agaynst their Soueraigne and benefactor and parricide among bretheren one to preuent another The newes of the death of Guyze beeing brought into the Prouinces the most part of Towns and Citties from the riuer of Loyre West North and East being already surprised aforehand and seduced from the Kings obedience by the Leaguers vppon the rumor of that execution were so greatly mooued the Duke of Guyze beeing accompted the onely piller of Popish religion by the perswasion which the Catholikes had conceaued of him that they began euery where to wauer and kindle to a manifest rebellion by the setting on of the Leaguers who were the greatest part in number euery where They did greatly by their inuectiues make heynous and odious that execution vppon the persons of Guyze and the Romish Priest his brother tearming it the Massacre committed at Bloys And thus the iust iudgement of God iustly taking vengeance for so many murthers shedding of innocent bloud and innumerable villanies committed vppon the saintes of God and for stopping their eares at the cleere and lowd voice of the Sonne of God who so louingly hath called them by his word promises by his threatnings and plagues ofpestilence famine and warre gaue them ouer to a reprobat sence with a senceles rage to fall to commit such cruelties among themselues that no enemy would or could haue desired or deuised greater their towns and citiesbeeing euery where replenished with massacres robberies banishments and proscriptions not committed agaynst them of the religion but euen of popish Catholikes against popish Catholikes of Idolaters against Idolaters of murtherers agaynst murtherers so the Lord hath sent euill Angels among them Paris the capitall cittie of the kingdome as they more hoped vppon the Duke of Guyze then any other did so they shew themselues most offended There were firebrands which kindled the sedition to the vttermost to wit the Duchesses of Guyze and Nemours who with their outcries and lamentations did animate the people to a raging madnes Thereunto also added the Iesuits and Fryers set on by the aforenamed all their inuectiues insolent and vnreuerent wordes in their ordinary tragicall outcryes in their Pulpits and philippicall sermons to make the people obstinate desperat and vntractable to be hereafter reduced to any obedience Other Cities followed the example of Paris as Orleans Roen Anieus Abeuille Reymes and Tholose whereby the conspiracy and setting on of the Bishop of the place in most cruel maner they tooke the first president of the court of Parliament there hanged him vpon a Gibet and afterward dragged his dead body about the streets beeing one of the most zealous romish Catholikes which then could liue in this world the onely cause was that he would not allow their rebellion The King vnderstanding the great sturres perilous flames of rebellion in most part of the townes and cities of his realme supposing by impunity which he calleth clemencie and gentlenes to quench that fire which was already too far kindled writeth his declarations emporting an obliuion of all iniuries to be published in all his Parliaments and other courts in Prouinces First he sheweth how oftentimes hee hath borne with the perturbers of his realme not onely in forgiuing them their offences whome hee might haue iustly punished but also by winning them by all fauours possible to be shewed onely thereby séeking the preseruation of the peace of his subiects and of the Catholick religion vntill that hee was certainely informed that they had conspired against his person life and estate so farre as he was inforced to make that execution extraordinarily Secondly he sheweth that although many had béen of that conspiracy whome he might haue iustly punished yet for the loue which he beareth vnto all Catholicks hée hath stayed the punishment vpon the two chiefest authors of the euill Thirdly he protesteth that he will haue the edict of reunion obserued in all poynts burying al the former offences in perpetuall forgetfulnes commaundeth his iudges and officers in all his courtes to make no inquisition of the former offences willing all men to liue in peace vnder his obedience and if not hee chargeth his officers to make exemplary iustice of the offenders The King hauing assembled his estates as is saide before supposing by their help and assistance to haue repressed the outragious attempts of the house of Guize sawe himselfe in the middest of them compassed with a company of mortall enemies to his person life and state Whereupon destitute of authoritie counsell and help through pusillanimity was faine to spare the liues of them who were in his power and of others whome he might easily haue apprehended who had their hands as déepely in the trespasse as the chiefe authors themselues This was the worke of the Lord to bring him to the consideration of his great errors in refusing so often the wholsome and brotherlike aduertisements of the good K. of Nauarre and other Princes both within and without the realme his louing and faithfull friends The more therefore he goeth about with impunity of most grieuous offences which in his declaration hee tearmeth clemency to bring that people of Paris seduced from his obedience to their duety y e more that miserable people condemned of God and in his wrath appointed to hauock and thraâ—dome for multiplying rebellion murthers and confusions vpon their former murthers Idolatries and abominations dooth rage and like mad dogs as out of their wittes doo run headlong to worke the full measure of their desperat rebellions accounting the Kings clemency cowardlines which they might haue called pusillanimitie in deed as though hée feared either to haue them his enemies or else to loose them from being his subiects Therefore hauing committed greeuous crimes all manner of wayes euen with greedines at length hauing concluded to withdraw themselues from their soueraignes obedience the chiefest players in this tragedie of rebellion to colour their diuilish passions with the authoritie of Gods law as though they would haue asked Gods wil out of his owne mouth adressed them themselues to the facultie of Theologie there commonly called the Colledg of Sorboune For that purpose they sent one Vrban one of the Magistrates of Paris to the sayd Sorboune hauing framed in manner of supplication two questions to be resolued by them First an populus regni Galliae possit solui liberari à sacramento fidelitatis obedientiae Henrico tertio praestito Whether the people of France may not be discharged and setfree from the oath of allegeance and obedience made vnto Henry the third Secondly an tuta conscientia possit idem populus armari vniri pecnnias colligere contribuere ad defensionem conseruationem Religionis Catholicae Romanae in hoc regno aduersus nefaria conscilia conatus praedicti regis quorum libet aliorum illi adherentium contra publica fidei violationem ab eo Blaesis factum in praeiuditium praedictae religionis Catholicae edicti sanctae vnionis
thousand more entring already into France with foure thousand Rutters which were euery day expected he must needes prouide money for them For these shameles Mercenaries who sell themselues to dye at other mens commaundement neuer considering the iustice of the cause will make no warre longer than they are fed with money Considering the great charge which he through euil couÌ„sell had drawen vpon his armes he gathered a great summe of mony vpon the Courts of his Parlâ—aments wherewith he payed those Souldiers But whilest the K. was so busie to fight against the God of battells his Sonne whome he had anoynted vpon his holy hill Sion and pollâ—d his iudges and Magistrates that they might recouer money with aduantage by peruerting indgement Beholde a preamble of that rebellion which followed against him in Paris the moneth of Maie next ensuing There was a certaine Masse Priest Parson of Saint Seuerine at the lower ende of Saint Iames streate named Preuost who preached most seditiously against the King and certain other Lords who were his faithfull seruaunts without any respect of persons degree or dignitie This Priest being threatned to be had before the King a certaine notarie made a great assembly both of armes and men for to defend the Priest The King being aduertized of this misâ—emeanour commanded one of the porters of his chamber accompanied with two Archers of his garde to goe to the sayd Notary to bid him come to speak with the King They which were assembled in the Notaries house seeing the sayde company to enter into the house set vpon them with great violence and enforced them to saue their liues by flight â—rying arme arme and so put al the side of the Vniuersitie in such a wonderfull commotion that there was nothing else to be hoped but a tragicall euent and afterwarde vntill the 8. day of the sayd moneth the whole Citie was in an vprore keeping watch al night at the corners of the streates Now to returne to the course of the history The King hauing three great mighty armyes and no money to entertaine them turned himâ—elfe to the olde shifts broughâ— into France by the Cardinall of Lorreyne and paltring Italians who came with the Q. Mother and gouernd King Henry the second father to this King at their pleasure when they were disposed to make him a slaue to their passions For the ninth of September the King went to Parliament for to establish fifteene Edicts among the which there were three notable the first was of the establishing 27. Secretaries The second was to choose the sixt chamber of enquests consisting of twenty counsellers and two presidents The third was the creation of the Masters of accounts with two presidents out of the which estates he made his reckoning to pluck two Millions of golde Where thou mayest see gentle Reader in what miserable state France was then from the highest to the lowest The Leaguers secretly agaynst the king They openly made warre agaynst God distroyed his subiectes to bring to passe his owne subuersion and to hide the treasons of his enemies refusing to harken vnto any motion of peace proffered him by the king of Nauarre or to any good counsels and for to maintayne this his enterprises iustice must be peruerted by plurality of offices which is one of the principallest pillers of kingdoms by the which magistracy is vpholden mans society entertayned As concerning the armies which were in hand that which should bee lead by the king himselfe consisted of foure score and eight companyes of men of armes and ten thousand footmen twelue thousand Swissers 4. thousand Rutters he caryed twelue double Canons and two thousand Pioners and about the 1. of September the companies began to repayre to Montereau faut Yoynne with commaundement to stay there abouts about Sens in Bourgony vntill his comming and then to repayre all to S. Florentine there to be mustered The king sent to Marshal Biron to Montereau to view the place where they should campe for the king had determined to campe alwayes and for that cause all the Lords had prouided tentes He tooke for his counsel the Lords Villeroy and Bruslard secretaries the Dukes Espernon Danuile Retes and the Marshals Biron and Aumont The Prince Soyssons was with the king of Nauarre and the Prince County was in NormaÌ„dy Mayne Aniow to gather as many companies as he could to ioyne with the Germans knowing well that these great armies were specially prouided to destroy the house of Bourbon vnder the colour of defending the popish religion The Duke d'Aumaule was appoynted Colonel of the Swissers this armie went not further Eastward then Sens from thence turning South and West ward and crossing the Countrey of Auxeroy and Gastinoys passed Loyre into Berry after the determinatiun of the Germanes was knowne As for the third armies thus is it the Duke of Guize Lorreyne at the beginning of September were at Nancy there they had between 20. and 25000. men among them were many horsemen there they receaued 400. Launces of the Duke of Parma all olde Souldiers 2000. footemen Italians and betweene sixe or seauen hundred light horses they made no great account of the Italians the sonne of the Lord Antragues gouernour of Orleans about the 15. of September brought vnto the Duke of Guize beside horsemen about 700. footemen when a little before all the companies of the Leaguers of Britayn sent vnto him by the Duke Mercure vnder the conduct of the Lord Hault Boys were discomfited by the King of Nauarre nigh Monsoreau vpon Loyre as is before reported The army of Germans for y e king of Nauarre when it departed out of Germany was of fiue thousand Rutters fiue thousand Launceknights armed with corsâ—ets and launces sixteene thousand Swissers foure thousand harquebusiers on horsebacke and about thre hundred horses of French men But after they had passed the mountayne of Sauerne the further it went forward the more it did encrease for the Lord Mouy brought two thousand Harquebusiers French men on horsbacke The L. Villeneufue Cormon one thousandand the Lord Lours one thousand The Lord Chastilion the 22. of September brought to it fifteene hundered Harquebusiers about 200. horses so that the totall summe myght amount to 34. or 35. thousand besides the companies which the Prince County brought afterward They had 16. pieces of ordinance to wit foure great culuerines eight field pieces and three peeces which were taken from Salabrine The Lieutenant of the King of Nauarre was the Prince Bullion assisted with a counsel consisting of these which follow the Lordes Guitri Oneaulx Cleruan Beauuoys la Nocle Vezins Digoyne Louet Ramboillet Laube Cheuorles Huguery and Beauuieu This army was the terror of the one side and the hope of the other and yet both were disappointed of their expectation For God shewed to the one part that he hath means ynough to chastife whom and when he pleaseth to the other part hee shewed that they are not safe who do
horses of carriage the onset was giuen within two leagues of Pilmil suburbe of Nantes The King after giuing of thankes vpon that place where the skirmish was fought for that prosperous successe and victorie made a light dinner vnder a tree and after retyred to his lodging at S. Georges where hee soiourned the whole day following for the long daies iourney which he had made the day before notwithstanding that day hee went a hawking for Partridges and in the euening viewed the towne of Montagne to take order for the fortifications and garrisons of the sayd towne and purposed to haue layed the siege to the towne Clisson not farre thence The King being yet at S. George was strengthened with foure regiments of footmen to wit of Charbonieres Sallignak Preau and the regiment of his gardes commanded by the Lord Querine there also he receaued the light horsemen of the Lord Trimouille who had discomfited the regiment of Lestele and taken foure Ensignes which they presented vnto the sayd King The selfe same day being aduertized of the daunger wherein the Duke Espernon stood within the Towne of Engolesme besieged there within the Castell by a conspiracie of the Leaguers caused him to giue ouer his enterprise vpon Clisson the day following being the 15. of August departed from Saint George purposing to make toward Engolesme to succor the saide Lorde Espernon but hearing by the way how the tumult there was pacified went not so far as that place It is saide before how that the Leaguers in their request presented vnto the King made a great complaint against the Duke Espernon charging him to haue intelligences with the King of Nauarre and them of the religion to haue been the cause that their armies had heretofore small successe and that if he should grow to greater authoritie it were danger that in time he would deliuer the places of his gouernement to the King of Nauarre that he is the onely cause that the politick state is so corrupt and out of frame and therefore the King must needes put him from about his person and fauour This Lord Espernon of the auncient house of Valette grew in great fauour with the King through his faithfull seruice a man altogether sold to popery yet a louer of the Kings person crowne and state a louer of the realme and peace of the same a hater of conspirators and perturbers of the quietnes of the King and his subiects who neuer could bee drawne to the conspiracies of the Leaguers neither by faire promises nor other meanes whatsoeuer which thing was the cause that the Leaguers hated him as the onely man about the Kings person who did hinder the execution â—f their enterprises that man therefore must not be about the King nor be admitted into the assembly of the states The King to giue place to their hatred for a time and to auoyde the inconueniences which through y e malice of his enemies might befall to such a trustie seruant determined to send him out of their sight and where hee thought that they should be least able to practise against him And giuing him a very great power and commission in a most ample manner to commaund in the Prouinces of Aniou Toureyne Poytow Engomoyes Xainctonge commaunded him to depart the Court about the same time that the edict of reunion was made by the Leaguers who hauing soiourned a while in the Tower of Loches situated in Toureyne vpon the riuer Vndre which falleth into Loyre betwéene Tours and Samure to fortifie and assure the said place to the Kings obedience against the practises of certaine Gentlemen of the League made against that place From thence he tooke his iourney to Engolesme where he vnderstoode that many enterprises were a working by the League against the Kings seruice There commaunded the Lorde Tageus his kinseman vnder the charge of the Lord Valette his brother The saide Lorde Espernon arriuing at Engolesme accompanied with a great number of the nobilitie was honorably receaued by the Maior and Aldermen of the Citie by the officers of iustice policie with great numbers of people who went to meete him at the gates of the Citie hee was likewise receaued by the Bishop and his Priests at the doore of Saint Peters Church where they sung solemnly a great te Deum laudamus in the worship of him Not long after the said Lord Espernon called together the Bishop and his Priestes the Maior and the Escheuins the Kings officers and other chiefe Citizens to giue them notice of the occasions of his comming which was first to preserue them all in the Catholicke Romane religion for the which and for the Kings seruice he would willingly aduenture his life against all manner of men Exhorting them to aduise what was requisit for their conseruation and that they would propound the same vnto him All answered with one consent that they would dye vnder his authority in the same resolution and for to testify their willes the better they would haue his authority from the King printed read and published as the manner is through all the towne The said Lord hauing many companies both of horsemen and footmen yet would he innouate nothing not so much as to change any part of the garrison of the Citty and to testify vnto them more apparantly of the confidence which hee had in the promises and fidelity of them he would not lodge in any stronger place nor more aduantagious for his preseruation but in the Castell which is called the Kings house wherein he found his Cosin the Lord Tageus lodged as the gouernours heretofore had accustomed to do This Castell hath no strength which is any thing worth nether in Ditches nor in any handy worke except some great Towers of stone very olde but otherwise very commodious for the store of chambers which are therein The said Lord had brought his Lady with him and had also lodged the Lady Tageus there Hee went the same day into the Citadell wherein he commaunded the Lord Bordes with all the nobility which accompanied him could euen then haue lodged there if he had had any diffidence of the inhabitants for the keies were presented to him by the Lord Bordes That Fortresse was sufficient to haue bridled the inhabitantes considering the strength and great store of Munitions of the said place as well in Ordinance as in other necessary things But specially hauing a gate to get out of the towne whereby may be let in as many men as one would But the sayd Lord in stéed of mistrust kept an open house as well for the nobility of the countrey as for the inhabitantes of the citty without any respect of persons whereof a great number but specially the Maior of the town with his conspiratours sat ordinarily at his table with great curtesy and welcome shewed vnto them by the sayd L. Espernon He walked familiarly with them through the citty and suburbs with a small company of his
publike reuenger of Gods lawe and executer of his iustice who commandeth him that his eye shall not take pitie vpon such abominable contemners of Gods ordinance and iustice whose Image his person represented fearing men more then GOD and vnder the colour of clemencie consented to their crimes and through impunitie approoued their misdéedes God a righteous Iudge turned this his pusillanimitie to a snare and a blocke of offence by the which he wrought his owne ouerthrowe and miserable end Now leauing the euents which followed this tragedie played at Bloys we will fetch other matters and exploits which were done in other places that varietie may not onely delight the Christian Reader but also stirre him vp to feare tremble and reuerence Gods iudgements For not onely at Bloys he powred mightie streames of his wrath vpon the wicked but also in other places the Lord at the same time fed his enemies with shame clothed them with dishonour and rewarded them with confusion and in all places deliuered his Saints It is sayd before how at the making and concluding of the edict of reunion in Iuly last it was agreed that two mightie Armies should be mustered and made vp with as much readines as it could be done the one should be conducted by the Duke of Guize into Guienne and the other vnder the leading of the Duke de Mayne into Daulphine there to roote out them of the religion But yet the Duke of Guize aduised by his counsell to wit the Cardinall his brother and the Bishop of Lions altered his purpose for three causes First the cause of religion which he pretended was not the marke that he shot at neither did he greatly care which of the two went backward or forward Secondly he perceaued how he went to cast himselfe into the hazard of warre which is vncertaine but specially agaynst such a Captayne who hetherto had remained inuincible and knewe with fewe how to ouercome great multitudes and mighty forces whom hee feared as the slaue doth dread his Lord whom he hath greeuously offended Therfore he thought good not to hazard that way but to reserue himselfe to a better opportunity which would be offered him ere long The third cause was that if he should absent himselfe farre from Paris it might be that the King would enterprise it there uppon and carry it away from him Also if he should absent himselfe from the Court he were not able easily to bring to passe his intent nor giue the blowe which he had in minde long before Therfore another is to be sent yet it must not be any suspected person As for the Princes they are partiall in this cause and being of great authoritie of themselues are not to bee armed with power for els they may marre the play The Marshals Byron and Haultmont are good noble men good French men and valiant they are Royals and therfore we will haue none of them For it were not good to arme them with such forces for if wee say they should in the meane time execute our enterprise whilest they had such an armie they might marre all and begin a new tragedie vpon the players of the former Therefore such a Generall must néedes bee appoynted as may flatter with both sides and that will turne to the strongest part and if he should be lost in the battell it maketh no matter who that should be The Duke of Neuers of Nation an Italian an Atheist by religion a Spanyard by faction a Leaguer and a Royall both by policie and dissimulation in Nobilitie nouus homo For here is to be noted that in Italy there is no ancient Nobilitie remayning except it bee the Vrsins and Colomuae and some of the Patrilij in Venice For all the rest perhaps some fewe excepted are families raised vp within these few hundred yeares out of Colliers as the Medicis Porters and Chimney sweepers during the vniuersall rebellion of Italy against the Emperours vnder the factions of Guelpses and Gibelius and the Popes bastards also are the stockes of many families which now are accounted of the chiefest Nobilitie there as the houses of Parma Vrbines c. This Duke of Neuers hanging about the skirts of the Q. Mother maried the onely heires of the noble and ancient familie of Neuers whose father was slayne at the battell of Dreulx being of the house of Gonzages neuer heard of before these eight score yeares The noble Princes of the royall blood the ancient Nobility of France are no men but set behinde the doore they may not lead the kings armies not for lack of sufficiencie Why then Because they are suspected by the League to be true to their king good louers of their country and too naturall to their kings subiects and fellow Citizens Whilest therefore the States doe continue at Bloys and Rochel the Kings armie in Nouember taking their iourney into Poytow with great preparatioÌ„ intending as wel to recouer the places occupied by them of the Religion as also to beat the king of Nauarre in which doing not only they should make an ende of the warre by rooting out vtterly them of the Religion but also should recouer the losse of the honour of the armie which a moneth before had beene buried at Coutras by the King of Nauarre This armie was great and strong consisting of Frenchmen Swissers and Italians hauing a great number of armed men And as it marched forward so still it increased For light horses and Noble men with other qualities out of all partes out of the cities and communalties of the Prouinces neere about as well of the one as of the other side of the Loyre did voluntarylie ioyne themselues to it And among others out of the low Poytow were the Lords of Roches Beatault of Bourneueau Boucherie and Saint Andre with their companies The Duke of Neuers as is sayd before was generall assisted with the Lord Chastre and Sagonne two notable traytors Leaguers and Lauerdine loyall and faithfull to his Prince with other Lords and Captaines Ordinance munition and all kinde of preparation of warre was great The greatest part of this armie as well of the heads and commaunders as of the Nobilitie and others which did obey were Leaguers and leagued who thought that they could neuer worke mischiefe enough It is an incredible thing to heare the mischieues hauock and oppression which this armie did where it passed through but specially to them of the reformed religion who were found before them both in their houses and abroad the people men and women euen in diuers places the very cattell did flie before this armie as before a thundering tempest euen as a flock of sheepe before a heard of woolues sauage beasts or monsters neuer seene before Sultan Soliman Siech Selymogly did neuer cary greater cruelty sauagenes barbarousnes and terror into Austrich and Slireland when he came downe with three hundred thousand men to the siege of Vienne than did this râ—bble of turkish broode monstrous Cyclops God-contemners
assault geueÌ„ was one of the first which went vp to the same breach which the said Baron Vignoles kept intending to haue saued him but the said Poysson beeing not knowen by his friend Vignoles was receaued by two Harquebuze shot which did bear him downe to the ground so that he was carried away The heat of the fight dured a long hower and after that time the enemies began to faint but on the contrary their courage was doubled that were on the breaches Euen some of the souldiers who were gone towards the Castell to take breath after they had retyred within the forts ioyned themselues againe to the defenders of the breaches Then went they apace to worke vpon the enemy There was great disorder in the retire of the enemie for most part of them did cast away their weapons and lost them in the ditch and in the fortes which they forsooke Many were drowned in the ditch casting them selues downe from the fortes vpon the yce which by reason of that brake vnder them The ditches were incontinently lighted with a number of torches and linkes out of the Towne and Fortes for it was very darke The besieged in the towne spoiled the dead that euening some went out of the Forts vnto the brooke which doth separat the town from the suburbe to get armor Notwithstanding a point of humanity was shewed toward the enemy worthy to bee remembred for they did not hurt so much as to take any thing from the enemies who were left hurt vpon the breaches and in the ditches but rather they were had into the towne their woundes dressed and curteously vsed euen to the day that the towne was surrendered This victory is the more memorable because about fifty men defended the breaches against such a multitude for all the regiments of the Swissers also assaulted the same in witnesse thereof many of them remayned in the ditch It is also to bee noted that during the assault when they within the towne had set fire into a pomgarnad for to cast it into the ditch it fell again betweene the legges of the Gouernour and did burst without doing any hurt Upon this prosperous issue of that assault the Lord Plessis gouernour called all the Captayns and Gentlemen to render thankes to God for his gracious fauour shewed vnto them On the side of the Towne the Lord Perrine was killed with a shot in the head whereof he dyed within a while after Captayne Forest and the Lord of Saint Cosmio were hurt in both armes Of the enemies syde there were found the fifth day of Ianuary aboue fifty dead within the ditch besides them who were drowned and many which dyed afterward in the side of the Towne iâ— is certayne that there were found missing in that day of the army aboue three hundred and that one Captayne onely had lost aboue sixe score Beside them whith were wounded in great number was the Lord Brigneulx master of the campe this man lost his Sonne at Montagne now he hath a blow let him learne then not treacherously to vyolate the right of Nations as he did at Mauleon The night after the assault was bestowed in fortifiyng and continuing the trenches This day was bestowed of the enemie in the burying of the dead The same day in the euening a drumme of the enemie brought letters to the Lord Plessis gouernour of the place from the Lord Palneau When he had receiued them he assembled all the counsell to open the sayd letters in their presence The letters in substance did import that the said L. Palneau had great desire to speak with him about a thing which would bring him much contentation which he said he could not write In the same letters he prayed the Lorde Plessis to giue him meanes and safe conduct to speake with him All the Captaines gaue their aduise that he could not refuse that parley because that the Lord Palneau second sonne to the Earle of Carauas was a faithfull seruant to the King and great friend to the house of Bourbon and deadly enemie to the League and that by him they might also vnderstand newes of the King of Nauarre whereof they were in great care The 6 day of Ianuary the Lord Palneau accompanyed with the Captaine Grange who was of the regiment of Countie Graâ—pre went to the fort of the tower of the Castell made after the forme of a horseshooe During this parley they began the battery with two pieces at the breake of the day about noone they encreased with three pieces more and continued till night There were bestowed that day aboue eight score Cannon shot There were two souldiers slaine whereof the one was named Bourg of the company of the Lord. Vignoles there was great mâ—ane made for that man for his great valour for he was a rare patterne of godlines and vertue The Lord Plessis going foorth to that parley accompanied with the Lord Ayomont vpon returne reported to the counsell that the Lorde Palneau had notified vnto theÌ„ that the Duke of Neuers had determined not to vnbit nor to depart from that siege before he had salued his honour and to that end he would spare no friend no meanes nor authority That his stay there in that siege did hinder the affaires of the king of Nauarre more than they did think That the King did besiege Orleans by the citadell where was the Marshal Haumont and that the king would vse the forces of the King of Nauarre against the leagued To be short the Lord Plessis and all others which had assisted him had gotten honour enough in the defence of such a naughty place and that there was no more meanes to stand obstinate in defence of the saide place the said L. of Neuers being sufficiently informed of the necessities wherein they were as well of men who were greatly weary as of victualls That if they would hearken to render that place into his handes he offered vnto the gouernour gentlemen armes horses and baggage and to the souldiers armes and baggage and for the safe conduct the County Granprè the Baron Poluan and Bastenay Captaine of an hundred light horses should conduct them safely whither soeuer they would goe He gaue them beside eight dayes space to aduertize the King of Nauarre of the capitulation and in case that the said King should not giue any succour within the sayd eight dayes by any meanes he in his person or his Lieftenant the sayd L. Plessis and his should surrender him the place and they to enioy the benefite of the agreement There were many gaings and commings vpon this proposition and at length the affaires being propounded to the counsell they did stick much vpon the voluntary proffers of the Duke of Neuers to giue eight dayes to aduertize the King of Nauarre which made them beleeue that the sayd king was neither ready to helpe them nor had sufficient power so to doo which notwithstanding was the only hope of them that were besieged who
the defence of the Romish Church What neede therefore had that church of any other protector then their owne King whose bountifulnes and liberality they so oftentimes haue tryed Whilest these things did so passe at Anger 's the citty of Nantes vppon Loyre began to hault by the secret practises and treacheries of the seditious Leaguers who were within the cittie But when the newes came of the taking of Anger 's and of the execution done vpon some seditious Iesuits and other Fryers the rebels at Nantes tooke the alarum in this wise for the Ladyes Martignes Mercure wife to the Duke of Mercure gouernour of Britayne tooke occasion thereupon to hasten the rebellion for beeing aduertised that many of the cheefest officers of iustice in that cittie as also other good Citizens faithful to the King seeing the practises which were wrought in their cittie by the Leaguers did disswade theyr fellowe citizens to geue eare to such seditious persons and aduised them rather to remayne faythful vnto the King then to draw vpon themselues the Kings wrath with a cruell and mortall warre For to breake the good purpose and intents of these men and to chastise them for their too great fidelity to their King These Ladies sent for two Captaynes of the towne well knowen for their seditious practises great affection to the traytors they shewed vnto these two Captaynes their passions with great amplifications of the thinges past at Anger 's They began by many inuectiues and spitefull speaches against the K. to shew how the King had put to death a great number of Priests and Friers who were taken at the winning of Anger 's how he had taken the chalices and relickes and wholly became an heretike then with much lying they fell to talke of them whom they would haue to bee taken prisoners in the citty charging them that they sought to bring into their cittye the K. of Nauarre with all his troups with determination to haue the cittie ransacked to take away their goods liues and religion and that therefore it was needfull they rayse the people to rebellion out of hand to seaze vppon them which were faythfull to the King and make the citty sure for the League The chiefest Captaine appointed for this execution was one Gassion a Gascoine brought vp in the house of Martignes and greatly affected to the League An order before that time was that the said Gassion for one halfe yeare commaunded in the castell and the Lord Crambok who was faithfull to the King the other halfe yeare this man no authority then at all The counsell of these two accursed women was quickly executed by the said Gassion hauing for that time the rule of the castell The people vpon these furmises were armed the streats were fortify to with Baricadoes The first execution of this rebellion was the apprehending of foure score of the most notable men and richest families in all the Citie and among the rest were the Lord Miron the Kings threasurer in Britaine the Lord Bourin a great Lawier and one Doctor Rogues Dean of the facultie of Phisicke and many other faithfull seruants of the King who were put in straight prison in the Castle their houses were spoyled and goods rifled The Citie being thus made sure for the League by the Rebells the countrey about was not free from that tempest light horses are sent into places most suspected many gentlemen are taken prisoners abroad without respect of age qualitie or religion such as did escape with the losse of their goods thought to haue sped well In like manner the Citie of Rhemes head Citie of the lowe Britaine which had behaued themselues modeslie enough hetherto might greatly haue fauoured aduaunced the treasons of the Duke Mercure if he could haue got it to his deuotion But for that purpose first it was needfull to haue the helpe of the Bishop of the place named Emare Hannekin sonne to a citizen of Paris for the stage play could not bee well seazoned with mirth except a Priest might play the diuels part Sir Hannekin therfore bestirreth himselfe all that euer he can to bring his treason to passe but his credite being there yet vnder age and small account he taketh the Bishop of Dole of the noble of Espinay to countenance the play being also assisted by a citizen named Botelier who was much beholding to the sayd Sir Hannekin because he was such a louing ghostly father to his wife he had also some other citizens some of the court of Parliament there men of faction who secretly set their shoulders to that worke All this blessed companie by the counsell of these two sedicious Priests deuisers of rebellion against their naturall and lawfull Prince doo raise vp the people in armes giuing to vnderstand though most falsly that the Lord Huuanday Lieutenant generall for the K. in that countrey the Lord Moubarot gouernor of the Towne and the Lord Asserake who accompanied them would haue oppressed the libertie of the Towne and brought in garrisons to sacke it Vppon this false rumour spread abroade by those two lying Priests the people armed did seaze vppon the Market place and fortified the streates with Barricadoes The Duke Mercure who then was a petie King at Nantes aduertised of these things so passing at Rhemes and desirous to enlarge his newly swallowed vp kingdome of little Britaine doth gather forces as great as he can and fayning to goe to Vaunes to the States of the countrey taketh his way to Rhedon and turned vp short to Rhemes where he arriuing was receaue◠with great ioy of thē of the League he put garrisons within the tower of the Fuller within the gate of S. George in the white gate It was time then for the Lords Huuanday Montbarot and Asserak to keepe themselues close within their houses being sought out for no lesse matter then for the price of their liues The Lord Montbarot had seazed vppon the tower of the gate Mordelese hee was summoned by the Duke Mercure to yeeld the sayd tower into his hands which thing he refused to doo saying that there he was placed for the King and for his seruice Vpon this refusall the Canon was brought before the Tower and many houses pearced to make it ready to the battery There was no appearance to sustaine a battery much lesse to hope for any succour which thinges béeing considered the Lord Montbarot agreed and yeelded the place with honorable conditions both for himselfe and his fellowes By these meanes Mercure remained master of the place whereof hee changed the whole estate and gouernment placing therein men at his deuotion there he caused a Iesuit most bitterly seditiously and vnworthy to inueygh and rayle agaynst the King he dispatched a Captaine Spaniard named Iohn with his company to scoure y e country hee did execrable oppressions robbing and sacking all indifferently he tooke many gentlmens houses which he robbed many men whom he cruelly entreated and put to great
e first declaration of y e Leaguers which he sent to the King beseeching him to reade the said answer and also to shew him y e fauour as to commaund the same to bee read openly in the Parliament Wherein first hée protesteth that hee holdeth the true Christian Catholike and Apostolike religion contayned in the sacred word of God both of the olde and newe Testaments and also doth embrace the symbols or abridgements of the Christian doctrine And that he is ready to bestowe life and goods in the defence of the same Abhorreth holdeth accursed any kind of doctrine diuers or contrary to the same words Secondly he sheweth that he was bred borne and brought vp in the same religion which they call heresie and that he neuer learned nor knew any other and that he beléeueth in his heart to righteousnesse and confesseth with his mouth to saluation that the same doctrine which he doth professe is the infallible trueth of God yet he refuseth not to be taught better if better they can teach him out of Gods word in a generall or nationall Councell duely assembled Thirdly in that which he doth in repurging and sweeping away the errors and abuses brought in by long continuance of time therein he followeth the examples of many Kings and Princes of many godly learned men who for these fiue hundred yeares haue desired and attempted the same Fourthly whereas his enemies doo charge him to be a persecutor of the Catholike religion he will bee iudged by all men voyde of passion who hath greater cause to complayne in that behalfe he or his enemies Last of all after a long consideration of the miseries which fall vpon the heads of men of all degrees and the oppression of the poore people which infallibly will followe these attempts of the Leaguers he doth wish seeing the enemies haue made him partie the quarrell which they haue to him might bee ended with a Combat And debasing himselfe from that high degree of a King in the which God hath placed him for an abridgement of all miseries the sparing of Christian bloud for the ease and quietnes of the poore people doth proffer to his enemies to trie the matter by a Combat betwéene him and the Duke of Guize or two to two ten to ten or more to more in like proportion It is reported how the Duke of Guize after the fight of this challenge being vrged to accept it excused his cowardize by the example of his father which in like case excused himselfe vpon the inequalitie of the persons To wit that it was not lawfull for him to accept that challenge at the hands of one of the Princes as being after the royall house in degree aboue all the rest of the Nobilitie But rather and more truely may it bee sayde that he who being not a Prince did reckon and write his name among the Princes or rather preferred himselfe before the Princes of the royall bloud did refuse this proffer not of any dutifull affection as he pretended whereof hee had broken before the bonds of lawe but rather vpon base cowardize for lacke of fortitude and courage as euer caring not what he spent of other mens bloud so that he might spare his owne These things passing to and fro many exploytes of hostilitie were done and executed on euery side rather to the losse than the aduauntage of the Leaguers being crossed euery way by the true subiects of the King Wherevpon considering that the worlde frowned vpon them so that if they had not the King on their side to salue the sore they were like to haue a great fall therefore they must followe some other course Hetherto the Guizes haue couered themselues vnder the Cardinals hat hauing deriued all the hatred so farre as they might vpon that old man whom they greatly abused Now when the Cardinals hat would not serue the turne they doo put in practise the other part of their dilemma as the Cardinall or the King must couer vs or els we fall but the Cardinall cannot ergo the King must And that the King may doo it we must set Achitophel to work therfore let him come vpon the stageto play his part The Kings Counsellers were eyther seruants to the Guizes or els alied or otherwise deuoted vnto him except the Dukes Espernon and Ioyeuse whereof the last afterward was woon to the Leaguers side Espernon remayned alwayes more faithfull to the King than the King to himselfe For the which cause by the meanes of a Curtizan in Paris named Sainte Beufue they hyred Villeroy one of the Kings Secretaries to haue murthered him so to haue béen eased of that heauy burthen These Counsellers must play Achitophels part they must helpe vp with the packe by the meanes which followe They in the middest of these broyles did of purpose attenuate the growing and forces of the League as a thing weake of it selfe rather to bee despised than regarded as not able to continue long but that it would decay of it selfe and that some certayne inconsiderate zeale of the Catholike Religion had made them somewhat passionate and for to make him more secure on y t side they deriued his thoughts from the Leaguers with a but. But if he would once shewe a token of displeasure towards them of the reformed religion or would onely fayne to intend warre against them the Leaguers of themselues would fall downe vpon their knees before him therefore it were better to let them alone for as much as they would bee ready to be with him whensoeuer he would employ them Also that it were better for him to warre against them of the reformed religion in Poytow Guien Gascoyne Languedocke and Daulphine than against them of his owne religion For although the Protestants were dutifull and obedient enough yet were it better to haue them for enemies being the weaker side than the Leaguers and Catholikes which were the stronger part of his Realme Beside that if he should deuide the Catholikes with an vnseazonable â—issention they all would become a scorne and the pray of hereticks their common enemies The King carried away by this counsell and otherwise inclining to attempt against them of the reformed religion ordayneâ— the Lord Ioyeuse his Generall for Languedock Espernon for Prouance and he in his owne person would assault Poytow Therfore the 18. day of Iune partly for hatred which he bare to y e reformed religion partly already inclining to the League partly not knowing what he did for y e great dangers that he saw himself compassed in by the perswasions of such Counsellers as had blindfolded him according to the saying Si non sua sponte insanit instiga For being in the Citie of Paris he taketh order how to victuall his Armie in Poytow for the which thing he appoynted certayne Townes in Poytow Xainctonge to wit Chatelerault S. Merxent Niort Fonteney Towars Engolesme Xainctes and Coignack there to haue alwaies in store a certayne quantitie of
fayled them that they durst not resist him Entring therfore without any resistance into the towne of Marans hee called the inhabitantes of both religions and told them that hee had determined to place a gentleman within the Castell to kéepe the same in obedience to the King vnder the gouernement of the King of Nauarre gouernour of Guyen for the sayd King which thing if they would refuse hee would burne all their houses into ashes And therefore bid them out of hand to chuse a gentleman of his company such as they would themselues there to commaund to the which thing some with a good will and some vnwillingly but yet all obayed There was a certaine Notary who had professed the reformed religion after a sort hee the day before the Lord Rohan his comming hauing intelligence thereof went to the Papistes from house to house warning them to stand to their defence agaynst the sayd Lord Rohan and to enter into the Castle first to let the said Lord Rohan from the entring By whose perswasions a great number of Papistes and of the most skilfull in warre with their Notary seazed on the Castell But foure Gentlemen of the reformed religion hauing gotten the tower of the gate which commaunded ouer the court of the sayd castell did threaten to shoote against all such as would presume to let the said Lord Rohan enter in or any other whom hee would place there So the Papistes with their Notary began to speake fayre and to open the gate to the Lord Sowsaye of Beauregard whom the inhabitantes had required there to commaund he entred therein with the Lord Mortaygne his brother the 15. day of Iuly and hauing receaued the oath of the inhabitants to be faythfull vnto the King vnder the authority of the King of Nauarre gouernor for the King in Guyene departed and left his brother the Lord Mortaygne there as his lieftenant Whilest these small quarrelinges did so passe at Marans we haue left the Q. Mother with her Counsellers to make the bargayne and to sell to the Leaguers the crowne of France the Kings authority and honor for as litle as they may afoord it that is gratis and for iust nothing The affayres were handled with such faithfulnes that these Counsellers as soone as they came out of their chamber went into another to sit in counsell by them selues to aduertise the Leaguers day by day of all which they had gone about and with the Q. Mother also what was the disposition from time to time to aduise the Leaguers what they should request and how farre they should yeeld at length after long changing and chopping of wordes saeuis inter se conuenit vrsis Certaine Articles are concluded at Chalons in Champaygne the twelfth day of Iuly which do consist of thrée principall pointes First that the King shall make an edict in the which hee shall graunt them all that they requested at Bloys the last yeare to wit 1584. in the assembly of the states there Also all whatsoeuer they demaunded by their declaration bearing date the last day of March and all what was required of them in their last resolution dated the tenth day of Iune at Chalons and that is as much as they would for this tyme. Secondly that leuying of armes all actions of hostility committed since by them or by their partakers or by the townes and cities of their association shall bee allowed and declared good lawfull and done for the Kinges seruice for the defence of holy Church and aduauncing of Gods glory Hereby the actions of hostility are comprehended the murthers spoils robberies ransackinges riflinges of publike or priuat thinges all rapes whoredoms villanyes committed by them of the League which all the King must thinke and publish by his authority to bee done for his seruice and the defence of the Popish Church Here is a King but badly serued Also that all iudiciall proceedinges iudgementes proscriptions condemnations and executions passed agaynst them of the League shall bee reuoked and declared voyde wrongfull and vniust Thirdly before his owne face they enforced him to deuide his kingdome among them and of a King of France for to please the League he hath made himselfe one of the thrée kinges of Colen Now followeth the good bargayne which they when the King had sent to make his market had agreed on whether it be to the kings aduantage and honor let euery man iudge Here is an other point of the Leaguers good seruice to theyr King First the Cardinall of Bourbon the new king of the Friers must bee prouided for and let him be sure that he shall haue the least part For besides the places belonging to his Bishopricke of Roan he shall haue the old castell of Deepe which no body else will haue The Duke moreouer shall haue the gouernement of Britaine and two of the strongest places that he shall name in that Prouince with the admiralty of the same The Duke of Guyze shall haue the citadel of Mets because his gouernment of Champaigne hath no places good inough for him The Duke de Mayn in his gouernment of Burgondie shall haue the castell of Dyjon or the citadell of Chalons vpon Sawne The Cardinall of Guyze shall haue Rhemes and the countrie about so much as he will The Duke Aumall shall haue the holdes of his gouernment of Picardie Wee see how the great masters be indifferently well prouided for now theyr seruantes and partakes must haue part of the kinges spoyle or else they will frowne and tell tales First the Lord Antragues shall haue Orleance The Lord D'ho shall haue Caâ—n and Constances in base Normâ—ndy The Lord Brissacke shall haue the gouernement of Anjou The Lord Saultes shal haue the gouernment of Prouance in the absence of the graund Pryor The Lord Chastre shall haue the gouernment of Bourges The Lord Vailhac shall haue the Castell trompet in Bourdeaux Mandelot Q. Mothers Scullion shall haue Lyons and the Citadel there I pray you masters hold your handes you be well if you could consider it vse him no worse then his granfather Francis the first prophecied of you lethim haue his doublet and his bréech to couer his shame But how chaunce that in your partition you haue forgotten your selues Is Poytow Xainctonge Engomoys Limosin Perigord Quercye Rowarges Viuarets Auvergne Gascoyn Languedocke Daulphine nothing woorth with you Be not these countries worth the hauing If you be such great Captaines as you would seeme to bee there you may haue occasion to make proofe of your valiantnes if your stomacke serueth you but you will say it would cost blowes and that you loue not Here gentle Reader consider the course which these lustie buddes of Charlemayne do follow they will roote the heretikes as they say out of France they will exile them and ridde the realme of France of them yet they seaze vpon the kinges Cities and Dominions and do enforce him to deuide his kingdome among them but specially they
assure themselues of those prouinces townes cities and holdes as had not in a maner one of the reformed religion left among them but they either had béen murthered or else so vexed and disquieted by the continuall dangers which euery day compassed them that they had retyred most into those prouinces in France which were safer from the violence of the Leaguers or into forreine Countries So they warre agaynst the heretikes by subduing the Catholikes to their deuotion They warre against the heretikes where none were to make them resistance and dare not looke on the prouinces where the heretikes as they tearme them were in great number But to the matter Although the vniust and inconstant dealinges of the house of Valoys had empayred greatly their honor and renowne and that this king by his own actions at the massacre of Saint Bartholemy had greatly stayned his garments with a spot that would neuer be washed yet did hee alwayes retayne the authority and reputation of a Soueraygne Prince vntill that for hatred of the Gospell hee suffered the ambition of the house of Guyze to encroch too much vpon his royall authority and prerogatiue vnder colour of Catholike zeale Thus hee weakened his royall authority by following the counsell of Italians thrusted into his seruice by the cunning of the Guyzes for that intent These Italian scholemasters did endeuour alwaies to rule him by the preceptes of Machiauell the Italian prophet so that after he came to the Crowne the Guyzes with their adherents interrupted diuers times the peace made with them of the religion made continuall monopols and secret practises and associations with his subiects to the great empayring of his royall authoritie as is afore sayd and still vnder colour of Popish deuotion so that at length hauing by the means abouesayd seduced the harts of the Priestes Monks of many of the Nobillity and people hauing specially woon his Senators and Counsellers and robbed him of the good will and loue of his subiects in the end by this market they haue made themselues equall to him they haue set their seat as high as his so that now the king is nothing which they are not except onely that as yet they do not take vpon them the name of king but suffer him for a while to enioy the same So that the king now hauing not onely lost part of his Princelike strength which consisted in his townes cities and holds but also part of his authority which lyeth in commaunding alone as a soueraygne is become a fellow of the League If you demaund why the question is soone answered because he set himselfe agaynst him of whom he had receaued all power and authority Hee which had giuen him tooke it agayne for his vnthankfulnesse But now let vs returne to the League These articles called the holy League being concluded to the kinges great disaduantage and dishonor the edict must be made thereafter which was published the 18. day of Iuly and is commonly called the edict of vnion wherein the king doth all that it pleaseth the Leaguers to commaund him to do as a good obedient fellow of that holy association Fyrst hee forbiddeth the exercise of the reformed religion throughout all his Dominions commaunding the ministers of the Gospell to depart the realme out of hand Secondly he commandeth all men to professe the popish religion and that the professors of the Gospell without any respect of persons either shall beleeue poperie or else within sixe moneths shall depart out of the Realme with licence in the meane time to sell their goods to their owne vses Thirdly that as many as haue been infected with heresie for so hee calleth the Gospell of trueth or are knowne to fauour it shall bee incapable to be are any office within the Realme Fourthly he dooth dissolue the bipartit and tripartit chambers of iudgements which were ordayned for the indifferent ministration of iustice in respect of religion Fifthly that the townes graunted to the keeping of the King of Nauarre at Saint Germane the yeare 1584. shall bee surrendred into the Kings hands Sixtly that all whatsoeuer offensiue actions haue been committed by the Leaguers their adherents Townes Cities or comunalties of their association shall be hereafter iudged as lawfull good and acceptable seruice to the King done for the defence of the holy Catholik Romain Religion And that all declarations proclamations iudgements prescriptions condemnations and executions whatsoeuer against the Leaguers or any of them for the said offences pronounced shall be voyd as vniustly wrongfully pronounced against them Where note gentle reader that the King is come to that bondage that hee is perswaded to alowe and approue all the murthers exactions spoylings excorsions treasons rapes whoredomes blasphemies and sacriledges as done for his seruice the defence of the Church and aduauncing of Gods honour Will not the Lord reuenge this pusilanimitie in such a great Magistrate with some notable example of his iustice according vnto his threatnings woe be to you which call euill good Last of all he commaundeth all manner of officers and the Nobilitie to sweare the obseruation of the said edict which he caused to be published and sworne in the Parliament of Paris hee himselfe sitting in iudgement the 18. day of Iuly The King of Nauarre and the Prince of Conde vnderstanding the conclusion and publication of the edict of Iuly appointed a certaine meeting with the Duke of Monmorency at Saint Paule de cadioulx in the Prouince of Albigerys to take aduise together what were to bee done in those extremities They therefore the tenth of August concluded a certaine protestation in the which shewing what the intents driftes and demeanours of the Leaguers haue been also what the Kings iudgement was of them not long since what meanes the King of Nauarre hath sought and what hee hath proffered for the preseruation of the state What his behauiour had been euer since the League did rise how hee hath kept himselfe quiet and vnarmed to the extreame danger of his person when he had great occasions to doo great exploites At last they protest that they are not the cause of al those miseries which are like to ensue out of those troubles and seeing that no reason will take place committing their innocencie and equitie of their cause vnto God doo resolue vpon the defensiue This resolution being made the King of Nauarre returned to Nerak the Prince of Conde to Rochel and Monmorency to Languedock to view the attempts and expect the euents of this new and strange vnion This vnion being concluded the King considering that in some manner hee had been enforced to breake the edict of peace and that it was not the proclayming onely which would cause the edict of vnion to be obeyed but that a certaine cauell warre would ensue and that there must be some sâ—newes to holde it Therefore hee turneth all his thoughts to make some preparation for the warre for the which cause the 11. of
of Conde Other companies out of Brie Champaigne Vermandoys and other countries there bordering retyred to Sedan the capitall towne of the principality of Boillon Out of Burgondy and the countries about retyred to Geneua and into the signory of Berna The professers of the reformed religion out of Normandy low Britayn and Picardie passed ouer into England for their safety Good Christian Reader I beseech thee to stay here a while and learne both to feare and tremble at the dreadfull iudgementes of God and also his mercie toward his Church shewed at this time which when I do consider it putteth me in remembrance of the like euent which did happen a litle while afore the siege and destructions of Hierusalem by Vespasian and Titus his sonne That citie which here on earth had borne the Image of the true heauenly Hierusalem hauing most wilfully resisted the sonne of God stopped their eares at his voyce When it had fulfilled the measure of her iniquity and that God would make it a wonder a hissyng and nodding of the head vnto all Nations of the world for her obstinacie and vnthankefulnes a litle before the siege there was at midnight heard a voice in the Temple thus Migremns hinc at the rumor thereof all men were greatly amazed musing what should be signifyed by that warning The Saints which were there tooke that to be the voyce of God who according to the threatninges of the law of the Prophets and of Christ against that City would powre downe his wrath vpon that sinfull City directed vnto them commaunding them to depart and to geue place vnto hys wrath So the Church that was there remoued to the City Pella which was beyond Iordan in the ancient inheritance of the Rubenites where it was preserued and out of a place of safety did behold the mighty stormes of Gods tempestes which fel vpon that so noble and famous a City which by Strabo was thought to be the greatest and fayrest of all the East Euen as Abraham long before did behold the subuersion of Sodom so when the Lord had determined to powre the stormes of his anger vpon those Nations which are betweene the Loyre and the English Seas for their offences lyke vnto them of Hierusalem first hee taketh his Church which was scattered among those Nations Townes and Cities and bringeth most of them beyond Loyre some into England some to Sedan some to Geneua some to Suisserland some to Germany least the presence of them who do call vpon his name should hinder the execution of his wrath vpon his enemies for the publication of the edict of vnion commonly called the edict of Iuly although that in another forme was as it were the voyce of God heard out of the Temple Migremus hinc For those nations lying on the North side of Loyre who had conspired to destroy the Gospell of Christ haue drawen the warre from the Prouinces which doe professe the Gospell vpon their owne heads For not onely haue they felt all the former oppressions and outrages of the Leaguers but also by this edict all the burthen of this last ciuill warre raysed vp by the Leaguers hath fallen vpon them beside the horrible murthers and seditions which they haue committed among themselues by the euill Angels which the Lord in his wrath hath sent among them which also do continue still with greater calamities then euer before and is like to continue vntill that those wicked Nations polluted with idolatrie blood of the sayntes and whoredome be vtterly rooted out that God may be auenged of his enemies giuing in the meane tyme a litle rest vnto the reformed churches beyond Loyre and to make them thankful for his great mercyes who hath rewarded his enemies with euil which they had imagined agaynst his people without a cause So the Lord doth turne all thinges to good vnto his Sayntes Now the Leaguers are masters of all for the king had deliuered his royall authority vnto them and deuided his kingdome among them reseruing vnto himselfe the name of a King haue all the Countrey at theyr deuotion and do replenish all France with armes violence and boastings Now they wil play S. George they wil kil the Deuil eyther on horseback or a foote they will worke miracles or else the Deuill shall fayle them And for to begin these miracles the Duke Mercure brother in law to the King and by the last partition of the kingdome a pety King of Britayne was perswaded by his Counsell that now the publishing of the edict of vnion had of it selfe killed all the Hugonets in Poytow and that easily hee might tame all the Countrey and that bâ—ing in the field not one Hugonet durst lift vp his head therefore supposing there to haue to fight with dead men and making himselfe sure of the conquest to make proofe of his valure the 23 of August passed Loyre at Nantes out of Britayn in Poytow with two thousand men entending to roue and ransake all and hauing sacked many popish Churches spoyled the Abbeys at Saint Florent and Plainpied by Saumure like an horrible tempest did march forward sparing neither holy nor prophane thinges making hauocke of all thinges vntill he came as farre as Fontenay The Prince of Conde turned from Saint Paul Decadewalx to Saynt Ihan D' Angelye hauing assembled some friends as wel out of Xainctonge Poytow as other parts within few dayes saw himselfe to haue a lusty company as well of gentlemen as Harquebusiers on horsebacke and with that force expecting the rest tooke his iourney with as much diligence as hee could to meete with the sayd Mercure The Prince arriued at Chandeuier a towne not farre from Niort vnderstoode that the sayd Mercure was about Fontenay where he determined to giue him battaile Mercure hearing that the Prince approched with his companies so ready and willing to fight was amazed considering that it fell out contrary to the counsell giuen him before and that now be must fight with men aliue This increased his feare so much the more for that hee had not so soone heard of the Princes comming but that presently hee was certifyed that the said Prince was in battell array Whereupon he resolued to retyre home but being hardly pressed by the sayd prince he was fayne to retire to Fontenay And because the gouernor of the towne knowing not well how thinges had passed betweene the King and the Leaguers would not suffer him nor his to enter the towne yet otherwise shewing him such fauors as he might therfore he with his troups betook themselues to the Suburbe of Fontenay called the Loges The Prince desirous to see his enemy face to face aduanced toward the Suburbe in battaile aray to prooue whether he might prouoke the enemy to skirmish But the Duke would none of that play But after the Prince had kept the Duke besieged in the Loges for certaine dayes the said Duke fearing eyther at length to be forced or else that the Prince would
cut his way in his returne to Nantes by night secretly did steale away and with the mayne galop amaze and many alarms which he gaue to himself feare making him to imagine thinges which were not recouered to Nantes without any bayte the fourth day of September leauing behinde him his companies with great disorder and discontented mindes some of his troupes with decestation of his euill leading cursed the houre that euer they knew him Some of the Princes companies pursued the disaray and setting vpon the carriage tooke it and many prisoners with it Thus happily succeded the beginnings of the vnion and the miracles of these great Captaines whose heat was some what cooled and their hornes beaten in with this blow About the 5. day of September the Prince returning from Fonteney passed through Mele where the Countrey of Rochefocault which not long before had repayred to him left him againe taking his iourney to his own house And for as much as the plague was very sore at S. Iohn D'Angelye the Prince tooke his way to Iarnak vpon Charante where the Lorde Lauaughion and other Gentlemen left him to retyre to their houses Whilst these Princes soiorned at Iarank the Lord Laual a yong Noble man in a little bodie hauing a minde endued with notable godlines vertue with a ripe wit and couragious heart which did make him no lesse beloued and honorable vnto all honest vertuous and peaceable men then feared of all wicked and perturbers of the state of France This Lord accompanied with his three brethren the Lords Rieulx Taulay and Saulye the 8. of September departed from his house of Vitre in Batangue with a 150. Rutters and 300. Harquebusiers on horseback and with that companie passed ouer Loyre partly a forde and partly with boates at Manues three Leagues about Nantes by the help of the Lord Chargroys who was afterward his Lieutenant From thence he tooke his iourney through Poytow to S. Iohn D'Angelye where he entred not because of the pestilence which was there but passing through Tailborge went to the Prince at Marennes when the said Prince besieged Browage about the 12. of September About the 9. of September from Iarnak the Lord Saint Gelays with the Lord D'Aubigny and some other Gentlemen tooke their iourney toward Mele for some great affaires There they had knowledge that certaine companies of the League were comming to compasse them about which thing being found true the Lord S. Gelays Marshal of the Princes campe sendeth all night to the Lord Charboniere who was two leagues of with his companie hee sendeth also to certaine Gentlemen there abouts who were of the religion which with great diligence came toward him all night and at the breake of the day ioyned with the said Lord Saint Gelays The Leagued companies were conducted by Captaine Saint Katarine and others who perceauing themselues on a suddaine and beside their expectation compassed about without any further a doo required parley with the Lord Saint Gelays who after few words yeelded and promised to forsake the League and to cause their fellowes to doo the like and also that they would neuer carrie armes against them of the reformed religion which agreement they quicklie sealed and performed Many of these companies went to the Prince being then at Pons they which would not were sent away without weapons And this is the second miracle which the Leaguers did in Poytow About the same time the Lord Saint Mesmes Ranques and Orges went toward Tonnecharante at whose approaching the Lord Saint Luke who was then at Soubize with nigh two hundred Souldiours with great terrour departed and burning the bridge and gate of Soubize retired to Browage leauing most of all his garisons at the bourg of Moses These Lords mought haue pursued taken the Lord Saint Luke but delaying the time from Friday to Sunday they lost the occasion The 13. day these Lords tooke the tower of Foncras vpon Charante which did holde for the League About the same time the Prince of Conde least he should keepe his companies idle with the Lord of Rohan and others with him from Pons withall their companies tooke their way toward the Iles of Xainctonge for to recouer Sonbiez and the castell Augle which the Lord S. Luke had fortified with Garisons of the League and also to sease vpon the salt of the Iles whereof great summes of money might be made And for to bring to passe these things more easilie to haue munition and meanes of artilerie and other necessarie things in the meane whiles the Prince with a certaine number of horsemen tooke his iourney to Rochell notwithstanding the plague was very great there where hee obtained of the Citie both munition ships and power of men to conduct all to Browage Oleren and other places there abouts About the same time these Lords Douault Boysdaliz Sanuere Campos with many other Gentlemen hauing giuen the rendes vous in Berry as is aforesaid repayred to the Prince then being at Pons in Xainctonge About the 15. of September the Lords Saint Mesmes Ranques and Orges after the taking of the Tower of Foncras vpon Charante pursued the Garison which had fled from Soubieze and had stayed at the bourg of Moses as is said betweene Soubieze and Browage and followed them to a place called Graund Garison right against Browage on the north side of the riuer where after they had skirmished a while in the sight of the towne and of the Lord Saint Luk who was on the other side of the water on the key of Browage and being reduced there at the low water and hardly set on by them of the religion through dispayre of rescue cast themselues into the oose where the most part were slaine others that could not get out were drowned when the tide came The Lord Saint Luk was in great agonie to sée the best of all his Garisons so cast away without any remedie to saue one of them certaine shot of ordinance was discharged but it was all in vaine Among other prisoners were the Captaines Luchet Meanbourg and Sauage with some other whom the Lord Orges sent home without any ransome to the great discontentation of the Prince because they were they who did most seruice in the defending of Browage against the saide Prince About the same time the Lord Clermont enterprised to passe ouer Loyre with few with him among whome was one Captaine Rochemorte for to assemble them who could not dwell in their houses by reason of the publication of the edict of vnion About the 16. of September the prince hauing done his busines in Rochel assembled his forces at Saint Gennes and so marched toward the siege of Browage and from thence to Saint Iust. Here is to be noted that in that part of Xainctonge lying betweene the riuer of Browage and Garemme commonly called Almert there be foure townes to wit Saint Iust distant a mile and a halfe from Marennes Hyers betweene Marennes and Browage whereof
this last lieth vpon the mouth of the riuer hauing a hauen very safe for ships to come to the salins to be laden with salt This towne of Browage began to be builded about the yeare 1550. but increased and fructified to a great and strong towne during the ciuill warres to molest Rochel and hath changed the first name into Iacopolis The Papists haue held in it alwaies since the beginning of the ciuill warres a strong Garison This towne the Lorde Saint Luke kept for the League it is distant from Marennes somewhat lesse then two miles from Hyers lesse then a mile it is strong in situation because it lieth in the salins and by reason of that there is but one way to come to it Betweene Marennes and Hyers there is a little creeke to passe ouer which cannot bee passed on foote but at lowe water which is called le passe d'hiers The Lord of Saint Luk had fortified the same with a barricado intending there to shut vp the passage to Hyers and consequently to Browage there he placed three hundred shot a few horses he himselfe staying at Hyers about halfe a mile distant from Browage to let the approaching of the Prince The 19. of September the Prince being at Saint Just a mile and a halfe from Marennes set all things in order for the siege of the said Browage and about three a clock being low water hee marched toward Marennes commanded his gardes and other Gentlemen who marched a foote to set vpon the barricado which was made at the passe d'hiers where they found some resistance there was wounded Bargnobet Captaine of his garde another Gentleman slaine In the meane time the Lorde Boulay commaunded to charge of another side from Saint Iust tooke his way through the Salins a way not vsed to trauaile through at all and with his band of armed men with a maine force set vpon the towne of Hiers Saint Luk had him vpon his top sooner then he had discouered him and considering that he was feeble and that if hee should lose that force which was with him hee should lose the strength and defence of Browage retyred in hast They which were at the passe d'hiers seeing their Captaine to flee followed him accompanied with terrour and dread They were pursued nigh to the gates of Browage though they were defensed with shot of Ordinance from the townes against them that pursued So that within an houre and a halfe both the passe and towne D'hiere came into the Princes power the Prince lodged at Marinnes distant from Hyers about a mile These easie and prosperous successes and beginnings made the Prince to consider more touching the siege of that towne of Browage considering also that there was not within great power of men neither had they great stoare of victuals candell fresh water neither medicins for them that were hurt The 20. of September there was continuall skirmishes before the towne in the which some of the Princes side were hurt many of the besieged slaine one of the Captaines which the Lord Orges had sent home before a man much esteemed by the Lorde Saint Luk because of his valour The same day was taken the Tower of Mornake where the Lord of S. Luke had put garrison which was besieged by certayne Companyes whom the Prince had sent thether The garrison withstood for certayne dayes but being without hope of helpe and in danger to be forced yéelded themselues by composition There was taken the Captayne Iohn Peter who was in great fauour with the Lord S. Luke About that time arriued to the Prince at Marans the Lord Lauall with his thrée brethren and all his forces The 22. of September the Lord Trimouille who long before had entred in communication with the Prince to ioyne with him in this iust defence agaynst the League came to Marennes with a great number of Gentlemen The Prince receaued these Noble men with great courtesie and reioysing There was a great contentation thereof in all them of the reformed religion for the good hope which they had conceaued of that yong Lord that he would embrace the religion as he did shortly after hauing obtayned great reputation among all men for his valour and modestie The same day arriued to the Prince certayne ships of warre from Rochel so that by these meanes the sea and the riuer of Browage were shut vp which thing doubled the feare of the besieged The Prince seeing his enterprise to succéede better than he had hoped began to enterprise further and determined to presse the besieged néerer knowing that there was not within aboue foure hundred Souldiers whereof some were wounded and therefore not able to doo any seruice they which were taken reported also that there was great scarcitie of victuals and fresh water small quantitie of wine and that corrupt some corne but not great store because thinking not vpon any siege they had not prouided afore hand The Lords S. Gelayse and Boysduly were lodged in the house called Blanchardier out of the Towne of Hyers there appoynted by the Prince to prouide for necessaries and inunition They did what they could but not what they would wherevpon the Souldiers seeing that they were like to stay there some time at that siege began to mutinie and to aske money to buy victuals which were brought there to sell out of the Countrey and for lacke of money began to steale away vntill that a certayne summe of money was gotten out of the Ilands and some Gentlemen also did lend some by which meanes the Prince mustered and the Souldiers taking pay tooke also courage skirmishing daily in the Marsh out of the Towne It is sayd before how the Lord S. Mesmes Ranques and Orges tooke S. Ihan d'Angely and Soubize and discomfited the Popish garison in their flight right agaynst Browage From thence the sayd Lords with their companies passed in certayne ships of Rochel into the Iland of Oleron About the 24. of September the Lord Ranques who was best to commaund there tooke vppon the Coasts of the sayd Iland the master of the field of the Lord Matignon gouernour of Bourdeaux named Beaumont accompanied with a certayne Captayne of Browage named Thiebert there was in that shippe as well Gentlemen as other Souldiers to the number of 22. they came from the Lord Matignon then resident at Bourdeaux about the succour for Browage They were in a ship of warre and were set on by thrée little shippes of the sayd Lord Ranques who enforced them to flée and at length they cast themselues into the Sea to recouer the Iland of Oleron and so seazed vpon a house to defend themselues But being pursued and compassed about by the sayd Lord Ranques at length they yéelded themselues This Captaine Thiebert t was accompted a busie fellowe and factious who also had traffique with the Spanyard for the League they were most part brought to Rochel to be safely kept The 25. the Prince began to fortifie a house a
little aboue the Waren in the high way from Hyers to Browage Wee haue sayd how about the 15. of September the Lord Clermont departed from the Prince at Pons and passed the riuer Loyre at a place called Rosiers thence passing through a place la clousiere des montils to the intent to passe vnknowne did fayne himselfe to be Secretary to the King of Nauarre frō thence he taketh his way to Bange where Rochemort departed from him The sayd Rochemort taketh his way to Beaufort which is situated betwéene Anger 's and the riuer Loyre where he was borne and soiorned there to see his brother and other friends and also to gather as many men as he could in that countrey Beaufort is a little Towne betwéene Loyre and Anger 's which is commaunded by a Castle of a reasonable strength which did hold for the king and was in the kéeping of Captayne Broke Rochemort arriued thether and visiting his friends who were the chiefest of the Towne and among them also Captayne Broke by their spéeches he vnderstood the state of Anger 's and the particularities there about the Castle There was a Captayne named Halot who had the kéeping of the sayd Castle of Anger 's whilest the Lord Bussy of Amboyse liued which had the gouernment of the Countrey Citie and Castle during the life of Monsieur the Kings brother But after the death of the sayd Bussy the Lord Brissack had the gouernment and had put out of the Castle the sayd Halot whereof by all meanes he sought to bee reuenged and to surprize the Castle And to bring this thing to passe he acquainted himselfe with Captayne Fresne who had commanded ouer a companie of Brissack at the beginning of the League This Brissack was one of the chiefest of the League and discharged the sayd Fresne after the edict of vnion was published in Iuly before for the which thing Fresne was greatly offended with Brissack These two Captaynes consented together to enterprize vpon the Castell and repayred to Beaufort to Captayne Broke to haue of him some company of men where they met with Rochemort and after certayne spéeches opened vnto him their enterprize who promised to furnish them with certayn men Rochemort aduertized the Lord Clermont praying him to send him men which shortly after sent him foure stout Souldiers This their counsell was wonderfully disguised as also the euēts fel out to be straunge and tragicall for Halot as he sayd would recouer the Castell for the King of whom sayd he he had letters to that effect to recouer the sayd Castle out of the hands of Brissack who was of the League as is afore sayd but indéede he respected himselfe thinking thereby to get the Kings or the King of Nauarre his fauour Captayne Fresne was desirous to be reuenged of Brissack at any price whatsoeuer These two were sure to haue men for the most part Papists Rochemort was in good hope that if he could get in the Castle he would finde the meanes to make it fall into the hands of the King of Nauarre Halot Fresne doo promise themselues that if Rochemort being the weakest and an Hugonet should attempt to innouate any thing they could easily dispatch him so that vnder the hope of one drift euery man had his meaning vnknowne one to another The enterprize is concluded the day appoynted The 26. of September some doo repayre at the time prefixed to the Suburbe of Pressigny some to the Suburbe called Lisses Captayne Fresne vsed to enter into the Castle easily as well acquainted with the Souldiers of the garde The day therefore prefixed hee goeth to see Captayne Greeke his friend who then commaunded in the Castle with ten or twelue Souldiers The sayd Captayne Greeke biddeth Fresne to dinner Fresne excused himselfe that he had company with whom he had promised to dine that day Captaine Greeke presseth him and prayeth him to bring his company with him Fresne had afore hand woon some of the gard whom he had made priuie to the enterprize he prayeth them of the second garde to let in them of his company whom he assured to be of his acquaintance but some of the souldiers mistrusting went about to shut the gate Rochemort and his companie withstoode them and taking weapons in hand did kill some of the garde Captaine Fresne went vp into the Captaines chamber who hearing the fray would haue gone foorth but being encountred by the sayd Fresne was slaine Captaine Halot seeing the tumult in stead to enter into the Castle ran into the Towne and vpon the rumour of the surprizing of the Castle biddeth the Citizens not to stirre for he had saith he caused the Castle to be taken for the King but incontinently he was taken prisoner by the Citizens Fresne and Rochemort being masters of the Castell the alarme was very hot in the towne notice was giuen euery where in great dilligence Rochemort forgetteth not to send to the Lord Clermont to certify him what was passed desiring him to send greater forces also to send word to the Prince Whilest these newes flye euery where diuers euents happened which deceaued both them and others They of the towne greeued to haue that thorne in their heeles sleep not but take armes beset the Castel and within a whyle haue succour of the Nobilitie of the countrey In the euening the inhabitantes would fayne haue parley with Fresne and vsed the means of Halot for to draw him forth of the Castell hauing placed in the darke of the night nigh the bridge 30. or 40. souldiers with Caliuers either for to take him or else to seaze vpon the drawing bridge when he should come forth Fresne vpon this parley going forth and being yet vpon the bridge one of y e souldiers hasting to shoot Fresne would haue returned in but Rochemort with his company seeing the perill did draw the bridge Fresne not able to recouer the drawing held fast at the chayns they without cut off his handes so hee fell into the ditch which was very deepe and cut in a rocke his Cloke was left hanging on the draw bridge There was a redde Deere in the ditch which tore him with his hornes They of the Towne by the licence of them of the Castell tooke him vp with a coard But the coard breaking hee fell downe agayne and at length was taken vp and buryed in a Chappell nigh the Castell Captayne Halot within few dayes after by the towne was condemned and executed These two being dead Rochemort a Hugonet remayned master of the Castell whereof hee geueth notice to the Lord Clermont who immediatly dispatched a messenger to the Prince being at the siege of Browage The inhabitants who could haue borne it with some contentation because they knew Fresne to be a Papist and that hee sayd he held it for the king after his death asked Rochemort for whom he kept the castel When he had answered that it was for the king of Nauarre they were greatly mooued and
immediatly began to make Trenches both to force the said castel and also to let succour from coÌ„ming in Companyes do arriue from euery where The Lord Bocage is sent by the king with commaundement to defend the trenches without enterprising any thing but onely to besiege the castell vntill the Lord Ioyeuse his comming who shortly after came thither with the Lord Chastres In meane time Rochemort and his companions rifled the chestes and treasures of Brissak and other which had conueyed their goods into that fort There was a great Bootie in plate and Iewels Neither could it be knowen what he had done with the greate horne of Unicorne which was kept there of old Certayne dayes being spent about the 29. of September in an after noone Rochemort leaning vpon one of the windowes of the Castell and there slumbering receaued two pellets of a gunne shot whereof the one cut his throat and the other his tongue and so dyed shortly after without speaking so by his death the castel was left without a guyd There were 9. Papistes and 5. of the reformed Religion within which could neuer agree but were still in disorder and confusion which caused that after the comming of the Lord Ioyeuse they within began to demaund parley which continued for certayne dayes Whilest these thinges so passed at Anger 's the Lord Clermont not knowing the death of Rochemort who was the ground of his drift had assembled in Normandie and in the countrey of Perche about sixe hundred men and sendeth a messenger to the Prince at the siege of Browage to aduerâ—ize him how the affayres do goe The 3. of October newes were brought vnto the Prince by expressed messenger of the taking of the Castell and how the inhabitants had trenched and besieged it with the forces of Brissak and of the countrey of Suy and after by the Lord Bocage sent by the King This newes caused the Prince to leaue his footemen before Browage and hee with his horsemen and certaine number of Harquebusiers on horseback to passe ouer the riuer Loyre to succour them who were within the castell and kept the same for the King of Nauarre being thereto encouraged by the appearance of the great aduauntage which seemed to consist in it for the aduauncing of the affaires of them of the reformed religion considering also that Brissack who by the partition of the League had obtained the gouernement of Aniow â—s is afore saide was one of the busiest Leaguers he waighed wel the dangers which might ensue as to draw al the Kings forces vpon himself and the difficulties of repassing the riuer Loyre he considered also that the remnant of his armie lest at Browage might bee discomfited by the Marshall Matignon Bellegarde gouernour of Xainctonge who might ioyne their forces together But on the other side hee hoped that being strengthened by receauing the companies of the Lord Clermont which hee had gathered as is afore said to the number of sixe hundred he would be able to fight against whom soeuer Also that by that new supplie of the Lord Clermont and by the fauour of some Castles which fauored him vpon the Loyre he might passe well enough and so returne with greater forces to the siege of Browage God had determined that no consideration nor counsell might disswade this Prince from this iourney to the end that he might shew in the beginning of this perilous warre how mightie his arme is in the preseruing of his children and how able hee is to weaken and dissipate the strength and arrogancie of his enemies who fret and fume take counsell and conspire together against his anoynted sonne That by this example all the children of God may learne not alwaies euen in a good cause to promise themselues victorie but to assure themselues that God will defend the iust cause alwaies and preserue them that call on his name whether they bee few or many The same day ariued from Rochel before Browage sixe pieces of batterie conducted by Mounser Personne who followed the shippes of warre which few daies before had ariued as is afore said About the 6. of October there was a great stur in the campe before Browage by reason of the Princes departing to Anger 's For in his absence there was no way to assure the Ilands nor the remnant of the armie which remayned there at that siege For the inhabitantes saw a manifest danger to themselues which thing made many of them resolue to giue ouer all and to repayre to Rochell whereby the souldiers there appoynted to remayne were greatly discouraged At length the Lord Saint Mesmes gouernour of Saint Jhan D'Angelye an aged man famous and of a long continued experience a man of great authority and welbeloued of the countrey was requested to take the gouernement of the companies appointed to continue the siege which thing after many wise declarations of the dangerous euents which he did foresee might happen both to them that went and also to them that remained at the siege yet hee did accept the charge with the great contentation of all men Monser Personne was made gouernour of the Nauie the Lord Ranques remained gouernour of Oleron Captaine Belon was appoynted to gather them of the Ilands and to commaund ouer them The chiefest regiments which remayned for tâ— continue that siege were the companies of the Lord Orges Saint Seuerin and Boysrond with whome were many voluntarie Souldiers beside them of the Ilands and two hundred Harquebusiers sent by the towne of Rochel On the 7. of October some captaines shewed themselues vnwilling to remaine considering the euents and inconueniences which might befall in the absence of the Prince so that the affaires were in greater trouble and the mindes in greater perplexitie then before But the Prince remedied all these things as well as hee could to strengthen the siege and sent to the Uicount Turene who was in perigord with great forces praying him to draw neere to fauour that siege But hee could not doo it hauing some occasions in hand and waiting for the comming of the King of Nauarre out of Gascoyne as it shall appeare hereafter About the same time the Senate of Paris hauing considered vpon the Popes excommunication giueth answer to the King in the which they grieuously condemne the Leaguers doo blame the King for hauing broken the edict of peace doo shew it to be impossible to bring to passe their enterprises doo reprooue the Pope for vsurping vpon Princes authorities and the liberties of the Crowne of France doo condemne the excomunication worthy to be burned counsell the King to pursue them who haue procured the same and to execute iustice vpon them as vpon traitors About the same time the King lead by his counsell who for the most part weare of the League and seruants to the Guyzes by them was borne in hand that they of the reformed religion had to great aduauntage by the edict of Iulie and that many both of the religion and Catholikes
