as it seemed he would canonize him before his f Flattery giues honors to mortall men which belong not vnto them Tertullian reprocheth the Pagans of lying and flattery which made them declare men Gods and Tacitus saith Deum honor Principi non ante habetur quam agere inter homines desierit Tac. An. lib. 15. The honor of the Gods is not to bee giuen vnto the Prince vntil hee hath left to liue among men death after this followed an accord by the which the Duke of Burgundy should for a reparation aske pardon of the King vpon his knee The Queene the Dauphin the Kinges of Sicile and Nauarre the Duke of Berry making the like request for him in the presence of the Children of the Duke of Orleans melting with teares and weeping with sobs to see the bloud of their Father put to compromise and themselues forced to forget so sencible an Iniurie France was presently deuided into two factions of Orleanois and Burgundians A league of Armagnacs Th' one taking his fauour and authority from the ruines disgrace of the other The Duke of Burgundy hath the soueraigne gouernment of affaires and forceth them of the howse of Orleans to make an offensiue and defensiue league against that of Burgundy g League of Orleanois at Gâ—en the tenth of March 1410. the heads were Charles Duke of Orleance and his brethren Iohn Duke of Berry Lewis Duke of Bourbon Iohn Earle of Alanson Francis Earle of Clermont Bernard Lord of Armagnac and Charles of Albert Constable of France The heads of the Bourgundy faction were Iohn Duke of Bourgundy his brethren Charles King of Nauarre son to Charles the bad the Dukes of Lorraine Brabant Brittaine the Marques of Pont the Earles of Neuers Vaudemont St. Paul Ponthure The name was of Armanacks the marke a white scarfe the cause the Kinges liberty who was in captiuity vnder the law and will of the Duke of Burgundy Challenge sent to the Du. of Burgundy and to the end the quarel might be ended with lesse danger losse of men and time Charles Duke of Orleans sent a challenge to the Duke of Burgundy to fight a combate with him and to be reuenged of his fathers death The Duke of Burgundy who had drawn the Queene vnto his party had noe great dificultie to perswade the King that the designe of the howse of Orleans was nothing but ambition and rebellion in denying him to demaund succors from Henry the fourth king of England The Dolphin being of yeares able to iudge of the intentions of the one and the other The sonne in lawe against the father in lawe found that the interest of the house of Orleans was that of the Crowne and that the ambition of the Duke of Bourgondy his father in law h Queene Isabel being banded against her nephewes of Orleans adhered to the Duke of Burgundy made the marriage of his daughter Catherinâ— with the Dauphin Lewis was the cheefe motiue of those troubles wherefore he vndertooke to crosse his designes and to make a peace this soule was seasond with good thoughts at the siege of Burges for when they told him that in a salley which the besieged had made some of his seruants were slaine and that the souldiers dyed of poisoned waters he said vnto the King his Father and the Duke of Burgundy That this warre lasted too long and that he would make an end of it Iohn of France Duke of Berry and i Enguerand of Monstrelet notes in what manner the Duke of Berry came to this treaty in his armes notwithstanding that hee was 70. yeares old for he llued aboue 80 hauing vpon theÌ„ a Cassocke of purple with a band poudred with marigolds and so he is painted in the gallery of the â—oâ—ure Philebert of Lignac great master of Rhodes employed themselues vertuously to reconcile the nephewes and the vnckle The conditions of this peace were concluded at Burges Peace of Burges sworn in a great assembly at Auxerre the names of that fatall faction of Armagnac and Burgundian were comprehended in the forgetfulnes of things past and Philip Earle of Vertus was married to the Duke of Burgundies daughter But all the parts of France recouer not their former health The warre renues againe and the Dauphin is no more for the Burgundian whose principall force consists in the sedition of Paris and the succours of the English who making their profit of ciuill diuisions win the battell of Azingcourt which was called the vnfortunate day of the 25. of October 1415. The battle of Azing-Court The Duke of Orleans armed to reuenge his fathers death and the libertie of his country was led prisoner into England and if religion had not comforted him he had no lesse reason then Pompey k The Mitcleniens came to salute Pompey after the battel intreating him to land which he refused and aduised them to obey the victor and not to feare any thing for that Caesar was a iust man and of a mild nature and then turning to the Philosopher Cratippus who was also come to see him he complained and disputed a little with him touching the diuine prouidence wherein Cratippus yeilded mildly vnto him putting him still in better hope to be amazed at the prouidence of God which seemeth to fauour the most vniust party tyranny against libertie and couetousnes against freedome Death of the Dolphin and Duke of Turraine This losse was followed by the death of Lewis the Dauphin and of Iohn Duke of