7. score of the chiefe to go vnto the Carmes they had three daies after the mutiny in the night takeÌ vp this poore dismeÌberd carcase lying filââly vpon the ground with a gentleman of his named Montâlieu to fetch the âodie of Mâneins and to conduct it in mournful sort vnto S. Andrews Church by the punishmeÌt of the two Saulx Estonnac an other Tribune who had seized vpon the Castel Trompât many others he purged their offence Talemagne and Galaffie Colonnels of the coÌmons were afterwards broken vpon the wheele either of them carrying a Crowne of burning iron for a marke of the soueraignty which they had vsurped The end of this yeare was more comicall Anthony of Bourbon Duke of Vendosme married Ioane of Albreâ daughter to Henry of Albret King of Nauarre and of Marguerit sister to King Francâs the 1. and the Duke of Aumale the daughter of Hercules of Esâé Duke of Ferrare of Renâè of France Daughter to king Lewis the 12. And during these sports in Court that extraordinary chamber against them whoÌ they call Lutherans was erected who persisting constaÌtly in the profession of their faith suffred their bodies to be consumed to ashes The birth of Lewis the Kings yonger son the 3. of February at S. Germaine in Laye his baptisme the 19. of May the coronation of Queene Katherine at S. Denis the x. of Iâne the stately entry of their Maiesties at Paris the 6. of the same moneth and the great âournoy at the Tournells made in fauor of the Ladies continued the sports in Court which finished the King sitting in his seat of Iustice the 2. of Iuly would giue sentence in his Court of Parliament at Paris according to the ancient custome of his predecessors The presence of the Prince giues authority to the Magistrate and the eye of the king saith the wise man scatters il counsells Troubles in England At that time the nobility of England weâe at iarre with the CoÌmons The people required restitutioÌ of religion The nobles who by their change of religion enioyed the Clergy lyuings would not yeeld So the people rise the nobility takes armes Thomas Semer Admirall of the realme Vncle to yoâg King Edward the 6. by the mother is accused to haue supported their party which folowed the Romish church by coÌsequence to haue conspired against the king his own brother the Dâke of Somerset caused his head to be publickly cut off Edward ãâã for those forces which he had prepared beyond the seas against our Henry Cleâeâs Gueldrois Bourguignons and Germains a means to reconcile the Nobles with the Câmmons During these tumults in England the King sent Paul Lord of Termes to continue the war in Scotland begon by Essé who hauing lately defeated the English before Hedingâon and taken the Isle of horses resigned his charge to his successor In the moneâh of Iune Iames of Coucy Lord of Veruein was beheaded at Paris Oudard of ââez Marshall of ârance degraded after a long imprisonment the one for that he had incoâsideratly comitted the gard of Boullen to his son in Law the other for that he had so lightly yeelded vp a strong and well fortified place vnto the enemy Yet in the yeare 1575 âhe heire son of Veruein shal restore the memory of his father grandfather by the mother side to their former honor dignity and renowne There falls out an other suâe since the yeare 1540. the Parliament of Prouence had for matter of religion condemned 17. persons of Merindol to be burnt the village to be razed and the trees to be cut downe withiâ ãâã huÌdred paces The Clergy pursued it but some gentlemen and others lesse bloudy staied the execution of this decreee and King Francis fiue monâthes after sent â pardon to these Vaudois of Merindol other places vpon ãâ¦ã within three monethes they should abiure their errors They appeere in ãâã protest that ãâã ââue not maintayned nor published any erroneus thing ofââag to ãâ¦ã the word of God they can shew them any sounder doctrine they ãâ¦ã of ãâ¦ã in writing with an answer to the reproches wherewith ãâã were taxed and require to be allowed or iudicially heard in their defences Foure yeares passe away 1549. during the which being onely threatned with ãâ¦ã subsist But the President Chassané being dead Iohn Menier his successor a violenâ ãâã became a mortall enemie to those of Cabrieres and Merindol amongst whomeâ ãâã dwelt certain subiects of his Oppede whose lands he possessed to ioine theÌ to âis ãâã Through the perswasions of Menier the Cardinall of Tournon obteines letters paâe its from King Francis to the Court of Parliament for the execution of the first sentence according to the which Menier terming himselfe Lieutenant of the Lord of Grignan gouernour of Prouence accompanied with the Baron of la Garde and a great
Bishop carried the spirituall sword in his hand to draw it for vnlawfull things at the fiâst impression of his fantasie To crosse the Pope the King forbids expresly to carry or send any gold or siluer to Rome for any dispatches Bulles Annats Dispensations or any other thing commaunding the Metropolitaines of the Realme to prouide according to the ancient priuileges and liberties of the French Church And for that Gonzague beseeged Parma to giue both the Emperour and the Court of Rome a blowe hee commâunded Charles of Cosse Marshall and Lord of Brissac his Lieutenant generall in Piedmont by the death of the Prince of Melphe to fortifye and furnish Miranâoâe Brissac sends some Souldiars Gonzague surpriseth them and puts them secretly to death and sodaynly doth belegar Mirandola War in Italy Warre is nowe begunne on all sides and for light occasions hee that seekes a quarrell wants no apparent shewes to colour it Both these Princes expected some worthye occasion But let vs raise vp our thoughts and say That GOD had not powred ãâã all his iudgements against Christendome being full of excesse and worthy of ãâã puââishment 1551. The King sends newe forces into Piedmont and commands the Marshal to ãâã Parma and Mirandola He effects it and by the taking of Quiers S. Damain ãâ¦ã places he forceth Gonzague to abandon the country of Parmesan to succour Montâerrat and to defend the estate of Milan On the other side Mary Queene of Hongary and Gouernesse of the Lowe Countries for the Emperour armed in fauour of her brother both by sea and land And vnderstanding that for a greater confirmation of loue the Marshall S. Andre earned in the Kings name the order of France to young Edward King of England she caused certaine ships to lie betwixt Calais and Douer to seize on him in his passage Buââo preuent her policy the Marshall caused some Flemish ships to be stayed which lay at anchor in the road of Diepe vntill they were assured of his arriuall in England And Mary likewise seized vpon all the French ships that were within her gouernement Thus hart burning grew on all sides which burst out into open warre euery one calls home his Ambassadors and assures the places neerest to the enemie the King especially of Lorraine hauing some iealousie of Christienne the Dowager and neere allied to the Emperour who to free her selfe from that imputation did put her selfe with her Sân Charles into the Kings protection who caused him to be brought vp with the Daulphin Francis and afterwards he married one of his Maiesties daughters Before we proceed to open acts of hostility the King excused himselfe vnto the Pope by the Lord of Termes for that which he did in sauour of Octauian Farnesâ and by the Abbot of Bellosanne he protested against the decrees of the Assembly which was held at Trent the which considering the Popes and the Emperours spleene against France he could not hold to be a lawfull and holy generall Councell Not that I pretend said he to withdraw my selfe from the obedience of the Church but onely to auoide the surprises of such as vnder colour of reformation seeke to disgrace both my person and realme And in trueth he confirmed sufficiently this last clause by the rigorous ordinances which he published against those which had their cause common with the Protestants of Germany touching matters of religion whereby fires were a new kindled against them in many parts of the Realme and yet the King treated priuately with the Protestant Princes of Germany and generally with all the Electors and free Citties of the Empire Who sawe their liberties and freedomes in a manner ruined if they did not oppose some mighty aduersary against the Emperour who by maine force might stay the course of his vnmeasured couetousnesse The Emperour contrary to his oath detained Iohn Duke of Saxony and Philip Landgraue of Hesse in miserable captiuity A league betwixt the King and the Proteââânts of Germany He had vanquished most of the other Princes in war and fearing least the French should in the ende demaund the right vsurped in old time by the Saxons ouer the heires of Charlemaigne when the Empire was hereditary he pretended to transport the Imperiall Crowne into his house for euer and now he thought to haue a fit oportunity He had suppressed his enemies in Germany he had a Pope at his deuotion he was armed The most part of the Cardinalls who assisted at the Councell were either naturall Spaniards or of the Spanish faction and by consequence might easily by a decree of this councell giue authority to what hee intended With this disseine he had caused his son Prince Philip to come out off Spaine who died King of Spaine in the yeare 1598. to haue him declared his successor or at least his associate in the Empire oppressing the people of Germany by insolent and tyrannicall exactions The Electors not accustomed to seruitude and lesse to the slauery of Spaine not able with their own forces to shake off the yoake which they see ready to be layd vpon them they repaire vnto the King shewe him the wrongs and outrages done vnto them they pretended the ouerthrow of the holy Empire and the abolishment of the rights and priuileges of the Electors Commonalties and Lords of the same they beseech him that in regard of the auncient league betwixt the Empire and the crowne of France he would take their iust cause in hand and maintaine the common liberty of Germanie The King resolues to enter into League with them 1552. and graunts the succours which they demanded They giue him this honorable title Defender of the Germains The King makes a league with the ãâã of Germany against the Emperour protector of the nation and of the holy Empire He armes thirtie thousand men and desirous to countenance his forces with his owne presence he appoints Queene Katherine his wife Regent in France he makes many goodly Edicts for the gouernment of the state for the ordring of his men at armes and for the obseruation of military discipline hee reformes the abuses of Commanders suppresseth the insolencie of souldiars a commendâble institution in comparison of that which hath beene seene in the raignes of his children and giues the Rendezuous âor his armie at Vitry Hee was accompanied with ââthonie Duke of V ndosme whom we shall shortly see King of Nauarre by the decease of Henry of Albret his father in Lawe Iohn Duke of Anguien Lewis Prince of Conde all bretheren Lewis Duke of Montpensier Charles Prince of Roche-sur-yon al of the royall familie of Bourbon the Dukes of Neuors Nemours Guise Aumale Elbeuf The Kings armie the Lords of Rohan Rochefoucault Chastillon d' Andelot and others in great numbers in very good order The Cânstable of Montmorencie was made generall of the armie a house which sâaâ hereafter be made a Duchie and Peere of France Claude of Loârâine Duke of ãâã a yonger brother
to Rome for the Duke of Guise presuming vpon the conuention lately made betwixt the King the Pope and the Duke of Ferrara whereby the Pope should furnish twentie thousand foote a thousand horse and the charge of the armie the King the like number of foote and two thousand horse the Duke six thousand foote two hundred men at armes sixe hundred light horse and twentie peeces of battery But the Popes haue commonly aduanced their affaires at their costs that haue beleeued them and then haue abandoned them very lightly that haue assisted them at their neede The Dâke of Guise comming to Boullen findes no men in field neyther were the Popes cofers open· and it may be if they had not toucht this string the expedition had beene more succesfull In the meane time the French army decreased for want of pay the Spaniards increased and the Ferrarois in steede of assisting craued aide of the Dâke of Guise his sonne in Lawe What could our men do but studie of their returne into France but the Pope had not yet firmely setled his affaires and if hee had long remayned a lone betwixt two stooles without doubt the Spaniard would haue ouer-ruled him And therefore to stay the Duke of Guise hee sweares Not to treat any accord without the Kings consent and that for assurance thereof hee would send his sonne the Duke of Palliane for âostage into France But it was rather to attend the successe of the affaires of Picaraâe where they prepared a Theater to play a bloudie Tragedie then with any intent to diâcharge his oath The Admirall hauing by the taking and spoile of Leâs in Artois begonne the warre in Picardie the Duke of Sauoye accompanied with Ernest and Henry Dukes of Brunswike the Duke of Aâscot newly come our of prison the Earles of Mansfeld Aiguemont Meigue and Barlemont leading fortie thousand foote and fifteene thousand horse ten English âoote and fifteene hundred horse came soone after that to his succour The Qâeene of England hauing newely proclaymed warre against the King came threââned Guise but in effect it was to belegar Saint Quentin beâââ vnâurnâshed of men The Admirall enters into it with such men as the present necessâây could furnish and the Coâstable desyring to saue Saint Quentin vndertooke to lead sufficient sorces to withstaâd the enemy As he returnes the x. of August being iââeriour in number and thereâore without any intent to fight Philips army followes ãâ¦ã neere as he is forced to fight The ãâ¦ã the ãâã in the which the Constable is hurt and taken ãâã with the Dukes of Montpensier and Longueuille the Earle of Rochefoucault Lodowike Prince of Mantona the Marshall of Saint Andrew the Lords of Aubigny Vasâé Curton Roche du Maine Rochfort in Brie Biron Saint Heran Neufuy Mouy Molinont Monsalez and many other Noblemen and gentlemân of account There were slaine Iohn of Bourbon Duke of Anguâen the Vicount of Turaâe ãâã Constables sonne in lawe the elder brother of Roche du Maine Pontdormi Chanââmer the most part of the Captaines on foote and fiue thousand men some say eight thousand with many souldiars prisoners This fatall battel caused the losse of S. Quentin the beseeged being but eight huÌdred indured a generall assault S Quentin taken but vnable to defend eleuen breaches being forced at a tower which was vnfurnished of men they remained the 27. of August a lamentable pâây to the Conquerour The sonnes of Fayete the Captains Saleuert Oger Vicques la Barre Estang Gourdes and almost al the souldiars were slaine The Admirall D' Andelot