these three riuers in one are receaued into the riuer Mayne and so altogether in one about 2. miles beneath Anger 's 3. miles beneath Pont de Sell do run into Loyre Vpon this riuer of Loyre are situated these townes following Flesche Lude Lauerdine Chastean de Loyre Vendosme Chasteaudine Betwéene Chasteaudine and Reisgencye which lyeth vpon Loyre betweene Orleance and Bloys is the Towne Forest of Morchesuoyr in that Forest was the army of the Prince scattered and as it were became inuisible as shall be shewed in the discourse following The 16. of October the whole army began to passe ouer with great discommodity For from Saint Gemes they had but three meane boats wherwith they passed into the Iland which lyeth in the midle of the riuer On the other side of the Iland to passe to the towne of Rosiers they had but two boats and few Ferry-men who were Papistes they did the woorst they could and ready at euery hand to steale away These discommodities caused great confusion at the passage which was encreased with a great number of cariages which followed the Campe. At this passage euery man did presage the euill successe which afterward ensued For although there was no want of corage yet one might perceaue a certayne sadnes vnaccustomed which caused many to say let vs goe and dye for euery man was resolued to vanquish or to dye But the Lord disposed otherwise for a more meruâ—lous deliuerance hath not béen seene in our dayes For neither did they vanquish neither dyed but euery one dranke a reasonable draught of the cuppe of bitternes At this passage did arise great diuersity of opinions among the heads for none of the Captaynes thought good that the Prince should passe ouer for the care which they had of his safety their reasons were that it was most like that the enemie would not withstand their passage but would winke at it that afterwardes they might bring all their forces together to stop their returne thinking it an easy thing with many to ouercome few For they had already newes that Ioyeuse hasted to Anger 's with all his forces which were about three hundred Horses twelue hundred of Suissers and some regiments of Frenchmen They alleaged also that there was nothing sure at Anger 's and that it was to be feared that it would be surrendered before they could aryue thither so that their passing ouer stood vpon no reason but vpon an vncertaynty to venture such an army with all the state of their defeuce There was also newes brought to them though false that Brissake had seazed vpon Beaufort a towne betweene the riuer Lotion and Anger 's whither the Prince thought to haue gone to lodge that day The 17 of October notwithstanding the reasons aforesayd the Prince passed ouer at the town Rosiers with some noble men and Captaynes where he took about thirty gentlemen of the company of the Lord Boulaye who was already passed and certayne Harquebusiers with him commaunding them to lye in ambush in a wood nigh Beaufort and commaunded the Lord Valiere who was among the said gentlemen to make semblance towardes the gates of Beaufort and to draw them who should issue out into the aduantage of them which lay in ambush in the wood But when they came to Beaufort there they found none but the inhabitantes who did profer their Towne to the Prince and assured that there came no man except the County Carauas to whom they denyed entrance Upon this report the Prince determined to passe the rest of his army grounded vpon many reasons but especially vpon the newes which he had receaued of y t Lord Clermont whom he had heard to be about Anger 's with sixe or seauen hundred men who was not willing notwithstanding that the Prince should enclose himselfe in that sleeue All this while the Lord Rohan with his company made a road toward Saumur and the Lord Laual downe the riuer toward Anger 's for he passed last of all The Prince also sendeth a trompet vnder the colour of certayne prisonners to know of Anger 's what hee might But they of Anger 's would not suffer him to goe further then the Suburbs who reported onely that they which kept the Trenches were resolued to stand to their defence manfully Few dayes the Prince Monpensier had gone to Anger 's to profer his seruice but within few dayes he went away discontented because they of the citie had preferred the Lord Bocage before him which thing caused some to thinke that the sayd Prince Monpensier would ioyne with the Prince of Conde considering that this warre was agaynst the League and for the same cause the Lord Auantignie was sent to him from the Prince but all was in vayne The 18. the rest of the companies passed all ouer Loyre with leasure but with much discommodity by reason of the great continuall rayne The Prince left Captaine Serpent with a stronge garrison at the Abbey of Saint Maure to fortify the passage and to fauour their repassing at their returne The 19. they departed from Rosiers to passe the riuer Lotion which lyeth betweene Loyre and the towne Beaufort a riuer narrow but very déep then specially which for the great aboundant rayne was ouer the bankes There the passage was more troublesome then at Loyre because the countrey all about is coppses and Marishes daungerous for the horsemen They of Beaufort being so mened to open the gates to the Prince did it without any delay and taking away their Gard receaued such as were placed in their stead Thether the Prince arryued the same day at euening with his army and left the Lord Laual for the safety of theyr passage of Lotion who came to the Prince the next day after The same day about noone the Lord Clermont came to the Prince at Beaufort with thirty horses his horsemen were about nine hundred lodged in the villages betwéene Beaufort and Anger 's The twentéeth day being the Lordes day they soiorned at Beaufort and the night following they began to march toward Anger 's and appoynted the rendes vous at a certayne place within a league of Anger 's The Lord Ioyeuse vnderstanding the Prince of Conde to bee at hand fearing least hee might enterprize vpon the Castell by the helpe of those few men being onely 16. in all by reason that he thought them to bee of the religion or otherwise to fauour the Prince and that thence he might molest the League and hold the whole countrey in subiection he thought that it were not good to delay the regayning of the sayd Castel but to recouer it at any price whatsoeuer Therefore he conditioned with them who were within that the Papistes which were there nine in number might there remayne if they thought it good They of the religion 7. in number should be safely conducted to y t Princes camp and that they should not bee searched Also that they might carry away what they would Furthermore that at
their going away out of the Castell they of the League should all retyre away Last of all that euery one should haue one thousand crownes in money and a good Horse with a pardon from the king and security that they should neuer be called to any accompt all these Promises were faythfully kept to them At their comming foorth they deuided amongest their friendes the mouable goods of Brissak as Plate Aras and other such thinges as they could not cary and loded themselues with the best iewels as much as they could carry away The 21. of October the Princes companies began to march from the campe where the rendes vous was giuen through a narrow way toward the place of execution nigh the Suburbes There by the forrunners were three souldiours taken not supposing the enemie to haue been so nigh who reported that the Trenches were very strong and would be stoutely defended They also tooke certaine peasants who reported Rochemort to be dead and the castell to be surrendered for a great somme of money but they were not belieued The same day the Prince sent certaine Harquebusiers to Pontdesel which is a towne situated vpon the fall of Lolion into Loyre where is a bridge to passeouer the riuer where they of Anger 's had put a strong garison to keepe the bridge At the discouering of the approache of the Princes power both the towne and also the castell gaue a hot alarum and sounded the Toxin in all the parish Churches of the Citie and also at the high church called Saint Maurice This was a maruelous thing that in so great and populous a Citie wherein were more men of warre strangers then the Prince had in all his armie yet no sallie out was made no more then if there had beene no man considering also that the place where the Prince was in battell aray did fauour greatly them of the towne for there was but a broad way where the horsemen onely stoode and on both sides were vineyards and copses In that broad way were set in battell aray all the Harquebusiers where the Minister of the church L. Blanchardiere pronounced a forme of praier before the army And vpon this preparation were receaued certaine newes of the rendering of the Castel the day before which thing made all men beleeue it because that at the ariuing of the armie there was no taken from thence notwithstaÌ„ding the alarum pieces of shot giueÌ„ out Others that were against that opinion alleaged that it was no maruaile if they did not discharge the canon out of the Castell because they were so few that they were not able to remoue it They added also that the fire which they of the towne had set to an house betweene the armie and the Castell which continued all the day by the smoake was to let them of the Castell to see the troupes which came to succour them Vpon these coniectures the captaines according to the commandements receaued set vpon the subburbs of Passiguie and Magdalen and forced the same euen to the Bariâ—ados which they of the towne had made out of the gates within the subburbes which were forsaken There the Captaine Flesche was wounded with a shot who dyed within few dayes after he had protested before that either he would dye or else he would enter the Trenches passing not for death seeing that it was in and for his countrey both hapened vnto him Hee was borne at a towne named Flesche situated vpon the Riuer Loyre flowing from Vendosme to Anger 's a gentleman borne of good parentage All that day passed away in skirmishes for the armie of the Prince had also trenched themselues in the subburb of Pressiguy The horsemen were al that day in battel aray vntil nigh at the end of the subburbs while the Harquebusiers wonne by little and little the Trenches of the enemie pearcing the houses to aduaunce to the gate That day the Prince sendeth his Troumpet into a medow vnder the Castell in the sight of them that were within to giue them token with the sound of the Troumpet but seeing no token out of the Castell they began to suspect in deede that the Castell was surrendered At euening it was thought good to retyre and that the Souldiours should giue ouer their Trenches in the subburb and houses which they had gotten for feare that they within the towne in the aduauntage of the night should issue vpon them being many against few the towne being able to bring forth foure thousand strangers onely beside the forces of the towne with the aduauntage of their ordinance The Lordes Trimouille Boulay and Auantignie with their companies were appointed to make the retire which was no further then the houses next to the subburb of Pressigny The horsemen lodged that night in the nearest parishes about the Prince with his company and the Lord Rohan dis lodge at the Pont of Sorges not without great confusion by reason that there was but few lodgings In the night they of the towne issued foorth ouerthrew and burned the Trenches and Barricadoes which were made the day before and lodged within certaine houses in the subburb euen in the hospitall of the leapers so that they could not bee displaced thence the nextday The 22. about eight a clock the Lords Trimouille Auantigny Saint Gelayse with their companies resorted to the crosse way nigh the place of execution where all companies were commaunded to appeare Then they of the towne shewed a countenance as though they would haue issued foorth and certaine demilances appeared within the subburb of Pressigny There was a great alarum which hasted the companies from their lodgings to put themselues in battell aray where they did the day before Then were the footemen commaunded to set on the subburbs but they went not to it with that courage as they had done the day before for many had not refreshed themselues some the day before had lost their horses when they left them to fight at the Trenches some did steale away and returned to Beaufort The Captaines were discontented that they had been enforced to giue ouer the aduantage which they had the day before within the subburbs which they could not recouer without great losses The armie was scattered here and there the high waies were couered with bagage cariage charets horses mules seruants which wandered al night not knowing whether to retire To be short all things went farre otherwise then the day before yet they recouered within the subburb as much as they could not without hazard and difficultie The Prince arryued from Pont Forges and got him within the Suburbe of Pressigni where he perceaued the countenance and courage of his men chaunged and amazed but on the contrary them of the towne to haue taken hart Then euery one alleaging what might haue happened to them in the Castel some obstinately affirmed that they had shot in the night other sayd the contrary The Prince assembled the Nobles and Captaynes at the crosse
way nigh the place of execution saue them which were assaulting y t Suburbs on horsebacke their helmets on they consulted whether they should set on the Trenches yea or us Some perswaded to giue the attempt saying that it would be a shame to haue come so farre and so nigh execution without blowes giuing and that they could doo no lesse then to see the enemie in the face and seeing that they woulde not come foorth they should goe to finde them out they said further that they of the Castell could not see their succour if they presented not themselues at the Trenches Others reasoned to the contrarie and among others the Lord Rohan withstoode strongly that aduise aleaging many euident reasons And first that it was too plaine that they of the Castel had yeelded to the enemie hauing not giuen one token to th◠contrarie that it was no reason to say that they had no knowledge of their comming considering so many signes giuen them for the space well neere of two daies Secondly that it were a rashenes to hazard so great and braue forces and such a notable companie of Nobilitie to so imminent danger vpon vncertainties and that they were to be reserued to a better opportunitie For the enemie was as strong within as they were without and that it was as easie to take the citie as the Trenches so well fortified and that there was no hope of any to shew them any fauour much lesse out of the castel which was already surrendered or else dissembled with them to intrap them and to cast them away headlong Thirdly they ought to consider that they were in a strange land in the enemies countrey inclosed betweene two daungerous riuers which they must repasse in a countrey couered with woods enemie to the horsemen whereof consisted all their forces Finally that there was no doubt but that the King on the one side and the League on the other were not idle but did their endeuour to gather their forces on euery side to seaze vpon the passages and fortifie the banck of Loyre to stop their repassing That the forces of Anger 's were on their backes which were equall in strength to them and all the countrey was fauourable to the enemie Therefore they concluded to retyre and that delay might bring them great hurt and that the Lord Laual who was at Beaufort to make the rereward should goe backe to repasse the Loyre The greatest part followed this aduise It gréeued greatly the Prince to retyre and as hee sayd to the Lord Clermont to vnbit But ouercome with reason he concluded that the Lord Trimouille Auantigny and Boulay should retyre the Harquebusiers from the suburbs so that about two of the clocke in the afternoone they marched toward Beaufort In retyring they first met with y e Lord Laual with two hundred gentlemen galloping toward Anger 's who being aduertized of the retyre went neuerthelesse forward to the Prince In the retyring there was confusion at Beaufort for it was two houres within night afore they arriued there many had but a short supper The same day the companie of Captayne Fresche whom we haue sayd to haue béen killed at the assault giuen in the suburbe of Pressigny the day before guided by his Lieftenant was sent to get boates for the repassing of Lotion The 22. day the Prince with all the troupes soiourned at Beaufort to take aduise how to repasse Loyre There the Lord Plessis gete was appoynted to search out boates and men to conduct them to auoyde the disorder which they had the first passing and to that intent money was deliuered him The same day the Lord Campoyse was sent with his company of light horsemen to seaze vpon certayne houses vpon the banck of Loyre right agaynst the Abbey of S. Maure The same day whilest the Prince with the Nobles soiourned at Beaufort came to the Lord Clermont the foure men which he had sent to Rochemort who were entered into the Castle of Anger 's and there remayned vntill the day of the rendring thereof conducted by the Lord Suze There they shewed to the armie what was passed in the Castle of Anger 's one of them shewed a Crosse which he had for his part made of pure gold hauing two and thirtie great Diamonds and a great Saphir which made the head of the Crucifixe the ladder and all other things accustomed to be paynted in the passion as they call it was all of Diamonds no lesse artificially than costly wrought he was proffered for the same fifteene hundred Crownes The 24. of October whilest the Prince with many Noble men soiourned at Beaufort to pacifie a quarrell risen among certayne Gentlemen the Lord Laual in the afternoone passed ouer Loyre his mē of armes and light horses to defend S. Maure and to fauour the passage of the rest This day soiourning at Beaufort was the cause of the disorder which followed after and many marueiling at so long abode there foresaw what would ensue knowing that Ioyeuse had set certayne boates in a readines with small peeces at Saumur to let them downe the riuer to stop the passage If they had passed that day and night all things had gone well and safe but God had otherwise determined The same day the Lords Ioyeuse and Chastre went vp the riuer Loyre on the South side of the sayd riuer from Anger 's to Saumur with 150. horses The Lord Laual being passed ouer and vnderstanding that the sayd Lords had passed on that coast toward Saumur early in the morning made a roade toward Saumur and tooke the Mules and rich carriage of Ioyeuse The Lords Trimouille and Boyseuly passed the Lotion encamped themselues in a Common vpon the bancke of Loyre whilest the Prince and the rest passed Lotion There was at that passage of Lotion aboue fiue hundred horses and two boates onely for that cause the confusion was so great that one being ouerladen sunke though without any losse of men because it was nigh the bancke The same day about nine of the clocke in the morning was heard on a sudden a peale of Ordinance with some small shot which put the Armie in great rumour Some sayd that it was at Anger 's in token of ioye for the rendring of the Castle But within a while after were seene two great boates furnished with Ordinance and men of warre who cast anker a little beneath the Abbey of S. Maure in the place where the passage ouer was appoynted to be and immediatly began to shoote on both sides of the riuer both agaynst them who had passed and agaynst them that were about to passe The newes of the sayd boates were brought to the Prince incontinently with amplification of the impossibilitie to repasse and it was indeede so for lacke of two field péeces to haue shot from the banke agaynst the boates which by these meanes could haue béen easily sunke but they had carried none although they had once determined so to doo
These newes so amazed the whole Armie as though a stroake of a Thunderboult had smitten them from heauen and that so much the more because the enemies forces did flocke together from euery side The army then was scattered in sundry places without hope to bee able to succour one another for the Lord Laual had passed ouer the Riuer the day before and the Lord Borlay had ventured to passe that day at S. Mathurin not without great danger yet without losse The one part of the armie was betweene the Loyre and the Lotion an vnfit place for horsemen by reason of woods and marishes The troupes of the Lord Clermont with the rest of the armie and carriage were yet at Beaufort beetweene Anger 's and Lotion so that if the enemy in such disaduantage had charged them it would haue gone hard with them but the enemy had no good spials The Lord Auantigny in that disorder hauing passed Lotion retyred to the Lord Campoyse who had seazed on some houses right against y e Abbey Saint Maure and had made a baricado vpon the banke In the meane time they sent the Lord Chesue to the Prince who caused the Prince to passe his army backe ouer Lotion to make a ready resolution to passe in fighting or else to take his way at aduenture ouer the countrey of Beause For if he should make any delay without doubt hee should be discomfited hauing the enemy within a litle league both aboue and beneath who reenforced themselues euery howre and that there were other armed Boats discouered which followed the former Therefore to take readily aduise and to informe them thereof and that if neede be the Lord Laual might repasse to them although not without danger The Prince vnderstanding these newes assembled all the heads and Captaynes in the wood which is on the banke of Lorion nigh the place of the passage where they reasoned more then two howres what was expedient to be done in this extremity Some gaue counsell to take their way toward Beause and to get to the Loyre aboue Orleans for that they had forces sufficient ynough to passe all hazardes and to fight if neede were Others were agaynst that and alleaged that the army was weake by passing ouer of the forces of the Lords Laual and Burlay and therefore did aduise to descend into Britayne where ships might bee had out of Rochel so it were easy to passe beneath Nantes and by these meanes to saue their men with the losse of their horses In this diuersity of opinions they could conclude nothing but seeing the night approched they returned to Beaufort their to take resolution of their affayres There was a Noble man one Lord D'ouault an old warrier who not long afore the passage ouer Loyre put him self willingly in the company of the Lord Laual This Noble man vnderstanding that the Prince could not repasse and that he was determined to take his way ouer the countrey of Beause which could not bee done without great hazard did Ieaue the Lord Laual his company who was about to retyre from the banke of Loyre to Poytow did venture to repasse Loyre notwithstāding the great danger protesting that he would die with the Prince if occasion should require it and so with great danger repassing the riuer ouertooke the Prince at Beaufort The resolution to repasse the Lorion caused the Prince and the Lordes who were with him to resolue themselues agaynst whom so euer Notwithstanding euery one did looke vpon his fellow as commonly is done in such ineuitable dangers where is seene no remedy Some sayd saltem olim si meminisse iuuaret others sayd vnasalus victis nullam sperare salutem Few thought that these blowes came from Heauen for the punishment of their vices and specially for swearing and blaspheming which were not punished in that armie where were many of the League who induced others to their wickednes and licentious life All that day there was a great disorder for them that had passed to repasse agayne ouer Lorion hauing but one boate which could not receaue aboue ten horses at once and that caused the disorder for that euery one would bee first and no man last This was to bee noted in the Prince that he chaunged not his countenance but as hee did at the passage of Loyre so now he answered to them y t represented him the danger saying we will fight And because the confusion encreased at the passage of Lorion sending sufficient number of horsemen to euery place where the enemy might come vppon them hee lyghted of his horse and caused men horses and cariage to passe and when it was more then one hower in the night hee passed himselfe notwithstanding many remayned all night in the marshes who passed the next day following in the morning The night following the 25. day of October it was concluded by the Prince Nobles with him to take ouer y e countrey which lyeth betwene the Lorion and Loiz which is a Riuer comming from Vendosme to Anger 's to the end to recouer Beause and so to passe Loyre at Bogeancye Bloys or Sancerre or if the worst came with long iourneyes to attayne to the head of Loyre with resolution to fight agaynst whomsoeuer All that night there was hot skirmishing betweene them that came down from Samur in the boats and the garrison which the Prince had left at the Abbay of Saynt Maure vnder Captayne Serpant where was also the Lord Laual and Boulay who as is afore sayd had repassed the Loyre The Lord Auantigny who remayned all that night in the house called Menetriere not farre from the banke of Loyre to make the retyre passed the Lorion with all the residue very early arryued at Beaufort with the Prince about eight a clocke in the morning the 26. and the same day was the passage of Saint Mathurine beneath Saynt Maure stopped with boats furnished with ordinance and garrison The 26. the Lords Laual and Boulay with the garrison which was at Saint Maur vnderstanding that the Prince was returned beyond Lorion with determination to crosse ouer the countrey of Beause and that the passage of Saynt Mathurine was stopped thought necessarye to retyre into Xainctonge with all diligence and with such forces as they had to oppose themselues against the attemptes of y e enemies which might ryse there to assemble the nobility and other souldiers which were left there also to afsist the troupes which were left at the siege of Browage and to make the places sure in Poytow and Xainctonge and in very deede God did worke al the sayd euentes by their presence there The King aduertised what was passed at Anger 's putteth foorth his forces out of all partes to set vpon the Prince It is sayd before how the King intended to make ciuill warre in Guyenne first of all to beginne in Poitow Xainctonge as being next neighbours to him of all the Prouinces which do professe the Gaspell
not to come within the reach of the King of Nauarre for feare of the Bastonado or Strapado or some such like thing being in good hope in the meane time that in walking and taking his pleasures in Guyenne at the Priestes costs he might make his part strong with seducing the forenamed Cities and other from the Kings obedience to his deuotion but he was as far deceaued in that as in escaping the Bastonado But now to returne to our purpose the Duke Ioyeuse was at the back of the Prince of Conde the Duke De Mayne passing through Orleans ouer the riuer of Loyre was at his right hand and as farre as Bloyse stopped all the passages least the saide Prince might passe ouer The King had sent Biron with forces into Beause which marched right against his face least hee should escape that way on the left hand the way to the sea through Britaine and Normandie was long difficulte and dangerous by reason of many townes and Garisons therein placed The Prince being thus compassed about with al these forces of enemies was in lesse daunger because that they knew not what and how things passed in his armie and supposing the same to be farre closer and stronger then it was in deede did greatlie feare to aboard it whereby he and all his Captaines had opportunitie to beguile them and to steale away from them Now to knowe well the rest of this voyage vntill the dissolution of the armie it is necessarie to know the situation of the country There is on the north side of Lorion a riuer called Loire washing the townes of Chasteau dune Vendosme Chasteaudeloy Lude Flesche and Luche which méeting with the riuer Sartre at Anger 's falleth into Loyre beneath Pont de sel The Prince at his departing from Beaufort folowed this riuer almost as far as Chasteau dune The 26. of October the Princes armie dislodged from Beaufort intending to lodge at the towne of Luche in Anjou belonging to the Lord Clermong there purposing to passe ouer y e sayd Loyre vpon the bridge into the countrey which lyeth betweene the sayd riuer Loyre and Sartre called Vaudeloyre but the riuer was so ouerflowen as though the foure Elements had set themselues agaynst that army that it did couer halfe of the sayd bridge and the Lord Clermont which is Lord of the place sounding the foord himselfe thought it were not passable whereupon they determined that day to goe to Lude There happened vnto them other things which increased greatly the amaze For newes came that the Duke Ioyeuse with greater forces than theirs pursued with great hast after them and that not long after the departing of the Prince he had seazed vpon Beaufort On the other side the countrey which before trembled for feare of them began to rise vpon them for they of the Flesche the selfesame day issued out and intercepted some souldiers and carriage That day according to the determination they lodged at Lude The 27. of October they would haue passed ouer Loyre vpon the bridge of Lude but it was so highly ouerflowen that although it was easie to passe the bridge yet at the further side of the said bridge there was another great riuer which they must néedes passe ouer by a foord for there was but a little boate which would scarse carrie three men without daunger The horsemen passed and set themselues in battell aray vntill all had passed there a great many gaue ouer their carriage they which had friends in the countrey gaue them their stuffe That day from Lude they sent the Lords Boysduly and Aubiguy towards Boysgency Mere and S. Die to finde some passage and that the morrowe after they should all méete at Orges or the Chappell S. Martine Whilest they stayed in that playne in battell aray for the safe passage of all the companies there happened a thing which would haue wrapped a superstitious soule into sundrie and fearefull thoughts for not farre thence beyond them was a Hare started by the enemies betwéene the Loyre and Lotion with a great crye after which gaue them the alarum and all prepared themselues to receaue the enemie couragiously but at length the Hare was seene with more than two hundred horses with fewe dogges That poore Hare passed and repassed among the horses feete with many stripes and yet was not taken but saued her self though she was pursued more than halfe a mile Some tooke this for an euill and some a good presage saying that if God had care to preserue that poore feeble and fearefull beast much more would hee haue care of that little flocke amazed which howsoeuer it was hollowed and pursued by all the forces of France notwithstanding would escape safe and sound in receiuing but feare without great hurt which thing also happened From Lude they at length arriued at Prillay two houres in the night this is a great towne belonging to the Prince County the Prince of Conde his yonger brother At their comming thither there was such a confusion and presse in the streates that they could neither goe forward nor backward for the space of an houre not the Prince himself vntil that the doores of some houses broaken gaue some roome The 29. day they marched through Vandeloyre and at night came to S. Arnol and the villages about not farre from Lauerdine but the sayd S. Arnol was a poore little village where was small store of lodgings so that the further they went the néerer they approached to their miseries There also newes came that the enemies followed after them as couragiously and with such hast as they went about to goe from them with great iourneys The Lords Espernon and Byron and most of the Nobilitie of the Court were at Bonaual in Beause to méete with this terrified armie The Duke de Mayn on the other side with a great armie was on the other side of the riuer of Loyre neere Bloys to cut them off by the way if by chaunce they should repasse The Townes betwéene Bloys and Orleans were all be set with strong garrisons The Lord Chastre had sent into Soloigne to kéepe the riuer of Loyre and to retire the boates and milles into the townes The Commons were set to watch readie to rise vpon them at the first sound of the Toxine The companies of the Prince were as wearie as their enemies were lustie and as men may bee wearie with courses and watches so horses much more with galloping night and day without resting The meanes to passe betweene Bloys and Amboyse fayled them all these things being knowne of all made them to haue little hope of their affayres Yet there is no doubt that if the enemie had appeared the necessitie had much increased their courage But it seemed that by a singular prouidence of God the enemies stood in such feare of these companies that he would haue them defeated through wearines that it might appeare to be Gods owne hand and his proper work to scatter them
and that his enemies should not haue the praise nor triumph ouer them For afterward it was confessed by the enemies which were in the armie of Ioyeuse and the League that this handfull of men wearied scattered amazed and alreadie ouercome was to all those troopes who would haue swallowed them vp such a terrour that if they had offered to set vpon them they might happely haue found them easie to bee dealt withall For the enemies were perswaded that the Prince would neuer haue enterprized such a iourney vnlesse he had béen able to beate downe all that had come before him All that night in the which they lodged at S. Arnol there was great reasoning among them of the Counsell what was expedient to bee done The Lord Rohan with many Gentlemen of his company sayd that the further they should goe that way the déeper they should sinke in daunger that the best part of their forces had passed ouer Loyre with the Lord Laual and that the armie did slide away daily they that had friends in Vandomoys Beause Mayne Perche did steale away the enemie being fresh and strong did approach on them on euery side and that the further they went vpward the néerer they did drawe to their misfortune Let him carrie his head to Paris who would said he for I will carrie mine into Britaine and fight with him that will let me So vppon these spéeches seeing not the contrary reasons of any force tooke his leaue from the Prince his iorney toward Britaine whether he came through many difficulties and dangers and in time notwithstanding the endeuour of the Duke Mercure with safetie he passed the riuer of Loyre beneath Nants and repayred to Rochel with great ioy and contentation of all men for his safe returne This separation was as a second thunderboult from heauen vpon this armie which is no more to bee called an armie but a small companie for there was no more but the companies of the Prince and of the Lord Trimouille whereof some had forsaken him There were also left some companies of the Harquebusiers on horseback of the Lord Clermont of whom many had alreadie retired to their houses then they began to looke euery one vppon his fellowe shrugging with their shoulders euery one did beleeue that if there were any safetie it must miraculously come from heauen and many which before in matters of prayer and conscience had giuen themselues to great licentiousnes began to enter into consideration and to reforme themselues The Prince remayning so with these few companyes had a number of carryage wherewith he was so hampered that he could not rid himselfe of it He sent the Lord Saint Gelays with some gentlemen of Poytow to the number of 30. horses to ryde toward Vendosme and some where to take loginges commodious for the companies which followed But in the way they heard newes that the Lord Lauerdine with some number of men had entred into Vendosme to cut that way from the Prince and that the night before some Souldiers of the company of the Lord Clermont tooke prisonners some of the company of the Lord Benhare gouernor of Vendosme who brought some store of armor to theyr master The 30. of October the rest of the companies arryued at Saint Anne nigh Vendosme where they thought to haue departed logings but for the pouerty of the place they stayed not there In this wandering through the countrey of Beause some of the company of Captayne Bonet tooke the Lord Rosins who comming from Paris with a Pasport from the King which he shewed them not supposing they had béen of the religion was going to the King of Nauarre This Lord had foure notable great horses The Dragons for so were called the Harquebuziers on horsebacke weary of their tyred horses chaunged with the great horses of the fayd Lord Rosins and with great ioy carryed him away with them But he being knowen by the Lord Saint Gelays hee caused them to restore him his horses and to take their tyred horses agayne The sayd Lord Rosins was conducted to the Prince and shewed him the rage wherewith his enemies prepared themselues to compasse him about and besides hee told him many thinges sufficient to make him take some resolution But it was nothing to the aduertisements sent him from diuers places as that he was inclosed on euery side and that shortly he should haue the enemy to come vpon him with forces farre vnequall to his and that it was high time to handle his affayres wisely without delaying till tomorrow On the other side he was aduertyzed that the meanes to repasse Loyre toward Bloys were cut off by reason that the enemies nigh at hand had preuented it The Prince arryuing at the towne of Salowme a league beyond Saynt Anne gathered his counsell and all reasons wayghed on euery side he was earnestly requested by all them that were present to prouide for the safety of his person the which being conducted in a safe place the rest by Gods helpe would in time find out some way of deliuerance The reasons whereby hee was perswaded to take some resolution were these First that his retire would be more honorable to him and more shameful to the enemy then to hazard as if it were through dispayre vpon a battell whereof the issue could not bee but very perilous both to his person to the whole estate of the reformed religion Secondly that in such extremity and disfauour there was gotten honor ynough by a singular grace of God to haue auoyded the rage of so great forces of his enemies who did hold him as if hee were enclosed and compassed round about and to snatch from them the glory which they had promised to themselues already of his death before that euer they durst looke him in the face and that the valoure of noble courage was shewed as well in auoyding an euident danger as in the exploits of battell Thirdly that the passages were not so closed vp but that there was meanes to escape to some safe place It was hard to make him condiscend to these reasons yet at length conuicted by the way of intreaty and necessity hee concluded to retire But afore he would depart that night with his constancye accustomed hee tooke order for the parting of his companies euen of his owne household The Lord Saynt Gelayes with some of the companies and part of his Gards should goe toward Loyre to ioyne with the Lords Aubiguy and Brisduly who were gone to search passage towardes Loyre and such of his houshould seruantes as would not or could not follow the Lord Saynt Gelays he directed them to retyre to some friendes of his in the countrey Furthermore that the Lord Clermont should retyre some where with his companies This being done about 11. of the clocke at night he departed with a smal company with the Lords Trimouille and Auantigny and other gentlemen with few of his chiefest houshold seruants The waies which he tooke
the courses which he ranne the dangers which hee passed through to get to the Ilandes of Gernsey lying in the narrow Seas betweene England France what courtesies and Princelike intertaynment he receaued of that great Elizabeth Queene of England how with a great number of Nobility and ships of war he returned to Rochel also with great reioycing of all men he was receaued by them of Rochell is the argument of an other booke which the tyme shall produce But here be three thinges worthy to be noted First how God doth lay heauy crosses vpon his children and do compasse them with ineuitable dangers after mans wisedom both to make them see with the eye how weakly man is stayed which trusteth in the arme of flesh and worldly power Secondly to make them vnderstand how nigh he is vnto them that repose themselues in him and how safe that man is who resteth vnder the shadow of his wings by an assured trust and confidence in his promises Thirdly to shew how many wayes hee hath to deliuer his children out of those dangers which in mans reason cannot bee auoyded as this was to that end to make them tast how sweete his deliuerances bee to warne them thereby to amend their liues and to walke more circumspectly in his wayes and to bee more watchfull in the inuocation of his name and thanksgiuing Of all ancient histories this hath a similitude and liknes of the returning of the Greeks from Persia brought into their countrey by that noble Philosopher and Captayne Xenophon reported by himselfe in expedition Ciri minoris But to returne to the matter By this tyme are the Lords Laual Boulay Rohan the Prince of Conde the Lords Trimouille and Auantigny by Gods special fauour deliuered and brought as if it were by the hand into certayne places of safety Now there remayned the Lordes Saint Gelayse Clermont and others with them left in the clawes of the Lyon and a pray to the enemy to trye the selfe same presence of God and to be led by y e hands of his Angel out of all danger into a hauen of safety The head being gone the rest within a while vanished away as dust blowen in the ayre that which is marueilous without the losse of any one man of account or any other that euer could be knowen euery one had his life for spoyle which hath made ridiculous the lying pamphlets spread bâ—oad in Paris of the terrible dreadful ouerthrow of the Prince of Conde But this short discourse doth represent all thinges passed in that army For the discipation of that armye is not to be attributed neyther to the King neither to the Duke Ioyeuse much lesse to the Duke de Mayne or to any ather of that side For none of them al approched nigh to the Prince of Conde since his departure from Lude not by fiue or sixe leages neyther did they euer draw Swoord agaynst him Wheras that night resolution was taken that y e day folowing the Lord Saint Gelays should take his iourney toward Meare a towne vpon the riuer of Loyre betweene Boysgencie and Bloys in so dooing he disappoynted greatly the enemies and gaue great aduauntage to the Prince to auoyde their hands for the scape of the enemies was his person more then all the rest for they cared not for any thing else so that they might haue him dead or a liue so eagerly were they bent against him But the companies being deuided some tooke their iourney toward Orleans others toward Normandie some toward the Mayne by which meanes the enemies knew not which of them the Prince was in and so the chiefest power of the enemie was in doubt still which way to take to folow after him and in the meane while he and his little companie did slide into Briâ—ayn and from thence ouer the sea into England The Lorde S. Gelays to saue the remnant of the armie exposed himselfe as a pray to the enemie that could catch him notwithstanding without the losse of any one man but he escaped with his companie which was with him with incredible labours and losse of theâ—â— carriage and stuffe That night therefore about twelue a clock one houre after the departing of the Prince with the gardes of the said Prince who were about threeshore Harquebusiers he tooke his way to Vilelnisant where the rest of the companies were lodged to take their iourney to the Chapell Saint Martin and from thence dislodging together came to the saide Chapel one houre afore day There were about 500. horses of all sorts but not aboue 200. fit to fight and yet of them who might haue fought many should haue been faine to fight on foote for their horses were readie to fall vpon their noses and the men but a little more worth The 31. of October they ariued at the Chapell Saint Martin verie easilie and because they needed to baite their horses and refresh themselues the inhabitants saw their doores broken afore they were called vp In that vilage the Lord Saint Gelaise learned that the euening before there were two men on horseback which saide that if there should ariue any men of warre they should not stay there but passe further to Orges And as the day began to appeare the Lorde Saint Gelaise receaued letters from the Lord Aubigny wherein hee willed them to take the direct way to Ralsy where he should meete him And when they came thether the said Lorde Aubigny reported that there were no boates nor any hope to repasse Loyre for there was 800. Swartrutters of the League who had lodged at Saint Die a walled towne three Leagues aboue Bloys vpon the high way to Orleans where they thought to haue found passage There were also all along the riuer at Mir de Nonain Saint Laurence other vilages about the riuer three or foure regiments of footemen seeming therefore to them an vnpossible thing to passe Loyre that way the Lord Saint Gelays consulted with the Lorde Tiffardiere and others who concluded to goe to Orges and to some vilages thereabouts with commaundement to soiourne there not aboue an houre and a halfe There was in the Castell of Orges an olde Gentleman Papist who hearing that the Lord Saint Gelaies was in that companie desired to see him and to speake with him and knowing that his companie was wearie and weake and weather beaten asked him whether he went and what he meant to doo with his companie and swearing with a great oath told him that hee was vndone and that if hee had three times as many men as hee had within an houre if he soiorned there he and his would bee cut in pieces This Gentleman was very stout because of the Kings the Leaguers forces which hee knew to bee thereabout hee shewed him that there was great companies as well on the side of the riuer as on the side of Beause not distant from him aboue halfe a League nigh the Forrest of Marchenoyre with this
intent to charge that remnant of the armie which was with him how all the commons had the watch word and looked to haue some warning to begin There was no hope to escape being few and they wearie and weatherbeaten without any hope of succour The Lord Boysduly met nigh Talsy two Gentlemen papists of his acquaintance who shewed him the selfesame daungers abouesayd and yet more that neither hee neither they who were with him were farre from spoyle The Lord Boysduly perceiuing that a Gentleman called la Mot in whom he had much confidence knew very well the amaze of that companie after assurance of amitie for himselfe and the Lord S. Gelays hée certified them that they were in a worser case than they knew and that the Prince perceiuing that hee had so great forces agaynst him had dissolued his armie and that his person was alreadie in place of safetie and almost all his armie and that there remayned no more but that which hee sawe with the Lord Saint Gelays who at all aduenture had vndertaken to saue the rest La Mot then offered him friendship his houses for to retire with such of his friends as hee would but his house was distant from thence eight leagues which his courtesie the Lord Boysduly accepted In these terrors all the troupe being on horsebacke marched at large in a plaine field not farre from the Castle Orges of one side and neere the Forrest of Marchenoire on the other side no man knewe which way to turne himselfe too nor what to followe for a present daunger was on euery side The Lord S. Gelays and other Captaynes with him were long before they could conclude of their way The enemies did approach and held that small companie in sight of which being aduertized they marched within the Forrest of Marchenoire and being somewhat entered within the sayd Forrest in the high way to Chasteaudune the Lord S. Gelays shewed them the ineuitable danger whereunto they were fallen he shewed them that the enemie was to be beguiled and for that intent it was expedient and necessarie to deuide themselues into small companyes and to followe diuers waies and that the Lord would conduct the parts aswell as the whole wheresoeuer it should please him The Lord Aubigny vndertooke to conduct one troupe one way Captaine Ryeux went another way some tooke the way to Orleans others drawed towards Paris A Genâ—leman Papist which was with the Lord la Mot tooke with him the Lord Tifardiere and the other Gentlemen of Poytow to whom he shewed great courtesies The Lords S. Gelays Boysduly Campoys Chesmi and others to the number of ten or twelue went vnder the assurance of the Lord Mot the way to Chasteaudune in Beausse As it was a straunge thing to see the dissipation of that armie without blowes bloudshed or losse of any man by the fight of the enemie so it was a pitifull sight to see the separation of the Souldiers from their Captaines of the seruants from their masters the seruants did cast away the things which they had gréedily gathered to saue themselues vppon their horses The waies were full of good stuffe armes baskets males apparell and other things of value euery one did cast away the things which they had taken from others more willingly than when they tooke it God did then require an accompt of many disordered persons in whose hands Manna did rot which they had greedily gathered And it is to be confessed that God testified from heauen that he will haue his worke aduanced by other meanes than by such armes for a great companie of this armie were not accompanied with pietie and Christian modestie On the other side God tooke away all matter of boasting and glorying from the enemies for it was a straunge thing that considering the small distance of places where these companies of the enemie were the great multitude of lustie fresh and well furnished companies which they had the Countreys and Townes thrée or foure score leagues round about all fauourable to them hauing compassed the others round about yet not one after this separation appeared to fight nor to assault these vanquished few men as he which durst not come nigh the skinne of a dead Lyon The Lord Saint Gelays with them of his companie had scarse gone a League in Beause when he discouered three cornets of Launcers of Italians and Albanoyces who were from Chasteaudune marched in good order and came trotting forward at the end of the Forrest where the separation was made The Lord Mot who lead the Lord Saint Gelais and his companie did feare and felt himselfe in great daunger as he saide with such companie of Hugonets after him and faining to discouer he forsooke his guests and got to a village farre before them The Lord S. Gelays and his companie beléeued certainly that those troupes came vpon them and thought themselues as good as dead But behold the eyes of these armed men were so blinded by the power of him which blinded Bilham the sonne of Beor and Elimas the Sorcerer that without perceiuing him or any of his companie they passed by within the distance of fiftie paces from them there was onely a barne of a Farme betwixt them and the Lord S. Gelays stood still in the high way before the barne It was a wonder that this companie was so carried away inuisible out of sight of that multitude as if it were in a clowde and that none of the enemies went through the high way whereby they might haue béen discouered These companies of Italians and Albaneses went into a village not farre of where they perceiued some horses and Harquebusiers they set vpon the house where the Lord Aubigny was with others who neuerthelesse tooke their horses saued themselues without any domage These horsemen found much spoile by the way without any man to claime it The Lord S. Gelays riding along in the champiane countrie of Beausse toward Chartres with the Lord Mot without kéeping any high way the night being rainie and darke began to enter in suspition of the sayd Mot being a Papist So the Lord Mot returned backe with this opinion that the Lord S. Gelays with his companie would goe to Cheuroles toward Orleans but he tooke his iourney to Ianuile lying betwéene Chartres and Orleans and there crossing the high way from Paris to Orleans passed through many companies of armed men who were lodged in Beausse and so recouered vpon him the Forrest of Orleans The returning backe of the Lord Mot as is aboue sayd was to play a popish tricke with the Lord Saint Gelays for perceiuing that he was not strong enough he went in the night to gather companie to haue set vppon them at Cheuroles and so to haue taken them prisoners to his aduantage as he did not dissemble afterward to speake openly So that his professing of amitie was an allurement to drawe them into his snare for afterward he followed them as farre as Ianuile with
downe from Saumur The 25. of October the Lord Boulay also and his companie passed at Saint Maturine beneath Saint Maures Abbey but that passage also was stopped the next day after with boates which descended thether The 26. day Captaine Serpent skirmished all the day long as hee had done all night before out of the Abbey Saint Maure with the enemies who were in the boates The Papists of high and low Poytow vnderstanding how the Prince of Conde was compassed on euery side beyond Loyre and supposing that hee was alreadie made sure enterprised to doo the like of the Lord Laual and these few companies which were with him Whereupon Captaine Serpent seeing that the Prince did not repasse and that the enemie was armed vpon the riuer being out of hope of his returne that way dislodged out of S. Maure Abbey where the enemie soone after lodged and ioyned himselfe with the Lord Laual the 17. day The Lord Laual notwithstanding y t day earlie in the morning marched toward the passage for to vnderstand newes of the Prince but considering the impossibilitie of repassing and foreseeing that he would take ouer the Countrey and that if he should stay there any time he was like to be hemmed in by the troupes of high and lowe Poytow which hasted to set vpon him hee therefore with Captaine Serpent tooke his iourney to Saint Ihan D' Angely The same day the Lord Boulay seeing as much as is aforesaid folowed after the L. Laual and ouertooke him two Leagues from the riuer These two companies ioyned together made about 150. horse and about 300. Harquebusiers on horseback for many of their companies had not passed and some had retired where they thought to bee in securitie They marched with reasonable iourneys passing aboue Niort to Saint Ihan D' Angely without any resistance The 29. of October they came to Saint Massure about Niort where they found the bridge which they must needes passe ouer broaken for the raine was so great and continuall that it had made little small brookes great riuers and hauing none other way to passe there they made a bridge with cartes and other such things as were at hand The 30. of October the Lord Laual lodged at Fo rs and his companies in the vilages thereabouts The 31. of October in the morning parting thence as they tooke their horses to goe on their iourney there apeared vnto them some Launcieres of the enemie conducted as it was afterward knowne by Captaine Mercer Albanese who issued out of Niort The Lord Laual marched alway in battell aray the way to Saint Jhan onely hee sent some to view him which thing Captaine Mercure perceauing retired without bickering The second day of Nouember the Lord Laual aryued at Saynt Ihan where y t company of the Lord Boulay retyred euery one where he thought good A thing happened worthy of remembrance the pestilence being very hot in Saynt Ihan D'Angelye when the Lord Laual arryued there yet afterward there dyed not so much as one of his companyes nor of the inhabitantes of the towne As all thinges are gouerned by the prouidence of God disposing of the counselles and actions of men after his owne will so he turned all thinges to the benefite of his children and the preseruation of his Church For the Prince as is aboue sayd hauing sent the said Lord Laual to passe to Loyre before to fauour the passage of the rest of the army delaying his owne returne and in the meane time the riuer being beset by the enemy so it fell out that the sayd Lordes Laual and Bowlay could not repasse to the Prince agayne This great good therefore the Lord did draw out of this disiunction of the army First here appeareth euidently the gracious loue fauour which God beareth to his children For the power of man which was so great the rancor and hatred so hot the stomacke so eger the enemy spread so thicke euery where round about lying in wayt for them and making their full account to haue them as in a net yet could they not take away one hayre of their heads whom God had taken vnder his protection Secondly the same Lord was disioyned from the Prince by a certayne counsell of God to confirme the townes and strong places in Poytow and Xainctonge and to let them from reuolting to the enemy to resemble the companies scattered and beaten with the breaking of that army to hold the enemy in awe so that in such great dismay and feare of all the countrey the enemy durst enterprize but very litle or nothing at all For euen the Duke de Mayne with his strong and puissant army passing nigh the gates of Saynt Ihan D'Angelye durst neuer stay there although he knew well that the towne was not well prouided and his army being for Guyenne there hee might haue begun to do some more honorable exployt by winning Saynt Ihan then by Castilon By the which euents it appeareth that the presence of the sayd Lord and other of his company did greatly bridle the rage of the enemy there Now hauing placed the Prince his Nobles and all his scattered army in safety and rest from the great dangers and labours which they sustayned during the moneth of October we will returne backe to see what in the meane time is done at the siege of Browage and tell you the true report thereof The tenth day of October the Lord Saint Mesmes who was left there to continue the siege by the appoyntment of the Prince receaued intelligence how that the gouernor of Xainctes Coignak Engolesme and other forces of the countrey did flocke together to set vppon them who were at Hyers where they continued the siege of Browage and supposing himselfe not strong ynough to resist suchforces as he expected specially for lacke of horsemen forsooke Hyers with all his regiments lodged at Marennes Which thing amazed greatly the Countrey hee sent also the Lord la Hay at Saynt Iust to aduauncethe retyre The same day about foure a clocke in the euening aryuing at Saynt Just the Lord Saynt Disan and Captayne Bordeaux with their companies of footmen who seeing the inhabitantes of the countrey runne away and knowing what had happened went to Hiers and they there arryued about midnight where they found many souldiers of Saynt Luke who issued out of Browage had set the fire on some houses and were busie in rifling and ransacking the others they were so heauily charged by the Souldiers of Saint Disan and Bordeaux that they were all eyther slaine or taken prisonners The Lord Saynt Mesmes aduertized what had passed at Hyers and of the new supply come to him returned with the companies to Hyers and continued the siege twenty dayes longer during the which tyme were geuen many skirmishes and many on both sides slayne and taken But at length the sayd Lord Saynt Mesmes knowing that the Prince had passed Loyre and looking not for any succour and that many reportes going abroad
Nauarre ioyned themselues with the Lord Turenne who within a short space grew to the number of sixe thousand With this power the Vicount Turenne kept the field in Limosin Perigord and about the time that the Prince departed from Browage to his iourney to Anger 's letters came vnto him from the Prince by the which he willed him to drawe néere Browage to fauour the siege thereof Vppon the receipt of these letters the Lord Turenne called his counsell together to knowe what was to be done There was then reasoned among them of the necessitie of his presence at that siege On the other side aduertisement was giuen that the armie of the League vnder the conduct of the Duke de Mayne was drawing nigh toward Guyenne although it was not yet scarse out of Paris and that the same was beaten with diuers disseases and among others the Swissers which made them conclude that occasion might be giuen to worke some good exployt vpon that armie and if not discomfited yet greatly it might be molested Agayne he had receaued letters of the King of Nauarre who aduertized him that he was at the poynt to depart out of Bearne to Bergerake ward in Perigord and therfore warned him to be in a readines that if néede should be he might ioyne with his Maiestie So that considering all these waightie occasions hée could not succour the siegr of Browage staying for the Duke de Mayne and expecting the King of Nauarre his comming He had many good occasions to enterprize vpon certaine Townes in Limosin as vpon the Citie of Trile Brune la galiarde and others in those quarters Trile is a Citie in Limosin a Bishops seate situated in a valley compassed about with high hilles which doo commaund the Towne It hath thrée fayre Suburbs about it and there is a little riuer named Vestere which washing the walls passeth by the Suburb which is greater than the citie Therein is a Frierie of the Franciscans which is inclosed about with a strong wall and for that cause the inhabitants had retyred and committed their goods to the Friers keeping which thing fell out very ill for them The high suburbe is like the first in greatnes the third is lesser than the other twaine The 8. day of Nouember the Lord Choupes with a great number of Gentlemen and Souldiers set on the lowe Suburbe The Lord Turenne who commaunded ouer the Harquebusiers which came out of France staying at the Franciscans house which is situated at the ende of the Suburbe set the gate on a fire and vppon occasion entered further euen to the Trenches which they of the Towne had made and after long skirmishing and killing of some of both parts wonne the same The high Suburbe at the same time by other companies as they were appoynted was also assaulted which they of the Suburbe did resist at the Trenches but at length enforced did retyre within the Towne They of the Towne being besieged all round about defended themselues vpon the walls without issuing out at all for the space of sixe daies The 13. day of Nouember were applied two péeces at the gate which made some way to enter in but they of the Towne did their endeuour to defend the breach which being not assaultable the assault was giuen ouer The siege continuing many of the Towne were slaine which caused the rest fearing to bee forced not to refuse the perswasions of Amaury who counselled them to capitulate Hostages being giuen of both sides the Kings Lieutenant with some of the chiefest Citizens came foorth to the Lord Turenne who was lodged at the gray Friers the agréement was long debated and at length concluded The 16. day of Nouember they of the Towne consented to redéeme the Towne and the ransaking of their houses with a certaine summe of money Furthermore it was agréed that a Captaine stranger with such as were left of his companie for most of them had béen slaine should goe foorth out of their Towne and they should receiue Captaine Amaury This Captaine Amaury was he of all the armie whom they feared most and yet did they requested to haue him whom they receaued for their gouernour and there he remayned in that charge vntill the comming of the Duke de Mayne About the 10. of December considering that the place was not sufficient to resist such an armie he gaue ouer the Towne into the hands of the Citizens and within fewe dayes after was slaine as followeth Within a while after the taking of this Citie the Lord Turenne retired his companies in garrisons in places of greater importance The 25. of December Amaury was aduertized that the Lord Sacramore of Birague this is that Sacramore whom after the Duke de Mayne killed in his anger with his owne hand one of the Leaguers was not farr from Turenne with a companie of Harquebusiers to lay in ambush and as he aduaunced himselfe one of his owne Souldiers too hastie to shoote with his péece hit him by misfortune and killed him and after they retyred to Turenne The Duke de Mayne sporting himselfe made good théere at y e Priests costs but it was no matter for holy Roode did pay for all and doth conquer Kingdomes in Perigord and Limosin and about the 27. of December tooke Montignake le conte an olde Towne and ruinous Castle belonging to the King of Nauarre He tooke also Beaulieu such a Fort as no man which hath any skill in warlike affayres would make any accompt of And ten daies after the inhabitants who were al of the reformed religion redeemed their Towne with one thousand Crownes which were payed to Antefort About the 17. of December the Duke de Mayne recouered Trile which the Lord Turenne had caused Amaury to surrender into the hands of the inhabitants about ten daies before because that place was not defensable The D. de Mayne at length perceiuing y t his practises against the Cities and Townes of Limosin Perigord would not frame determined to passe the riuer Dordonne at Souliake into Quercy leauing behind him Monfort a strong place and many other Townes and Holds because hee could not carrie them away with him It is sayd before how that the King of Nauarre in August last went into Languedock to S. Paul de Cadeioux where he met with the Prince of Conde and the Duke of Monmorency to aduertise them of their defence The sayd King remayned afterward in Bearne in great silence and quietnes viewing how farre all this league and vnion would proceede expecting the producing of some lamentable euents and as if it were out of his watch would become of the thrée great armies prepared for Guyenne Languedock and Daulphine and being hidden vnder the wing of the most high mused what would bee the end of the fierie threatnings and bragges of his enemies bearing patiently their insolencie euen to the danger of his owne person It is also sayd how that the Leaguers had procured an excommunication from Frier Sixtus
Chaumont and Nerake by the Duke de Mayn The next exployt done by this victorious Captaine was at Castets This is a little towne and a Castle belonging to the Lord Fabas which place the Marshall Matignon had besieged before the space of ten dayes before the Dukes comming and had made a sufficient breach The Duke de Mayne to defraude the sayd Lord Matignon of that little honour compounded secretly with the sayd Lord Fabas thus That the Lord Fabas first should haue twelue thousand Crownes for the losse of the house and of the goods which were in it and so should surrender the same Castle to the Duke de Mayne to be rased which was performed so Castets was wonne with an assault of money the Lord Matignon was defrauded and the Duke de Mayne had the glorie and if it pleaseth him he shall be called Castensis of Castets as Scipio Carthaginensis of the winning of Carthage The next place was Meylan an olde ruinous Towne wherein was Captaine Melune with a small garrison who considering the weaknes of the place gaue it ouer supposing that it was more profitable to let y e Duke de Mayne to haue that place for a while than to defend it There the Duke with all his armie tooke great paynes to beate downe old ruinous walles which no man did defend least it should be sayd that he had done nothing From the rasing of the walles of Meylan he went to Saint Bazeile a towne situated vpon the riuer of Garonne hauing like ruinous old and decayed walles and forts as the aforesaid townes had There were fewe of the religion in garrison who after hauing sustayned certayne shot of ordinance and assaults they considering that it was not a place to obstinate themselues therein compounded to their great aduantage Amorith did neuer so reioyce at the winning of Constantinople as this Duke did for Saint Bazeile By by the Lord Saisseual the Dukes Curiero was sent to the King in post with hast hast hast to aduertize him of these great conquests and to fetch money to conquer more This dispatch done he marched with this armie to Monsegne This is an old Towne decayed in Bayadoys where the exercize of the reformed religion had béen appoynted to bee had by the edict of peace so chosen not for the strength thereof but for because it was thought most commodious for the whole countrey there to assemble This towne was kept by fewe of the religion These fewe made so little account of that armie and of the Captaine thereof that after they had caused him to bestowe two thousand and some hundred shot of ordinance with certayne weekes of siege and certayne assaults which were deare vnto the enemie they yéelded themselues with conditions very honorable but pernicious to them For the Souldiers comming foorth with their armes agaynst faith and promise were slaine for the most part of them in the middest of that cowardly army part of them notwithstanding saued themselues and retyred to Chastilion where afterward they had their penyworth of the enemie for that treacherie and the death of their fellowes The towne was giuen to the spoyle but there was nothing found but the bare walles When he had done these conquests and exploytes vpon the riuer of Garonne he went to rest himselfe at Bourdeaux for the space of two moneths to wit Aprill and May and part of Iune as though he had wonne Carthage where he practised the citizns to the League and when he was wearie of his conspiring allured by the pleasantnes of the place and felicitie of the Countrey he putteth off the person of a Captaine and played the Poet in writing such riming verses as he could of his loue And while this great Captaine was thus occupied they of the religion fortified Meylan and many other townes vpon the same riuer of Garonne and made them stronger and better furnished then euer heretofore they had been so that the traffick of that riuer betweene Bourdeaux Thoulouse was stopped more straightly then euer it had been before Whereupon many who had commerce vpon that riuer being greatly decayed and some hauing broken their credit and other which were in danger to doo the like did agree with them of the religion for the opening of the traffick blessing with many bitter curses the League the Captaine and the armie which had bragged and promised much and done nothing but onely prouoked them of the religion and wasted the countrey The Duke de Mayne hauing recreated himselfe so long was vrged by the King who expected dayly to heare miracles wrought by this captaine and his armie to lead the same out of that citie to doo some exploite more moued by the earnest sute of the Lady de Mayne his wife which had a stomack to them of Chastilion at length hee determined to besiege the saide Towne Chastilion is a little town vpon Dordonne three Leagues aboue Liborne and three Leagues beneath Saint â—oy hauing Montrauell on the one side about a League and Gensak another towne on the other side so much distant of this towne the Duke was Lorde it was almost forsaken of the inhabitants Therein the King of Nauarre had placed the Baron Saliniak with a small Garison not to obstinate himselfe therein but to minister some play to that armie that weary with doing nothing at length it might be reduced to nothing Captaine Alen Coronnean with some other gentlemen and others had folowed of their owne motion the said Baron there they were in all to the number of nine hundred Souldiers About the 18. of Iune at the first approache of the enemie they issued out with such courage that their sallie cost the liues of a great number of their enemies They within the towne had made a barticado at the ende of a suburb which they defended ten daies against all that armie and all the shot of their Ordinance But at length being inforced to retire into the towne out of the which they issuing oftentimes gaue many fearefull alarums and hot skirmishes vnto the enemie with the losse of the liues of many During this siege of Chastilion the Lorde Saissiual returned from the King and brought letters of credit of thirtie thousand Crownes but no man was willing to buie so deare a piece of paper Yet the Duke gaue not them ouer so hoping that the priests would haue him in their memento at Masse and would blesse him yet with some more money but to satisfie his wiues stomack he would venture that little remuant of credit of his which rested wherefore hee caused many great rampiers of earth to bee made as though he had to besiege Ierusalem The siege continued seauen weekes in the which space the Vicount Turenne with a few notwithstanding that great armie victualed the Towne and fortified Montrauil a towne situated vpon a hil and Gensak on the other side each of them distant from Chastilian a little League On another side Captaine Beutune a man of
whole yeare and wasted a million of Franks which the Priests had contributed toward that warre he hath for his money the villages of Montignak Beaulieu Triles Castets which he bought with the Priestes money Saint Bezile Montsegure Chastilion Puynormand which immediatly came agayne into the hands of them of the reformed religion and were fortifyed stronger then euer they had béen Now if this great Dukes Chaplens will haue more warre conquestes at his handes they must pay for it or else let them goe against the heretikes themselues for he will goe home Thus endeth the tragicall comedie of this Captaine In October the cheefest of the reformed religion in the Iles of Maran perceauing the disorder which was in the gard of the castel of Portmaran and knowing that the Prince before his iourney to Anger 's had determined to put in a Gouernor with a certayne number of Souldiers and that there were many which made sute for that gouernment aduised to demaunde of the Prince some gentlemen of the gouernment of Rochel who had meanes to defende them without oppressing eyther the one part or other which thing being granted vnto them they demaunded the Lord Essars of Montalambert a valiant and expert Captaine who had giuen a notable proofe of his valour experience at the siege of Saint Jhan D'angelie in the yeare 1569. and also at Rochel 1572. and 1573. The sayd Lord Essars accepted it vnder the authority of the Prince with 20. Souldiours appoynted him whom hee vndertooke to pay with his owne hand vppon the payment of a Sous for euery pound of marchandize which should passe through Marans and vpon promise to receaue one thousand crownes for the fortifications of the Castell as he should thinke good and into that gouernment he entred in October But within few dayes after the sayd Lord of Essars began to vary with the inhabitants who were of the religion for the most part For the sayd Lord hauing found the castell wholly vnfurnished of all houshold and necessary commodities required that they would furnish it both for him and his souldiers and also that in case the sayd castell should be besieged they would repayre to it for the defence of the same and also willed them to bring in their moueables Then answered the sayd Lord Essars that with moueables euery one had furnished what they could and that the best of their goods were transported to Rochel As for to retyre within the Castell they thought it not expedient for if the enemie should besiege it and beate it they knew well by experience that it was not defensible They answered aâ—so that they would not put in any more of their goods but such as they passed not greatly to lose as for the fortifications the Prince afore his departing was content to quit them for one thousand crownes considering their vnablenes wherof his receauer had alreadie receaued part This answer the L. Essars did greatly mislyke which misliking continued vntil the Princes returne out of England to Rochel who being aduertized thereof sendeth the L. Resseus and an other to be fully informed of all y e matter And finally to preuent al inconueniences which might ensue thereof vnfit for the tyme place of so great importance thought good that the L. of Essars should surrender y t gouernment into the hands of the L. Iarry nigh the sands of Ollonne who entered therein as gouernor the x. of Aprill 1586. there remayned almost two yeares who was enforced with y e L. Boysduly to surreÌ„der it to Lauerdine the 25. of March 1586. as it shall appeare more playnly hereafter It is sayd before how the Prince of Conde after the dissolution of his army at Solonne in Vendomoys through great daungers and difficultyes repayred to the Iland of Gernesey and from thence into England where he was receaued in most princelyke sort of that gracious great Elizabeth Queene of England During his soiorne there many noblemen and gentlemen passed ouer the sea into England to accompany him home agayne among whom was the Lord Clermont The Queene of England after innumerable courtesies and princelike intertaynment sent him home with a nauy certayne ships also departed out of Rochel to meet the sayd Prince among whom was the Lord Plessis Gettey who conducted two shippes being then gouernour of the I le of Rhe for the king of Nauarre The sayd Prince arriued at Rochel with that trayne the 3. of January about eight a clocke in the night This returne home was no lesse wonderfull then ioyfull to all the Lords who had gathered them selues and retyred to Rochel and Saynt Ihan D' angely and to the inhabitantes of the townes and countrey who shewed great reioysing euery where as hauing by the speciall gift of God receaued this noble Prince of whose health and preseruation they had béen a long tyme doubtfull The Prince being returned home so happely soiorned not long at Rochel but within fewe dayes tooke his iourney to S. Ihan to prouide for the necessarie affayres and to muster the companies which were or could bee gathered Fewe dayes before the Lord Laual was gone foorth out of Saint Ihan with some companies to besiege the Castle of Tours but they which were within stayed not the ordinance which was comming from Saint Jhan but yéelded themselues without any delay The sayd Castle was rendered into the hand of the Lord Caze to whom it did belong At that time to wit after the comming of the Prince to Saint Ihan the Lords Captaines and companies began to order themselues vnder the sayd Prince in forme of an armie where with about the 17. of January he began to besiege the Castle of Dampierre pertayning to the Marshall of Bets nigh the towne of S. Ihan situated vpon the riuer Botonne within the which was a popish garrison which through their insolencie and ordinarie roades vpon them of the religion did drawe this storme vppon their heads The sayd Castle being battered for certaine dayes was surrendred about the 24. of Ianuary There was found within that Castle great quantitie of corne and mooueable goods which the people of the countrey round about had carried in It was hard to let the Souldiers from the pillage considering that they had so long suffered insinite miseries after the breaking of the armie in Vendomoys for they which had reassembled themselues in Poytow had kept themselues within the fauour of the townes of S. Ihan and others which were holden by them of the religion The companies of the Prince after the taking of Dampierre were deuided into three parts which went into thrée seuerall coasts of the countrey The first was the Lord S. Gelays who followed the riuer Botonne and tooke the townes thereupon situated as Arnay Mondeâ—is and Chizay The Lord Ranques with the fourth part of the companies went toward Niort and enterprized vppon the Castle of Sassoy and tooke it from the hands of certaine Albaneses whom the Lord Malicorne gouernour of Niort had
put there in garrison That castle by situation is very strong the garrison did great iniuries to them of the religion about Rochel Saint Jhan Marans other places and high wayes by their ordinarie courses The Lord Ranques knowing the nature of the place searched out the meanes to obtayne it he accompanied him with nine or ten gentlemen and certaine resolute Souldiers to the number of two and twentie he carried through the marish a little boate on a cart wherewith he went through a channell which watereth the garden of the Castle To this garden doth answer a gate of the sayd Castle through the which he thought to surprise the sayd Castle Notwithstanding the day before the taking of the same the garrison hauing intelligences of the purpose of the sayd Lord Ranques by one of the reformed religion who entertayned himselfe with them of the garrison they stopped that gate with brick dung and other things which were at hand and doubled their gards and so thought to haue well prouided the surprizing of the sayd place Notwithstanding their thoughts beguiled them for the sayd Lord Ranques following his enterprize applied a petaird against that gate which issued out into the garden the sayd péece opened the gate and brake their rampier and gaue the alarum to the garison whereof part ranne to the great gate other were surprised within the Castell and slayne other leapt ouer the walles They who had retyred to the great gate yeelded themselues with promise of their liues which thing was also performed The place was by the sayd Lord Ranques put in the keeping of Captayne Faueran and Vaunean who within a while after being sommoned by Captayne Merceur to render the same and for not so doing being threatned of the Canon put the sayd place in the hand of Malicorne gouernor of Niort About the beginning of Aprill the Lord Saynt Luke enterprised vpon the I le of Oleron where were certayne companies of the religion commaunded by the Lord Aubigny and Captayne Luuaille his Lieutenant For to bring to passe his enterprise bearing impaciently that neighbourhood conuayed certayne companies into that Iland among these was the regiment of Tierceline consisting of foure hundred harquebuziers fifty Muskets and two hundred pikes resolute Souldiers The Prince aduertyzed how this regiment of Tiercelyne had passed into that Iland the Fryday before Easter being the first of Aprill he tooke his way to Marennes nigh Browage where he thought that the sayd Tierceline was returned and went all night to surprise him more easily but finding them not hee returned to Taillebourge with the Lords Laual and Boulay and other Lords and Captaines who had accompanyed him The 3. of Aprill being Easter day the said Prince had aduertisement that the saide Treceline with his regiment had repassed from Oleron to Marennes for to returne to Xainctes vpon these intelligences the saide Prince departed intending to stop their passage in a place not farre from Xainctes At his ariuing there issued out of the towne about 16. or 20. men of armes with a certaine number of Harquebusiers who were charged by the Lord Chargroys which conducted the forrunners of the Lorde Laual he passed them so hardly that they could not retire within the reach of their Harquebusiers afore one of the enemies remayned on the place and many were hurt After this skirmish the Prince seeing that Treceline remoued not that day for that it was Easter day or otherwise retyred for the second time to Taillebourg without dooing any thing else Treceline was aduertised that his returne was spied but hee made no account of it trusting in the force of his regiment and resolued as hee saide to fight against whome soeuer would let his way as well in the field as in a strong place So the fourth day of April being Easter monday departing out of Marennes he tooke his iourney toward Xainctes marching in good order with countenance of men resolute to fight whereof the Prince being admonished about two a clock in the after noone speedilie tooke his horse accompanied with the Lorde Trimouille his brother in law the Lords Bowlay and Auantigny to the number of 30. horses so many Harquebusiers of his garde and some other who could bee found at hand with that small number he went the ready way to Xainctes where he found the enemie in the selfe same place where he had stayed for him the day before which was not much more than one thousand paces from the suburbe he found them too farre passed toward the towne and were couered with hedges and ditches yet he set vpon the rereware of them whereat the first he laied on the ground about 30. or 40. of the enemies the rest put themselues in battell aray being fauored with the hedges and high way In the first onset the horse of the Lord Trimouille who did lead the aduenturers was beaten downe with the shot of a musket and he also vnder who was in no lesse danger then the Lord Batardiere which being strooke with an Harquebush shot in the shoulder was slaine in that place the Lord Chanterelles also was wounded and dyed shortly after with Captaine Trauarre who being wounded on the head died also shortly after the Lord Auantigny was hurt in the hand and in the knee The Lord Laual who with great speede was gone to fetch his companie which was at Port d' Anneaulx and scatteringly lodged approaching to the lane of this skirmish yet timely enough galloping with 35. horses of his by the commaundement of the Prince set vpon them on the side of the hedges ayming stil to the Colonells Ensigne for there was no more which was compassed and couered with a squadron of Pikes whom he discomfited after he had spent all their shot he fought hand to hand with him who carried the Ensigne which at length hee gaue ouer to him thinking to saue himselfe with slight The Ensigne taken the Souldiours were quicklie put in disorder and discomfited although that they had been often supported vpholden by them of the citie There remained vpon the place about three skore many were wounded Captaine Peschays was taken Tiercelin himselfe was hurt in the arme The Lord Laual had three bretheren whereof the Lord Taulay a little before died of sicknes at Saint Ihan the Lord Sailly his third brother in that skirmish was hurt in the head whereof he died the morrow after the Lord Rieulx his other brother also was wounded in the belly with a pike whereof hee dyed the sixte day of the same moneth The Lord Chargroys Lieutenant of the Lord Laual was hurt with shot in the knee the Lord Monsche likewise in the Legge fewe Souldiours of the Princes garde were hurt and few slaine During this skirmish the Prince hauing gathered his companie together set on a fresh vpon such of the enemies as flocked together againe but especiallie vpon the horsemen of the enemie who made shew to aduance themselues The night interrupted the fight and
gaue occasion to the Prince to retire who carried away the spoyle and armour of that regiment with the Colonels Ensigne the Victorie was fayre but bloudy by reason of the death of the Lords aboue said The Lord Rieulx spake to the very last breath and rendered a notable testimonie to all them that were present of his faith and generositie and of his good nurture which hee had learned in the schoole of godlines so that it may be saide of him that he dyed a true Christian Knight The Prince conceaued a marueilous griefe for the death of these two Lords but especially the Lord Laual their brother who conceaued such sorrow thereby that he fell sick and dyed eyght dayes after to wit the 11. of Aprill he was opened and there was sound an apostume in his head full of yellow stinking water so in few dayes died these foure Lords and brothers to the great griefe and heauines of all good men they were buried in the Temple which is in the Castell Taillebourg Now we haue to speake of the King of Nauarre who did nothing all this time but onely in great silence viewed whereto this voyage of his enemies would come For first perceiuing that the Leaguers had a speciall quarrell to him because they knew him to be in their way and a speciall stoppe of all their trayterous intents they feared greatly his prudent counsell and wisedome He made his complaynt to the King aunswered to the articles of the declaration of his enemies exhorted the King to take heede of them proffâ—red him his seruice prayed him to let him alone with them for if it pleased his Maiestie to giue him leaue hee doubted not but with his owne power hee would so chastice them that they should be an example to their posteritie The King by letters and messengers exhorted and willed him to quiet himselfe to see his Edict of pacification to be obserued in his gouernement shewed him that their cause is but one that hee seeth the intents of the sayd Leaguers well enough and trusteth that GOD shall make him able to represse their madnes protested that he had care of the said K. of Nauarre as of his own selfe and held him as a deere brother the true rightfull heire of his Crown in case he should die without issue It is said also how the King notwithstanding this was driuen to ioyne with them whom he had condemned before and to alowe and iustifie their treasons was enforced through the pernitious counsell of his mother and not only enforced but induced to take conditionâ— and lawes at their handes to assist and arme his enemies whom he had so declared and iudged few dayes before euen traytors against his person state Crowne and life against them I say whome hee had protested to bee his faithfull subiects good brothers and cosins had receiued vnder his protection It is said also how the King of Nauarre before had forewarned the King to beware of such association shewing him the euil which would surely ensue and at length certifieth the King that hee had admitted a higher power a master and controuler ouer himselfe and that hee had weakned himselfe and strengthened his enemies Howe hee went to Saint Ihan de Cadeioux into Languedock there to aduise of his affaires and his friends with the Prince of Conde the Duke Monmorencie and other Nobles where they concluded vpon the defensiue The King of Nauarre returned into Gascoyne kept himselfe in silence abiding all the iniuries that might be possible the preparations braggings boastings attempts of his enemies euen to the great imminent danger of his person before that he would take armes in hande FroÌ„ Gascoyne he went to Bergerak in Perigrod as a time of peace where hauing soiourned for a time he tooke his iourney to Montauban knowing very well that the armie conducted by the Duke de Maine was against him and already in Perigord rauaging pilling spoyling and wasting all that they came by From thence he returned into Gascoyne againe aboute the latter end of Ianuarie 1586. And whereas he knew well that if he had ioyned all his forces with the power of the Prince and the Vicount Turenne hee had been able to stop the way of the Duke de Maine that he had not walked so long at his pleasure as he did But that wise prudent and moderate Prince perceiuing by the attempts of that armie the qualities of the leader and the disorder that was among them but specially hauing Gods fauour on his side And seeing y t Gods curse and wrath was powred on his enemies side he neuer thought it meete to trouble himselfe nor his friends about that accursed companie and villaynoâ—s rabble of rakehells knowing that God himselfe would dissipate them clothe them w t dishonour as with a garment he knew wel also that they did no more but to weaken their faction in spending in vaine the large liberalitie and intollerable expences of the Priests and Monks who entertayned the said armie At length the King of Nauarre determined to passe the riuer of Garonne to repaire into Poytow to visit the places of his gouernement about the riuer of Loyre and being returned from Montauban into Gascoyne the Marshal Matignon had besieged Castets a Castel situated vpon the riuer Garonne pertayning to the Lord Fabas about the moneth of Februarie The King of Nauarre hauing knowledge thereof accompanied with two or three hundred horses and eighteene hundred Harquebusiers did raise the siege and dined in the saide Castle that day in witnes that he accomplished his purpose for that time The K. of Nauarre from thence sent al his companies to garisons and tooke his way to Bearne to see the Ladie his sister and to take order for all necessarie things concerning the securitie and preseruation of the townes and countrey That being done he tooke his iourney to Nerak and passing through Eause which is his prouided for the safety of the same in good time for otherwise it was in danger to be lost and for that purpose there hee soiourned 2. daies There newes was brought vnto him that the Duke de Mayne hasted to let his passage ouer the riuer Garonne for all that hee tooke his waye to Nerak where he soiourned a whole day more to take order for the safetie of the towne Thereunto more aduisement was giuen him that the sayd Duke de Mayn was at Villeneufue d' Agenoys intending to stop his passage ouer the riuer Garonne There was in apparance occasioÌ„ enough to cause the sayd King to aduance and hasten extraordinarylie his voyage but notwithstanding despising all the indeuours of the sayd Duke hee would change nothing of his purpose but to the contrary hauing done at Nerak all his affayres with leasure departed not thence vntill that it was alreadie farre in the day From Nerak he tooke his iourney to Barbase and continued as though he would goe to Castelialoux Many did carefully muse the