Touraine the Kings second sonne By the death of these two Charles Earle of Ponthieu saw himselfe in the first degree of the Princes of the bloud and presently made show that he had been bred vp to apprehend the iniury which the Duke of Burgundy had done vnto his vncle All the Princes and Noble men which had followed the house of Orleans came vnto him and among others the Constable of Armagnac but his greatest affliction was for the vnnaturall hatred which the Queene his mother bare him who declared her selfe against him Regent of the Realme was maintained in that quarrel by the Duke of Burgundy vnder her was that cruell massacre committed the 12. of Iune 1418 whereas the l Amassacre at Paris vpon the Armagnacks from 4 of the clock in the morning the 12 of Iune vntil the next day 10. of the clock To note the Constable by the scarse which he carried they flead a bend of his skin and tyed it crosse his body his office was confirmed to the Duke of Lorraine and the Chancellors to Eustace de Lastre Constable of Armagnac and the Chancellor de Marle were slaine and the Dauphin ranne a daungerous fortune if Tanneguy du Chastel Prouost of Paris and his faithfull seruant had not saued him in the Bastille Paris saw it selfe reduc'd to that miserable estate as it seemed a retrait for Beares and Tigers During this fatall diuision the English
such as are malecontâ—nt of his actions These reasons pierst the harts of the most distracted The Princes fearing to be abandoned Euery one desires grace of the King their partie growing weake and decreasing dayly they sued for grace vnto the King Hee offered it them by the Earle of Eu who did negotiate their accord and did perswade them to goe to Clermont to receiue his commandement wherevnto they yeelded so as they might bee assured The King was so good as he gloried to be vndeseruedly offended by men who reduced to their duties very profitable hee gaue a pasport for the Duke of Bourbon and Alençon but not for Tremouille Chaumont nor Prye whom hee held to bee the Authors of this trouble and of the assembly at Noion u An assembly at Noion of the Duke of Alencon Anthony of Chabanâ—s Earle of Dampmartin Peter of Amâ—oise Lord of Chaumont Iohn de la Roche Seneshall of Poictou and of the Lord of Tremâ—uille They complaine that they are abandoned and inflame the bloud of this yong Prince in such sort as seeing the Dukes of Bourbon and Alençon returne to conduct him to Clermont hee swore that hee would not goe x A Prince must haue care of them that haue followed him Monstrelet vppon this occasion writes those words When the Daupâ—in vnderstood it hee said vnto the Duke of Bourbon My faire Gossip you haue no thankes to tell how the matter was concluded that the King had not pardoned them of my houshold but would seeke to doe worse When the King saw that he came not that the prefixed day was past and that the English who besieged Harfleu called him into Normandie hee would temporise no longer but suffered his Armie to spoile the Duke of Bourbons Countrie His foreward did besiege and take Vichy Cusset and Varennes yeelded The whole countrie of Rouanna obayed Clermont and Mont-Ferrant persisted in their fidelitie from the which no Towne may in any sort separate y He cannot be held faithfull that for any respect wâ—atsosoeueâ— hath ceased to bee so Senec. it selfe but it presently looseth the glorious title of faithfull The wilfulnes of this Prince ruined the countrey euery man found his desseigne vniust and the affection he bare vnto his seruants vniust the consideration of whom should bee of more force then that of the publicke good for the which they might sometimes straine Iustice it selfe z To obserue Iustice in great maâ—teâ—s they must sometimes leau it in lesser Wherefore the Duke of Bourbon and Alençcon perswaded him to submit this affection to the Kings will and the interest of his seruants to his discretion intreating the Earle of Eu to bee a meanes that the king would be pleased that might bee done at Cusset which was not performed at Clermont The King grants it The Daâ—phin restored to fauour They come and present themselues vnto him bending their knees thrice vnto the ground before they approch beseeching him to pardon them This humilitie a Humilitie only pleades for great peâ—sons Monstrelet speakes in this sort of this pardon Being come into the chamber where the King was they kneeled thrice before they came vnto him and at the third they intreated him with great humilitie to pardon them his indignation did wipe out of the kings heart the feeling of such sensible offences Hee imbraced them and said vnto the Dauphin Lewis you are welcome you haue stayed long goe and rest you we will talke to morrow with you But hee protracted no time to reprehend the Duke of Bourbon Reprehâ—nsion of the D. of Bourbon drawing him a part b Great men will be praised in publike and reprehended in secret he put him in minde of his faults hee notes him the place and the number being fiue hee reprocheth vnto him the iniustice and indiscretion of a designe which sought to put the father vnder the sonnes gouernment adding that if that loue and respect of some did not withhold him hee would make him feele his displeasure What could hee