his brother but he soone escaped Iarnac S. Remi Humieres and many others of marke were prisoners The successe of the Spanish army Castelet was the Spaniards third Trophey Han Chauny and all other places that might annoy them made their victory absolute Thus the Spanish forces had a happy season and the Pope resolued to leane to the stronger Theâe losses make him easily forget the speedy succors he had found in France so as at the first approach of the Duke of Alba he sends him a blanke by the Cardinall Caraffe and renouncing in September following the league made with the King The Pope reconciles himselfe to the Spaniards he made frustrate all his deââeines against Italy Doubtlesse the Councell of the Constable the Admirall and many others aduising to maintaine the truce was farre more expedient then this light and painefull enteâprise in fauour of a Pope who was content to haue imbarked vs in a newe Labirinth of confusions whereof we shall not be freed without a mournefull and exemplary spectacle To teach Princes That an accord confirmed by a reciprocal oath ought to be holy and inuiolable So this reconciliation was made famous by a strange wonder The same day and the day after this peace was concluded almost a third part of the buildings of Rome A great inundatioÌ at Rome and a great number of Christians perished by a sodaine and violent inundation of Tiber. There was some likelihood that Philip would haue entered further into the realme with his army but vnderstanding that the King expected a supply of foureteene thousand Suisses and prepared his campe at Laon hee was content to fortifie his last Conquests and so gaue the King meanes to stay in Bresse and Lionois the troupes which the Dukes of Guise and Aumale brought out off Italy to chase the Baron of Polleuille from Bourg in Bresse the which he beseeged in the Duke of Sauois name witâ twelue hundred horse and twelue thousand foote Should the King then suffer the courage of these forces newely arriued to quaââe with idlenesse when as he might profitably imploye them The English had held Calais from vs two hundred and ten yeares the Constables imprisonment had hindred the execution of a desseine which he and the Admirall his Nephewe had vppon this towne by the meanes of Senarpont Gouernour of Boullen But nowe they win that by force which they could neuer get by policy or industry His Maiesty declares the Duke of Guise his Lieutenant Generall in all his countries he leauâes two armies the one he giues to the Duke of Guise the other to the Duke of Neuers The first aduanceth vnder colour to hinder the victualing of S. Quentin The other turning towards Luxembourg drawes the Spaniards and Wallons to the defence thereof then sodainely he sends his forces to the Duke of Guise who marcheth with all speed against Calais In this army among many others were the Princes of Conde and Roche-sur-yon the Duke of Aumale and the Marquis of Elbeuf brethren the Marshall Strossy Montmorency eldest sonne to the Constable the Lords of Aâdelot Termes Grandmont Creuecoeur Piennes Randan Allegre Sansaâ Tauanes Senarpont Estree maister of the Ordidinance and Gourdan who lost a legge in this action The French army appeared the first day of Ianuary and at the first arriuall takes the fort of Niâullay and the next day that of Risban Thus the waye
to the Towne being opened âalaâs taken and the beseeged sodainely surprised without hope of speedy succouâs first the castle and then the towne returned to the obedience of this crowne as gâadly as we haue seene her antient Burgesses bid their poore desolate country mournfully farewell in the yeare 1347. The county of Oye 1558. and all the forts the English held there returned likewise to the subiection of their first and lawfull Lord. Guines and other places dismantled spare the cost which should be consumed in the defence thereof On the other side the Duke of Neuers did take for the King the Castle of Herbemont the forts of Iamoigne Chigny Rossignol and Villeneufue The Daulphin married to Mary ãâã of Scotlând Thus their sorrow was turned into ioye their hearts panting yet with that bloudy battell of S. Laurence The Court was partaker of this ioy celebrating the 28. of Aprill in the midest of these prosperities the marriage of Francis Daulphin of Viennois with Mary Steward Queene of Scotland daughter to Iames the 5. and Mary of Lorraine daughter of Claude Duke of Guise During these happy victories and coniunctions of alliances the Duchesse Dowager of Lorraine laboured to increase these solemne and publike ioyes by the conclusion of a peace betwixt the two kings The Cardinall brother to the Duke of Guise met with her at Peronne to that intent but this parâe without effect hastened the execution of an enterprise vpoÌ Theonuâlle the which being battered froÌ the 5 to the 21. of Iune with fiue and thirty Canons and the mynes ready to plaie receiued an honourable composition The proiect of this prize is giuen to the Duke of Neuers the glory of the execution to the Duke of Guise and the Duke of Nemours the Marshall of Strossy who was slaine there with a shot vnder his left pappe the Duke of Guise leaning on his shoulder as they caused a platforme to bee vndermined the Lords of Montluc Theonâââle taken by the French Vâelleuillâ and Bourdillon had the honour to haue giuen good testimonies of their valours in this prize Chigny taken afterwards from the Wallons was fortified Arlon Villemont and Rossignol burnt and made vnprofitable for the warre The English in the meane time spoyled the coasts of Normandy and Picardy and the King to stop their courses prepares two small armies one at la Fere vnder the Duke of Aumale the other at Calais vnder the Marshall of Termes who succeeded Stroâây The Marshall attempts Berghes they feared not the French there the towns which the Spaniards held vpon that coast were ill furnished he takes it sacks it and by that meanes opens the way to Dunkerk Dunkerkâ being taken and spoyled in foure dayes inriched both the souldiers and boyes of the armie But the Flemings force them to make restitution the Marshall camped before Grauelines and the Cont Aiguemont Lieutenant for the King of Spaine in the Lowe Countries hauing speedily assembled out off the neighbour garrisons and of other forces about sixtâene thousand foote a thousand or twelue hundred Reâstres and two thousand horse cuts off his way vpon the Riuer of A which comes from S. Omer and forceth him to fight At the first charge the French army ouerthrowes some squadrons of horse but at the second shocke The Marshall of âermes defeated the Marshall is hurt and taken with Villehon Senarpont Moruilliers and Chaune a great number of Captaines and souldiars are slaine vpon the place and all the troupes so discomfited as of all the companies of men at armes of three corners of light horse Scottishmen fourteene enseigns of French foot and eighteene of Lansquenets fewe escaped death or imprisonmentâ a wound which reuiued the ââar of S. Laurence and did frustrate the Duke of Guise his enterprise vpon Luxembourg but it was partly recompenced by the Lord of Kersimon vpon six or seuen thousand English Flemings which landed at the hauen of CoÌquest spoyling and burning the weakest parts of the coast of Brittain This was in the end of Iuly The Duke of Guise fayling of Luxembourg came to lodge at Pierrepont in Tirasââe and there âortified with seauen Cornâts of Reistres brought by William younger sonne to Iohn Frederick Elector of Saxony and a newe regiment of Lansquenets led by Iacob of Ausbourg made the French army as strong as the yeare before Aboue all others were most apparant the companies of the Duke of Guise Lieutenant geneâall of the Dukes of Montpensier Neuers Aumale Bouillon Nemours Saxony Lunembourg of the Prince of Roche-sur-yon of the Prince of Salerne of the Cont Charny the Marshall S. Andre the Marquis of Elheuf and of the Lords of Rochefoucault Randan Curton Montmoâency the Constables elâest sonne Esâhenets Roche du-Mâââe Ienlis La Veuguion Mourdillon Tauanes of Beâuuais The light horse of the Earles of Eu and Roissy of the Lords of Valete Bueil Laigny Rottigotty Lombay and others wherof the Duke of Nemours was generall and so great a number of âermaines Suisses and Frenchmen as this flourishing armie of men lodging neere to Amiens along the riuer of Somme preuailed much for the treatie of peace which followed soone after Philip had his armie likewise vpon the riuer of Anthie both intrenched and fortified with artillerie as if they meant to continue there and in time to tire one another Some moneths passe without any other exploite then inroades and light skirmishes In the end the eternall God of armes who from his heauenly throne beheld tâe seate of these two mightie armies changed the bitternesse of former warre into a pleasiâg peace confirmed by alâiances the yeare following The Abbie of Cercamp vpon the limits of Arthois and Picardie gaue tâe first entâie And as the Constable being freed from prison the Marshall of S. Andrew the Cardinall of Lorraine Moâuilliers Bishop of Orleans and Aâbestiâe Secretarie of State assâmbled for the King treated with the Duke of Alua the Prince of Orange Regomes de Silues Cupbearer to King Philip Granduelle Bâshop of Arras and Vigle of Zuichem President of the Councell of State of the Lowe Countries behold the death of Charles the 5. Emperour chancing in September and that of Mary Queene of England aâout the middest of Nouember changed both the place and the time of this conclusion Castle Cambresis had the honour to finish it at the second conference the which was confirmed by the marriages of Philip with Elizabeth eldest daughter to King Henry of Phillibert Emanuel Duke of Sauoy with Marguerite the Kings onely sister and of Charles Duke of Loâraine with Claude a yoâger daughter of France The King yeelded to the Castillan all that hee had taken from him as well on this side as beyond the mountaines To the Sauoyard he restored Bresse Sauoy Piedmont to the Genouoiâ the Isle of Corse and about foure hundred places more conquered during these âatall and pernitious Warres which had made so many Prouinces desolate ruined so many Castâes Villages
Guise his brother the command in warre This was properly to giue the Constable to vnderstand that without warrant hee should take his leaue the which hee did after that hee had conducted his good maister to the graue And to play their parts absolutely without controule they send the Prince of Conde into Flanders vnder colour to confirme the peace and him of Roche-sur-yon to carry the order of France to the King of Spaine then at his returne they depute him with the Cardinall of Bourbon to conduct Elizabeth to Philip her husband In the meane time the Guisians call the Cardinall of Tournon from Rome a man fitte for their humors They displace part of the ancient officers of the Kings house and place new at their deuotion they furnish Prouinces and fronter Townes with gouernours of their owne choise they obtaine a declaration from the King sitting in parliament whereby he made it knowne that touching all affaires which concerned the estate of his Crowne and house his pleasure was they should hereafter repaire to his two Vncles To conclude they do and vndoe place and displace in Parliament and priuie Councell like to a King of absolute power And the Queene mother challengeth the gâft of money growing of the confirmation of offices and priuileges of Townes and commonalties the which by right cannot be exacted but when the realme falls into a collaterall line Now are they setled in this vsurped gouernment they haue officers at their pleasure But there is yet a moate in their eye Those of the religion who then were called reformed let vs hereafter call them Protestants for their common cause with the Protestants of Germanie multiplied infinitely Some Princes and many Noblemen did countenance them and were ready to take their protection To weaken them nay rather to ruine them quite the Kings letters pattents are granted the 14. of Iuly with a Commission to certaine Iudges for the triall of Anne du Bourg and foure of his companions prisoners It was to be feared their proceeding against these fiue Counsellors would preiudice the whole party They beseech the Queene by their letters who had made shew to incline to their doctrine when as she was barren to vse her aâthoritie in the restraint of these rigorous pursutes She passeth her word to the Prince of Condé and Admirall so as they will liue secretly and without any scandale Herevpon Anthonie King of Nauarre greatly prest by some Princes and Noblemen the Constable at the death of Henry had perswaded him to seize first on the gouernment arriues in Court being at S. Germaine in Laye Anthony King of Nauarre comes to Court and is disgraced hauing at Poitiers giuen good hope to some Ministers of the Protestant Churches to make open profession of their religion But what entertainment do they giue to this first Prince of the bloud of France his harbingers finde no lodging for him within the Castle It shall cost me my life and ten thousand more with me said the Duke of Guise to his harbinger before they take from me the place and lodging which the King hath giuen me neere vnto his person No man goes to meete him those of Guise looke that he should go to salute them and which is worse the next day he haâh no place in Councell After some dayes the King sayes vnto him that his Vncles hauing the charge of affaires hee desired them that would haue his fauour to obey them in all things So hauing obtained confirmation of his offices and pensions he approued by his silence the vsurpation of the house of Guise who lead the King to Rheims where he was triumphantly annointed the eighteene of September by the Cardinall of Lorraine Archbishop of that place Soone after the Coronation The Princeâ and chiefâ officers of the Crowne disgraced the Queene mother gets a resignation from the Constable of the office of Lord Steward in fauour of the Duke of Guise in recompence made his sonne Marshall of France The Admirall foreseeing that they would dispossesse him of the gouernement of Picardie hee first gaue the King to vnderstand that it belonged to the Prince of Condé for that his predecessors had long enioyed it ãâã resignation was willinglie accepted but not the condition It was better to pââchase a good seruant and partisan which was the Marshall of Brissac Thus the Prââces and chiefe officers of the Crowne were disgraced but those that were ãâ¦ã among the people were not mute They had a good share in the priuate discontent of these great personages foreseeing the disorders that might ensue and require a Parliament as the Soâetâââ cure for such diseases whereby the Queene Mother might be excluded from the Regencie and those of Guise put from the Kings person To please the King theâ perswade him that they sought to bridle him and to make him a ward that hee should hold them enemies to his authority and guiltie of high ââeason that talke of a Parliament The King of Spaine crosseth them and by letters written to the King his brother in Lawe the which were read in Councell in the presence of the King of Nauarre he declares himselfe saieth hee for the good affection he did beare Tutor and Protector of him his Realme and his affaires against those that would change the gouernment of the estate as if the King were not capable of the gouernment Pleasant people which reiect so much the word of lawfull Tutâlage and yet they vsurpe it against the Lawes and orders of the Realme holding it onely by tyranie This other affront sent the King of Nauarre home into Bearne whence he came All this did but increase the hatred of great and small against the Guisians Many treaties are published written and printed and all tend to proue That it belonges to the Estates to prouide gouernours for Kings in their minorities that these two bretheren are incapable of the gouernment being both strangers the one a priest the other presuming to say in the life of the decreased King that the Realme belonged to the house of Lorraine as issued from Charlemagne from whome Hugh Capet had vsurped it A proposition which they haue presumed to publish in these latter times but so often confuted as it needes no further discours The King began to growe and euen nowe hee complayned that they kept him from hearing of his subiects complaints but he was so sickely as there was no hope of long life To get ââre footing in the gouernment of Estate they resolue to purchase many seruants in the Courts of Paliament to winne the affections of Courtiers and men of warre and by a burning zeale to the rooting out of Protestants to purchase the loue of the Clergie and people Anne du Bourg executed They publish sundrie Edicts against them they promise great recompences to them that discouer their assemblies many Townes fill their prisons they imploy aire fire and water to ruine them and yet it seemes that the more