day before what way he would take vncertaine whether it would be through Caumont or Saint Bazile or through the Mas de verdune but they coulde know nothing at all vntill they came within two leagues of Castâ—lialoux For then being in the middle of the heath he declared the way and order which would be kept in his passing ouer the riuer hee seperated the men of warre who accompanyed him he kept with him about 20. gentlemen well horsed and 10. Souldiers for his garde with whom he went toward Cammont He appointed the Lord Roque for the conducting of the rest which were two or 3. hundred horses among whom there was but 15. or 16. wel armed and horsed and about 15. Harquebusiers of his gard hee commaunded the said Lord Roque to passe at Saint Bazile which thing he did without any let although the marshall Matignon was but at 3. leagues from thence The King being ariued at Cammont although he knew the Duke de Mayne to be within 2. leagues froÌ„ that place notwithstanding there he dined with as much leasure as any man could doe in the greatest and most assured peace and after dinner passed the riuer without any let or hindrance of his men The King of Nauarre came the morrow after to Saynt Foy which is a towne vppon Dordonne The Lord Roque also with all them which had followed him aryued there about two houres after His Maiesty soiorned there and at Bergerak a whole moneth These bee two townes situated vppon Dordonne Bergerak is great and rich Saynt Foy is lesser a great deale yet very riche because of the traffike vpon the sayd riuer S. Foy is beneath Bergerak three leagus Chastilion beneath Saint Foy three leagues and aboue Liborne a great strong and rich towne about three leagus of Bergerak and Saynt Foy receaued the Gospel aboue fifty years ago by the man of God Edmond Lauoy who suffered at Bourdeaux for the testimony of Christ These two townes haue alwayes euer since persisted in the confession of the Gospell in these 2. towns the King of Nauarre remayned as is aboue sayd a whole moneth expressely to see the countenance of his enemies All that while his enemies were within 3. leagues of him hee went dayly to hunting and none of his enemyes that euer durst shew their faces which thing did shew euidently that de Mayne had so litle corage in him that hee durst not let him to take his pleasures when he was willing so to do much lesse to execute his enterprises and proued for wayghty and necessary affayres It is sayd before how that by the aduise of de Mayne Guyze came to Paris to require helpe for his brother For as a conscience guylty of greeuous crimes is alwayes timorous and suspecteth all things so the woorm of the conscience gnawed these men and feared them so that hee apprehended Gods iustice and supposed that all them of the reformed religion in France out of hand would oppresse the Duke de Mayne his Brother Therefore hee perswaded the king to diuert theyr forces and to assault them in all quarters of the Realme Whereupon dyuers armies were prepared for diuers countries and namely the Marshall Biron was appointed for Guyenne The Leaguers vnderstanding that the King of Nauarre had passed Garonne did greatly hast the voyage of the sayd Marshall Biron The inhabitantes of Niort hauing sold themselues to the Leaguers to worke iniquity made great sute to haue that expedition performed out of hand to the end that the townes and countries of Marans Annix Rochel and other partes of Xainctonge and Poytow might bee spoyled and wasted before the ariuing of the king of Nauarre into that countrey whom they knew by his valour and wisedome was able to disappoint al their attempts The king of Nauarre vnderstanding of these new preparations and knowing yea seeing with his eies that the most miserable vilages of Guyenne were good ynough to occupy that army and that the tyme of the infallible dissipation was at hand hauing prouided for the principall places sufficiently and vnderstanding of the readines of the army which was to be lead by the Marshal Biron the said king of Nauarre would rather shew a proofe of his valour and courage in opposing himselfe to that valiant old and experienced Captayne then to seeme to striue with that effeminate and slauish army Therefore departing from Saynt Foy in the end of Aprill and passing through Perigord Engomoys Poytow Landimoys went to visit the places of his gouernement vpon the riuer of Loyre Whilest the army for Guyenne is a preparing and the king of Nauarre maketh his progresse into Poytow and the townes vpon Loyre the King vnderstanding that in the execution of the edict of October and of the declaration thereof giuen in December last touching the seazing on the goods of them of the religion and others which did beare arms against the League many creditors others which pretended right in the goods made claime to theÌ„ so that the officers could haue no gayne thereof to the kings vse and aduantage Therefore the king about the 26. of Aprill setteth forth an edict that the sayd goods shall be seazed and sould or geuen to farme to the kinges vse and that after such as did pretend any tytle to the same goods hauing prooued theyr right they then to bee satisfied vppon the fruits of the yeares following And for asmuch as some were returned home from the countries where they had repâ—yred according to the edict of Iuly last past the King the thirtéenth of May sent commaundement to all his officers that such personnes bee apprehended and their processe made and executed also that theyr goods mouable and immouable bee seazed vpon to the kinges vse for the charges of the holy warre During the preparations of this warre the Pirats of Browage with theyr courses did greatly hinder the traffike vpon the Sea which caused them of Rochel to barre their hauen in sinking old ships in the mouth of the riuer replenished with great stones for to make them sinke in the bottome of the water For the performance of this the Rochellers prepared a nauy of twenty ships well furnished three Galiots with other small vessels to the number of 35. or 40. in all Ouer this army commaunded the Lord Saynt Gelays assisted with Captayne Gardeleau and a number also of Gentlemen and Captaynes aswell strangers as inhabitants of Rochel The Lord Saynt Luke vppon the aduertizement which he receaued of this enterprize with all diligence prepared himselfe and would haue stayed all the Galleyes which he had before receaued from Bourdeaux but few remayned there notwithstanding hee made a Fort vpon the banke nigh the place where they would barre the sayd hauen which thing profited him a little for in the keeping of the same hee lost a great number of men Whilest this was a dooing at Browage the King of Nauarre returned from Poytow and fro the Coast of Loyre and entered
into Rochel the last day of May being the Lords day with a marueilous reioy sing of al men which receaued much comfort of his presence there for the sayd King had alwayes no lesse vertuously than happely opposed himselfe to all the attempts and endeuours of all the armies of the enemies which had béen sent against them The same day the sayd King of Nauarre embarked himselfe to goe to visit the Nauie which was before Browage where he soiorned some dayes In the meane while there had arriued certayne shippes to the Lord S. Luke gouernour of Browage who with them went about to let that enterprize but all was in vayne so that without any great losse all the ships appoynted for that exployt were brought in and suâ—ke in the mouth of the Hauen according to the deliberation taken So the chanell by these means was barred in such a sort as the Hauen hath béen in a manner rendered vnprofitable Notwithstanding that the Lord S. Luke hath bestowed much labour to open it and at the charges of the inhabitants of the Ilands he hath drawne out foure or fiue vessels Yet is that Hauen alwayes suspected vnto ships and they néede to set markes to the ships that will enter in least they take hurt This being done the Nauie returned to Rochel without any losse except of one Captayne named Mercur and fewe Souldiers which were taken in the skirmishes that were made at the Fort aboue mentioned About the fourth of Iune the King being returned to Rochel with this Nauie and vnderstanding that the Marshall Byron with this armie approached and that Lusignen Mele and Chizay Townes not defensible had yéelded themselues tooke his iourney to Marans to consider the places whether théy were able to make head against that armie The armie lead by the Marshall Byron did consist of twelue hundred horsemen and foure thousand footemen with a conuenient furniture This armie was very small the cause was that the King at the commaundement of the Leaguers had deuided his forces into sundrie armies for sundrie Prouinces to diuert the forces of them of the religion from the Duke de Mayne as is afore said The King of Nauarre hauing well viewed the Forts of the Iles of Maran concluded to defend the places agaynst that armie The 7. day of Iune came two sorts of deputies appoynted to require of the King of Nauarre two contrary things namely the â—â—putie of Rochel required his Maiestie that hee would cause the Castle of Maran to bée rased for the reasons which they then alleaged On the other side the Gentlemen of Annix required him not to doo so for as much as the Papists would take occasion to doo the like to their houses The King of Nauarre answered to them both that thereupon he would take aduise Whilest these things were a dooing the King of Nauarre had aduertisement that the Duke de Mayne distressed Chastilion whereupon he assembled as great a companie of horsemen as he could and with the Prince determined to rescue that place which he could not bring to passe by reason of the aduancing of Byron and his armie For the armie of Byron was alreadie aduanced to Niort and hauing no néerer place than Maran to assault made his reckoning not to besiege it but onely to fright the inhabitants and about fiftie souldiers which he knewe to be lodged in the forts and in the greater of the sayd forts there was not aboue nine or ten Souldiers the sayd forts being very ill furnished which made him beléeue that such a small companie would not withstand him but surrender the sayd forts The feare indéede was great among many whereof some of them had alreadie retyred to Rochel But the Lord Iarry gouernour of the place and his Souldiers with some of the inhabitants tooke courage many did despayre of the succour of the King of Nauarre whom they thought to haue passed into Gascoyne They resolued notwithstanding to hold against that armie And on the monday the 7. of Iune at night they sent messengers to Rochel to demaund succour both of men and munition of warre and of certaine péeces They of Rochel answered that they could not conueniently spare men as for munition and peeces they would willingly let them haue so that they might haue securitie to be payed the price that it cost them This refusall of men did so feare the inhabitants that euen that night many did retyre and carried away the rest of their goods But on the Wednesday morning about foure of the clocke arriued from the King of Nauarre two Gentlemen to wit the Lord Fouqueroles and Valiere whom he had sent in great diligence they calling the gouernour the Minister of the place and some of the inhabitants assured them that the King of Nauarre was comming in great diligence for to succour them and that he would arriue euen the same day and after they had rested a while the sayd Lords went to view the Holds and entrings into the Ilands and so likewise the day following The 12. day of Iune the King of Nauarre came with fewe in companie but his troupes followed him apace The 13. 14. and 15. dayes of that moneth there entered braue companies of Souldiers as they of the Lords Puelles Granuile Drakuille and S. Foy Normands There entered also Barache the regiment of Sorlus the Lord of Neufuy vnder fiue Ensignes for the most part Perigordins and Limosins yet very well trained in Military Discipline All these companies were placed in the forts by the King of Nauarre namely the Lord Puelles was in the Bastile Drakuille in Beauregard Barache at Barnay Granuile with Saint Foy were put in the Brune and Repentne on the way to Rochel Captaine Plaune with his companie of Poytiuines was placed at Poyneuf Captaine Saint Ihan at Clousie Captaine Treille in Brault there was a company of Rochellers few in number but men resolute vnder Captaine Mot they were put to keepe the entrey of the mill in the Marsh The Lord Iarrie gouernour of Mans vndertooke to keepe the Forts Paulee Allowete and Botsblauk with his companie and some of the inhabitants The King of Nauarre commaunded all to obey the Lord Fonquereles who shewed a marueilous care and diligence in the same siege The 10. day of Iulie the Marshall Byron with a companie of horses came himselfe to view the Bastile but approaching a little too nigh he was saluted out of some small forts which the Lorde Puelles had placed vpon the high way hee had his thumb and some other fingers taken off with a shot the same shot did greatly as it was reported hurt a Gentleman who was by him All that weeke the enemie did none other thing but aduaunced himselfe toward the Bastile set his gabions nigh the farme of Angle there to place three pieces to batter the fort of Bastile In the mean time the King of Nauarre did shew a wonderful diligence as wel in fortifying the Iland as in bringing companies
to make head to the enemie at euerie comming in and also in prouiding of victuals and munition of warre as well out of Rochel as out of the I le of Rhe and out of Lusson whence hee brought great stoare of corne meale and wine He had a great ship out of the I le of Rhe well furnished hauing two great pieces before to defend the Fort Paulce he had also seauen great pieces caried from Rochel which were deuided in the Forts to wit one in the Brune two in the Bastile one at Beauregarde two at Paulce and two remained at the Castell The 22. of Iuly was seene that the enemie passed through the Marshes of Beauregard and comming foorth out of a little Iland named Cigogne began to set vp a fort in the middle of the Marshes distant from the firme land about fiue hundred paces on the other side our men made a trench and a rampier of earth vpon the end of the Marsh of the length of fiue hundred paces flanking the same with little Forts and Bastions On the other side the enemie set vp foure other forts somewhat more aduaunced than the first and from them did shoote ouer the reeds at all aduenture without dooing any hurt sauing that the third day after they hurt a Souldiour on the foote as he went downe to the Trenches The next day after they killed another as he was playing at cardes vpon the side of the Trenches the which being reported by the Minister and admonished to goe to publique praiers which were appoynted to be made at the Fort of the Lord Drakuille he regarded it not so that as the minister returned from praiers the said Souldier was shot through with a musket and presentlie departed before that the Minister had any time to admonish and comfort him The same day the enemie with great diligence set vp a great fort within sixe score paces of our trenches it was made with great pieces of timber fagots and earth and hogsheads filled with earth which were disposed by seauen set one against another that fort might be of 30. foot square and 15. in heigt and for to bring all the stuffe from the Iland Cagogne they caused the water of the Marishes to rise aboue a foote in heigt by the meanes of opening the sluses and mills about Fontenay and Niort This thing our men did helpe also for because of the great heate they feared that the water would drie too fast and so giue too easie accesse to the enemie through the Marsh for they stopped the sluces below nigh the sea therefore the water course being opened aboue and stopped beneath did rise in a short space By this meanes the enemie had opportunitie to bring a very great Culuerine with other small pieces wherewith they began to shoote vppon our men vpon the house of Beauregard the last day of Iuly about two a clock without dooing any hurt to any man This battering notwithstanding did amaze a great many because they neuer thought that they would haue brought such pieces for it was bruted and euen the Papists had giuen out that the enemie would raise the siege but by this it appeared that he meant in good earnest For all the great diligence and care of the King of Nauarre in prouiding for victuals there was so many mouthes who liued of the stoare that they who did best seruice oftentimes dined worst For during the space of eight or ten dayes they had not in a day but one or two loaues of Barley bread for other corne was not ripe as yet in that countrey which caused that scarsitie There were yet two discommodities which vrged them greatly the one was an extreame heate which continued ten weekes and more the other 〈◊〉 that in â—he night especially the Gnats were so importunate that many were stung with them euen with bloud drawing in the face and other partes of the bodie which were vncouered so that the stockens of linnen cloth could not defend them from such molestaâ—ions Some dayes before the King of Nauarre had taken order that one of the Galiots of Rochel came within the hauen of Marans with a long Culuerine bearing the armes of Britayne which in the former warres the Rochelers had taken out of the Castell of Marans which afterward was called Chassebiron That euening it was had out of the Galiot and carried with horses men halfe the way to Beauregard but there it was ouerthrowne and one of the wheeles broaken from thence it was drawne vpon rowles and being placed against the fort of the enemie in such sort as it could not bee indomaged did them good seruice For the 2. of August about sixe a clock in the morning the enemie brought downe the water from Niort a double Cannon vpon two boates and with them began to shoote against the Fort Paulee There they did no other hurt but shooting within a short piece of yron they did breake it about a foote and the pieces stroake off the arme of the Gunner and did hurt two Souldious they hurt also a Souldiour of the Ship who did shew great endeuour to shoote at the enemie with a number of Harquebuses and Muskets And below the fort Paulee the Lord Iarry with his harquebusiers but specially with the long fowling pieces of the inhabitantes of Maran who did incessantly shoote vpon the boates and also into the coppes nigh the riuer did so molest the enemy that about nine a clocke they were enforced to forsake their boats and theyr double Canon which remayned in the midle of the Riuer vntill that hauing tyed the beats with coardes they drew them away vp the riuer and did no other thing therewith for although they might haue endomaged the fort by a long battering yet had it béen impossible vnto them to approach to it to seaze vpon considering that the riuer was staked thicke and the shot fell vppon them as thicke if they discouered themselues neuer so litle so they were not suffered to appeare within their reache While they drew theyr boats there was a rash fellow to occupy our harquebuziers which did discouer himselfe armed a great while in the sight of our men playing with his two hand sword and although they shot an infinit number of pellets at him yet was he not hit but of two and was very litle hurt as it was afterward reported The third of August there was a great alarum geuen at the trenches of Beauregard for the enemy made a countenance to aduance forward vpon vs. At midnight wee set vpon the towers of the castell with great lanterns of light because that the enemie had great fires in all their watches and a mighty fire vpon the vaultes of S. Ihan of Lauersay nigh the lodging of the Marshall Biron half a league off from Bastile At that tyme was there meanes made for the agreement betweene the king of Nauarre and the Marshall Biron generall af the Popish army which was concluded vpon the fifth
men money and munition That this was the argument that the Catholikes were betrayed that the King was corrupted by counsell and that he hated and despised them whom hee should loue and embrace and that he had intelligences with the heretickes And that if he would not dishenerite and degrade the King of Nauarre and the Prince of Conde then there was no cause why the Catholikes should commit their liues to a dissembling King who had nothing in his tongue but warre and in his hart did seeke for peace with heretikes And therefore they cryed out that the enemie was at hand and stoode at the doore and that omitting and leauing all others he onely was to be assaulted This was the text whereupon the Friers Priests and Iesuits made their chattering discourses in the pulpets This was the lesson which his fauourers should repeate with great vehemencie among men of all degrees when they met in companie By these false reports and trayterous slaunders much hatred and misliking of his gouernment was procured to the King Yet considering that both he and his partakers were very néere daunger the Q. Mother was sent out of Poytow where she had béen parlying and brawling with the K. of Nauarre foure or fiue moneths seeking occasion to make her Italian pipes play She in great hast fearing the breaking of good fellowship betwéene the King and the Duke of Guize for by such frayes she had kept her selfe alwayes in authoritie commeth to the Court and by the Leaguers who were about the Kings person easily doo perswade him to holde with the Leaguers and so once more the heads of the Leaguers do obtayne securitie and doo pause a while wayting for a better opportunitie For as much as the voyage and practizes of the Q. Mother agaynst the King of Nauarre and the Prince of Conde in the parley and interuiew at Saint Brice could not bring to passe the effects pretended her returne to Paris and the intelligences of the leauie of the Germanes gaue matter vnto the King to enter into newe deliberations to defend the Leaguers For without his counsell power and countenance they had béen reduced to that plunge as they had neuer béen able to get out With this newe yeare therefore 1587. we will begin this fourth booke which will shewe marueilous tempests and euents to haue béen brought foorth to the small aduantage of Gods enemies yet to the great furtherance of that rebellion which hath ensued wrought and procured by the Leaguers But first wee will speake and begin by the exployts of warre which had béen done specially in Daulphine and then wee will returne to pursuing of the great stirres and preparations of this yeare It is said before how the Duke Espernon appointed for Daulphine and Prouance did there what hee could and in displacing the Leaguers out of many townes and holdes he did good seruiâ—e to the King but seeing that warre in that countrey to be endlesse committing the remnant of his forces to his brother the Lord Valete repayred to the King in Nouember 1586 after the siege of Sorges After his departure out of Daulphine the Lorde Diguieres recouered the towne of Sorges and imployed three-moneths to wit Ianuarie Februarie and March in visiting the countrey viewing of the places fortifying the holdes and repairing the ruines which the armies had made the yeare before looking to haue a new armie vpon his back the spring folowing which notwithstading came not to passe by reason that the King made all preparations which could bee possible against the Germanes both in the heart of France and on the way which they should come in to receaue them with small courtesie This thing caused that the Lord des Diguieres had apportunitie to doo great things this yeare 1587. in that Prouince as foloweth In the beginning of Aprill the Lorde Diguieres tooke the Castel of Champer two Leagues from Grenoble at which time the Court of Parliament there opened a way to a truce which notwithstanding did not let the exploytes of war for as much as in the meane time the said Lord Diguieres brought three pieces of batterie to Nants to batter Venterol towne and Castell but they surrendred themselues before they saw the cannon The 7. of May the companie of men of armes of the Lorde Diguieres conducted by the Lorde Poligny his Lieutenaunt and the companie of the Lord Rosse a popish Gentleman lead by himselfe did drawe foorth to skirmish the Garison of Saults There they killed sixe skore men among whom there were twentie of commaundement tooke sixe prisoners and wel nigh had entred into the towne mingled with the enemies all this was done with the losse of one man onely of the religion The 31. and last of May the Castell of the Lord Menestrier strong and situated vpon a rock builded againe at the charges of the Countrey to keepe them of the religion in bondage was rendered by composition and rased after it had sustayned 14. dayes siege by the Lord Diguieres assisted by the Lords Brikmaut Morges and others A little before that the Pont of Coignet surprised few dayes before by the Lorde Valete was yeelded at the diseretion of the Lorde Diguieres The towne of Quinsieur in Merindol was compassed about by the Lorde Gouernet and a while after the Lord Diguieres assisted with the Lordes Poet Blacons Montbrune Vacheres Brikmaut the younger and the troupes of the Prouince there conducted three pieces of artilerie at the ariuing and sight of the the which towne was surrendred with their safetie and the Castell at discretion The 18. Beniuay was surrendered likewise The 19. the townes of Pierrelongue and Esgalieres were taken The 22. Ionquieres a towne belonging to the principalitie of Orange was compassed and the same day taken after it had sustained 25. voleys of Ordinance Gygondas also was rendered at the newes of rendering of Ionquieres The 23. Poet Laual was besieged and after it had sustained one hundred and fiftie shot of two field pieces at length was surrendred the 29. of the same moneth although that the breach was not sufficient and that they who besieged had set vp the ladders and after tooke them vp with further assault The thirteenth day of Iuly the Lorde Valete tooke Pierrelongue by composition after sixe score shotte of pieces of battery They who were within the towne came foorth with their armour their stuffe and baggage safe their Ensigne open the drumme playing and their match fired The eightenth day the Lord Diguieres went to Oste a towne vnwalled and bestowed the rest of the moneth in fortifiyng of that place wherein he imployed the Lord Vacheres to make warre against the towne of Cerf halfe a mile distant from that place The Lord Chastilion hauing gathered certain forces in Languedock to ioyne with the Suissers who were comming into Daulphine was expected vpon the Rosne by all the forces of Daulphine from the 19. of Iuly The Lord de Poet gouernour of the towne of
Montlimart went foorth with a good parte of the forces there to fauour his passage The sayde Lord Chastilion and Diguieres passed ouer the Rosne the first day of August and soiourning long there they gaue leasure to the Lord Valete to seaze vpon the banck of the riuer Lizere and so letting their passage had opportunitie to doe what hee did Whilest the L. Chastilion soiourned in Daulphine the said L. Valete practized a secret execution vpon the towne of Montlimart so began to drawe his forces thither ward but the inhabitants mistrusting his approches prepared themselues which caused him to retyre back againe yet he set such an order that the Lord Balathye surprized the towne but the Castel remayned still in the hands of them of the reformed Religion The L. Valete did greatly feare that the sayd towne would be surprized again by the Castell and would haue prouided a greater power to put in for the keeping of the same But the said Lord Balathye answered that he was strong enough to defend the same towne This was done the sixteenth of August The seuenteenth day at 9 a clock in the morning the Lord Chastilion and Diguieres vnderstoode of this exployt done though they were more then twenty leagues off The said Lord Diguieres dispatched speedely the Lords Poet Blacons Sales and Sousbrochet with their companies they tooke also the Lord Vacheres with some other companies In the mean while the gentlemeÌ„ of Viuarâ—ts which doe lie right against it on the other side of the Rosne vndeâ—standing of this surprize did send forces into the Castell by two Noblemen of the countrey to wit the Lords Mirebel and Allard When the enemie had possessed the said towne of Montlimart three dayes the Lord Poet with his companyes being about three hundred men and fiftie horses entred at night into the Castell and proposing what was to be done determined to set speedily on the towne and the 19. day about 7. a clock in the morning he assembled all his forces which were about two hundred pikes and one thousand Harquebusiers issued out of the Castell into the towne with such fiercenes that they forced their trenches and Barricadoes and cut in pieces aboue two thousand men and among others the countie of Suze the Lords Ancone and Logieres Teil the sonne and Dupuy Saint Martin with many others Noblemen Gentlemen Captaynes and men of fame remayned dead vpon the place There were a great number wounded among whom were Ancone and Saint Fereol Many were taken prisoners among them men of name which were these the eldest sonne of the Countie Suze the Baron Garde Chemlak gouernour of Viuarets Straung Teil the Father Pracontat the young Cossans the young Vauterel Balathye the Captaine of the enterprize vpon Montlimart all Noble men The Lord Ramfort had ariued in the towne but foure houres before not willing to flie away shamefully found the meanes to get into a tower of the towne where hee defended himselfe three dayes but at length seeing the peeces yeelded himselfe to them of the reformed Religion there died not many more than twenty among whome was the Lord Tissieres there was about sixe and twenty hurte This blow did greatly weaken the Papists in that Countrey so that afterward they were more flexible vnto a reasonable peace than they had beene before This was the worke of God which vsed the valour diligence good gouernement of these Noble men but specially of the Lord Poet chiefest gouernour of the said place There excelled also the valiaâ—tnes of the Lord Blacons Vacheres Mirebel and Allart Gentlemen of Viuarets the which being in so small number to wit about twelue hundred men forced more than three thousand men of warre furnished lodged aduantagiously within their Barricadoes flanked and defended in front with three Cannons to reuenge the cruelties which they had vsed and to beat downe their pride The Lord Chastilion had procured certaine regiments of Suissers to come out of the Lordships of Berne to descend along the lake of Losanne and to repaire into Daulphine there to assist them of the Religion against the Lord Valete and to bring that countrey and the next prouinces about out of the bondage of the Leaguers and Catholikes The Lorde Chastilion came as is saide before into Daulphine the first day of August and went accompanyed with the Lordes Diguieres and Poet to receiue them at the riuer Lizere But the Lord Valete hauing left Balathye in Montlimart for the safe keeping thereof went with speed ouer Lizere to let the L. Chastilion with his coÌ„pany to passe ouer that riuer to ioyne with the Swissers The Swissers being two thousand Pikes fiue hundred Corstets three hundred Harquebusiers two hundred Musketâ—ers and foure hundred Frenchmen gathered on the frontiers of Suisserland being all in number three thousand and foure hundred men drew neare to the riuer Lizere to haue ioyned with the said Chastilion But the Lord Valete accompanied with Alphonse Corse hauing intelligences of their comming with fiue hundred Harquebusieres and foure companies of horsemen set vpon them defeated them and tooke eleuen Ensignes which hee sent to the King and one Coronet of horsemen This ouerthrowe was giuen the same day of the recouering of Montlimart and in the sight of the Lords Chastilion and Diguieres who were on the other side of the riuer and by no meanes could passe ouer to rescue them There were slayne about one thousand men twelue hundred taken prisoners and were sent to Valence to worke to the fortifications there a greatnumber saued them selues in Daulphine God maketh the number and armes preuaile as pleaseth him They which were prisoners were redeemed by exchaunge of them that were taken at Montlimart Thus thinges passed on both sides the Lord Chastilion at length hauing intelligences of the Germans comming with his companies tooke his iourney to meet them whom he met in Basignye nigh ChaumoÌ„t the 22. of September next following as shall be noted hereafter The 31. of August the eldest sonne of the County of Grignan at the solicitation of the Lord Diguieres tooke part with the king of Nauarre agaynst the League and seazed vppon the towne of Clausures and Monsegur townes well situated in the County of Grignan wherein the Lord Valete had put garrisons few dayes before About the same tyme the Lord Blacons tooke the town of Suze which after it was ransacked was geuen ouer because the castell could not bee taken The first day of September the Lord Diguieres accompanied with the Lordes Gouernet Brikmaut and the yong Morges besieged Guylhestre and battered it with foure meane peeces and two litle field péeces so that after hauing sustayned two hundred shot and the breach being reasonable the enemy forsooke the towne and retyred into the castell the which also after certayne volyes of canon shot rendered themselues the 5. of September by composition by the which it was agreed that the Gascoynes should depart and be sent away with a
Lord Saint Luke and others going out of Niort through the countrey of Aunix and the towne Sorgeres went to batter Tonnay Charante which he tooke by composition and there vnderstanding that the companie of the Lorde Puelles was at Croixchapeau halfe the way betweene Tonney Charante and Rochel he went with the choyse of his armie to set vpon them at the breaking of the day This companie commaunded by some officer for the Lord Puelles was then at Rochel did most couragiously defend themselues but the place was such as the enemie had meanes to enclose them on euery side and to get to the top of the houses through the back side and to driue them out by setting the houses on fire great part of them was slaine in the fight other yelded themselues vpon promise of the safetie of their liues other hid themselues in the caues They were almost all killed against the faith giuen to them with like sauagenes and barbarous crueltie as the Souldiours of Debory and Charboniere were at the Mote Saint Eloy This done the Lord Ioyeuse returned to Tonney Charante vnderstanding that the King of Nauarre was gone out of Rochel to set vpon him and thence to Niort At the same time they which were at Marans did looke to be set on but he vnderstanding that some companies of the Prince had taken Tonney Charante vpon the Garison which hee had left there in hast returned thether with his Ordinance tooke it againe being kept only by a sergiant of a band who with 15. Souldiours onely had obstinatly vndertaken the defence thereof In the selfe same place he was aduertised of the euill watch and of the small company which was at the Abbey of Maillezay a very strong place thether he went with speede and the Lorde Malicorne gouernour of Poytow with him he compassed it so that it was not possible to put in new forces so that the fourth day after it was surrendered by composition After the taking of Maillezay it was thought that the Duke Ioyeuse would set on Marans but hee durst not fearing the King of Nauarre and the Prince who were in the field seeking occasion Some dayes after Ioyesue made a shew to set vpon Talmound but the Lord Saint Stephen hauing seazed vpon it first caused him to haue no great affection thereto So as his armie decayed dayly being infected with the Pestilence the King of Nauarres on the other side waxed strong The Lord Ioyeuse hauing stayed in Poytow somewhat lesser then three moneths about the 15. day of August he rode in poste to Paris to the Duke of Guize as well to informe him of his noble actes and what Kingdomes hee had conquered in winning few villages in Poytow as to minister texts vnto the Fryers and Iesuits to preach vpon vnto the sottish people of Paris to wit the notable slaughters which hee had committed vpon the hereticks in Poytow he was receaued with exceeding ioye of the Parisions he left his companies with the Lorde Lauerdine who conducted them after him all by ease But the King of Nauarre who slept not went forth out of Rochel vpon the newes of the retiring of the saide Ioyeuse with a marueilous celeritie and passing through Marans with some horsemen pursued the remnant of that armie so liuely and that with few men that he discomfited three companies of men of warre conducted by the Marquis Renel tooke their Ensignes and many of them with a great number of Gentlemen This being done he pursued after Lauerdine which conducted the footmen with two culuerines but with the fauour of passages ouer the riuers saued himself in the Haye in Tourenne where the king of Nauarre besieged him but hauing neither Ordinance nor footemen forsooke him and went to Monsoreau vpon the riuer of Loyre in Tourenne where he made a Fort vpon the riuer and there he staied 15. daies to expect the companies which were brought to him out of France by the County Soissons Whilest these thinges were passing thus in Poytow the king about the 23. of Iune vnderstood that the army of Germans both great and strong was in readines to take their iourney into France whereupon the King determined to prepare not onely to defend himselfe but also to inuade the enemie Therefore he sendeth his commissioners into all Prouinces to assemble all his Nobilitie with all their forces and them to deuide into three seuerall armies wherof the rendes vous of the one vnder the conduct of the Duke of Guyze comprehending the Nobilitie and others who were knowen notorious leaguers was giuen the 20. of Iuly in the towne of Chaumont in Bassignye The second armie vnder the conduct of the K. himselfe was of the Nobilitie in the which hee had most trust out of Picardy France Normandie Britayne and other Prouinces betweene Seyne and Loyre The rendes vous was appoynted at Saint Florentine in Bourgony between the cities of Troyes and Auxer the first day of August The third vnder the conduct of the L. Ioyeuse was of the Nobilitie of y e coūtries beyond Loyre and the rendes vous was assigned at Gien The Duke of Guize with his armie of conspirators and Leaguers should stop the passage to the Germanes vpon the borders of Lorreyne specially should hinder them frō taking their way through Champaigne on the north side of the riuer of Seyne The King of Nauarre about the beginning of Iune vnderstanding that his armie of Germanes was in readines to departe out of Germanie to come to his succour sent Ambassadonrs to the King humbly to intreate him to take some pitie of his kingdome and poore subiects both to shew him some wayes of peace and also because that heretofore the saide King had acknowledged the heads of the League to be his enemies and to haue raysed all these vprores not so much against the house of Bourbon as against his owne person he requested the King to vse his and the Germane forces against the common enemie of the Realme But the King hauing many disloyall seruants both about his person and in his counsell who were greatly addicted to the league they disloyally betrayed him making him beleeue that if he should accept the King of Nauarre his offers and so change his mind it were the nearest way to rayse an vniuersal rebelliou of all his subiects against him and that this Ambassage of the King of Nauarre did proceed not from loue and duetie but frō feare and dread who saw his manifest ouerthrowe at hand by these three great and mightie armies which he was setting in a readines The Duke of Guyze with his conspirators aduertized by his special friends which hee had alwayes about the Kings person who were priuie to al his secrets of this Ambassage and proffers made by the King of Nauarre was not a little amazed fearing that the King now was better aduised hauing a fit opportunity to reuenge himselfe vpon the pride arrogancie iniuries proffred him by them considering that
crueltyes should be knowen further And also that the saincts as it were out of the middest of those prouinces which do embrace the Gospel might see that the Lord is the iust reuenger of such abominations and defender of the iust cause And that they may learne to feare him and in him onely to trust and repose themselues Here therefore Adrastia doth stay them to answere vnto Gods iudgement Now let vs come to the euents The King of Nauarre early in the morning being first aduertyzed of this preparation was not mooued at it no more was hee vpon the second warning But at the third tyme he shewed no lesser desire to fight then the enemy to whom twise before he had proffered the occasions He taketh horse rydeth forth out of Coutras to méet y e enemy commaundeth the Lord Clermont master of his Ordinaunce in all hast to passe ouer the canon for he could not do it the day before he putteth his army in battayle array placeth his artillery in the forefront so commodiously that all peeces did seruice without harming any man of his owne greatly did endomage the enemy At length hauing encouraged his souldiers to the battayle whom he found full of desire and readines caused prayers to be made from company to company About 9. a clocke in the morning the artillery began to play on both sides the ordinance of the king of Nauarre was so commodiously placed that it did wonderfully annoy the men of Armes which the Lord Ioyeuse had at his right hand and the regimentes which did flanke those men of armes Many being beaten downe with it some of the heads tooke resolution rather to goe to the charge then to die so miserably without any fight The Harquebuziers in like maner began to ioyne and there was no man on both sides who shewed not to haue a great desire to do well The Ordinance of Ioyeuse did let flye certayne shot towards the company of the Prince of Conde but without any effect saue a horse whereon a page did ride which was slayne The cause of this small effect was a litle rising of the ground which did let the free aspect and ayming of the Ordinance so that many shot did light vpon the ground About nine a clocke the light horsemen of the Lord Ioyeuse to the number of foure hundred horses conducted by the Lord Lauerdine and captain Mercure set on the horsemen of the king of Nauarre but after some fight began to wauer and to make roome The rest of the horsemen of the king of Nauarre consisted of 4. Squadrons distant the one from the other in this wise The Squadrons of the King of Nauarre and of the Prince of Conde were distant about a hundred and fifty paces The Squadron of the Prince of Soissons at the left hand of the king of Nauarre about three score paces The Squadron of y t Vicount Turenne distant so much from the Prince of Conde at his right hand The Lord Lauerdine charged the Vicount Turenne but without any endomaging of him These three squadrons where stoode the Princes of the blood standing fast did behold all this fight vntill the Lord Ioyeuse followed with his mayne force of horsemen and hauing both on the right hand and the left two great hedges of horsemen aduanced to giue the generall onset Then these three Princes marching euery one at the forefront of his squadron close first went a soft pace then began to gallop last the watch word being giuen with a loosed bridle set on so liuely euery one seuerally by himself according to his course vpon that multitude that incontinently the companies were mingled and came to handiblowes The speares which were in great number in the armie of Ioyeuse did but small seruice for they ioyned néerer It is a wonderfull thing that in a moment such a furious troupe as was that of the Lord Ioyeuse armed furnished to the aduantage flanked both on the right hand and the left with two great battaillions of footmen was ouerthrowne and vanquished by a troupe which had neither in number nor in furniture nor in armes nor in situation of the battell any aduantage at all God who gouerneth all things and holdeth in his hands the balance of victories and ouerthrowes made then courage to preuayle against multitude the iust cause against iniurie and the lawfull defence against bragging and the great preparation of warre And as the men of armes were quickly ouerthrowne trodden vnder foote and put to flight so in as little space were the footmen discomfited being set on by the regiment of the King of Nauarre where commaunded as Masters of the Campe Castelnaw Parabiere Salignake and others And at the left hand of the King of Nauarre Charboniere Preau Orges and others who all euery man right forward following the occasion of the victorie cut in péeces all that made any resistance and put to flight the rest which were on the side of copses at the right hand as on the side of the riuer Droune at the left hand And as a little before nine a clocke these two armies came to hands the quarrell was so soone decided that at ten a clock there was found not one onely man of the enemies which stood to his defence nor that was in sight but such as were laied dead vpon the ground or taken prisoners or in flight The place where the battell was fought remayned so couered with men of armes horses and armours but specially of Launces matted so thicke that they stopt the way There remayned the Lord Ioyeuse and also his brother with a great number and notablest Lords The King of Nauarre the Princes of Conde and Soissons with the rest of the armie pursued the victorie There were taken many notable Gentlemen and among others the Lord Belegarde gouernour of Xainctonge the Lords S. Luke and Montigny of Berry who commaunded ouer a companie of horsemen hee was noted in ioyning of the battell to haue pearced further then any of the companie for hee entered euen to the side of the gardes of the King of Nauarre which were at his right hand and there by them beaten downe was taken by some of the sayd gardes God gaue this notable victorie to the King of Nauarre and in that iorney did shine the valour wherewith hee hath indued him in all the speciall graces which may decke a noble and vertuous Prince and great Captain not onely for the counsell resolution diligence and wise gouernment but also in the execution of armes For doing the office of a Captaine Souldier he pressed so farre as to take the enemie by the coller The Prince of Conde also shewed himselfe valiant for he had his horse slaine vnder him the Prince of Soissons also tooke prisoners with his owne hand The horse of the Vicount Turenne was also slaine God made these Princes strong in this dayes worke according to the order of their preheminence by them to doo the execution
trust in man and make their force the arme of flesh Beside these three mighty armies and the armies of the king of Nauarre and Ioyeuse whereof it is spoken before The Lords Mommorency and Diguieres had the fifth in Daulphine agaynst the Lord Valete beside the armes and assembled forces scattered elswhere Such was the state of miserable France which had great cause to grone vnder the heauy burthen of so many so great and mighty armies This tempest was very blacke and thicke and at length thereout issued dreadfull thunder clappes But now we haue to speake of these three armyes conioyntly to wit of the Leaguers lead by the Guyzes of the Catholikes conducted by the king himselfe and of the Germans guided chiefly by the Duke of Boillon Here we haue to consider the iudgementes of God which were powred vpon these armies First y e Leaguers by the K. forces did work y e K. vndooing y t by his fall they might be lifted vp on high The king in pretending y e defence of the Catholike religion which no man did oppugne by violence but the Leaguers went about to root the Gospell of Christ out of France The Germans for the most part were mercenaries who regarded not the right of the cause neither came to serue him who procured them but did in mynd swallow downe the spoyle of France And some among them who were lead with an vpright mind yet being mingled with prophane and irreligious men and trusting in the outward apparance of that army turned theyr confidence from God to the arme of flesh therefore all were disappointed of theyr intents for neyther of them all had any benefit by this great warre but blowes slaughters and calamityes About the latter ende of August after this great armie had passed the mountaine of Zauerne and began to enter into Lorreyne the Dukes eldest sonne with certaine regiments approached so nigh them at Salabrine that 3. of his companies were discomfited and six Ensignes sent to Strasbourg and proceeding further they tooke Blasmond The said army drawing neere to Nancy about the beginning of September certayne seruantes going about to forrage with their cartes were set on by certayne companies which issued out of Nancy when they had seazed vppon some cartes were pursued and beaten into the very gates of Nancy This army of Germans being about Nancy there was a counsell holden to wit agaynst whom they should first turne theyr armes The French men were of that aduile to make warre in Lorreyne and that it was the pleasure of the king of Nauarre that they who had of lustines kindled that miserable warre in France might first of all feele the heauy burthen of the same but specially the Duke of Lorreyne who was one of the heads of the League The Germans in taking a certaine summe of money which the Duke of Lorreyne proffered them were at length content to passe by as neighbours and friends yet notwithstanding they concluded warre did there many acts of hostilitie such as warre doth commonly drawe after it This armie being yet newe and lustie did neglect a notable occasion to oppresse the enemie at the bridge S. Vincent vpon what occasion that opportunitie was neglected it is vncertaine But it is confessed of all men that if they had come to hands that day they had seene the end by the iudgment of men of that warre assoone as the beginning Thus some exployts of warre being done there the scarcitie of victualls beginning to growe they determined to goe foorth out of Lorreyne But vpon the determination of the way which they should followe there was great difficultie found For the Germans desired to passe toward Sedan from whence they might hope of many good commodities and if néede should be they might haue a newe supply of forces out of Germany which thing could not bee if they enclosed themselues among so many riuers which are on the South side of Seyne Some French men on the contrary sayd that they should turne right to the riuer of Loyre for to ioyne with the King of Nauarre The Lord Boillon desired greatly that they would approach to Sedan as they had as he sayd promised him and that in hope of it he had made great preparations of powder and artillerie which hee had made of purpose Considering also that he had to prouide for the securitie of his places which might incurre some daunger if they were not prouided for All reasons debated and weighed on both sides the course to the riuer of Loyre was concluded Whilest these things so passed in Lorreyne the Lord Chastilion the 22. of September came to the armie with his troupes he had much adoo to passe and was as if it were enclosed in the towne of Gresille but was rescued by the Countie de la Mark yonger brother to the Duke of Boillon The armie drawing néere to Chaumont in Bassigny there it was put in deliberation to execute a certaine enterprize which the Lord Chastilion had in hand but it could not be done The armie came to Chasteauuilaine where they soiorned some dayes and in the meane while they tooke a Gentleman named Viliers comming from Rome his iourney to Rome was to solicite the Pope to helpe his master with money to make warre against them of the reformed religion and also to pray the Pope Frier Sixtus to name the King head of the League assuring him that it would greatly mooue him to warre and roote out them of the religion whom he named heretickes The answere which the Pope made him as it appeared by his words was that they should liue in peace with their neighbours and that hee could not furnish them with money being not willing to make warre against any man who desired peace among all men The sayd gentleman carried a letter very ill written which he sayd to be the hand of the Duchesse of Lorreyne mother of the Duke contayning thus much I am very glad to vnderstand the state of your affayres and I aduise you to goe forward for neuer a fayrer occasion was offered you to put the Scepter in your hand and the Crowne vpon your head This letter gaue occasion to them of the Counsell to agree that this Gentleman should be kept carefully and brought to the King of Nauarre The armie soiourning at Chasteauuilaine the King with his great armie stayed about Montereau faut Yonne and Sens but vnderstanding the determination of the Germans retyred with his armie into Berry beyond Loyre there to stop the passing ouer to the King of Nauarre and to giue them freer accesse betwéene the two riuers of Seyne and Loyre where hée thought either to weary them or by ioyning his with the armie of the Leaguers at the tayle of them easily he might oppresse them During this soiourne the Baron Oneau brought the artillerie before the Abbey of Cleruaulx which compounded to giue a certaine summe of money and some quantitie of wine and meale notwithstanding that capitulation
their houses y e goods of the vilages where y e army was lodged and that was true indeede and therefore required that there might be no more geuen to any man or else that they might be taxed to pay money for the army They requested also that they would take order for the paimeÌ„t of the Rutters for a moneth which was promised them and for lacke of the sayd pay they would goe no further adding many difficulties concerning the passage of Loyre beside that the winter did draw neere and that there was but two moneths to keepe the field They were requested patiently to stay a while vntill they might aduertize the king of Nauarre to know his pleasure That in the meane tyme they would goe to soiorne in Beausse where was great quantity of corne and of fodder for the horâ—es so that the armies might there easily berefreshed As for the pay it was impossible to the French men at that present tyme to furnish so much money and that drawing into Beausse and Vandomoys there some money might be had The Germans were contented with that so that speedily they would send to the K. of Nauarre with promise to stay vntil they might heare from him They quartered themselues the next day and all the army was lodged vpon the lands of the Lord Chastilion who offered it willingly to shew example to others to preferre the publike commodities before the particular The Lord Boillon lodged at Chastilion with other noble men to aduise vpon the affaires of that armie Some dayes before Tilman colonell of the regiment of Bearne departed through sicknes Bouschet his Lieutenant wrote a letter to the Lord Cleruaut in the name of all the Swissers that they had determined to let the king vnderstand the causes wherfore they were come into France and to that effect would send Ambassadours to the king That resolution séemed to many very dangerous they sent to him neuerthelesse The towne of Bleneau vpon Loyne aboue the towne of Chastilion had resisted the Baron Oneau for which cause they forced them and vpon that occasion the army soiorned 2. dayes about Chastilion In the meane time newes came that the Duke of Guyze did approach with his forces and was to lodge about Chasteau-renard distant from Chastilion three small leagues The Lord Chastilion then opened them the meanes which he had therein to enclose the sayd Duke of Guyze but many difficultyes were aleaged which did hinder his enterprise Notwithstanding the sayd Lord Chastilion went on horsebacke with twenty horsemen in company euen to the gates of Chasteau-renard and there hauing taken some of that place learned that Guyze was gone thence about one houre before for to ioyne with his brother the Duke de Mayne and that he had lodged in the towne with three hundred horses onely and before his going away had put garrisons in the Castell The said Lord Chastilion brought with him about 25. Harquebusters on horsebacke whom he sent to the Lord Boillon by them he learned as is aforesaid that the Duke of Guyze was gone to ioyne with his brother that all their Bands were so scattered here and there in the Vilages about Some gaue counsell to turne the faces of the army agaynst the Duke of Guyze and his brother that it was an easy thing to force him to battayle afore that hee should approach neerer to the Kinges army or to Montargis to fauour one an other notwithstanding some were of a contrary opinion and that it could not be done but the Lord of Guyze would haue knowledge thereof and then would hee retyre into some sure and safe places which thing being done their returning backe would bring great discommodities to the army which by these meanes would be combered betwéen the riuers Yonne on the East Loyne on the West and Seyne on the North ouer whom they could not find passages when néede should require it and that if they should do no exployt they should repasse that way which they came where they should finde all thinges eaten vp which thing would encrease the discomodities and the complaintes of the strangers this opinion preuayled and therefore nothing was enterprized They went to lodge about Montargis leauing the riuer of Loyne at their right hand for to get the way to Beausse They lodged at Landon and Vimory and other Townes there abouts This way is moorish broken foule and full of quakmiers where the wagons of the Germans and Frenchmen did so sinke that the Rutters were fayne there to lodge The 27. of October the Lords of Guyze Mayne Elleufe Aumall Barre the young Ianuile and the brother of the Lord Mercure with other heads of the League and their forces which were about fifteene hundred horses and fiue thousand Harquebusiers went to lodge at Montargis and thereabouts on the East side of the riuer Loyne which running betweene both let the Germans to goe to them of the League but on the contrary gaue this aduantage to the Leaguers to passe to y t armies side when they would because they had the foordes and bridges at theyr deuotion This aduantage with the fauour of the Towne of Montargis and of the Countrie gaue them occasion to enterprise to set vpon Vimory where the Baron Oneau was lodged with seuen Cornets of Rutters that place being not distant from Montargis aboue a League and a halfe The Enemies arriued at Vimory in the end of Supper about seuen a clocke at night The Rutters the alarum being giuen do repaire to their Cornets with great speede and whilest the enemyes were busie in the streetes to robbe the Baron Oneau did oftentimes charge as well their horsemen as their footmen the first onset was vpon the Duke de Mayne who with a good companie of horsemen made head to the Rutters At this onset the Rutters did so play the men that many notable gentlemen were left dead vpon the place as well of the companies of the Guyze as of his brother de Mayne The Cornet of the Duke de Mayne with the gentleman that carryed it Rowray of Burgondy was taken There were two other Cornets taken whereof one was of the Lord Bordesiere The Duke de Mayne receaued two shot of Pistoll within his armor whereof hee was so amazed that hee came not to himselfe vntil the morrow after about eight a clocke There is no doubt but the League would haue had much adoe if it had not been for a great rayne darkenes and thunder which on a sudden came and parted the fight The League lost there aboue fortye gentlemen notable among them among whom was the Marques d'Arques eldest son to the Lord Listenay and the Lord Cigoigne sonne to the Duches de Mayne and others were sore wounded The Rutters lost aboue fifty men about one hundred seruing men three hundred wagon horses they lost three Cornets of their seruantes wherein were painted the Starre the Horse-comb and the Sponge The Baron Oneau receaued a blow with a sword
vpon the forehead but he was shortly after whole The Lord Chastilion was lodged three leagues from that place who vnderstanding of the alarum went on horsebacke as also others in other places where the rumor came The sayd Lord Chastilion went into the Uillage where hee found some of the enemies wandering whom he tooke there he noted a great number of dead men but more Frenchmen then Germans The morrow after the Guyze sent to aske for the dead which were aboue two hundred in number he sent also to know of the Rutters whether they would be content to exchaunge their Cornets and prisoners They answered that as for the prisoners they would aduise vpon that matter but for the Cornets they would send them to the king That day the Baron Oneau who had kept possession of their lodgings sending all night for the regiment of Lance-knights went to present him selfe in battell aray before Montargis where hee was more then an hower to draw the enemies to battell but no man appeared and therefore hee retyred The same day the artillery in going forward came within a league of Montargis where it was in no small danger being so nigh the enemy with a small company the which after the Lord Chastilion had found in that case hee accompanyed the same vntill two howers within night and not able to goe further they vnstalled it to send the horses to baite in the next Uillages The said Lord Chastilion left fifty Harquebusiers on horsebacke to keepe all night The Lord Chastilion arryued at his lodging learned by a Trompet which had béene in the kinges camp the ouerthrow of the Duke Ioyeuse and of the prosperous successe of the king of Nauarre in the battel at Coutras whereof all the court made a great mourning The 30. of October there was a great mutiny of the Rutters partly for the losse which they had at Vimory and partly because they were denied to enter into Chasteaulandon which was appointed for their lodging The Baron Oneau had much adoo to pacify them but when the Lord Chastiliō was come he was requested by the sayd Baron Oneau to besiege that Castell for the which hee sent his footmen and in the meane time he went to view the place During which exployt the Duke of Boillon accompanied with many other Lords came to the Rutters vpon their mutinie There they sayd that they would not passe further and that they were lead to the slaughter that they were lodged at the face of the enemie without any Frenchmen to garde them They alleaged that it was reported the King of Nauarre to bee dead in the ouerthrowing of Ioyeuse that they had lost part of their baggage that their seruants demanded their wages and threatned to forsake them if they had no money To be short they sayd they had no means to followe and therefore required to haue leaue The Swissers did helpe much to appease that mutinie shewing the aliance which they had entred into nigh Chasteauuilaine promising each other neuer to part asunder vntill the warre were ended This mutinie was pacified vpon promise of the Frenchmen which was to make among them selues a summe of money to horse them which were spoyled at Vimory When the Counsell had made an ende of their sitting there came a yong man names Pau saying that he had to speake with the Lord Cleruaut to whom he had heretofore brought letters from the King of Nauarre this yong man had alreadie come three or foure times in the army saying that he would bring to them his regiment which he had in the armie of Guize that hee had not assembled it for any other end then for the King of Nauarre his seruice and that in taking his part he would doo him beside some peece of notable seruice in seazing vpon some place and that he had good meanes in Bourgondy but the armie had not fauoured him That now they might take Montargis as hee had informed them when they camped at Chastilion That he had his companie in the Castle which the Lord of Guize had put in for his safetie when he lodged there but now when the armie marched the Duke of Guize went aside of them still on the other side of the riuer Loyne and that he pressed him with his company to come to méete him and that he could not disobey any longer therefore let them speedily take aduise After some speeches had on both sides the Lord Chastilion answered him that all that came from the Duke of Guize was suspected to him Notwithstanding that if hee would doo as they would shewe him they would send thether Pau answered that there he was to doo all that they should commaund him The matter being reasoned they determined to send the Lord Cleruaut with two hundred harquebuziers and two Cornets of Rutters to execute that enterprise When they came to the place the Lords Cleruaut Chastilion and others of the companie called Pau vnto them and after they had sent to visite the Castle they put fiftie harquebusiers vpon the gate and as they were about to enter in one of the companie of the Lord Chastilion warned him that there was treason vpon which occasion he retyred speedily his men which thing the enemies seeing and that they were discouered they played their parts and did blowe vp the gate and bridge through which our men should haue entered In returning from this enterprise they who had auoyded such daunger for to haue beleeued a traytor of the League gaue hartie thankes vnto God Whilest these things did so passe at Montargis the Lord Boillon with the rest of the Counsell had arriued at Chasteaulandon and sent the ordinance hauing considered where it should bee placed but because there were neither Swissers nor Launce-knights to garde it the charge was committed to the Lord Chastilion after his returne from Montargis who began the batterie about two of the clocke Then the heads of the armie arriued and in the euening they shewed countenance to giue the assault They within rendered themselues with their liues safe For to keepe the lodgings to the Rutters and to auoyde confusion the Lord Chastilion would not suffer any companies to enter in but sent in some gentlemen to keepe it for the Rutters and sent to the Baron Oneau to come very early which thing he did not And because the Lord Chastilion had to doo with Germans Swissers and Frenchmen he could not kéepe them from spoyling the Castle but notwithstansting what could be had in money from the Souldiers it was giuen to the Baron Oneau for the Rutters There was much spoyle in that quarter for the Rutters put fire in euery village where they had lodged From thence they went to lodge along the riuer which goeth to Estempes Whilest they were there Bouschet and others who were sent to the King by the Swissers returned to the armie about the beginning of Nouember Their answer was that the King had commanded them to speake to
the Duke of Neuers who had shewed them the wrong that they did to their ancient aliance which they had with the King so to beare armes against him he shewed them the danger wherein they put their Common-wealth to be troubled by the occasion which they had giuen him to remember their enterprize but that they might easily remedie it by retyring themselues from so many discommodities and necessities whereunto they were reduced Also that if they would determine to retyre home he would make meanes to the King in their behalfe to giue them money with all the securitie which they might aske Also that after hee had so spoken to them the sayd Lord of Neuers brought them to the King who shewed them a very angrie countenance reproouing them very sharply for the offence done against their aliance and their othes so to arme themselues against him That it was he which was King of France that he did weare the crowne vpon his head that hee was not a spirit that it was hee himselfe who ventured both his person and all his meanes against them who had imployed their forces he thought that they had béene circumuented vnder a false pretence but now when they saw it they could not pretend any ignorance hee assured them also that hee would see them pursued by the way of iustice before theyr Lords To these things they are reported to haue answered that they had borne these armes to support the crowne of France and to oppose themselues to the wicked practises of the Leaguers whom his Maiestie heretofore both by words of mouth and also by his edicts had declared his enemies And that beeing euery way dulye informed of the truth of this matter they could do no lesse then to satisfy the iust request of the King of Nauarre first Prince of the bloud who was most faythfull vnto him for to accompanie him in such a iust quarell They said also that they added all which they thought might haue serued for that purpose Notwithstanding whether they were amazed at the word of the King whether they were already wonne by money at their returne they chaunged the mindes of their felowes who then openly began to mutiny and to aske two or three moneths wages or else to haue leaue to depart The Baron Oneau with all the Colonels emploied them selues very faithfully shewing them what wrong they did to themselues and to their nation to picke quarrels for to separat themselues from them and the Frenchmen which they could not do with a good conscience The morrow after the Duke Boyllon with the Baron Oneau and other Lords of the Counsel went to the quarter of the Swissers to see how to remedy that disorder The matter was pleaded with many wordes but at that time there was nothing done The Colonels and Captaines determined to send once more to the king to haue pasportes to send to the king of Nauarre to know to know of him whether he did beare armes against the crown of France and that if he should deny it they would serue him for money if to the contrary they would take their leaue from him with entreatie to be content with that which is past This answer was receaued as wordes for they themselues were sufficiently enformed of the good and right affection of the king of Nauarre towardes the king his crowne and estate and though they had not knowen it yet was it not time now to enquire thereof This answere also was not regarded but that they made this quarrell mooued from some where else The alleaged also their necessityes and that without money they would not passe further As these thinges passed in the army they of Estempes made a sally by night vpon the Swissers but without any notable effect At the same time the enemyes gaue an onset vpon the footmen but by reason they were succored by the Lord Chastilion they did but a litle hurt saue that they tooke prisoner the Lord Cormon who was incontiuently brought to the Duke Espernon they vsed him to bring to passe that whereby the army was afterward disbanded The 15. of Nouember the army remoued toward Chartres and there was put in question whether they should proceed further or returne backe it was agreed that they should make one dayes march yet further to fauour the comming of the Prince County of whom they had newes by the Lord Essars who had seene him in returning from the king of Nauarre The next lodging was within two litle Leagues of Chartres the Duke Espernon with the kinges aduangard was at Bonauall which was the only passage which rested for the armie to passe if they would haue gone further along the riuer of Loyre from thence departed the Lord Chastilion by the common consent of all to goe to receaue the Prince County who came the 20. of Nouember to Prunay where all the Nobles came to meets him There they represented vnto him all the great discommodities which they suffered For the king was on the one side vpon the border of Loyre the Leaguers were on the right hand of them and if the army would turne backe they mustrepasse the way they came and fighting with the Duke of Guyze on the one side they should haue the kings army at their héeles All reasons wayghed it was concluded to returne backe as speedily as might bee and with great iourueyes to recouer the head spring of Loyre Some of the Germans thought good at midnight next folowing to depart and proposed it in the Counsell by Huguery◠but on the one side the way was not yetresolued on the other side they had no tyme to aduertize the whole army and also it was not thought honorable to depart in the night as though they had béen carryed away with terror The departing therefore was deferred vntill the 24. of Nouember and that it should bee by day Whilest these thinges were a dooing the messengers of the Swissers returned and gaue to vnderstand that at this third time they had found some alteration in the discourse hee had with them and that the king had commaunded them to repayre to the Duke Espernon so that it seemed by theyr discourse that they were ashamed that euer they were entered into any negotiation with the King so there was some hope to stay them To the same end Huguerie was sent to the Baron Oneau to propose that it was necessary for the contentation of the Germans to trye by all meanes to stay the Swissers it was alleaged for a principall reason that the same huge body going away would cary with them some companies of Rutters who might moue the others and render them more vnwilling to do that which they were requested The matter being proposed in the counsell some thought theyr departure to be not greatly hurtfull bringing these reasons to verify their opinion first that it was a bodie so heauy and so vnwealdye to remooue that by this action the enemy might driue the whole armie into
entertaine that which he proposed he shewed also how in all that there was no securitie and that the Kings offer was as good as nothing in offering to men of warre Souldiers conditions shamefull and vnreasonable and such as could not bee accepted without forcing both their religion and honour But the tumult encreasing as is commonly seene in such diuersitie of opinions the Germans concluded to accept one of the two proffers and that same day at euening they would shew which of them Upon this resolution the Prince County with his white Cornet separated himselfe and went to lodge at a Castle not farre off They made some proffers to the Lord Chastilion to disswade him from his returne into Languedock amplifying the great daungers which did attend him if hee should hazard that voyage Notwithstanding he went to the Lord Boillon and hauing made a discourse of the dangers whereinto he did cast his life and state vpon the feare which he conceaued shewed him â—ow this delay of resolution would giue leasure to the enemie to stop his passage and taking his leaue from him tooke his way to his troupes which stayed for him This being done there came 25. or 30. Rutters after him to call him saying that they had somewhat to say to him Then hee began to mistrust them as that they would arest him and being in the middle of them vnderstood that they talked among themselues that they had no securitie for their payment that the French men should giue them assurance There some of the princiâ—allest of them sayd vnto him twise in the eare my Lord goe your way fearing the mutinie of the common Souldiers The Lord Chastilion then speaking to the companie of the Rutters it is reason said he that you should haue securitie of your paiment and for my part I am ready to bind my selfe to de what you will But said he I must haue the Lord Boillon whom I goe to fetch to you And vpon these words â—urned bridle and making roome tooke the galop to the forefront of his troupes the which with sword in hand tooke their way with a soft pace about two miles and thence got easily to S. Laurence where was the rendes vous The said L. Chastilion through great daungers with his company arriued the 11. of December at a Castell in Viuarets called Retortou where was a garrison of them of the Religion the fift day after his separation from the army The Lord Chastilion so retired from that armie the Rutters and others who remayned among them concluded the capitulation with the Lorde Espernon as appeareth by the articles which were brought to the King and afterward by his commaundement sent into the Prouinces and gouernments of his realme whereof the tenor followeth Articles and capitulations concluded by the Lord Espernon with the Lords heads and guides of the armie of strangers Baron Oneau Colâ—nels Captaines Writmasters Lords and Knights c. The Frenchmen who are in the armie shall render their Cornets into the hands of the Lorde Espernon to bee sent vnto his Maiestie to whome the King giueth libertie to enioy their goods in safetie in their houses so that they obey the Kings edicts They also shal make promise to him signed and sealed with their hands neuer to beare armes except it bee for his seruice and by his expresse commaundement except it be out of the realme They of his said subiects who will retire out of the realme without obeying his edicts and yet will make the said promise the King doth graunt them libertie to inioy their goods and securitie to returne with the strangers out of the realme but they who will promise nothing at all they shal only haue safety to retire out of the realme with the strangers without inioying any of their goods And for as much as some of the Captaines may make doubtes to surrender their Ensignes the King will that such shall not at all enioy the benefit contained in these Articles As for the strangers the King dooth graunt them passeport vnto the Frontiers of his estate on that side where they are now nearest vpon condition that the said Colonels Captaines Writmasters shall promise to the King neuer to carrie armes in France against the King being thether called by his subiects without his expresse commaundement and shall lap vp their Ensignes in returning to their Countrey Also they shal not take nor carrie away any prisoners of the Kings subiects without his expresse licence neither shall commit any act of hostilitie in his realme in which dooing the King shall prouide them necessarie things for the performing of the premises the 8. of December This was the end of this armie by the which God did euidently shew to his children that it is hee onely vpon whome they ought to cast their eyes in their afflictions that other meanes are altogether vnprofitable except that he will further them neither will he further them except they be well vsed with an vpright minde and intent This separation of the army tooke away from the enemies of Gods people all occasion to swell of the victorie which they may not attribute to their valour who durst neuer looke them in the face and in skirmishes the enemy had alwaies the worst except at Aulneau onely where through their negligence they were surprised Now Christian Reader consider well the vse of this dissolution of the Army The King prepared great power to oppose himselfe to it vsed great pollicy to drawe it into that straight whereinto they wilfully did cast themselues for not following the good counsell of the K. of Nauarre who would haue them to passe aboue the head of Loyre But as men destitute of vnderstanding heedily went into a manifest mishap and knew not wherefore as to close vp themselues betweene so many riuers whose passages they knew well to be holden by the enemyes And as the king vsed great pollicie in snaring them that way so he tooke great care labour to disunite them that without blowes he might throw them downe and at length beeing by themselues weakned sent them away to the slaughter vnder the shadow of a pasport If the King had béen so long at schole with Salomon as he was with his mother the onely furie that hath beene these many ages hee could haue learned that it was an vnseemly thing for a king to speake a lie But marke the fruit that he receaued thereby all this redounded to his vndooing for of euill can no good bee done by man The Duke of Guyze as he had turned all his actions heretofore to his viscredit so did he this for he caused certaine horses which he had taken of the Rutters at the skirmish at Vimory in Gastinois at the surprize at Aulneau to be lead some into one City and some into another almost through all France by his horsecorsers and riders with this song Saul hath killed a thousand and Dauid ten thousands as it shall
be shewed in his place So he made the world beleeue that he had been the onely instrument by the which that armie had receaued all the harme which they receaued And whereas the Kinges onely pollicy had vndone that army yet made he the world beléeue by his horsecorsers whom he sent to walke the said Dutch horses whom bee vsed for sowers of false rumors that not onely the king had willingly let them to escape but also had geuen them the meanes to retire some into Germany and some into Languedock and from thence to the king of Nauarre so that the pulpits of Fryers and Iesuits in Paris and other cities did sound nothing else but of these newes extolling the valour wisedome and glory of the Duke of Guyze with procuring to him much popular authority and good will and making the King hatefull among the Catholikes for glosing and dissembling with them and fauouring the heretikes to that end that when oportunity should be offered the sayd Duke of Guyze might easily bring to passe his enterprizes and the king should not be able to let him Now let vs know what became of the fragments of this armie First the promise was not obserued to them for a great number of theÌ„ were slaine robbed and spoyled in dyuers places The Duke of Lorreynes eldest sonne called Marthuis de Pont accompanyed with the forces of the League set on them in diuers places and enuaded the county of Montbeliard where hee committed horrible cruelties putting all to the sword with execrable whoredoms and abominations Many dyed in the way many dyed when they came in place of safety euen of the cheefest noble men The Lords Boillon Cleruaut and Vau with many other noble men retyred to Geneua where after so many labours and greeues they dyed in the Lord. The like happened to the Swissers whose Colonels and Captayns who were the authors of the first parley and capitulation with the king were punished by their seignories so that few either of the Germans or Swissers returned home or escaped vnpunished It is said before how that France in this yeare was groaning vnder the burthen of seuen great armies besides many particular assemblies wherof it is said how Ioyeuse and his armie was made sure at Coutras and their reduced carkasses were left in perpetuall infamy not for their death but for the causes of it The Germans haue made shipwracke vppon the Rockes of Lancy in Mosconoys the eight of December and after The kinges armie was broken against the banke of Loyre and from thence scattered euery man home The Leaguers are excluded out of Daulphine where the Catholikes and they of the reformed religion after much bloodshed at length agreed to liue like good fellow cityzens vnder the lawful gouernment of theyr king and so the yeare is ended and Christ raigneth for euermore The end of the fourth Booke THE FIFT BOOKE THis yeare is notable not so much by reason that it was holden by the Mathematicians to bee fatall to the world as by reason of the great and tragicall euents which happened to many great and Noble personages For this yeare dyed the Duke of Boillon and other Nobles at Geneua The Prince of Conde at Saint Ihan d'Angelye The Duke of Guyze and some of his partakers The inuincible armado of Spaine intending to haue inuaded England was beaten both by God and man And last of al the famous enterprize atchieued by the French King Henry the third with the famous victories of the Church of God in the principality of Boillon against the conspirators and enemies of mankind of the League It is said before how after the capitulation of the King with the army of Germanes at Lancy in Masconoys the Duke of Boillon the Lordes Cleruaut Vau and others retired to Geneua where these three especially dyed Not long after their aryuing there the Prince of Boillon fell sick the 27. of December feeling in himselfe his end to be at hand that he had to passe to a most blessed life carefull for the state of the Church of God gathered in his Soueraigne principalitie of Boillon disposed of his affayres as followeth He made his soule heire generally of all his goods holden as well in Soueraigntie as otherwise the Lady Charlote de la mark his sister vpon condition y t she shal neither alter nor innouate any thing in the state nor in ReligioÌ„ the which there she shal maintaine as it is established Also that she shall not marrie without the aduise of the King of Nauarre the Prince of Conde and the Prince Monpensier her Uncle vpon paine of forfeiting the right of those Soueraignties from the which in case she should otherwise doe he vtterly excludeth her And in case the said Lady of Boillon should decease without heires the Prince of Monpensier her Uncle is substitute as next to inherit and after him the Prince Dombees his sonne conditionally that they shal change nothing in the state nor Religion vpon paine of the like forfeiture And in case the said princes should make there any innouation he doth substitute the King of Nauarre and in like case the Prince of Conde in case the first should fayle in the performance of the premises The said Lord Boillon made executor of his Testament and the Lord la Noue the which done the first of Ianuarie he was deliuered out of this mortall liâ—e to enter into the full enioying of the societie of God being the day of his natiuitie and the 25. of his age This was a Prince of great auncient and famous nobilitie issued by the father side out of the stock of that renowmed Argonante Godfrey of Boillon who was crowned King of Ierusalem a noble and vertuous man his Mother was one of the most vertuous women of our age daughter vnto the Prince Monpensier and sister vnto this Prince now at this yeare liuing her vertue godlines and constancie in the confession of the true doctrine shall be in an euerlasting remembrance For shee being very oftentimes requested by her Father a great deuout Catholick to forsake the Gospell and to returne to poperie at length she agreed vnto him with this condition that if the popish Doctors could bring better proofes for their religion then the ministers of the reformed would for hers shee would fulfill his will Whereupon a disputation being obteyned at the hands of King Charles the ninth and the matter being reasoned betweene two Doctors of Sorbonne and two Ministers of the Gospell for many dayes in her presence her owne husband sitting as moderator it fel out that in stead of that which her Father looked that she should haue been conuerted to popery she was confirmed in the trueth by whose singular wisdome and speciall care afterward the Churches of the Soueraigntie of Boillon were reformed This Principalitie of Boillon is a small countrey holden in soueraigntie yet commonly vnder the protection of the Crowne of France between the riuers Mose and Moselle a
all impost now three years after they are taxed to pay y e 10. part of all their goods vntil they be discharged of all taxes and impost And if they should complaine of it no doubt they should heare the answere of the Wolfe to the Crane goe thy way thou maist be glad that thou hast not lost all Secondly they will not put in trust about their tirannous deuises none of the kinges faithfull officers and seruants whom they suspect but such Commissioners as be of theyr owne making of their owne qualities and such as will say to all their dooings Amen The ninth article is that the friendes of heretikes which are of their associate shall be enforced by all meanes possible to buy their goods in abating vnto them the fifth part of the value and when they shall be sold to others vpon their refusing they shall not be receaued afterward to haue any action to recouer them Here be two thinges full of wrong and Turkish oppression First that any man should be compelled to buy other mens goods standeth Note vppon no reason Secondly that the ancient law of aguation grounded vpon the ciuill law of the Romanes and vsed in the Realme aboue one thousand yeares by the which the next of kindred might recouer the land of his kinsman alienated in repaying the money within a certayine time should be altered by new men who within a mans age had no more to do in the realme then they haue this day in Turkie that law I say that the Kinges of France neuer sought to alter neither had been able to do it if they would The tenth article is that the first summes of money that shall be made of that sale shall be bestowed to pay the most needfull debts of the heads of the League and the ouerplus shall bee put in the handes of such as shall be named with condition that they shall not be emploied otherwise In this Article wee may obserue two prety shameles tokens for first these beggerly Lords issued out of the cauerns of the beggerly mountains Note of Lorreine do imitate the beggerly Friers in their Sermons who do exhort their good Dames to geue to their couent so these Lordes being 12. in number hauing spent their goods and other mens also partly in practising conspiracies against the state partly in riots whoredoms and excesse now put vs in remembraâ—ce to fell our landes and goods at what price soeuer for to pay their debts for these good lawes which they send vs out of their vilage of Nancy Secondly order is taken that the ouerplus of the sale of our goods and landes be put in store in such hands as they shall appoint for them least they should lacke to finish their course which they haue begun But what shal we do when y e is done for all wil be but a gnat in an Elephants mouth wee must begin to sell againe and for lack of goods and lands to sell wee must sel our own bodies to be slaues in the Galleys least these men should lack money The tenth article is that the life of any prisoner of the enemie meaning the hereticks as they tearme them be not spared except he wil abiure and put in good sureties to liue Catholickly in paying presently the iust value of his goods if they haue not been sold alreadie And in case they haue béen sold he shall renounce all right which he may pretend hereafter and shall binde himselfe to serue three yeares and more in any seruice that he shall be imployed without receauing any wages or paye This is the law wherewith Mahomet the false Prophet did strengthen his tirannie and superstition for thus hee speaketh 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Note if any man shall speake against Corran either the sword or bondage The only difference is that Mahomets lawe is somewhat more fauourable in as much as it is but onely against the speakers against his religion but not against them who shall be taken in warre But this dooth violate the lawe of Nations and right of suppleants which alwaies haue been kept inuiolable and the violating thereof had been alwaies accounted among all Nations worthie to be reuenged with fire and sword By this lawe of Nancy they will make this Nation so famous in the praise of humanitie more sauage than the very barbarous Nations Secondly life here is redeemed onely with abiuration and violating of conscience which is more than the Turke or any other Nation on the earth dooth practise At last followeth bondage which must indure as long as it shall please the Lords and Senators of Nancy This is the nature of this monstrous lawe borne at Nancy The effects of this strange new law were to roote out the Frenâ—h Nation For it maketh the Catholicks without any hope of remission to murther the Hugonets contraius gentium supplicum and it inforceth the Hugonets lege talionis to destroy the Catholicks for the violating of the right of Nations and Suppliants And thus we shall be well recompensed for the selling of our goods lands These articles be such as if a Lord should offer them to his slaues it were lawfull for them to vse all meanes possible against him But these new Gods on earth dare present so vniust so vnreasonable so vnreuerent conditions and lawes vnto one of the greatest Monarkies in the World but what is it that these shameles men dare not presume for aduauntage These articles agreed vpon by these wise Senatours and Law-giuers in Nancy the Metropolitan vilage of Lorreyne were brought to the King to be approued by him but there was some delay in the approbation And as for such as made for the suppressing of the reformed religion hee did accord with them but to the rest he could not by any meanes condesend knowing with a good iudgement that they tooke religion for no other pretence but to couer their ambition and by these meanes to weaken his authoritie and to rid him out of the way by whatsoeuer meanes and also all them whom they knew were able and willing to hold plea for the Crowne against them which thing caused that these articles of Nancy but specially such as touched the Kings strong places and holdes to bee deliuered to them could not be approued by the King It is saide in the first booke how the Guyzes making all hast that they might to vsurp the Crowne thought good to rid out of the way Monsieur the Kings only brother and how at Nancy the shop of al the treacheries in these perilous dayes they hired one Salcedo a Spaniard to haue dispatched him one way or another and for to bring that to passe they deliuered him for an earnest at the beginning 6000. Crownes Now in like manner these Senators of Nancy doo propound in their counsell to search out and how to take away the impediments which may let them to come speedilie to their intended purpose it was found speciallie to
the premises are according to trueth and for the certitude of the same wee haue sealed this report with our hands andseales at S. Ihan d' Angely the 6. day of March 1588. Medicis Bontemps Pallet Poget Mesnard Chotard About the same time the King of Nauarre came out of Gascoyne who being aduertized of his death commaunded that such as were suspected of that villanous fact should be pursued Whereupon a page suspected saued himselfe by flight many more were apprehended The processe was made vnto many with all the solemnities requisite thereunto whereof within a while after the condemnation of one Brillaut ensued the page also was condemned vpon centumacie executed in Picture Brillaut was drawne vpon a hurdle through all the streates of S. Jhan and in the chiefest place of the sayd towne was torne in peeces with foure horses Now we see how the Leaguers when they haue not been able to destroy the Princes by valour haue vsed treacherous procéedings For first hauing treacherously shortned the life of the Duke of Alençon by poyson as it is saide in the first booke and seduced the Cardinall of Bourbon making him dreame of a kingdome in his old doting age and to oppose himselfe to two Kings to wit the King and the King of Nauarre and to all the house of Bourbons out of which God had made him that honour as to haue issued one of the chiefest as is sayd in the second booke They also haue condemned the King of Nauarre to dye by their Italian figges and there uppon proclaymed his death which they had promised to themselues both in Lorreyne and in the Court and in Townes and Cities of their fauourers but God hath disappoynted them of their murtherous purpose At length by the long suffering of God to plague France they haue preuayled agaynst that good godly vertuous famous Prince of Conde and that vpon such a day as hath béen fatall to the house of Guize to work mischief murther and rebellion The death of this noble Prince amazed all men in Xainctonge knowing that God had some heauie iudgements to execute vppon France and that GOD had taken that noble Prince least he should see euill dayes as the Prophet Esay saith It is sayd before how the Lord Lauerdine who was master of the Campe saued himselfe by flight out of the slaughter of Coutras betooke himselfe to the towne of Niort to the Lord Malicorne his vncle where hée soiourned as his Lieutenant Here Christian Reader wee haue to obserue that although the King and the Leaguers hated in wardly one another and in outward appearance did deepely dissemble their affections yet wee doo see that as Herode and Pilate did excercise priuie hatred betweene them and at length in persecuting Christ did well agree as friends so in men of like degrées and in like actions the like affections are boyling in their hearts For the rumour of the death of the King of Nauarre and Prince of Conde which the Leaguers hauing set some secret price vppon their heads had promised vnto themselues did cause the King and the Leaguers in outward apparance to be great friends and to promise vnto themselues an vtter rooting out of them of the religion and a sure subduing of all things beyond the riuer of Loyre With speede therefore they sent eight or nine regiments conducted by the Lord Courbe to the Lord Lauerdine Lieutenant of his vncle the Lord Malicorne at Niort in Poytow who with al the forces which he could gather both in the lowe and high Poytow the 16. day of March about two a clocke after midnight descended into Marans by boates through the marishes of Beauregard and with fiue hundred footmen seazed vppon the house and farme of the sayd Beauregard hauing found no resistance but onely of two of the inhabitants of Marans with a little boate who were gone to discouer the Iland Cicoigne these two discharging their peeces vpon the enemies retyred to the trenches of Beauregard there they found but fiue or sixe Souldiers as well of the inhabitants as others who also discharged certaine shot vpon the enemie who notwithstanding aduanced and came to land The cause why the Lord Lauerdine subdued these Ilands so easily was first the certayne newes of the death of the Prince of Conde and the rumours bruted abroade touching the supposed death of the King of Nauarre which thing caused great amaze and discouraging among all men Secondly the ill order and prouidence of the gouernour for if he his troups and inhabitants had done their duetie Lauerdine had not entered that Iland at that price or els had been chased out to his dishonour and losse The Lord Iarry had béen aduertized three dayes before of the enterprize of Lauerdine and might haue put into the Ilands forces sufficient to resist the enemie for the companies of the Lord Trimouille conducted by the Lord Boysduly returning from Cotaudiere were very nigh him to wit at S. Radagond Champaigne and Puyreneau who desired nothing more then to enter into Marans But the gouernour and the inhabitants fearing the preace of Souldiers which was excessiue indeede would not admit them but sent to Rochel the Captaine Plaute Lieutenant of the Gouernour to request them of Rochel to send them about fiftie Souldiers whom they would entertayne vntill they might see what the enemie would doo which thing they of Rochel could not doo for that time Notwithstanding this refuse and that the gouernour was well aduertized that he had not sufficient forces to let y e enemie to take land yet the companies of the Lord Boysduly passing through the Brault were sent further as farre as Esuand through foule wayes ouerthwart the Marshes whereas they should haue been stayed to be vsed as the necessitie had required They sent notwithstanding the same day at euening to the said Boysduly but arriuing not before ten or eleuen a clock in the night was the cause that succour could not come in time although that the diligence of the sayd Boysduly and his companies was wonderfull for without any leasure to lodge and without any respect of the indignitie proffered him and his troupes the day before they departed presently and repayred to the fort Brune one houre and a halâ—e before the enemie tooke lande at Beauregard But whilest the gouernour and the inhabitants made some difficultie to let in all his troupes being not willing to receaue aboue 50. or 60. the enemie on the other side entred at Beauregard as is sayd so that the entrie into Brune was not opened to the sayd Boysduly nor his troups afore that the enemy had already gotten the farme house of Beauregarde There had beene meanes to driue back the enemie if speedely the troups who were entred at Brune about three a clock after midnight had gone to meete the enemie as some did giue their aduise to doe For the L. Lauerdine was not yet well accompanyed and it had beene an easie thing to cut the way to the
couered with zeale of popish religion as with a Maske partly for their treacherous intents which shee knew they had against the Crowne of France Yet these petty Lords of Lorreyn must needs haue her whether she will or not but her they may not haue before they take Sedan the chiefest towne of her principalitie which they had terrified all this moneth of March by the barbarous inuasions of the Lord Rosne It is saide also how the besieged in Iamets haue kept off the enemies and had caused to trench themselues in villages thereabouts where they were dayly assaulted by them of Iamets Now in the latter end of March the armie before Iamets was greatly increased inforces so that all things being readie Iamets is pressed and besieged more narrowly then before and after many skirmishes betweene them the arâ—illerie is placed for the battery There remained to them of Jamets for hope of succour after mans iudgement the towne of Sedan in the which vnder the auâ—hority of the Duchesse commaunded the Lord Nieuile a Gentleman famous in counsell valour and experience he had within Sedan a small number of Gentlemen and good Souldiours The army which was before Iamets desirous to cut off all hope of succour from Sedan sent part of their horsemen Frenchmen Italians and Spaniards with a number of Harquebusiers about Sedan to spoyle and to seaze vpon all places and high waiâ—s by which they of Sedan might come to succour Iamets and among others they tooke Vaudelincourt Balan and other places Their courses were raging and their rage spared nothing the contempt which they had of so weake an enemie made them as the manner is both insolent secure and careles of their safetie which was the cause that diuers times and in diuers places they were charged by them of Sedan who issuing out fiercely made great slaughter of them as the time and small meanes which they had suffered them so that they were shamefully driuen out of their villages of Vaudelincourt and Balan But to preuent such inconueniences the Lorde Rosne and other Captaines who conducted the turkish troupes of the League determined to lodge hereafter more closely then they had done before and for that cause the fourth day of Aprill the greatest part of the horsenien and footemen which were on the east side of Mense went to Bemily situated on the west side of the sayd riuer where the L. Rosne lodged and the rest of his companies lodged at Aucourt Haracourt and Raucourt leauing on the east side of Mense the Baron of Saraxenbourg with foure companies of horsemen to wit his owne and the Lord Anthony Vize a frenchman a great friend of the Duke of Guyze the third was the company of the Lord Tilly a Lorreyne and the fourth was conducted by Captaine Carlo an Italian These companies placed themselues within the towne of Douzie belonging to the principalitie of Sedan That towne they determined to fortifie by reason of the situation which is good being situated vpon the riuer named Chize flowing from Iuoy and within a quarter of a league beneath Douzie falleth in the riuer Mense which caÌ„not be passed by foord in winter the sayd Douzie lyeth directly from Sedan to Iamets so that hauing Douzie they be masters of the way from Sedan to Iamets Nigh vnto the village of Douzie beyond the bridge at the ends of the meades at a place called Marie were two companies of horsemen lodged commanded by Ihan and Thomas Albaneses there they were set to succour Douzie for by the meanes of the bridge lying betweene them and the towne in a moment they could recouer the towne The companies which had passed the riuer Mense vnder the conduct of the Lorde Rosne were gone to besiege Raucourt appertayning to the Soueraignety of Sedan They besieged it when it was altogether vnprouided of all necessary things for which cause the Lord Nieuile determined by the aduise of the cousell to furnish it with all necessary things as well with prouision of victuals as munition of warre and by the way to charge three companies of light horsemen which were lodged in Haracourt and to that ende hee departed out of Sedan about eight a clock in the euening the tenth day of Aprill accompanyed with foure score horses and foure hundred Harquebusiers but there fellout such a terrible tempest and violent rayne that they were enforced to retire saue onely they victualed Raucourt The twelfth das of April the Lord Nieuile aduertized of the diligence which the Baron of Saraxenbourg vsed in fortifiyng Douzie he considered that the longer he should delay to charge him the greater the difficulty would be and that the sooner the better without giuing hun leaue to fortifie himselfe in that place which did so presse Sedan and tooke from him the meanes to succour Iamets he therefore called the counsel and propounded them two enterprizes which bee would willingly attempt the â—â—e was to goe to Haracourt the other to Douzie whither it was concluded that they should martch the same night They departed about ten a clock at night with foure hundered Harquebusiers and fourescore and twelue horses commauuded by the Lorde Arsoune and Falayses It was also ordered that the footemen should goe three diuers waies to wit that the Captaines Dorys and Parramentier with one hundred Hâ—rquebusiers should goe to get the bridge of Douzy vpon the riuer Chize to stop the sally of them who were within the towne and by the same meanes to let the companies of the light horsemen who were at Mary distant onely from Douzie the shot of an Harquebush betweene that place and the towne nothing being but the meades and the riuer least they shoulde goe into the towne to succour their fellowes Captain Cheuerdery Lieutenant to the Lord Caulmont should assault the lodging of the Lord Saraxenbourg with 50. Harquebusiers the Captaines Framond and Massart with their troupâ—â— should charge vpon the trenches through the which the horsemen should issue foorth The rest of the footemen commaunded by Captaine Villepoys Seriant Maior should stay with the horsemen for to helpe where neede should bee and to fauour our horsemen when they should ioyne with the enemie The thirteenth day about three a clock in the morning the troupes of Sedan did charge Douize and they who had the charge to sease the bridge came so fitly without finding any great resistance that quickly they were masters of the bridge But it was not so at the barritados whom the Captaine Framond and Massart did charge for there our men were violently resisted by the Barron of Saraxenbourg himselfe and the Lord Anthony Vize Dom Ihan Romeroa Spanyard who made a salley with fiue and twentie or thirtie horsemen who notwithstanding were receaued so coragiously by our footmen who had charged the Barricado that being beaten back they were faine to retire within their trenches so confusedly that our footemen in beating them before entred with them and seazed vpon the barricado In this
skirmish were slaine many notable Captaines and men of warre among whome were Anthony Vize and his Lieutenant the rest of their horsemen that then for haste and terrour could not get on horseback would haue auoyded by the bridge which was seazed on before but they found it stopped were so rudely seton by our footemen that the most of them were slaâ—ne some taken prisoners a great number cast themselues into the riuer and were drowned the Baron and few with him by the goodnes of their horses auoyded the danger and most of them in their doublets and without bootes the way to Iuoy The fight hauing indured one houre the rest of the enemies retired into a Fort which they had made within the village and there stayed for the canon The Lord Nieuile by hap had caused two meane pieces to be brought with his troupes wherewith they shot two volleys against that Fort that disligent exployte so amazed them within the Fort that without any bargening they rendered themselues at the discretion of the Duchesse with promise of their liues The agreement made the Captaines Carlo Maruile rendred their Ensignes to the Lord Nieuile who being entred into the Fort found therein about two hundred able men as well borsemen as footemen whome he caused to be brought forth and bee lead captines to Sedan The chiefe men of them were the Captaines Carlo Maruile their Lieutenant and Ensignes Captaine Romero a Spanyard who commaunded ouer a companie of horsemen There were also a number of Gentlemen of the companie of the Baron and many light horses Italians there were found more then seauen score slaine vpon the place in that flight besides them who were drowned and hurt There were taken more then two hundred horses among whome were found twentie or fiue and twentie of the fairest in all the armie and many of them had cost the Baron one thousand crownes a piece hee esteemed the losse which hee had sustained in that charge in horses plate money and mony worth at more then thirtie thousand Crownes Of our men it is most true there dyed but onely two the one was a Souldiour of the companies and the other a Citizens Sonne of Sedan named the Febure there were some hurt but verie few The enemies did holde a strong house named Lamcourt situated betweene Douzie and Sedan which the Lord Rosne had battered with nine and twentie shot of Ordinance The Lord Nieuile in returning to Sedan caused his artillerie to take that way that house was kept by fiue twenty Souldiours who when they had seen the canon yeelded themselues vpon the same conditions that they of Douzy had done The companies which were beyond Mense commaunded by the Lord Rosne tooke such fright by the ouerthrowe of them of Douzy that they could neuer clawe it off after for the night following they repassed the riuer Menze with great alarum and retired with the rest of the armie before Jamets so that there remained not one of them vpon the Land of Sedan This was the light of â—eliuerance which God reserued to this fatherles and comfortles Princesse and the confirmation of his promise that hee raised vp himselfe for the poore which is afflicted without a cause and that hee will pull downe with shame and confusion the high lookes of the haughtie The Papists in whome there was some sparke of reason and iustice did holde infallibly that some horrible vengeance did hang ouer the head of that armie full of villany and bloud The Duchesse of Boillon hauing receaued the newes of that vnlooked or victorie accompanied with other Ladies of calling who were exiled for the testimonie of the truth and soiourned at Sedan went to the gate called Mesuil to giue thankes to the Gentlemen and Captaines for the notable seruice which they had done to her and to gratifie the Souldiours in al that she could The Lord Nieuile presented her two Ensignes two Cornets which they had gotten which she receaued thankfully incontinently the whole companie with the people went to the temple where thankes were giuen to God for this happie successe this was about noone This ouerthrowe did not quench the fire but rather did kindle the violence of the army which was before Iamets so that they doubled their rage labour and battery which they had continued from the ninth day of Aprill and neuer ceased to thunder vntill the sixteenth day of the same moneth â—â— which time they were willing to giue an assault and they doubled the battery more furiously then euer before in the which for the space of fiue dayes they had employed the greatest pieces they had which did carrie 45. or 48. or 50. bullets As they without prepared themselues to giue the assault so they within prepared all things necessarie with courage to receaue them it was not possible to doo more valiantly then botl Captaine and Souldiours did the more worthie praise that in the middest of armes which they acknowledged of themselues but vncertaine and weake they put their whole hope and confidence of their preseruation onely in God the vpholder of the oppressed and the defender of their iust quarell Such hope did not deceaue them for the enemies hauing done their batterie to the number of twelue volleys of Ordinance the same day in a moment they closed themselues in battell aray and headlong set as wel on the breach as on the curtine toward the tower called the Cat where they planted a great number of ladders with a full assurance to carry the towne away by one way or other but they were so couragiously receaued that after a long fight they were so beaten driuen backe and ouerthrowen that the Towne ditch remayned full of a great number of dead wounded few were taken prisoners by them of the towne for they did driue them before still beating them vnto their trenches so that no man was able to repasse the heate and furie of the Souldiers following the victory one halfe of theyr army was there wholly destroyed Of them of the towne were not aboue sixe slaine and eight hurt a thing very strange and yet most true God for to magnify his power in taking vengeance vpon tyrantes and haughty persons oftentimes doth ouercome as well with a small as with a great number and so was that the onely vertue and force of his arme to whom the victorious gaue the glory for after the retire from the fight they gaue publikly thankes to the diuine goodnes of God who so mightily had deliuered them Afterward that proud sinke of filthy slaues did nothing worthy to bee reported but grew alwayes lesser and lesser they attempted afterwards some stratagems but without any effect which caused them to conclude not to hazard further but to preserue the rest in certaine Block howses which they made about the town vppon the high wayes supposing by that means to compell them in tyme through hunger to yeeld It is sayd before how the Duke
the king commaunded the sayd Belieure that in case the sayd Duke would néedes continue his purpose of comming thether plaine termes he should tell him that it was against his Maiesties will and that in so doing he held him as a Traytour and author of all the troubles and diuisions of the Realme and therefore iustly to deserue his displeasure The Lord Belieure gaue notice of all the Kings will and intent vnto the sayd Duke as he was charged to doo The Duke subtilly gaue him a doubtfull answere not declaring whether he would goe or not but as the water being stopped waxeth stronger and more violent so the prohibiting of him encreased his heate and ambition by nature impatient and made him thinke that the delay was an irreuocable losse So that at one instant after the departing of Belieure out of Soyssons the Guize tooke horse and his way to Paris and followed the sayd Lord Belieure so nigh that the one arriued the Monday about nine a clocke and the Duke likewise arriued at Paris the same day about twelue a clock accompanied with eight gentlemen hauing in all not aboue fifteene or sixteene horses that could be seene and being there arriued he lighâ—ed at the lodging of the Q Mother at the penitent Sisters the 9. of May. The King being aduertised of the Dukes comming to Paris tooke great discontentation therof conceaued a great displeasure against the said Belieure as though he had not faithfully deliuered his commandement and in the same tearmes as he was charged to the Duke of Guize This solitarie comming of the Duke of Guize encreased the suspitions and mistrust making euery man that knewe him and his pompe thinke that such extraordinarie comming had some mysterie which ere it were long should be reuealed For if it had been simple and without fraude a cooling of the partakers had ensued as commonly they who doo obey doo frame their actions according to the manners of them which doo command so that such a tumult had not insued it as did A little while after the arriuing of the Duke of Guize the Q. Mother caused her selfe to bee carried to the Loure to speake with the King The Guize with a small companie to see too followed the Q. Mother on foote and it is to be noted that by the way the Lord of Guize going through the streates of Paris with the Q. Mother the people flocked in great companies to bid him welcome and among others a gentlewoman standing vppon a bulke plucking her maske downe saluted him with these words Good Prince seeing thou art come we be safe The Q. Mother and the Guize arriued at the Loure together entered into the kings chamber who then sat nigh his bed and did not stirre out of his place for the comming of the sayd Duke who saluted the King with a fayre and humble countenance making a courtesie almost his knee to the ground Fewe would haue iudged by this interuiew that there had been so dangerous vlcers in their hearts the King greatly displeased at his comming shewed neither to his mother nor to the saide Duke any other welcome but asked him thus Cosin wherefore are you come He answered that it was to purge himselfe of the calumnies and slaunders that hee was charged of as though he were guiltie of the crime of treason In making this answer he seemed very much moued and pale as though he had feared that the King euen then would take punishment of that contempt wherewith he had despised his commaundement The King relyed that he had sent him an expresse commaundement that he should not come for that time The Duke made answer that it was not told him in such sort as that hee had occasion to feare that his comming should bee so disagreeable to him The King then turning his speach to the Lord Belieure asked him whether he had not commaunded him to make him vnderstand his intention When Belieure would haue recounted in what sort hee performed his message the Duke of Guize interrupted him and said to the King speaking by Belieure that he had tolde him more Vpon this the Q. Mother beginning to talke with the King a side the Duke of Guize drew nere to the Queene raging and talked together with her during the parley of the Q Mother with the King The Guize a little after went away being neither accompanied nor followed by any of the Kings seruants The King being aduertized a new how Paris was full of armed men replenished with faction and madnes and that there had resorted and howerly did resort a number of strangers of all qualities and that the Duke of Guize was the adamant stone which did draw the yrâ—n of that commotion began to double his mistrust thought it was high time to take order to assure his affayres and prouide both for the safety of his person and the state of the Citie And first to assure his forces about his person sent for two thousand and fiue hundred Suissers which were in Picardy for the companies of his guardes and some regiments which were extraordinarily ordayned by him for two companies of Suissâ—rs to fortifie his gardes and three companies of Frenchmen The tenth day he commaunded the Escheuins that is the Aldermen and chiefest men of the Citie to make search through the Citie in all houses of all such men as were to be found without any lawfull busines they dissembled the matter as though they had good liking thereof He caused also notice thereof to be giuen to the Duke of Guize who had no great liking of it but tooke it for a token which hasted him to doo his feate this order was taken but not executed vntill the morrow after The same day the Master of the League that is the Duke of Guize came to Loure accompanied with thirtie or fortie horses and accompanied the King in his walking to the artilleries and there conferred together verie friendly about the warre of Guienne against the King of Nauarre The 11. day the search being a making through the Citie by the chiefest of the Magistrates and certaine Knights of the order of the Holy Ghost commonly called the Kings order to countenance the matter gaue great occasion of mistrust whereupon the King caused the search to cease The 12. day very early the Suissers and the French companies being 12. Ensignes of footemen entred into Paris through the gate Saint Honore the King and his nobles being there on horseback to receaue them At the arriuing of them the Parisians gaue themselues the alarum and faigned great feare as though the great Turke had entred the Citie with an hundred thousand men euery man ran into his house shut vp their doores and windowes many cried that they were lost vndone and would be all murthered It had been an easie thing for the King if he had had an euill intent against them as afterward they made themselues beleeue to haue let the attempt which they
had retyred after hauing taken prisoners the Kings forces to do her best endeuor to passify the commotion but it was without any effect for they who heretofore had in admiration her deuilish craftines as a diuine wisedome did now when they had the vpper hand account it a deceitfull Italian dissimulation So that old Caâ—ye is no more regarded then she deserued For shee her selfe with much adoo could passe through the streates so thicke trenched with Barricados that shee was enforced to forsake her Coach and be carryed in a chayre and euery varlet would presume to bid her stay what will you haue whether goe you and opening the way only for her chayre did bid her goe her way As the seditious made all thinges in a readines to besiege the King in the Loure the next day the Duke of Guyze went out of his house to purchase to himselfe some good will of the Master by shewing some curtesy to the seruantes and came to the place where the Kinges forces were stayed and vnarmed in the euening caused theyr armes to be rendered them He sent one Saint Paul who had growen from a latrey to be a great man and greatly fauored by the Duke of Guyze to go before the Kings gards leading them as captiues in a tryumph and commaunded them to be turned out of Saint Anthonies gate and to shift for themselues The night following the Rebels besieged the Loure where the King was set their Barricados nigh the gace stopped the issues skirmished with them that came foorth and yet all thinges are so disguised that to besiege the King and kill him in his owne house to execute it dilligently and that without sparing the life of any man at the commaundement of Guyze is to obay the King to defend the King and the countrey to fight for liberty to expose valiantly their liues for their tempels their altars theyr wiues and children The morrow after as the tumult increased the King had aduertisement from two seuerall places the first by one who was familiar and houshold seruant to the Lord of Guyze the second by a gentleman of good calling that the sayd Guyze and they of Paris his partakers had determined to bring foorth the night following fifteene or sixteene thousand men by the new gate and other gates of that side of the Citty to besiege him without there to stop all passage and to force him in his house The King receaued confirmation of the same determination by one of his faithfull seruants a man of honor and vnderstanding who labored much to cause one of his seruantes to step to the Loure for that purpose who could not haue brought it to passe if it had not béene by the helpe of one of the Captaynes of the wardes of the City who conducted the messenger to the Loure The King did step asyde to receaue this message by the mouth of him which brought it which when hee vnderstood iudged the mischiefe and daunger to be greater then hee had thought and began to be amazed seeing that which hee would neuer haue expected of the Parisiens without shewing any token of dismay He was also aduised at the same instant to get him out of Paris though he should goe foorth alone if not he would be vndone and that when his person should be without he might find many seruaÌ„ts faithfull subiects The K. did not refuse that counsell for he saw the danger to encrease euery moment and yet he made no great shew to follow it But on y e contrary encreasing the assurance of his countenance did seeme to promise shortly to remedy it He sent the Q. Mother to the Duke of Guyze once again shee with much a doe hauing accesse to him exhorted him to bring of his owne so much as he could to pacifie that commotion prayed him very instantly to come to the king with great protestation of assurance that he would bee well pleased thereof protesting of his good will and confidence which he reposed in him The King delayed his departing out of Paris meditating reuengement vpon the head of this rebellion and had sent his mother to the ende to haue drawen him within his reach supposing that the head being off the members would coole and waxe weake The Q. Mother hauing done all that euer she could with her Italian Rethorick could not perswade the Duke of Guyze hauing learned by tâ—e simplicitie of them of the reformed Religion and by the tragedies which through his counsell he had caused the King to play vpon them of the religion how little credit was to be giuen to Kings faith and to her fayre promises but shewed himselfe very cold in that matter and contemptious towards her person for he feared that he should not be able to execute his enterprize within the Loure so well as without mistrusting to be preuented if he had entred therein The Q Mother seing that he was not moued by her wordes sendeth his answere to the king by the secretary Pinart The King being aduertized of the hardnes of the Duke out of hope to execute his will vpon him To preuent a farther mischiefe which hee saw to be at hand commaunded his companies to retire and determined to goe out of Paris and to take his farwell of the Loure at the perswasions of many officers of the Crowne who gaue him counsell to giue place to that desperate conspiracie and to retyre into a place of safety he sent his household to the place called the Tuilleries and leauing the Q. Mother there in the Loure went foorth out of Paris on that side which was most sure for him to wit through newgate with a walking staffe in his hand as though he went according to his custome to walke to the Tuilleries with as ioyful countenance as in the most ioyful day that could shine vnto him When he was out of the gate he turned his face toward that citie casting foorth certaine speaches of indignation with protestation against their ingratefulnes treachery and treason When he came to the Tuilleries he tooke his horse with them of his trayne who had meanes to get horses they who had none either stayed behinde or else followed him on foote Many great Lordes went after him on foote vntill they had the meanes to get horses Many great Lordes and gentlemen of the Kinges side went out of Paris in great haste some without bootes some destitute of all things euerie one vnder the shadowe of some friend such as they met withall in the middle of the confused prease The King that night went to Trappes and lodged in the house of Danuile brother to Mommorency and alyed to the Duke d'Espernon The flight of such a great King so vngratefully dealt with all by them whome he had so greatly fauored was lamentable The Duke of Guize hauing remoued the Kings power from him partly by killing and partly by sending others another cleane contrary way from the King supposing that the said King
had beene still in the Loure and knowing that there rested nothing more to doo but to haue his person for a gage of the Crowne determined to besiege the Loure and to bring out of hand the Artilery before the gate But vnderstanding that he was issued out and gone already a great way of hee remayned Master of Paris séeing that the Master and the seruants had yeelded him the lodging Hetherto wee haue conducted the King to Trappes and his forces are sent packing and the Duke maketh merrie in Paris in hope likewise to be Master of all the rest The Duke and his partakers perceauing how the King had giuen the slip and auoyded their bloudie hands doo scratch their heads and see their error for although the ouerthrow was great yet the victorie was not full the enterprise not well executed and the King being not taken the issue thereof was doubtfull and full of perplexitie For their consciences doo represent before their eyes the perfidious rebellion which they had committed as to haue not onely dispossessed him of his house of whome they holde all that euer they had but also to haue sought to murther him whom God had consecrated to represent before their eyes the image of his Soueraigne iustice to destroy their Prince who had loued them so tenderlie their benefactor who had cherished them as a Father his owne naturall Children They accurse their negligent folly in that they had not beene more watchfull to attend vpon his person feare seazed their hearts when considering the greatnes of their offence doo also knowe that yet hee will haue meanes inough to bring their dooings to iudgement and to take reuengement of them according to the haynousnes of their offence To be short they are very sory not for that which they had done but for that they haue not done worse But the Duke of Guize considering well that the stincking fame of his villanous fact would flee abroade vnto the eares of forraine Princes who will thinke themselues interesâ—ed in this iniurie and that they will not forsake such a mightie Prince in his distresse hee thought good that the execution done this day might be reported vnto Princes neighbours and friends of the Crowne in such a manner that whatsoeuer was therein most odious and damnable might bee either concealed or else coloured Therefore among others he forgot no courtesie and honest offers to the Lord Ambassodor of England to whome he sent the Lord Brissak accompanied with some others to offer him a protection and to pray him not to bee dismayed and not to remoue thence with assurance of safetie The Ambassador answered that if he had been as a priuat men in Paris hee would haue gone to prostrate himselfe at the feete of the Duke of Guize for to giue him most heartie thankes for his courtesies and honest proffers but being there nigh the King for the Queene of England his Mistresse who had aliâ—unce and couenant of amitie with him he could not nor would not take any protection but of the King onely The Lord Brissak shewed him that the Lord of Guize was not come to Paris to enterprize any thing against the King or his seruice but that hee hath resolued himselfe vpon the defensiue and that there was a great conspiracie against him and the Citie of Paris and how the towne house and other places were ful of gibets whereon the King had determined to hang a great number of the Citie and others The Lord of Guyze prayed him to aduertize his Mistresse of all these things to the end the worlde might be informed of the trueth The Ambassador answered that he could easilie beleeue that he saide as he thought but that hauty and hard enterprises oftentimes doo remayne incommunicable and closely shut vp in the hearts of them who doo enterprise them which also when they thinke good doo produce them forth with such colour as they iudge most fit for their aduantage And that he would say freely that whatsoeuer had passed in Paris would bee iudged very strange and wicked by all the Princes of Christendome who were interessed in it and that no colours were they neuer so fayre could make it to seeme good being the simple duety of a subiect to remaine in the iust obedience of his Soueraigne And that if there were so many gibets prepared it would bee beleeued more easily when the Lorde of Guyze shoulde bring them in sight And graunt that so it were yet is it a hatefull thing and intollerable that a subiect would let by force the iustice which his Soueraigne will execute with strong hand He promised him that willingly he would aduertise the Queene his Mistresse of all that which he tould him but to serue him as an interpreter of all the conceites of the Duke of Guyze and of them of his part it was no matter belonging to his charge The Queene his Mistresse being wiser then hee to beleeue and iudge what would please her Maiestie vpon that which he would write vnto her The Lord Brissake seeing that neither by fayre offers words nor prayers the Lord Ambassadour could be mooued to allowe their actions ended his speaches with threatnings saying that the people of Paris had a quarrell to him by reason of the crueltie which the Quéene of England had shewed to the Quéene of Scots To this word of crueltie the Ambassadour answered I arest you vpon this word of crueltie my Lord no man euer named a iustice well qualified crueltie Moreouer I beléeue not that the people of Paris haue any quarrell to mée as you say for vpon what occasion seeing that I am here a publike person who neuer molested any bedie Haue you any armour sayd the Lord Brissake If you did aske it me sayd the Lord Ambassadour as as of him who hath béen sometime friend and familiar of the Lord Cosse your vncle it may be I would tell you but being that which I am I will not tell you You shal be searched here sayd Brissake ere it belong for it is thought here is armour and it is to be feared you will be forced I haue two gates in this house sayd the Ambassadour I will shut and defend them as long as I may that it may appeare to the world that vniuftly in my person they haue violated the right of Nations To that Brissak replied but tell me in good friendship I pray you haue you any armour The Ambassadour answered seeing you aske me as a friend I will tell you as a friend If I were â—ere as a priuate man I would haue armour but being here as Ambassadour I haue none other armour then the right and faith publike I pray you sayd Brissak keepe your doores shut vp I ought not to doo it sayd the Lord Ambassour for the house of an Ambassadour ought to be open to all goers and commers considering that I am not in France to dwell in Paris onely but to bee nigh the King wheresoeuer he be
vttered to them as followeth The Queene my mother hath geuen me to vnderstand that you were all assembled and will repayre to me whereof I am well pleased being assured that you would not offend in such force being the first company of my Realme I haue promised to my selfe of you alwayes all faithfulnes and obedience such as you haue shewed heretofore to my predecessors Kings as vnto your lawfull and naturall Princes And I know that if it had beene in your power to let thinges there passed that you woulde haue done it I am sory for that which hath happened to the city of Paris notwithstanding I am not the first to whome such misfortune hath happenned And the more I am displeased that the spare of these foureteene yeares that I haue beene king I haue alwayes honoured it with my abode shewing all gentlenes and goodnes to the inhabitants and they haue alwayes found me a good king gratifiyng them in all that euer I could I know that in such a Citie as that is there be good and bad when they shall make their submissioÌ„ will acknowledge themselues I will be readie to receiue and imbrace them as a good father his children and as a good King his subiects Your dutie is to labour in the matter for therein consisteth the preseruation of the Citie of your selues your wiues and your familyes Furthermore continue in your charges as you haue accustomed the Queene my mother shall certifie you from time to time of my will In the after noone the King sent for them againe and vsed these speaches following I haue sent for you before you goe hence to let you vnderstand besides that which I tould you this morning that I was aduertised of certaine reportes giuen out that I would haue put Garisons in the Citie of Paris I doo greatly â—â—use that euer such a thing came in their mindes I knowe that Garisons are set either to vndoo a Citie or for the mistrust of the inhabitants They ought not to thinke that I would destroy a Citie to the which I haue shewed so many tokens and witnesse of my good will which I haue so much benefited by my long abiding therein for to haue remayned there more then ten of my predecessors before me had done which thing hath brought to the inhabitantes euen to the simplest sort of artifficers all the commodities which there doo appeare this day whereby ten or twelue other Cities might haue been made rich And when my officers or Marchants haue had neede of me I haue done them good and I may say that I haue shewed my selfe a good King towards them And therefore it was farre from me to conceaue any diffidence of them whome I haue so dearely loued and of whome I ought to assure my selfe for the friendship which I haue witnessed vnto them was enough to take away that opinion from them that I should bee willing to giue them Garisons neither can it in trueth bee said that any man of my gardes or Garisons hath put his foote in any house or taken from any man a loafe of bread or any thing else but contrariwise haue at my prouision been furnished of all needful things neither should they haue stayed there aboue foure and twentie houres but the morrow after without lying in any other place should haue been appointed to their charge as if they had been in the campe I intended to haue made exactly a search of many strangers who were within my Citie of Paris and desirous to offend no man I sent euen to the Lord of Guize and other Lords to that end they should giue me a booke of the names of their houshold seruants and to cause the residue to auoyde Whereof I was aduertised that there was a great number no lesse then fifteene thousand men which thing I did for the preseruation of the Citie and safetie of my subiects This is the cause that I will haue them to acknowledge their fault with sorrow and displeasure I knowe well that they are made beleeue that hauing offended me in such a sort as they haue done mine indignation is irreconsiliable I will you to let them knowe that I haue not that humor nor will to vndoo them and that as God as whose Image I am here vpon the earth though vnworthie desireth not the death of a sinner so doo I not desire their vndooing I will alwaies prooue the peaceable way and when they shall shew their duetie and confesse their fault and testifie in deede the sorrow which they haue of their offence I will receaue and imbrace them as my subiects in shewing my selfe as a father toward his children I will haue them to acknowledge me as their King and Master if they doo it not but delay the matter in drawing my hand as I may doo I will make them feele their offence so that the marke thereof shall remaine for euer For being the first and principallest Citie honored with the first and suprem court of my Kingdome and other courtes priuiledges honors and vniuersitie I can as you know reuoake and remoue thence all my courtes and vniuersitie which would turne to their great displeasure for these things ceasing all other commodities and traffick will diminish as it fellout in the yeare 1579. during the great plague by reason of my absence and ceasing of the Parliament a great number of my officers being retyred thence young Children were seene that yeare to play at the nine pinnes in the streates I knowe that there is a great number of good men in my Citie of Paris and that of foure parts three are of that number who are very sory of that which hath happened Let them therefore so deale that I may be content let them not inforce me to shew them what I may doo more to doo that which I am able and will not You knowe that patiency prouoked doo turne into furie and you knowe also what a King offended may do if I list to employe all my power and meanes to bee reuenged And although I bee not of a vindicatiue spirit yet I would that they should know that I haue courage as much as any of my predecessors I haue not yet since the time that I came to the Crowne by the death of my brother vsed any rigour toward any man yet will not I that they should abuse my clemency I am not an vsurper I am a lawfull King by succession and of a race which hath alwaies commaunded with clemencie It is a tale to speake of religion they must take another way there is not a Prince in this world more Catholicke which desireth more the rooting out of heresie then I my actions and my life haue giuen sufficient witnes in that behalfe to my people I would that it had cost me an arme that the last heretick were in picture in this chamber Goe home to your charges and bee of good courage you ought not to feare any thing while you
occupie the whole gouernement of Aunis and to plague the inhabitants of Rochel Therefore he lodged there his regiment which consisted of ten Ensignes whom he deuided in the Forts of the Iland and to make warre out right he ordained the Lord Tremblay to bee in garrison there with a companie of fourtie light horses He caused great store of white Corslets and newe Pikes to be brought thether out of Paris to arme his garrisons there He sendeth Commissioners to the Parishes round about euen to them which lye next to Rochel to haue a number of Pyoners to gather Subsidies and Tallages and to bring them to Marans He prepared a number of Barkes and boates for to hold the Sea and to seaze vppon the I le of Rhe by the intelligences which he had with the Lord S. Luke of Browage He caused the Corne and Wine to be taken vp through the Farmes of the gouernment of Rochel and tooke many prisoners To be short speaking very bigge he omitted no poynt of hostilitie hoping to make there a second Browage and a Blockhouse to famish Rochel The King of Nauarre did beare with him and hauing spied his counsell during the space of two moneths and a halfe the sayd King hauing on a sudden assembled certaine companies of footmen and horsemen made all things readie the 24. of Iune entered the Iland at Charron nigh to Marans ouer the bridges which he had caused to bee made in diuers places In this Iland were holden by the enemie the Forts of Charron and Brault wherein were foure score Souldiers harquebusiers commaunded by Captaine Chautery hee besieged the Fort of Brault as the néerest of greater importance and more defendable by the enemie whose losse drew after it the losse of Charron He drewe by the channell of Seure two shippes set in readines to batter it but at night it was surrendered their liues safe notwithstanding of courtesie he granted both to the Captaine and Souldiers their swords immediatly they of Charron surrendered themselues likewise being in number twentie of the best Souldiers of the Regiment The 25. day he caused a bridge to be made vpon the channell of Brune approaching still to the I le of Marans and went himselfe to view the fort Clouzie and a certaine house fortified by the enemie called the house of Clouzie nigh the méetings of two channels which doo wash the sayd house on both sides These two Forts doo lye vpon a deepe channell which they must needes passe ouer to enter into Marans distant one from the other about sixe score paces and beyond the sayd channell betweene the two forts a newe fort was builded for to let the casting of the bridge if any should be made This newe fort was in the sight of the two forts to wit the fort of Clouzie and the house of Clouzie whereof is spoken of before All things well viewed the sayd King concluded to attempt vpon these fortes the rest of the day passed away in shooting certaine volleys of Ordinance vppon those fortes out of the shippes and in certaine light skirmishes In the euening the sayd King caused the shippes to goe downe the water to the Iland Charron to take from the enemy the suspicion of the thing which hee determined to do the day following The 26. day being the Lords day about three a clock hee came with few of his men before Clouzie made his bridges sure aduauncing forward his Gabions prepared the bridge to bee cast betweene the two forts searched the places where they might enter into Marans causeth his shippes to approach into that place where they were the day before putting his regimentes in battaile aray placing them in the same order that they should march and also his footmen to sustayne the enemy at the entring of the Iland and to serue for such occasions as might ryse he being himselfe in person the formost to see with the eie what should be needeful to be done The morning passed away in such exercises and in the meane while the enemy did what he could to keepe him off At 11. a clock prayers and singing of Psalmes vnto God being ended throughout all his regimentes and troupes of horsemen after hee had appoynted euery man what they should doo hee began to force the passage kept by a companie of the regiment of the Lord Cluseaulx and with the company of light horses of the Lord Tremblay flanked on y e one side with the fort Clouzie and on the other side by the house Clousie which was as is aforesayd fortified and in front defended by the third fort and a trench in the middle Vpon the right hand of the house of Clousy marched the master of the Campe Preaulx who had slyded with his troupes into the reedes to passe ouer the channell in a place knowen and yet not without danger and the Captayne Ferrand with him hee tooke also with him the Captaines Lomeau and Nede into the same reedes A little behind was the Baron Salignak with his regiment to geue the scalado to the sayd house Right against the house of Clouzie foure captaines with their Souldiers thosen out of the regiment of the Lord Granuile did aduaunce the Gabions vppon the banke of the channell and behind their Gabions were in battell aray the companyes of Rochel at the right hand of the sayd Gabions right agaynst the meeting of the two channels the saide Lord Granuile with thirty armed men did push forward the said bridge they were couered from the gunshot of the fort Clousy by the Captaine Valley of Rochel with a great number of targets of proofe and behinde them who did push the bridge marched the rest of the regiment with the troupes of Rhe conducted by captayne Planch At the lift hand going toward Clousy to occupy the enemy all along the channell marched the new and old gardes of the King of Nauarre conducted by the Captaynes Porte and Vignoles and the Harquebuziers on horseback of the Lord Peujas who were al lighted of their horse with Captaine Limalle The horsemen were behind the footmen the troupe of the Lord Peujas behind the regiment of the Lord Granuile and the companies of Rhe which followed the bridge The mayne forces of the King of Nauarre commaunded by the Prince of Soissons were a hundred paces and more behind but a litle more aduaunced vppon the lift hand The enemyes seeing the Kinges forces in that aray and that they had bowed theyr knees on the ground to make their prayers to God afore they went to the battell and calling to remembrance the prayers which were made at Coutras did fall into such a feare as they began to crye they pray they will beat vs as they did at Coutras and beginning to wauer on a sudden fled away in great disorder Here is to be noted that had it not béen for the fault committed through hastines in casting the bridge in a place where the chanell was forked whereas it should haue
béene cast below the méeting of two channels they had béen followed with such violence that they had béen cut to peeces afore they could haue come to Marans It is not to bee forgotten that the King of Nauarre at the same houre caused the regiments of his gardes of Charbonieres and Soubran conducted by the Lord Mignonuile Marshall of the campe to take paines for to wade ouerthwart the Marishes in the water to the knee more then a League and defeated a part of the enemie whome they met in their retyring The Fort of Clousy seeing the disaray of their fellowes rendered immediatly at discretion therein were fourescore men commaunded by Captaine Serre who were all saued the enemies partly made their retire in great haste to Marans and partly fled another way In the towne where it was thought that some resistance would haue been made was such a maze that there was found no body Many of the forces of the King of Nauarre not staying for the setting on of the bridge both a foote and horseback cast themselues in the water The Lord Cluseaulx who did dine at Marans whilest the King of Nauarre did force the passage hearing of the flight of his men as well with them which had remained within the towne as with them who had retired from the garde of the passage with the Lord Tremblay few of the company fled into the Castell because there was no other way nor place to flee to The first which entred into Marans were the gardes of the King of Nauarre followed at hand with the rest of the armie as fast as they could passe ouer at Clousy At the same instant the enemies were besieged in the Castell the quarters parted to euerie regiment and at euening euerie one was lodged vpon the Castell ditch The King of Nauarre followed them at hand with his maine forces and lodged that same night at Marans The same day were summoned all these forts following fortified with Garisons of the enemie The Fort Boysneuf where commaunded the Lieutenant of Captaine Serre with thirtie men with him who yeelded Also the Fort Brune wherein were threescore men commaunded by Captaine Camart who yeelded also The Fort Allowette holden with twentie men commaunded by the Lieutenant of Captaine Roque all yeelded with their liues safe There rested in all the Iland that day being the sixe and twentie of Iune to recouer from the hand of the enemie but the Castell the Forts Bastile and Paulee situated vpon the other entries into the Iland The prudence of the K. of Nauarre is not to be forgotten that before he assaulted the Iland hee placed the Lord Trimouille with all his light horsemen and the companies of the Lord Orges Plassak and Arambure within the town of Saint Ihan of Liuersay in the high way from Niort to Marans that the enemie might not receaue succour through the Bastile The Lord Trimouille had made a Fort in two dayes betweene Saint Ihan of Liuersay and Bastile to cut from them which were therein all meanes to escape away and hope of succour The monday on the seauen and twentie of Iune the Captaine and Souldiours of the said Bastile séeing that all the meanes to auoyde were cut off from them did yéeld and went foorth with like conditions as their fellowes had done the day before being in number fourescore and ten commaunded by Captaine Chapel The eight and twenty the King of Nauarre with two canons and two Culuerines began to approach and in the middest of the day put them in place of batterie The Lorde Clermont there did commaund that night there were certaine motions of Parley The nine and twentie about three a clock in the morning when the besieged saw that the King of Nauarre went to worke in good earnest they demaunded to Parley and in the name of all the rest came forth Captaine Riuiere to require conditions of the King of Nauarre At length the composition was concluded that the Captaines and Gentlemen should goe forth with their horses and corselets the souldiours with their swords that the rest of their armour should remaine within the Castell The master of the campe the Lord Tremblay the Captaines Maron and Toure should remaine in the hands of the King of Nauarre to deliuer him the colours to wit eyght Ensignes for two companies had none and the Cornet The agréement was carefully kept the King himselfe conducted them part of the way they were not iniuried so much as one word although the Lord Cluseaulx had great enemies The same day Captaine Roque rendered the Fort Paulee with the same conditions that the Castell was yeelded vp the Lord Lauerdine sending word that he could not rescue them for because the Lord Boulay was lodged on that side The King of Nauarre kept Cluseaulx prisoner who was brought with great solemnitie into Rochel where he was kept prisoner a long time hauing lisence notwithstanding to goe where he would vnder custodie of certaine Souldiours he was better vsed then many did expect at length he was deliuered and among other vpon this condition neuer more to ioyne himselfe to the League The King of Nauarre also sendeth all the armour which there was taken in great stoare with the colours to Rochel there were taken also many faire horses So in the space of foure dayes he recouered all the Iles and Forts of Maran did rid all that quarter of the filthie sinke of the Leaguers where he did shew no lesse courtesie to his enemies then valour and diligence in the repressing of them It is said before how that after the accursed and execrable rebellion and insolencie of the Leaguers in Paris they perceauing the foule and dangerous errour which they had committed in missing of the Kings person and that hee was now safe enough from falling into their hands againe which might redound to their vtter vndooing they sent three manner of spyalls to him to view his countenance to sound the thoughts of his heart by the way of sorrowing and excusing the desperat fact attempted against his sacred person in Paris It is saide also how they sent a supplication vnto him therein faining a submission full of snares and vnreasonable demaundes It is sayd also how vppon the rumor spread abroad throughout all the realme his faithfull seruantes of all callinges and degrees moued with anger and compassion repayred vnto him most humbly prayed him not to put vp such publike iniury proffered him their seruice goods and liues for the reuengement of such an outragious offence Now agayne many of the Kinges subiects of all qualityes and degrées do repaire a fresh vnto the King most instantly to require him not to suffer such a damnable treason of the Guyzes and their confederats let go vnpunished but that punishment be executed vpon such offenders in such sort as is fit for the greeuousnes of the offence they do promise him againe all aide and succour if hee will resolue himselfe to seeke the
without any other care then to conferre louingly with them about the necessary thinges for the preseruation of their Cittye The Maior had in his possession all the keies of the Cittie the inhabitantes made their accustomed watches and by halfes with two companies which were vnder the commaundement of the Lord Bordes whereof the most part were inhabitantes of the Citty Vppon request made vnto him by the Maior and Aldermen concerning the necessary fortifications for the safety and increasing of their Cittie the said Lord promised to lend them to that effect such a summe of money as they should thinke good And to aduaunce the worke the said Lord commaunded the Maior and the Lieutenant Nesmond to make the proiect by the counsell of Captaine Ramel son of Augustine mayster of the Kings workes In the meane while the said Lord caused the edict of reunion to be published in the Cittie and according to the same did prepare to war agaynst them of the religion to let them from gathering subsidies and tallages to represse their courses furthermore had made an enterprise agaynst one of their best places And for a beginning of y e performance of these things had commaunded his cosin the Lord Tageus to take with him all the companies of his light horses and the companyes of the Lords Sobelle and Cadilan with all the footmen and troops which he had brought with him And besides all this for to win the hartes of the inhabitantes he caused euery day all sorts of publike exercises of Romish poperie to be done in all their chiefe Idoll Temples in the Cittie He had also promised to the gray Fryers to helpe the reedifying of their couent and temple of the same For the warre defensiue and offensiue agaynst them of the religion hee obmitted no meanes he had no indsturie nor diligence For his pastimes he would go euery day without mistrust of any man to the Tenis court situated in one of the furthest partes of the citty Euery morning he would get vppon his horses himselfe to exercise them in the sight of great assembly of people with a very small company of his men about him It is sayd how the King to conuay the Lord Espernon his trusty and faythfull seruant out of the ielousies dangers of the Leaguers haâ— sent him into Guyenne to keepe such townes there as did wauer into his obedience The towne of Engolesme was aboue all the townes of that Countrey inclyning to the League so disposed by many Gentlemen therabouts who were leagued and deuoted to the Duke of Guyze The Duke Espernon as it is sayd went thether to make it sure to the kings obedience The newes comming to the towne of the determination of the saide Duke the complices of the conspiracie of the League considering that neither to admit him nor to exclude him was a safe way for them considering that the King might recouer the town at all tymes by the citadel which was kept by the L. Bordes a faithfull seruant to his Prince did immediatly send one who was y e Maiors brother to the court to know by the Oracle of the Leaguers what was to be done in such a doubtfull matter The Duke of Guyze with his counsell to wit his brother the Cardinall the Archbishop of Lyons did sit vpon the death of the Duke of Espernon they did condemne him to die They answered to their partakers to admit him and bid him welcome but to rid him out of the way if it can bee done by any meanes the reuenge they neede not to feare for they are in good hope that the master shall followe him shortly and if not yet they wil finde out some shift to excuse the matter and will find him guiltie of his owne death else they will so worke that the King shall haue little leasure to thinke vpon the reuenge They writ also to their complices gentlemen of the countrey as to Mere Massilieres Maqueuile Boucheaulx to the Baron Tonnerak Caze and Fleurak They caused also Vileroy the Kings Secretary to write his letters to the Lord Aubeterre to repaire to the Maior of Engolesme with al his power at such time as they should haue warning by the â—aid Maior in the meane while they expect the Oracle of the Leaguers the Duke Espernon is lulled a sleepe and cast into a dangerous security by the Maior and the rest of the conspiratours they make him beleeue that they loue him as their owne soule by the which dissimulation hee vnarmeth himselfe sendeth his forces abroad to warre agaynst Christ At length Souchet long desired commeth from the court geueth the answere that Espernon must die by all meanes possible biddeth them to put asyde all feare of reuenge for the causes afore shewed Now then it must be executed out of hand afore the returne of the Lord Tageus with the Dukes forces for then shall they not be able to put in execution y t iudgement hauing any forces about him or else because he will goe forth to war agaynst the heretikes according to his deliberation The tenth day of August the Lord Espernon very early got him on horsbacke to goe to his ordinary exercises with few of the nobility with him The maior with certaine of the inhabitants of the cittie were all that morning with him The sayd Lord lighting downe of his horse embraced the Maior and with great curtesy asked him whether hedelighted in horses Thence the sayd Lord returned to his lodging and went into his closet to change his shirt intending to goe deuoutly to Masse in the Chappell of Saint Laurence in the church of Saynt Cibert where his Almoner had prepared all the tooles ready to finish that misticall play this was about 7. a clocke The Maior on the other side with his complices who were gone to see his riding onely to spie what strength he had about him went home to put on his armour to charge his pistoll to take order about nine of the clock that the toxin should be rung and to appoynt at the same time certaine firebrands of sedition to goe about the streates crying that the Hugonâ—ts had seazed vpon the Castell The Maior also did craftily entice the Lord Bordes gouernour of the Citadell into his house vnder colour to discouer him a certaine enterprize against the king and when hee had him in his house kept him as prisoner Betweene eight and nine a clock the Lord Espernon being in his closet and knowing that the Abbot of Elbeue and the Lord Mariuault were in the next wardrobe staying there to accompany him to Masse sendeth a Page to call them to him into the Closet which when they had done hee â—hewed them a place in a booke sent him from Paris full of defamations against the honour authoritie of the King lamenting the vnbridled licence of this age hee prayeth them also to sit by him to vnderstand out of his own mouth his resolution and platforme of war against
them of the religion assoone as the Lord Tageus could returne from this exployte whome he would leaue there for the preseruation of the Citie Behold Christian Reader this noble man indued with good gifts raised vp to high degree sent out of the danger of his enemies to keepe the kings subiects in peace and iustice vnthankfull of Gods good graces doe meditate how to turne that power wisdome and graces receiued of God to persecute his Church and whilest hee is laying downe his plott God sendeth him a warning to wit murtherers to execute the rage of Gods enemies vpon him For as they concluded vpon the resolution of this warre which he purposed against the Children of God the Abbot of Elbeu sitting next vnto the doore of the closet heard the sound of a pistol shot within the wardrobe and some crying kil kill At this alarum the said Abbot ranne first to the doore nigh the closet where he found the Aulmoner of y e said Duke who had rushed in had shut vp the doore and thought it had neither lock nor boult but held the said doore with his back very pale and frighted The Abbot enquiring what it was speake softly sayd the Aulmoner there be armed men which seeke to kill my Lord. At the same instant the said Lord Espernon the Lord Mariuault and the Abbot heard two other pistolls shot in the same wardrobe with manie voyces crying kill kill comming to the said doore cryed yeeld my Lord for you are but a dead man The Abbot and Mariuault then counsailed the sayd Espernon to keep within the closet where was a second doore very narrow hard to get in At the same time the Toxin began to ring in all Churches of the Citie and they of the faction ran into the streates crying that the Hugonets had surprised the Castell and willing all men to run to succour it according to the instructions giuen by the Maior These tokens being giuen the people ran on euery side to their weapons and went toward the Castel they lodge themselues in the house next to the Castell The Maior that morning intending to bring to an end their conspiracie had perswaded them of his faction but especially 40. or 50. of the vilest and most desperat persons of all the Citie that his brother in law Southct came from the Court and had brought with him an expresse commaundement from the King both by letters and word of mouth to seaze vpon the person of the said Lord Espernon dead or aliue and to assure the citie some of them he had appoynted to run through the citie and to giue the alarum as is afore said some should seaze vpon the gates of the Castell when hee should haue entred the saide Castell and some should goe with him to execute this murther This vile traitor then head of the conspiracy entred first armed into the Castell through the great gate hauing two men booted with him which as he saide were Purseuants whom he brought to speake with the Duke and followed with ten men going vp into the hall and passing through it saluted the Lord Couplieres who sat vpon a table and thence passing through the Lord Espernon his chamber went as farre as the wardroabe supposing there to finde him and there to execute his damnable conspiracie there he met with on Raphael Gyrolamy a Gentleman Florentine Rouillard and Segnencio Secretaries and one Sorline the Kings Chirurgion The Lord Aubine one of the Kings Magistrates in the Court of Engolesme who was expressely come to aduertise the Lorde Espernon that there was some practise against him in the towne and there he stayed for his comming foorth to doo his message The Maior therefore entred as is said first of all armed with a Corselet into the wardrobe with a Pistoll in his hand ready charged and the cock downe came to Sorline first who set his hand to his sword and did hurt the Maior a little on the head Another man great and strong with a Pistoll set vpon Raphael who immediatly taking him by the coller cast him downe vppon the ground and with his sword wounded him as he did three more as they haue confessed after and beate them out of the chamber crying still my Lord is not here but being wounded with a Pistol he fell downe and then they made an end of him with their swords The others who were in the wardrobe saued themselues as they could Sorline running into the kitchen gaue the alarum to the cookes who ran with their broaches but the conspirators being in the hall and hearing the noyse in the kitchen stopped the way out of y t kitchē into the hall In the meane time while these things were dooing within the wardrobe by the Maior his partakers went about as they had receaued instructions aforehand of the Maior to seaze vpon the great gate of the Castell for to bring in the people who were already in armour but they were let by some Gentlemen who were in the Court of the Castell staying there for the Lorde Espernon his comming forth The first were the Lordes Ambleuille Beaurepayre Sobelle and others in defending of the said gate the Lord Beaurepayre was slaine with the stroake of a Halbeard the Prouost Baretes likewise and one of the gardes the Lord Clauery was hurt certaine Gentlemen entred into the said gate afore it was shut vp as Captaine Baron Artiges the Countie Brune brother in lawe to the Duke Espernon the Lords Goas Mirane Coste Emars and others They beleeued then that the Lord Espernon was dead so that being astonied and looked one vpon another they knewe not what to doo nor in whome to trust vntill that the Lords Ambleuille Myran Sobelle and Emars acknowledging one another and giuing hands with promise to dye together gathered as well Gentlemen as Souldiours of the garde close together and ran to the Chamber doore of the Lord Espernon through the which the conspiratours would haue gone forth to seaze vpon the tower of the Castell but they were let by the Gentlemen and gardes who wounded the Maior through the doore where of he fell downe they shot also against the residue of the conspiratours with these threatnings you shall dye traitors Seguencio the Secretarie whome they detayned prisoner reported that at that threatning they began to be amazed and to say among themselues we are vndone if we doo not saue our selues some where and thereupon carrying away the Maior went out through a little doore of that chamber which issued to a little paire of staires that did lead vp to a chamber nigh the tower but they were followed by the said Gentlemen and at the same time the Lord Espernon the Abbot Elbeu and the Lord Marinault who vnderstanding the voyce of Sobelle went forth of the closet with Pistolls and swordes in hand The conspirators were enforced to saue themselues in that Chamber nigh the great tower to y e which no man could go but by a
payre of staires so narrowe that but one man alone might passe there were none armed neither the Lord Espernon nor any of his were at all which thing caused them to stay their going vp At the same instant a maidseruant aduertised the Lord Espernon that the Maiors brother with a number of armed men did enter into the castle through a hole in the wall on the side of the Curtine The sayd Lord Espernon ran thether who found alreadie the Maiors brother entred with another which both were slaine there and a gard was put at the place At the same time the complices of the conspiracie and among others the foresaid Souchet the Maiors brother in law who had come lately from the Court with some other gentlemen of the countrey seeing that they could not fire the first gate where they found resistance as is sayd before ran to another gate of the Castle with fire to burne it preparing also giâ—s to breake it vp But the Lord Espernon with fiftéene of his men whom he had gathered together ran also to the sayd gate to defend and fortifie it with earth stones boords and such like leauing his gard to keepe the dore of the chamber where the conspirators were locked vp the which endeuoured themselues to issue foorth but notwithstanding were repulsed by the sayd gardes and the Lord Espernon himselfe who hauing deuided his gardes vpon the entries into the Castle went too and fro as néed required and where hee iudged his presence necessarie so that resorting to the foresayd doore he killed one of the sayd conspiratours with his own hand as he went about to issue foorth The inhabitants in the meane time did bestowe their shot freely vppon the chambers of the Castle because they were so great and wide and because the inhabitants had seazed vpon the next houses and among others vppon the house néerest to the Castle called the Quéenes house The diligence of the Lord Espernon and other gentlemen which accompanied him was such that within two houres they assured themselues of the Castle so that it had béen hard for the gentlemen and others who were within the Towne to force it without Canon The labour bestowed in fighting fortifying and breaking the staiers of the chambers and in fiering the narrowe staiers which went vp the chamber where the conspiratours were locked vp had béen quicke and violent The L. EspernoÌ„ desirous to make the gentlemen which were with him to drinke there was found in al the house but foure flagons of wine which were brought in that morning for his breakfast there was no water at all and very small store of bread for the inhabitants had seazed vpon the well which was in the other court and also the way to goe to it which thing did greatly trouble them that were besieged the space of two dayes and a halfe that they were inclosed therein But the discommoditie was little in comparison of the constant resolution which they tooke rather to dye then yéeld themselues vnto that sedicious multitude It is sayd before how the Maior afore hee began to execute his enterprise had by false surmises entised the Lord Bordes gouernour of the Citadell to come to his house making him beléeue that hee would discouer him some great practise against the King whom when he had in his hands he kept prisoner in his house This thing did greatly amaze the Lord Espernon that he heard not the Citadell play against the Citie the cause was that when the fray was begun at the Castle immediatly men appoynted by the Maior brought the sayd Bordes before the Citadell to cause the Lieutenant to surrender it or els to stay him from discharging the Ordinance against the towne which in case hee should doo it they threatned to kill the sayd Lord Bordes The Lieutenant desirous to saue the life of the sayd Lord Bordes promised to doo their request and so kept promise with them The Lord Espernon ignorant of all these things was greatly dismayed fearing least the Citadell had béen in the hands of the conspirators or els had fauoured them The conspirators closed vp in the high chamber of the Castle did affirme the same and when they were summoned to render themselues they answered that it was for the sayd Lord Espernon and his to yeeld that they should quickly see the Canon of the Citadell before the Castle There was an other mischaunce that happened The Ladie Espernon before the coÌ„motion began was gone to Masse to the Dominican friers WheÌ„ the alarum was giuen she went about to go forth to get the citadel ouer her head beleeuing that they were Hugonets that had attempted against y t town she was lead by y e armes by 2. gentlemen to wit Seguency not the secretary but an other of that name Pial she was arrested prisoner and her two Gentlemen slaine by these two Catholicks within the Church doore not permitting the Priest to make an ende of his iuggling game They tooke also many Gentlemen among whom were the Lords Curee Mesme Blere and Captaine Ramel the Baron Coze and many others of all degrees of the traine of the said Lord Espernon The Lords Curee and Mesme went about to get into the Castell but the people with Holbards kept them back although they saide that they would go fight against the Hugonets when they assaid to haue entred the Castel The Lord Haultclerie a man of that countrey of great estimation with much adoo saued their liues Captaine Ramel fell into the same daunger of the people in going about to get into the castell by the Curtine of the towne wall but he saued himselfe by taking the Bishops house In the middest of all these discommodities the Lord Espernon sendeth a Lackie to the Lord Tageus who was at Xainctes with all his horsemen to make haste to succour him The Lacky was let downe the wall of the Parke ioyning to the Castell but he was incontinently taken by the inhabitants Notwithstanding the Lord Tageus was aduertized of the commotion by two Gentlemen who in a good houre went forth of the towne to goe on to hunting who hearing the Toxin did gallop vnto the gate of the Citadell where they caused immediately all the bread and prouision which was in the subburb to be brought in and the selfe same day at night came to Xainctes to warne the Lord Tageus of that commotion The people in the meane while continued in their rage assisted and conducted by diuers gentlemen of the couÌ„try who were of the league among whome was one brought vp in the house of Guyze Messeliere Makuole and Boucheaulx and others who two houres after the commotion summoned the Lord Espernon by a drumme to yeeld and to deliuer the place into their hands promising him and his life and baggage safe That proffer he disdayned and gaue them no other answere but that he would within few houres make them change their language They threatned also the Lady Espernon
the Lord Argence As they were all ready there to signe the agreement behold a new commotion of the people who will not compound the reason was the arryuing into the towne of the Baron of Tonnerak with diuers gentlemen of the League also of captayne Caze Marshall of the lodgings of the L. Aubeterre who do assure them that the sayd Lord of Aubeterre will come with succour to them the next day morning with three hundred horsmen and fiue hundred footmen The Abbot by these occasions was enforced to get him to the castle agayne with greater danger then at the first by reason of the raging of this Leagued people For they brought him by force before the Citadell to forbid the Souldiers to discharge the ordinance agaynst the towne which thing notwithstanding in a while after they continued to do because that the people assaulted the castell continually vppon a vayne hope incited by those leagued gentlemen newly come The chiefest officers of the King and Bourgeses of the Citty hauing duly considered in the Bishops house the danger wherin their citty stood if so many strangers on euery syde should come in ioyned themselues with the cheefest Gentlemen agaynst the rest who were stubburne They sent agayne 2. of the chiefest Bourgeses to the Lord Espernon to beseech him that it may please him that the Lord Tageus his kinsman newly arryued in the Suburbs with his companies might signe and seale the agréement to the which they added onely that they who were detayned prisoners in the castell should be comprised therein and set at liberty according to the fayth which he had geuen them promising of their part to do the like to them whom they did detayne and all that which had been taken in the houses should be restored The Lord Espernon graunting vnto them their demaund sent againe the Abbot who went forth with them of the towne to the Lord Tageus to make him seale the composition which was done about foure a clocke in the euening Within a while after the trenches were broken the people went away the Lady Espernon was conducted by the sayd Abbot into the castell with all the prisoners detayned in the towne The Lord Bordes entred the Citadell the conspiratours and Maiors fellowes who were prisoners in the castell were set at liberty Mere with his complices went forth out of the towne and retyred into theyr houses vnder the conduct of the Lord Maumont captayne of light horses The dead on both sides were quietly buried and namely the Maior whose corps with the corps of his brother were freely deliuered to their friends to be buried When the agreement was concluded it was nine and thirtie houres that neither the Lord Espernon nor any of his had eate nor dronk There was no more powder for the shot he had determined the night following to issue forth vpon the enemies for to seaze vpon the well hee also looked that night to be rescued by his men to be short by the singuler goodnes of God he escaped a perilous snare of the Leaguers a marueilous great danger for the which to auoyde hee shewed himselfe both valiaunt and watchfull and if he would be thankfull to God for so great deliuerance and consider from whence for what cause these blowes came he should doe the part of a right noble man About the selfe same time that these things were done at Engolâ—sme against the Duke Espernon the Lorde Autragues gouernour of Orleans sent to the King to protest obedience with excuse that the things which he had done in fauour of the League had been for none other cause then for zeale of the Catholick religion but perceiuing that the chiefe Leaguers passed further then he thought he wholly doth renounce detest y â— League and vpon that protestation he was receaued in fauour by the King Whilest the King after hee had sent his writtes to the Prouinces Townes and Cities to make thoyse of their deputies men of wisdome discretion and louers of peace to send with speede to the States preparing all things to resort with a soft pace to Bloys to the States It is said also how the Leaguers peruerted all things suborned all the most vile and accursed traitors that could be picked out in all France It is said also how least that execrable company might be spied or crossed they had obtained by the edict of reunion that none of the reformed religion or suspected to fauour the same and that none of the Princes of the bloud shoulde bee admitted to that house least they shoulde bee spyed when they should go about to make processe against their lawfull King and naturall Prince The King considering the shortnes of the time reiourned his estates vntill the beginning of October following whatsoeuer other causes did moue him so to doo But toward the latter end of September he and his mother accompanied with the Duke of Guize with all their traine ariued at Bloys The Princes of Monpensier County and Soyssons did appeare at Bloys and for because the Prince County had ioyned himselfe to the army of the Germanes the yeare before his company was greatly suspected and many of his friends went about to perswade him to send to the Pope for an absolution but in that following the counsell of his best friends and seruants he did it noâ— The Prince of Soyssons had alreadie obtained a Bull of the Pope containing a pardon for hauing followed the part of them of the religion with a Renuoy for his absolution to the Legat of Venise who was also at the States hee made great difficulties in the matter so that they of the assembly had once resolued to require the King not to suffer the saide Prince to bee admitted but at length it was found good to stay their sute for that time Whilest these things aboue said do passe so diuersly in sundry places the great and mightie armie appoynted for Daulphine vnder the leading of the Duke d' Mayne dooth march and at length arriued in Liomoys there continued long daring not enter far into the Prouince of Daulphine for feare of scalding but soiourned vpon the borders betweene Liomoys and Daulphine as a man that came onely to see whether he could make the hereticks afraide or not The King arriued at Bloys with all his traine maketh readie all the solemnities fit for that assemblie whilest the deputies and assignes of the Prouinces doo make readie their instructions and hast to the place appoynted The King hauing more trust in his subiects then his subiects were to be trusted of him doth expect honest wise and indifferent deputies such as would seeke onely the good of the Common wealth But the Duke of Guize had so laboured of long time and so reduced the people that there was almost no citie towne nor prouince in all France but the complices of the Leaguers vnder colour of zeale of religion preuailed in sending such as were altogether factious and desirous of innouations
the Kings secret enemies and most false traytors to their king and countrey hyding al their intended treasons vnder the old gabardin of the Catholike religion These conspirators against God their King and their Countrey being come at length from euery part of the realme the second day of October being the Lords day the King caused a generall procession to bee made with great solemnitie from the Temple of Saint Sauiour which is in the court of the Castle vnto the Temple commonly called our Ladie of helpe in the Suburbe Vienne on the South side of the riuer Loyre There was in this procession great magnificencie and outward apparance of deuotion but as little godlines loue as could be The King the Quéenes the Princes and Princesses Lords Ladies which were at the Court generally all the people as well strangers as inhabitants of that place were at it there they offered vnto their gods which did stand gazing in their temples with great store of dissimulation and hippocrisie They carried in great pompe that Idoll which commonly they doo call the corpus Domini through the streates which were decked with tapistry and other such things as they are accustomed to bee done that day which they call corpus Christi day In the saide procession the King with all the States marched in this order following The formost of all were the Frieâ—s Monkes and Abbots like a swarme of Locusts after them followed y e deputies of the third estates foure foure They were followed of the nobilitie and after them marched in battaile aray the deputies of the Clergie in long gownes and square caps onely next after them went the Archbishops and Bishops with their rochets after the Bishops went their God otherwise called by the Prophet Idolum vastans by some Corpus Domini and by some Corpus Christi by some the Sacrament of the Altar It was the same God by whome the King with all his Lords and traine did dayly and at euerie word sweare by That God was arayed in pure beaten Gold and had beene so beaten and turmoyled by the hereticks these 27. yeares before that he was gone so weake that it could not goe but was carried verie demurely by the Bishop of Aix in Prouance vnder a Canapie This Canapy could not goe neither no more then their God but was caried by foure Knights of the holy Ghost they sung continuallie so many gaudeamus so many salue fest a dies and so many aleluia and so many ora pro nobis and so many black sanctus that it was too bad and that with such melodie that a man would haue thought that all the Cuckoos of the spring and all the Owles of winter had mett together to try who could make the pretier noyse The King followed that company with the Queenes and Princes and other Lords of the court After they had walked their God through the streats to take ayre and to recreate him a little hauing beene kept so long in very straight and close prison at length in that order they came all to the Temple of our Lady of help where the Archbishop of Bourges iugled and charmed the Masse plaied with his God as the Cat with the mouse and at length eate him vp The Bishop of Eureulx babled out a Sermon as well as he could And that done haue with you to good cheare This was such a painfull iourney to those ghostly fathers but specially for the Bishop of Aix to carie all the way such a heauie fardell that S. Christopher was neuer more combred with his burthen than this piller of the holy Church was with his They would do nothing all that weeke but eate drink sleepe and doe worse as these ghostly fathers can doe that well The 9. day of Octob. the K. the Lords deputies of y e three estats were housed together at the Friery of y e frantick franciscaÌ„ Friers There they did eate so much raw flesh that the canibals of y e west Indies might haue surfeted with one halfe of that which was spent there Blood they dranke none hoping shortly to fill their bellies with the blood of Saintes Such as was the beginning of this assembly such was the end thereof as you shall see hereafter in the sequell It began with heathenish superstition and Idolatry it ended with heathenish murthers and disloyall rebellion As this was done to confirme the vnion and correspondence which was betweene them for performing of their enterprize of which thing by the meanes of this vnion euery man conceaued so good hope that nowe they made no doubt but all would goe well This done the K. delayed the proposition of the States to the sixteenth of October willing in the meane time the officers of the assembly in euery order to be chosen For the Priests in the absence of the Cardinall of Bourbon the Cardinall of Guyze the Archbishop of Bourges was chosen president The County Brissak and Mignade were chosen Presidents of the Nobilitie The Prouost of Paris was for the third estate But the headlings of the League had greater things in their brayne than all this for they were day and night consulting how to make an end of all their labours The sixteenth day of October all the deputies of the States being assembled in the great Hall of the Castell appoynted to that vse their places taken according to their order The King followed and accompanyed with his court maketh an Oration to the assembly by a long doubtfull speach paynted with diuers tearmes of sorrow by the which he sheweth that his minde caried a remembraunce of the iniuries receiued by the Leaguers from time to time by the which he coÌ„playneth his authority to haue decaied and vniustly to haue beene debased And first proposeth the things which ought to be done in that assembly to wit the establishing of Popery the rooting out of heresie the setting of good order in the gouernement the ease of his people and restoring of his authority protesting that he is their lawfull King giuen to them of God and that he will not be but that which he is neither doth he couet greater authoritie or honour in this Realme than hee ought to haue He protesteth also of his great sorrowe which he hath felt in the miseries and oppressions of his subiects acknowledging the same to bee procured by his and their offences in generall Also he sheweth the care which hee hath had to take away the causes of the sayd miseries and how he hath tryed all the wayes that euer hee could dâ—uise and following the auncient manner of the Realme accustomed in such a case had assembled his estates for that intent but that he hath been interrupted alwayes by new vprores stirred vp to hinder his good mind and purpose and to ouerthrow his good indeuours And also complayneth that to bring to passe these things and to make his labour in that behalfe taken frustrate they haue peruerted by false