both with French and forren forces Hauing thus lost the oportunitie of a battaile the Prince maintaines his armie about two monethes with a commendable discipline without blaspheming whoring robbing or theft In the end they loose all patience Baugency taken by assault opens the dores to disorders for this first heate soone past with the French growes cold money for their pay growes short the nobility could not frame themselues to this strict discipline of war which the Admiral did practise being a great enemie to robbings In many Prouinces matters weÌt indifferently betwixt the Catholikes and the Protestants and to giue two strokes with one stone to stay the disputation of this armie and to releeue them that might in the end fall the Prince sent the Earle of Rochefoucault with some troupes into Poitou Xaintonge and Angoulmois Soubize to Lions Yuoy brother to Genlis to Bourges Montgomery into Normandy d' Andelot to hasten the succours of Germany and Briquemaut into England These troupes from the moneth of Aprill vntill the midest of August did possesse Orleans Baugency Vendosme Blois Tours Poitiers Mans Anger 's Bourges Angoulesme Rouan Chalon vpon Soan Mascon Lion the most part of Daulphiné with many others not without effusion of bloud spoyling of Churches and such insolencies as the warre doth cause in a Countrie of Conquest Orleans and Bourges held by the Prince did much helpe their affaires but Bourges might be easily surprised before it were fortified Bourges recouered The King then whom the coÌmanders had drawne into the armie marcheth thither and the composition which Yuoy made with his Maiestie put him for a time in disgrace with the Prince This arme cut off as the Gnissens said from the Huguenots inuited the Kings armie to the seege of Orleans where the Prince and the Admiral were But the resolution of these two Commanders and the feare to receiue shame losse made them passe on to Roüen where Montgomery commanded with seuen or eight hundred souldiars of the old bands and two companies of English Death of the King of Naâaââe The end of September was the beginning of this seege a famous seege by the hurting of the King of Nauarre in the shoulder as hee suruayed the weakest part of the Cittie whereof he died the 17. of Nouember three weeks after it was taken by assault and spoyled Montgomery saued himselfe in a gallie but many of the chief passed through the executioners hands On the other side Lewis of Bourbon Duke of Montpensier Rouen taken reduced to the Kings obedience the Townes of Anger 's Mans Tours the Marshal S. André tooke Poitiers from the Lord of S. Gemme and Henry of Montmorency Lord of Damuille incountred the Protestants forces in Languedoc whilst the Earles of Tende and Suze The Protestants beaten in diuerse places by the defeat of Mombrun tooke Cisteron for the King Montluc with Burie gouernours of Guienne put to rout the troupes of GascoÌs which Duras led to the Earle of Rochefoucault beseeging S. Iean d' Angeli The ouerthrow of Duras brought the Earle with 300. gentlemen the remainder of the defeated armie on this side Loâre to ioyne the Prince with the Reistres whom d' Andelot brought This supplie made the Prince resolue to go to Paris by aÌnoying it to encrease the feare wherwith they were possessed He marcheth forceth Pluuiers takes Estampes beseegeth Corbeil but finding it better furnished with men then he expected he approcheth to Paris makes a great skirmish beates backe the troupes that were come out off their trenches So hee camped at Gentilly Arcueil Mont-rouge and other neighbour villages The Queene mother busies him seuen or eight dayes with diuers parles during the which foure and twentie enseigns of Gascons and Spaniards arriuing were lodged within the suburbs of Saint Iames. The Prince then seeing his enemies forces to encrease resolues to fight with them before they were fully assembled so as all hope of peace conuerted into smoake hee riseth the tenth of December takes the way to Chartres and resolues to goe into Normandie to receiue the men and money which came out of England and by that meanes to diuert the seege of Orleans The Constable and Duke of Guise march after him Dreams are lies as we comonly say A notable dreame yet haue we often tried those which present theÌselues in the morning the spirit hauing taken sufficient rest to bring certaine aduertisements of that which is to come The night before the eue of the battaile the Prince dreames that he had giuen three battailes one after another obteyned the victorie ouerthrowne his three principall enemies and finally himselfe wounded to the death hauing layed one vpon another and he aboue them all yeelding in that sort his soule to God And to say the trueth haue wee not seene this vision verified by the death of the Marshall of Saint André which is at hand by that of the Duke of Guise before Orleans the yeare following and by that of the Constable at the battaile of S. Denis and of the Prince himselfe in that of Bassac In the Kings armie they numbred two thousand horse The battaile of Drâux and nineteene thousand foot In that of the Prince foure thousand horse and twelue thousand foot They ioyne the nineteenth of December and without any skirmishes charge with all their forces The Princes Suisses loose seuenteene Captaines with three parts of their âoâpes which were aboue three thousand and endure three charges before they could bee broken On the other side the taking of the Constable the death of the Marshall Saint André the defeat of their troupes caused a generall confusion in the Kings armie if the Duke of Guise charging the white cassaks the Reisters with furie whose pistols had made a great slaughter of his men had not forced through the Princes horse who straying too much from the battaile fel prisoner into the hands of the Lord of Damuille the which made the victorie doubtfull seeming before to incline to his side The conflict continued from tenne of the clocke in the morning vntill night with many charges there were seuen thousand men slaine vppon the place on both sides many hurt and in a manner all died and a great number of prisoners The King lost besides his Suisses the most part of his horse and a great number of foot There were slaine of men of marke the Duke of Neuers killed by one of his houshould seruants either by hazard or of purpose the Lords of Montbrun the Constables son d' Annebault Giury la Brosse and his sonne there were hurt the Duke of Aumale brother to the Duke of Guise Rochefort and Beauuais Aussun a Nobleman of Gasconie whome feare made flie to Paris and there he died of greefe The Prince lost about two thousand two hundred foote and a hundred and fiftie horse French and Reisters This battaile is famous by the taking of two Generals the one in
one abandons the treâcâes The second âeege euery man flies and stayes not vntill they haue recouered the marches of Sauoy Crusol had recouered Serignon and Auranges in base Daulphiné la Coche surprised the Tower of Lemps in the beginning of the yeare 1563. whilest those of Grenoble victualed their place and prepared to indure a second seege About the end of February there comes against them eight thousand men foote and horse two great Cannons and three field peeces la Coche had to make head against them besides the Cittizens six hundred good souldiars nine braue Captaines and some voluntarie gentlemen who hauing repulsed the assaylants at the first assault preserued with the points of their swords both the sacke of their Cittie and the bloud of their Cittizens Prouence was betwixt the fatâer and the sonne Let vs passe into Prouence The Earle of Tande was Gouernour and of his two sons Sommeriue issued of the first ventre was Lieutenant for the King in his fathers absence Cipierre being then very yong borne of the second wife and the Lord of Corâeâ of the house of Salusses sonne in Law to the said Earle were as many others did vant in those dayes mastiues which did defend the Protestants troupe Sommeriue a violent man and too bloudie did sodenly incense all Prouence against them and being aâmed with force he made his gouernment famous by a horrible and generall execution of men dismembred hanged burned fled cut in peeces being aliue drawne through the streets cast downe headlong stabbed starued and such like miseries The Earle his father abhorring this generall desolation and not able by his authoritie to diuert his sonne from this wicked proceedings gathers togither what force hee can giues the command of the horse to Cipierre and of the foote to Cardet who by their armes kept all the Townes beyond the riuer of Durance except Pertuis vnder their command On the other side Sommeriue after the executions of Auranges before described Firââ seege of ãâã hauing taken vewe of fiftie enseigns of foote and some Cornets of horse flâes fiercely to the seege of Cisteron being full of many Protestant families that were retyred thither and manned with eleuen companies vnder the Lord of Beauieu nephew to the Earle of Tande and three hundred men commanded by Furmeier The eleuenth of Iuly Sommeriue giues three assaults continued from three of the clocke in the after noone vntill night Most of the month was spent in skirmishes The prisoners on either side finding no mercy nor grace of the souldiars In the end Sommeriue fearing some new checke by the hands of Adrest who had lately wonne the battaile of Vourdas he went and intrenched himselfe three Leagues from Cisteron Cardet approcheth but he cannot by any deuice draw his brother in law out of his trenches So the Earle of Tande distââst for victuals rayseth his Campe puts some of his troupes into Cisteron and sends the rest to Adrets Sommeriue doubles his courage and force and the 27. of August followed by a hundred and two enseigns of foote The second seege and many horse beseegeth Cisteron anew on three parts and vpon an intelligence that was giuen him that Mombrun approched to succour the beseeged as we haue before specified Suze marcheth against him chargeth Mombrun Mombrun defeaââd kils about a hundred and fiftie of his men puts the other in route and wins two peeces of Canon which hee had lately lost This victorie was to Sommeriue a foâetelling of a good successe The 14. of September he ouerthrowes a hundred and fortie paces of the wall he planted two small peeces to batter the friars Three and thirtie enseignes of foot supported by a troupe of horse go to the assault and continue it with a wonderfull furie vntill seuen of the clock at night that pouder failing them on either side they fall to stones swords and handie blowes the greater number preuailing the beseeged abandon the breach retyring themselues with great losse and des Adrets returned into Daulphiné Senas Mouuans other Captaines seeing themselues vnfurnished of munition without hope of succours charged with a multitude of men not trayned vppe in warlike affaires togither with the enemies obstinate resolution they preferre the safetie of their liues and persons before the place and in the night recouer the straights the deseâts of the mountaine and so come safe to Grenoble from thence they were conducted to Lions and there liued vntill the Edict of pacification Sommeriue at the breake of day sends some troupes after them but the difficultie of the waies and feare to loose their part of the spoyle stayed the pursute So the victors enter into this abandoned Towne and put to the sword about foure hundred women and children without distinction of age or religion Sommeriue is now master of Prouence leauing in all places pittiful signes of a bloudy victorie whereof the originall notes as principall instruments Carcez Mentin Flassans thrust forward especially by Bagarris Chesne S. Marguerite and others of the most seditious of the Court of Parliament of Aix who with all impunitie gaue libertie to all thefts spoyles and murthers so as after the Edict of pacification the Kings priuie Councell gaue commission to the President Morsan and some Councellors of the Court of Parliament at Paris to suppresse such disorders who by an examplarie punishment of many caused the following warres to bee managed with farre more moderation But the qualitie of some and the credit of others saued many heads which were prepared to vomit vp in open vew the bloud which their hands had too prodigally spilt As for the Duchie of Bourgogne Bourgongne Dyion Tauannes Lieutenant for the King in the Duke of Aumals absence loued siluer better then the bloud of the Protestânts and the Parliament of Dyion hauing by vertue of letters obteyned the first of March 1562. forbidden the exercise of their religion Tauannes disarmes them puts the cheefe in prison forceth some to depart with threats others he expels violently The Maior and Sâerifs proceed farther they thrust forth wiues maids and children commaunding the pesants by proclamation the 7. of Iuly to set vpon the rebels not to receiue lodge nor feed them that are expelled the Townes a rigour which humanitie neuer vsed to the most barbarous they condemne them as guiltie of high treason that had carried armes or assisted them with ayd or counsel and they giue libertie to kill them all with impunitie that should hereafter assemble in any other places but in their ordinarie Churches This libertie bred many thefts and spoyles at Aussonne Autun and Beaune yet the people are commended to haue conteyned themselues within the bounds of modestie Chalon vpon Saone Mascon and Belleuille seized on by the Protestants serued them for a time as a Sanctuary and refuge Mombrun commanded at Chalân with fiue hundred hargubusiers but being sodainly belegard by Tauannes and finding not the Towne furnished or defensable by