to consider the Lordes prouidence in releeuing of the afflicted States and tottering kingdomes that he whom they had sworne should not raigne ouer them him I say the Lord hath set vp and annoyuted him with the oyle of grace and wisedome and said that he shall raigne ouer them that it may appeare that his Scepter is of God And wheras likewise they haue sworn the rooting out of Gods truth the Lord wil make it florish vnder their noses vnder the authoritie of him whome they haue reiected Here also is another thing worthy to be noted that the Lorde in all ages for to restore peace iudgement iustice and religion in any decayed state hath raysed vp Princes endued with heroycall giftes and graces called by the ancients Nemesis by the Prophet Psal 51. the principall spirit of force constancie iustice wisedome counsell and godlines by the which crooked things are made straight and all things reduced to their order For as fortitude in an hot and vnwise nature is transformed into a barbarous cruelty rage so the same being in a wise nature gouerneth the victory with mercy and mildâ—nes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ad benficentiam The experience teacheth vs that if God had not giuen his principall spirit to this King now there raigning to direct the valiantnes of his courage and the prosperous successe of his victories with clemencie and mildenes one fourth part of France by this day had beene reduced into a miserable wildernes But thou O great King issued out of Noble race gird thy loynes with force and might goe on still and follow the Lord who goeth before thee and leadeth thee by the hand to restore the decayed ruins brought into that kingdome by the obstinate and vnwise counsels of the Valoys and the accursed snares of Sycophants whom they haue fostered and nourished in their bosoms by the bloud of theyr subiects and the fatnes of their people It is said before how immediatly after the making of y e edict of reunion the Duke Mercure out of Britayne with certayne companies inuaded the low Poytow intending to lay the siege before Montagne and how hee was defeated and ouerthrowen by the King of Nauarre after which ouerthrow the said K. being strengthened with new forces of the Lords Trimouille and Boulay intended to haue rescued the Lord Espernon who stood in great daunger in Engolesme by a conspiracy of the Leaguers but vnderstanding that the tumult there was pacifyed went to Rochel where he appointed an assembly of the reformed Churches of France there to take aduice by a generall meeting what they had to do agaynst the cruell and neuer heard of conspiracie of the King and the Leaguers who had sworne the vtter subuertion and vndooing of the King of Nauarre and reformed churches hee sendeth therefore in the moneth of September his messengers into all Prouinces of France willing them to send theyr commissioners and deputies to Rochel in Nouember next The King of Nauarre hauing done all necessary dispatches for that thing in y e latter end of September departed from Rochel intending to lay the siege before the castle of Beauuoyre lying vpon the Sea in the low Poytow and passing not farre from Niort some of his company aduaunced very nigh vpon them that issued out of the town not much further then their Suburbs The Lord Valette great prouost of France who alwaies had followed the King of Nauarre and a gentleman named Peray set vpon them and gaue them a hot skirmish wherein the said Lord and gentleman were slaine fighting most valiantly The Lieutenant of the towne beeing a most seditions Leaguer with other of his fellows shewed themselues no lesse then insoleÌ„t in committing great indignities vpon their dead bodies whom they caused to bee drawen through the streetes of Niort by the common people From thence hee tooke his iourney toward the sayd Beauuoyre as is sayd a Towne and Castell vppon the Sea a place of great importance as well for the situation as for the commodities thereof because it holdeth the Iles about in subiection out of the which great reuenues are receaued by reason of the salt and other commodities The King lodged his footmen in the Suburbs of Clisson There he receaued newes that certayne regiments of footmen of the enemies had passed Loyre at Saumure which thing caused him to dislodge in great hast to goe to charge them but the enemy being aduertised therof repassâ—d the Loyre before that he could come to them Therefore he tooke his way toward Nantes and in the low Goleyn with all his army There the Lorde Trimouille presented him the Captaine Bonneueau whom he had discomfited and taken at Doway a walled town The sayd King went to lodge at Vretow a little league from Pilmil suburbe of Nantes and there passed his army vpon the caulsies ouer the riuer Seure the other part of his army passed the sayd riuer by a Foord at Mounieres and came to lodge at Tousche Liuosiniere The morow after the fourth of October he passed before the Castell of Maschecow which he viewed the Marquis Belisle beeing within did let flye a shot of Culuerine Passing further with his companies of men of arms his light horsmen and Harquebuziers compassed the castell of Beauuoyre wherin was in garison a company of footmen who at the arriuing of the King forsooke the Towne and retyred into the Castell The Towne beeing deliuered to him he left within the towne his Harquebusiers and he with his troupes went to lodge at Saint Geruays within halfe a league of Beauuoyre There arriued vnto him the Lords Montluet and Plessis from Rochâ—l with a faire company of nobility After they had embarked in the hauen of Rochel two canons two culuerings gabions and other munition of warre which they had conducted to Saynt Gyles hauen distant from Beauuoyre about seuen leagues But this furniture could not arriue at Beauuoyre in fifteene dayes after the siege was begun by reason of contrary windes and continuall rayne with the discommodity of the waies the countrey beeing very moorish The souldiers were in the water to the mid legge with other great discommities notwithstanding they ceased not to make trenches vnto the very ditch out of the which he drewe great store of water so that the platformes being made the Ordinance brought with much ado being placed and leuelled he began the 21. of October to batter and after 30. Canon shot they who were within seeing the forces prepared against them did choose rather to prooue the clemencie of the said King in yéelding then to stay a greater batterie and the extremitie of an assault which infallibly would be giuen them therefore they would parley and yeeld The capitulation was such that they should render their Colours should goe foorth with armour and baggage but their match out They went foorth about 53. persons and were safely conducted to the Iland Bouing whether they sayd they would retyre The King of Nauarre lost at that
siege two Gentlemen to wit the Lord Drow one of his house and one Villebeau Captaine of one of the companies of the Lord Salignak The inhabitants of the Iland Bouing had promised to the King of Nauarre who had vsed them very courteously that they would suffer none of the enemies to enter their Iland which promise they kept not The Lord of Guize though very busie at the States at Bloys yet ceased not but as he was very busie to supplant the King at home so was he very diligent to prouide for the affayres of warre and for to crosse in this siege the King of Nauarre if he could He sent to the Duke Mercure the regiment of S. Paule the fayrest and most dreadfull of all the companies of the League The 22. of October and the morrowe after the rendering of the Castle of Beauuoyre the inhabitants of the Iland Bouing against their promise receiued two of the fayrest companies of the sayd regiment of S. Paule But they had not so soone entered into the Iland but that immediatly they tooke such dreadfull feare that without any shame they sent a Drumme to the said king to beseech him to giue them safe conduct to retyre into a place of safetie They had some reason so to doo for the feare of his sworde put them in a fearefull apprehension For he had so prouided that they were at his mercie hauing sent his nauall armie to a place called Collet aboue Bourgneuf of Rhe which was the place where of force they must needes passe by But the accustomed clemencie of that Prince sustayned and eased the feare of these two companies who trusted that he would be no lesse fauourable to them then hee hath accustomably béen vnto others who did submit themselues vnto him Whereof they themselues among many other examples are and ought to bee hereafter witnesses for although hée might haue cut them in peeces yet of his good will leauing a marke of heroicall humanitie vnto the posteritie he gaue them their liues armour with a pasport for their safe returne so that they should retyre the selfe same day He forgaue also the Iland men who had falsified their faith and had rendered themselues worthie of sharpe punishment This clemencie to them shewed did so touch them that they haue remayned euer since most faithfull being otherwise most deuoted and addicted vnto poperie The saide King being desirous to passe into the Iland to sée it could not doo it for the contrarie windes hee left there for gouernour the Lorde Quergroy a Gentleman of Britayn of great reputation with a necessarie Garison And vpon the aduertisements which he receaued of the great preparation and marching of the royall army vnder the conduct of the Duke of Neuers who descended into Poytow he departed thence the 24. of October with all his army taking his way to Montagne where hee left the regiment of the Lorde Preau ordering all necessary things for the defence of that place which as was thought should be the first place where to that army would lay siege which also hee determined to rescue in conuenient time he deuided his garisons in the places which he iudged necessary and among the rest he put Garisons in Mauleon Ganache Talmond Fontenay and other places That being done he tooke his way to Rochel to be at the assembly of all the reformed Churches of France which hee had called thethere for diuers and notable considerations The deputies of all the Churches of all sorts and qualities stayed sometime in Rochel for him where the said King being ariued receaued them with great contentation and according to his naturall facility and mildenes to the great reioysing of all men which hoped for much fruite of this assembly for the preseruation of the realme of the Kings authority against whome the Leaguers vnder colour of the States at Bloys did worke dangerous conspiracies and for the iust defence of them of the religion so long time so cruelly intreated in all partes of the realme The said King being certified of the comming of all the deputies of this assembly of all degrees and conditions Lordes Nobles Iudges Kinges officers Maiors Aldermen and other notable men of the Prouinces gaue an opening vnto the saide assembly by the inuocation of the name of God the 14. of Nouember in the towne house of Rochel assisted by the Lordes of Turenne his Lieutenant general in the prouince of Guienne Trimouille Colonell of the light horses and many other Lords Barons Vicounts Gentlemen and other his counselers The same day were called all the deputies for the assembly the authority which euery one had of the Prouinces for whome they were sent There was almost no Prouince in France which had not sent their deputies to wit deputies were sent out of Gascoyn Amignak Albret and other places from beyond the riuer Garonne out of the Prouinces of Britayne Anjou Tourene Berry Lodunoys the I le of France Normandy Orleans Picardy Champaigne and others beyond the riuer Loyre out of the Prouince of high and lowe Languedock Daulphine Rowergue Mountalban and out of the gouernement of Terrides there were also out of the gouernement of Xainctonge on this side Charante out of all the Iles of Xainctonge other deputed for Rochel for the Prouinces of Limosin Perigord Agenoys for the towne of Bergerak in particular for the Prouinces of Poytow and Engomoys for the principalitie of Orenge and many others for the baily weekes townes and comunalties with sufficient shew of their charges and commissions The 16. day of Nouember after publick inuocation of Gods name the King of Nauarre accompanied as is aboue said represented to the whole assembly the chiefest causes of their conuocation the great necessities which should moue euery man to oppose himselfe to the enemies whose intent was too apparant for they went euen against the King and the whole estate he shewed that hee had hetherto in so iust and godly a cause spared neither goods nor life as his former actions could testifie and that if these mischieues should growe to the worst he for his part felt his courage to be increased of God in the resolution which he had long agoe taken to spend therein euen the last drop of his bloud and the last pennie of all his goods and desired onely that the world would iudge in this his resolution of his good intent as indifferently and truely as himselfe sincerely had walked before God and determined to doo hereafter He shewed how the long continuance of war and lisence of armes had to his great griefe bred and brought in many disorders to the which hee required them as well it might bée to prouide both in respect of the glorie of God of the King of the realme and in respect of all priuat men Prayed them that were of that assembly to bring with them cleane spirites voyde of all passion endued with the loue of the common wealth which thing if they did hee assured
againe rather to their priuate present and sure commodities then to attempt dangerous enterprises Grounded vpon these reasons the seruants do determin vpon the death of their Lord the anoynted of the Lord and a man reuerenced of so many Nations is condemned to die by the bloudy swordes of them who might haue said that whatsoeuer they haue besydes their béeing they haue it of him and his predecessors liberality whose Grandfather came to begge to the dore of his auncestors Rise vp O Lord defend thyne Ordinance and the powers which thou hast appointed The 24. day of December is appointed for that cruell execution their desperat parricide is sealed with an oth so they depart The King ignorant of this sentence of condemnation geuen against him yet prouoked both by the old and new iniuries proffered him daily by the Duke of Guyze did meditate how and watched for the opportunity as by one blow to rid himselfe out of that danger and feare wherein he saw himselfe and perceauing well by the partialities and partaking of in a maner the whole assembly of the States and that contrary vnto his expectation for he thought by the consent of the States to haue conuicted condemned and executed both the Duke and few of the chiefest of his partakers he was in danger that which he pretended would be wrought against him either directly or vndirectly by the sayd estates determined to follow an extraordinarie way and to preuent his enemy knowing the Prouerbe to bee true 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and knowing the cause so to do to be lawfull thought the course taken for the execution would be diuersly iudged yet hee thought to follow a iust cause some what vnlawfull necessity enforcing him so to doo might be well interpreted in a man of his degree and calling he pronounceth therfore sentence of death against the Duke of Guyze and few others Here Christian Reader thou seest the subiect and seruant to haue condemned appoynted to the slaughter his Lord and Prince only through aspyring vnlawfully vnto his Scepter and Throne Here thou seest the soueraigne power ordayned of God for to reuenge the euill doer to haue condemned his seruant for diuers crimes committed the procéeding is extraordinarie but necessarie and not at all to be condemned considering the circumstances but it is to be wished that it could haue béen done otherwise by ordinarie course Marke also Gods iustice vpon carnall men destitute of the right knowledge of God fellowes in a manner and companions of one affection of one minde of one consent in persecuting the Sonne of God in deuouring the innocent as if they would eate bread the Lord sent euill Angels among them to scatter them their counsels and power the one is possessed with an vncleane spirit of ambition the other bewitched with a spirit of hatred against the trueth of God is made secure and flacke to preuent the euill betunes vntill he is enforced to followe that course which commonly men will condemne vpon his companion his friend and familiar who went into the Temples of their Gods to take sweete counsell together O the depth of Gods iudgments how deepe and vnsearchable be they The Kings counsell and determination could not be kept so secret the King hauing so many Leaguers about him to smell his breath but the 22 of December as the Duke of Guize had set downe to dinner he found vnder his napkin a little bill wherein was written that he should take héede for they will play a shrewd play with him In the same bill he wrote with his owne hand a mocking answere thus They dare not and so cast it vnder the table The Leaguers neither could not keepe their breath so warily but that their determination tooke flight abroad For the same day the King receaued diuers aduertisements of this perilous conspiracie and determination of the Duke of Guize against his person But specially y e Duke de Mayne brother to the Duke of Guize sent Alphonse Corse expressedly to the K. to aduertise him to take heed of the Duke of Guize his brother it was an easie thing sayd he to carrie a rope of Beades about his necke but for certaine hee knewe very well that his brother had a shrewd enterprise in hand against him He knewe not when the execution would be but he knew very well that it would be shortly and that he was in doubt least this warning should come too late and warned him in these words that his Maiestie should beware of a furious and desperate minde The Duke Aumale likewise sent his wife to Bloys to the King to aduertise him of the same daunger and conspiracie against him and that the conspirators were vpon the poynt of the execution Also one of the conspirators themselues mooued in conscience disclosed vnto him the whole conspiracie the day appoynted the tokens the names of the conspirators but in such a short time that the King had scarse opportunitie and time to escape and preuent that imminent danger The King also had intercepted not long before many letters wherein in plaine tearmes the Leaguers had vttered their determination The King hauing receaued so many messengers of death and reduced to this extremitie doth perceiue that he is beaten with his owne rod. For calling to remembrance the great iniuries which hee and his brethren had receaued of that house euen from their infancie acknowledging now that all the former troubles as hee confesseth in a certaine letter of his to the Lord Tageus in his Realme haue béen by their practises and procurement how that hee hath seene all the euident tokens of their aspyring to his estate their clayming of the Crowne by their fayned geuealogies set foorth in the sight of the world He remembreth also the decay of his authoritie among all his subiects to haue béen their worke by the diffamatorie Libels dispersed abroade with diuers slaunders and calumnies He acknowledgeth the practising of the deliberation of Rome about the rooting out or disheriting the royall bloud in France in the houses of Valoys and Bourbons to set vp the house of Lorreyne Among other things he reckoneth the seditious preachers as Iesuites and other vncleane foules of that colour hired by them of Guize and Lorreyne to stirre vp sedition and steale away the people from his obedience thereby to strengthen their partes He calleth to remembrance the taking vp of armes against his will in the yeare 1585. the raising vp of the tumult in Paris against his owne person the letters of Guize intercepted wherein he discouereth his minde so deepely that thereby he might see euery veine and hole in their braine and hearts the saucie parts and manifest attempts which both hee and his partakers had vsed toward him in his owne presence both in words and behauiour the consideration also of these aduertisements from so many parts did cause great passions in his minde But did not consider from whence these blowes did come neither from
alley which was betweene it and the kings chamber encreased his mistrust and would haue gone back yet neuerthelesse he did not He had beene perswaded long before that the Lorde Loignak had vndertaken to kill him so that of all other he hated him most and mistrusted him greatly and entering into the kings chamber he saw the same Lord Loignak sitting vpon a coffer hauing his armes a crosse and supposing that he stayed there to set vpon him for he shewed that hee was touched with a violent apprehension of mistrust although the said L. Loignak did not stir yet the Lord Guize notwithstanding did set vpon him setting his hand to his sword did draw it halfe for he had his cloake as commonly he was wont to haue in scarâ—e wise and vnder the cloake his sworde which was the cause that he could not draw it cleane out of the sheath before that some of them who were there seeing him to enterprize such a violent fray at the Kings chamber doore preuented and killed him there Beholde thou vngratious man thou hast hidden all thy conspiracies vnder a cloake of religion and so hast prophaned a prophane religion say then 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Thou vnthankfull slaue of ambition hast thou thought to murther thy naturall prince ordayned of God to commaund thee Say then or if thou wilt not I will 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 It could not be done without some rumor which was heard out of the counsell chamber whereupon the Cardinall his brother entred into mistrust and conceauing a great feare made haste to get out but he met one of the skottish guardes who had charge to arrest him He tooke that arrest very straunge and made shew to resist but seeing the rumor and daunger hee ceased from his resistaunce and yeelded The Archbishop of Lyons at this alarum went forth furiously and would know more and as he said would succour the Duke of Guyze but he was arrested by some of the guardes and his fury was so cooled that from a woolfe he was turned into the forme of a lambe yet retayning still wooluish conditions so these two Fryers the deuills ghostly fathers remayned both prisoners The graund Pryor was gone very early to awake the Lord Ianuile to to play the match which they had made the day before and found him in his bed and after he had made himself quickly ready but whether it were that he saw the graund Pryor followed incontinently with some of the guardes or some other matter hee began sodaynly to mistrust and went about to slip into a doore of his chamber and to make some resistance seeking to get forth with his sworde in hand against some of the guarde but considering the danger he yeelded him selfe to the sayd guard The graund Pryor seeing that by these new euents the match was broken off went his way At the same instant one Pellicart secretary vnto the Duke of Guyze was taken with al his papers writings by the which many secret counsels of the sayd Guize were discouered to the King with the names of the chiefest of the League as wel of the princes and Nobles as of the priests and townes The king of the Fryers to wit the Cardinall of Bourbon who was at bed was desired by a captayne of the guarde to rise and so was his person made sure The Marquesse d' Albeuf likewise and many other of the partakers of the Lord of Guize were taken and put in places of safety That day the king made a fayre hande for he caught a number of cruell beasts and vncleane foules as Woolues Foxes swine wilde Boars Apes and such like But the loosing of some of them afterward was the cause of his vndooing and death For either through feare of the Popes excommunication or to asswage the displeasure of his subiects or some other cause â—lse he did set at libertie the Archbishop of Lyons which was one of the chiefest counsellors deuisers and procurers of his death These exployts being done at Bloys a gentleman was speedely sent into Poytow to the Lord of Neuers with commaundement to seaze vppon the Lord Chastre gouernour of Berry who was greatly suspected by reason of his great familiaritie with the Lord of Guize But the layd Lord Chastre was aduertized by his friends of all that which happened at Bloys before the gentleman sent by the King arriued at the camp whereupon he went to the Duke of Neuâ—rs saying that he was aduertized how the Duke of Guyze had beene put to death which thing made him beleeue he had enterprized somewhat agaynst the king Hee sayde that he had been alwayes seruant to the Duke of Guize for his particular but that if he had enterprized against the king that hee was neuer made priuie to it And forasmuch as the loue which the said Duke of Guize had borne vnto him might happily make him to be suspected by the king he yeelded himselfe willingly into the hands of the sayd Duke of Neuers for to iustifie his actions Afterward the Gentleman went from the king to the sayd Duke of Neuers who informed him of all that which is aboue sayd and within a while after the Lord Chastre went to the king The King had some speeches with the sayd Lorde Chastre of all that had passed touching the particular of him the Lord Chastre of long continuance which hee woulde forget and vppon the promise which the saide Chastre made to remaine his faithfull seruant commaunded him to make sure the townes of his gouernement to his seruice and to prepare himselfe to goe to Orleans against them of the League which thing the saide Lorde Chastre promised to doo A little while after the death of the Guize the King went to see the Queene his mother and shewed her what was done that morning whereof at the first she was greatly moued yet remembring the iust occasions which the said Duke of Guize had giuen him to seeke reuenge shee prayed God that it might bee well done and willed the King to aduertise the Popes Legat that which was done For a while after the King sent the Cardinall Gundy to shew to the saide Legat the attempt of the Duke of Guize against his person and estate which thing had enforced him to doo that execution he shewed that in it he had followd the Popes his masters counsell who aduised him so to doo if by no other meanes he could auoyde such enterprises Where it is saide that the King dooth aleage to the Popes Legat his masters counsell and consent the matter goeth as the common report gooth It is most certaine that Frier Sixtus and his Chaplines with his predecessors before him had been and were then the chiefest authors setters on and maintainers of the League in France and that by all meanes so that it were not with money for to meddle with the purses of these ghostly fathers is sacriledge and to tirannize the holy Church did fauour foster and further all the
' and Gyancs into their owne naturall countrey yet doo not I speake of all generally but of the most part Rochel and other townes of safetie round about were quickly replenished of exiled people out of Poytow Britaine Touraine Landomoys and other places nigh the soiourning of this armie Euen many Catholickes fled into the townes of the reformed religion abhorring accursing detesting those misbegotten monsters The first place where this flood spewed out of the Dragons mouth to haue drowned the woman which was in trauaile I meane this army was stayed was before Mauleon which is a small towne feeble and of no strength at all There is in the same a Castell which is of no better defence than the towne The king of Nauarre as it is sayd after the taking of Beauuoyre lest within the same towne the Lord Viliers Charlemaigne for gouernour with a certaine number of Souldiers not for to obstinate themselues vpon that naughty place which was not able to resist a farre lesser than a royall armie but for to keepe the field and for to refresh himselfe The armie descending from Turenne tooke way to Mauleon about the 13 of Nouember The forerunners of the armie shewed themselues the garison there would not dislodge for them but made a shew as though they would hold the place But forces arriuing more and more vnlooked for at length the Ordinance was brought before the place The Lord Viliers seeing that determined to capitulate by the meanes of the Lord Lauerdine the captayne and one Croix were appoynted to conclude the capitulation The Lord Miraumont Sargeant maior of the battell was sent for hostage to Mauleon for safety From Mauleon went forth also for hostage Captayne Laudebrix The agreement was made and concluded with small aduantage to them who were besieged within the towne for the Lords Brigneulx and Chastiagueray did draw nigh the walles of the Town which were already forsaken by the garrison and not defended and after they had pulled down few stones by surprising and contrary vnto the agreement entred into the towne did kill and wound all them whom they found both of the garrison and also of their owne side notwithstanding the resistance and reproofe which the sayd Lord Miraumont could do for to let such a treacherous vnfaithfulnes vnworthy of men of warre The passion of these leagued Souldiers was shewed so disordered and barbarous that they compelled the sayd Lord Miraumont to saue himselfe into the castell with the remainant of the garrison which had escaped for many had béene most vilanously slaine after they had yeelded their armor some did saue themselues by flight casting themselues ouer the wall other were hurt some taken and spoyled of all that euer they had contrary to the agreement The Lords Chastre and Lauerdine aduertised of this disorder hasted thether and caused although very late the killing to cease and conducted the rest of them who had escaped beyond the riuer Seure toward Fonteney After this exploit done the army marched straight way toward the Towne and Castell of Montagne at the solicitation of them of Nantes and Nobility of Aniou and low Poytow who were not of the religion who altogether receaued by it many discommodities the most part of Gentlemen hauing retyred some to Nantes and some to Anger 's and they all desired to haue that thorne out of their heele Some were yet remayning in Poytow vnder the protections of the King of Nauarre wayting for the occasion to stirre at the comming of that army This towne and castle of Montagne pertained to the Prince of Conde which by the outrages of some of the countrey and neighbours had béen surprised and the walles so beaten downe that there was no hope left that any warre could be made there Notwithstanding the Lord Colombieres whom wee haue said to haue brought certaine companies vnto the King of Nauarre out of Normandy with his yongest sonne called Lucerne some companies with them had seazed vpon it the towne was very little repaired of the former ruine and decay which was great the castell had béene better relieued trenched and made commodious The Lord Colombieres commaunded there the King of Nauarre had sent thether beside to strengthen the said towne the Lord Preau with foure companies of his regiment at the approching of that army for his two other companies had béen sent to Ganache and other places All that could bee in that place of footmen was about three hundred and besydes there might be about fifty Harquebuziers on horsebacke There was in that place reasonable store of victuals for the time that they were minded to defend it as well in wine whereof there was aboue foure hundred pipes as in corne meale salt béefe and other necessary munitions for mans life About the 25. of Nouember the Lord Miramont Sargeant maior of the army accompanied with the Harquebusiers on horsback of the army lighted at the Barillery where afterward the Lord Neuers lodged and from thence went with his company to view the place and to make his approches Captayne Beauuoys and Beuf leaders of the company of the Lord Colombieres went out with a certaine number of souldiers to receaue them The skirmish endured very hot a good hower and a halfe and there were slayne of the side of the enemies Brichanteau sonne to the Lord Bigueulx and many others for whome there was great mone made in the army Go now truce-breaker Brigueulx learne yet once to breake the publike fayth at Mauleon Captayne Beuf who issued forth out of the towne was shot with a pellet in the thigh After this skirmish ended euery man retyred and the enemie went to lodge at the Barrillery The two dayes following passed away in light skirmishes The 29. the armie made approches on the side of the heath Buor Then the Lord Preau issued out so there was a fierce skirmish in the which were layed on the ground a great many of the enemies but none of the towne that euer came to knowledge The enemies who had begunne their trenchâ—s were compelled by the sayd skirmishes to giue ouer their worke for that time After that about eight dayes past before that the Ordinance could arriue for the continuall rayne floodes and foule wayes which were the beginning of the sâ—ourge of that armie of sauage robbers The eighth of December the Cannon arriued and there passed three dayes before it was occupied But the eleuenth of December the Duke of Neuers saluted the towne with certaine volies of twelue pieces of ordinance and at the same iâ—stant summoned them to render the towne Whether the Lord Colombieres had beene already labored wonne by some friends whom he might haue had in the armie or otherwise so it fell out that vpon the summons hee shewed vnto the garrison what small apparance there was to obstinate that place against an armie and amplifiyng the great discommodities and inconueniences which might ensue concluded to render the place adding as
fort which dooth couer the gate of the towne towards Maschecow without the which the enemy euen the first night of the siege might haue lodged hard to the wall that place being not flanked with any thing The worke began to goe forward after the succour ariued by the sea with the munitions of warre of whome a part was sent to Beauuoyre by the commaundement of the King of Nauarre to wit they which were of the regiment of Valirant who had embarked themselues with them who were sent to Ganache The Baron Vignoles a Gentleman of Gascoyne entred into Ganache as also the Lord Saint George by the King of Nauarre his commaundement with his companie of 50. Harquebusiers on horseback There was then none of all the forts of sufficient defence vpon which occasion they deuided y e quarters as wel for the defence as for to labour about the fortifications euery one in his quarter with such diligence as necessity required The Baron Vignoles with his captaines Piue and Solas tooke on him the keeping of the fort of the causy right against a broaken chappel of Saint Thomas suburbs This fort was commaunded by a little hill couered with fruitefull trees and also by the suburb for which cause they couered themselues with barricadoes and Gabions The two companies of the Kings gardes which were commaunded by the Lordes Aubiguy and Robiniere vndertooke the keeping of the fort of the tower which we haue saide to haue the forme of a horseshooe The Lord Ruffigny with his companie vndertooke to keepe the fort of the suburb Saint Leonard which was the best hauing the ditches full of water of the height of 9. foote Captaine Beauregard who commanded ouer the company of the Harquebusiers on horseback of the ordinarie garison vndertooke to make a fort at one of the corners of the towne but it was a worke of long time and serued but a little and cost much to keepe and was not begon but in hope that Montagne which was already besieged would debate longer then it did notwithstanding they laboured about it continually and whereas the Captaine Beauregard had not aboue 18. Harquebusiers of his owne halfe of the companie of the Lord Saint George was giuen him The two captaines of the two companies of footemen ordained for the ordinary gar ion did drawe the lots to whome should remaine the fort which was begun at the gate so it fell to the lot of Captaine Ferriere who laboured so hard that euen in ten dayes during the siege it was made defensible and serued to good effect The other companie of the garison vnder the commaundement of the Lord Forestiere a noble man of Britaine was appoynted for the garde of the Castle and the Doue house which was in the garden The charges so deuided euery man doth labour some doo pull downe the Suburbs others goe about the Countrey to get men to labour for there was none of the inhabitants left in the Towne not so much as an artificer but only a butcher The Lord Plessis aduertised of the surrendring of Montagne sent foorth his forerunners to scoure the countrey they reported the 14. day of December that part of the armie was alreadie lodged at Lege The morrowe was discouered a great troupe of horsemen who appeared aboue the mils of Porrieres to view the Towne The Lord Perrine Lieutenant of the companie of the light horses of the Gouernour who had retyred before to his own house supposing there to passe part of the winter returned into the Towne about three daies before the siege and went out with foure or fiue light horses to view them The 16. day of December againe very early he went out on horseback but he had not passed aboue halfe a mile when he found the forerunners of the enemie whereof he aduertised the Gouernour About 11. of the clocke there marched a great number of horsemen conducted by y e Lord Sagonne followed of many regiments of Chastiagueray Brigueulx Leslele and ohers who in hast aduanced to get the Suburbe of S. Leonard These troupes discouered by the L. Perrine hee turned face to them to hold them play to giue time to them of the Town to prepare to receaue them which thing could not be done so timely but that when the bel began to ring for the alarum the enemie was at the entring of the Suburbe The L. Ruffigny went to meete them with sword in hand resolutely followed by the Lord Vignoles and Maretes sons to the Lord Sabboniere and some other Souldiers of their companies with them approached nigh them But the L. Ruffigny for not hauing had leisure totake his Corslet entring into a house where he sawe the enemies lodge receiued a pellet in his stomacke whereof being carried thence two houres after he dyed This his death was occasion that the Suburbs were lost vnto the Chapell sooner then otherwise it had béen Captaine Iahn and fifteene Souldiers besides them who were wounded of the enemies side were slaine aswell within the sayd house as in the Suburbes as afterward some of the enemies reported For to rescue them who did fight came the Baron Vignoles with Captaine Forestiere and 40. Souldiers harquebusiers who defended all the day that which rested of the Suburbe betweene the Chapell and y e towne There was wounded Captaine Mote Standard bearer of the Lord Vignoles with a pellet in the highest part of the thigh whereof he dyed fewe dayes after There was before the towne gate beyond an olde hollow way certaine houses somewhat ruinous The Lord S. George the alarum being giuen went to lodge within the same ruinous houses assisted aswell of his owne as of some armed men of the companie of the Gouernour to helpe the harquebusiers if they should be forced There also the enemie presented all his forces and sent to begin the skirmish which was sustayned and continued vntill night so that the enemie was not able to lodge within the sayd ruinous houses without great losse and seeing the obstinacie of them within lodged in a village vpon the way to Maschecow They of the towne lost a souldier and the Lord Coulee was there wounded The night following the regiment of Brigneulx and Chastiagueray who had gotten the Suburbe of S. Leonard lodged in the houses nigh to the Chappell which were pulled downe Notwithstanding they could not set vp any Barricadoes by reason of the continuall shot which did raine out of the Forts and Curtine so that they could not get out of y e houses All the dayes following to wit from the 16. vnto the 29. of December passed away in continuall skirmishes as the enemie made his approaches for to lodge but specially at the comming of the regiments of the Countie of Beaupre who went about to lodge at the Planches for there commonly began the skirmishes which neuer ended but commonly by the death of some of commandement of the side of the enemie Like skirmishes were daily fought on the side of the
Poole against another regiment which was lodged at Guinefole where certaine Gascoynes of the garison came to hand blowes with the enemie All these skirmishes were so fauourable to them of the Towne that beside the first day they lost not one man onely some were hurt so that the enemie could not during all these skirmishes get any aduauntage vppon them not so much as the hedges within foure hundred paces of the Curtine and Forts Euen ten dayes after they were besieged they issued foorth and pulled downe certaine houses in the sight of the enemie and burned others and among them a house called Escraziere from whence the enemie who had lodged therein was driuen out with losse of certaine men The horsemen also did issue foorth and tooke so great number of prisoners that they were enforced to send back a great many of them that were most vnprofitable they kept a great number to worke at the fortifications others of greater calling were put to their raunsome The Lord Chastre accompanied with ten or twelue hundred horses passed at the Planches to the place where the Lord of Neuers was and séeing certaine horsemen who were issued out of the Towne when he would haue gone to view and aduaunced somewhat for that purpose his horse fell in a ditch and had not béen the diligence of them of his companie in succouring of him and that he was couered with a great number of harquebusiers which followed those horsemen hee had béen taken by them of the Towne As thinges did so passe there the Lord Plessis sent diuers times to the King for to aduertise him of the state of the affayres and by the same messengers had answere againe Whilest these skirmishes and blowes were geuen at Ganache the artillery was brought from Montagne and tooke the way of Maschecow for to auoyd the foulnes of the other way they were whole fifteene dayes before they could conuay the said ordinance although they of the Countrey did shew themselues so desyrous and ready to conduct the sayd ordinance that they omitted nothing of all their meanes industrie and labour but specially the Lord Belisle for the desire which hee had to possesse that place There was of that artillery twelue peeces of Ordinance vz. sixe canons of battery foure great Culuerins and two of a meaner sort This Ordinance being arriued the 21. of December about noone the Duke of Neuers set his army in battell array and saluted the towne with a voley of all these peeces from the top of a little hill nigh the place of execution about fiue hundered paces from the towne That being done he sent an Herault of armes to sommon the Lord Plessis to surrender him the towne as vnto the Kings lieutenant The Lord Plessis by the aduise of al the captaines answered that he and all his fellowes were most humble and faithfull seruantes and subiectes to his maiesty but that hee did not acknowledge in all Guienne any other lieutenant generall for the King but onely the King of Nauarre to whom to none other if it were not by his expresse commaundement hee would surrender that place The Herauld was yet sent twise from the Baron Paluan and the Lord Villeneufue of Anjou for to find the means to speake to the Lord Plessis who knowing the importance of such parley flatly refused it At the selfe same time that the army did so muster in battell aray in the sight of all men a souldier Wallon of the companies of Picardie with his sword in hand drawen began to runne ouerthwart a great medow right to the Fort of Captaine Beauregard crying viue Nauarre the Duke of Guyze is dead and Niort is taken that voice was so high that it was heard of both sides they let flie at him diuers shot but not one did hit him but only in his hat They of the towne were fully aduertised by him of the state of the armie and of the strange euents which had happened at Bloys They vnderstood also of the exploit which the King of Nauarre had donein igh Poytow since the siege All these newes brought not only great ioy to them of the towne but also encreased their courage The Duke of Neuers hauing receaued answere of the besieged caused his Ordinance to bee planted in certaine ruinous houses on the one side of Maschecow defended with certaine Gabions which caused them besieged to thinke that they should bee battered of that side where they also began to crench themselues with great labour and dilligence But now wee will leaue the siege of Ganache whilest the Duke of Neuers doth prepare his battery to make a breach and maketh himselfe ready to giue the assault and also the besieged do prepare themselues to defend the place and receaue the enemie and wee will goe to see what exploits the King of Nauarre hath performed in high Poytow It is sayd before how the King of Nauarre after the taking of Beauuoyre set garrisons in the townes of Poytow to keepe the countrey about and to make head against that army which was comming with great preparations might fury and threatnings which thing beeing done heretired to Rochel to gather all his power and to prouide all necessary things either to crosse or to geue battell to that army if occasion might serue And whilest these blowes and skirmishes aboue sayd did so passe at the siege of Ganache and such strange and so vnlooked for euents did fall out at Bloys the Lord Saint Gelays had long before hand curiously sought out the meanes to enterprise vpon the towne of Niort as well to do seruice to them whose part he followed the inhabitants hauing béen alwayes of the chiefest of the League and great enemies to them of the reformed religion as also for the iniuries which they of the sayd Towne proffered vnto him and to his houses thereabouts doing vnto him all the wrongs that euer they could deuise The King of Nauarre arriued from Rochel into Poytow vnderstood as well by the sayd Lord Saint Gelays and by others of the enterprise vpon the said towne of Niort but the execution thereof was oftentimes delayd at length the sayd King hauing with a type iudgement wayed all the circumstances and seene the facility of the means to compasse that enterprise at length ended his counsell with resolution to try speedily the execution thereof and for that purpose departed from Rochel to Saint Ihan d'Angely vnder other colours about the 21. of December The 24. of December the Lord Saint Gelays departed from Rachel accompanied with the Lord Ranques with ten horsmen of his traine only and arryued at Saynt Iahn about nine a clocke in the night The 26. of December arriued at S. Iahn early at the first opening of the gates a Post from Bloys riding with two Horses who sayd that voluntarily he had departed from Bloys to bring newes to the King of Nauarre touching the death of the Duke of Guyze These newes did not stay the execution of
the towne perceaued that the enemie was remoouing the Ordinance from the place where it was first pitched and yet they could not know vpon which side of the Towne they intended to place it vntill the morrowe being the third day of Ianuary when it was seene at the Chappell Saint Leonard couered with gabions and planted within two hundred paces of the wall They perceiued also another batterie in preparing on the side of the Poole in a field toward Guinefole so that the batteries did crosse one another The Winter this yeare was so extreame during this siege that the yce did carrie euery where which thing caused great discommoditie to them which were besieged the earth being so hard that when they began to trench themselues within which was at the arriuing of the Canon they could not in an houre open a foote of earth although that they had made pickaxes and tooles for that purpose But this also did greatly encrease their labour for at the arriuing of the Canon they had saluted the Towne on the side of Maschecow and being lodged within the ruines of certayne houses there had planted gabions which caused them of the towne to beléeue that they should bee battered on that side where they also had begun their trenches with much and vnprofitable labour For as it is sayd the ordinance was remooued to another place now hauing lost all their former labour they are set to worke night and day at the trenches and when they went out of the watch without rest or sleepe they must worke at the trenches wine also fayled them so that in time and toyle so extreame many fell sicke but specially of the bloudy fluxe The same to wit the third day a certaine Corporall was sent by them of the Towne to see whether there was any meanes to enterprise vppon that artillerie but he was slaine with a pellet in the breast About noone the enemie shot certaine voleyes of Ordinance against a gate of the Castle which openeth into the garden where they sawe by the moouing of the earth that Pyouers were at worke The fourth day they within the towne at the breaking of the day perceiuing the preparations for the batterie found themselues hardly distressed for that they had no trenches against the batteries and that it was almost impossible to make any for hardnes of the ground by reason of the frost and yet they laboured hard about it day and night in that sort as is aforesayd Whilest the Gouernour and the Captaines were assembled to take aduice what was expedient to be done one of the companie proposed that it were good to send a Drommer to play with his Dromme toward the broaken Chappell vnder colour of making exchange of prisoners and in the meane time to delay the batterie of the enémie This was concluded but afterward it was reuoked by reason of the disaduantage which might ensue least the enemie vppon that occasion should thinke that they fearing the trench did seeke occasion of parley Then the two batteries began the one did beat the Fort of Beauregard and that which was made aboue an old gate as is said asore the other battery did beat at the other said Fort which was vnder the gate That which was made out of the old wall resisted the fury of the ordinance farre better then it was thought it would for from halfe an hower after Sunne rising vntill Sunne setting it neuer ceased to thunder without any intermission so that there was let flie that day aboue eight hundered canon shot The night beeing so neere they who were besieged saw no apparance that the assault would be geuen and had not prepared themselues to receiue the enemy that day considering that the breaches were flanked with two fortes which were first to be forced notwithstanding all the French footmen and Swissers were seene a farre off in battle array about noone which was the cause that they deuided speedily the small number of men which they had to keepe the Fortes but specially the two Fortes which flanked the breaches on both sydes They prouided also a certayne number to keepe the breaches if the enemy should proffer the assault They were not aboue two hundred and threescore persons which were of ability to defend the breaches for the rest were either sicke or hurt or els occupied to keepe the fiue Fortes which were without The Gouernour tooke vppon him to keepe the breach which was at the left hand with a hole to passe to the Fortes if they were assaulted beeing assisted with twelue men lying in couert and certaine Harquebuziers The Baron Vignoles was appointed to keepe the breach which was aboue the gate with fiue armed men and fifteene Harquebuziers and for as much as that number was not sufficient the Gouernour appointed the Lord Perrine to assist them with fiue armed men more When the breaches began to be reasonable euery one hauing sixteene long paces breadth the whole army beeing in battell array the enemy began to styrre and marching with a swift pace stouping low they set on both sides of the Fortes which were aside of the breaches The enemy sustayned the first onset wherewith these two Fortes receaued them and passed throug halthough that many remained vpon the places saluted by them of the Fortes with shot and with the force of the pikes yet in a little space they were masters of the two fortes They might haue defended the said fortes longer but two causes did let them the one was the small number of the defendants the other was the death of the Lord Marestes yongest sonne to the Lord Sabloniere and brother to the Lord Vignoles who after the death of the Lord Ruffigny commaunded ouer his company and one of the fortes which had befollen him his was slaine with the shot of a Culuerin This his death did greatly hast the forsaking of that fort his brother the Lord Vignoles made great mone for him The Fortes beeing wonne it was high time for them which kept the breaches to bestirre and defende themselues and as they were assaulted furiously by the enemyes so they receaued them coragiously There was all manner of defence vsed shot pikes pomgarnads fiery hoopes stones and all other manner of defence were throwen vppon the enemy Many of the enemies hauing the night fauourable retyred vnder the shadow therof they who did obstinate themselues either were wounded or els remayned dead in the place in this assault happened a thing worthy to bee noted The Baron Vignoles had a frend in the army named Poysson a man of charge in that seruice This man was greatly carefull for the preseruation of the said Baron and desirous to saue him prayed a Captaine of the regiment of Chastiagueray whose Standerd bearer was very sicke to geue him his ensigne for that day onely determined to enter one of the first to saue his friend the sayd Baron Vignoles the Captaine deliuered him his ensigne according to his request Poysson at the
otherwise could not withstand if they should be pressed All things being well considered they determined to hearken to so aduantagious proffers with hope thereby to make the K. of Nauarre priuie to their affaires and for that intent to send Captayne Robiniere with a passeporte that was concluded and sealed on both sides the sixt day at night The seuenth day the truce was agreed and hostages were giuen on both partes and all acts of hostilitie ceased The same day the Lord Robiniere departed with a trompet of the D. of Neuers to goe to the King of Nauarre The gouernour in the meane while was greatly carefull to take heede that no man should goe foorth to visit or frequent with them of the armie and also that none of the enemies should enter into the towne To preuent all inconueniences hee made a diligent watch both day and night vpon the breaches so that hee himselfe tooke his meales and did lie thereon notwithstanding the hardnes of the winter The eleuenth day of Ianuarie the Lord Robiniere returned from the king of of Nauarre and brought with him the Lord Rinuile to the Lord of Neuers who after he returned to the king of Nauarre obteined leaue to enter into the towne with the Lord Robiniere By them they within the towne were enformed how the king of Nauarre had marched forward very nigh intending to succour them and to venture a battel for that end but that he fel sick with a dangerous disease which had hindred the execution of his enterprize They reported also howe that the said King of Nauarre had sent the Lords Chastilion Rochefocault Trimouille Plassak with the greatest partes of his armie to trie how they might enterprize vpon the enemie but considering that nothing could bee attempted without great disaduantage they were faine to returne backe For the Lorde of Neuers had lodged and trenched himselfe in so aduantagious a place that the towne could not sayle but fall into his hands except it were rescued by the winning of a battell which thing the time prefâ—xed could not permitte being already almost expired Notwithstanding the twelfth day at night the Lords Chastilion Plassak Trimouille went to view the armie so nigh that in the darke night some shot of Ordinance was giuen out for a token of the alarum toward the Porrieres The Duke of Neuers vpon this alarum feared greatly least the Lord Plessis seeing that helpe nigh would haue receiued some succours within the town interpreting the tearmes of the agreement to his aduantage But the saide Lord Plessis would haue done nothing of dangerous consequence much lesse against his promise The 14. of Ianuarie the Lord of Neuers perceaued that they within the town went faithfully to worke for euery man disposed himselfe to depart also he vsed much courtesy toward theÌ„ who were besieged prouiding carts for them whereof they had need to carie as well their bagage as theÌ„ which were wounded caused them to issue foorth out of the sight of y e army least they should bée molested by any man The said Lord of Neuers was in his own at their comming forth with a small companie he commaunded their matches to be kindled saluting very courteously euery man There were some souldiers hurt whome they could not carrie away he commaunded them to stay with assurance to be dressed and otherwise courteously vsed All the companies were safely conducted vnto the Abbey Brilleybant the companies of the King of Nauarre being lodged at Palneau halfe a league thence to whome they ioyned themselues easily the regiment of the Câ—unty of Beaupre was left there in Garison So then the saide Duke of Neuers hauing receaued the towne of Ganache as is aboue said on a sodaine that great and furious army was broaken to pieces as smitten with the finger of God Many there dyed many were hurt they of the League liuing in great mistrust either did dissemble their actions or retired to such places of safetie as they thought most fit the artillery returned into the places from whence it was taken The Lord of Neuers went to Bloys withall the rest of the armie as remained with him whereof a part was sent to the Marshall Haulmont who in the Citadell fought with the inhabitants of Orleans within a few dayes after the Lord of Neuers went from the court to his house of Neuers So all the lowe Poytow which had béene terribly threatned with that tempest was deliuered by this sodaine and vnexpected alteration For the execution which was done at Bloys vpon the person of the Duke of Guize was as an horrible thunderclap not onely vnto the leagued which were in the army of the L. of Neuers of whom the most part did consist and to others who were in multitudes in most partes of the realme but also vnto all others of that confederacie which were out of the realme For the newes fléeing as farre as Lorreyne the forces of the Duke of Lorreyne which had blocked Iamets in y e soueraignty of Boillon euer since the moneth of Aprill before were so amazed by the vnexpected losse and surprise of that support that they taking sodainely bagge and bagage as men frighted out of their wittes brake the siege and retired away so that God there deliuered his Church after a long and daungerous triall which shall induce the posteritie to feare and admire the iust iudgements of God who within a moment and by euents not forséene by mans wisdome dooth turne vpside downe the counsels of the wicked to the ioyfull deliuerance and comfort of his saints Righteous O Lord are thy iudgements all thy waies are righteousnes and trueth The army of the King of Nauarre returned to Niort and Fontenay It is said before how after the surprising of Niort the King of Nauarre repayred to the saide towne the 27. of December and soiourning there a while there he gathered the greatest part of his forces and about the 6. day of Ianuarie in this yeare 1589. the said King departed with such forces as he had from Niort toward the towne of Ganach intending to succour them who were besieged therein or else to fight with the Duke of Neuers if he would haue let him But God who gouerned all things with an vnsearcheable wisdome disappointed that enterprise by that dangerous sicknes which fell vpon him The cold was very extreame and as he is a most laborious Prince after he had béen long on horseback all armed a great cold came vpon him so that he was enforced to light downe of his horse and goe on foote with a swift pace and violent motion to get him some heate and a little after hee had eaten a strange extraordinarie cold tooke him with a great feauer About the 9. day of Ianuary it was incontinently perceiued that it was a pleuresie This happened at a little village called S. Pere there he was enforced to stay without any meanes to transport him to any other place by reason of the
they became more insolent which they haue shewed in surprising his townes fortresses and in rebelling agaynst him his Officers and Magistrates couering their treasons vnder the name of Catholike religion Therefore he doth declare the sayd Dukes de Mayne and Aumale to haue forfayted all estates and offices honors power gouerments charges dignities and prerogatiues which they haue receaued of his predecessors and himselfe hee doth declare them attaynted of fellony rebellion and high treason commaundeth his Officers to proceed agaynst them by any maner of way and agaynst their posterity as agaynst such as he hath declared them if they do not submit themselues by the first day of March next following This proscription was declared the first day of February The same day also the King pronounced the like proscriptions against the rebellious and trayterous Citties of Paris Orleans Anjous Roen Abeuile and others declaring them conuicted of fellony rebellion and treason in the highest degree willing all his officers to proceede agaynst them and against al them that doo or shall assist them by any meanes and against their posterity as agaynst such as they be declared if they do not returne vnder his obedience by the 14. day of march next following The King intending by these thunderclaps to call them to their dutie purposing yet to haue forgotten all offences for the loue which he had to popish religion common to the rebels with him and for hatred of the reformed religion gaue them as is aforesaid a certayne day prefixed by the which tyme if they did not returne to their duty he determined to chastise them by force and therefore the sixt day of February hee sent forth his commissions to all Nobles Gentlemen and Captaynes to prepare themselues with all furniture necessary to repayre to him the 12. of March following Neither is the sentence of the King an ydle threatning but is as if it were a condemnation of Gods law pronounced by the soueraigne Magistrate whose punishments God hath partly executed and partly hath reserued to execute hereafter in the fulnes of time About the middle of February the King vnderstanding what had passed in Paris how the rebels had enforced the Senat to swear an vnion against him his life person and estate did transport the exercise of iustice and of all his courts and chambers of Parliament from Paris and also all other courts of iustice in the aforesaid townes of Orleans Aujous Abeuile Roen and others to his citie of Tours vpon Loyre deprauing the sayd trayterous cities of al offices dignities charges and priuileges commaunding al his Iudges Counsellers officers of al his courts in the said cities to repaire to the citie of Tours vpon Loyre by the fifteenth of Aprill next following there to execute their charges vpon payne of depriuation of their wages offices forbiddeth also that no apparance be giuen by any officer vnto any suter and also no parties to appeare in any other place saue in Tours onely before his Iudges there vpon payne to be declared rebels It is sayd before how wee haue left the King of Nauarre sicke in bed of a dangerous pleuresie whilest the League haue nigh filled the measure of their execrable treasons and rebellion Now the Lord reseruing that noble Prince if not to restablish the flourishing estate of that Realm yet he hath raised him as it were out of his graue to prolong the vtter dissipation of it and in the middest of the horrible confusions thereof to reunite the hearts and mindes of the godly and vertuous to saue some corner of the sayd Realme for a place of refuge for the remnant of the Israel of God Behold therefore O great King the Lord hath restored thée to health strengthened thine armes to warre and thy hands to fight he hath girded thée with force constancie wisedome and iustice the Lord of Armies doth call thee to restore true religion iustice iudgement Discipline and peace vtterly decayed through the malice of thine enemies be strong and faint not for the Lord will put a great worke in thine hand to execute Followe the vocation of God and the Lord will be a shadowe at thy right hand to kéepe thée from euill doo good things with good meanes and thou shall see thine enemies to fall before thy face thou shalt pitie them and do them good Whilest the King doth so thunder the threatnings of Gods lawe and the claps of his iustice agaynst those Rebels forsaken and reiected of God as is afore sayd the King of Nauarre perceiuing the King to be in distresse persecuted and dispossessed out of his Towns and Cities euen out of his owne houses by his enemies abroade and to liue in great mistrust of his domesticall enemies who did daily eate bread at his owne table did greatly lament his case keepeth himselfe quiet beyond Loyre ceaseth from all acts of hostilitie and exployts of warre least he should encrease his affliction and heauines And desirous greatly to make a proofe of his fidelitie towards the King and to crosse the actions of the leagued rebels proffereth peace to the King and watcheth diligently that his enemies might not set foote in any place where hee had meanes to make sure for the kings seruice as for the ease of them of the religion So that after the taking of Niort as is afore sayd in the latter end of Ianuary the inhabitants of S. Meixant and Maillezay two Townes nigh neighbours of Niort yeelded themselues vnto him The Lord Aubiguy was appoynted Gouernour of that Iland About the 14. of February the King of Nauarre hauing recouerd his perfect health and strength with part of his forces tooke the field marching toward the riuer of Loyre The inhabitants of Lodune Lisle Bouchard Mirabean Chastelerault Vinonne and other places and Castles of the countrey of Turenne and Poytow offered to open the gates of their townes vnto him and also proffered vnto him their seruices He receiued them very courteously and without innouation of any thing he suffered them of the Romish religion to liue with all libertie with their ordinarie exercises onely he commanded them of the reformed religion with the exercise of the same there to be established commaunding them of both religions to liue in amitie and peace About the same time many Townes and places in diuers parts of the Realme which before did seeme to bee at the deuotion of the Leaguers were made sure for the Kings seruice as well in Bourgondy as in other Prouinces and among others the Towne and Castle of Sancerre in Berry was seazed for the King That Towne had béen greatly defaced in the former warres for the walles of the Towne had béen rased by the Lord Chastre Gouernour of Berry who did put a Captaine within the Castle for the kéeping of the same and to bridle the inhabitants there who were all of the religion But after the death of the Duke of Guize the Lord of Requien of the house of Montigny Captayne of
the Kings gardes seazed both vpon the Towne and Castle the which Towne notwithstanding it was without walles yet being situated on high and in a strong place by nature hee vndertooke to fortifie the same by the helpe of them of the religion who did so resort thether from euery where daily that the sayd Lord Requien waxed strong there as hee is a valiant man employed himselfe with them of the religion to make warre against the rebelled Leaguers for the Kings seruice About the 23. of February the King of Nauarre being at Chastelerault tooke occasion to seaze vppon the Castle and the Towne of Argenton in Berry by the meanes which followe That place doth pertaine to the Lord Monpensier but it was graunted to the Lady Dwager of Monpensier sister to the last Duke of Guize by her contract of marriage hauing that honour shewed her to haue married the Duke of Monpensier Prince of the bloud and father to this Duke yet liuing In the beginning of this last warre of the League the castell of Argenton strong and well furnished was made sure for the League the towne remayned at libertie as being not strong and commaunded by the Castell But after the death of the Duke of Guize the garison of the Castell was increased double intending thereby to assure the towne also the garison vnderstanding of the taking of Chastelerault which is not farre of by the King of Nauarre fearing that which afterward happened vnto them they sent to the Duke d'Mayne for succour who sent certaine Captaines with their companies from Orleans They of the towne refusing the association of the rebellion of the Leaguers and willing to remaine faithfull to the King doo aduertise him of all their estate and good wil towards him doo require succor of him as well against them of the Castell as others which did approach to seaze vpon their town The dispatch could not bée in so short space but that in the meane time they of the towne and of the Castell fell at variance vppon the matter each party trusting in the succour which they hoped for The King of Nauarre aduertised of al this and of the succour sent they there by the Leaguers nigh aduaunced with certaine troupes of horsemen determined to make them agrée and vsing his accustomed celerity it fell out with him so happely that hee preuented them in a moment who were sent from Orleans sending before some of his gardes who entred on a suddaine into the towne to the great amaze of the garison of the Castell At the ariuing of the gardes of the king of Nauarre there was a hot skirmish and some were killed on both sides few of the King of Nauarre his gardes but many more of the garison but when the Leaguers of the Castell saw the companies of the King of Nauarre first they were amazed and shortly after conceauing a great terror yéelded the place After that the King of Nauarre had taken possession of that place he appoynted the Lord Beaupre gouernour there where he established the exercise of the reformed religion with liberty and safety in stead of the romish religion as in other places The King of Nauarre returned to Chastelerault where considering how the King was in great danger both abroad and at home how hée had euill counsell giuen him pittying his estate and considering that hee could not bée moued neither to make nor to accept of his seruice for his defence considering also that the Leagued rebels waxed strong and the King weake he putteth forth a protestation bearing date the fourth of March wherein he sheweth that notwithstanding his affaires and estate of them of the reformed religion was neuer stronger who within thrée yeares hath borne the fury of ten mighty armies whereof some had béen beaten to cloutes the others haue béen scattered as dust in the ayre hee doubteth not but the same God will strengthen him with the same force and will defend alwaies hereafter his iust cause and innocency yet hee dooth proffer them that if the King will hearken vnto peace hee was neuer so willing to imbrace it Furthermore hée proffereth himselfe to heare reason and to bée taught by a conference and a counsell promising that if he be conuicted by the word of God to be in any error he will reuoke it and bring all them of the reformed religion to doo the like But to bring him out of that religion wherein he hath béen borne and brought vp euen from his cradell with the dint of the sword he warneth them that therein they haue taken a contrary course by which they will neuer preuaile Last hee dooth adiure all the states by the name of God by the ashes of their ancestors by the loue of their natiue countrey to counsell the King to this ordinary course or else to deuise some better if they can by the which they may stop the subuersion of their countrey About this time came the excommunication rowling from the capitall and thundering like vnto a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the olde Comedy pronounced against the King for the execution done at Bloys vpon the persons of the Duke of Guize the Popes champion and the Cardinal the saide Popes Chapline and the imprisonmént of the Cardinal of Bourbon and the Archbishop of Lyons shot out of the belly of Frier Sixtus at the sute of rebels With the stinke of this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of Frier Sixtus came forth out of the bottomles pit of hell a number of Iesuites and Friers and such misbegotten monsters to raile to accurse defame their lawfull and naturall King and Prince ordained of God without any remorse of conscience Many of the Leaguers who after the death of their Captaine had hanged downe their heads had retyred to such places as they thought sure far them some other who had forsaken their faith their promise and oath giuen to the League now considering foure accidents which had happened and seen to fauour the affaires of the rebels doo rebell a new doo forsake their King whom God nature thankfulnes and nobility commaunded to dye at his feete First the vnseasonable lenitie or rather pusillanimitie of the King who had stated the execution of iustice for such notorious and hainous treasons committed not against him but against GOD in his person whome God had consecrated to that high dignitie vpon the heads onely of Guize and the Cardinal his brother and in the imprisonmēt of six of the chiefest without proceeding any further Secondly Fryer Sixtus his excommunication by the which they supposed though not in conscience but in passion onely themselues to be set at liberty to doe whatsoeuer without any grudge of conscience Thirdly the beating away of the kings garisons and forces out of the citadell of Orleans by the Duke de Maine therein supposing in a manner for so is the blindnes of mans passion to haue conquered all France Lastly the euill counsell of leagued dissemblers and dissembling traytors whom
they knew to be about the Kings person in great number wayting for opportunitie to deliuer him prisoner to his enemies or else to dispatch him out of his life with one blow knowing that by their counsels his forces diminished his cities and strong holdes were surprized his enemies waxed strong But specially they feared greatly the playes and tricks which they had taught Charles the ninth his brother and him which they had played many times with them of the religion they I say feared at length to bee snared in the like springes Therefore all these things wel considered they begin euery where to strike the alarum and prepare themselues to the battell against God their King their countrey their liâ—erties and the graues of their fathers So that the Lords Brissak Chastre and Boysdauphin to whome a little before the king had forgiuen great treasons who a little before had promised with an oath obedieÌ„ce to the king who did shewe a semblant of great ioy for the execution done at Bloys they priuily doo steale away and breaking their fayth promise and allegeaunce to their king reuolted agayne to the enemie Brissak went to Anger 's where he thought to cause that Citie to rebell agaynst the king for some of the citie of Anger 's had hitherto dissembled their affection and good wills whch they had to the league and rebellion as well because they had the king at Bloys and Tours who looked to them neerely and narrowly as for not hauing the meanes to execute their enterprize But now at the reuolcing of Brissak they made him head of their enterprize for to seaze vpon the Castell one of the strongest places in all France And for to bring their counsell to a good passe with speede fearing least by delay they might be preuanted by the king being so nigh them therefore they followe a short course for first they trie what corruption may doe They doo promise to the Lord Pichery gouernour of the Castell an hundred thousand crownes and to entertaine foure thousand footmen so that he would keepe it for the league The Lord Pichery as a faith full seruant to his Prince refused all those proffers whereupon the Lord Brissak with the rest of the rebells within the towne did assault the Castel and fortified themselues by all meanes with trenches and barricadoes vpon the ditch of the sayd Castell Whereuppon the Lord Pichery aduertised the King of the state of his affayres and attempts of the Lord Brissak and inhabitantes of the towne The King sent the Marshall Haumont with the regiment of Picardy and part of his guardes who were admitted into the Castell by the Lord Pichery who opened vnto them the great bridge of the said Castell Assoone as the Marshall Haumont entred into the Castel although the rebels were in farre greater number yet the skirmish began then was it tyme for the enemy to packe away in hast many of the rebels were slayne There they were taken prisoners to the Kings vse so many as yeelded one hundred throusand crownes for raunsome Some were executed in the towne and chiefly some Iesuits and Fryers who had beene the firebrands to kindle the combustion and the trompets of the rebellion The Lord Brissak head of the rebellion there saued himselfe by flight with few of his company and seazing vpon the townes of Mans Alençon and Faleze caused the inhabitants there to rebell agaynst the King About the same time the Duke Mercure desirous to get the fauour of the townes and people to assure better the dutchy of Britaine to himselfe tooke vpon him the name of protector of the Romish Church in that prouince of Britanie by the helpe of the Bishops and other rabble of that sinagogue who prescribed certaine formes vnto the Iesuites and Friers whereby in theyr sermons to bring the people to that deuotion Although Christian Reader thou mayst easily perceaue by the whole course of this his history how from time to time the house of Guyze who were not so much by nature as to bee admitted into the society of the Nobility of France at the first made a fayre wether after that preferred them selues before the Princes of the bloud And when through too much lenity of the house of Valoys toward them they had obtayned that they haue practized to steale away the hearts of subiects from their natural Prince at length haue enterprized vpon his life And when by a singular prouidence God had deliuered the King out of their snares and clawes and see they are not able to depriue him of his life they doo depriue him of his Crowne ad dignitie First by the iudgment of Sorboune Secondly by the assotiatiation with they haue sworne to present him to death by all meanes possible Thirdly by taking away from him the name of King though not in plaine tearmes yet by paraphrase as when one taketh vpon him to be the protector of the Crown of France y â— other protector of the Church and giue the same to themselues which properâ—y is and hath beene the office of the king of France For the Kings in France haue had alwayes that honour as due vnto them by right to be Protectors of the Crowne Dignitie State Kingdome Church and people of their dominions and neuer yeelded that title to any man neither durst euer any man vsurpe that title vntill this yeare 1589. by these two companions to wit the Dukes de Mayne and Mercure But it may be obiected that the same title hath béene geuen and taken to the King of Nauarre as protector of the reformed churchs of France and therefore they do that which the heretikes haue taught them To this it may be answered that the case is not alike for the reformed churches were forsaken of the King without any cause at the solicitation of flatterrs sycophantes and clawbaâ—kes who to bring the King to that confusion that hee is come vâ—to did hold his kingdome into troubles and ciuill warres by litle and little to entrench vpon his authority at length to tread him downe vnder feete That part therefore of the Kings subiects which was the best though not the greater in number being wrongfully put from the Kings protection and assaulted euery where haue recourse not to a stranger nor strange bloud the first Peere and Prince of France who after the King hath most interest to the Crowne him they haue requested to protect them vnder the Kings authority against the violences of them who did so counsell the King to forsake the protection of his people But these companyons what hath moued them to vsurpe these tytles The King did neuer forsake the Crowne nor the Romish Church in godliues that way in zeale in integrity and austericy of life in wisedome prudence and fortitude to defend the romish Church he hath passed all the Kings of all ages he hath bestowed his forces hath spent his goods hath ventered his life diuers times hath made shipwracke of his honor for
raunsoms sparing neither Nobles nor others of the romish religion for that onely they were faithfull to the King This exploit done Mercure gathered as great forces of men of warre as he could and from thence tooke his iourney toward Fongeres in the low Britayne a towne which he had gone about long before to seduce and had the chiefâ—st of the inhabitants at his deuotion they receaued him very willingly and hauing the towne he agreed with the Captaine of the castell who solde him the place with all the moueable goods and furniture therein belonging to his master the Marquesse Roche for the summe of fifteen thousand crownes which he receaued In Aprill the Lord Bordage and other Gentlemen of the religion accompanied with few men tooke the town of Vitre belonging to the yong Lord Laual which thing when Merceur who was then at Fongers vnderstood hee sent a Gentleman of Britaine named Tailowet with certaine companies of men of warre and the commons of the countrey whom he raised vp in armes to the number of sixe thousands they besieged Vitre the space of fiue wéekes but the place was valiantly defended by the saide Gentlemen and their small company During this siege in the moneth of May they of Roen hauing receaued letters from the King by the helpe of some honest and faithfull men came againe to their right wittes and returned to the Kinges obedience with whom they agréed for the impunity of that offence which was past They tooke prisoner the Lord Charroniere whome Merceur at his departing to Fongeres had left there gouernour they tooke also the Spanish Moore to wit Captaine Iohn and many other of that faction and behauiour if the Lorde Merceur had béen there it had béen an easie thing to haue taken him also Whilest these things were a dooing on both sides the Lord Morlak entred into the Castell Iosselin the strongest place of all Britaine for the Kings seruice The Lord Saint Lauuers a Captaine of the Leaguers with certaine companies enterprised to surprise the Towne and so to kill Morlak therein choosing for the executioÌ„ of his purpose the day which they call holy Friday a day of great deuotion among the Papists least of al suspected and so to haue taken it when they should haue béen busie about their ceremonies and enchauntings so he surprised the towne but not the Lord Morlak who did holde the Castell Whilest these broyles did so passe in Britayn in other places also as if it were at a day appoâ—nted the traiterous Leaguers tooke Molins in Borbonnoys situated vpon the riuer Allier which rising out of the Mountaines of Anuergne falleth into Loyre at the towne Charite That place was well defended by the Lord Rostayn but being set on when the Garison was absent for lack of men the towne was caried away to the Leaguers About the selfe same time the faction of the League in the citie of Bourdeaux shewed themselues and attempted to surprise the towne against the King They had conspired an accursed practise both against the Marshall Matignon the Kings gouernour there and also against the towne and good inhabitants who were knowne to bée faithfull to the King their intent was to stab the said Marshall Matignon to sâ—aze vpon the citie and Castles and to kill all them that should not bée of their side The traitors had made a great preparation of shippes at Browage had stayed many shippes which were bound to Newland for fishing to fauour the enterprise vpon Bourdeaux Vpon Easter euen therebels there vppon the watch word rose vp in armes part of them did seaze vpon the gate of Saint Iulien and part of them had incamped themselues at another side without the citie The Magistrates of the citie séeing this commotion with strong hand went toward them who had stayed vpon the gate Saint Iulien the rebels did resist the Magistrates and beate them back The Marshall Matignon taking part of the Garisons out of the Castells with the assistance of the inhabitants faithfull to the King dooth march with some forces a foote through the streates of the towne toward the gate that they had seazed vpon The rebells séeing this power comming against them without any fight began to faint and in a while after to run away and shift for themselues yet could they not so spéedily auoyde but there was fiue slaine vpon the place many of that conspiracie were apprehended There were two executed one a captaine of the citie and the other was of the gaâ—des of the Marshal who declared the whole conspiracie and accused a great number and of the chiefest of the citie They who had remayned within the towne fearing to be detected by reason of a guiltie conscience the night folowing left behinde them their maker whome they shoulde haue swallowed downe whole and aliue the next day following being Easter day They leapt ouer the walls for on the morow a great number of ropes were found hanging at the wals by which they slided down the greatest part of them retyred to Browage and shortly after the King sent eyght hundred Launce-knights there to bée in Garison to kéepe the rest in their duetie Whilest these rebellions were a working in Britayne and other places and Prouinces of the realme the King vnderstanding the greatest part of his realme to be reuolted from his obedience and how a great many Noblemen and Gentlemen whome he hath forgiuen at Bloys and let scape vnpunished abusing his lenitie or rather accounting it as it was in trueth pusillanimitie had turned againe to his enemies began to fal in great mistrust and to despaire both of himselfe and of his estate The Leaguers who were about his person to increase this his amaze aduertised him though falsely for the most part that the Spaniard the Princes and States of Italy the Dukes of Sauoy and Lorreyne had sworne the reuengement of the death of the Duke of Guize Also they perswaded him that he was not in safety at Bloys and therefore aduised him to retyre to Tours this counsell they gaue him not for any care which they had of his safetie although that God turned it to the best but for that they thought to haue more assistance there to performe their wicked intent purposed against him that citie being great and populous and where were many of the chiefest Leagued who had promised their helpe to the traitors They tolde him also how the King of Nauarre with great power approched and was already at Saumour to passe ouer Loyre for to inuade the Realme The king not knowing what to doe nor whom to trust and perceiuing theÌ„ that were at Bloys for the most part to be his secret enemies to haue intelligeÌ„ces w t the rebels in the latter end of March departed from Bloys and remoued to Tours being wel assured that at al extremities he should haue the King of Nauarre whose fidelitie and valour he knew well howsoeuer the Leaguers of his counsel did terrifie him of his
Bishop of Paris called Lombard went about to amend the fault and to haue pulled him downe out of that sacred chayre propounding to the students a book of common places such as it was called commonly Magister sententiarum Then came the begging Fryers with their wallets full of stones and among them Scotus and Thomas Aquinus they layd down a forme of their dreames questions they turne the bread of life into stones wholy There came after them worse then these more ignorant these harpyes defile both the word of God this booke of sentences though not pure before w t vnnecessary questions and vnlearned gloses to be short as many writing Fryers so many Alcorans they conceaue and bring forth they did reuoke the studie of Diuines from Gods word the reading of the learned antiquitie whose monuments they buryed in dust in their libraries to the descanting of Scotus Thomas the book of Sentenices with their corrupted dreames pro contra After that these frogs rising out of the infernall gulfebeing striken with giddines as they of Sodome at the dores of Lot by the angel of the Lord were deuided among themselues and to shew that they were no more of Christs people tooke other names and would be called by the names of their master some Scotists some Thomists some Simmonists but rather they should be called by their qualities Soccist Momists and Foolists This palpable darknes of Aegipt was had in admiration as the onely wisedome of the world fed and entertained by these seducing Friers and Monks vntill the wasting of that noble and in olde time famous Greece by Amorith the prince of the Turkes For then many learned men being the keepers of pure learning flying from that barbarous and cruel tiranny repayred some into Italie some into Germany some into France who were entertained by the liberalitie of Princes and common wealths by whose exile we were deliuered from y e darke bondage of ignorance which the legions of Fryers had brought into the world About the same time the most noble arte of Printing was reuealed of God vnto a noble man of Germany whose name shall be blessâ—d for euer in the generation of the righteous wiâ—h facilitie to performe the worke which hee had determined Francis of Valoys first of that name a prince whose fame no age to come shal blot out of mens remembrance with his princelike liberalitie restored in this Vniuersitie a purer learning and an easier traditine by calling thether famous men of all parts of the world This his liberalitie the Leaguers for the space of this twentie yeares haue vsed to the supplanting of the state of his posteritie The third part of that Citie is an Iland betweene the Towne and the Vniuersitie called commonly the Citie that Iland is of the forme of an Egge It is beautified with three special things first the palace of iudgement which heretofore had béen a Sanctuary of iustice Secondly a most sumptuous and rich Hospitall the like whereof is not in the world Thirdly the Temple of our Lady much like vnto Diana of Ephesus Temple the Bishops seate and a sinke of Idolatry The Suburbes bee of a wonderfull greatnes and may bee compared with a great and sumptuous Citie As this is great and large so is it populous to admiration surpassing the report which may be made thereof The most sort of the inhabitants is a rascall people of all sorts of handicrafts and of seruile nature The people generally is of small stature swartie of complexion of countenance like Spaniards or Italians fewe like one to another as it is commonly seene among them that are a mingled sinke of diuers Nations not like Frenchmen they are craftie and deceitfull great bablers and pratlers suspicious mutinous and factious cruell cowardly and effeminate lewd of life and behauiour desperatly supersticious and idolatrous foolish and sottish so generally that through all France they are prouerbially and reproachfully called badins de Paris that is a malapert sot of Paris of nicenes and purposed folly disguising and corrupting their tongue and going The Duke de Mayne perceiuing the King almost destitute and forsaken of his subiects compassed about with enemies at home with domesticall foes in the Citie with vnfaithfull subiects abroad in the field with sedicious and rebellious robbers thought to haue a fit opportunitie to oppresse the King Therefore in a great heate he doth gather and muster a great and mightie armie of the basest sort of this people but specially of such as were desperate and had nothing to lose and had conceaued good hope to doo well their busines with gayne and aduantage caused the Citie to prouide for them they were lodged in the suburbes and small Townes about Paris The Duke hauing this great armie doth from weeke to weeke from day to day so delay his iourney representing to himselfe continually the valianâ—nes victories faithfulnes and celeritie of the King of Nauarre who was not a dayes iourney from Tours who would not suffer the King to be oppressed nor easily surprised These mutinous and rebellious companies did commit such intolierable insolencies that the people both in Paris and about did cry out and complayne with great discontented mindes both of these oppressions and also of the scarâ—enes of victuals which did growe in the Citie by reason of the long soiourning of that armie about Paris To pacifie therefore the vprore about the middle of Aprill he did venture to goe foorth and taketh the field making great boast that now within fewe dayes he trusted to reduce all France to the obeisance of the League and the least of his promises was that he would bring the King to that passe that the most mutinous fellowes in Paris desired to haue him Taketh order for the safetie of the Citie and whereas in the alteration of the state of Paris done in Ianuary last they had made eighteene Colonels and Captaynes of so many wards as the Citie was deuided into euery Colonell should haue twelue hundred horsemen and footmen to walke about the Citie and to the Boys of Vicennes least that Castle should be surprised by the enemies the Lord of Mayneuille being left gouernour of the Citie with a strong garrison beside to see well that in the absence of the great Protector of the Crowne of France the malcontent people of Paris should not enterprise against him and exclude him from their Citie if at any time for feare of the King of Nauarre he should runne away So the Duke de Mayne bringeth this holy and inuincible armie for so it was commonly called into Beausse where was some good store of victuals which aboue all things his holy armie desired So that as well to ease the countrey about Paris as to hast his wicked intent he bringeth his armie as farre as Vendosme wherein hee entred by the helpe of them who were of his confederacie There hee tooke the Kings great counsell prisoners so that none could escape
but one he seazed also vpon many other weake Townes in that champian countrey where hee stayed very long doubtfull of minde what to doo whether he should go néerer to Tours or goe backe To goe further he feared the King of Nauarre being so nigh a neighbour to goe backe shame his great bragges and promises made to the rebels of Paris would not suffer him Concluded therefore to stay in Beausse where lodging and victuals for the taking were to be had without money liuing in hope and watching still for some conuenient occasion to execute his damnable purpose vpon the Kings person by the intelligences which hee had with the Leaguers of the Court and of the Citie of Tours During his soiourne in Beausse he made the like bragges and promises to the Nobilitie and people as he had done in Paris The Wallons which were in his armie considering that nothing was done and lacking money determined to retyre home but with much adoe were stayed vpon promise that great forces were expected from the Duke Aumale out of Picardie and that shortly they would goe about their busines handsomely like good fellowes and that one houre would make them men for euer In the latter end of April the Leaguers of Poytiers began to stir against the King and to make that great and large Cittie sure for the League holy vâ—ion vpon the newes thereof the king sent the greatest part of such forces as he had to rescue that piece which was of great importance The Leaguers aduertised the Duke de Mayne who was about Vendosme of the state of the affaires and how the King was left destitute of the greatest part of his forces now imploied about the reuolt of Poitiers how that he might come easily and without finding any resistance to lodge in the Suburbs of Tours or the Abbey of Marmonstier neere by and that they would so prouide within the citie that by the helpe of his frendes the King might be dispatched or deliuered into his hands aliue The Duke de Mayne vpon these intelligences setteth order for the safe keeping of Vendosme and marched toward Chasteaurenault the towne Caâ—tell hee battered he layeth also the siege before Saint Oine nigh Amboyse where the Countie Brienne was appointed by the King for the keeping of that place intending the night following by stealth to haue resorted to Tours to execute y e enterprise of the Leaguers which were in the court and the Citie vppon the Kings person And that hee might be sure to worke safely he had sent into Picardy to the Duke of Aumale his cosin praying him to send him such forces out of Picardy as he might putting him in hope by some new supply of succour to bring to passe the thing which they had most desired but the towne of Gaulis which by the means of the Lord of Thore was reduced to the Kinges obedience hindered that this new supply could nether be so great as was expected nor could come in any time to do him seruice Of these forces of Picardy it shall be spoken hereafter but for this time wee will leaue this great Duke to batter Chasteaurenault and Saint Oine and will shew what was done in other places at the same time The King considering that the enemy with a puissant army was on his armes and stayed for nothing but to know what assistance he might haue of the Leaguers of the court and of the cittie to worke his feat knowing also the infidelity of his subiectes and seruants both in the court and in the cittie and on euery side and almost dispossessed of his Crowne and Kingdome is enforced for the safety of his person to cast himselfe into the armes of his mortall enemy as he was made beleeue by the Sycophants who alwayes had béen most in eredit with him but in very deed his most profitable and necessary frend if long before he had vsed him Truce therfore at length is concluded betweene the two Kings and among other things it was agréed that the King of Nauarre should haue the Pont de Sel a Towne vpon the riuer of Loyre betweene Saumour and Nantes tight against Anger 's for the safety of his passage But some difficulty beeing made at the surrendring of the said Pont de Sel by the Captayne the King graunted him the towne of Saumour vpon Loyre The sayd towne was receaued for the King of Nauarre by the Lord Plessis Marlin to whom the sayd King gaue the gouernment thereof But now before wee proceede further to shew the accidents which happened after this vnexpected reconsiliation of these two Kinges wee wil search out what hath happened in other countreys After the death of the Guyze the Duke de Mayne sent into the Prouinces but specially into Normandy to perswade the people that the Countrey men might arme themselues without any leaue or consent of the Nobility who were not of their side for the defence of the Catholike religion their liberty he hired specially in Normany the priests monks Friers Iesuits such rabble of woolues with summes of money in their Sermons to stir the people to rise agaynst their Soueraygne and to take counsell agaynst the nobility The means or arguments which these Atheists both for money will ryse agaynst God his ordinance and set the world in an vprore to pollute the earth with bloud were these The King sayd they with great vehâ—mency and amplifications hath murthered the Cardinall of Guyze imprisoned the Primat of Lyons and hauing touched two of the Lords annoynted and layed handes vppon two chiefe Pillers and rulers of holy Church ouer whom neither hee nor any of his had any power or iurisdiction agaynst fayth and promise and hauing violated the publike faith at the States at Bloys the King was no more childe of the Church was excommunicat banished out of the Church and cast out of the communion of Catholikes and therefore the people were not bound to obay him any more but that it was lawfull to persecute him by all meanes possible as the holy faculty of Theologie had also of late determined but rather that it was lawfull to murther and to destroy the King and persecute them by all means possible that wil not league themselues and beare armes against the King They dayly preached also that the King was a protector of heritikes and had intelligences with them and that he sought nothing more then to stablish heresie in his kingdome And for as much as examples do both moue and encourage to doo or discouraging from dooing they encourage the simple and ignorant first declared themselues enemies to the King renounced his obedience gaue forth vilanous vnworthy and traiterous speeches of him so as nothing more vile may bee named and spoken These were the deuout prayers of such despisers of God and all godlines in their Pulpits to the which the People said Amen But after the truce was taken betweene the two Kings then they had a large
so charged that they stood little to the fight for the Prince leading the maine Battaile beginning to appeare they fled and left behind them Touschet Angeruile and Normandiere their chiefest leaders who were taken prisoners and brought before the Duke who were redeliuered into the hands of those that had taken them till such time as hée should call for them againe All the companies of these rebels were hewen in pieces the Prince lost not one man there was none hurt of his side but only the Lord Chammont in the head and in a short space after cecouered That same day the Prince Montpencier came to Falaize where the enemies made a shew as though they would haue set open the gates for him intending some surprise against him The Prince hauing no Ordinance to force theÌ„ tooke his way to Caen where he entred about y e seauenth day of Aprill all the faithfull Citizens welcomming him with these salutations often reiterated God saue the King and my Lord the D. Montpencier in token of an vnfained ioy they kept that day holy day The Lord Beuuron accompanied him to his lodging which was the house of the presideÌ„t Aubigny thether came the L. Verune to do reuerence to the Prince who receaued him courteously and highly commended him for his loyall seruice to the King in kéeping the towne within his obedience The said Prince soiourned in Caen about ten dayes to set all things in a readines as well for the safety and defence of the Citie as for to assault the enemy and to scoure the country During the Princes soiourne there ariued the County Thorigny and afâ—er him the Lord Longannay with a great troupe of Gentlemen who were courteously receaued and imbraced with great thankes for their good affection toward his Maiestie promising to aduertise the King of their duetifull seruice and to requiâ—e it in particular as occasion would serue About the 15. of April the Prince Montpencier hauing done al things that were there to bée done and gathered such forces as hée might and by the aduise of the Lord Saint Cere he concluded to warre vpon the rebels and to make them to leaue that which they hold so fast in the countrey and because they had the chiefest townes he resolued to carry a long some pieces of artillery to force them if possible he might Therefore he sent away before Monsieur de Hallot Batreuile Archand with the regiment of Monsieur Tracy the companies of the Captaines Saint Denis Maillot Radier Chauuaine Daulphin Roqueuile Glaize and other voluntary Captaines to attempt vpon Falaize The Sonday to wit the 16. of Aprill hée like a good Catholick caused a procession to be made and a sermon and a certaine forme of prayers to bée dayly said for the safegarde of the King and the good successe of his affaires against the rebels The 17. the Prince hauing appoynted officers ouer his treasure money victuall and artillery departed with two Canons and one bastard Culuerine hoping at the least to drawe the enemy to the field ariuing at Falaize he lodged at the Abbey Saint Iahn On the other side the ringleaders of the rebels as Brissak the Lords of long Champ the Barons of Eschaufour and Tubeuf assembled the flower of their rebell forces within the towne of Falaize The 18. of Aprill they laid their Artillery to batter and hauing beaten downe thrée towers they sent a Sergeant and ten Souldiours to view the breach but séeing that they would haue enticed them to enter into the towne to haue intrapped them and considering that the wall was yet too déepe the Prince sounded the retraite And vnderstanding that the rebels had taken from about Aigle Orbeck Sees Argenton Vimonstier and other places néere thereabout a company of more then sixe thousand Gantiers wel appoynted for Muskets and Harquebuses as might bée among these peasants they intermingled some seauen or eight hundred good Souldiours such as they could come by some also of the Nobility of the weaker sort to these companies of rebellious robbers resorted a great number of Priestes CaÌ„ons Monkes Friers Iesuites and such stinking poysoned vermine the Lord Brissak accompanied with the Barons of Eschaufour the Lords Vieupont Roqueuual Beaulieu and Annay and other Captaines receaued them and conducted them the right way to Falaize to them repayred the Baron Vernier with his forces from Damfront The Lorde Pierrecourt also came with such forces as hée could make out of Ponteau de mer and Ange and Houfleur supposing to haue inclosed the Prince betwéene the Towne of Falaize and these great forces and so to haue surprised him and his power The Prince hauing intelligences of the enterprize prouided for them remooued his artillery from the trenches and sent away his cannon to Courcy and with the Culuerine resolued to encounter the enemie in the plaine field The enemies had lodged in three seuerall villages not farr distant a sunder betweene Argenton and Falayze to wit Pierrefit villiers and Commeaux The Prince Montpencier appoynted the County of Thoriguy and Longaunay and the Lord Vickes the elder brother to lodge betweene the said villages and Argenton there to stay them if they should seeme to recoyle back He sent also the Lords of Bakqueuile Archand and Benuron with their companies to enuiron them on the other side The 20. day y e prince himself ayded with the L. Hallot Creueceure his brother with the whole armie and being on the top of a hil commaunded the Lords of Emery and Surene Marshalls of the field to aduance the infantry which was on the left hand with the Culuerine which they did these footemen were lead by the Lords of Saint Denis Maillot Radier Roqueuile Chauuayn Daulphine Glayze and others all so well resolute to encounter with that rabble of rebels that they made no delay but skitmished straight with a hot on set on both sides but assoone as the culuerin had begun to play in their faces they began to bee amazed and Brissak himselfe caused his Cornet to turne bridle and retyred from the danger with a number of horsemen as hardy as himself The rebels notwithstanding stoode to the fight but when the Culuerine roared once againe and they sâ—w the Lord Vaumart one of their chiefest leaders with fifteene others carried away with the shott they began to quauer Then the prince commaunded a fresh charge hee marching formost of all his companies which was giuen so hot and fierce that al the rebels were put to the chase to yeeld and to fall downe before them whom God had armed with authoritie and force to reuenge that most damnable rebellion This first encounter was vpon two thousand who were lodged at Pierrefit they were all slayne or takeâ— prisoners few onely excepted The prince hauing assemblâ—d his troupes agayne immediatly set vpon the third village named Viliers where were another company of rebels conducted by the Baron Tubeuf they were all put to the sworde saue the Baron Tubeuf and a few
others who were taken prisoners And because the night drew neere apace the Prince thought good with all speede to assault the other companies of rebels who were at Commeaux who were about a thousand or twelue hundred men conducted by the Lord Beaulieu This company had trenched and fortified themselues and therefore the most part of thē were y e cannons priests monks fryers Iesuites of the Citie of Sees and many persons of the countrey round about who would shewe some proofe of their valour and how they could fight better with a Caliuer then with their Portisse but at length it was found that they had more skill in iugling a Masse and making of Gods then in handling their weapons among them was the Parson of Vimonstier a desperate and sedicious Priest The Lord Beaulieu was their captain who at the first onset the sayd Lord Beaulieu was taken among the first in the forcing of the Fort who being carried away by the Captaine Chauuayne before the Prince sayd that there were within that Fort at the least seauen hundred well armed and appoynted The Prince vnderstanding that commanded the Lords Bakqueuile Archand to get into the Fort and for that purpose he left them the Culuering and went that night to Escouche where he arriued about eleuen of the clocke in the night And assoone as he was gone the rebels of Comeaux vnderstanding how their fellowes had sped yéelded with their liues onely saued who were immediatly disarmed and brought to Escouche to the Prince There the Duke soiourned all the next day being the 21. of Aprill to take the view of the prisoners who were in great number of all qualities of persons The same day the Lords Hallot Bakqueuile Beuil Bellefontayn and Archand went abroad with their companies to see if they could méet with any ranging Rebells where they mist not much to haue taken the Baron Vernier The sayd Baron and Brissake with the rest of their complices retyred in great speede to Argenton fearing to be as kindly hit on the hips as their fellowes had béen The 22. day the Prince leauing the Lords of Harcourt of Saint Mary Venoix and Sassay at Escouche went to Courcy where hee vnderstoode that the Lord Pierrecourt was lodged with some Launciers not farre of he mounted straight on horsebacke and went to finde them out but he had dislodged a little before they came to the place Here Christian Reader marke the presence of God in the assisting of a good cause and handled by persons of lawfull calling First thou seest how the King heretofore in the warres against the K. of Nauarre had not prospered but all things haue fallen to his owne charges dishonour and shame because he persecuted him without a cause and such persons were put in trust of his affayres and aduanced themselues forward intending vnder that colour to supplant their master Now when the King hath a iust cause in hand and put men in trust that are lawfully called bearing a true and vnfayned heart to the King kingdome Crowne and Countrey such as bee the Princes of his bloud and other of the true Nobilitie of France the Lord also is of his side and fighteth for him maketh him victorious and restoreth to him his authoritie by steps as it shall appeare hereafter Secondly here is a notable thing happened which neuer did happen vnto any Captaine that euer I haue read saue vnto that noble Athenian Conon that a Captaine had obtayned three noble victories in one day but vnto this noble Prince of ancient and noble rase Thus the Prince Montpencier by these victories gaue a tast vnto the rebels of the cup of their treasons and so did driue them into Townes and Holds that afterward it was rare to see any rebels abroade except it were when they had neede priuilie to steale out to robb their nigh neighbours of their goods Hauing done this exployt he purposed to bring the artillerie from Courcy and returne to the Citie of Caen intending shortly after to be in the field agayne and to carrie by it vntill he had subdued the countrey to the Kings obedience agayne By a pertinent digression I haue shewed what noble and profitable exployts the Prince Montpencier hath done in Normandy against the Rebels now we will returne to continuance of the narration interrupted It is sayd before how the King seeing himselfe in extreame danger made truces with the King of Nauarre and deliuered him the Towne of Saumour for his safe passage and repassage ouer the riuer of Loyre which he committed to the Lord of Plessis Marline Few dayes being expired after the deliuering of the town of Saumour the King of Nauarre went thether to the great contentation and reioysing of all the inhabitants and of all the Nobility round about well affected to the Kings seruice and good of the realme Liberty was geuen by the K. of Nauarre to all the inhabitants concerning religion indifferently as hée had done in other places The King of Nauarre hauing ordered all things at Saumour about the 17. day of Aprill went foorth and besieged the Castell of Brissak the Lord thereof beeing a traitour and a rebellious Leaguer and tooke it by composition The 18. the King of Nauarre passed all his Forces beyond the riuer of Loyre ouer the bridg of Saumour and within few dayes ioyned with other forces which stayed for him gathered out of Normandy Mayne Anjou Perche Beausse and other countries beeing betweene Loyre and Seyne intending shortly to see face to face the army of the rebels conducted by the Duke de Mayne Thus the King of Nauarre greatly iniuried and offended so often and at the request and for the pleasure of the Duke of Guyze assaulted now commeth to rescue out of danger captiuity and death him that had persecuted him so long with all the forces of a mighty kingdome he commeth I say with a chosen army not onely great in number but also in valour so that euery common souldier might haue supplyed the roome of an Officer Goe on O great King put on the armor of God follow his calling this day thou hast obtayned a greater and more famous victory then at the day of Coutras in ouercomming the desire of reuengement which vpon diuers occasions might haue risen by the frailty of mans nature The 21 the King of Nauarre hauing passed ouer the riuer Loyre and ioyned with his forces gathered out of the Countreys abouesayd setteth forth a declaration shewing the causes of this passage First hee sheweth that hee is called to enter into this action by God by nature by the lawe and by the iust approbation of his Prince which causes do moue him to determine to imploy his lyfe his meanes power for the reestablishing of y e Kings authority restoring of the realm and for the defence of good Subiects within the same decayed and oppressed by the treasons of the Leaguers vnder the colour of godlines and iustice Secondly he protesteth
Pope the said truce to begin the third day of Aprill and to continue a whole yeare The conditions of the said truce are as followeth First that the King of Nauarre shall not during the time of the said truce employ his forces within nor without the realme but for his seruice and at his commaundement and direction Secondly that wheresoeuer the King of Nauarre shall come he shall alter change nor innouat nor interrupt the exercise of the romish religion nor shew any displeasure to the Priests nor to the places of their deuotions Thirdly that whatsoeuer place Towne Citie Castell or Fortresse he shall take by any meane whatsoeuer immediatly deliuer the same to the Kings pleasure Last of all the King graunteth to them of the reformed religion the liberty of their consciences wheresoeuer within his dominions and the exercise of the same in places were it was exercised at the time of the concluding of this truce also that they all shall enioy their goods wheresoeuer so that likewise they shall suffer the Catholikes to enioy the freedome of their religion and goods in places which are in their power This was proclaymed and recorded in Parliament the thirtie day of Aprill at Tours the day of theyr interuiewe About the same time in like manner the king of Nauarre did set foorth a declaration of the causes of these truces wherein first he doth protest that in all these ciuill warres he hath armed himselfe and his friendes against his will nature and necessitie enâ—orcing him so to doe and sheweth that his warre of the League began vnder a pretence and shadow of religion but in very deede is found a war of estate Protesteth that his great desire hath beene alwayes to doe some good and acceptable seruice to the king Complayneth of the malice of his enemies disguised and coloured with fauourable pretences to ouerthrow the State Commendeth the king who at length hath with a good iudgement discerned his innocencie from their malice through so great and thick mist of colours and calomnies of his enemies Secondly he sheweth that the Leaguers making the world beleeue to warre against the reformed religion whome they doe cal heretikes neuer went to seeke them out where they were but abusing of the kings authoritie and power which they had â—â—il in hand to that end haue by the said forces surprized the townes and fortresses which were furthest and least suspected of religion Thirdly he sheweth that they haue not vsed their preachers and Iesitites to conuert the pretended hereticks as they should haue done but in all places where they haue borne the sway haue made them serue for trompets of sedition and firebrands to sound the alarum and to set the whole Realme on a fire and miserable combustion to rayse the subiects against their prince to seduce them from the obedience of their magistrats to dispose them to tumults alteration and noueities whereby they haue procured an horrible deformitie in the Realme a generall and incredible rebellion by the which they haue banished all pietie and iustice out of all Cities and places which are vnder their tyranny Fourthly he sheweth the causes of this their reconsiliation and interuiew to haue been no respect of religion at all But that he for his parte pitying the miserable state wherunto the enemies had reduced the realm when he mought haue vsed the publike calamities of the saide state for to doe well and assure his affayres forgiuing all iniuries and discurtesies receaued vnto the realme hath offered to the king his life and meanes to assist him to restablish his authoritie which proffers the king of his clementie and goodnes accepted And vpon that acceptation that hee might the better haue meanes to doo him good seruice the sayd King bath conciuded a generall truce throughout all his Dominions for a whole yeare including therein the Countie of Venisse and state of Auignon Last of all hee chargeth and commandeth all them of his side and religion to keepe the conditions of this truee inuiolable forbidding them to enterprise innouate or alter any thing either in religion or policie in any place of the Kings dominions And as the King of his gracious goodnes had giuen libertie to them of the reformed religion to enioy the freedome of their consciences goods he willeth also the like libertie to bee giuen to the Catholikes who are in the Prouinces Townes or Cities holden by them of the reformed religion so long as this truce shall endure Among all other Prouinces which through rebellion had forsaken the Kings obedience Picardy and the I le of France had waded most déepely in that rebellion hauing generally reuolted Calis and Boloigne excepted In the I le of France there is a small Towne named Seulis in the way bewéene Champaigne and Paris that Towne also had rebelled and ioyned to the vnion of the League a Towne of no strength neither in fortifications nor situation About the beginning of Aprill the Lord Thore of the house of Mommorency went vp and downe in the Towne of Seulis conferring with the good and faithfull inhabitants of the sayd Towne who with his good and graue reasons reduced them to the Kings obedience About the beginning of May the sayd Lord Thore within the space of three dayes made a choyse and muster of able men out of the villages of the Dutchy of Mommorency so that as well of his companies as of the inhabitants of the Towne he made a sufficient number of resolute men to the number of two thousand able to stand against any forces that should seeke to assault the Towne furnishing the same aboundantly with victuall and munition and all necessary things for the kéeping and defence thereof This he did not that the place was of any such strength but reposing his trust in God who is a defender of a iust cause and in the courage faithfulnes of the inhabitants and souldiers there The Parisiens amazed to see the sâ—daine reducing of the sayd Towne to the Kings obedience did all their diligence to put out that fire kindled so néere them The Lord of Mayneuile whom wee haue sayd the Duke de Mayne had left gouernour of Paris in great hast with a company of Parisiens well armed came to besiege the sayd Towne of Seulis The Duke d'Aumale with a braue companie of horsemen and a sort of footemen arriued incontinently there after the Lord Mayneuile so that on a sodaine they besieged the Towne being at the dash to the number of foure thousand men The fourth day the Parisiens and other partakers and fellowes of the vnion came posting from many places being well horsed and furnished and found themselues that day before that Towne to the number of sixe thousand men The fift day they sent to Paris for Ordinance whereof three were sent them to wit two Canons and one Culuerine and because none would enterprise to conduct the sayd Ordinance this way was deuised In the alteration which
was made in the Citie in Ianuary last they had appoynted a Captain for euery warde of the Citie which be eightéen which by turnes should haue out of his warde twelue hundred men to march to the Boys of Vicennes nigh Paris to keepe that Castle from surprizing by the Kings friends Captaine Aubret his regiment was appointed that day to that charge to wit to conduct the Ordinance to whome was added the companie of Captaine Compan they leauing for that day the kéeping of the Castle Vicennes their baggage apparell and prouision of victuall which was gone before through the gate S. Anthony went through S. Martins gate where the Ordinance was gone before vnder the charge of one Brigard Procurator of the Towne-house They arâ—iued with these three pâ—eces at Seulis the sixt day of May in the euening At their arriuing they saluted the Towne with a peale of that Ordinance At the noyse therof they of the Towne on a sudden came to the Towne walles and offered to make as great a breach in the wall as they would demaund and so to ease them from taking so much paynes as to vse the Canon shot The Duke d'Aumale presently sent to summon them to yeeld vnto composition they within promised to make an answere the morrowe following Vpon this answere a Post of the Towne went to Paris to bring them good newes which encreased greatly by the way as the manner is there the report went that Seulis had proffered thréescore thousand Crownes some multiplied that to one hundered thousand for their rauâ—some The 7. day they of the Towne gaue their answere both by portraiture and by mouth for they all night had portrayed on a cloath the Dukes de Mayn Aumale hanged on gibbets the Dutchesse Montpensier kneeling at the feete of them with her head all vncouered weeping and wailing and tearing her haire which they caused to be set on the morrow being the 7. of May to bee spread vpon the walles the people crying with vile and reproachful speaches that the same was the portraiture of the composition that they demaunded Vpon the sight of this picture and words spoken out of the wall they sent agayne to Paris for more Ordinance to beat the Towne to dust for they had sworne so to doo The Parisiens made excuse that they lacked Bullets and such Pieces as they demaunded The cause of this excuse was not lacke of will to do so much mischiefe as the other intended to haue done but for feare of the ielousies betweene the Duke de Mayne and Aumale for the Duke Aumale had béen greatly and oftentimes desired after his departure from thence to returne to Paris which he denyed to doo The Parisiens therefore fearing that Aumale hauing such forces as hee had at Seulis and expected dayly from the Lord Balagny and hauing store of Ordinance and munition either might turne all these forces agaynst them or keepe them short from hauing any victuals out of Picardie or to make a third faction and to striue with the Duke de Mayne about the state and so weaken their party to expose them to be a pray for the King The Duke d' Aumale seeing that there was little succour to bee expected from Paris sent to Peronne where he had sixe pieces of Ordinance and out of Anjous one which were conducted to Seulis by y e Lord Balagny gouernour of Cambray About the 13. day of May they of Seulis made a sally out of the Towne with a hundered horsemen whereat they that besieged the towne were so amased that they thought best to flee so the Parisiens casting away their armor fled and hid themselues in bushes on euery side Of these hundered horsemen fiftie returned into the towne and the other fifty kept the field for to ayde any that might come to succour them About the 15. of May the Lord Balagny with his companies of Wallons Cambresines and Picardines came and ioyned to the D. Aumale with sixe pieces of Ordinance which hee had taken at Peronne and Anjous as is aforesayd The 12. day of May they began to batter Seulis with ten pieces of battery and within a while hauing made a great breach the enemy confusedly gaue the assault who was repulsed with some losse The same day about noone word came to the enemy that the Duke of Longueuille accompanied with the Lordes of Humieres Bonniuet la Nowe Giury Mesuiller and Tour and other nobles of Picardy were at hand to the number of a thousand horsemen and three thousand footmen to rescue the towne of Seulis Whereupon the Lord Balagny pitched in campe the best power of his men and beeing then accompanied with the Lords of Mainuile of Saisseual Mezieres and Congy with others approched somewhat neere to the Duke of Longueuille in good hope to discomfit him The horsemen of Cambray and the Wallons also first charged the footmen of the Duke of Longueuille The said footmen departed themselues in the middle gaue roome for the ordinance to shoot which at the first volye made a great flaughter of the Cambresines and Wallons who lyking not that play recyred backe with greater hast then they went to it but afterward they came all to a set battaile fought stoutly on both sydes and with great courage but the Ordinance of the Duke of Longueuille made still so great spoite of the enemy that conceauing a great dread they began to wauer neither could the Duke d' Aumale nor the Lord Balagny by any perswasions encourage them nor bring them to good order agayne so the confusion and terror encreasing the whole army which besieged the towne fled away presently The Duke of Longueuille his power with the power which was in the Towne issuing forth did so follow the chase that with handy blowes they killed as many as they could ouertake There remayned slayne of the rebels vpon the place betweene fifteene hundred and two thousand as many were slaine in the chase besides them who were slayne in the Villages by the countrey people All the Ordinance and munition of warre bagge baggage was left behind The Duke d' Aumale had a blow which did him no good the Lord Balagny had an other which did him no great hurt hoth of them fled to Paris in lesser company then when they went to Seulis The Duke d' Aumale the 19. of May went out of Paris fearing there to be welome and mistrusting the snares of de Mayne mutiny and factions of the Parisiens he retyred to Saint Denis Balagny remayned in Paris faining there that hee would take order for the gathering of the Souldiers breathing out cruell threatning what hee would doo and promising to the Parisiens that a new supply of Wallons would come out of the low Countrey he cheareth the people of Paris who were smitten with the dread of Iericho The selfe same day the rebels of Rion in Auuergne had an ouerthrow no lesse then this but the particularityes are not knowen vnto me for lacke
of instructions We haue inserted by digression the iudgements which God hath executed vpon the rebels before Seulis First how they were conuicted of treason and felony vpon the walles of Seulis and there their cheefest Captains hanged Neither was that a play of boies but the worke of God which by that fearefull picture would haue admonished both the headlings and vnderlinges of that rebellion of their offence of his iudgements executed vppon rebels in all ages and put them in remembrance of their duty Secondly wee haue seene a blow geuen of God vnto such vnfaithfull Traitors despisers of Gods Ordinance in earnest of heauier plagues if through repentance they do not returne to their dutifull obedience Now wee will returne to shew the effectes of the meeting and interuiew of the two Kinges at Tours the 30. of Aprill It is sayd how the Duke de Mayne tooke a fright as soon as he heard of this interuiew returned to Vendosme where soiorning a few dayes hee ordered his army placed part of them in garrisons in diuers townes and holdes as is said It is said also how he had sent to the Duke Aumale to send him some supply of horsemen out of Picardy that he might be the better able to geue the blow so long intended The King of Nauarre taking for some dayes counsell with the King about the publike affaires made some light roads in the Countrey about which was leagued expecting to haue al his forces in a readines to do some exploit At length the said King of Nauarre vnderstanding how that the Duke de Mayne fled with parte of his army about the thirteenth day of May followed him so neere vppon the heeles that he put all straglers which were left behind to the sword and did so scoure the countrey of Beausse that not one of the enemyes durst shew themselues abroad out of their holdes Whilest the King expected certayne regiments of Suissers and other forces which did dayly prepare to come to hiâ— thâ— King of Nauarre soiorning in Beausse about Boysgency had sent the Lord Lorges to scoure the countrey toward Chasteaudune and Bonaual and retyred to his house of Lorges nigh Marchesnoyre The Duke d' Aumale had sent the Lord Saueinze with some companies of Picardy but specially the Lords of Brosses with sixe or seuen score gentlemen al the choise of the Nobility in Picardy that were fauouring that side and soiorned at Chartres This Saueinze tooke with him his companies of Picardy and Arcleinuile for the Duke de Mayne gouernour at Chartres accompanied with fifty horses intending to haue surprised the Lord Lorges Arcleinuile went before to view the countrey and to know who stirred in the fieldes The 18. of May the King of Nauarre sent the Lord Chastilion accompaniâ—d with the Lords Fouqueroles Charboniere Harambure Mony Resny Saint Sere Fresillon and Chambalame and other gentlemen to make warre with two hundred horsemen and as many harquebuziers and by Boysgency vnderstood that these troupes of Picary sent by the Duke d' Aumale came that way to haue met the Lord Lorgâ—s the Lord Chastilion therefore with his companies directed his way toward Bonaual and tooke with him the Lord Fonquerantes with twenty of his gentlemen for scoute they met Arcleinuile with fifty horses with him The Lord Chastilion maketh towards him to charge him and so vsed the matter that they killed sixe men of the enemy Arcleinuile hauing no great lyking of that play retired and gaue the alarum to the rest of the troupes a quarter of a mile comming orderly vnder the leading of Saueinze he had 30. Harquebuziers of the Lord Forceuille and many other Gentlemen of name making in all the number of sixe hundred men The Lord Chastilion changed his pace with a trot for to entertaine them Charboniere and Harambure with their companies of light horsemen were on his left wing on the other side Saueuze setting forth before his Harquebuziers set his company of Launciers in rankes and commeth a great pace without breaking ranke for the space of a quarter of a mile The Trompets sound the charge on both sides The Lord Chastilion casteth about a little to stay for his Harquebuziers he deuideth his horsmen into two companies and hauing placed his footmen goeth to the skirmish Saueuze commeth forth very brauely and couragiously galloping for thirty paces his Harquebuziers on horsebacke gaue the onset neere ynough The Lord Chastilion his footmen receaued them who after the first Harquebuziers were discharged euen during the fight rushed in among the horsmen killed many horses with their swords of the Lord Chastilion his men were slayne one that had beene of the King of Nauarre his guardes and two souldiers of the garrison of Boysgency and no more Saueuze who on a sudden had bent him selfe against the light horsemen charged so furiously the Lord Chastilion that the first rankes were broken which hee vnhorsed and layed along and eight or ten of his gentlemen incurred the like misfortune among whom was the Lord Mony Rosny Saint Sere Freslon Chamberlan and among them three were hurt with Launces twenty or thirty of their horses slaine The Brosses set vppon the rereward of the Lord Chastilion which were greatly distressed At length the Lord Chastilion and others that were ouerthrowen recouered themselues and fell a fighting with their swordes on foot and he aduaunced so far that he was hurt in the face In the meane while the Lords Harambure Charboniere and Fonquerules with their companies set vpon Saueuze and his troupes so furiously that they entred and brake a ray put the enemies to flight in such sort that they could not gather together agayne There were slayne some of their Captayns all the gentlemen of Picardy and aboue threescore in the flight so that there were aboue two hundered of the enemies slayne but specially all the Harquebuziers two cornets were taken and the bearers slayne forty Gentlemen were taken and among them Saueuze and Forceuile Many of account were hurt The Lord Chastilion lost but thrée men as is aforesayd this execution was done nigh Bonaual about foure a clocke in the after noone Here Christian Reader may wee see the great goodnes and mercy of God which calleth sinners and transgressors to repentance sending them messengers and tokens of his wrath denouncing them assured destruction for first at Seulis the Lord represented vnto the heads of the league the greatnes of their trespasse by the painted punishment deserued Secondly the Lord prospered the Kings armies with three noble victoryes in two dayes in the sigâ—t in a maner and hearing of three great and mighty rebeiled citiyes to wit at Seulis nigh Paris and at Rions in Auuergne and at Bonaual not far from Orleans Furthermore the Lord hath executed yet most terrible iudgements since because they despysed these gracious warâ—â—â—gs by consuming them with a long and continuall disease as if it were with a phisike carrying with them the worme of the conscience
the Sonne of God So the Lord knoweth who are his Herein also appeareth euidently the mercifulnes of God who worketh all things to the best and comfort of his children For when as the Rebels and murtherers supposed that by the Kings death they might easily make an alteration of the state and transferre the Crowne vpon the head of the Duke de Mayne and so disappoynt the Princes of Bourbon of their right of succession the Lord turned al their counsels vpside downe For the Lord mooued the King lying on his death bed when he was in perfect memorie and farthest as the manner in such a case from all manner of affection and parciality to pronounce his sentence and decrée or rather supplying the person of God to proclayme the King of Nauarre right heire and successor of the crowne and by the inuocation of the glorious name of GOD bâ—und the Princes péeres Nobles Captaines and Souldiours to yéeld him dutifull obedience so that God himselfe hath béene the iudge of his cause giuing sentence on his side by him whome he appoynted his officer in that behalfe It will stand Thus much of the vnworthy death of so great a King in whom ended the issue of the noble house of Engolesme according vnto the fatall period of great Noble and mighty families which is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 wherein we haue to note the whole family excepted onely Francis the first as Henry the second Francis the second Charles the ninth Francis Duke of Aniou and this last King Henry the third 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 per sanguinem ruit and haue died of an vntimely or violent death because they were polluted with that accursed woman Catherine Medicis Pope Clement his sisters brothers daughter And so making an end of the Epitasis of this vnnaturalltragedie played by leaguers we will make an end likewise of this 6. Booke Here endeth the 6. Booke THE SEVENTH BOOKE NOw we will follow the Catastrophe and last act which although it be full of Calamities yet it is like to bee ended with a ioyfull and happie successe The King beeing dead great heauines and sorrowe seazed vppon men of all degrees the Campe was full of sorrow and lamentation the wise saw this to be new seeds of a world of euils which wil worke the vtter subuersion of France On the other side great reioysing was seene among the rebels and traitors authors and procurers of the murther their ioye they shewed diuers waies but speciallie with contumelies and sarcasmes demaunding one of another whether the Friers knife was sharpe enough or not The rebels in Paris certified of the assured death of the King and supposing that the army had béen greatly dismayed replenished with teares and lamentation conceaued a good hope to do some great and notable exploit and imagining that it were easie in this mourning of all men to defeat the Kings forces all that night the Duke de Mayne did muster and prepare a mighty army and early in the morning issuing out of the Suburbs was so receaued by the Kings forces that he was enforced to retire within the Citie with blowes and dishonor That morning being the third of August but by the right calender the 23. of Iuly the King of Nauarre who was appointed the Kings Generall lieutenant by the King after that hee had receaued the wound assembled the Princes Lords Nobility and Captaines to deliberat how to remedy those great euils and to put out that combustion which the rebels had kindled in all partes of the realme First there was a capitulation made and concluded betweene theKing and the said Princes and Nobles Lords gentlemen and souldiers that there should be no innouation made in the Romish religion but the same should stand and be exercised peaceably without any interruption And that the reformed religion should be contained with all liberty in the exercise thereof within the places where it was then at that present time established prouided that the Romish religion should bee there exercised also without any disturbance And that men professing these two religions liuing peaceably like good subiects should be protected by the Kings authoritie in their liues goods liberties and franchizes vntill that by a nationall Councell some good and peaceable order should bee taken for some reconsiliation or vniformitie touching religion Which thing the King promised by the faith of a Prince to kéepe inuiolably and with as much speede as might be to prouide that a Councell and méeting of the learned might be assembled This order being concluded and the obseruation thereof promised by the King all his Princes Nobles Lords Gentlemen and Captaines promised vpon their othes all duetifull fidelitie and obedience vnto the K. and to assist him with their liues goods and meanes as well in the defence of his royall authoritie agaynst all traytors rebels and Leaguers which goe about to vsurpe the state as in the execution of the exemplary punishment vpon them who haue procured or committed that haynous disloyaltie felony and treason vpon the Kings person last deceased and all others who shall be knowne consenting knowing or accessarie to the same This order being taken as the readiest and most expedient to vnite the subiects with the King being promised and sworne the King of Nauarre was saluted declared proclaymed and crowned King of France and Nauarre by the name of King Henry the 4. And whereas in this historie hée had béen discerned from the King of France by the title of King of Nauarre now in the course of this historie following he shall be simply named King without any other addition or title This noble King being proclaymed King is crowned and put in the possession of the Crowne of France due vnto him by right not with triffling childish and Monkish cerimonies with holy oyle holy water holy toyes and holy trashes but after the ancient manner of the Emperours of the Romanes in the Camp by the whole army Princes Péeres Nobles and Captaines of the kingdome Here Christian Reader is to be noted Gods most gracious fauour toward France and prouidence toward this great King for except the Lord had prepared this heroicall Prince to restablish this decayed state which was cast downe headlong into such a depth of miseries by the Leaguers as in mans iudgement it was impossible that it could euer haue been vnited againe but rather reduced into a lamentable desolation But the Lord in his mercie beholding from heauen his holy habitation with his lightfull countenance after so many tempests hath raised vp lead by the hand and placed by his own authoritie and power this great Prince on the Throan of that state whom hee hath endued with wisedome prudence fortitude moderatnes modestie iustice and pietie to bee able to heale the deadly wounds of that sickly state to pacifie the controuersies of religion to lodge therein iustice and iudgement so long exiled out of that common wealth and to restore peace so long wished and desired Againe
we may with admiration celebrate the prouidence of God that cleane contrary vnto the expectation of all men the Lord hath giuen him to France for her good For first the Leaguers in the beginning of their insurrection made him a party Then they vsed for the space of foure yeares all the power of France to oppresse him when force would not serue they procured poysoners to try what might bee done that way But that taking no place they degraded debarred him from his right of succession by a fundamental law of the realme which they sweared sealed and decréed that it should be vnchangeable and should remayne for euer they made him hatefull and abhorred of the common people throughout all France After they had missed of their purpose intended against the King they so vrged their attempts that the King was enforced to yéeld himselfe into the King of Nauarre his hands for his safety at length they murdered the King Then I will aske them what haue you gotten by it They answered that they haue gotten the Crowne either part or the whole Why Because there is no successor Demaunde What are the Bourbons then Answer They are excluded by a fundamentall lawe of the realme sworne by the vnion at Bloys Dem. What saith God to that Ans Beholde the Lord saith that hee will haue the King of Nauarre head of the house of Bourbon to succeede because it is his right for it is not reason that a confederacie of conspirators should make a law contrarie vnto the fundamentall lawe of the realme confirmed by the consent and custome of so many nations by the space of twelue hundred yeares not contrarie vnto Gods word Dem. But where dooth God speake it Ans By the mouth of a Soueraigne Magistrate ordained by him to bée the interpreter of all iudiciall lawes Therefore beholde the meanes which the rebels haue sought to exclude the King of Nauarre from his right of succession the Lord hath vsed to the stablishing of the said King and hath vnited the Princes Péeres and chiefest Lords Gentlemen Captaines and Souldiours of the realme to assist place and defend him in that roome so the arme of fleshe shall not preuaile against the power of God and the hand of the Lord shall be vpon him The Prince Montpencier gouernour and Generall for the King in Normandie then being at Audely a towne vpon the riuer of Seyne aboue Pont de Carche caused all his army to take that oath exhorting them to defend constantly the Kings will according to their oath About the 26. day of Iuly there was an assembly holden at Caen in Normandie of the court of Parliament whereto the late deceased King had transported the said court from the Cittie of Roen after the rebellion thereof of the Nobilitie and Gentlemen of the countrey and of the bodie of the towne and Vniuersitie and of the Citizens and inhabitants of the said towne where the Lord Lizores Lord President of the saide court did sit as head of the saide méeting in whose presence the saide President hauing declared the haynous déede committed vpon the person of the King late deceased and shewed the equitie of the Kings testament and last will on his owne behalfe protested perfect loyaltie to the King right and lawfull successor of the Crowne of France after the publication of the Kings and of y e Prince Montpencier his letters all vniformally with one consent did sweare their acknowledgement and fidelitie vnto the lawfull successor of the Crowne of France and to maintaine al things contained in the will of Henry d'Valoys lately deceased The like declarations and promises were made and othes of fidelitie and loyalty taken publikely in many townes and cities in France euen on the North side of Loyre to the same effect The rebels vnderstanding in Paris what the late deceased King had done and how the King of Nauarre was proclaymed King of France contrarie to their expectation that they were worse hampered now then before like to haue him to be their master whome they had refused and disdained thought good to trie what might be done by treachery vpon the person of the King And because that a Friers coate could not beguile this King as it did the other by reason of the little acquaintance and credit which hée giueth them they suborned a murtherer who vnder the colour of a Gentleman should shoote him through with a Piece but the Lord watching for his annointed brought the murtherer to confusion All thinges falling out so confusedly in France by the death of the last King and the newes thereof fleeing abroad into forreine countries replenished mens harts with admiration of Gods secret iudgements with a maze indignation and feare The King taking counsell what was best to be done in these extremities for to saue the remnant of the realme from vtter subuertion did resolue vpon these three pointes which will follow this miserable murther First the King considering how his enemies long time aforehand had rendered him by slaunderous libels and seditious sermons of Iesuits and Friers by these meanes to make him abhorred of the commonaltie and thereby to make them vnwilling to acknowledge him for their King and to render him fidelity loyaltie and obedience which long practised malice of his enemies would procure him much labour and long continuance of warre betweene him and his subiects Secondly he knew that in the Campe vnder the banner of his predecessor and also in his counsell were many deuoted sworne to the League whom he durst not trust and knowing that they would not do him faithful seruice no more then they did to his predecessor hee determined to licence them to depart so many as would and to liue peaceablie in their houses vnder his obedience whereupon many disbanded themselues and retired some home and some to the enemie Last of all the K. foreseeing that the heads of the League vpon this prosperous exploit done vpon the person of the King lately murthered will double their rage and with great forces which they could quickly set vp in such a mighty and populous cittie would set vpon him and with multitude might greatly distresse him determined to send part of his forces into Picardy vnder the conduct of the duke of Longueuile the Lord la Nouë there to minister play to the enemy and with the greatest part of his army to retire into Normandy there to gather greater forces and if need should require to be nigh and ready vpon the coast there to receaue supply of forces from the mightie Princesse the Queene of England which might bee done vpon short warning considering the small distance which is from Coast to Coast As for the Swissers and other Germans who serued the King his predecessor hee sent their Heads and Captaines vnto their Princes and Signories to vnderstand their pleasure whether they would call their men home or giue them leaue to serue him The said Germans Swissers according to
King I say aduertised of these things sent from Deepe to the Quéene of England for some succour who as her Maiesty neuer fayleth to helpe them who are vniustly distressed sent him forces according to his request All the Kings forces at Deepe were not about nine thousand men before the Englishmen arriued to him The Duke d'Mayne hauing a mighty army of fiue and twenty thousand men set foorth out of Paris about the beginning of September giuing foorth that he went to a certaine victory and vaunting that he would briâ—g to Paris the King dead or a liue or else he would driue him into the Sea approached toward Deepe But the God of battels turned as easily with few as with multitude all these bragges to vanitie and shame For the King hearing that the enemy approached very fast encamped himselfe at Arques about two myles from the towne of Deepe by the prudent counsell of the Marshall of Byron The King viewing the place iudged by and by what the enemy was able to doo against him whereupon hée caused trenches to bée made on the top of the hill in most substanciall manner as farre from Arques as a Canon can shoote so that all the army for a néede might bée couered therewith out of all danger Vpon the same trenches hée caused foure pieces of ordinance to bée placed right against a great plaine where hée supposed the enemy would come to fight whether also he might come without any danger the kings companies were quartered in the Villagâ—s round about Whilest these things are a dooing at Arques the enemy approached more and more very fast and on the 15. of September lodged his vauntgarde within three miles of Deepe The King that morning perceaued that they intended to spoyle the subburb Paulet before he enterprised vpon any thing at Arques Therefore with spéed he fortified the said Suburb but specially the milles which steed most open to the enemy This thing being done the King determined as nere as could bee and with small company to view how the enemy was lodged and perceauing by occasion of some that they were too forward commaunded fiue or sixe of his company to giue them the charge in the which seauen of the enemy remained vpon the place which thing being done the king returned to lodge at Arques The 16. before day many issued out of Deepe who made hot skirmishes vpon the enemy where the Lord Chastilion commaunding ouer the footemen shewed himselfe a most skilfull warriour The King had placed certaine horsemen betweene his footemen and the enemy to represse the Leaguers of the Souldiours least rashly they might haue bred some confusion The skirmish was such that the Harquebusiers did neuer discharge a bullet that day in vaine That day the King permitted certayne English gentlemen to skirmish with the enemie who imployed themselues so valiantly and with such a noble courage that in lesse then the turning of one hand they ouerthrew slew or tooke prisoners all that encountred them The same day about 25. of the enemies had passed the brooke which did runne betweene the Kings armie and the enemie and were already in the medow to haue assaulted a Village named Boteille where the Kings Cornet was lodged great troups of horsemen came downe the hill to passe in like maner the brooke to haue assisted them but there came out of the Village sixe gentlemen well armed to meete the enemy among whom were the Lords Saint Marke and Slurbe with two Harquebuziers on foot charged the enemy so hard that they were faine to retire with swift flight feare and sorrowfull countenance All this day there continued hot skirmishes at the milles which are at the end of the Suburbe named Paulet and whereas the King aduaunced still to view the enemies doings an Harquebuze shot strooke his horse in the thigh The same day the King sent the company of the Prince County conducted by the Lorde Armilie his Lieftenant to the Marshall Biron who was at Arques which immediatly commaunded them to goe and spie the lodgings of the enemy who did lye in a Village called Martinglize where were the Dukes Aumale Nemours and the Lord Sagonne this company of light horses comming to the place and forgetting to bring word to the sayd Lord Biron of that which they had seene ran so fiercely vppon the enemy that they killed aboue an hundred and fifty and among them the Marques of Meneiay they tooke many Captains and other prisoners and ouerthrew their rampiers and Barricadoes being still on horsebacke The rest being foure regiments of footmen fled with great terrour Aumale Nemours and Sagonne shewing to these companies the way to flee and striuing among themselues who should flee y e swiftest The Lord Armilie was dangerously wounded through the body with a sword The King from Diepe vnderstanding the skirmish made hast thither with three hundered horses but the enemy was already chased before he came The 17. of September the King caused a Canon to bee discharged against the enemie on the side of Arques whilest the Lord Chastilion did valiantly skirmish with the enemie at the ende of the Suburbe Paulet where he slewe many of the enemies and tooke many prisoners without the losse of any one man saue onely fewe of his were wounded Another company of the Kings Campe at the same time went to view another Village on another side where they surprised the enemies slewe thirtie of them and put the rest to flight During these skirmishes a great number of Gentlemen and Souldiers came to the King and of their owne voluntary motion and goodwill yéelded themselues and their seruice They were part of the troupes of the Lord Rabempré who a little before was taken by the enemie at Gournay a Towne situated in Beauuoysin betwéene the Cities of Beauuoys Roen who had followed the enemies for their safegard The enemie trusting in his great multitude determined to passe ouer the little riuer which ran betwéene them and the King and hauing made certaine bridges of wood to bee cast ouer the 19. day of September about fiue of the clock in the morning the enemie marched from Martinglize in battell aray well ordered strong and thicke Their footmen well placed at their wings their faces set toward Arques the quarter of the Swissers The Lord Billing with two thousand shot was appoynted to giue the onset The Duke de Mayne stood behind with great strength in battell aray readie to giue succour where néede should be The King had watched all night before on horsebacke to giue order in euery place which hee did so diligently and circumspectly that the enemie could doo him no hurt without great disaduantage and losse to themselues But in the morning hauing seene the order of their battell aray incontinently he sent foorth his light horsemen and the company of the Prince County lead by the Lord Montater he sent also his Cornet wherein were the Lords graund Prior the great Squier the Countie
Rochefocault and the Countie of Rossie his brother with the Countie of Rochefort with diuers Gentlemen who were néerest to his person all them he set about his footmen deuiding the Swissers into two parts The enemies were 25. thousand and he had not aboue nine thousand and that to the vttermost With this small number the King knowing that God would consider iustice of the cause and was able to vanquish as well with fewe as with a great number hauing earnestly desired Gods ayde in his priuate prayers commaunded publike prayers which being ended marched against his enemies with such resolued and princelike courage that at the first encounter as it were with one blowe the enemie left vpon the place fiue hundred men beside a number of prisoners and wounded souldiers but the rest fled with great feare and disorder In the same méeting the enemie lost as is aboue sayd at the first encounter fiue hundred men among whom were the chiefest Sague Colonell of the light horsemen the Lord S. Vidal chiefe Marshall of the Ordinance the Lord S. Andrew brother to the Countie of Saulx the Lord Vienuille eldest sonne to the Marshall Vienel who were caried to Roen and there buried with many more of great account The Countie Billing Marshall of the Camp Temblecourt the Countie of Lorreyne who had the first regiment and the Lord Sauelak with diuers other Captaines were taken prisoners Of the Kings side dyed but 26. among whom were the Countie Rossie brother to the Lord Rochefocault and also the Lord Bakqueuile whose vertues were commendable among all men for whom the King was greatly grieued There was among the enemies one Lorde Sagonne a proud man greatly boasting of his valiantnes who with feeling escaped from the slaughter at Seulis the Lord Graund Prior prouoked him to fight who ioyning together the saide Lorde Graund Prior gaue him such a blowe that in retyring and lighting downe of his horse hee fell downe and brake his neck Thus the enemy hauing retyred with shame and losse the King commaunded all his forces to refresh themselues which thing being done fifteene hundred Launce-knights presented themselues to a little trench which was kept by some of the Kings Launce-knights and lifting vp their hands protested and desired to yéeld vnto the King so that the Kings seruants as well as they would put vp their weapons This caused great ioy in the army and euery man putting vp their weapons the Kings men scattered themselues among them without any suspition of treason shaking hands like good fellowes two of the Captaines went to meete the King and being examined suddainely faultring in their speach as knowing not what they said as men troubled in minde named themselues seruants to the Duke d' Mayne in the meane while they fed the Kings Souldiours with fayre words to delay the time till their troupes of horsemen shoulde drawe neere to assist them desiring very much to see the King The King hauing no liking of them commaunded his forces to march downe the medowes from them and whilest these villanous dissembling traitors passed toward the Suissers as though in deed they would yeelde themselues to the King seeing no more the kings horsemen before them and their horsemen approaching still then they seazed vpon the Countie Rochefort and began to set vpon the Kings troupes with all their might whilest fiftéene hundered horsemen came marching a long the medowes to assist them The enemies by these meanes being three thousand and the Kinges forces there beeing not aboue three hundered Horsemen put this small companie in great feare and began to retyre toward the Swissers The Swissers neuer shronk for all that multitude but stoode still firmely shewing such a manly countenance that the enemy suspected the retyre of the Kings horsemen to haue been a policy to draw them into the danger of the Swissers At the same instant that the treason was discouered the Lord Chastilion brought out of Deepe fiue hundred Caliuers Thus all these troupes were deuided into two parts the Harquebusiers of the Kings side were so fitly placed that the enemy durst not venture to set vppon them The Canons in the meane time played vppon them and killed manie The King in this extremity and suddaine discouering of this vnlooked treason hauing ordered all things set vpon the enemies and shewed himselfe both King Captaine and Souldier and by his princely courage did encourage all men to play their partes valiantly The King receaued a shot in his boete and his horse being hurt accompanied with the Marshall Byron fought on foote vntill hée was reuenged of his enemies The enemie retired with shame and losse leauing their dead on the place and hid himselfe at Martinglize The King remayned on the field and commaunded certaine pieces of Ordinance to bée discharged against Martinglize which thing being done he gaue thanks to God with earnest praiers for his gracious goodnes succour and presence in defending them and his iust cause This being done hée greatly commended the good and faithfull seruice of the Swissers in presence of their Captaines and dronke to them for their valiant exploytes done that day The 23. of September the Lord Staphord Ambassadour for the most Noble Quéene of England arriued at Diepe bringing both money and munition but hée sawe not the King vntill the next day following About midnight following the same day the King perceaued that the enemy had changed his opinion and that hée would rayse vp his armie The 24. of September very early in the morning the enemy raised vp his Camp without any sound of Drumme or Trompet in the sight of the King and of his army This their remoouing was done with such great feare and so cowardly that they left their wounded in the Villages behind them and without giuing warning to their Sentinels to retire and saue themselues they left their victuall and munition of warre in the way as they went They tooke their iourney as though they went to the towne of Hewe and at length they turned to Saint Vax Quinqueuile and Bures and camped themselues on the other side of Diepe entrenching themselues in the néerest Villages Ianuile Boutiles and Apeuile The King who was on the other side of the hill in battel aray séeing their departing to be like a fearefull flight while hee receaued the Lord Ambassador of England sent certaine companies to puriue them who also tooke many prisoners ofthem These Prisoners beeing demaunded the cause of the sudden retire answered diuersly for some said it was by reason of the comming of the English ships which lately arriued wherein they doubted great aid to bee sent to the King But some gaue another answere to wit that vpon the death of those Noble men who had béen slaine great strife had growen among them for placing other in their roome some allowing one some choosing another so that it seemeth that these two causes troubled the enemy The King seeing the enemy encamped in another side caused
his battaile to bee pitched in the plaine of Arques and afterward in the euening brought his army into Diepe and the Suburbs of the same and all night caused great and large Trenches to bee made in a place called the hill of Cats and by the Morning the Trenches beeing strong he placed part of his footmen vnder the gouernment of the Lord Chastilion with thirtéene Ensignes of Swissers vppon the Fort of the side of Januile hee pitched two double Canons which did greatly endomage the enemy because they were all on an heape and their horsemen could not retire into their quarter without the danger of the Canon so that it neuer shot in vaine The King sent the Regiment of the Lord Garde into the Castle of Arques The first day of October the enemy planted sixe pieces of Ordinance vpon the top of the hill by Ianuile and shot fiue or sixe voleies of shot into the Towne wherewith was slaine one of the Kings Cookes a Woman a Maiden and a Boy and great hurt done to two Shippes which lay at Anker in the Hauen The Lord Staphord Ambassador of England had presented a Canonier to the King who beeing very skilfull with a shot killed the master Gunner and dismounted two pieces of the enemies Ordinance which caused them to remooue their Canon during this time the Kings troups dayly did set vppon them and drew them from their Trenches with blowes and deadly woundes who beeing weary of that continuall play the fourth day of October they brake their Rampiers and Gabions vpon intelligences of the comming of the Prince of Soisson the Duke of Longueuile Marshall Aumont retyred with shame and losse of men and in the Kings sight raised their camp and dislodged on a sudden taking their iourney toward Picardie and in the way shewed all crueltyes that could bee The King seeing the sudden and vnexpected departure of the Enemy supposed that he went to fight against the power which was broughtto him by the said Prince of Soissons Duke of Longueuile and Marshall Aumont afore they should ioyne with him which thing he mistrusted the more because the enemies shifted into three seuerall places and neuer frarre from him But the King knowing that these helpes were come within seuen or eight leagues tooke betweene three or foure hundred horsemen to goe to meet with them about the sixt day of October leauing the Marshall Biron in Diepe with all the rest of the armie The same day he tooke the towne and Castle Samache in the sight of the enemy The 8. day hée tooke the towne of Hew giuing great occasions to the Duke d'Mayne to fight Whilest these things were passing at Diepe and sometime before there was a méeting of the deputies of the Dukes d'Mayne and Parma in the town of Aras where the Duke d'Mayne bound himselfe to the Spanyards to deliuer all the townes of Picardie into their hanâ—s so that they would come to ayde him but the Spanyards would not styrre out of their places before hée had performed what hée was bound to doo The Duke d'Mayne therefore to colour his cowardlines shamefull flight and disgrace receaued at Diepe and for that hée durst neuer hazard the battell he bruted abroad that he went into Picardie to take possession of the townes of that Prouince to pledge them to the Spanyards and so hauing passed the riuer of Some he tooke away with him all hope from the King to come to any battaile The King knowing well the nature of the French men who though sometyme in their heat and naturall hastines they doo fall to sedition yet are vnpacient of a strange gouernment assured himselfe that they would neuer admit the gouernment of that nation whom they of all most hated neither would they yeeld vnto the Flemmings whom they hated also for the naturall iniuries which they do proffer one to another in time of warre as it falleth out commonly among Borderers Therefore he stayed yet a while in Diepe as well for the affaires of Normandie where hee left the Prince Montpencier for Gouernour as for to receaue foure thousand Englishmen sent vnto him by the renowmed Queene of England And the 21. of October hee departed from Deepe and with small iourneyes coasted the enemie betwéene the two Riuers of Seyne and Some vntill hee came to Meulan a Towne situated a little aboue Pontoys distant from Paris ten leagues and there vpon that bridge passing on the South side of Seyne with all speede went to Paris for two causes First for to drawe him to fight for although hee would not venture a battell for the winning of Deepe notwithstanding he had so promised to his partakers yet the King was in good hope that he would fight for Paris The other cause was to withdrawe him from Picardy where he had taken the towne of Fere and some other small Townes the most part of the Nobilitie and Gentlemen of the countrey being with the King About the 28. of October the King lodged his armie a mile from Paris in the villages about The morrowe after the king in his owne person went all about to view the Trenches along the Suburbes The last day of October the king hauing prepared all things by the aduise of the Princes Marshals and expert Captaines determined to assault the sayd Suburbs the next morning by breake of the day in three sundrie places and to that purpose deuided his forces into three seuerall companies In the one were the foure thousand Englishmen vnder the gouernement of the Lord Willoughby their Generall with two regiments of Frenchmen and one regiment of Swissers with the Marshall Byron and the Baron Byron his sonne the Lord Guittry diuers other Noblemen who had commandement to assault the Suburbs S. Victor S. Marcel The second troupe was of foure Regiments of Frenchmen two Regiments of Swissers and four companies of aduenturers with the Marshall of Aumont accompanied with the Lord great Esquire and the Lord Rieulx Marshall of the field with a great number of Nobles and Gentlemen who had charge to assault the Suburbs of Saint Iames and Saint Michael The third companie with ten Regiments of French men and one Regiment of Launceknights conducted by the Lordes de la Nouë and Chastilion should assault the Subutbs Saint German Bucy and Nille Euery troupe had a good number of Gentlemen well armed to assist the footmen if any great resistance should be made The King also commaunded two Canons and two Culuerins to be planted in the rereward of euery troupe He seperated also all his horsemen in three companies he himselfe commaunded ouer the first the Prince of Soissons ouer the second the Duke of Longueuile ouer the third each of them appointed to strengtheÌ„ the companies which were set to assault the Suburbs thus deuided as is aforesaid The first day of Nouember by breake of the day beeing a very thicke myst in this order the Suburbs were assaulted and so shaken by
Mount berry remayned there a whole day to try whether the enemies hauing rested and refreshed themselues thrée dayes in Paris would haue gathered stomacke and pursued him But vnderstanding of their kinde of warre and victories which they had agaynst the Coffers of the citizens of Paris hee determined to leaue those wicked rebels to destroy one another and to take the Towne of Estampes vpon this occasion The Lord Clermont of Lodeshe in Languedocke had thrust himselfe into the sayd Towne with fiftie or threescore Gentlemen through the assurance which the Duke de Mayne had giuen them and confirmed the same by many of his letters which were intercepted that he would come to reléeue them with his armie The King by these letters knowing that the Duke de Mayne stood bound vpon his faith honour to rescue Estampes with all his armie the fift of Nouember hauing sent part of his forces to compasse the sayd towne which was done the same day early he followed and arriued at Estampes with the rest of his armie when it was dark night and at his comming he wonne the Suburbs which the enemies had made shewe to haue defended The same night also the Towne was taken the Souldiers retyring into the Castle The sixt day of Nouember the Castle was enuironed approaches made and two Culuerines placed in batterie The stout Souldiers with the Lord Clermont who did looke so bigg first seeing that the army which should rescue them did not appeare and that they had no newes of it demanded parley and yeelded themselues the same day with condition that eight of them should remayne prisoners vntill such time as they should giue eight others who were named to them to be deliuered After that agréement the King did shew that fauour to the Lord Clermont and vnto fiue others that should haue remayned prisoners to send them away vpon their oathes so there departed out of the Castell about forty Gentlemen and two hundred Souldiours who were safely conducted halfe the way to Paris The King considering that poore Towne of Estampes to haue béene taken thrée times in foure moneths and thought it had been necessary for him to haue kept a good Garison in it yet notwithstanding being of his owne nature as easie to be ouercome with â—lemency as he is inuinsible to his enemies by force was centent to take no other assurance of the towne then the oath of the inhabitants wherein he reposed his trust And that the Castell should not bée a meane of their rigorus vsage hereafter hée determined to rase it and to commit the keeping of the Towne to the townesmen onely perswading himselfe that they comparing the vsage which they haue at his hands and of his enemies together it will be the surest Garison to keepe them in obedience About the eight of Nouember the King remayning yet there arriued a Gentleman from the Quéene Dowager to the King bringing a request which she presented vnto the King veséeching him to doo her iustice for the detâ—stable murther committed vpon the person of the late King her Husband the King deferred the answer vntill such time as hée sat in counsell The ninth day of Nouember the Gentleman was called before the King and his counsel who after he had deliuered his message the request was read aloud in the presence of all the Princes Marshals of France and other Lords and Gentlemen who were then in great number about the King by the which request besides the desiring of the King shee did adiure not onely the Princes and Nobility of France but also all Christian Princes to be assisters in this cause The King making answer himselfe declared that he highly commended her vehemency in following this sute and sent the said supplication vnto his court of Parliament transported to Tours commaunding his generall atturney with the atturney of the said Lady to make information against the offenders to the end the matter might bée determined afterward in his presence in manner and forme conuenient And for his owne part he would not cease to prosecute the matter but vowed in presence of all the company to employ his trauailes and armes vntill such time as he had doue the iustice that God had appoynted him to doo So that as the pittifull tearmes of the request of the said Lady had filled the eyes of all with teares so the princelike answer of the King had quickly dried them vp and replenished their hearts with iust indignation and burnâ—ng desire of reuenge At that time all with a loud voyce renued the oath of not laying downe armes vntill such time as they had reuenged the hatefull death of the late King their master The King séeing that there was no hope to bring the enemy to a battaile but by extreame necessitie sent back the Duke of Longeuile and the Lord la Nouë with such forces as they had brought out of Picardie to refresh themselues in that Prouince he did the like also by the Lorde of Gyury who met him with a good troupe at his departure from Paris and sent him againe into the Country of Brie The King with the rest of his army determined to make a voyage to the riuer of Loyre in the meane time whilest his strange forces that were comming would be further in their way Therefore the tenth of Nouember hee departed from Estampes and marched through the Countrey of Beausse and being aduertised that the towne of Ianuile stopped all the passages he desired to winne it in passing by the way The 11. of Nouember the King arriuing the Captaine that was within it made a shew as though he would defend it but when hée sawe the Canon approach he yéelded it vp and departing with two hundered Harquebusiers the King entred therein and there stayed the day after They of the Towne receaued no displeasure nor discommodity no more then if they neuer had reiected his obedience The King leauing a good Garison in the Castell which is a good strong place departed thence the thirteenth of Nouember to the Towne of Chasteaudunne where as soone as he was arriued he sent to sommon the Towne of Vendosme which was his auncient patrimony and the ancieÌ„t title of his predecessors and because that thereby they were his double subiects they were the more culpable in taking his enemies part yet the King hauing more care to kéepe them from further offending then to punish them for their double treasons he stayed thrée dayes at Chausteaudunne to giue them time to aduise themselues Whilest the King lodged at Chasteaudune the Captaines of the Suissers arriued who were sent immediatly after the death of the late King by their Câ—lonels of the foure Regiments to knowe the pleasure of their superiours whether they should continue in seruice or aske leaue to returne home The saide messengers reported vnto the King that they had expresse charge from their Seignories to giue his Maiesty to vnderstand that they not onely doo commaund the Colonels and
Captaines of the said regiments to continue in dooing his Maiesty good and faithfull seruice but also that they did offer him all such other succour as they shall be able to make and as he shall néed holding from that houre the same aliâ—unce and good friendship confirmed with his Maiesty as they haue had with his predecessors The Lord Malbenehard some dayes before vnderstanding of the kings comming into Beausse had called vnto him certaine Gentlemen beeing his friends and with them had foure hundred Souldiours in Garison there beside the inhabitants which came to eyght hundred able men and knowing that there hee should bée besieged whilest the King was yet at Chausteaudune desired to parly with the Lord Richlieu great prouost of France with whome hee was familiarly acquainted and when the saide Prouost came to him he desired of him that without yéelding of the place the army might retyre The 16. of Nouember the King departed from Chausteaudune hauing sent part of his army before who the same day inuironed the Towne of Vendosme The same day the King arriuing at Mâ—lay before he lighted went to view the towne and castell which are both of a good reasonable strength The Towne is compassed with a great ditch well watered and a strong wall well flanked and in many places rampered within the Castell is much stronger being situated vpon an hill inuironed with a déepe ditch toward the field and it is of a great height ouer the towne it is defended with a strong wall with many Towers The same day the King caused the Suburbs to bee won and parted the Lordes Marshalls of Byron and Aumont the one of the one side of the riuer Loyre the other on the other side and hauing well considered of the forme of the siege hee determined first to deale with the Castell which being wonne the Towne could not hold long which thing would haue happened if hee had begon with the Towne The Towne of Vendosme being besieged the Lord Malbeuehard sent againe for the Lorde Richlieu who had no wiser answer then the first wherein appeared that God would make him féele the recompence of his deserts not permitting him to helpe himselfe with resolution but GOD left him in the dampe of his rebellious coÌ„science as a man troubled with giddines of the head not knowing what he did The seauentéene and eighteene dayes the King bestowed in viewing where he should place his battery putting all things in readines and being present at the workes all day long and part of the night And the night following the eighteenth day hee passed in a manner in conducting and placing the ordinance to the battery The 19. of Nouember at the dawning of the day hee began to beat two towers of the Castell and to take away the defences of the breach which he purposed to make and after the bestowing of sixe score Canon shot hauing made a hole in one of the said towers where onely 2. men could passe in front certaine Souldiers were commaunded to sée if they could lodge in the said tower they gate vp and in a furie entred the retrenchment and being followed by some conducted by the Baron of Biron and others and others by the Lord Chastilion they made those within so dismaied that after they had offered to fight they fled and abandoning the Castell ran into the towne where they were followed so néerly that part of the Kinges souldiers entered confusedly with them and made themselues within lesse then halfe an houre masters both of the towne and castell The said Malbeuehard and his souldiers being retyred into an house did yeeld incontinently vnto the Baron of Biron none otherwise then at the Kings mercie In this assault there was none of the Kings side slaine and very few of the towne All the inhabitants were pardoned saue the Lord Benehard and a seditious Franciscan Frier whom the Inhabitants accused to haue béene the Author of the mischiefs happened among them they two were executed he gaue the towne to the pillage causing the Churches carefully to be kept The 20. day he commaunded all his army to depart out of the Towne permitting no man any longer to bee pillaged or raunsomed Hee restored the ecclesiasticall persons vnto their seuerall charges much more peaceably then they were when the towne was in the occupying of the League The King beeing at Vendosme finding himselfe so neere Tours purposed to make a iourney thether to determine with the Lords of his Parliament there of certaine speciall businesse leauing in the meane time the army to be conducted by the Marshall Biron The 21. of Nouember hee departed from Melay by Vendosme and arriued at Tours the same day two houres within night where he was attended with so great ioy and gladnes of all the people of the Citie that such store of lights there was prepared in the Stréets at his arriuall that it was as light as the noone day That night the Prince Cardinall of Vendosme came to the King to doo him reuerence who receaued entertainment and countenance agreeable vnto his neerenes of bloud with the King The 22. of Nouember all the chambers of the Parliament came personally to salute and acknowledge the King the first president making the relation with such substance and eloquence as caused a great contentation to the King After them came the Maior and Iurats of the Citie who were most eurteously accepted by the King Last of all came the ecclesiasticall persons of the Towne all with great shew of ioy and hope of an happie and quiet gouernment therin they were confirmed by the answers which they receaued of the King in most excellent tearmes and Princelike eloquence The same day the Ambassador also of the state of Venice had audience where first he presented the letters of the seignory vnto the King and afterward declared the ioy they had of his happy succession vnto the Crown beseeching him to accept the offer of the friendship of the said feignory vnto his Maiestie and to promise and assure them of his and to maintaine the good entercourse betweene his crowne and the said signorie whereunto the King answered to their contentation The King was determined to haue stayed at Tours but one day but the people were so desyrous to see him that hee was faine to stay there foure dayes During which time of his aboade there the terror of his armes the loue of his clemencie which he shewed wheresoeuer he came the opinion of his iustice and the admiration of his wisedome and modestie did so mooue the people that the Townes of Lauerdine Chasteaudeloyre Montouert situated vppon the riuer Loyre and Montrichard situated vppon the riuer Chere in Toureyne voluntarily yeelded themselues So the 25. of Nouember the King departed from Tours and with one iourney went vnto his army at Chasteaudeloyre ten leagues of The King hauing great desire to besiege the Towne of Mans from Chandeloir sent to the Lord Farges to compasse the saide Towne