the Duke of Guise and the Admirall This apparent meanes to confirme a publike concord did please the Admirall beleeuing this marriage should be the ground of a most happie peace and the Queene of Nauarre feares least delay should alter the Kings good meaning But the accomplishment of the marriage was hindred by some leââs The Pope made some dâfficulty to dispence therewith as well by-reason of the consanguinity of the parties the one being petie Nephewe the other grand-childe of Francis the 1. King of France as also for the difference of their religions The Qâeene of Nauarre likewise made some scruple of this disparity of religion of the ceremonies and of the place of the sollemnitie She would not haue the marriage celebrated after the manner of the Catholike Church and feared the Citty of Paris as most affected to their religion and of long time an enemie to the house of Nauarre Contrariewise the King would haue Paris to be the Theater Pretexts for the lowe Countrie warres where this notable act should be sollemnly celebrated in the vewe of the Capitall Cittie of his Realme without changing any thing in forme of royall mariages In the end the respect of ciuill reason preuayled As âor the motiues of this warre pretended in the Lowe Country they were goodly in shâw for besids this hereditarie hatred of the French against the Spaniard beeing reuiued by the outrages and warres made in France by Charles and Phââip his sonne the remembrance whereof was yet fresh they renued the ancient quarrells of many possessions in the Lowe Countries depending of this Crowne Moreouer they pretended newe causes which seemed lawfull to breake the allyance betwixt the two Kings That his Maiestie had most certaine intelligence of poyson giuen by Philip to his wife the Sister of our Charles vpon some discontents and filthie iealousies These reasons had a shewe of truth and the Admirall to the end the French who cannot liue long togither in mutuall concord and that by a long vse of warre breathed nothing but warre should not seeke some newe seeds of ciuill diuision held it good to diuert this vehement heate against some stranger and nation a faââe off Many necessarie considerations fortified this ciuill Councell The forces of the Prince of Orange and his bretheren who spoiled by the Spaniard of many rich possessions both in the Lowe Countries and in the Countrie of Bourgongne had long time sought to recouer it by armes The credit and fauour of the Lowe Countrie men in Germany by reasoÌ of the exceeding crueltie of the Duke of Alba Lodâwike of Nassau brother to the sayd Prince a man of great courage and resolution prest it forward and his presence was a spurre to the Admirall Moreouer to the end it should seeme this warre was managed with the Kings consent his Maiestie did suffer the Prince of Auranges fleete to ride about Rochelle annoying the Spaniards and Portugalls which sailed vpon that coast the trafficke of the Lowe Countries and for the Comte Lodowike to sell the bootie hee had taken from the enemie freely and publikely at Rochell So the Admirall a wydower by reason of Charlotte of Laual deceased in the second troubles after he had espoused the Contesse of Antremont in Sauoye at Rochelle The Admiral comes to Court and giuen his daughter Louyse to the Lord of Teligny to wife he comes to Court relying vpon the Kings assurances so often confirmed by messengers and especially by the Marshall of Cossé whome the King had sent to accompanie him presuming the Admirall would giue more credit to the Marshalls words by reason of their familiarity The King receiued him with all demonstrations of loue those of Guise leaue him the place not to yeeld any thing vnto him but to returne soone after with greater authoritie and to take from him all iealousies distrusts which were giuen him froÌ al parts the King at the first doth recoÌpence the losses which the Admiral had sustained during the former warres by the gift of a hundred thousand frankes and grauâts him for one whole yeare the reuenues which his brother the Cardinall of Chasâââha enioyed being lately deceased in England He giues him a place in the priuy Councel doth ofte times conferre with him touching the warres of Flanders and mâkes shâwe to be gouerned therein by his aduice and Councell he honours him with that plaâsible name of father and treats with him so familiarly as the Countries tooke this familiarity for a seale of his Masters affection to the Admirall and the people begân nowe to murmure that Charles not onely fauoâed the Huguenots but would shortly himselfe become a Huguenot A Cunning bayte to free the Admirall from suâpition by the aduertisments wich had beene giuen him to the Contrary Hee could nowe tast no admonitions his spirit was so transported with the Kings Countenance and words Doubtlesse the wisdome of man failes euen in the wisest when it pleaseth him that giues it to weaken the strongest spirits and by a iudgement incomprehensible to man to cast a vayle before his eyes and to make him vnable to conceiue the iustice and horror of the iudgement which hee meanes to display For the better aduancing the enterprise of the Lowe Countries the Admirall thought it fit the King should make a peace with Elizabeth Queene of England They might treate it with a very honest colour to the preiudice of the Spaniards Elizabeth was not married and Henry Duke of Aniou had no wife the dignitie of so high an alliance was honorable for the Duke and the qualitie of a Kings Brother was not to bee contemned by the Queene hauing also in his yong age purchased great glorie and reputation Peace ââth the English This charge is giuen to the Marshall of Montmorency Bât the issue did shewe that besids this negotiation of peace their meaning was to abuse both the Admirall and all others whome it was expedient to âbuse for the execution of the Councell of Saint Cloud and by the same practise to send the Marshall farâe from Court least by his ordinary conueâsing with the King hauing a good iudgement and smelling out the complots of this pitifull Tragedie hee should discouer them to the Admirall his Cousin and by meanes of this newe peace the English in the midest oâ this indignity should bee restrayned from attempting of any thing in fauour of the Protestants as it chanced During this time the Admirall retires to Chastillon and in the meane season they prepare a fleete at Bourdeaux and Brouage vnder the Commande of Strossy Landereau and the Bâron of la Garde The pretext was the warre of Flanders yet had they expresse Commission to attempt vpon Rochell and by open or secret practises to get it in their owne powre The Admirall hauing sounded the fourd vpon his assurance to the Queene of Nâuarre of the Kings singular affection to her and to all her house The Queene of Nauarre comâs to Court in
erected to a Duchie in the yeare 1329. Lewis Duke of Bourbon and Mary the daughter of Iohn the 18. Earle of Hainault had Peter Duke of Bourbon and Iames Earle of Ponthieu Constable of France Peter had by Isabell the daughter of Charles Earle of Valois Peter Lewis Lewis and Iames. Lewis surnamed the good Duke of Bourbon had by Anne Countesse of Auuergne Lewis Earle of Clermont who died without children Iohn Iames. Iohn Duke of Bourbon had by Bonne Duchesse of Auuergne and Countesse of Montpensur Charles Iohn and Lewis Earle of Montpensier father to Gilbert of whome issued Charles the last Duke of Bourbon Câââles Charles Duke of Bourbon had of Agnes the daughter of Iohn Duke of Bourgongne Iohn and Peter Iohn the second of that name married Ioane of France daughter to Charles the 7. and dying without lawfull heyres of his body the name and armes of Duke went to Peter his yonger brother Peter the second of that name Peter Duke of Bourbon had of Anne of France the daughter of Lewis the eleuenth one onely daughter Susanne the generall heire of Bourbon Chââles the last Duke of Bourbon who was wife to the aboue named Charles the youngest sonne of Gilbert who likewise was the youngest sonne of Lewis aboue named Earle of Montpersur and brother to Charles Duke of Bourbon But no children growing from this marriage the branch of the eldest sonne of Lewis created Duke of Bourbon ended in this Charles Duke of Bourbon and Constable of France who died at the seege of Rome and the Duchie of Bourbonoâs beeing incorporate to the crowne Iames the yonâest son of Lewâs duke of Bourbon Iohn we must seeke the line of Iames of Pontieu they also giue him the titles of Earle of Charolois and la Marche Constable of France the yongest sonne of Lewis the first Duke of Bourbon Iames had by Ioue the daughter of the Earle of S. Paul Iohn his successor Earle of la Marche Iohn had of Katherine the onely daughter and heire of Iohn Earle of Vendosme issued from the Dukes of Normandy and Earles of Aniou Iames King of Naples who leauing none but daughters Lewis Earle of Vendosme transported his right of inheritance to Lewis his yongest brother Lewis had no children by Iane of Roussy his first wife the daughter of Ralfe Earle of Montfort and of Anne of Montmorency but of Iane the daughter of Guy Lord of Guare and of Anne heire of Lauall and Vitry in Brittany or of Mary the daughter of Engerard Lord of Coucy and of Isabel his wife the daughter of Edward King of England according to some opinions By his second marriage he had Iohn his successor and Earle of Vendâsme Iohn the second of that name Iohn the second had of Iane of Beauieu or of Isabel of Beauuais Frânciâ daughter to the Lord of Pressigni Francis his successor and Earle chiefe of the Nobility le ts them vnderstand the deceassed Kings will touching ãâã by a generall or nationall Councell whereof he protests to followe the instruction I giue leaue said he to all such as would leaue me so to doe Yet I am sorry they are no better Frenchmen for their owne good and safety I haue friends enough ãâã out them to mainteine my authority God hath neuer left mee and will not nowe abandon mee He hath not begun this so miraculous a worke to leaue it vnperfect ãâã for my sake alone but for his owne names sake and for so many soules affââcted in this Realme whome I desire and promise by the faith of a King to releeue so ãâã as God shall giue mee the meanes But how grieuous is this to mee that am your lawfull King and who leaue you in the liberty of your religion to see you go about to force mee to yours by vnlawfull meanes and without former instruction This declaration reteyned them that were least scrupulous in their duties and his promise not to alter any thing in religion might haue shaken many of the League To crosse him the Duke of Mayenne publisheth an Edict of the 5. of August iââis name and the Councells of the holy vnion established at Paris attending a generall Assembly of the Estates of the Realme to vnite said he all Frenchmen that were good Christians for the defence and preseruation of the Catholike Apostolike Romish Church and the mainteynance of the royall Estaâe in the absence of their lawfull King Charles the 10. of that name For whose liberty he inuited them all to armes But he desired no more the liberty of his pretended King then our Henry did to force religâon the support whereof serues them for a goodly cloake Some Parlements growe iealous of these sodaine changes in the State and seeme to entertaine the people in doubt and feare of the subuersion of their religion Violent decrees That of Bourdeaux commaunds all men vnder their Iurisdiction by a decree of the 19. of August to obserue inuiolablie the Edict of vnion to the Catholike Apostolike and Romish Church and declarations were thereupon made That of Tholouse is more violent They decree that yeerely the first day of August they should make processions and publike prayers for the benefits they had receiued that day in the miraculous and fearefull death of Henry the third whereby Paris was deliuered and other Townes oâ the Realme forbidding all persons to acknowledge Henry of Bourbon the pretended King of Nauarre for King declaring him incapable euer to succeede to the Crowne of France by reason said the decree of the notorious and manifest crimes conteyned at large in the bull of excommunicatioÌ of Pope Sxtus the 5. Without doubt the authority of the Soueraigne court is much blemished in pronouncing a decree which they must reuoake by a contrary sentence Thus the League kindled anewe the fires which the seege of Paris had somewhat quenched The King raiseth hiââeâge from Paris the Kings troupes decreased hourely sicknesse diminished their numbers and the Duke of Mayennes increased The King therefore diuides his armye into three one vnder the commaund of the Duke of Longueuille into Picardy the other into Champagne vnder the Marshall d' Aumont and he is aduised to passe himselfe into Normaâdy with twelue hundred horse three thousand French foote and two regiments of Suisses as well to receiue succours out off England as to assure some places passages fit for his desseines but with direction to ioyne at neede In his passage he causeth the Kings body to bee conducted and left at Compiegne and reduceth to his obedience His conquests Meulan Gisors and Clermont he receiues from Captaine Roulet both the place and the hearts of the inhabitants of Pont de l' Arche foure leagues from Rouan a passage very commodious for the trafficke betwixt Rouan and Paris He visits Deepe confirmes the towne of Caen forceth Neufâhastel to yeeld hauing by Hallot and Guitry his Lieutenants ouercome the
Chastillon comming from raysing of the seege of Aubigny which la Chastre chiefe of the League in Berry had beseeged promiseth the King that if hee will make him his Lieutenant on this side the âiner hee will deliuer it into his power within eight daies His Maiesty giues him this Commaunde Hee makes a bridge of woode the point whereof reached vnto the breach that they might come couered to handâe stroakes with the enemie This newe engin amazeth them and drawes them to composition the which they obtayned on good-friday vpon condition to yeeld within eight daies if they were not releeued The Duke of Mayenne would not loose the certaine to runne after the vncertaine Hee held Chasteau-Thierry so straightly begirt as the Vicont Pinard was forced to capitulate with him before the King could come to his succour So the King lost Chasteau-Thierry and in exchange tooke Chartres a goodly and strong place There came forth about sixe hundred men with their armes horse and baggage and the 19. of Aprill the King made a triumphant entry in armes appointed a garrison âestored Sourdis to his gouernment reduced Aulneau and Dourdan to his obedience and then went to refresh himselfe at Senlis Let vs nowe see soââ other sinister accidents Charsteau Thierry lost A defeat in Prouence which in time shall helpe to ruine the League A thousand horse and eighteene hundred Harguebuziers Prouensals Sauoyards and Spaniards seeke to subdue that Prouince for the Duke of Sauoy la Vallette inuites le-Diguteres to do the King herein a notable seruice he goes and both ioyntly charge these troupes of strangers and bastard French they kill foure hundred masters and fifteene hundred ãâã take many prisoners and carrie away fifteene Enseigns winne many horses and much baggage and loose but one Gentleman and some twenty souldiars This done Les Diguieres returnes into Daulphinè Being gone the League recouers new forces in Prouence by the fauour and credit of the Countesse of Sault but shee had neyther force nor vigour able to countenance the factions of Spaine and Sauoye The Duke of Sauoye lately returned from Spaine growes iealous of ãâã intelligences preiudicall to his Estate and sets gards both ouer her and the Lord ãâã her son She is cunning counterfeits herselfe siâke conceales her discontent In Poitoâ ãâã in the end finds means to escape with her sonne disguised to Marseilles In Poitou the gouernor of Loches hauing taken the Castell of la Guierche the Viconte of the sayd place presseth his friends inâeats the Duke of Mercoeur assembles all hee can to recouer his house The Baron of Roche-Posé ioyned with some other Commanders of the Country for his Maiesties seruice comes and chargeth the Vicont kills aboue three hundred gentlemen his best footemen aboue seauen hundred naturall Spaniards that were come out of Brittaine to succor the Viconte The Vicont after he had maintayned a little fight flies to a riuer by where thinking to passe in the ferry-boate the presse grew presently so great as boate and passingers âunke La Guierche with many other gentlemen slaine or drowned did almost equall the number of the Nobility which died at Coutras Then the Princes and Noblemen Catholiks following the King did sollicit his Maiesty to turne to the Catholike religion and had by the Duke of Luxembourg sought to appease the bitternes of the Court of Rome against the estate of this realme The Dukes returne with small hope the petitions made vnto the King to prouide for his dutifull subiects of both religions to preuent the new attempts of Gregory the 14. and his adherents to the preiudice of this Crowne were the cause of two Edicts made at Mante in the beginning of Iuly the one confirmed the Edicts of pacification made by the deceased King vpon the troubles of the realme and disanulled all that passed in Iuly 1585. 1588. in fauour of the League Tâe other shewed the Kings intent to maintaine the Catholike Apostolike and Romish religion in France with the ancient rights priuileges of the French-church The Court of Parliament at Paris resident at Tours Chaalons in Champagne hauing verified these Edicts did presently disanul al the Bulls of Cardinall Caietans Legation The Popes Bull disanulled and other Bulls come from Rome the first of March proceedings excomunications and fulminations made by Marcellin Landriano terming himselfe the Popes Nuncio as abusiue scandulous seditious full of impostures made against the holy decrees Canonicall Constitutions approued Councells and against the rights and liberties of the French Church They decree that if any had beene excomunicate by vertue of the sayd proceedings they should be absolued the said Bulls and all proceedings by vertue thereof burnt in the market place by the hang-man Landriano the pretended Nuntio come priuily into the realme without the kings leaue or liking should bee aprehended and put into the Kings pryson and so to proceed extraordinarylie against him And in case he could not be taken he should be summoned at three short daies according to the accustomed manner and ten thousand frankes giuen in reward to him that should deliuer him to the Magistrate Prohibitions beeing made to all men to receiue retayne conceale or lodge the sayd pretended Nuntio vpon paine of death And to all Clergie men not to receiue publish or cause to be published any sentences or proceedings comming from him vpon paâne to bee pânished as Traytors They declared the Cardinalls beeing at Rome the Archbishops Bishoppes and other Clergy men which had signed and ratified the sayd Bull of excomunication and approued the most barbarous abhominable and detestable Parricide trayterously committed on the person of tâe sayd deceased King most Christian and most Catholike depriued of such spirituall liuings as they held within the realme causing the Kings Proctor generall to seize thereon and to put them into his Maiesties hand forbidding all persons eyther to carry or send gold to Rome and to prouide for the disposition of benefices vntill the King should otherwise decree That of Tours added this clause to their decree they declared Gregory calling himselfe Pope the foureteenth of that name an enemie to peace to the vnion of the Catholike Apostolike and Romaine Church to the King and to his Estate adhering to the conspiracy of Spaine and a fauorer of rebells culpable of the most cruell most inhumane and most detestable Parricide committed on the person of Henry the 3. of famous memory most Christian and most Catholike The Parliament of the League did afterwards condemne and cause those decrees to ãâã burnt at Paris which were made against the Bulls and ministers of the ãâ¦ã So one pulled downe what an other built vppe During this contrarieây of Parliaments there falls out a crosse to diuide the intentions of the Spanyard and Lorraine without the realme and of the Dukes of Mayenne and Nemours at Paris Euery one by diuers practises affected this Crowne and euery one tryed all his wittes to set
from the Archduke Ernest Lieutenant generall for the King of Spaine in the Low Countries who soone after perswaded the subiects of the sayd Countries to arme and to inuade France The better to knowe Picardie and to iudge of what should be necessary against the attemptes of this newe enemy the King makes a voyage to the fronter and then returnes to Paris to celebrate the solemnity of the knights of the order of the holy Ghost and to receiue the Ambassadors of Venise Vincent Gradenico and Iohn Delphino being sent to congratulate the happy successe of his affayres and Peter Duodo to succeed Iohn Mocenigo At his arriuall hee receiues three good aduertisements That the Marshall d' Aumont had taken from the Spaniard one of the places he had fortified in Brittaine That the Spaniards thinking to enter into Montrueil hauing giuen fiftie thousand Crownes to the gouernour had beene repulsed with the losse of fiue or sixe hundred men And that the Marshall of Bouillon had ioyned with the army of Cont Maurice in despight of Cont Charles But oh monstrous attempt the onely remembrance should make our haire to stare and our hearts to tremble The 27. of December the King being booted in one of the Chambers of the Louure The Kingâ hurt in the ââce hauing aboute him his Cousins the Prince of Conty the Cont Soissons and the Earle of S Paul and a great number of the chiefe Noble men of his Court bending downe to receiue the Lords of Ragny and Montigny who kist his knee a yongman called Iohn Chastel of âhe age of eighteene or nineteene yeares the sonne of a wollen draper in Paris a Nouice of the Iesuits 5594 encouraged by their instructions thrust on by a diuelish furie creeps into the chamber with the presse surprising his Maiestie as he was stooping to take vp these gentlemen in steed of thrusting him into the bellie with a knife as he had determined he strooke him on the vper lippe and brake a tooth This wretch was taken and confessed it without torture The King vnderstanding that he was a disciple of that schoole Must the Iâsuits then said hee be iudged by my mouth Thus God meaning by this cursed and detestable atttempt to countenance the pursute of the vniuersitie of Paris against that sect Iohn Chastel hauing declared the circumstances of his wicked intent was found guiltie of treason against God and man in the higest degree and by false and damnable instructions holding that it was lawfull to murther Kings A decree against the murtherer and that the King now raigning was not in the Church vntill he were allowed by the Pope was by a decree of the Court condemned to do penance before the great dore of our Ladies Church naked in his shirt vpon his knees holding a burning torch of two pound weight to haue his armes and legges pinched at the Greue with burning pincers and his right hand holding the knife wherewith hee sought to commit this parricide to bee cut off his bodie to bee torne in peeces by foure horses burnt to ashes and cast into the wind and all his goods forfeit to the King The said Couât decreed by the same sentence That the Preests schollers and all others terming themselues of that societie as corrupters of youth troublers of publike quiet and enemies to the Kings state should depart within three dayes after the publication of this decree out of Paris and other places where they had colledges and within fifteene out of the Realme vppon paine after the said time to bee punished as guiltie of high treason all their mouable and immouable goods to bee forfaited to bee imployed in godly vses forbidding all the Kings subiects to send any Schollers to the Colledge of the said societie without the Realme there to be instructed or taught vnder like paines as before The Decree was executed the nine and twentith of the said moneth Peter Chastel the father and Iohn Gueret schoolemaster to this murtherer were banished the first for a certaine time out off Paris and fined at two thousand Crownes the last for euer out off the Realme vppon paine of death The fathers house standing before the pallace razed and a piller erected conteyning for a perpetuall monument the causes of that ruine Amongst the writings of one named Iohn Guignard of Chartres were found certaine outragious and scandalous libells against his Maiestie made since the generall pardon granted by him at the reduction of Paris for the which hee was executed the seuenth of Ianuary following Experience hath often taught Warre proclaymed against the Spaniard that armes produce greater effects abroad in the enemies Countrie then at home and that the goodliest triumphe is sought farthest off Our vnciuill confusions were forged cheefly in Spaine and the Iesuits had beene the cheeâest workemen One Francis Iacob a scholler of the Iesuits of Bourges had lately vanted to kill the King but that hee held him for dead and that an other had done the deed And this horrible attempt of late vppon the sacred face of his Maiestie wherein hee was miraculously preserued doth witnes that they were the cheefe firebrands So the King grounding the necessitie of his armes vppon these considerations after hee had rooted out this sect of Schooles which they held within the Iurisdiction of the Parliament of Paris hee published a declaration for the making of warre against the King of Spaine Without doubt the reasoâs were verie apparent and manifest and the beginning more fauourable then the end The Marshall of Bouillon begins this new warre he enters the Duchie of Luxemâourg with an armie of a thousand horse and foure thousand foote and at the first putââo rout eleuen Cornets of horse of Cont Charles neere to Wirton kills two hundred and fiftie vppon the place makes the rest to leaue armes horse and baggage and to saue themââlues in the next forrest 1595. Philip likewise for his part proâââiâes ãâã against our Henry The Duke of Lorraine on the other side hauing taken a truce ãâã his Maiestie Some Lorrains serue the King the Baron of Aussonuille with the Seignieurs of Tremblecourt and ãâã George who before made warre vnder him now take the white scarfe they enter the County of Bourgongne with a thousand horse and fiâe thousand foote and at the first they seize vpon Vezou de Ionuille and other places Behold the fire which threatens two Prouinces but the Spaniard suffers them not to be consumed as men presumed that being busie to quench it he would leaue Picardie in quiet Hee commands the Archduke Erneste that with the hazard of the Lowe Countries he should transport all his forces into Picardie and moreouer causeth the Constable of Castille gouernour of Milan to passe the Alpes with a great armie of Spaniards and Neapolitanes who recouered the places and forced the Lorraines to disperse themselues The Artesiens and Hannuyers foreseeing the desolation which the continuance of this warre would