and to common it The Lorde Boysdaulphin which commanded in it for the League made answer as though hee had been resolued to bury himselfe therein and all those that were with him rather then to depart out of it and the 27. of Nouember the saiâ— Boysdaulphin went out of the towne to burne a great part of the Suburbe named la Consture but the Lord Farges comming vpon him with his troupes reseued a great part of the said Suburbe from burning The 28. of Nouember the King departing from Chasteaudeloyre the second day arriued at Iuray Leuesine distant from Mans one League The 30. of Nouember the Baron of Biron and the Lord Chastilion arriued with the greatest part of the French infantry by whome the same night the trenches which the enemie had made in the Suburbs was woon in some twenty foot high and might easily haue attended the Canon after that it was supposed that they were easier to be dealt withall then it was looked for considering the high loftie speaches of Boysdaulphine Captaine of the Rebels The 29. of Nouember the King came and lodged in the Suburbs which are faire and in a manner more commodious to lodge in then the Towne The same day the King caused all the rest of the Suburbs to bee woon except the Suburbe Saint Jahn situated on the other side of the riuer Sarthre which was woon the day after The said Boysdaulphin had burned more then halfe but specially that part which was next the bridge beeing the fairest houses so that their valour appeared in nothing else but onely in burning the houses and goods of their owne frendes The King bestowed three daies and nights trauelling himself almost the whole night in making Gabions and other preparatiues necessary for the battery and to see the pieces brought to their places All things beeing in a readines the second of December the King began to batter certaine defenses of the wall of the Towne and after certaine volâ—is of Canon Boysdaulphin perceauing that within three howers he should haue had an assault geuen him and his hart failing not willing to abide it for he was a man experienced nâ—t in feats of armes but onely in feats of sedition among a mutinous company of robbers as it did appeare in his dealing in Paris After few voleys of Canon shot his high wordes were turned to vanity he demanded parley and in fine by two a clocke in the after noone the said Towne of Mans was yâ—elded vnto the K. which without great â—are of the King had béene sacked by the Souldiers but he caused the gates to be kept shut and to take away all occasion of annoyance to the Citie he would not lodge in it himselfe but kept in the suburbs where he was first lodged There was within the Towne more then two hundred gentlemen and twenty ensignes of footmen who duâ—ing the time of parley did publickly scolde and outragiously reuile one another For the gentlemen said that the Souldiers would not fight the Souldiers said that against their wils the gentlemen would compound but in verie deede beeing but a rable of seditious persons when they came to the pâ—nch euery one did feare his skin For whereas they had caused the towne to bestow aboue two thousand crownes in fortifications they had burned aboue one hundred thousand crowns in housing in the suburbes they had ruined the countrey sixe times as much more and yet would they not abide aboue three voleyes of Canon Whilest the King battered Mans Brissak another busie Captaine of rebellious robbers heard the thundering of the Cannon beeing at la Forte Bernhard with two regiments who were coÌ„ming to succour the town of Mans beeing put in great feare gaue to himselfe the alarum and fled back againe twelue leagues and in retiring fell vnawares into the Rutters quarter that serued the King who tooke from him thirtie or fortie horses chariots without the losse of any man The King restored into the Towne the Bishop and the Lord Larges his brother to his office of Gouernour there as he had been before and pardoned the inhabitants who came as well Ecclesiasticall as other to giue him thankes with protestation of fidelitie and true obedience The King abode there after the taking of it fiue daies during the which time the greatest part of Gentlemen who were in the Towne of Man and had bin seduced by the League and by them induced to this rebellion put themselues into the Kings seruice About the second day of December the Castles of Beaumont and Touuoy yéelded vnto the King and about the same time in the countrey of Laual the Townes of Sabliee Laual Chasteaugontier townes of importance and many other of lesser name were brought vnder the Kings obedience About the 9. of December the King sent his armie to Alencon vnder the conduct of the Marshall Byron and the Baron his sonne Marshall of the Campe whilest he himselfe made a voiage into the countrey of Laual to the intent by his presence to comfort the Nobilitie and people of that countrey who were newly redeemed from the slauerie of the Rebels and reduced to his obedience but specially to cause the Prince D'ombes to repayre vnto him out of Britaine that he might see him So taking his iourney the eight of December arriued at Laual the ninth day There as well the Ecclesiastical as Cannons and other sorts of popish priests with their ornaments wherewith they had accustomed to go to procession met him a great way out of the towne and hauing by the mouth of one made their submission and protestation of their fidelitie and obedience they accompanied the King marching before him vntill he entred into the towne singing with great melodie all the way along Viue le Roy. There came out likewise the Magistrates of the sayd Towne to méete him and the people saluted him as he passed through the stréetes with this acclamation viue le Roy. The King abode there ten daies and in the mean time the Prince D'ombes arriued with a great companie of Nobilitie out of Britaine who was most courteously receaued of the King In his way from the Man to Laual certaine of his companie departed from him and tooke in their way Chasteaubriault in Anjou and brought with them the Captain to the King being at Laual with many other prisoners The King hauing spent certaine dayes with the Prince D'ombes and taken order for the affayres of that Prouince sent him againe to his charge of Britaine and dispatched the Marshall Aumont to gather his straunge forces together so that the 20. of December the King departing from Laual went to Mayennelafahes where hee was very well receaued assured himselfe of the Castle and withoutleauing any other garrisons in the Towne passing through a most foule countrey arriued at Alencon the 23. of December Now the Marshall Byron departing from the Towne of Man with the armie the ninth of December could not reach to Alencon vntill the 15. day of
the same moneth by reason of the foule way which hindered the carriage of the Ordinance but hauing sent the Lord Artray certaine daies before he had compassed the Towne and at his first comming tooke the Suburbes and drew them of the Towne to composition Captaine Lago Gouernour of the Towne retyred into the Castle with foure hundred and fiftie Souldiers making shew as though he would defend it The place was very strong enuironed with water and strong wals well flanked and good towers The Marshall of Byron being entred the towne kept so good order in it that it was not seene that it had bin besieged the shops being kept open that day as if it had bin in time of peace and presently caused the artillerie to be brought before the Castle and shot at the defences found meanes to take away their water The 23. of December the King being arriued at Alencon and viewing what was done at the siege of the sayd Castle sayd that the siege would not be long The same day the King caused the sayd Lago who was within the Castell to bee aduertised that he was come and to bee sommoned at which newes he began to bee astonied and the morrowe after he required parley and the same day yeelded the place with promise of safetie of liues armes and baggage The King hauing prouided for the assurance of the place left there for Gouernour the Lord Artrey with a good garison in the towne and castle and departing herehence the 27. of December went and lodged at Sees where the Bishop and his Priests with the Magistrats of the Citie came to méet him and receaued him so well that he trusted vnto the inhabitants of the place without leauing therein any other garrison The 28. of December the King departed from thence to Argenton which is a good towne in Normandie wherein is a Castle of good strength There was in the same Castle three Ensignes of footmen whom the Lord Brissak had left there who with Captaine Picart and his regiment were come from Paris to Man and had promised to shewe himselfe at all the sieges which the King would take in hand and he would empeach him from the taking of any towne in the countreys of Mayne and base Normandie But this great warriour was as olde in courage as he was hot in words for he neuer shewed his face at any siege The inhabitants of the towne of Argenton hauing determined to yeeld to the King came foorth and met him most humbly desiring his Maiestie to receaue them to his fauour which thing he did willingly The Souldiers seeing that retyred into the Castle beseeching the K. to suffer them to depart with their liues and baggage which thing the K. granted vnto them The 29. of December the garrison of Damfront vnderstanding that he had sommoned the towne and that the inhabitants had determined to acknowledge and admit the King entred in consultation what they should doo and being deuided into contrary factions put themselues in armes one agaynst another It happened that they who would submit themselues to the King although they were not halfe so many in number as the other were encouraged and assisted of God for the iustice of the cause had the victorie The Baron of Verny Gouernour of the Castle was slayne and certayne other whereupon as well they of the Castle as of the Towne sent to the King to craue his fauour and clemencie which they obtayned The 30. of December the King sent to the towne to be assured of both partes which thing was done without force or violence The Lord Brissak and his companions rebels being beaten away out of all townes of Anjou Mayne and Perche had put himselfe with the regiment of Captaine Picart into Falaize a Towne situated betweene Argenton and Caen where is a Castell very strong and esteemed to be the best place of base Normandie the Castell of Caen only excepted Thether Brissak had entised many Gentlemen and Souldiours of the Countrey men of his owne humour whose heart did boyle with rebellion and treacherie and also the remnant of the Gantiers who had escaped the slaughter done vpon them before by the Prince Montpencier vaunting that they would repayre the honour of their companions who had yeelded and lost all other townes and that at this place all the spoyle which the King had gotten should be surrendred The night following the 30. of December the King sent the Baron of Byron to enuiron it with certaine troupes of men of warre who came thether the morning following so happily that hee found the Lord Brissak comming out of the Towne purposing to haue burned the Towne of Gybray which is as if it were a Subbâ—b of Falaize The saide Lorde Brissak perceauing the troupes of the Baron of Byron returned back into the Towne in hast and with great terror so that by the comming of the said Byron the Towne of Gybray was kept from burning seazed vpon and the enemies there inforced to râ—tyre into Falaize The 31. of December the King arriued and went presently accompanied with the Marshall Byron to view the Towne and Castell which are both strong The Towne is compassed with a great poole whose water cannot be drawne away the wall is good and flancked with good Towers and hard to approach for the battery of the Ordinance The castell is much stronger fortified with great and strong towers and very good walls with a dongeon separated and compassed with great deepe ditches Besides this the Lorde Brissak was within well accompanied with Gentlemen Captaines and Souldiours and made a great shewe that hee would defend that place effectually with intent to get honour The first day of Ianuaâ—â—e the King sent to sommon the Towne to the which the Lord Brissak made answer with a great bragging of resolution that he had vowed vnto God neuer to speake of any composition for that Towne Vpon this answer the King caused with great diligence and expedition gabions to be made baggs to be filled with earth and al things necessary for the battery to be done which thing was so dil gently followed that the third day of Ianuary all was in a readines and had begon to batter that day but he stayed for three Canons which the Prince Montpencier did bring to him out of the Castell of Caen which arriued at the siâ—ge that same day That sâ—me day the Prince Montpencier came to the King hauing with him about twelue or fifteene hundred Souâ—diours a good troupe of Gentlemen of the Countrey and certaine companies of men of aâ—ms with the three Canons aforesaid They which were within the Towne did neuer all these foure dayes sally out but with great braggings shewed a resolut minde supposing therewith to feare away the King The King hauing put all things in a readines for the battery determined to make one worke of two for knowing that the Castell being won the Towne could not hold out long hee concluded to place three
batteries whereof two from sundry parts should batter at one breath of the Castell The third being placed vpon a rock should scoure certaine waies along behinde the breach of the side of the Castell Therefore the fift day of Ianuary at eight of the clock in the morning his Ordinance began to beate two great towers which flanked from the one to the other whereof the one serued for a defence to the breach which he supposed to make And after the bestowing of foure hundered Canon shot the top of one Tower being fallen and a hole being made in the other Tower that defended the creach the King caused it to be battered spéedily for there néeded but the beating of a little piece of a Wall This done the King commaunded certaine companies of Souldiours to goe and view if they could lodge in the said Tower at whose commaundement certaine of them entring the hole which was made through went into the Castell and finding no resistance called their fellowes who entring one after another in a shortspace they became Masters of the Castell and Towne They within being sore dismayed without any fight retyred into the dâ—ngeon out of the which they sent thrée Gentlemen to beséech the King to receaue them vpon any composition The King answered that he would not receaue them but at his pleasure and that they should proue his clemency without binding him else vnto any condition The sixt of Ianuary the King suffered the Lord Brissak to come and submit himselfe vnto him and being ouercome with pitty which hée had vpon the young Gentlemâ—n graunted their â—iues in choosing fifteene of the best sort of them whome hée would keepe prisoners as warlike enemies and fifteene more such as hee should thinke good should bée at his Maiesties disposition Thus God did so beate downe these proud and insolent rebels roaring and breathing a little before nothing but fire and bloud that none of them did proffer or séemed to make head otherwise then by words The Towne being taken by assault could not be preserued from pillaging and sackaging that there might be a difference betweene them that fled to the Kings clemency and those who obstinatly did proue the force of his army the one being wholy desolat the other reioysing in a full quietnes and perfect peace The 15. whom the King tooke for warlike Enemies were put to their ransom the town was geuen to the Souldiours of the other fifteene who were at the Kings disposition the Lord Brissak as consenting and accessary to the Kings death was condeÌ„ned to die But wheras after the Kings death and when the townes of Picardie did reuolt the rebels had taken the Duchesse of Longeuille mother to the Duke now liuing prisoner for abhorring their rebellion and detained her in captiuitie in the Citie of Amiens The Duke of LoÌ„gueuille greatly desirous to deliuer his mother begged the said Brissak to set his mother at liberty and in place of safetie by exchange with the said Brissak which thing the king granted supposing that it would not bee long afore he would come againe into his hands to receaue the reward of his rebellion and parracide Hetherto Christian Reader thou hast seen into what miserable and wofull state the whole Realm was throwen in by the Leaguers by their Friers Monkes and desperat Iesuits and by their venimous seditions and vngodly sermons preached to the people to stirre them to all manner of damnable license And how that kingdome sunke and drowned in a most confused rebellion was left by the king Henry the third and last of the noble familie of Valoys and deliuered to Henry the 4. now king of France and Nauarre named declared and inthronised by his predecessor approued accepted and proclaimed lawfull and natural heire and king of y e crowne of France after the maner of the Emperours of the Romans by the Princes Nobilitie Officers of the Crowne not among few Priests Bishops and Monks with a trash of ceremonies but in the middle of an armie by y e Marshals Colonels captaines Souldiers acknowledged obedience sworn vnto by the best and soundest part of the realm towns cities Commonalties people as well ecclesiasticall as temporall resisted onely by few rebels and robbers who hauing surprised some Townes and Cities do exercise an intollerable and more then Turkish tyranny ouer the Citizens otherwise well disposed Thou hast séene also how God hath guided his hands to battell and his fingers to fight hath blessed his armes before and now in the beginning of his raigne with prosperous successe of victories and reduced Townes Cities and whole Prouinces seduced by the Leaguers to their duetifull obedience and hath so restored to them which will be quiet vnder his gouernement peace iustice and iudgement that they may say that the Lord after a long continual stormy tempest hath geuen them as a calme weather to restore in that afflicted state saturnia regna wherein godlinesse and iustice ought to raigne Now before we make an end of this yeare and this seuenth booke together wee will lay downe other exploits of warre done in other partes of France but specially in the Prouince of Daulphine and hauing no ample informations nor obseruation of time and other circumstances necessary to the perspicuity of the history we will put downe onely the euents bare and naked as it were priuate memories in such sort as they were sent to the noble Princesse of Orenge out of her soueraignty of Orenge by some of her seruantâ— there desyrous onely to aduertize her excellency simply of the accidents which had passed there It said before how the Guizes head of the League tooke for party the king of Nauarre and with him the professors of the reformed religion as onely hinderers of their driftes And afterwardes they proclaimed open warre against the Lords Espernon and Valete his brother who with their faithfull seruice and wise counsel were stumbling blockes in the way of the said Guizes and Leaguers disappointing them of their purposes The L. Valete beeing in Prouance and Daulphine and vnderstanding of the execution done at Bloys vppon the persons of the Duke of Guyze and the Cardinall his brother by a prudent wisedome foresaw how some new tumults would ryse thereupon and how the king would turne his forces against the Leaguers vpon that occasion would reconcile the king of Nauarre to him and vse his seruice and of them of the reformed Religion And thereupon to auoyde all inconueniences which might ensue this strange and vnexpected accident thought good to make peace with the Lord des Diguieres a noble man of great valour who had constantly and valiantly defended the cause of the religion and brought many Townes Cities and Fortresses from the tyranny and slauery of the Leaguers to the Kings obedience And when after the death of the Duke of Guize many Townes and holds had rebelled partly induced by the outâ—ries of y e Leaguers and partly surprized by them but
specially in Prouance Peace vpon these occasions was made betwéene them that their forces being ioyned together they might the better be able to preuent the traiterous attempts and resist the practizes of the saide Leaguers After which agréement the said Lordes des Diguieres and Valete came together and oftentimes sat in counsel to take aduise for the safe kéeping of the countrey of Daulphine and Prouance in the Kings obedience they together entred Valence Romans Tullet and other places After these two Noble men by this newe reconsiliation had been some dayes together they determined to separate themselues and their forces the Lord des Diguieres remayned in Daulphine and the Lord Valette went with his forces into Prouance there to stop the attempts of the Rebels After the separation of these two Noble men the Lord des Diguieres first layed the siege before the fortresse of Auxonne right agaynst Montlimart which had been surprised by the Rebels and tooke it by assault the fift day of Ianuary the Captayne of the sayd Fort and all his men were put to the sword Shortly after the taking of Auxonne the Lord Eschambault who had constantly defended the reformed religion in Viuaretes ioyned his forces with the Lord des Diguieres which thing before he could not well doo From Auxonne the Lord des Diguieres strengthened with the forces of the Lord Eschambault layd the siege before the Hold of Colonseles in the countie of Griguan which he tooke by assault The Gouernour of that Hold was hanged and all his companie put to the sword one onely saued vpon condition that he should pay all the expenses that the whole armie had béen at that siege The sayd Lord des Diguieres departing from Colonseles tooke his way straight to the County of Veyascin and assoone as he was entred the countrey the Holds of Bauuyes Taussie le Bouschâ—l Racheringes and Rochegardes yéelded vnto him neuer expecting the Canon These Forts being surrendred he went to lay the siege before Camaret a place well fortified distant from Orenge about two miles The sayd towne yeelded at the sight of the Canon with safetie of liues as well of Souldiers as inhabitants From Camaret he went to the siege of Vacquiras he tooke also by composition Aubiguan where he rested the whole armie to refresh his Souldiers ten dayes Thether came the Deputies of the countrey to demaund a truce From Aubiguan the Lord des Diguieres went to besiege an Hold called Cayranne which was taken by assault the gouernour thereof being an Italian was hanged in the worship of Nuestra donna de Loretta and all his Souldiers for company with him or els put to the sword After this execution done the Gouernours of all places and Townes thereaboutes as Rakesell S. Romans Villedieu Boysson Mirebel Paymerat S. Romanet and others came to him and offered him their keyes From Cayranne the Lord des Diguieres went foorth to besiege Molans a place well fortified where are Castles very strong There he bestowed three hundred shot of canon and at length a breach being made the assault was giuen and after two hundred and fiftie men of the enemies had béen stayne the Towne was taken The Lord of the sayd place had his life saued in paying ten thousand Crownes for his raunsome and besides his house sacked There was during the time that these affaires did so passe in Daulphine a certayne méeting of Deputies of Grenoble and other Townes Cities of that Prouince making suite for to haue a truce for foure yeares vppon whose suite the Lord des Diguieres drewe néere to Grenoble and lodged his armie thereabout in the Countrey but hee himselfe went to Nions There the Deputies meâ— and requested to haue truces and ceasing from warre during the space of foure yeares But when as they could not agree vpon the conditions the Lord des Diguieres appoynted another méeting at Bogency within two miles of Grenoble and at length a truce was concluded betweene them about the latter end of March which was signed sealed and confirmed with great solemnitie in the Suburbs of Grenoble It was agréed that the principalitie of Orenge should be comprised in it and that they of the League who wâ—re returned to the Kings obedience should pay to the Lord des Diguieres for the intertainement of his companies eyghtéene thousand Crownes and the one halfe of all tolles which was thought to amount to fifty Crownes a day Moreouer they agréed to pay him eyght thousand Crownes for the intertaining of certaine Ministers and workes of pietie in Daulphine Also that the Fort of Bogencie and diuers other holdes kept by the Leaguers should be beaten downe and rased to the geound This truce was proclaymed in Grenoble on Easter day About the same time there was an assembly of the Prouince of Languedock holden in Nismes and Lunel about the like truce It is said before how the Lord des Diguieres and la Valete had ioyned themselues in amity for the Kings seruice and how the Lord Valete after hauing soiorned with the said des Diguieres to take counsell â—ogâ—ther about the Kings affayres in Daulphine and Prouance the Lord Valete with his forces went into his gouernement of Prouance where finding that Countrey full of confusions and factions by the meanes of the Court of Parliament at Aix and the Lord of Vins which not onely were rebels but also had solicited the Countrey to the like rebellion the said Lord Velete had caused an assembly of the states of Prouance to be holden after his arriuing there and being very strong and hauing the greatest part of the holdes in the Countrey they agreed in the saide assembly to make warre against the said court of Parliament and Lorde of Vins and for that purpose the States there deliuered him ten thousand Crownes The Lord Monbrune ioyned himselfe with the Lord Valete and surprised some strong places in that Prouince The King had called the Lord Mommorency from the gouernement of Languedock and had giuen that charge to the Lord Ioyeuse but at length the King perceauing that the said Ioyeuse by the perswasions of his mother inclined to the rebellion of the Leaguers he tooke that gouernement againe from him restored the Lord Mommorencie to that charge with commaundement to remoue the Parlâ—ament of Tholouze to the Citie of Narbonne because that Tholouze had rebelled against the King as is aforesaid The Citie of Narbonne vnderstanding of the restablishment of the Lord Mommorencie by the King shut vp their gates against Ioyeuse sent for the said Mommorency being then in Auignon proffering to receaue him saeing that it was the kings pleasure to haue restablished him in that gouernemeÌ„t The said Mommorency departed from Orenge the 28. of March to Narbonne ward The Townes of Languedock which were in the power of them of the Religion refused to haue his authoritie published among them without the expresse commaundement of the King of Nauarre The Lord des Diguieres hauing
concluded a truce as is aforesaid in Daulphine and set that Prouince in some good stay with his campe marched toward Prouance to ioyne with the Lord Valete to reduce that countrey to the Kings obedience It is said before how the King during the déepe winter did great exploytes with prosperous successe in subduing the Countries of Beausse Anjou Toureyne Mayne Lauall Perche and most part of Normandie in reducing them to their duetie of aleageance restored them peace iustice and iudgement vtterly subuerted and troden vnder foote by the Leaguâ—rs and how hauing continued few dayes at the siege of Falaize tooke it by assault Now we will returne againe to few matters which were done in the end of this yeare It is said how the Duke de Maine after the Kings departure from Paris gaue himselfe to fight with the Coffers and counting houses of the Parisiens But for recreation sake also he put on the armor of Venus to fight with the Curtizans of Paris so that beeing molten in all filthy pleasures the Lady Saint Beufue or some other such Uirgin did so dresse him that his name shortly after was writteÌ„ in the Chirurgians hall among them that had the pockes and lying in Paris about two moneths with his army about the Citty without dooing any thing for the aduancement of the holy Union onely that it might appeare that he was a King of Fryers he was first annointed King of Fryers by the Chirurgians of Paris with that holy Oile and extreame vnction wherewith the Popes Priests Monks Fryers and Iesuits are oftentimes annoynted and after that crowned with such a crowne as the Fryers themselues are crowned with and about the time that he had somewhat recouered his strength and téeth began to be somewhat fast in his head and his drabbling had left him Fryer Sixtus who somewhat afore the Kings death had called home his Legat who was a Uenetian Bishop of Brixia for that he was thought in Rome to fauour very much the kings affaires vnderstanding the kings affaires to haue better successe then hee would wish or had expected sent a new Legat into France to comfort assist and further the affaires of the Rebels he sent I say Fryer Henrique Cardinall Caietan his brother Canuillo Caietan Patriark of Alexandria when he can haue it Frier Philip Siga Byshop of Placentia Frier Francis Pauigarola Bishop of Aste Hieronimo Moceuigo Bishop of Ceueda Laurence Bauchet Iudge de Rota and Secretarie of this Legacy all whelps of one litter and by one ye may know all the rest who were sent in company with their traine to rid Rome of so many Caterpillers These routes of filthy Friers with their Mouchachos arriued in Paris about the middle of December with loads of such blessings and holy reliques of Rome as the Mules of Frier Campegius did ouerthrow and scatter in Cheapside when hee came into England about the diuorsement of King Henry the eight and Queene Catharine of Spaine his first wife This Frier Henrique called the heads of the League to counsell keepeth a stirre with them chid them that they were lurking in taking their pleasures without dooing any thing for holy Church and holy vnion but now they must go about their businesse handsomly wherefore comprehendeth the whole affaires in four principall points whereof three of them he would performe himselfe And first after the maner of Fryers which is alwaies in their Sermons to remember their conuent to begin with the Deuill hee proclaimed a Iubile through all France to prooue yet whether hee might with that old patched net of robbery called indulgences fish any money to helpe his master who had sent him to fish to maintaine in their brauery the holy Mochachos and Curtizans in Rome During the time of this Iubile which began at the feast of the natiuity of Christ Frier Henrique do replenish the minds of the Parisiens with superstitions the streates of Paris with processions the Churches with sottish Idolaters his belly with the best meat he could get and his purse with as much money as he could This Fisher with his ragged net was not so much superstitiously receaued in Paris as he was despised and laught to scorue euen by the Catholiks generally through all France maruelling that this Saint Peter fisher had no better tooles to goe about his busines and so as the Prouerbe is seldome doo speede the fowler neuer the fisher for beside what he did in Paris in any where else he get not a poore peny to blesse himselfe Secondly he goeth about to weaken the King for hee wrote letters to the Cardinals Bishops and Nobility of the Catholick religion wherewith he warned them of the great danger of their soules in following ayding assisting a King heretick shewing them the great harme which this schisme would doo in time to the Catholick Church by which word he meant the Legioss of Locustes of Priestes Monkes Friers and Iesuites He wrote this supposing that his bare letter would haue caused the Catholicks by heapes to forsake the Kings defence and to ioyne with the rebels This letter of Frier Henryque had thrée diuers effects for first some Bishops thought good to repayre to the King to sée whether they could make him a Catholick to whome the King answered as he had once before answered a Cardinall that he was able sooner to make a Cardinall a Hugonet then a Cardinall would make him a Catholick Others as the Cardinals of Vendosme and Leuoncourt with diuers other Byshops were of opinion that it was most expedient to call a nationall counsel according to the which the king had promised to reforme himselfe But vnto this Frier Henrique the Legat would not harken by any meanes fearing both the light and the pinch The nobility answered that they did hold him for the true heire and successor of the Crown whom they would establish in the full possession therof and when the king had pacifyed the Realme they will thinke on that matter The third thing was to encourage the rebels to set vpon the king two manner of waies by counsell and money First he shewed vnto them that it was shame for them that while the king and hereticks had made great conquests they had done nothing but lurke and take their pleasures That Frier Sixtus his Masters pleasure was to set vppon the king with all their forces before hee were strengthened and confirmed in the kingdome the longer they should delay and linger the harder it would be for them to preuaile against him Now they ought to beate the yron while it is hot and followe the matter while the rebellion is vniuersall the number of partakers great the hearts of them animated while there is great store of money gotten out of the coffers of the inhabitants of Paris out of the confiscations and proâ—criptions of the Royalls they had receaued great store of the Catholick K. of Spayne and he had also charge from Fier Sixtus to deliuer to them fiftie
to two thousand men all old Souldiers The Duke being flided away and the King seeing the opportunitie of battaile gone with him determined to do his businesse and to take Dreux garded by Captaine Falande with a strong garrison that if he had it in his obedience he might ouerlooke and bridle the Citie of Chartres vntill that conueniently he might haue opportunitie to enterprise vpon it The King in going to the siege of Dreux tooke Noueyncourt and being at Dreux and the breach being readie to giue the assault the King vnderstoode that the Duke was returning toward Seyne for to passe ouer the bridge at the Towne of Nante which then did hold for the Leaguers full of confidence and trust in that proude and mightie army which consisted of thrée and twentie thousand men of all sorts The King considered wel that the Dukes forces were but borrowed and that now out of hand hee must hazard or els his companies in a small time would disband themselues and retyre home and that with delaying with him he might dissipate his forces He knewe well also that they who doo proffer iniurie are commonly more desperat then they who doo withstand it He weighed well his small number in comparison of the great multitude and that there were forces comming to him out of Champaigne as good as these which his enemie had receaued out of the Low Countrey which he might in protracting the time receaue shortly He sawe well that the countrey was fauourable to the enemie which reasons might haue perswaded a great warriour by policie to haue weakened the enemie as Fabius did Hannibal But the King had more sufficient and substanciall reasons which did bid him to encounter the enemie as the assured confidence whereby he reposed himselfe in Gods goodnesse and protection and casted himselfe in his armes the equitie of his cause his lawful vocation agaynst mutinous traytors and parricides so that each of these reasons was stronger to him then so many hundred thousand men which made him to conclude that considering these causes God could and would dissipate his enemies notwithstanding their great forces as well with fewe as with many Being also confirmed by the experience which he had at Arques and in the Suburbs of Paris In the meane time while the King was at Dreux the Duke de Mayne hauing receaued the forces which came out of the low Countrey thought himselfe sure of a prosperous successe and promising an assured victory to his partakers passed his forces ouer the bridge of Manie and marched toward Dammartin which was but four miles off The King vppon the reasons aforesayd resolute to encounter with few that huge multitude on a sudden from before the breach raysed vp the siege from Dreux and departed the second day of March the besieged with great reioysing beholding and wondering at the cause of such a sudden departing The same day the King went backe the way that he was come and lodged in the Towne of Noueyncourt to cut the passage to the enemy of a little riuer which runneth by Assoone as he came thether hee caused warning to be giuen that on the next morning euery man should bee in a readines The night following that day the King set in order the manner of the battaile which in the morning early the third day of March he shewed to the Prince Montpensier to the Marshals Biron and Aumont to the Baron Biron Marshall of the field and to other Princes and Captains of the army who with one voice hauing considered of it according to the skill of warre they approoued and would change nothing of it That day hee gaue charge to the Baron of Biron to set euery man in his place and order and did choose that morning the Lord Vieques sargeant Maior of the battell who was one of the ancient masters of the footmen in France This thing beeing done the King willing to begin this great worke with prayer with great vehemency and confidence hee made his prayers vnto God in the hearing of all men wherein hee called God to witnes that hee knew the purpose of his hart and well vnderstood whether it were for desire of glory or for ambition or for desire of blood or longing for reuenge which made him resolute to this battaile that hee was his iudge and witnes vnreproueable that nothing mooued him thereto but the tender loue that hee did beare to his poore people whose peaceable and quiet estate hee esteemed more then the safety of his owne life he besought God so to direct his will as hee should best see to be good for the benefite of Christendome And as for himselfe he prayed God to saue and helpe him as he knew to be good and profitable to the weale and quiet of the state and not otherwise This prayer eloquent in words but more passing pure and deuout in sense did so rauish all those that were nigh that euery man after his example did the like And after that all that after noone was seene in Noneyncourt the Churches full of Princes Lords Gentlemen and Souldiers of all Nations hearing Masse communicating and playing the good Catholikes They of the reformed religion made their humble prayers and supplications to God The court of Parliament at Tours being aduertised of the things which were like to passe betweene the King and his enemies commaunded generall processions and prayers to be made the third and fourth of March for the King and for his good and prosperous successe Lyke commaundement was sent vnto the reformed Churches about to do the like in their congregations though not in the like forme so that at Tours the Catholikes did almost nothing else these two daies men women and children but pray after their maner This deuotion beeing done at the Campe the whole army did shew such countenances as though euery man had receaued a seuerall answer◠of God concerning the happie successe which each of them should obtaine The King had caused sommons to bee giuen to the Towne of Saint Andrew beeing from Noueincourt eight miles in the way going to Iury where he supposed the enemy and his army had béen lodged The Kings companies came to a great plaine nigh the towne Saint Andrew About the same plaine there are certaine villages and a litle wood called la haye de Pres that is the medowes border or hedge There the King with the Marshals Biron Aumont and the Baron of Birō marshal of the field began to set the battaile in order following the plot agreed vpon before The King hauing tryed in battels and skirmishes before that it is more aduantage to make horsemen fight in squadrons then in rings specially his that haue no launces deuided all his horsemen in seauen squadrons and all the footmen placed at the flankes of the said squadrons and euery squadron had a company of forlorne footmen The front of the battel was in a right line bending somewhat at the 2. endes The first Squadron on the
left side was that of the Marshall Aumont consisting of three hundred good horsemen hauing on his two sides 12. regiments of French footmen The second was the squadron of the Prince Montpensier consisting of three hundred Horses and on his left hand foure or fiue hundred Lanceknights and on the right hand a regiment of Swissers euery company of the strangers forces being lyned with footmen The third Squadron was of light horsemen deuided into two companies the one whereof the great Prior Colonell was the Leader and the other company of the light horsemen was conducted by the Lord Gyurye Marshall of the field of the said light horses hee was able to make foure hundred horses These two companies of light horses were placed a little before the foresaid squadrons and at the left hand of them was the artillerie to wit foure cannons and two culuerins The fourth squadron was that of the Baron of Biron which might bee of two hundred and fifty horses and in the same ranke and order at the left hand towards the Prince Montpensier was a company of light Horsemen The fifth squadron was the Kings which made fiue rankes and in euery ranke sixe score horses he had on the left side two regiments of Swissers of the Canton of Glaris and of the Grisons and on his right hand a great Battailon of two other regiments of Swissers the one of the Cantons of Solethurne and the other of the Colonel Balthazare which amount in the whole eighteene ensignes The Battailon on the right hand had the regiment of Brigueulx and on the left wing the regiments of Vignoles and S. Iohn The sixt Squadron was of the Marshall Byron who had two hundred and fiftie good horses with two regiments of French footmen The seauenth Squadron was of the Rutters who had ioyned with them French footmen like as other companies had Things were so ordered by the King and Lord Marshalls and Baron of Byron plied the matter so that in lesse then an houre all was so fitly disposed that it could not be deuised better And while the King did thus set in order his battell the night before and that morning there arriued vnto him sixe hundred horses vnlooked for to wit the companyes of the Prince Countie both horsemen and footmen there came also the Lord Guiche great master of the Ordinance and the Lord Plessis Morney with their companies to whom vpon deliberation was graunted place in the Kings Squadron The same day also while the King stayed in battell array came companies from the garrisons of Deepe and Arques and other companies and Lords out of Normandie to the number of two hundred horse and more who were placed some vnder the gouernment of the Prince Montpencier some with the King and some with the Baron Byron In the meane time the King sent light horsemen for Spyes on the left side of the battell supposing that the enemie did lye at Iury which is a great towne hauing a bridge ouer the riuer Eure thinking there to set vppon the enemie But when they had scarse passed halfe a mile they vnderstood that the enemie was aware of the matter more then they thought and that the enemie had passed the riuer Eure and that they began to shew themselues in battell array The enemie had passed that riuer not thinking to haue the Kings army so nigh But the king hearing of their going to Verneuille thought to méet them there and arriuing thether found that the enemie had sent his Harbingers for to take vp lodgings euen néere the place where the kings army lay When these newes came to the Campe there was an excéeding ioy among all men of all degrees Betweene the two armies there was a Village in the playne which was holden by the enemie which the King made straight way yeeld to him but for al this occasion giuen the enemie did not stirre But the King seeing that it was nigh Sunne setting and hauing not yet descryed the manner of the lodging of their Campe and considering they might bee at some aduantage was aduised not to march for that time any further whereupon there he stayed his armie for that night All that day the two armies were in sight one of the other There were onely some odd skirmishes betweene them in the which prisoners were taken who reported that the number of the enemie was greater then they were aware off and that they were giuen to vnderstand that the Kings companyes were come thether rather for a fashion then minding to bid battaile The night drewe on which caused the army to encampe there where they were set in battell array It is reported that the night following the third day two armies were seene in the Skye and the lesser number put the greater to flight The King would not departe from the army before hee had knowledge of the enemies lodging and had set all his watches in order The Noble men lodged in the villages about the playne which the enemies thought to haue surprized that day the king was the last at fielde and two howers in the night lodged at Foucraynuille which is a Village at the left hand of the same plaine and there hauing a little refreshed himselfe sent word to his men euery one to be in a readines against the morning and after he had rested himselfe about two howres on a pallet obseruing the auncient precept by Homer giuen to the Princes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 very early he sent to enquire for newes of the enemies newes came that the enemie séemed to haue repassed the riuer Eure hee sent the second time then word came that vndoubtedly they had not repassed Eure but that they lay in the Villages about Eure some what further then they were supposed to be These newes cheered the king who desired greatly to come to hand with the enemy Day light being come the Princes and Lords Marshalls came to the king and set their men in battaile aray The king bâ—gan in the presence of his houshold seruants and other present to make a most feruent and deuout prayer to God committing his life and the liues of his faithfull subiects and seruants and the defence of his cause vnto him who is the mightie God of battailes The Princes and Lords Catholicks went to heare Masse and their deuotions done went to refresh themselues The King sent to them of the reformed Religion in like manner to commit themselues to Gods most mercifull protection by prayers went in like manner to refresh themselues The king liueth so in the presence of God that hee is a spectacle of royall godlinesse and vertue to men and to the blessâ—d Angels of God All the kings companies hearing that they should ioyne in battaile that day with the enemies did exceedingly reioyce and by nine a clock the king came into the field and vppon warning giuen by two Canon shot by ten a clock all the companies were in order in their places The placing of
the Duke d' Mayne his battaile was much like to the kings the Duke d' Mayne with his Cornet which might bee of two hundred and fiftie horses was in the middest of two Squadrons of Launces of them that were come out of Flanders which might be of twelue or thirteene hundred horse The Duke of Nemours with his Squadron of two hundred and fiftie horse for his safety set himselfe in the middle of these Squadrons of launces The Knight d'Aumale likewise thrust himselfe into that companie thinking himselfe there to be safe so that there was in that huge company about eighteene hundred horsemen marching in a front On the sides â—t this great huge companie were two regiments of Swissers lined with French foote men There were two other Squadrons of Launces the one of light horsemen French Italians and Albaneses on the right hand the other on the left side of Wallons and Spanyards in the middle betweene both were French-footemen and Lance-knights The two wings were two great companies of Rutters which might bee on the right wing seauen hundred horse and on the left side fiue hundred they had on their left wing two Culuerins and two bastard Culuerins The king perceauing that the enemy would not come forward went toward them and hauing marched about a hundred and fiftie paces got the aduantage of the sunne and winde and perceaued that his enemies were in number more then they thought for the king perceaued that they were fiue thousand horsemen and eightéene thousand footemen The rebels were glistering with gold which they had gotten out of the coffers of the Citizens of Paris Rhemes and other townes by violence and robery and out of the king of Spayne his coffers and also out of Saint Peters treasure The kings army was glistering with yron and stéele there were in the kings army to bée séene a terrible sight of two thousand Gentlemen in complet armour from top to toe burning in affection to doo their king and Countrey good seruice for the conseruation of their wiues children houses and goods The King was in the front of his Squadron with a great bunch of white feathers on his Helmet and another bunch on his horses forehead The Princes Earles and knights of the holy Ghost and other principall Lords and Gentlemen of the chiefest houses in France were in the fore ranke The king exhorted all his company with great modesty with their humble prayers to commit themselues vnto God and to shew example to others began to conceaue a feruent praier which done the king walked vp and downe willing them to doo the like and encouraging them like valiant men to stand to the defence of a iust cause As soone as hée was come to his place the Lord Mariuault brought him newes that certaine companies of Picardie vnder the conduct of the Lords Humiers and Mouoy with other Lords and Gentlemen to the number of two hundred horse were within two miles of him But the king fully resolued to giue battaile with that power which he had would not delay any longer but sent commaundement to the Lord Guiche to cause him to shoote with the Ordinance which thing hée did straight waies whereby the enemies receaued great hurt for the king had discharged nine Canon shot with great effect before the enemy could begin After thrée or foure voleyes of shot had passed on both sides the 1. Onset Squadron of their old light horsemen compounded of French men Italians Albaneses consisting of fiue or sixe hundred horses came to giue the charge to the Marshall Aumont carrying with them the Lanceknights who were on their side But the Marshall Aumont willing to begin set vppon the enemy so hardly that he enforced them to scatter and to flée with great confusion and feare whome he chased to a little wood on the back side where the said Lord Marshall stayed attending the Kings comming as hee had in charge During this chase the company of Rutters on the right hand of the 2. Onset battaile of the enemies marched to haue seazed vppon the artillerie but they were met with light horsemen who made them quicklie retyre Then the Squadron of Launces Wallons and Flemmings marched 3. Onset on to haue charged with a fresh charge the saide light horsemen fighting with the Rutters but the Baron Byron shewed himselfe in the field and gaue the onset on the reregard because he could not set on the forefront there in the conflict he was hurt in the arme and in the face but at length the enemy was deâ—eted and scattered The Lord Montpencier séeing a great army of seauen hundred Spanish Launciers and thrée hundred Harquebusiers on horseback with corselets and murrions with thrée great standards that were vnder the gouernement of the County Egmond aduaunced toward them and gaue them such a charge as that albeit he was vnhorsed yet quickly getting vp againe brake their aray put them to flight and aboade there Master of the field There was a frantick Franciscan Frier of Biscay called Frier Mathew de Aguirre who runne vp and downe with his GOD whome they call Crucifix in his hand all his wit was in his Crucifixes head and incouraging the rebells and running against the Hugonets as though he would haue frighted them and wrought some myracle with his Idoll or played the bulbegger in a cloyster but a shot of Ordinance did beate him downe and his God so that there he ended his frantick fit At the selfe same time the great Squadron of the Duke d'Mayne came marching to the battailion hauing on the left wing foure hundred 4. Onset Harquebusiers on horseback who gaue a volley of shot within fiue and twentie paces of the Kings Squadron the same volley being ended the head of the enemies Squadron set on the Kings Squadron The King receaued the enemy with such a constancy and courage that after a quarter of an hower of hard fighâ—ing hauing before played the part of a king and great Captaine in commaunding and ordering of things now hee playeth the part of a lusty and braue Souldiour So that in such a great and furious assault he behaued himself so valiantly that he brake and put in disaray that terrible Forrest of Launces and at length after he had put them to flâ—ght with great confusion and terror he followed the victory and being lost in the chase caused a great heauines in his army vntil that within a while they spyed him comming all berayed with the bloud of his enemies without any hurt receaued And as the king was returning from the chase to his company with fifteene or sixtéene horses he was set on by two battailions of Swissers enemies and three companies of Wallons and certaine other who did weare redd crosses The king did set vpon them with his small number tooke away their Cornets and killed those that carryed and guarded them When the King had come to his place againe the whole armie in token of
thanksgiuing to God for his safe returne â—aluted him with this acclamation God saue the King Two thousand horsemen in all of Princes noble men and gentlemen did defeat al this huge army of fiue thousand horsemen and eight thousand footmen the rest of the Kings forces neuer sâ—irring from their places Thus the Horsemen béeing scattered there remained yet Swissers Lanceknights and French footmen The Launceknights and French footmen were charged and about two thousand and foure hundred remained on the place as it were in a moment The rest were taken prisoners and some of them fled into the woods whereof a great number wandering abroad were slaine by the Pesants The Swissers notwithstanding they had lost their Horsemen which were at their wings part beeing slaine and part fled set a good countenance on the matter The King once was minded to set the French companies on them to disaray them and had sent the Baron Biron to that effect but calling to mind the ancient aliance betweene that nation and the crowne of France called him back againe with his companies and offered them grace and mercy so much he did to those companies of Frenchmen who were with them who refused not his gracious fauour but comming and passing by him rendered vnto his Maiesty their Colonels Captains Souldiers and Ensignes The King staying to pardon the Swissers gaue the enemy leasure to auoid by flight And whilest he stayed to do this Princelike act iudging that he was not called to that high degree of Maiesty ad interitum but ad beneficentiam generis humani The Marshall Aumont with a great company which he had assembled from the pursute in like manner the grand Prior and the Marshall Biron who by reason of his great experience for that hee had béen at so many stormes of battails and skirmishes with his horsemen and companies of French footmen was reserued to the last onâ—et if need had béen relyed themselues to the King The companies also of the Lord Humiers Mony and other gentlemen of Picardy came in the middle of the battell and after the victory came to the King The Duke de Maine seeing that the mishap which he wished to others fel vpon him tooke his way with great terrour toward Iury leauing behind his ordinance bagge and baggage and as many beside as could not runne away so swiftly as he did the great kill Deuils Don Pedro Moreo and Don Iuan de Cordoua two Spanish Moores with such as could follow them ran after him Great companies of the enemie had gotten before some followed after and as feare made them hast to presse ouer the bridge of Iury to runne a second course toward Mante it is reported that he killed some with his owne hand to make him a way ouer least he should be the hindermost and when he had passed ouer he caused the bridge to be broken leauing his friendes to shift for themselues and by that occasion many through feare beeing out of their wits cast themselues into the riuer where were drowned aboue fifteene hundred persons Others fearing to be taken by them who followed in the chase killed their Horses to stop the wayes and many supposing to haue saued themselues in the woods fell into the hands of the Pesants and countrey people which vsed them more cruelly then the Souldiers would haue done The Duke de Mayne hauing passed Iurye broken the bridge tooke his way to Mante there to passe ouer the bridge and to retire to Pontoise The inhabitants once had determined not to let him in whereupon some do report that beeing before Mante he swore with great othes that hee had discomfited the Kings forces and had killed the King with his owne hand but when they would not be mooued therewith knowing the contrary hee began to intreat them shewing them the danger wherein hee was they mooued with his prayers to compassion of his estate let him in with condition that his retinue should passe by ten and ten that night ouer the Bridge The Duke of Nemours Bassampierre the Vicount Tauaine Rosne and many others fled to Dreux and the day after to Chartres many who could not follow them went astray and knowing not whither they went were taken prisoners The King hauing played the great Captaine and lusty Souldier in getting the victory now sheweth himselfe a right Generall of an army in pursuing the sayd victory for which well to doe he deuideth his forces as followeth The grand Prior with a great company hee sent to chase the enemy on the left hand toward Eureux The Baron of Biron and with him the residue of horsemen who were gathered together and the companies which were arriued out of Picardie at the instant of the battel he sent at the right hand toward Dreux The King himselfe accompanied with the Princes Countie and Montpensier the Marshals of Aumont and Trimouille with a great company of other Lords and Captayns of the same army followed on the victory and continued the chase fiue howers The King vnderstanding how the Duke de Mayne had entred into Mante tooke vp his lodging at Rosnye two miles from Mante where he was as meanly lodged as the enemy Many were slaine in the pursute many were taken prisoners The King with two thousand horses killed aboue two thousand horsemen and many of them Commanders fiftéene hundred and aboue were drowned at the riuer Iury in the flight The most part of the footemen were cut off in peeces fewe ranne away who were either slayne in the chase or by the people of the country aboue 4. hundred of the enemies were takeÌ„ prisoners The Swissers and the Frenchmen ioyned with them yeelded themselues to the Kings clemencie So that of three and twentie thousand of y e enemie there returned neuer home aboue eight thousand Their bagge baggage artillerie and munition was stayed in the Kings hand There were aboue twentie Cornets of horsemen taken and among them the white Cornet and the bearer thereof to wit the Lord Boysdaul phine taken prisoner by the King The great Ensigne of the Generall of the Spanyards and Flemmings the Colonell Cornets of the Rutters were taken aboue threescore Ensignes of footmen as Flemmings French men and Launce-knights and foure and twentie of the Swiffers that yeelded themselues all these â—ame into the Kings hands Among them that were slayne were chiefest of all the Countie Egmond the Duke Brunswicke Captaine Colin a Spanyard the Lord Chastaigueray and many others Of prisoners taken were the Earle Austfrist who was with the Rutters many Lords Spanyards Italians Frenchmen and Flemmings Of Frenchmen the Lord Boysdaulphine Cigoigne who bare the white Cornet of the Duke de Mayne This is the third time that this Rebell had fallen into the Kings hands within foure moneths and had alwayes found fauour at his hands There were also prisoners Mesdauid Fouteyne Martil Lechant Lodon Huguesan Falandre Tenisay Chasteliere Descuueaux with many others Of the Kings side were slayne the
Lords Clermont Antragues one of the Captaynes of the Kings gards who deceased nigh the Kings person The Lord Tischombert who had borne great charges in warre and now would needes serue as a souldier in the Kings Cornet The Lord of Longauluay in Normandy of fourescore yeares of age the Lord of Creuay Cornet bearer to the Prince Montpencier the Lord Vienne Lieftenant to the Lord Benuron the Lords of Manuille Fequers Valoys and twentie Gentlemen more at the most There were hurt the Marquesse of Neste the Earle of Choysy the Lord d'O the Earle Lude the Lords Montluet Lauergne and Rosny and about twentie Gentlemen more without any danger of death The King going to chase the enemie and hauing deuided his companies as is aforesayd left the Marshall Byron with the rest of his forces to conduct them and followe after him Here good Christian Reader thou hast to note certaine fatall periods of things to wit the circumstances of the persons time and place in the execution of Gods iustice vpon his enemies The 23. day of December 1559. Claude Duke of Guize and Charles Cardinall of Lorreyne his brother in the raigne of Francis the second procured Annas du Borg one of the chiefest Senators of the Court of Parliament of Paris to be burned for the Gospell at Saint Ihan in Greues in Paris The 23. of December as their Calender is now which was the day of the natiuitie of Henry of Bourbon which now raigneth in the yeare 1588. the last Duke and Cardinall of Guize were slayne at Bloys when they had concluded to murther the King the next morning following that day The fourth day of March 1561. Claude of Guize father to this last tooke armes agaynst the edict of Ianuary and committed the cruell murther of Vassie by the which breach of the peace were ciuill warres raised vp in France and euer since haue béen entertayned and nourished by his posteritie which warre was his vndoing The same day of the same moneth in the yeare 1585. the last Duke of Guize sonne to the sayd Claude tooke armes against the King which was the beginning of these last ciuill warres of the League by the which they haue procured their owne vndoing and of many others The same day of the moneth the Duke de Mayne brother to the sayd last Duke of Guize and heire of the Captainship of the rebellion made a shipwracke of all his forces at Saynt Andrewes plaine without hope euer to recouer the like forces Claude Duke of Guyze in December in the year 1561. fought the first battell that was giuen in all these ciuill Warres with Lewis of Bourbon Prince of Condie Prince of famous and blessed memory in the plaine of Dreux with an vncertaiue issue but in equall losses so that to this day it is vniudged who had y e victory but well knowen that the Duke of Guyze had the greatest losse The Duke de Maine fought agaynst Henry of Bourbon the fourth of that name now King of France and Nauarre at the plaine of Saint Andrew next adioyning to the other and the places not distant passing a mile a sunder with a reparable losse The Lord Rendan a rebellious Leaguer in Auuergne with such power as he could make in the sayd countrey but specially in the Townes of Rions and Brion rebelled and holden in the same rebellion by the Iesuits besieged Isoire a great and populous towne in the said Auuergne because it continued in the Kings obedience The Lords Chasseran and Rochemayne willing to do some honorable seruice to the King and good to their countrey gathered such power as they could of the Kings subiectes to rescue the sayd towne of Isoire from falling into the handes of the rebels and with a meane power trusting in GOD the defender of his Ordinance and wayghing the right of the cause marched towards Isoire The sayd Lord Rendan vnderstanding of their approach raysed vp the siege and went intending to meete the sayd Lordes Chasseran and Rochemayne and at the same day and time of the battell at Saint Andrewes playne meeting in a playne field not farre from Jsoire tried the quarell by the sword There the sayd Rendan was ouerthrowen and aboue fourescore Gentlemen of his were slayne on the place all his footmen cut to pieces the artillery bagge and bagage with many prisoners taken so the Towne of Isoyre was deliuered from the danger of the enemie retayned and confirmed in the Kings dutifull obedience It is said how after the victory the King deuided his army into foure parts three of them were appointed their quarters to follow the chase and the Marshall Biron to follow after the King with the residue of the army The King hauing taken this order followed after the Duke de Mayne but finding the bridg broaken was faine to go thrée miles about to passe the riuer afoord and in that way he found many straglers whom he tooke prisoners which was a good turne for them or else they had béen slaine by others he came so fast after the Duke d' Mayne that hee did misse him but a little but vnderstanding how he was receaued in Mant the king lodged that night at Rosni as is said very simple The fift day the Duke d'Mayne very early fearing to be besieged there retyred from Mante to Pontoyse where he soiourned few dayes to take some sure order for the safety of the Towne and after went to Saint Denis The same day the King sent to sommon the Towne of Mante which deliuered the keyes of their towne to his Maiesty receaued and acknowledged him their king and prince and continued there vntill the twentie day of March to refresh his army wearied with so many labours and hardnes of winter to take counsel of the course which he was to take hereafter and to expect certaine munition of warre which was comming to him from Diepe The Citie of Paris first author of this warre had conceaued an assured confidence of all prosperous successe by the vaine bragges which the Duke d'Mayne did cast foorth afore hee went out with the army The Friers Iesuites increased this vain confidence in their pulpets by assuring them either of a certaine victory or else of recoyling of the King as farre as beyond Loyre so that euery day they looked for the King dead or aliue and all his spoyles to be brought for a spectacle and to bee solde and bought among them or else to heare of his flight as farre as the riuer of Loyre This great confidence made them to liue very secure and carelesse in prouiding for the Citie besides that they rested much vpon the great multitude which is within the sayd Citie there beeing great bablers and boasters for the Parisien is as Epimenides speaketh of the Cretayns a lyer euill beast and slothfull belly The towns also which then did hold round about their Citie as Pontoyse beneath vpon the same riuer Charonton Meaux Laguye Corbeil Melun Montereau aboue vpon the riuer
him nor good for his master to meddle with the Kings affayres we sayd the Lord Byron hold the King for the true and naturall heire of the Crowne of France That the King maintained their lawes and liberties inuiolable and had none for enemies but fewe straungers thrust forward by ambition who vnder y e pretence of religion sought to ouerthrowe all good lawes to lay downe the foundation of their tyrannie to giue entrance to the Spanish King and for religion to bring in all Atheisme The Frier protested that his master was free from medling in any such enterprises But his doings his practises his ministring of money to the Rebels his conuersation and familiaritie with Bernardine Mendoza was so auerred to the foolish Friers face that he was proued a lying false flattering Frier Thereupon master Frier his stomacke being not yet satisfied would haue a saucie Frierlike fling against the King and demaunded the Marshall Byron how they being professors of the Catholike religion made so light account of his masters holines and purposes to carrie armes against the Catholikes their brethren The Lord Byron answered that they carried armes agaynst rebels and traytors and told him agayne that it were very wisely done for him his master to looke somewhat neerer to his owne estate For if he so encroached and medled with them they would quickly excommunicate him And that there were diuers Bishops in France as good Catholikes as his master who would bee glad to bee made Patriaches in their seuerall Prouinces and would finde as good Scripture to maintaine their authoritie as his master had any to defend his Some reasoning being vpon this poynt Frier Paniguerola was found to be so great a Clark that he could answer little or nothing But at length to conclude the talke he shewed the somme of his Ambassage to wit he desired a good peace to be concluded and some paynes to be taken to bring the King to be a Catholike But he shewed not his intent which was to delay the siege of Paris if the king had intended to besiege it out of hand The other Ambassadour to wit Vileroy was sent by the King to the Lord Plessis Morney a noble man of great wisedome and profound learning who handled the sayd Vileroy very plainly and roughly reproaching vnto him his vnfaithfull and treacherous seruice to his old master Henry the third And when he had denyed these things wherewith he was charged the Lord Beaulieu both condemned his fayre flattering wordes and promises which he brought now full of dissimulation and verified his olde trayterous practises agaynst his olde master it was thought that iustice should haue been executed vppon him for his treasons according to the Kings edicts The King hauing soiourned at Mante fewe dayes tooke his way to Vernon which lyeth between Mante and Pont de larche which also yéelded vnto him From Vernon the Gentlemen of Normandy to the number of fifteene hundred horses retyred to their home about the eight of March The Lord Chartres gouernour of Deepe returned to Deepe sicke in whose absence certaine Leaguers inhabitants there went about to haue seazed vpon the towne for the League who being detected and preuented at his returne were exiled out of the Towne to the number of sixe score among whom were many of the richest sort of all the towne About the same time that the King soiourned at Vernon the Duke of Longueuile the Lord of Tinteuille arriued to the King with eight thousand Rutters The King hauing seazed on Vernon and Mante and stopped the traffique of that riuer with the Citie of Paris on that side and prouided for the safetie of the sayd Townes concluded in his counsell to besiege Paris the principallest Citie of the Realme where it was considered that the Citie being populous and great would easily be woon by famine which would eschewe slaughter both of his owne Souldiers and Citizens whome hée would by all gentle meanes bring to their duetie of obedience and therefore it was thought good to stop the passages of the riuers Oyse Marne and Seyne aboue Paris For in stopping Oyse the Towne of Pontoyse also should bee distressed Therefore the King deuideth his armie as followeth The Duke of Longueuile should haue part of his armie to besiege Beaumont vpon Oyse He sent the Marshall Byron with another part of the armie to scoure the riuer Marne where he tooke Cressie a towne situated in Brie betweene Meaulx and Corbeil where a Parisien named Peter was Captaine for whose raunsome was proffered eight hundred Crownes but the King for some speciall causes commaunded him to be hanged and fiue and twentie of the chiefest of the towne with him The sayd Marshall Byron immediatly after the taking of Cressie layed the siege before Lagnye vpon the riuer Marne right agaynst Corbeil The Citizens required space of time to send vnto the King which was yet in Normandy to craue his gracious mercie which they obtayned The King about the 21. of March hauing receiued certayne munitions from Deepe and taken order for the safetie of Normandy with part of his armie coasted betweene the riuers of Seyne and Eure and tooke the townes of Possie and S. Germain and the Pont S. Clow and marched toward Corbeil to seaze vpon the riuer of Seyne on that side It is said before how the Leaguers had compacted with the King of Spayne vpon some conditions of receiuing a certaine somme of money to haue deliuered the Citie of Marsels a great strong Citie in Prouance vpon the Mediterran Sea but being disappoynted of his purpose as is said in the first Booke that Citie continued faithfull vnto the King vntil the Duke of Guize his death The King of Spayne had corrupted aforehand the chiefe gouernour of the Citie by giuing him pay to the summe of fifty Crownes a day he had also drawne to his faction three score of the chiefest Citizens paying to some forty crownes some more and some lesse a day Thus the hearts of a great number of Citizens being disposed the death of the Duke of Guize was bruted euen to the coast of the Mediterrane Sea The gouernour and his complices hearing of that began to â—nuaigh and bring the City to a wauâ—ring and inconstancy of wills counsels some would haue the Towne to yéelde to the League and some would not so the Citie remayned as neuter hanging neither to Spayne nor to France In the meane time the Lord Valete as is said hauing made peace with the Lord Diguieres and considering the wauering of that Citie had prepared a nauy of Galeys on the Sea before the said City to controule such Ships or other vessels as might come or goe that way to benefit the said Towne whome he molâ—sted as Leaguers The gouernour and the rest of malcontents hired by the King of Spayne practized that the said King of Spayne and the Duke of Sauoy should send Galleys thether in shew to clense the Seas but in déede
kings death They were hanged without any scraping of the holy greasing which they had of their Bishop These murtherers left a president what trust princes may haue in the rable of Friers Monkes and shaueling Priests About the same time the Lord Rubempre gouernour for the King in Tourreyne gaue an ouerthrow to the Lord Chastre in the Countrey of Berrye About the beginning of Iuly the Lord Viques a most cruell Leaguer had besieged Pontarson a towne in base Britaine holding for the King against the Leaguers and after three assaults in the which he was repulsed he heard that the county of Thorigni was comming with great forces to rayse the siege wherupon he retired to S. Michaels mount wrote letters vnto the Duke Merceur who was then at Nantes for succour fearing least he should bee forced in the sayd mount Saint Michaell Hee that carryed the letters came with the sayd letters to the Earle of Thorigny who hauing perused the letters sent the copie of the same to the Prince Dombes who was betweene Saint Mal◠and Vitre and forthwith sent the Messenger to the Duke Merceur with his letters who after hee had seene them sent by and by an answere to the sayd Lord Viques praying him to be strong and that within three daies he would come to his aide with three thousand men to rescue him from the Earle Thorigny and to oppresse him seeing that the sayd Earle could not haue helpe from the Prince The Messenger came agayne to the sayd Earle and shewed him the answere of Merceur the copie thereof was sent immediatly to the Prince the resolution was so taken betweene them that the Prince caused all the horsemen to march speedily and to get betweene the sayd Merceur and Nantes and the Earle of Thorigny marched towards the sayd Merceur The Duke perceauing that hee was compassed betweene two armies ventured to fight with the Prince Dombes and whilest they were a fighting the Earle came vppon him on the other side hee was so beaten betweene them that he lost seuenteene Ensignes and twelue hundred of his company were slayne on the place he saued himselfe by flight into the Castell Josselin one of the strongest places in all France When the Lord Viques vnderstood of this ouerthrow he yeelded and in the conclusion he gaue his Daughter in marriage to the yonger brother of the Lord Montgomery who was kept prisoner by him He was permitted to keepe Saint Michaell for his safety About the same tyme the strong Towne of Dinan in base Normandie hearing of the sayd ouerthrow of Merceur did beat out of their town their gouernour brother of the Duke Merceur killed many of his Souldiers and among them the chiefest of his Captayns named Iahn and so yeelded vnto the King About this time also the inhabitants of Kilbeuf in Normandie took a galley of the Duke Aumale laden with his goods as it was going vp to Roan In this moneth of Iuly the Franciscan Fryers of Sanlis must needes plaie a Fryerlike part they were greatly desyrous to betray the towne and to deliuer the same into the Leaguers handes which for to bring to passe they caused many Captains of the rebels to come thether apparrelled like Countrey men hauing each of them a basket full of Cheries vppon their shoulders as though they were market-folkes to sell Cheries These Cherie mongers were receaued by the said Friers into their Fryery house where they had gathered together great prouision of armor But this thing beeing suspected by some good Citizens they notifyed it to the King Whereuppon many were taken and of the Fryers Masse-mongers Chery-mongers and treason-mongers of the Towne were hanged to the number of seauen score and so the play was ended Wee haue left the King at Saint Denis whilest wee went to see what was done in other places of the realme now wee will come to the siege of Paris and first speake of the state of the Citie There the famin had so preuailed in the beginning of Iuly that it far passed the famous famin of Saguntum Then began they to denounce war agaynst all the leane horses and skiruy iades agaynst the asses cats and dogges these things were more dayntie vnto them then the daynties of Sibaris little bread and that of Oates with huske and all was very scant it was for Princes and great Ladies and that a small quantity euery day In this extremity Fryer Henrico Caietano had sold and wasted all his money and plate and begging was there little regarded he with the rest of his Masse-mongers did bury in their stomackes their God whom they had made with fiue words in horse dung if they could get it but a strange thing there happened as had béen heard of in any age to wit the Asses of Sorboun were enforced to deuour their owne brothers flesh There were foure sorts of men who went about to remedie this extremity each one following their course Some of the best sort and stoutest stomacke pittying themselues their fellow Citizens whom they saw perish by heaps for the pleasure of few rebels by the aduise of one Renard Atturney in the Court of Parliament tooke counsell how to deliuer the Cittie into the Kings hands of whose clemency and gracious fauour toward the poore distressed people they assured themselues But beeing discouered some fled to the King who were graciously of him receaued some were taken prisoners and the said Renard with some others were executed but the goods of all were forfayted to the heads of the League The second was the Duke de Mayne who fearing greatly the losse of Paris being abroad where he made shift for good cheere though it were at other mens charge as the saying is Qui satur est pleno laudat ieiunia ventre He writeth letters to the inhabitants of Paris commending them for their great constancie promiseth them succour and great prouision of victuals within a certayne time prefixed in the letter willing them to bee patient yet and not to goe about any making of peace with the King The Friers and Iesuites tooke the copies of these letters read them in their pulpets and serued them for text to discourse vpon and to make braue and lustie sermous The third was the blind Captaine Bernardine who taught the delicate Parisiens the dyet of his countrey to wit to take Oates ground meale huske and all and therewith to make a kinde of pap such as the countrey men in Spayne doo vse for their ordinarie dyet and as they doo in France for the fatting of their hogges and here in England the Hunters doo for their houndes and that slubber sauce to bee sould to them that had money by a measure which was followed as long as Oates did last The fourth was the Priests who would also feede their mindes with idolatrous fantasies as their bodies were fed sparingly with spanish slubber wash and first to begin they perswaded them to vow to Nostra donna di Loretta a lampe
tooke another resolution to wit to defend it to hold them play the enemies passing ouer the riuer vppon a bridge made with boates began to batter it with nine pieces of artillery the breach was made before the King had any notice thereof by reason of the great winde which was contrary and a great thick myst yet assoone as the King had any knowledge thereof he sent succour to haue rescued the Towne but the enemy giuing the assault afore the Kings forces could come and being few against many the enemy carried it away which being entred into the Towne omitted no barbarous cruelty and villany which that Sarrasenicall sauage nation could deuise there were betwéene two and thrée hundred Souldiours within the Towne gouerned by the Lord Laphin who defended that weake towne so valiantly that the enemy lost in that assault the most part of them that were at y e siege all the Garison Souldiours with their Captaines were slaine in like sorte as Leonidas with his Lacoues at Thermopylas The King tooke that losse very sorrowfully and supposing that this beginning would haue cheered and fleshed the enemy commaunded the skirmish to be giuen hoâ—ter then euer before But as the Woolâ—e pursued and hunted hauing gotten his den ouer his head will rather dye there then to get him forth and trie the matter with the hunter so these sauage rauening monsters could not be drawne out of their moore The King perceauing that nothing would encourage these fearefull warriours departed out of the campe with a good company of horsemen with ladders and marched toward Paris and caused certaine companies to draw nere the walls betwéene the gates of Saint Iames and Saint Marcel which being detected the alarum was giuen in the City the Kings Souldiours did hide themselues in the darkenes of the night being a great myst withall The Parisiens returned euery one home the Iesuites who are the most desperat and warlike of all the legions of the locustes of the kingdome of Antichrist watched all the night vpon the wal fearing some surprise and about foure a clock in the morning the Kings Souldiours lying in the towne ditch began to scale the wall the Iesuits fearing to be researched first for their horrible treasons doo sound the alarum and doo kéepe of the Kings men from leaping vpon the wall as well as they can whilest company doo run to helpe The inhabitants doo cast fagots kindled into the ditch by which meanes the Kings Souldiours being discouered did sound the retire gaue ouer the enterprise and so the King returned no more to Paris Here Christian reader thou shalt note in this City the notorious sins of the inhabitants the iudgements of God shewed vpon them and what is yet to come This City hath béen first of all the bulwark and strong hold of all Idolatry and heathenish superstitioâ—s which they haue increased of meere malicious wickednes and as it were to spight the Gospell whose voyce had been heard and had knocked at their gâ—tes many yeares They raised the alarum at the sound thereof they haue murthered the Saintes in the streates they haue shed their bloud vpon the earth like water their bodies they haue drawne by heapes and giuen them to bee meate for the beastes of the field and the fowles of the ayre they haue searched them out as it were with a lanterne that they might roote out the knowledge of God from the earth they haue made the gospel of life a hissing a by word a nodding of the head and a song of despight and contempt among them Therefore the Lord hath giuen them to a reprobate minde to commit among themselues all the abominations of the heathens and hath solde them to seducers and rauing false Prophets For beside the infinit heards of Epicures and idle bellies of idolatrous Priests Monkes and Friers about the yeare 1560. when the Gospell did knock at their gates there crept out of Spayne and Italy the vermine of Iesuitâ—s whome Sachan did burst out as vltimum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by whose desperat rage specially these sinfull people haue béen blinded and seduced to the vtâ—ermost They haue kindled and maintained to the vttermost of their power war against them of the reformed religion They were the first in all France to shew the fruite of their hellish Idolatry that haue rebelled against the King who was of their owne religion as great and deuout a Catholick as any was in the world they stirred vp and inuited to their rebâ—llion all other Cities of France by their example letters and Ambassadors and at length they haue shortned his life by an haynous parricide by the which they haue made their walls their houses their temples and themselues guilty of the damnable crime of treason hated both of GOD and man Now let vs sée the fearefull iudgements of God shewed vpon them the Lord hath executed his iustice vppon that defiled City defiled I say with the bloud of the innocents at all times by punishing them with his scourges of pestilence and dearth But after they had defiled their hands with the Kings bloud the anoynted of the Lord who represented before their eyes the image of God the Lord strooke them with the giddines of Sodome and the darkenes of Aegipt and sent euill Angels among them to vexe them with disquietnes with guilty consciences with vprores and seditions And now when the Lord during the siege had sent them mercy and fauour euen to their gates by the band of his messenger and Lieutenant Henry of Bourbon now raigning Prince of great and famous renowne They as men senseles fallen into a letargy and out of their wits would hearken to nothing but to the voyce of sedition of commotion of bloud and murther being deliuered into the bondâ—ge of â—raitors and tyrants And when the Lord had broaken the staffe of bread among them with greater rigour then in any place which euer was heard of they did not turne vnto the Lord who had giuen them bread wine oyle flaxe as Osea speaketh but multiplyed their idols worshipped diuâ—ls as Iames Clement the parricide and others euen with gréedines They did rather choose to eate the flesh of their sonnes and daughters which by the lawes of that realme is a capitall crime and to bee râ—uenged with fire then to accept grace and fauour at the hands of their King whome law nature and God had giuen vnto them Now let vs consider what by al reasons grounded vppon the stedfastnes of Gods threatnings is like to ensue thaâ— God may powre downe the fulnes of his wrath and iust indignation vppon that accursed City he in whose gouernâ—ment are the hearts of Kings and Princes doth alter the minde of the King to giue ouer that City vntill the day of vengeance Not for that he was not able to haue distressed the same longer and haue kept the Duke of Parma from approaching to it but to that end to hamper his enemies yet more in
Italian sower looke and frowning brow as though he had been some Paulus Aemilius some Marcellus or Scipio Aphricanus who had triumphed of all France These noble Romans whose names doo yéeld a swéete sauour of princelike vertues doo differ from this because there was nothing in them which is in him and there is nothing in him which was in them like onely in the shape and forme of man The newes of the taking of Corbeil flying to Paris caused such a ioye that Rome neuer did so reioyce for the burning of Carthage as these poore sotts did for the taking of this obscure Village of Corbeil They made an end of burning that small store of wood as remayned to them in making of bonfires The Macedonians did neuer wonder at their great valour for to haue subdued Asia as farre as the riuer Ganges as the Souldiours did triumph at the taking of the cottage of Corbeil Then began the Parisiens to conceaue great hope and proclayme liberty the Captaine began in his conceit to dreame of conquest and the Souldiour to cry victory all as the auncient saying is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Parisiens to make him partaker of their ioy must néeds inuite him they dressed his lodging and serued him with the best stuffe and furniture of the Kings of France which they had riffled out of the Kings house in the beginning of the rebellion The Ladies Montpencier Guize d'Mayne Aumale and such did welcome him so kindely as his great Grandfather Frier Paule Pharnese was neuer better welcome in the stewes of Rome This feasting ended he returned to Corbeil there he began to enquire for all the ingeniours that could be heard of he will builde forts and bulwarks he would fortifie that Towne so that if the Gyants of old time should put Osson vpon Pelias Pelias and Osson vpon Olympus yet would they labour in vaine so strong and impregnable the Village of Corbeil should be to be short he would make it the chiefest key of France not to enter in but to get out the nerest way to the Arbre de Guize by crossing Brie and Champaigne when he should sée his time to run away Whilest these fortifications were a dooing this poore Duke sat dayly in counsell so hardly and so closely that it was no more lawfull for the Duke d'Mayne to know what he did then to knowe the mysteries of Ceres The great matters put in deliberation in that counsell were the mending of an errour which he had committed afore he departed from Bruxels for there he tooke counsell how to enter into France but not how hée might goe forth Now therefore as his suddaine departing did euidently shew he tooke counsell how to get out and considered well the olde saying facilis descensus Auerni sed reuocare gradum hoc opus hic labor est As the Parisiens prayed him to goe forward in his good enterprises to open the riuer for the traffik hee fed them with these great morsels of words that he would goe to besiege Melun Montereau Prouins and other small Townes situated aboue Paris vpon the riuer and after he will goe downe to take Poissy Meulan Mante Vernon Pontdelarche c. all these things were but one breakefast or at the most a dayes worke let him alone for his throat is so wide that he will swallow all these townes in one morsell for he is Pantagruels sonne who was Gargante Pharneses Sonne During these thrée wéekes that he spent in consulting more about his flight out of France and safe returne to his home then about the fortifying of Corbeil the garrison of Melun did dayly issue forth vpon such of his forces as were at Colbeil vnder the conduct of the Lord Gyury and for that space did almost liue vpon nothing else but vpon such booties victuals and spoyles which they tooke dayly from the Spanyards whome they dayly killed or tooke prisoners The Duke of Parma seeing that he had no meanes to represse the onsets of the Lord Gyury retired sixe leagues from such trouble some neighbours At length after the Duke of Parma had made his aboade in Paris and thereabouts towarâ— the latter end of October the cold hauing cooled his warr came again to his right wits from which too great opinion of himselfe and of his forces and too great contempt of others his betters had transported him And perceaued by the experience which hée had at Corbeil and with the Garison of Mâ—lun that hauing thousands of Townes in France to win by conquest he néeded after the taking of euery one to make a new army which was more then his master would alowe him or could doo not if he should arme all his apes of the East Indies beside that to performe it he néeded to haue the life of Metuselah Therefore he concluded with such poore weather beaten and women beaten Souldiours as had escaped from the breaches of Corbeil to retyre into Brabant where was fairer weather least hée should hereafter be compelled to buy repentance dearer then he was able to pay for This great Cham of Tartaria had behaued himselfe both in Paris and else where as at Lagny Corbeil and other places so insolently a lo modo Jtaliano or Hispaniolo that the Leaguers themselues accursed the time that euer they sent for such a guest féeling by experience that hée had entred into France not in presidium but in exitium as a scourge of Gods wrath So that al the Frenchmen rebels who had accompanied him with the Duke d'Mayne all in a manner retyred home as loathing his company and abhorring his dooings Hee séeing himselfe destitute of forces for his chiefest forces and best Souldiours he had lost already both at the siege of Corbeil and in other skirmishes and that the leaguers had forsaken him retyred home and left him in the briers he thought to be high time for him to looke to his affaires And in the latter end of October taking his leaue from the Parisiens and commending them to the mercifull kéeping of our blessed Lady who dwelleth there in the great tempell and to the good old great S. Christopher dore kéeper of the said tempell marched homeward through Brie But before his departing fearing that hée would bée pursued by the King he went about to beguile him with dissimulations for he procured the Duke d'Mayne to send Vileroy to the King to moue a parley about the renuing of some treaty of truces that in the shadow of the same hée might slide home without any Sunne burning vsing the pollicy of the fish called Sepia which powreth out his ynke in the water that in the darknes thereof he may auoide from the sight of the fisher About the fourth day of Nouember the King vnderstanding of the Duke of Parma his retyre out of Paris supposing that it was to returne home departed from Escouis in Normandie with few light horsemen with him and certaine Harquebusiers on horseback leauing the rest of the army vnder