his letters of the eleuenth twelâth thirteenth and foureâeenth daies of the moneth and requires to bee sodenly releeued for the pittifull Estate of Dourlans terrefied the people the towne was ill prouided of men this huge number of Cannons and this fearefull multitude of men strooke a generall terror among the Cittizens But to reuiue their spirits who were ready to yeeld obedience to a newe Lord the Duke of Neuers sends them his only sonne the Duke of âethelois assisted with the valour and wisdome of the Lords of Vicques Buây Trumelet Vaudecourts Sugny Fleury Chaltray and others with about three hundred and fiâtie horse The Pesants by their bells giue the alarume from village to village and a paltrie bridge of woode at Anne two Leagues from Cambraye staying their troupe gaue the Earle of Fuentes meanes to put his horse in battaile almost directly in the way the Duke should take Hee auoids it and going aside encounters a gard of fiue and twentie Lances making a stand on this side of a hollow-way hee chargeth them cuts them in peeces in the sight of their horse which could not succour them by reason of the sayd way and passing on hee falls into a troupe of two hundred and fifty horse marcheth directly to them scatters them goes on his way and comes to the towne ditch The Inhabitants knowe him and receiue him with much honor and ioye to see so braue succors But it was too weake against such a number of assaylants The King was farre off the Estate of Bourgundie kept him occupied the affaires of the Prouince of Lionois required his presence The Inhabitants of Cambray beganne to decline in affection they were malcontent with the tediousnesse of the seegâ and the ruine of their houses by the Cannon and of the constraint to take certaine money made of Copper and not suffer them to imploye it carrying on the one side the Kings armes as Protector and on the other those of the Lord of Balagny created Prince of Cambray by the aâiticles of his reddition On the other side the enemy made strange attempts and gaue horrible threates against the beseeged Cambray yeelded to the Spaniard They shut their eares against all perswasions and make a disloyall resolution to yeeld and hoping âor better vsage and more liberty they open the gates to the enemy The Duke of Rethelois Balagny and Vicques and others flie into the Citttadell The Duke would retire his sonne and makes the beseeged despaire of any speedie succors So the ninth of October Balagny signed the capitulation offred by the enemie but with so much great greefe and sorrowe as the same night he signed it his wife being a woman of a great spirit died not able to endure that so precious a Iewell as Cambray whereof shee was newely created Princesse should fall into the Spaniards cruell hands Thus this ancient member of this Crowne was lost Thus the onely triumphe of a sonne and brother of the Kings of France was blemished Doubtlesse had it not beene for the impatiencie and disloyalty within and the fault of some great men that mâght haue preuented this mischiefe all their attempts had beene in vaine for the Earâe of Fuentes was ready to build forts about the towne rathâr to vanquish theâ by a long seege then by assault And the King hasted his entry into Lions to come to their speedie succour The Duke of Neuers died soone after greeued on the one âide âor so great a brâach made to this Estate and satified on the other that his sonne had shewed himselfe so valiant in the conduct of the succors hee put into the towne The King seeing the Constable of Castille shut vp into Dole and Grey being loath to hazard a battaile 1595 hee went and made his entry into Lions the fourth of Septemâââ assured the Prouince prouided for the troubles of Prouence nourished not so much ãâã the League as by the discontentments and partialities of some which had no ãâã with them he receiued Bois Daulphin to his obedience with the townes ãâã Chaâteaugontier in Aniou and Sable in Maine and for recompence of his seruice ãâã him with the place of a Marshall of France Then he granted a generall âruâe târâugâout the whole realme to the Duke of Mayenne which after so many stoâmes anâ ãâã many tempestes shall in the end bring vs to a safe port so necessary to quieâ the diuisions of this realme God rayseth vp a great meanes from beyond the mountaynes to make the way easie for a generall peace and reunion of people distracted ârom his maiesties obedience The Pope mooued in the end to see the eldest sonne of the Church and the chiefe Christian Prince prostrate at his feete shewes himself a true father of âustâce to vanquish the difficulties and oppositions whereby the Ambassador of Spaine had croââ his Maiesties constant and iust pursute since the time of his conuersion The 18. of September hee opens the streames of his blessings vpon our Kings âead and all the Colledge of Cardinalls all the people all the Citty of Rome crie out with that happy acclamation God saue Henry of Bourbon King of France and of Nauarre most great most Victorious The Pope blesseth the King God saue the most Christian and most Catholike God saue the chiefe sonne of the Church Fewe daies after the newes of this sollemne action the King went from Lions in âost by night to go to the succor of Cambraye but the effects were not answerable to his care and good will The Cambresiens had already conceiued some hope of greater liberty they hoped to get much by the change and yeelded their neckes to a newe command There is neyther meanes councell nor reason that can stay a multitude when as a disordred appeâât of freedome doth transport them âa Fââe beseeged His Maiestie findes other worke to imploy his forces he sought to roote this forren power speedely out off Picardie which held his hands bound and insulted ouer him la Fere is the chiefe and most important fort of the Prouence hee beseeâeth it and finds therein an obstinate and inuincible resolution Perseuerance is necessary in all sorts of warfarre but especially in the seege of townes and there is no place which munition and the situation makes impregnable but time and famine will force subdue and bring vnder Whilest the king leaues the beseeged nothing free but the aire and driues them to all âxtremities The Dâkes of Mayenne and Nemours receâââd into greâe the Duke of Mayenne on the other side seeing his retreates in a manner all lost and that he is in disgrace with the Spaniard sues for his Maiesties sauour and vppon his simple word he promiseth to come vnto him wheresoeuer hee pleased The Marquis of Saint Sorlin now Duke of Nemours by the death ofhis elder brother yeelds with the like facility Neuer Prince did more easiây remit the wrongs were done him The King grewe more cold then was
the Kings seruice commaunds the souldiaââ to deale more plainely with this Câptaine imparts it to the Earle oâ Grandpré to Rumesâil and to Estuieaux Gouernours of Mouzon Maubârt and Sedaâ ând drawes from tâem assistance of men and meanes to frame a double intelligence These marchants treat with Gaucher agree vpon the time and houre to deliuer theiâ ware they receiue some money in hand and take his word for the rest The fourth of August at night was appointed for the execution and for a signe a Cannon should bee discharged âut Rumesnil had the night beâore brought in a supplâe of men needfull for the preseruation of the place and with the rest he lay in ambush halfe a League from the Towne as Gaucher should passe Gaucher approcheth he causeth all his troupes to light a quarter of a League from ââllefranche puts a part of them very secretly into the ditch and followes with the rest to second the first attempt but at all aduentures hee causeth his horse to bee led after him The first enter by fauour of the souldiars the signe is giuen and being giuen Gaucheâ defeated thoâe âhich thought to surprise find themselues surprised all are put to the sword consumed by wild-fire or drowned in the ditch Rumesnil comes out off his ambush at the same time chargeth Gaucher behind kills him three hundred men vppon the place and suffers fewe of the enemies to escape through fauour of the night finally oâ fiâe or sixe hundred men which hee brought scarce fiftie escaped death or imprisonment and had it not bin for the horse which Gaucher held readie to fauâur his flight he had not escaped the victors hands Let vs passe into Sauoie and see the progresse of the Kings forces the taking of plâces and victories obteined Warre in Sâuoie This warre shall helpe much for the recouerie of Amiens for they diuert the forces of Sauoie from molesting of the King in sundâie places at once for the managing whereof the Lord Les-Diguâeres parted from Court in the end of Maâch with the title of the Kings Lieutenant Generall gathers togither about sixe hundred horse and fiue thousand foote in the moneth of Aââill May and Iune enters into Maurienne a Countrie depending on the Duchie of Sauoie the high way to Piedmont and Italie surpasseth with much labour and âoyle the difficulties of the wayes rockes and steepe hilles in the end hee recoâers the toppe of the mountaine finds there a Corps de gard of fiue hundred men âell fortified and with his tyred armie chargeth them with such furie as the enemie not able to withstand their force is constrayned to quit the place Presently the armie comes to S. Iohn of Maurienne the cheefe Towne of the Countrie Maurienne taken and seisâth on all the valley These conquests as so dainely exeâuted as wisely attempted thrust on the Conqueror to go and fight with certaine Spaniards which were sent into Flanders to ãâã aâaiâst the prosperous successe of Cont Maurice but the bridges being broken ãâã the wâters verie great stayed his passage Hereuppon newes come that Dom ãâã Earle of Salines Generall of the Duke of Sauoies light horse is about ãâã with a part of the Dukes armie Les Diguieres marcheth thither chargeth ãâã âârle makes him to quit the the Castell of Saint Michell and some other ãâã where hee had fortified himselfe chaseth him by Mont-Senys into Piedmont and so hotly as the most part to make themselues more light cast away their armes Being thus peaceably possessed of all Maurienne hee fortifies Saint Iohn and tâe Castell of Saint Michel and seisâth on all the forts that might serue for the ãâã of the Countrie To stay the Conquerors course the Duke of Sauoye passed the mountaines by the valley of Aust with three thousand Italians and a good number of horse and ãâã by Chambery into Tarentaise where his armie remayned vnder the commaund âf the Earle of Martinengues consisting of eight hundred horse and sixe thousand foote hee came and incamped beyond the riuer of Isere yet vnder the fauour of the Cannon of Montmelian at the Castell of Saint Helene Les Diguieres contiâue his conquests hee approcheth within musket shot of the Duke beseegeth anâ tâkes the Tower of Aiguebelle the Castels of Rochette of Villars-Sallet a hâuse of the Earles of Montmaiour de Lhuâle and Chamoux and beseegeth the sort of Chamousset being defended by Philippin bastard brother to the Duke of Sauoy places very coÌmodious and profitable for victuals and forrage and which stopt the passage from Sauoie into Maurienne Here newes comes to Les Diguieres that the Duke raiseth a fort on the other side of Isere to assure the passage for his army and meanes to lodge at Chaumousset a plâce of great aduantage for him which might greatly annoye the kings army the passage betwixt Daulphiné and it This fort was of a triangular forme made defensiâe aâd raised the heigh of a pike in one night it was garded by sixe hundrâd choise ãâã out of the whole armie of Sauoie and fortified with many gentlemen of the Dâkes Court Les Diguieres vewes it and propounds it in Councell and according to their aduice that were about him saâutes it with some vollees of Cannon shot opens it at one point sends two thousand harguebuziers commaunded by the Lord of Crequy his sonne in law who seconded by a troupe of horse enter furiously into the âort and in despight of their obstinat resistance and the force of foure peeces which played incessantly from the other side of the riuer along the flankes of the said sort they carried it in sight of the Duke and kill by the sword and water aboue foure hundred men and many of the Dukes gentlemen who was in person in his armie beyond the riuer of Isere and so razed the fort The Baron of Chauuirieu borne in the Countie was slaine there the Colonnell was taken prisoner and the Castell of Chaumousset yeelded the next day by composition The Towre of Charbonniere a place strong of situation which couers Atguebelle and might bee madâ fiâ to anoy âontmelâan seeing their Captaine and many others slaine with the Cannon came lââewise into the victors power The Castell of Aâgâille remayned yet a strong place both by nature and art vpon the side of a mountaine in accessible of one side hauing on the other side a doubâe ditch with a thicke ramparre betwixt both Yet was it taken after two hundred Cannon shot This place assured all Maurienne and that which lies beyond Isere to his Maiesties obedience from Mont Senys vnto Montmelian The supplies the Dâke expected caused the Lances of Saucie to remaine in quiet Beeing nowe fortified with two thousand fiue hundred Suisses and as many Spaniards and Neapolitans hee comes with al this army to lodge about Montmelian and resolues to set vpon the Kings army To free him of some part of this trouble Lesdiguiers turnes towards him with his forces
in the Archdukes Court The Duke of Sauoy who enioyed the same benefit of the Peace M r de ãâ¦ã King âf the Duke oâ âirââ practââes was bound to the obseruation thereof by the like forme The King sent to M r dela Guiche Gouernour of Lion that hee would willingly haue giuen him that charge but that he feared his absence might somewhat preiudice the good of his affaires and his indisposition not suffer him to performe the voyage Hee therefore commanded Guadagnes Seneshall of Lion and Knight of both orders to vndertake this charge The oth was taken in the Friars Church of Chambery on Sunday the second of August The Dâke of Sââoy sweares thâ pâace where the Duke was assisted with all his Knâghts of the Auanciado and to witnesse the content which hee had of this peace and reconciliation with his Maiesty he sayd vnto Guadagnes that hee held this day the happiest of all the daies of his life and that all which remayned should bee to maintayne and honour the memory thereof That it were not onely an indiscretion but a blindnesse and a madnes for him to change the felicities of Peace for the miseries of Warre The Duke gaue vnto Guadagnes to the chiefe gentlemen of his trayne Iewells Horses Chaines of gold and to all so many good words as there was not any one but did wishe him more profit by this Peace then he reaped He refused not any thing that was demanded of him in the execution of the treaty for the deliuery and ransome of prisoners but onely the liberty of the Admirall Chastillons wife Hee made answere to the Instance which Guadagnes made in the Kings name Iaâââline Countâsse of Antiemânt wife to the Admirall was Prisoner at ãâã and there dâd That the respect hee bare vnto his Maiesties comandement was so great as to please him hee would restore her goods and giue her some more liberty whilest that hee might giue his Maiesty to vnderstand the iust causes of her restraint That whatsoeuer had beene decreed at Rome for her absolution was rather in sauour of his Maiesty then for any reason for that hee was seized vpon bookes and writings that were execrable and damnable The afflictions of this Lady did mooue the harts of the chiefe Officers of this Crown of many great Noblemen of the realme her kinsmen and allies The King had commiseration of her for her misfortunes her imprisonment losses and disgraces deserued pitty The Constable the âârdinall of ãâã the Duke of Ioyenze and M. Danâââlot intreated the Legât to do hâr âustice She was so transported with the good successe of the Kings affaires that although shee were among her enemies yet the fire of her desires could neyther be smothered vnder the ashes of affliction nor vnder the fume of dissimulation If she could haue done that whereof they accused her she would haue made as soden alterations on the earth as Henry King of Sueden did in the aire and as admirable as her will was absolute to desire that the King might ouercome his enemies and haue satisfaction for Nice and Salusses Vpon the hope that this Peace should giue her some content and that the Kings commendation by his Ambassador should giue some truce to her miseries shee writ a letter of the pittifull course of her misfortunes wherby appeared the excellây of her spirit in these words Although saith shee the comparison bee as different as an Elephant and a Gnat yet are they both vegeratiue and sensitiue creatures My fortune and that of my house hath alwaies followed that of France and the Kings for as since his marriage I haue alwaies seene my Estate declyning euen vnto the period of a totall ruine The Councelle of Antâemonts letter to Peter Mathieââ by the ill successe of his affaires so now when as God hath powred his blessings vpon him that hee hath reueÌged him of his enemies euen by his enemies that against the conspiracies of the wicked the iudgement of the good hee doth enioy his Inheritance I will hope there shal be some change in my condition I desire it may be good but if it proue otherwise I will not alter my resolution to receiue both good and euill as from the hand of God I haue this aduantage ouer fortune that hereafter her iniuries how violent and soden soeuer shall not be strange vnto me Custome makes afflictions easie I am inured to my afflictions as a Galley-slaue to his oare Necessity âeacheth me to suffer constantly and custome makes my suffrance eaâââ The King also gaue Guadagnes charge to let the Duke vnderstand that hee had receiued three seuerall complaints from the Citty of Geneua how that his troupes which he entertayned thereabouts vsed insupportable hostâlities tooke prisoners chopt and changed them that his Maiesty desired the Towne might reape the fruite and safeây which the common good of the peace did promise them Comâlaiâts from the Towne of Geneua and that the Dukes troupes might be retired to the end all Iealousie and distrust might ceasse The Duke would not answer herevnto by writing least saith he he should preiudice the pretensions which he had to that Towne for aboue foure hundred yeares saying only that hee did not thinke it had beene comprised in the treaty of peace for that all other Townes and Prouinces had beene particularly named and not that of Geneua That hee could not free his neighbors from feare and distrust The Dukes pretensions but in retyring his troupes that were about the towne to refresh them in Lombardie hee should take away the cause hauing no intention to prefer War before the happines of Peace He therefore commanded Don Iuan de Mendoza a Spaniard to draw his Regiment which consisted of twelue hundred men out of the territories of Geneua to passe to Milan The King of Spaine fiâding himselfe decrease daily both in strength and health desiring to fââish that which he had resolued for the mariage of his eldest Daughter Madam Isabelle with Albert the Archduke his Nephew although he were aduanced to great Ecclesiasticall dignities Donation of the Lowe Countries to the Infanta of Spaine especially to the rich Archbishoprick of Toledo he called before him in the Citty of Madril the 6. of May Prince Philip his onely sonne being about 20. yeares old whom he had also promised in mariage to Madam Mary daughter to the Ferdinand Archduke of Austria but she died soone after accompanied with Don Gomes d'Auila Marquis de Vellada Gouernour and Lord Steward of Prince Philips house DoÌ Christopher de Mora Earle of Castel Roderigo great CoÌmander of the Alcantara Don Iuan d' Idiaques great CoÌmander of Leon all 3. being Councellors of State M. Nicholas Damant Knight CouÌcellor President Chancellor of Brabant with Lâlâo Secretary for the affaires of the Low Countries no more whereas the King made a Grant of the Lowe Countries to his Daughter the which
long Hayre by the which hee was hanged King Lewis then did alwayes say That Pride carried Ruine behinde him A Heart which knowes from whence the good comes which it inioyeth is alwayes an enemy to Pride So there is but a moment betwixt Glory and Ruine Great Trees are long in growing but are rooted âp in an instant And it is true if the Duke of Biron had had a Brayne he had not lost his Head and had not brought it into the handes of his Princes Iustice whom hee had so much offended The Marshall Bââons Virtues This Marshall had goodly parts communicable to fewe his Valour was admirable and happy in all his incounters of an inuincible Courage infatigable and neuer tired with any toyle continuing ordinârily fifteeene dayes together on Horse-backe He was not inclined to Volâptuousnesâe nor much to the loue of Women sober ynough the which began to quench that furious humour as Intemperancy greatnesse increased or that Rest did moderate his boyling passions He was extremely Vaine-glorious His Vanity Glory yea sometimes he would refuse his meate and content himselfe with little to feede his Fantasie with Glory and Vanity He was of a meane stature Blacke reasonable grosse hollow eyd and rough in speech and conuersation He was aduenturous in War Ambitious beyond all measure The excesse of his Ambition made him to braue it without iudgement He became so presumptuous as he thought that the King nor France could not subsist without him He was become ill-tounged speaking ill of all the Princes threatning the Parliaments and the Officers of Iust ce some with death and to dispossesse others of their places He was aduanced from the meanest to the highest degrees of Honours of a simple Souldiar hee became a Captaine then a Colonell afterwards Admirall and Marshall and in the ende Lieutenant of the Kings Armies and in his Heart he aspired to be Duke of Burgundy Son in Lawe to the Duke of Sauoy A comparison betwixt Silla and the Duke of Biron and Nephew to the King of Spaine If Sylla were Resolute Cruell and Bloudy he yeelded nothing to all men together If he were Valiant this man exceeded him by ten degrees and all the Romaine Princes together Their Actions and their ends were almost alike but that Sylla died after he had vanquished this before he could vanquish and in the middest of his Course did feele the Vengeance of Gods wrath His Credit and how hee was esteemed Howsoeuer he had wonne the Souldiars hearts to whom hee gaue all liberty he purchased credit with them that had neuer seene him for they that had seene and felt him wished him at the Indâes and made Strangers admire his valour the Constable of Castille in the Franche-County the Archduke at Amiens and the Marquis of Waranbon in Artois whom he made to pay forty thousand Crownes for his ransome with many Spaniards which he caused to be hanged sodainly for that they had called him Baron Moreouer the Kings exceeding fauours the prayses wherewith he did publikely honour him his admirable fortune his coÌming to the restoring of the last ruines of the State like to an other Camillus to deliuer the Capitoll had made him not onely famous throughout all Europe fearefull to all the neighbours but necessary for France Behold a man that was happy full of content which held Fortune captiue withall her treasures he coÌmanded the felicities of this world he had Glory Honour Riches those gifts which Fortune imparts to her darlings He was raised to the top of Fortunes wheele but he fell for he that gouerns the Helme and all her motions could no longer endure his insolency and vanity Sequitur superbos vltor a tergo Deus The causes of his ruine are infinite Shame followeâ Pride the contempt of piety is the chieâe this ground taken away all vices abound and as the seruant said to King Atraeus O Prince follow the infallible way of Piety your Scepter shal be durable for wheras Faith Holines hath no place there is no happines the reason is for that without God we hold all things indifferent the Law folly Iustice frensie and Faith a fantasie we hold the words of vertue vice to be idle wheras the feare trust in God limits our passions insatiable desires so as gouerning our actions by a iust proportion we cannot erre âe was oftentimes seen to iest at the Masse to laugh at theÌ of the Reformed Religion with whoÌ he had bin bred vp from his infancy âor at the age of eight yeares the Lady of Brisambourg his Fathers sister being of the reformed Religion did so affect him for his actiue disposition as she demanded him of his Mother the which she granted froÌ that time she made him her onely heire Vntill the age of 16. yeares he was called Charles of Gontault for then he had an elder brother which died since at the Duke of Alançons voyage into Flanders bred vp at Brisambourg nere vnto S. Iean d' Angely where he was nothing giuen to his booke but wholy inclined to Armes for which consideration his Father the Marshall Biron a Martiall Man then a Catholike âooke him froÌ his Aunt led him for a while with him through the Countries of Xaintonge Aulins Angoulmois where he caused him to be instructed in the Catholike Religion but vpon false principles which he did learne of some Courtiars he did often mocke at all Religion The second cause of his ruine was the alteration of his Fortune After the death of his elder Brother his father caused him to be called Baron of Biron brought him to Court where at the first he had a quarrell with the Lord of Carency son to the Earle of la Vauguion the which was ended by a Combat of three against three Biron Loignac Ienissac of the one side slue Carency Estissac and la Bastie their quarrell grew for the heyer of Caumont which either of theÌ affected in mariage yet neither of theÌ had her The Duke of EspernoÌ got his pardoÌ the which was coÌfirmed through the credit which his father had theÌ in Court Some say that being thus in troble he went disguised like a Carrier of Letters He went to a Mathematicien to know his Fortune vnto one la Brosse a great MathematiciaÌ whoÌ they âeid to be skilful in casting of Natiuities to whom he shewed his Natiuity drawn by some other And disseÌbling it to be his he said it was a Gentlemans whom he serued that he desired to know what end that man should haue La Brosse hauing rectified this figure said vnto him That he was of a good house no elder then you are said he to the Baron asking him if it were his the Baron answered him I wil not tell you But tel me said he what his Life his meanes end shal be This good old man who was then in a little Garret which serued
vnto God Lord come not neere mee vntill I bee fortefied I must confesse that I feare your Countenance hauing admitted such men to accuse me seeing that your Maiesty demands my Iustification the which hath retayned me not that my coÌscience doth accuse me of any fault that is worthy of such an examination Seeing it doth import your seruice it is requisit I should satisfie your Maiesty your Realme mine Honor and free them of my Relligion from the scandal which they should receiue if my crime were not punished mine Innocency known For the attayning wherof I assure my âelfe that your Maiesty would not depriue me of the liberty which all your subiects of the Relligion enioye and the rather for that no Iudges can be more interessed in these affaires seeing the question is of the decaye of your Realme to augment that of Spaine where-in all your subiects haue one coÌmon losse but those of the Relligion whereof the Chambers do consist haue a more particular the which they esteeme more deare then their liues which is the losse of their exercise They will therefore bee seuere Iudges rather then milde If they shall finde mee guiltie they will hate me more then any other from whom they did least expect it I most humbly therefore beseech your Maiestie to send my Accusers Accusations thinking the imputation which is layd vpon me heauie the time tedious vntill your Maiestie may be fully satisfied of mine Innocencie for the speedy effecting wherof I will attend at Castres the Iustification of my fault or Innocencie Iudging that the time which I should haue spent in going to your Maieââie would haue but prolonged the affliction of my Soule remayning accused seeing that your Maieââie was to send mee backe to the Chambers to condemne or obsolue me being the Iudges which your Edict hath giuen me That it would therefore please you to releeue my minde speedily in giuing mee the meanes to make my Innocencie knowne and that by this proofe you may rest assured of my faithfâll seruice and I of your fauour the which shal bee aboue all things desired of your most Humble most Obedient and most Faithfull Subiect and Seruant Henry de la Toure The King caused the Prince of Ginuille to be coÌmitted to the Duke of Guise his brother Sillery examined him very carefully The Prince of Ginuilââ committed his Maiestie relying vpon his wisedome and integrity He aduertised the Gouernours of Prouinces why he did it vsing these words I haue committed my Nephew the Prince of Ginuille vnto my Nephew the Duke of Guise his brother for that he had rashly and indiscreetly giuen eare to certaine propositions that were made vnto him against my seruice I will hold him in the same gard vntil that matters be made plaine But I assure my selfe it concernes him only wherein those of his house haue no share neither is there any one named or coÌprehended with him whereof I thought good to aduertise you The King hauing since bin satisfied of the truth he returned againe into fauour Humbert de la Tour Daulphiâ giues Daulphiné to the fiâst sonnâ oâ Fâance There came 15. or 16. Deputies out of Daulphiné to Paris This Prouince was giuen to the Crowne of France by Humbert Prince of Daulphiné vpon condition that the Kings eldest Son the presumptiue heire of the Crowne should be soueraigne thereof from his birth Hauing made great ioy for this blessing and to see that which they had not seene since King Charles the 8 they made choise of some out of the three Estates of the Country to go performe their first duties of subiection to know their Soueraigne Lord. Ierosme of Villards Archbishop of Vienne was the cheefe of this Ambassage the which he gouerned and ended happely and with honor Hauing done their duties to the King and Queene and let them vnderstand the charge which he had from the States of the Countrie with the other Deputies hee was led to S. Germans to see their new Prince who was vnder a cloth of Estate in his Cradle vpon a little bed The Archbishop of Viânnes speeâh to the Daulphin The Count Soissons Gouernour and Lieutenant generall of Daulphiné his Gouernesse and his Nurse were by him The Archbishop of Vienne spake vnto him standing al the rest kneeled of one knee The substance of which speech was That the ioy of France had beene infinite by his birth foreseeing that her felicitie should be imperfect without it and that the blessing of Peace could not continue without his Birth who should bee the death of all pretexts of Ciuill warres but your Prouince of Daulphiné hath farre greater cause of Ioy âor that it feeles in effect that which the rest of the Realme hath but in hope Those which haue beleeued that felicitie could not be in the infancie of a Child Children cannot beâ târmed happy seeing it requires a continuance of years and a constant knowledge of virtue and fortune ment it not by Kings Children and aboue all of the first borne of the Crowne of France at whose first birth wee see all the fauours raigne vpon his head the which Heauen can powre vpon them whome it will make happie The same day my Lord that you saw the light the Sunn did salute you a great Prince and the Sonne of a great King you are borne our Soueraigne Lord and wee are become your faithfull vasâalls and most humble Subiects so as this Prouince which amidest so many afflictions hath sighed aboue a hundred yeares for the day when it should see borne that sacred bud of the Royall flowre houlds it the greatest point of glorie and felicitie not to know any power more absolute and soueraigne then yours and to obey you before that you know what it is to command This Cradle my Lord about the which the Eternall Prouidence which hath a speciall care ouer this Realme and hath appointed his Angells for your grad is the Throne wherein wee adore in your lyuing Image the inuisible Maiestie of the liuing God The rocking of this Cradle hath setled the filicitie of France which began to bee shaken by furious and dangerous attempts both without and within It is an extreme greefe vnto vs that the lawe of this Cradle will not suffer vs to heaâe you make vs so happie as to vnderstand you And if you vnderstand not but by the LaÌguage of InfaÌts which be Tears you shal knowe the affection of your peoples Harts by the tears of Ioy which fall from their eyes praising God that it hath pleased him to giue them a Prince issued from the first Crowne of the world who carries in his Heart the generosity of his Father and in his eyes the sweetnes of the Mother A Prince which in greatnes of courrage and in reputation of braue and immorâal Actions shall exceed the glory of all the Princes of the Land and Sea as the Daulphin in lightnes and swiftnes passeth