the conduct of the Marshall Byron to employ it where he should thinke most expedient About the sixt of Nouember arriued at Compiegne a Towne in Picardie situated vppon the miéeting of the riuers Oyse and Ayne where immediatly after his arriuall he sent to the nobility of Picardy to inuite them to come and assist him to reconduct the Duke of Parma according to the honour and papall nobility of his house who had deserued that fauour at his hand if not for any seruice done yet for the small hurt that he had receaued by him The Duke of Parma departed from Paris and soiorned for some dayes in Brie about Chaust heaut herij there in that fat soyle to refresh his Soulours hungerbitten and weake to proue whether hee might procure any of the Leaguers vpon the misliking of séeking parley with the King to forsake the Duke d'Mayne and to make him their Soueraigne generall whereunto by secret practises he solicited a great number But specially he feared greatly to venture his way alone for being forsaken of the Frenchmen he assured himselfe that he would be assaulted in his retyre by the King who did waite for the opportunity not farre of Therefore hée instantly vrged the Duke d'Mayne that he would rely his forces to kéepe him safe caring little what might become either of the Duke d'Mayne or of the Leaguers so that hée might get out of this lurch that hée sawe himselfe in This feare was the chiefest cause of his long soiourne in Brie But whilest hée was carefull of his safe returne into Brabant the King had appoynted the Lord Gyury a man of great valour policie to make choise of some sufficient number of his best and most approoued souldiours and to march toward Corbeil there to seeke opportunitie to reuenge the cruel iniurie done to his subiects by the Spanyards and Wallons wherof part to the number of one thousand were left there in garrison The occasion of recouering Corbeil was thus The maner of Wallons and Spanyards and popish nations beyond the Seas is to drinke and quaffe very largely the tenth day of Nouember in the worship of that good Bishop S. Martin who gaue halfe of his cloake to the diuell when hee was through pouertie enforced to begge But it is most like that they doo keepe that ryot more in the worship of the diuell who begged then of that good man who in his life time knewe very well that it is not the custome of the Church of God to worship the Saints neither with drunkennesse nor by any other meanes els The Lord Gyury knowing that dronken fashion of them very well tooke that opportunitie to do his feate For he delayed the time to approach the Towne vntill he supposed them to bee so crammed with good cheare and wine that it was time for them to goe to sleepe Then about midnight when that Spanish garrison were vino somnéque sepulti he placed his peeces of Ordinance and on a sudden battered the same breach which the D. of Parma had made which was not yet fully repayred The breach being quickly opened the assault was giuen The Spanyards and Wallons halfe dronke and halfe a sleepe ranne as desperat persons to the walles and made a very forcible resistance which continued all that night vntill nigh seauen a clocke in the morning The Duke of Parma heard the battering of Corbeil and fearing least his Trophâ—e should bee marred sent presently a power of Spanyards to succour them but comming too late were enforced to cast away their weapons as Demost henes did that they might fight another time The 11. day betweene sixe and seauen of the clocke in the morning the Town was throughly taken by the Kings forces and reduced to his obedieuce who entred by the same breach which the Duke of Parma had done and entred before There were found slayne two hundred Wallons three hundred Spanyards and among them the Cheualier Aumale brother to the Duke of Aumale one of the greatest cutthrotes of all the Leaguers was found dead The cause of his being at that banquet was that he was appoynted to prouide victuals for Paris Foure hundred were taken prisoners There were taken also foure brasen peeces and two Canons ready charged There were taken many spanish Ensignes which were made newe and newly displayed vppon the wall in token of victorie and in spite of the King There were taken also two hundred fat Oxen and foure hundred sheep some killed and some dressed and some aliue which the Knight Aumale had prouided for Paris This exployt being atchieued the Lord Gyury with all his companies with feruent prayers gaue thankes to God acknowledging this deliuerance and happie successe to haue been the worke of his right hand and power The newes of the retaking of Corbeil caused diuers and contrary motions in diuers persons the King receauing the newes thereof did admyre Gods iustice which euery where thundreth the claps of his displeasure vpon them who doo resist his ordinance and more and more conceaued hope that the Lord would performe the worke which he hath begun first in cloathing his enemies with shame and dishonour as with a garment and secondly in him to restore that afflicted estate The Parisiens and the Duke de Mayne were replenished with rage and feare together for they feared least by the taking of Corbeil and the retyre of the Duke of Parma the shambles of horses asses and dogges should be opened again The Asses of Sorboun began to feare their skinne least for want of foure footed Asses they should be assaulted and brought to the shambles Therefore they ranne to the sayd Duke of Parma they adiured and coniured him by the name of God yea by Gog and Magog and Beelzebub to returne to the recouering of Corbeil But the Duke of Parma remembring the price that hee payed for the sayd Corbeil would no more of that play specially knowing that he which did possesse it was a man resolute of courage valour and industrie Yet to please them he fed them daily vntill he should receaue supplie of forces to gard him with fat morsels of words to wit that he would take Chasteautherij and Compeigne and in the meane while he walked in Brie and Champaigne in like sorâ— as the Hords of sauage Tartarians doo remooue from place to place to grase vp the countreyes so did this great Crimme saue that his cruelties and villanies which he vsed there are yet vnknowne to the Tartarians Whilest he dooth raunge ransacke and riffle that countrey some of the Kings Captaynes tooke the towne of Lagny another Trophee or monument of the Duke of Parma his crueltie which thing both encreased his feare and hasted his iourney out of France Now we will leaue this omnipotent Cham with his hords of Tartarians to deuoure that countrey whose comming the vnnatural inhabitants had procured to maintaine a most damnable rebellion and contempt of lawfull power and we will see what the king had
that towne and followed after the King who was before to take his lodging about Pontarsy situated vpon the riuer Esne beneath Pontauers and the enemy presently entred the said Towne of Longauall Part of the Enemies followed after the King and seeing a Wood betweene the sayd Longaual and Pontarsie stayed there mistrusting some ambushes but at length passing through they met with the Baron of Byron who charged them so roughly with a small company of horsemen that he layed downe vpon the ground thirtie of them The King commanded Captayne Langemis to light and set a fresh on them who killed a great number of them and then retyred into the towne of Pontarsie The enemy went not to Pontauers that night but encamped in the plaine field with great feare of an alarum vnderstanding that the Duke of Neuers with fiue hundred horses out of Champaigne and the Lords Gyury out of Corbeil and Parabelle out of Melun with good and Iustie companies of horses were expected that day to come to the King euery man accompted him happie that might returne into Brabant in a whole skinne there to prooue whether they had forgotten the art of Carrowsing the chiefest trade of that countrey The 28. day in the morning thirtie harquebusiers of the enemies hauing lost their way went into the Towne of Longaual enquiring for the Duke of Parmas quarter whom the inhabitants disarmed and throwing them vnder the bridge drowned them The same day came to the King the sayd Duke of Neuers and Lords Gyury and Parabelle with eight hundred horses all well appoynted The 29. day the King went out of Pontarsie with one thousand horses intending to giue his enemies a fresh charge and to carrie away the Rereward but their Ordinance being stucke fast in the myre the whole armie remayned all that day in battell array in that place where their Ordinance was and there also encamped themselues all the night following so that nothing could be enterprised vpon them The 30. day of Nouember the King determined to did the enemie fare well with a fight of horsemen the Duke of Parma with a good will would haue spared that curtesie and bee glad to get out of the Realme without so much adoo In the morning very early the sayd Duke marched toward Marle a towne nigh the head spring of the riuer Oyse from thence to get Larbre de Guize and so to leaue the realme of France The King commanded all his horsemen to be in a readines and directly to march toward Cressie with all furniture yet without baggage or carriage And being first of all arriued at the rendes vous vnwilling to ouerslip any opportunitie to see his enemie that day which hee thought should bee the day of their separation sent the Lord Baron of Byron to march before and hee himselfe to followe him within the distance of a hundred paces onely with fourtie gentlemen The Lord Longaual followed the King with fiftie horses and the rest of the Cornet As they had marched a good space there appeared at the side of a Wood about sixe score horses vnder the leading of Colonell Baste who came in hast to charge the Baron of Byron the sayd Baron gaue so resolute a charge that he made them to retyre to theyr maine battaile and when the enemie had ioyned with their fellowes they came agayne to giue a fresh charge in the which the sayd Baron of Byron his horse was killed and he in great daunger to bee slaine but the King did gather them quickly that were scattered and with them caused the rest of his troupes to come forward which being in battaile aray and ioyned with them that had bin gathered out of the skirmish gaue such a fearefull charge that all the rereward of the enemie thought vpon nothing but vpon the meanes how to saue themselues leauing their dead armed vpon the place If all the Kings companies had come in time enough there had not returned so many home to play at carrowse as there did The first day of December the D. of Parma entred the dominions of the low countrey He had neuer so much neede of his Nurce about him with clowts as he had during the space of these last fiue dayes of Nouember most of his companies accompanied him home as well as they could part of them remained with the Duke de Mayne vntill that tempest was ouer past The first day of December the Lords of Neuers Giury and Parabel who were come fresh and strong to the King departed from the Castell of Nisy and pursued the enemie marching toward the Larbre de Guize but what exployts were done that day we haue nothing to speake off for lack of instructions During this retraite the Duke of Parma was so distressed that he was very greatly disappoynted of his lodgings As he tooke no compassion at Corbeil of them which suppliant fell before his knees so pitied he no more his owne Souldiers who could not make so good speede in running away as he could doo but left them to y e mercie of the Peasants of the countrey with whom they found no more fauour then with their master Of foureteene or fifteene thousand men which he brought into France there returned not home aboue eight thousand and they were in a manner in as great miserie as their fellowes who returned into Spayne from the conquest of England in the yeare 1588. The first day of December the King went to Saint Quintins situated vpon the riuer of Oyse where he was royally receaued with great reioysing and comfort of all men And when the King had stayed there a few daies he heard that the Lord Humiers with other noble men of Picardie had taken the towne of Corbey situated vppon the riuer Some and in the middle way betweene Amiens Peronne and Dourlan three great townes in Picardie which haue continued in their rebellion During the time that the King soiouâ—ned in Picardie and pursued the Duke of Parma the Marshall Byron tooke fiue strong Townes and aboue twentie Castles in Normandie and Beauuoyâ—in wherein the Rebells had layed strong garrisons By these narrations Christian reader thou mayest see what the rebels enemies both of God and man hauing drawne vpon theyr owne heads a stormie winde of tempest least they should not haue calamities enough according to the measure of their offence they sent for the Duke of Parma to deliuer them who comming into the land gaue them an egge and deuoured the Hen and where they were beaten by themselues with scourges now this deliuerer did bruse them with barres of yron It pleased God in whose hands the harts of Kings and Princes are to turne the Kings will from hindering the sayd Duke of Parma from dooing all that he durst or could doo that God might giue the King to vnderstand what therehence hee had hereafter to feare as long as he playeth the parts of a right King and that hee is his aboundant reward Secondly that it might euidently
appeare that as the sayd Duke of Parma was not able to doo good to his partakers so came he not but to bée a scourge of Gods wrath vnto them For he came to raise the siege from before Paris if that had not béen done by dutifull submission the Citie might haue been relieued iustice iudgement which are more then centâ—plex murus to a Cittie had beene established they might haue had their owne Autonomie to wiâ— their Religion and Franchises in peace security and libertie Their commerce and traffike by which the greatnes of that Citie is entertained and nourished had been opened to bee short it would haue florished more then euer it did but the comming of the Duke of Parma disappointed them of all these benefites The Duke of Parma brought a little store of victuals but hee and his consumed not onely that within a few dayes but also all other prouisions which could be made for the Citie so the inhabitants were hungerbitten still with sorrowfull eies they saw others to intercept that which should haue béen their sustenance So that if it were not for the Kings goodnes which by winking and forbearing some store of victuals to goe to their market they would haue beene enforced in few dayes to open their shambles of horse flesh and dogs flesh Hee came to deliuer them as they thought from cruell handes but what could Busyris haue done to his enemies that this man did not to his friends to their wines and children To be short now he is returneâ— home with shame dishonor hunger nakednes feeblenes and stripes and they remaine in a worse case then euer they were before for before they liued in hope of him now they know that he neither may nor will do them good but hath lingered their miseries and heape of euils that they may perish as with a sharpe and consuming sicknes Last of all that al men may learne by seeing the punishment of rebellion to submit themselues vnto the powers ordayned of God as vnto his ministers for the good of the iust and the punishment of the wicked and vniust and that they may discerne between a sawfull power and 〈◊〉 It is sayd before how after the death of the Duke of Guyze the Lords Diguieres and Valete vppon a good iudgement entred in league of amity for the Kinges seruice and after that separated themselues and within a short space scoured the Leaguers for the most part out of Daulphinee some he enforced to receaue the Kings commandement and the rest enforced to seeke for truces for foure yeares which in March were granted and proclaimed in Grenoble vpon Easter day It is saide how the Lord Valete went into Prouance and gathering the states of the countrey by a common consent they concluded to warre against the Senate of Aix who were the ringleaders of the rebellion and had intelligences with the Duke of Sauoy The Lord Diguieres hauing put the countrey of Daulphine in a good stay went into Prouance to the Lord Valete making warre against the rebellious parliament there and the Duke of Sauoy The rumors went abroad that they had lost a field and were sent into their countrey with store of Bastinadoes but for lack of instructions I affirme nothing The Lord Diguieres being in Prouance with the Lord Valete had diuers letters from the King but specially in the latter end of May commanding him to warre against the Duke of Sauoy But the saide countrey of Prouance being assaulted by the Leaguers of Sauoy Lionnoys and Daulphine he thought good yet to employ the moneths of Iune and Iuly with the Lord Valete for the establishing of the affayres of the sayd Prouance wherein they had so good a successe that the enemie in token of that cowardnesse which their rebellion doth bréede in their hearts abandoned the townes and Castells of Peruis Pumichet Valansele Montignak Soluiers Pignauers and Lorgis some were brought to the kings obedience by force and some by composition In Iuly during the soiourning of the Lorde Diguieres in Prouance there was in Daulphine one captaine Cazete who with intelligences which he had with the Duke of Sauoy would haue sould him the townes of Briancon and Essiles in Piemont yet pertayning to the Dolphinate These two townes were kept by the Neutrals that is to say by them who would admit neither the K. nor the Leaguers The said Cazete had receaued commission from the Duke of Sauoy to leauie souldiers to that intent in expecting the arriuall of foure and twenty companies of Spaniards to bring his enterprize the more easie to passe The inhabitants of the valleies perceauing well that if this trayterous captaine should preuaile great warre and miserable desolations of their countrey would ensue therefore the chiefest of those valleyes making acquainted the Lord Diguieres of their purpose determined to rid the sayd Cazete out of the way and did worke so that the fifteenth day of Iuly his house was blowne vp and he slaine This traytor being made out of the way the inhabitants of the valleis seat word to the Lord Diguieres that they would send their deputies to Ambrun to treate with him Vpon the receipt of this message the Lord Diguieres considering the greatnes of the affayres and that it was very expedient for the king to haue those townes of Briancon and Essiles in possession to haue passe and repasse into Piemont when néede should be departed out of Prouance and in hast marched towards Ambrun where the deputies of the valeys did méete him And among other things shewed the treasons of Cazete by the papers which they had found in his house After that they bound themselues by oath to be faythfull to the King they promised also to doe their indeuour to confirme the people into his Maiesties seruice and obedience this was done about the fourth of August Immediatly after this méeting the Lord Diguieres being aduertized of the wauering which the death of the sayd Cazete and voluntarie yéelding of the valeys did cause in the towne of Briancon which was Neutrall knowing also that those who did fauour the kings side in the towne began to be encouraged caused foure Canons to be drawen and brought to that place and after a breach made the enemie did parley and came to that issue that Clauison appoynted there gouernour by the Duke de Mayne surrendred the towne and Castell the tenth day of August Whilest the Lord Diguieres did these exployts in Daulphine Martinengo one of the Duke of Sauoys great warriors did besiege Saint Maximine in Prouance for which cause the L. Valete did daylie solicit the sayd Diguieres to assist him in the rescuing of the sayd Saint Maximine The Lord Diguieres considering the safetie of Saynt Maximine to make much for the preseruation of Prouance when as hee had gone to Montgeneure to take Essiles vpon intelligences which hee had with the gouernour thereof and séeing that there was neither certaintie in al that neither was he
moneth Possonnes the Duke de Mayne his gouernour there considering the state of the Duke of Sauoy his affayres seeing the Canon planted and the Lord Diguieres fortified with newe supplies all the commonaltie bent against him and being without any hope of ayde or reliefe the 30. of September yeelded the Towne of Essiles by composition that his Souldiers should freely depart with bagge and baggage So by these meanes the passages into Piemont doo remayne in the Kings power and the countrey of Daulphine is limitted with his olde limits long before fortified by the French Kings during the warres of Italy Sonnes generall of the Duke of Sauoy had prouoked the Lord Morges his nephewe to fight fiftie agaynst fiftie on horsebacke and appoynted the place which thing the Lord Diguieres vnderstanding conducted the sayd Morges vnto the place where the sayd Morges remayned with his forces readie to accept the offer from nine a clocke in the morning vntill three a clocke in the euening and at length came a Trompetter with a letter from the sayd Sonnes carying an excuse The Lord Diguieres in attending the comming of y e enemie had espied a passage néere Iallon where the enemie had entrenched himselfe and there lodged eight companies vnder the conduct of Captaine Venust and perceauing that there was no more hope of Sonnes comming to the combat appoynted he determined to spend the rest of that day in doing some exployt and to assault the sayd companyes who did lye vpon the hanging of the mountayne betweene Suze and Noualize and hauing found meanes to place one hundred Musketters who battered the enemie vpon the side of their fort the trenches of the enemie were forced and fourescore of them slayne among whom were Captaynes Venust Gassard and Charband Captayne Vilars with some other was taken prisoners and foure companies of Senton master of the Campe were so scattered that they came neuer together agayne This exployt was done the first of October This being done the Lord Diguieres returned again to Essiles and sent backe the foure Canons to Ambrun and caused two great peeces to bee drawne from Gap to Barcelona a place situated in the County of Nice and pertayning to the Duke of Sauoy hee sent his forces before to besiege the sayd Barcelona and when hee came himselfe about the eleauenth day of October and had made a breach the same day the enemie did parley and yéelded themselues with safetie of their liues leauing behind them their armour colours horses and baggage the Captaines were permitted to depart with their swords vpon an hackney The inhabitants had graunted them to enioy their goods abiding vnder the Kings obedience as the rest of his subiects vpon condition to pay sixe thousand Crownes for the army and the fraight of the Artillerie The 13. day the gouernour called Coreloere departed with three souldiers with him and as many of citizens and countrey men who repayred to their houses vnder the Kings safegard The 14. day the Lord Diguieres layd batterie before the Castle of Metans which he slenderly battered the 15. day only to view the enemies countenance But they being greatly afrayed the next night did steale away and so saued themselues except thirtie of them who were intercepted by the watch In this way of Piemont the Lord Diguieres had neuer aboue three hundred horses and twelue hundred shot and found no greater enemie then the inaccessible height of the mountaynes where ouer he was forced to passe the Canon but chiefly in his iourney to Barcelona The Citie of Grenoble in the land of Daulphine notwithstanding the truces and good entertaynment from time to time receaued of the Lord Diguieres had been seduced after the King last deceased and did hold still after for the League though not with such desperat madnes and insolencie as many others had done Now the L. Diguieres hauing well repressed the madnes chastized the rashnes and folly of the D. of Sauoy and hauing in a manner subdued and pacified that countrey forsooke the Duke of Sauoy and determined to scoure as much as he could all the remnant and ragges of rebellion out of that prouince which thing to bring to passe he thought good to begin at the head to wit the Citie of Grenoble and as by the euent which followed it seemed that he did besiege distresse that Citie which thing caused the inhabitants to consider that the Lord Diguieres had in a manner all the land of Daulphine at commaundement His power was increased and returned out of Piemont with few victories of many they weighed also how they were out of hope of any succour as well from the Duke de Mayne as from the Duke of Sauoy who being taught by the schoolemaster of fooles which is experience would not haue hereafter great lust to returne in haste into Daulphine These circumstances caused them well to consider the danger wherein they stoode which thing moued them to make a motion of peace by the which they were reduced to the dutifull obedience of their lawfull Soueraigne This peace was concluded in the suburbs of Saint Laurence by Grenoble the two and twentith of December betweene the Lord des Diguieres one of the kings priuie counsell and of estate captayne of a hundred men at armes of his Ordinances and generall of the armie leuied for the kings seruice in the land of Daulphine on the one part and the court of Parliament the commonalties of the countie and the Consuls of the same First that the exercize of the Romish Religion shall remaine frée both within the towne and suburbs thereof as hitherto it hath béen and that the Cleargie in all the prouince shall enioy the full possession of their goods in any place in the prouince vnder the kings protection Secondly that the frée exercize of the reformed Religion may be publikely celebrated within Trescloistre suburbs of the sayd citie without any let trouble or molestation Thirdly that all dwellers in the same towne that will continue therein shall personally protest and acknowledge Henrie the fourth king of France and Nauarre for their Soueraigne and shall yéeld to him the oth of fidelitie in like cases requisite in the hands of the Lord Saint Andrew president of the court of Parliament and Chastelard counsellor in the same court in the presence of the Lordes of Blemew and Calignon and vpon the same oath taken the sayd inhabitants shall bée maintayned and restored in the full and peaceable enioying of their goods offices priuiledges and franchizes Fourthly if any man of whatsoeuer calling or condition soeuer it bée shall be vnwilling to take the sayde oath and shall be desirous thereupon to departe else where hee shall be safely conducted to any place that they will go and may enioy their goods offices and dignities either by sale or by receauing their annuall fruits or stipend thereof at their choyce prouided alwayes that they enterprize nothing against the Kings seruice Fiftly that the custodie and
of Bourbon our mercifull and gracious King long may he liue the noble King of France with great reuerence and submission crauing pardon and shewing themselues sorrowfull for their rebellion and offences committed agaynst his maiestie The King considering their repentance and submission pardoned them with louing gracious and comfortable words whereupon were the keyes of their citie deliuered him who receaued them with amiable countenance These things being done the Citizens marching before the Magistrates after and the Cleargie following them conducted the King and his Princes in most triumphant sort to his lodging the people saluting him all the way with this acclamation Long liue Henry of Bourbon King of France and Nauarre It is sayd before how the Lord Diguieres had pacified Daulphine hath assaulted the Duke of Sauoy abroad and at home The Duke of Sauoy séeing himselfe hardly matched aduised how to molest the sayd Lord Diguieres sent to his good master the King of Spayne to bee reuenged therefore they tooke this aduise to send foure hundred light horses of Naples with some of the best of the olde garrisons there into Piemont which by reason of the swiftnes of their horses should molest the land of Daulphine with daily courses roades and inuasions These foure hundred Neapolitanes hauing taken counsell how to enter the land of Daulphine with a swift pace had not determined with what pace they should get out They therefore ranne as swift as their horses could goe as farre as the fort Bowe where the Lord Diguieres méeting stayed them so that they are not like to goe euer to Naples agayne to tell newes vnto their Curtizans of their light horses being there all slayne only a fewe excepted There it appeared to them that the best warre is not in Italy nor the best souldiour of Naples and that there is a great difference betweene the souldier trayned vp in Militarie Discipline and daily employed to great and waightie affayres and him who vnder the name of souldier is moulten in filthie pleasures in the Stewes of Curtizans as these were There appeared also how the horse is but a vayne thing to saue a man in an vniust cause and that they were but robbers who came to spoyle and molest them that had neuer proffered them wrong This exployt was done about the beginning of March as I can coniecture The Lord Digueres hauing cut short those insolent Italians determined to pursue some forces which were retiring out of Daulphine into Sauoy againe whome hee followed so short that hee entred the citie of Chamberie Metropolitan of Sauoy This is a great Citie famous for the straunge Idolatrie vsed in the same There is an olde filthy ragge some gowtie clowt of some gowtie Frier they haue made the world beléeue such is the spirit of Idolatrie in them that know not God and such is the spirit of Auarice in them that applie religions to gaine that it was the shrowd wherein Christ was buried therefore certaine times of the yeare there was a resort of infâ—nite mâ—ltitudes of people of diuers countreys and nations which came to worship that holy ragge and pray holy 〈◊〉 ora pro nobis The Lord Diguieres hauing taken the same sacked and spoyled it but hauing not forces sufficient to munit and keepe it left it and returned home with a fat spoyle without any losse Whilest the Lord Diguieres was in Sauoy the Duke of Nemours gouernour of Lyons descended from Lyons with his forces into Daulphine desirous to haue surprized some townes in that Prouince in the absence of the Lord Diguieres But the said Diguieres in returning home from Sauoy met him and so charged him that after he had slaine most of his horsmen put him to flight and followed him so hard that the inhabitants of the Citie cleane burned the suburb called Guiltiere being very fayre great and rich fearing least the sayd Lord Diguieres would haue entrenched himselfe in the sayd Suburb Whilest these things did so passe in Daulphine there happened in Prouance that certaine great practizes were discouered to the losse of the autor as the old saying is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Lord Dampuis Lieftenant to the Duke of Sauoy in Prouance being resident at Aix the Metropolitan Citie there had wrought a treason to surprize the Citie of Tarascon situated vpon the â—iuer Rosne by the meanes of certaine Dominican Friers and thirtie or fortie of the inhabitants of the towne to whome hee had made many fayre and large promises The bargaine being made the meanes and time must be sought out which were in this wise about midnight the black diuels Friers should rise to sing their holy mattens and black santus and should giue the watch word with three strokes of the bell whereupon the trayterous Citizens should seaze vpon one of the gates the L. Dampuis should haue come to the gate with fiue hundred Cuirasses 5. hundred Harquebusieres who should haue entred by the meanes of the traytors who were within This counsell could not be kept so close but it came to the eares of the Ladie of Oruano and one captaine Corses by whose diligence and good order vsed the treazon was disappointed in the manner as followeth The gouernour hauing intelligences of their intent and whole platforme caused the Friers and their complices â—he night before to be taken and layd in sundry prisons the night appoynted to worke the feate being come an ambush of certaine souldiers of his companies was set out of the town in a conuenient place the said gouernour also had appointed a companie as well of his souldiers as of the faithfull citizens to stand in silence within the gate of the Citie vntill the watch word agreed betweene the Friers and the enemies should be giuen with thrée strokes of the bell All things beeing in a readines and the time come to worke the Lord Dampuis came vnto the gate with his companies according to promise harkening to heare the watch word and to bee admitted into the Citie by the complices Well the three strokes of the bell were heard the ambush began immediatly behinde and the towns men opening the gate before to assault them so furiously not with the sounding of the bell but with sound of the Harquebuze shot that the enemies beeing compassed about within halfe an hower were slayne in a manner all and the Lord Dampuis taken prisoner and so wounded that two dayes after hee died of the woundes so the Towne was preserued from sacking and the people from murther and bondage and both the towne and People reserued to their kinges seruice this was done about the end of March. About the selfe same time the Countie of Carces had wrought another such practise also against the Towne of Tolon by the treason of the chiefest Consull and other Townes men which was in like maner discouered and the conspiratours apprehended and chastised We haue said before how the Senat of Aix in Prouance were rebels who not onely had
vnderstanding of a great number of boates as great as lighters laden with corne monie and other prouision of war going from Chasteauthierij downe the riuer of Marne to victuall Paris set forward with great diligence to ouertake them which hauing done with great speede were sunk in the middest of the riuer to the number of fifteene of the greatest sorte with all the prouision that was therein few small boats of the lesser sort escaped towards Meaulx The same day the King vnderstanding of some companies of the enemies who were lodged in certaine villages betwéene la Fere and Chasteauthierij being the greatest part of the forces of the enemies departed early from Senlis to Crespij a towne in Valoys But for all the Kings secret and sudden departure yet by that time he had passed fiue miles he vnderstoode that his comming vpon coniecture being blazed among the enemies they had fled and passed beyond the riuer Marne with great amaze and terror this is according to the saying of the wise that sayth that the Kings countenance scattereth the wicked The 22. of Aprill the King from Crespij where he was returned tooke his way to Chauny intending to take the Castles of Manican and Genlis and for the better effecting of his purpose he caused two great Canons of Ordinance to be brought from Compiegne But they who were in Manican Castle did not attende but left the place and fled before hee arriued there The 24. of Aprill the King caused the said Ordinance and more which was brought from S. Quintins to bee brought before Genlis but at the sight of the Ordinance the sayd Castle of Genlis yéelded vnto the King About the same time two regiments of garrisons of the Leaguers were repayring to the Duke de Mayne whereof the Kings garrison of Saint Goubin hauing intelligence issued foorth vpon them and put many to the sword The Duke de Mayne had receaued seauen companies of Germanes being nine Ensignes who most wickedly as Mercenaries and slaues to their owne couetousnesse had for money consented to defend one of the most notable Rebellions that euer had béen hated of God and detested of all good Princes of the world Them the Duke de Mayne in the diuision of his armie as is aboue said had placed in certayne Villages betweene the riuers of Marne and Oyse intending to place them in Meaulx and Soyssons and as they marched they came to Coussie where they supposed to bee receaued but the gates of the towne being kept fast agaynst them and hearing a rumour of the Kings comming such a sudden feare fell vpon them that they fiercely ranne into the Forest hoping thereby to saue themselues The garrison of S. Goubin hearing of this amaze of the enemie sent fifcie men on horsebacke conducted onely by a Sargeant went foorth and taking about fourescore peasants of the countrey with them marched into the Forest This small company was greatly encouraged by hearing of the arriuall of the King from Genlis and pursued after these companies and charged them so roughly terrifying them with this voyce Viue le roy Immediatly the enemie supposing the King to haue been there indeede in great terror fled away without any resistance This small companie little thinking of any such good successe couragiously pursued them slewe them and tooke them in a manuer all except about threescore men who flinging away their weapons and armour the better to saue themselues retyred into the towne la Fere. Their Colonell was slayne and all the Ensignes taken saue two onely About 29. of Aprill the Lord Humiers knowing that the companie of horsemen of Mountcaure had assembled in a Village not farre from Corbeil departed out of the sayd Towne of Corbeil to charge them As he went about that exployt he met by chaunce the companie of horsemen of Dourlay whom he charged in that skirmish most part of the enemies were slayne part were taken prisoners and few by flight saued themselues The company of Mountcaure were in y e village playing some at cardes some at â—ice some drinking and some sléeping garded negligently with a small watch the Lord Humiers hauing done this exploit ceased not to prosecute his former enterprize vpon the said Mountcaure his companies who marching forward and comming to the village where they were set vpon them vnlooked for like a sodaine tempest which should fall sodainly from heauen whom finding busied as is aforesaid easily discomfited them killed them and tooke them without any resistance The King hauing in a little space eased that part of Picardie which bordreth vpon Brie of the insuries of the rebels beaten the enemies which executed intollerable oppressions betweene the riuers of Oyse and Marne as is said was aduertised that the enemie was in fiâ—ld in Britaine his Maiestie tooke his iournie thetherward with a small companie and had there that successe which followeth The Lord Tremblay did commaund in a towne in Britaine named Monconter where is a castell of reasonable strength wherin he had set a garison and departed thence to goe to doe some exploit fifteene leagues off about the beginning of May. The enemie aduertized of the absence of the said L. Tremblay tooke the said Monconter but they of the castell held out attending the succour which was comâ—ing from diuers parts vnto them The L. Tremblay hauing speedy intelligence of that which was past in Monconter tooke his iourney with 50 light horsemen resolued with that small companie to enter into the Castell with ladders which he perfourmed And after out of the sayd Castell he made diuers issues vpon the enemies in the Towne with terrible slaughter of them Many of the nobility of Britaine beeing then at Renes vnderstanding of the sturre of Monconter in the absence of the Prince D'ombes who was a little before ridden foorth about eighteene miles from the sayde Renes mustered vp immediatly so many as they might procure vppon the sudden which was about one hundred and fiftie horse men wel appointed and commaunded straight waies all the garrisons thereabout to march toward the sayd Monconter intending either to rescue the said towne out of the enemyes hand or else to let their further enterprises their forces came to two hundred footmen wel furnished these companies bring in all three hundred and fifty men came about two furlougs from the said towne of Monconter there to stay for other companies who came from other places for the same purpose Whilest these preparations were a making the Lord Saint Laurence Marshall of the army of the rebels vnder Merceur had entred into Monconter with three hundred horsemen well appointed and one thousand Harquebuziers intending to fortife that towne agaynst the King But in the meane while the King in proper person with sixe score horses onely had marched so farre as Londiak intending to search out the enemy The Lord Saint Laurence aduertised of the Kings comming considering that there was mustering round about knowing in his conscience the Kings iust
cause and wisedome and mistrusting the quarel of his side conceaued a great terrour and perceaued to haue cast himselfe so deeply into the Mire that if pollicy doth not plucke him out hee is like there to sticke fast a good while Therefore considering the small company which was about the King determined to assault him with many and for to bring to passe this his intent supposing the better to depart froÌ„ Monconter in time then to enioy it a while to his great domage he departed from Monconter about 11. a clocke in the euening with two hundred and fifty horsemen and sixe hundred Harquebuziers and trauelling all night came to Londiak by sixe a clocke in the morning beeing the twelft day of May. The King being at Londiak vnderstanding of the enemies coÌ„ming delayed no time but went immediatly to the field to receaue the said enemie The enemie perceauing the K. to haue determined to bid him battel to be already in the field left part of his footmen to force the trenches barricadoes of Londiak and this being done the enemie brought his horsemen and part of his footmen into the field to encounter the King there he deuided his companies into two troups in the one there was fiftie horsemen and in the other two hundred The King had but six score horsemen whome he deuided likewise into two troupes in the one thirty and in the other â—ourescore ten horsmen The King hauing set few footmen in battaile array called with a feruent prayer vpon the name of the GOD of armies and cheered vp his souldiers encouraging them to shew themselues men in defending such a iust cause as they had in hand which being done both armies ioyned and the enemie hauing made a verie small resistance was strooken with a sodaine terrour as if it were with a thunder-clap from heauen so that they began to wauer The Kings Souldiers perceauing this sodaine dread vpon the enemie gaue such a fresh and hot charge that they turned their backs and fled The King pursued them two miles from Londiak to a towne holden by their fauourers where these horsemen saued themselues There were fiftie horsemen slayne as many more taken prisoners many footmen slaine on the place and many both horsemen and footmen wounded The rest of the footemen saued themselues by flight into the woods which were neere at hand and there hid themselues Lo how there is neither strength nor counsell against the Lorde Lo howe the wicked is snared in his owne counsell The news of this foyle being blazed abroad throughout the enemies troups came also to Monconter by meanes whereof there rose such a sudaine feare among them that immediatly they retyred from the saide Monconter with al possible speed leauing the town frée from any strength of the enemie The Lord Tremblay being in the Castell and molesting the enemies daylie by sallies and slaughters of them as is sayd seing how wonderfully God had terrified that rebellious route went foorth of the Castell with his forces followed them and immediatly charged them so roughly that they were all slayne and taken prisoners by meanes whereof hee got both bagge and baggage from the enemie So was that accursed company enemies of mankind vtterly rooted out It is said before how the Lord D'ombes had gone from Renes into hase Britaine to a Towne called Quinpercorenten and in departing out of the sayd Towne to returne to Renes the garrisons of the enemies in townes about holden by them charged vpon the sayd Prince but were so receaued by him that there was slaine of the enemies side three Captayns of name and of great estimation among the Rebels seauen gentlemen of great account were taken prisoners all the rest in the pursuite were put to the sword Here thou mayst see Christian Reader that all these blowes slaughters and ouerthrowes euery where receaued cannot make these damned rebels consider the wrongfulnes of the cause which so obstinatly agaynst all lawes of nations agaynst nature and agaynst God they do defend As the rebels haue been beaten euen with a rod of yron by the Lords hand in his wrath both in Picardie and Britayn so now haue wee to consider an other example of Gods iustice executed vppon rebels in the Countrey of Caux in Normandie In this Moneth of May victuals beeing deare wares in the Citie of Roan one regiment appertayning to the Duke of Lorreine and the other to the Lord de la Lownde departed out of Roan planted themselues in a village called Cinqcens determining there to abide and to surprise such victuals for their maintenance as they could come by vntill the next haruest should prouide more plenteously there they fortifyed themselues with Trenches and Barricadoes this place is distant 9 Leagues from Diepe They fearing to be molested from Diepe had placed a troupe of horsemen in a wood distant two leagues from the place which they had fortifyed being fully in the high way from Diepe supposing if any forces should come from Diepe vpon them they might retire backe to geue intelligence vnto the sayd Regiments or else by making resistance should geue leasure to prepare themselues and to procure a fresh supply from Roan to back them if occasion should serue The Lord Chartres commaunder of Malta gouernour for the King in Diepe and Sir Roger Williams an English gentleman of great valoure and experience in militarie affayres who lately came thether hauing receaued intelligence of that fortification of Cinqcens and intent of the enemy resolued speedily to depart from Diepe in the euening the 19. day of May and trauailing all night came to the wood early in the next morning hauing with them four hundred French men and three hundred Englishmen There they found a troup of horsemen to stop their passage vpon whom they made a very fierce assault But they that came from Diepe gaue such a hot charge vpon them that all those horsemen were so slaine that none of them escaped any way Thus they leauing the dead bodies of the horsemen in the wood and taking some of their horses the Gouernor and Sir Roger Williams passed a long to Cinqcens and beeing come thether before noone they discryed the enemy with their Ensignes displayed within the Fort. The Gouernour of Deepe perceauing their fortification so strong alleaged that it was vnpossible to enter it therefore went about to perswade Sir Roger to goe backe agayne considering that the enemie was two to their one Sir Roger answered that it were a great dishonour for him so to doo and determined to set vpon them with his own thrée hundred men though it should cost both him and them their liues and with this resolution aduanced his Colours marching toward the enemie intended by the assistance of God to enter vpon them or els to lose his life in that place The Lord Chartres seeing that most honourable resolution of Sir Roger was wonderfully encouraged to the enterprise and thereupon protested to take
part also in the sayd attempt with his foure hundred Souldiers whatsoeuer should chaunce and therevpon displayed his Ensigne and together with Sir Roger vowed by Gods assistance to enter the Barricadoes and to charge the enemie The sayd Lord vpon this resolution chéered vp his Souldiers and willed them to fight in the behalfe of their lawful King whose right they were bound to defend and God doubtles will prosper the same to the confusion of his enemies Sir Roger in like sort like a true Christian Knight encouraged his Souldiers shewing vnto them that although fewe of their side haue to deale with a great multitude skilfull stout hardie and trayned vp in Martiall Discipline yet considering y t their cause is but an execrable rebellion agaynst their Soueraigne they are but a multitude of traytors opposing themselues to Gods ordinance therfore condemned of God to a shamefull death both here and in the world to come He assured them that God will assist them in the execution of his sentence pronounced agaynst them hée alleaged the common experience in all ages and Nations hee concluded that the God of battailes will so fight for them that their eyes shall haue their desire vpon them as vpon enemies of God of man societie and nature He assureth them that in putting their confidence in GOD not one haire of their heads shall fall which when hee had finished to speake hee prayeth vnto the Lord with great confidence And when he had ended prayer he made them to promise each vnto other to die euery man rather then they would flye one foote These things being done they marched forward with great courage displayed their Ensignes strooke vp their Drummes with their Trompets sounded defiance and with this resolution full of confidence these valiant English Souldiers gaue a fierce charge vpon the enemie and assaulted them in such sort as if they had not trauailed all night This fight continued two houres space the English men still hartening the Frenchmen At length they entred the Barricadoes of the enemie Sir Roger being one of the formost fought hand to hand with the chiefest gouernours of the enemies The gouernour of Deepe on another side entring did valiantly behaue himselfe at length the enemie began to recoyle backe and being all enclosed within their Barricadoes as a flocke of sheepe in a Shéepcot were all put to the sword by the English and Frenchmen suffering none to escape aliue Hauing obtayned this wonderfull victorie vpon their knees in the same place gaue thankes vnto GOD which had subdued their enemies vnder foote and with singing of Psalmes gaue the praise vnto the highest All that the Gouernour and Sir Roger Williams lost were not aboue eleauen men and fewe wounded but not very grieuously This exployt being so prosperously done the Generals tooke order not to stay there at any hand but speedily to returne to Deepe least some newe fresh supply should come from Roan vpon them or by casting about should meete them in the midway homeward They gaue order also that the Souldiers should leaue the spoyle behind them to the end they might not ouercharge themselues with carriage The Souldiers obeying the counsell of their Commander tooke nothing but that which was light and easie of carriage Thus safely they returned to Deepe The enemie as it was supposed came with a great power to meet them in the middest of the high way but they had passed foure houres before and so the enemie disappoynted of his purpose returned backe Wee haue shewed before how the King hauing had a prosperous successe in chastising the Rebells in Picardie went in person into Britaine where likewise God prospered his wayes Whilest the King was in Britaine his armie soiourned for a time at Vernon wayting to surprise the towne of Louiers situated vpon the riuer Eure betweene Pont de larche and Eureux The particularities of this surprise could I neuer heare but such as the King himselfe did write vnto the Prince Countie Gouernour for his Maiestie in Anjou Vendomoys Toureyne Poytow Berry and Limosin The sixt day of Iune ten of the Kings men possessed themselues with one of the gates of the towne and as it is reported by others in this manner There was a certayne Corporall in that Citie who was in great credit with the gouernour of that towne called Fonteyne Martel This Corporall considering the great wrong which the Rebels did to the King and desirous to doo to his Maiestie some seruice of import practised that there should be at seuerall times by sixe at once a number of footmen and horsemen sent into the Wood hard adioyning to the towne and in the meane time hauing woon to himselfe foure or fiue Souldiers of his owne companie his time came of his watch About noone day the sayd gouernour being at dinner and according to his signe giuen there came certaine horsemen of the Kings which he espying went presently to the gouernour who had the keyes lying on the table by him and sayd he marueiled that they sat so long at dinner shewing that there were some friends come vnto him The gouernour commaunded the sayd Corporall to take the key and let them enter which he did The King had caused the Baron of Byron to come néere with his forces who soone also entred therein Fonteyne Martel had one hundred Cuirasses in that towne beside the inhabitants who obstinatly made a strong resistance to the King which was cause of a terrible fight The King himselfe made one of the gates of the Citie to yeeld to him whereto most part of the men of warr and the inhabitants withdrew themselues to resist yet at length the Towne was taken There the Bishop of Eureux and Fonteyne Martel the gouernour of the place were taken prisoners There was found great quantitie of Corne Wine and Bacon beside other munitions and as the report is foure thousand fat Oxen in the medowes That towne was so fortified that it might bee called one of the Forts of France There the King lost about eighteene or twentie men among whom were fiue Captaines At the selfesame time that this exployt was done at Louiers the Lord sent prosperous successe to the Kings affayres in other countreys The Vicount de la Guerche a most wicked rebell in Limosin had greatly troubled the Kings peace in that countrey and about the beginning of Iune had besieged Belak a towne in Lymosin famous in that countrey for making a kinde of rough cloth like vnto Irish rugge with two Canons one Culuerine and a bastard péece of Ordinaunce The Prince Countie being come into Poytow with an armie for the Kings seruice to purge that countrey beyond Loyre of the oppression and tyranny of some remnants of rebels which were spoyling that countrey and being aduertized of the said siege of Belak marched directly thither to rayse the siege or to bid battaile to the said Vicount if he durst stay his comming The fift day of Iune hauing marched a
speedely put them to flight and followed them to their Barricadoes where master Kemp a Gentleman of that Cornet was slayne Anthony Sherleys horse was shot in the head and Charles Blunt his horse was killed vnder him with the Canon and he himselfe somewhat wounded The thirteenth day the enemie offered some light skirmishes but seeing that he could get nothing by it he refused to bitte The fourteene day the Prince expected the battell as vndertaken by don Iuan de Lagula generall of the Spaniards in the worship of Saynt Iohn whose day it was with them But fearing that bonfires would bee made to their cost and charges they gaue quite ouer the game prepared the same night to dislodge and the next day following repassed the hill for hauing spent al their victuals they must go forth to rob for more The Prince stayed sixe dayes vpon the Heath and in the meane while the enemie durst neuer presume to draw his armie into the Heath The sixteenth day the Lord la Now with the troupe of the Countie Mongomery and the Countie Chombourg came vnto Chasteau Laudran whose arriuall giueth hope of good successe in the Kings affayres They y t haue written the history of wilde beasts which doth recite that there is a wild beast in Asia named Pardalis it yeeldeth such a sauour that the Woolfe hath a great delight to follow a farre off but if it chance that this Pardalis dooth looke back immediatly the Woolfe retyreth and flyeth away So the Noble Princes of Bourbon doo yeeld sweete sauour of pietie vertue and valiantnes Merceur followeth them a farre off but if they turne their face hee runeth away as it hath appeared in the things which heretofore he hath attempted in Poytow There is a towne in Picardy situated vpon the riuer Oyse called Noyon commended if there were none other cause for being the place of the natiuitie vnto that man of God Iohn Caluin of blessed memory whose name is written in the booke of life and shall yeeld a sweete sauour to the true Church of God to the worldes ende whatsoeuer Sathan doth rage against the name of this seruant of God This towne was seduced long before from the Kings obedience by the Leaguers and through rebellion was possessed by the Kings enemies The King therefore after the taking of Louiers thought expedient to remooue his armie from Vernon and to draw Eastward that doing still some profitable exployt he might expect and receaue the forces that came to him out of Germany and considering that the sayd towne of Noyon did lye betweene S. Quintin Compeigne and Corbey which were long before vnder his obedience thought good there to stay for the approaching of the Germanes and during the moneth of Iuly hauing reduced the sayd towne to great distresse made his account shortly to be Lord of it The Vicount Tauanes head of the rebellion in the Citie of Roan and most hatefullest enemie of any that the King had enterprised to relieue the sayd towne of Noyon and for that intent in the beginning of August in the night season departed from Roan accompanied with foure hundred horse and fiue hundred footmen with good hope either to succour the said towne or els by surprise greatly to hinder the King But the King hauing intelligences of his comming met him about two or thrée leagues from Noyon as I haue heard reported where his power was discomfited slayne and taken prisoners and he himselfe after being wounded in the assault was also taken prisoner So the Lord knoweth bow where and when to stay his enemies The newes of this sorrowfull successe of the Leaguers flying abroad caused the Duke Aumale to assemble as great forces as he could make in the towne of Han which is situated vpon the riuer Some betweene Saint Quintin and Peronne vndertaking either to amend the fault committed by Tauanes or els to release the towne of Noyon accompanied with the Lord Largue and Lawney with all their forces ioyned all with the light horsemen the seauenth of August charged vpon the quarter of the Kings light horse where they were stoutly receaued and after more then twelue charges giuen the Kings companies yet very like to haue the victorie of their enemies began to retyre at which retyre that valiant man at armes the Lord Baron of Byron hauing twelue of his owne men did approach and the Kings forces supposing he had brought a supply of fresh Souldiers so soone as they heard him named tooke a wonderfull courage and seeing him in the middest of them gaue a fresh charge vpon the enemie with such force that they did driue the enemie euen into the gates of Han. To whom there was also comming a new succour and fresh supply of men who perceauing the euill successe of the rest retyred in agayne so that some of the Kings forces followed them euen into their Barriars In these so many charges geuen there were a number of armed men slayne on the enemies side and among them diuers of commandement In the number of the dead were found Don Francisco de Gueuara the best Captayne of light Horsemen which the King of Spayne had in the low Countreys also his lieutenant was slayne outright with diuers other of great accompt The Lord Longchamp one of the best Captains of the rebels was taken prisoner with more then foure score men at armes of account and lost aboue fifteene hundred of their best horses The King lost in this skirmish about twelue horse of his light horsemen and among a few which were slayne the Marshall of the light horsemen whose death was greatly bewayled beeing accompted a man of great valour The same day the Duke de Mayne arriued at the said towne of Han with all his troups of horsemen which he could gather which thing made the King thinke that he would goe about either to raise or to interrupt the siege or attempt some thing In the meane time he lost no opportunity about this siege for the same day that this exploit was done to wit the seauenth of August the Canon began to beat a church that standeth in the middest of the Suburbes which together with a great ditch did strongly defend the same The sayd Church beeing battered from the morning to three a clock in the after noone had by that time made a great breach in the same And a fierce assault being geuen there were slayne of the enemies about thirty and about fifty of the Souldiers retired into the vaultes of the said church The sayd Church beeing taken and consequently the Suburb in a maner as strong as the towne gaue occasion both to them that had retired into the vaultes to yeeld to the Kings mercy who sent them away safe with bagge and bagage and also to the Gouernor of the towne to mooue speaches of composition For the Gouernor called the Lord Vile considering how the Towne was slenderly furnished of all thinges but specially of men of armes and that the most
him for his sonne and true heire of the Crowne in France in case he doth decease without issue But to come to the matter now here is a blessed daies worke for the Guyzes and holy Church Vp master Frier and get you to Rome the holy Citie once againe to Sir Hugh to shew him what good lucke wée haue and that all thinges do happen as wée would haue them but that we haue néede of his ghostly counsaile Whilest Frier Mathew carier of the Guyzes goeth to do his message as well as he could they of the Guyze with their partakers do dispearse themselues into all partes of the Realme to allure Townes and Cities but especially them that were Malecontentes to their deuotion after the which progresse of theirs with importunacy they do procure the King to call the assembly of the states of the realme at Bloys to the which they had altogether laboured their fauorers and such as did desire nothing more then the decay of the King and increasing of the Guyzes In the same assembly that the King might haue the blame himselfe of the breaking of the peace it was requested First that the edict of pacification should be reuoked and the exercise of the reformed religion forbidden Secondly that the King of Nauarre the Prince of Conde and all the nobilitie professing the same religion should be exiled out of the realme all others of the same profession should be enforced either to abiure or els to depart forthwith out of the Realme Thirdly that the 8. townes which were giuen them for 6. yeares should be put into the kinges handes alleaging that the time was expired The king being desirous to entertaine his subiectes in peace knowing well the frutes of ciuil warre dissolued the states promising shortly to assemble the best wisest and most experienced of his realme to haue their aduise for the reformation of all thinges About the same time of the states beeing at Bloys the king of Nauarre sendeth new aduertisementes to the king about the intent and open practises of the league willing him to haue some care of himselfe and sheweth him the present danger that he stood in After the returne of Frier Mathew from Rome the Bariesuits in the latter end of September held a certaine Synode or Clandestine conuenticle in Paris in the which the said Frier Mathew as president did rule the rost hauing receaued direction of Sir Hugh vicar of Rome where according to the said directions they lay downe the methode to stirre vp the coles to raise vp seditions and rebellious in all partes but especially to increase the hatred of all men against them of the religion but namely against the king of Nauarre and the Prince of Conde and for that end they forged an infamous libell as more amply shal be shewed The king according to his promise made to the States at Bloys in the latter end of the yeare 1584. called at Saint Germayn in Faye his chéefest and best learned Senators of all his Parliamentes there to shew him the best and readiest meanes to ease the people and to restore the realme to some good state On the other side the king of Nauarre considering that the time appointed to surrender the 8. townes committed to his custody was expired and that the rage of his enemies was rather increased then diminished and that their meanes their factions and their furie was now greater then euer it had béene and that imminent daungers were at hand assembled a méeting of the Nobilitie which professed the reformed religion at Montaulban a strong City in Quercye where Monsieur Belieure one of the kinges counsaile was present to prouide for their common affaires And whereas the king of Nauarre his enemies had spread abroad both by false rumors and libels that immediatly after the death of Monsieur he was returned to the Catholike religion and was gone to Masse the said king of Nauarre therefore to satisfy all men against that false rumor and slaunder protested openly that he knew the truth to be on his side and that by Gods assistance he would stand to the profession and defence of the reformed religion vnto the end and that hée would acknowledge none other fortune but onely that There by the common aduise of all that assembly it was thought good that considering the great daungers which seeme to threaten them of the reformed Religion and generally all France a supplication should bee presented to the king that of his méere fauour clemencie be would continue the kéeping of the said Townes to the king of Nauarre for certaine yeares more Vpon this conclusion the Lord Laual with other deputies were sent to the King at the assembly which was at Saint Germain and shewing the cause of their comming to the king and complaining of diuers iuiuries daily done to them of the reformed religion by the leaguers the 11. of December 〈◊〉 the king granted them the keping of the said townes for 2. yeares longer charging them that for iniuries done to them they should not séeke to reuenge their owne cause for breaking of the peace But that they would shew their gréefes to the King of Nauarre who thereupon should make meanes to him for amendes Whilest all these thinges were working on euery side the king of Nauarre séeing that neither so many aduertisementes from euery part of France geuen to the king neither that which hée himselfe saw namely the partialities societies fraternities leagues confederacies and preparations of the house of Guyze did any whit moue or warne the king to looke to himselfe and to his affaires which thing he might easily haue done in time The said king of Nauarre had sent the Lord de Segur Pardillan superintendent of his house to the Quéene of England the king of Dēmarke the Princes electors the Lands-graue of Hessen and to other States of Germany for thrée causes first to compound the controuersies about certaine articles of religion not as yet agréed vpon in the reformed Churches y t the enemies of the commō cause might not distoine them by that occasiō Secondly to renue the ancient friendship and aliaunce in that sort as it had véene of old Thirdly to dispose a summe of money in Germany in such order that therby he might there prouide succour if he were assaulted by his enemies The said Lord Perdillane returned home to the king of Nauarre in December 1584. when the king did hold his counsaile at Saint Germayn The end of the first Booke THE SECOND BOOKE NOw when the Guyzes do draw néere their time to bring forth that monster of treason which they had conceaued they haue many secret conferences with y t Duke of Parma pety sonne to Peter Aloyse Pharnese the Popes bastard hanged at his windowes by his owne subiectes for his execrable life Also with Bernardine Mendoze Giouan Bardachino the king of Spaine his Coriero the Bishop of Cominges bastard sonne to the Lord Lansake playing Dromo betweene them
For a Stage play can not haue good grace to make the people laugh except there be a popish Priest to play the Deuils part All this whispering among them was about a great summe of money which the king of Spaine should lay out for to beginne the play and least the sayd king of Spaine should be cosened of his money the Duke of Guyze to deliuer him the dukedome of Britayn y t Cityes of Bourdeaux and Marseilles and for the performance thereof he should send some of his children to the Duke of Sauoy in hostages Therefore now the Guyze is as full of Spanish pistolets as a Dogge is full of Fleas as the Prouerbe is when wee will signify great aboundance of thinges He geueth great summes of this Spanish liberality to his partakers but specially to discontented persons He profereth also of this Spanish money to many which neither require it neither would haue of it But all men did excéedingly wonder whence should come this plenty séeing that it was well knowen that he was déepely indebted Now when all thinges séemed to be in a readines to begin the tragedie the Fryers of the society of Bariese the sorcerer named by cutting short Iesuits do play the prologue for they steppe vp into Pulpits euery where whom they haue turned to trompets and drommes of the Deuill to blow and sound the alarme of sedition and rebellion There they do shew the decay of popery which they call the Catholike faith they do vrge the miseries of euery degrée to procéede from the Hugonoets and their fauorers meaning and in a maner openly declaring the king They do propound y e great dangers which did hang ouer the heads of the Catholikes There they did tell how that there was a certaine confederacie of the Hugonoets with the heretikes of Germany England Denmarke and Swisserland to oppresse the Catholike Church It is said before that in September last there was holden a certayne conuenticle of conspirators against Christendom in Paris by the Bariesuits commonly called the Iesuits where they forged a certaine infamous libell to serue them for a firebrand of the sedition There they say and lye all at once that the 14. day of December 1584 ther was concluded at Magdebourge in Saxonie that the kings of Nauarre and Denmarke the Queene of England the Princes of Germany the Princes Palsgraue and Orenge the Landsgraue of Hessen they or their Embassadors should appeare at Basill the next moneth of May following Where is to be noted the impudencie of these lying Fryers For the Princes Palsgraue and Orenge were dead the one a whole yeare before the other they had procured to be murthered in Holland by one of their owne Iesuits 6. moneths before But these two Princes they should raise vp by the Boriesu their master whom these Coniurers founde in their Pamphlets to appeare at Basill They affirmed also in the said infamous libels that the King of Nauarre should haue taken armes the 18. of Aprill the yeare 1585. which in déede was the time appointed for the League to rise vp They affirmed also that the king of Nauarre had promised in the assemblie of Montaulban that in case he should suruiue the king and that hée might attayne to the Crowne he would roote out of France all Popish religion and depriue them of the said religion of all state dignity and autority They said also that the ministers had perswaded the king of Nauarre to reuenge the murther of Paris and that it was concluded that out of euery towne and citie 3. of the chéefest Burgeses should be deliuered to requite the said murther They did reade these forged lyes in their Pulpits where they omitted no point of Monkish railing rhetoricke in their sermons to stirre vp the people to sedition and warre against them of the reformed religion They crye out they rage and fume saying that now the time is come that holy Church for by this word they meane the pride pompe and voluptuous life of Bishops Cardinals Monkes Fryers and Priestes do craue their helpe or neuer They do exhort the people both in their Sermons and prinate confetence and in their shriuing of the people to ioyne with the Leaguers made them great promises of heauenly rewardes they extolled the noble buds of Charlemaigne meaning the Guyzes which haue vndertaken the defence of holy Church against the force and attemptes of heretikes and fauorers of them They preached also their valure their wisedome their woundes and noble feats for the defence of the realme and holy Church They shewed how easie it would be to roote out the heretikes out of all France hauing such Captaines to manage the warres About the beginning of this yeare 1585. there was a Bachiler or rather a lodger of diuinitie in Sorboune which dyed a holy Martir in this wise let good men iudge This Diuine had holden in disputation publikely in the Colledge of Sorboune this Theologall proposition ful of Iesuitical diuinity which he dedicated to the Abbot of Cluny bastard sonne to the Cardinall of Lorreine that was to wit That it was lawfull for any man priuate or otherwise to depose or kill any King or Prince which were wicked euill men or heretikes The king hearing of this new and strange kinde of Diuinitie aryued now of late into the land was greatly offended and intended to call this Bachiler to accompt but he was preuented by these meanes For they which had made him so speake with Pistolets of Spaine hired a good fellow likewise with Pistolets which slew this diuine with all his diuinity in the court of the Colledge which act done fled auoided least he who had set both of them to worke for Pistolets should be disclosed Thus the Prologue being so well played and the hartes of the beholders so prepared the Duke of Guyze also with his Pistolets hauing drawen the Malcontes to helpe to playe the rest and the principall Authors themselues almost readie to come forth There rested one practise more to be set downe before the entrance which was as followeth Betwéene the riuers of Charante Botonne and the townes of Niort Fonteney and Ralmond cituated vppon the Ocean sea lyeth a Countrey called Annix pertaining to the gouernement of Rochel the Riuer Seure comming downe from Niort afore it falleth into the sea méeting with an other riuer running from Fontency deuideth it selfe into many channels which do make diuers Ilandes commonly called the Ilandes of Maran by the name of the chiefe towne there called Portmaran At euery accesse into those Ilandes there are fortes builded vpon the channels of the sayd riuer The third day of February the Minister of Maran being at Rochel was aduertised by the letters of a friend that there was greater and more cruell preparation of warre against the reformed religion than euer had béen afore time and also that there were drifts to seaze vpon the Iles of Maran the Castle and other Forts if it were not looked to For the Guizes
out of a good and sound iudgement free wil without any compulsion He willeth them to remember also how on a sudden all these thinges haue béen chaunged and the kinges will not chaunge but partly enforced and partly by the craft of the enemies with ill counsell induced to contrary actions Fourthly he complayneth of the iniuries done to them of the reformed religion who heretofore had béene suffered with liberty of the free exercise of the same without any offence by them geuen and armed by the kinges authority against the Leaguers now to be condemned in respect of their religion as guilty of capitol cryme Fiftly hee declareth how for the auoyding the calamities incident to warre to satisfy vnto the Leaguers he hath debased himselfe so farre vnder his degree as to proffer to the heads of the League the combat to be performed by himself in person or by more number to number as by the aduersary it should bee accepted Sixtly he letteth them vnderstand that hee feareth not their armes whereof he hath had the experience so long time whereby he knoweth well what they are able to do Last of all hee cannot but lament their bloud which they haue and do spill against him for whose seruice they should haue reserued it in stoare But specially this doth greeue him that in the lot of the battell he may not discerne them whom in mind hee discerneth from his enemies Vnto the third estate he writeth to the same purpose as he hath done to the Nobility and besides sheweth vnto them first the horrible miseries which they haue sustained by the ciuill warre and what confusions are like to ensue of these troubles He sheweth also how the end of all the former wars hath béene a peace Secondly whereas they meaning the Leaguers do pretend to ease the people of taxes and charges hee aduertyzeth them that by this warre the taxes impost and subsidies must needs to double and that their rysing in armes hath done already terrible hauocke and wast He warneth them also to consider how that the reformation of impost taxes subsidies they haue turned to their priuat commodity hauing done nothing but enforce the king to deuide his realme among them and to weaken his authority without making mention not one word of the easing of the people Hee writeth the same effect to the inhabitantes of Paris but surdis narrat fabulam The contempt of the Gospel the innocent blood of the Saintes which they haue spilled like water must be better reuenged The wrath of God must walke now beyond Loyre to execute his iudgements vpon these nations that lye betweene the low countrey and Loyre because they haue not repented at the former scourges but haue hardened their hartes and haue blasphemed the God who liueth for euermore The dispersing of the Princes armie and declaration of the edict of vnion dated the seauenth day of October did cast a marueilous amaze and dread vppon all them of the religion generally but specially vppon them who were left through the Popish countreys in France hoping for a better time There were also many of the contrary religion who being louers of the State and wishing well to the house of Bourbon and to the right of the cause began to wauer and to alter their minds according to the vnablenes of fortune and the nature of the euents There followed after in December the bloudie procéedings of Ruze Bishop of Anger 's and the Kings Iniunction to his officers to execute his edict with the allowing of y e abiuration penned by rauening Ruze These things made a great dissipation in the families of them of the religion For by these meanes the rage of the Papists encreased agaynst the reformed religion and emboldened to attempt any violence and iniurie agaynst them For the enemies supposing that the Prince had béen lost for it was very long time afore it was knowne what was become of him they iudged also that the faith and hope of them of the reformed religion had béen buried with him The inconstancie of many of them who had remayned in France after the declaration of the edict of Iuly did appeare For many estéemed more the commodities of their houses and the pleasures of their countrey than the quietnes of their consciences and the keeping of those good precepts which they had learned in the schoole of Christ which is rather to dye vnder the Crosse than to liue in committing Idolatrie The Papists on the contrary side forgat no meanes to throwe downe them that stoode on slipperie places for beside the rigour of the edict which had abridged the time of anoydance to fifteene daies with dreadful threatnings the Iesuites Friers Massing and parish Priests and other firebrands of the Romish route thundered agaynst them whom they tearmed hereticks in their bloudie and sedicious sermons And if they could not disswade them from their religion then they stirred vp the people to murther them or els pursued them before the Magistrates who were eagerly set against them being for the most part of the League They who had béen of the religion or had béen suspected to haue fauoured the same persecuted them who remayned constant thereby to terrifie that they had neuer béen of them Their friends on the other side had no small power to trie the constancie of those simple soules who before had fastened too much the aâ—cker of their safetie in the forces of man There were also which did great pleasure to their friends and kindred in obtayning to them prorogation of time to giue order to their affayres and after to retyre some where Many remayning constant in the trueth estéeming more their faith to God than worldly goods foreseeing also a more stormie tempest than that which was past would ensue without any further bargaining left al and retyred some to the principalitie of Sedan some into Germany great number to Geneua great multitudes to Saint Ihan d'Angely Rochel and England It was a lamentable thing to see the wofull vanishments and dissipation of so many families without any succour or comfort They which were touched with a greater zeale would not leaue their children behinde them in daunger to bee throwne into the myre of Idolatrie which they detested esteeming of the conscience of their children as of their owne knowing that they should answere before God for the same This caused many of them to carrie their children vppon their shoulders for lacke of other meanes God shewed in such a stormie tempest that he hath hauens of safetie alwaies in store for them who being tossed and tormoyled vnder the heauines of the Crosse doo cast as children vpon their fathers their eyes vpon him For this is a wonderfull worke of GOD that for the space of thrée whole yeares the pestilence had so afflicted Rochel that there was no part free of the same Saint Ihan d'Angely also when this persecution waxed so violent was so beaten with it that the towne was almost destitute
of inhabitants and Souldiers Notwithstanding neither the Gouernour the Lord S. Mesmes nor the Ministers would at any time forsake the remainant of that Church which was there All the fields about were full of Tents and Cabbins replenished with men infected of the plague the villages all round about were in the same case The faithfull exiled out of their owne countreys and houses flowing from euery side of France flying from the contagious pestilence of their soules estéemed lesse than nothing the plague and sicknesse of the bodie rather than should cast away their soules in denying the sonne of God was to bée wished for of them But God according to his trueth kept to them both the one and the other for euen then the pestilence vanished away from all those places as if God had commanded the sicknesse to make roome for them who were exiled for his name for after that there was no more sicknesse seene In this auoydance there was a number murthered but specially in those Prouinces where the gouenours were most passionate and addicted to the League by whose permission the common people tooke much libertie to commit cruell murthers vpon them of the religion They who had not the meanes to recouer some place of refuge and continued in the purenes of religion and escaped the slaughter did lye sousing in prisons and dongeons where they sustayned many combats looking euery day when they should be had away to death Many of them who forsooke the confession of the trueth went to Masse and so were sent to their houses agayne but by a certaine iudgement of God they for the most part dyed euery where through sorrowe or by the pestilence Some of them who had charge in the Church died of notable kindnes of death For some going into the Countrey about theyr businesse fell of their horses and brake their neckes and some dyed otherwise verifying the saying of Christ he which will saue his life shall loose it It is sayd how the Duke de Mayne powred his fuâ—y vppon the olde walles of the vilages of Montigne le Conte Beaulrien and how he tooke Trile which no man will keepe In the latter end of Ianuary the sayd Duke drawing into the furthest part of Perigord set vppon Gaignak a poore little vilage belonging to the Vicount Turenne a place voyde of all fortifications saue that at the endes of the streetes there remayned yet few old walles which did shew that there had béen a gate the inhabitants being poore husbandmen first sustayned an assault supposing to haue to doo with companyes of robbers for so they tooke them But at length being not able to withstand such a multitude they fledde another way and saued themselues except onely foure who either for age or woundes could not auoyd them this great Duke caused to be hanged to powre his gall vpon those poore simple countrey men Thus this great Emperour weary to conquer vilages in Perigord and seeing that his practises agaynst the great and populous Cities of Limoges and Perigueux would not frame he turned short Southward towards Quercy and passing ouer the riuer Dordonne at Soilak left at his left hand the townes of the vicount Turenne Saynt Cere and Turenne in Perigord and coasted Figeak Cadenak and Cayak in Quercye whom hee knew to bee well furnished with garrisons Hee coasted also the houses of the Vicount Gourdine and Montfort a strong place vpon Dordonne which hee sent to view This Duke soiorned long in Quercy sent commaundement to the marchantes of Tholouze and Bourdeaux and others which do traâ—fike vppon Garonne that vppon payne of death they should not agree with the townes which did hold for the king of Nauarre and situated vppon that riuer did stoppe the commerce thereof promising that shortly hee would set all that riuer at liberty yea that he would Whilest hee soiorned so long in high Quercye rouing and wasting the countrey the Bishop of Cahors the Lords Saynt Sulpice and Comburat did instantly require him that he would assault those places aboue said which being holdeÌ„ by them of the religion did dayly annoy molest them which thing when the Duke could not be perswaded to do The Bishop blessing him with his Episcopall benediction and the two sayd Lordes with hot tearmes licensed him to depart out of their countrie in the deuils name Besides eating drinking spoyling and whoring he did no good there saue that he licensed some Gentlemen of the countrey for money to haue the exercise of the reformed religion in their houses so that thence they would not make warre and to colour his cowardlines hee excuseth himselfe vnto the Bishop and other Lords aboue saide that hee would goe to open the riuer of Garonne and to put the commerce vpon that riuer at libertie Thus this secoÌ„d Hannibal coasting the riuer of Lot at his left hand and Dordonne at his right hand for he would haue that riuer of Lot as a wall betweene him and mount Auban entring in Agenoys there issued out certain companies out of Montsâ—anquine vpon the taile of his armie which did slay in one conflict two hundred Harquebusiers of his and discomfited the companie of Captaine Guerche At length he came with his Ianissaries to the fall of the riuer of Lot into Garonne where is situated an olde Towne called Tunnings consisting of lowe and high Towne and Castle That place about the insurrection of the League certaine Ruffians of Agen had seazed vppon where they did greatly molest the countrey The King of Nauarre in August after passing by sent Captayne Lestele to take that towne which thing he did at the first approach and did cast downe those â—â—lthie ruffians with their harlots out of the windowe into the ditch and kept the sayd towne vnto the Dukes comming which then was giuen ouer and that small garrison that was there retyred to the other side of Gharonne to Caumont and Clerake to reserue themselues to a better opportunitie The Duke de Mayne tooke valiantly the sayd towne of Tunnings which no man kept agaynst him And hauing done this valiant exploit he doth coast the riuer Garonne descending toward Bourdeaux In that way he sent a Coriero to the king promising him that he will doo him such notable seruice as neuer no man did for in great sadues hee will take the King of Nauarre dead or aliue if he did not resolue himselfe to depart out of the Realme and if hée can take him he will send him his head in a Charger as Herode did S. Iohn Baptist As this great Duke went downe the riuer the forerunners met with thirtie scattered and vnarmed poore lads which belonged to the garrison of Chaumont they were sent to cause the prouision contributed by the countrey to be brought to the sayd towne of Chaumont These poore lads were killed by these stout warriors which notable victorie was afterward published in Paris by the title of the notable ouerthrowe of the garrison of
committed treason but also solicited others to the like offence The sayd Citty had admitted the Duke of Sauoy for their Soueraigne who had put in garrisons to keep them in subiection and about the beginning of this yeare began also to build a citadel in the Citie whereuppon the people fell to a mutiny refused to receaue any more garrisons in his be hoofe The Citie of Marseilles is an ancient Colonie of the Greckes named Phocoei who forsook their countrey when Cyrus king of the Persians did war and subdue Asia the lesser that citie had been commended in the time of the Romans by reason of learning and good discipline which florished there It is a Citie gouerned by their owne Magistrates as Rochel is vnder the protection and obedience of the kings of France and hath continued very long in their sidelity vntill now a dayes degenerating greatly from their ancient vertue they haue shewed great inconstancie in their duty of sidelity vppon these occasions The king of Spayn hath beene greatly iealous of that Citie and hath vsed all the meanes possible to reduce that Towne vnder his obedience since that he dreamed of some possibility to inuade FraÌ„ce supposing that it would haue been a fit Port as a gate for him to passe and repasse to goe in and out of France vppon all occasions at pleasure To bee short to make it an Arsenall to subdue all those Southernly Prouinces lying vppoÌ„ the Mediterran Seas Therefore at the beginning of the League this citie was one of the pledges that should haue béen deliuered him by the Leaguers which practises haue been put to execution twise all ready but through the watchfull dilligence of some faithfull Citizens haue beene disappoynted of their purpose The King of Spayn notwithstanding the great charges which hee sustayned by giuing great pâ—nsions vnto some Captayns and Inhabitants there to fauour his proceedings seeing himselfe still disappoynted yet would he not geue ouer but began to worke another way to wit to continue or rather increase his beneuolence towards the inhabitants perswading theÌ„ in the mean time to associat themselues to the League and to accept the Duke of Sauoy their neighbour for their Protector supposing by these meanes in time the faction of the League preuailing there to make himselfe master of that place The Citizens corrupted with Spanish money and otherwise greatly addicted to Popish vanity and superstition to continue this Spanish liberality among them and to please thus farre the king of Spayne at his request accepted the Duke of Sauoy for Protector of their City and in signe that they were Leaguers aduanced the Standerd of the holie League and set it vppon their walles which is an Idoll which they called the Crucifix in that state they continued nigh a yeare But now vnderstanding the cogging and double dealing of the sayd D. at Aix in intending and attempting there to build a Citadell and how both the nobillity of the Countrey had forsaken him and the people resisted his attempts pulled downe the Standerd of the League and erected the armes of France publishing that they would hold for the King of France Wee haue left the King with his Princes at Chartres there to take possession of that great riche and florishing Citie and haue walked through part of Piemont Daulphine and Prouance Now let vs returne to Chartres there to know what the King doth and shew also the prosperous successe which haue followed the taking of this Cittie of Chartres The Citie of Chartres beeing in the Kings power the Parisiens conceaued a great amazement and terror knowing very well that this exploit would be a scourge vnto them For as in the ancient time Alexandria and Sicilia were the Nurces of Rome so the countrey of Beausse and this Citie of Chartres were the chiefest prouiders for the Cittie of Paris Now therefore the carriage of any kind of victuals and prouisions beeing stopped both aboue and beneath the riuer from the North side and the South and finding themselues destitute of victuals money and all other warlike prouisions for their strength and succour they fall to their olde custome that is to demaund bread of their Idols therefore the Bishop of Placentia their Fryer Gregory the thirteenth his Legat after the returne home of Fryer Henrico Caietano Sponte insanientes instigat set them on to running and gadding about the streetes to carry their Idols with or a pro nobis there is mourning weeping and beâ—ayling there is stridor dentium horror â—empiternus and regnum tenebrarum Yet the Fryers and Iâ—suits do comfort them with seditious sermons and bitter wordes as well as they can but venter non habet aures During the Kings soiourne at the siege of Chartres the Duke de Maine with such power as he could make went and layd the siege before Chasteauthierij situated vpon the riuer Marne The gouernour which was within sâ—nt word to the King that he would hold it against the enemie a whole moneth The King hauing taken order of the safe kéeping of the Citie about the twelfth day of Aprill remoued his armie from Chartres to Aulneaw and Macheuile which townes were reduced to his obedience About the fiftéenth day the armie remoued to Dourdan which towne immediately his armie entred by force where was found great store of victualls gathered with intent to be conueighed to Paris The sixtéenth day the castell a very strong place was assaulted and taken So by this expedition Paris is disappoynted of victuals and prouision and distressed neerer and neerer The same day the King separated himselfe from his armie and leauing the same to the leading of the Marshall Biron with a great troup of horsemen took his iourney toward Chasteauthierij purposing to rayse the siege and to see his face whome he had not seene many yeares before and to craue more acquaintance The Duke de Mayne ashamed and afeard to shew his face for the guiltines of rebellion and parricide procured had no great liking of that acquaintance neither durst be so bold to stay there and contrarie vnto the promise of the captaine of the place and the Kings expectation the Castel being râ—ndred to the sayd de Maine he fled as fast as his horse could cary him to the Citie of Reames The King hearing not onely of the hastie retire of the Duke de Maine from Chasteauthierij but also that he had deuided his armie into sundry parts and that they should continue in that sort for a certaine time determined to stay at Sanlis there to view the countenance of the enemie and in the meane while to take the townes of Dowserie and Claye where the enemies kept garrison which thing was speedelie done In this pursuite the king also tooke the towne of Tremblay by Mountfort which is nowe a great hinderance fo the enemie by reason of the passage The one and twentith day of Aprill while the King pursued the enemies the Duke Espernon and the Lords d'Ho and Vicres