on this side the Pyrenâe mountaines So as the English seeing that Ferdinand did vse them onely to satisfie his priuat couetousnesse tooke shipping and sayled into England To recouer this vsurped realme the King sent Francis Duke of Longneuille gouernour of âuienne Charles Duke of Bourbon sonne to Gilbert late Viceroy of Naples Odet of Foix Vicontu of Lautrec Iohn of Chabannes Lord of Palisse Marshall of France Peter of âerrââl the Lords of Maugiron Lude Barbezicux Turene Escars Ventadour Pompadour and other valiant Captaines and Gascons which hee assembled from all parts But the army being diuided by the dissention of the Duke of Longueuille who as Gouernour of Guienne pretended the commande to belong vnto him and the Duke of âourbon vnwilling to yeeld vnto him by reason of his quality proued fruitlesse for the King of Nauarre Thus the realme of Nauarre was inuaded by the Spaniards who remayned master thereof The departure of the English and the enterprise of Nauarre being made frustrate ãâã affects the affaires of Milan with greater vehemencie whilest that the Castel and that of Cremona held good but the opposition of so many enemies bred many ãâã There were many hopes to drawe some one of these from this common alli ãâ¦ã Bishop of Gurce had courteously giuen eare to a friend of the Cardinall of S. ãâ¦ã whome the Queene of France had sent vnto him and held one of his people at ãâ¦ã Court to make a motion that the King should bind him selfe to aide the ãâã against the Venetiânâ that Charles grand-child to Maximilian should ãâ¦ã âingâ yongest daughter to whome he should giue the Duchie of Milan ãâ¦ã the King shoâld yeeld vnto them the rights he pretended to the realme of Naples 1513. and that the said Duchy being recouered Cremona and Guiaradadde should be held by the Emperour Moreouer the Veneââans were wonderfully grieued at the Popes new treaty with the Emperour which put the King in hope to draw the Venetians vnto him The Arragonois came betweene by a politike stratageme to assure his new Conquest of Nauarre he had sent two Fryers into France it is the Spaniards custome to manage affaires by the meanes of religious persons to make their negâtiations the more graue and to colour their policies with more subtilty to treat with the Queene touching a general peace or a priuate betwixt the two Kings The amity of the Suisses did import much But remembring that by their forces Charles the 8. had first troubled the peace of Italy Lewis his successor by meanes thereof had conquered the Estate of Milan recouered Genes and ouerthrew the Venetians that at this present the Pope and other Potentates of Italie payed them annuall pensions to bee receiued into their confederacie They grew obstinate in refusing the Kings alliance whâch he sought by the Lords of Tremouille and Triuulce In the end the King being reiected by the Suisses seekes the Venetians who conclude to make a league with the King according to the capitulations made formerly betwixt them by the which Cremona Guiaradadde should remaine to theÌ Robertet Secrettary of the State Triuulâe and almost all the chiefe of the Councell approued this league But the perswasions of the Cardinall of S. Seuerin opposite to Triuulce and the Queenes authoriây who desired much the greatnes of her daughter by the foresaid marriage so as sâe might remaine with her vntill the consummation thereof made the King and his Councell incline to the Emperours party But discouering that these were but practises of the Emperour to make the King proceed more coldly in his courses he soone gaue it ouer Whilest that armes ceased on all sides the Popes passions encreased He reuiued his desseines against Ferrare Sienne Luques Florence and Genes and as if it had beene in his power to beat all the world at one instant he thrust the King of England into warre in whose fauour he had dispatcht a Bull in the Councell of Lateran whereby the title of most Christian was giuen vnto him and the Realme of France againe abandoned to him that should conquer it But as he deuised of all these things and without doubt of many other more high secâââs according to the capacity of his terrible spirit howe great so euer death ended the course of his present toyles the 21. day of February at night Pope Iulius dies A Prince doubtlesse of courage of admirable constancie and most worthy of glory if he had directed his intentions to aduance the Church by peace as hee sought to grow great in temporall things by policies in war Iohn Cardinall of Meâicâs succeeded âim and was called Leo .10 The happy memory of his father his lawfull election free from bribes and Sâmonye his faire conditions his liberality and mildnesse of spirit A new election gaue great hope of the quiet of Christendome Yet soone after his instalment he shewed plainely that he was rather successor of his predecessors hatred and couetous passions then of S. Peter According to the treaty of the aboue named Friers the Kings of France Arragon concluded a truce A truce betwixt ârance and Arragon whereby our Lewis hauing more liberty to thinke of the warres of Milan resolued to send an army knowing well that the people of that estate oppressed with excessiue taxes leauied to pay the Suisses and with the lodging and payment made to the Spaniards desired earnestly to returne to his obedience And to make this enterprise the more easie the accord propounded before with the Venetians was againe renued so as the Venetians considering that a concord with Maximilian keeping Verona from them was not sufficient to protect them from troubles and dangers and that hardly they should get such an occasion to recouer their estate they binde themselues by Andrew Gritti Peace betwixt the king of Fâance and the Venetians To ayde the King with eight hundred men at armes fifteene hundred light horse and ten thousand foot to recouer Ast Genes and the Duchie of Milan And the King to assist them vntill they had recouered all they had possessed in Lombardie and in the Marquisate of Treuise before the treaty of Cambray The King knew well it were but labour lost to seeke the Pope who desired to haue no Frenchman in Italy Yet the deuotion he had to the Romaine sea made him sue vnto Leo not to hinder him in the recouerie of the aboue named places offering not onely not to paâse any further but also at all times to make such peace with him as he pleased But Leâ âreading the steps of his Predecessor perswades the King of England to ioyne with the Arragonois in the oppression of France according to the Bull gâuen by Iulio he protested to continue in the League made with the Emperour with the Catholicke King and with the Suisses The King thus frustrate of a peace with the Pope A royall army in the Duâhie of Milan sends the Lord of Triuulce with fifteene
was read signed sealed and written in the French tongue By this march he did institute these two future spouses their heires males or females Soueraigne Lords of all the Prouinces of the Low CouÌtries of the Franche-Conte of Bourgundie of the County of Charolois vpon condition that the said Countries should returne vnto the King of Spaine The conditioâs if they had no children of the said marriage 2. That the Princesse of the Low Countries which should be were it either maide or widow should be bound to marry with the King of Spaine or the Prince his Sonne hauing obtained a lawfull dispensation from his Holinesse Or if that might not be the Princesse wanting will or power to accomplish this marriage then should it not be lawful for her to take any other husband but with the consent of the Kings of Spaine 3. That it should not be lawfull for the Infanta nor any other called to the said succession to ingage nor alienate any part of the said CouÌtries without the consent of the heires successors of the King of Spaine 4. That they their successors not subiects might not in any sort traffick to the East West Indies vpon paine of confiscation 5. That the Archduke should enioy the said Countries during his life if he suruiued the Infanta and if he had children they should haue portions assigned to maintaine them honorably and to the eldest were it sonne or daughter should be giuen the Duchie of Luxembourg in the County of Cheuy with the dependances who after the Archdukes decease should enter into the possession of the said Countries The chiefe conditions was for the maintenance of the Catholike Apostolick and Romish Religion in the said Countries And in case of contrauention especially for the Nauigation and Religion the future Spouses and their descendants should forfait all their interest to the said Countries The last of the condition was that the Donataries should bee bound to pay all the debts and obligations contracted by the Emperour Charles the 5. the King of Spaine vpon the Patrimony reuenues of the Low Countries The Pattent of this donation was sealed at Madril the 6. of May 1598. The Prince ratifies the dânaâion The Prince of Spaine to ratifie the said donation declared his consent by other letters Pattents seeing it was the good will and pleasure of the King his Father hoping it should redound to the good of all Christendome and to the content of his good sister Isabella Clara Eugenia And it is said that for a greater approbation he did sweare vpoÌ the holy Euangelist neuer to oppose himselfe against it setting his hand and seale to the said declaration The Infanâaes accâption in the presence of the aboue named witnesses The Infanta Isabella did in like sort by her letters pattents accept of the said Donation and Grant of the said Low Countries withall she shews how much she doth esteeme the gift that her intention was to keepe all the conditions annexed to the said donation taking the like oth vpon the holy Euangelist signing and sealing it as the Prince had done This being performed and that the Archdukes Mother who was also Aunt vnto the Infanta Proâuration from the Infanta to the Aâchdâke to take possession of the Lowe Countries the last oââune 1598. had kissed her as her Daughter in law they resolued to aduertise the Archduke that to that end she should write vnto him as a wife vnto her husband And in this quality she declares her selfe Lady of the Low Countries in generall Duchesse of Bourgundie Lotiers Brabant Lembourg Luxembourg Gueldres Countesse of Flanders Artois Bourgundie Palatine of Hainault Holland Zeland of Namur and of Zutphen Marquis of the holy Empire Lady of Frize of Salins Malines of the Towne of Vtrecht of Transsillanie and Groninghe for that desiring to obey the King her father she had accepted of the said Seigneuries she sent a full and ample procuration vnto Albert the Archduke her future Spouse 1595. to take possession of all the sayd Seigneuries in the name of the sayd Infanta giuing him full authoritie in the name of a Prince and vpon her reputation to make a generall assemblie of the Estates of the sayd Prouinces for the effecting of her intention promising not to contradict it neither directly nor indirectly in any sort whatsoeuer The Estates of the Lowe Countries were assembled at Bruxelles the 15. of August for the publication of the sayd Donation An assembly at Bruxellâs vpon the dânatioâ made vnto the Infanta where were many disputes about the receiuing of the said Infanta by a deputie and to sweare vnto her considering the Priuileges of the Country especially of the Duchiâ of Brabant which doth not receiue any Prince but in their owne persons But in the end the said Cardinall Archduke was receiued in the name of the said Lady by vertue of his procuration Hee swearing to obserue all the Râghts Priuileges Liberties Immunities and Customes of those Countries and the Estates did sweare all fidelitie and obedience vnto her This done the sayd Cardinall Archduke The Archduke leaues his Cardinâlâ habit at Haulâ in Brabant being sufficiently knowne and accepted for their future Prince according to the promises of marriage betwixt him and the Infanta to enter into the consumation thereof and according to the Popes grant he went to Halle a little Towne in Brabant three leagues from Bruxelles commonly called Our Lady of Halle a place of pilgrimage very famous where he left his Cardinals Hat habât vpon the high Altar Then he began to giue order for his voiage and the gouernment of the Lowe Countries where during his absence hee named his cousin Andrew Cardinall of Austria sonne to Ferdinand the Archduke His order in the Lowe Countries during his voyage into Spaine who was brother to Maximilian the Emperour and with him the Councell of State appointing Francisco de Mendoza Admirall of Arragon Captaine generall of his Armie and Herman Earle of Berghe Marshall of the Campe with other Commanders and Officers to put in execution that which had beene resolued vpon at Bruxelles touching the frontiers of Germanie There were deputed to accompanie the Archduke Philip of Nassau Prince of Orange c. the Earles of Barlamont and of Sores Noblemen of the Country with many Ladies and Gentlewomen among the rest âhe Countesse of Mansfield Widow to the Earle and Dowager to the Earles of Hemin and Hoochstrate with many other young Noblemen and Gentlemen of the Lowe Countries being desirous to see Spaine and the triumphes and magnificence of the Prince of Spaine and of the sayd Archduke and Infanta All things being thus prepared the Archduke parted from Bruxelles about the midest of September taking his way as he said towards Prague to see the Emperour his Brother to conferre with him touching the affaires of the Lowe Countries and so to passe to Gretz or Gratzen to