answere The very feeling of his fault did presse him The offender must yeeld to the iustice and the Innocent to the force of the stronger He renues all the vowes of his obedience and affection and submits his will vnto the kings hee commends his bountie so apparant by the number of his offences and so necessarie for them that had offended whose preseruation did serue as an increase to his glorie and a trophee to his clemencie c They to whome the Prince giues life liue not but to the glorie of his clemencie The next day the Dauphin presents himselfe vnto the king who did not entreat him as nurses doe children which flatter them when they fall Hee did let him vnderstand that his fall had carried him to the ineuitable ruine of his honour and fortune if the bountie of a father had not as much will to retire him as the iustice of a king had reason to punish him In a word he said he would cease to be a good father vnto him if hee did not begin to be a better sonne d Hee that is good must striue to be betteâ— for when hee doth not begin to gâ—ow betâ—er theâ— he ends to be good and that he desired not to be held good for not punishing the bad The Dauphin assuring himselfe of his fathers bountie and clemencie speakes no more but for his seruants The Dauphin will not leaue his seruants to whom safe conducts had beene refused The king declared that they had made themselues vnworthy of his grace that they had deserued to bee made an example to others as the authors of this rebellion which had made the wicked impudent and brought good men to despaire Yet there must bee a distinction e A Citizen of Sparta 〈◊〉 Châ—rilaus highly coÌ„mended for 〈◊〉 bounty And how sâ—id hee can hee bee good seeing hee is not seuere vnto the wicked It is as great crueltie to pardon all the world as not to pardon any Senec made betwixt the effects of clemencie and bountie that for their punishment he was contented not to see them and that they should retire themselues vnto their houses The Dauphin held firme against these torrents of his fathers choller lets him know that if there be no grace for his seruants he desires not any for himselfe From this opinion f Opinion is the falling sicknes of the minde that is the Caue which coÌ„taines the windâ— fâ—om whence the tempests of the minde come that is to say disordinate passions which is they Caue from whence the windes issue which torment his soule or rather from the impression which his seruants had giuen him that in being resolute he should haue whatsoeuer hee desired Opinion causeth terrible motions in the soule he drew this yong and rash speech I must then my Lord returne for so I haue promised To whom the King answered coldly Lewis goe if you
so many fields of Marathon to Lewis The king seeing that he made no hast to returne Complaints against the Dauphin grew easily into a conceit that he had some desseine he is glad they should flatter his iudgements and allow of his apprehensions Princes haue alwaies about their eares men-pleasers which haue wordes for all incounters and know how to make maskes for all faces and buskins for all feete They make complaints vnto him of the rigorous commands of his sonne oppressing his people with all sorts of charges to haue wherewith to maintaine himselfe They told him that hee sent aduertisements to the Dukes of Bourgundy q The Counrty of Dauphiny did long feele of the discommodities of the Dauphins abode there for the King held him short and would not heare of the complaints he made of his necessities so as for his entertainement he drew rigorous subsideis out of Dauphine Alençon and Bourbon and that he receiued from them that the cloudes were gathered together for some great storme The poore father beleeues all and feares all making proofe that there is nothing more insupportable then the infidelity of his owne blood and as the Lyon is neuer mooued more furiously then at the sight of his owne blood so when this yong Prince sees his bloud r Conspiracies which passe beyond the respects of nature are cruell Of mans blood may be made a most violent poison against man diuerted from the veines and spirits which nourish the hart he enters into extreame passions of greife the which he doth hold cruell for that they do not cause him to dye soone enough He is aduertised that the Dauphin hath sent into Sauoy for men and money The Earle of Dammartin sent into Sauoy He sent the Earle of Damartin to the Duke to let him vnderstand that he would hold the succours which he should giue him for an iniury The Duke answered s The Annulles of Bourgandy report that King Charles being at Feurs in Forest Levvis Duke of Sauoy came to see him where there were two marriages concluded the one of the Dauphin and the Lady 〈◊〉 of Sauoy the other of the Lady 〈◊〉 of France the Kings daughter with Ame Prince of Piemont That he did not carry his affections against his duty and knew how to order his desires to his power and that he had no other but to his maiesties contentment The Dauphin had married his daughter and yet the Kings respect was greater with the Duke then the consideration of this alliance The King sends to the Dauphin to haue him come and the Dauphin promiseth at a certaine time but the terme being come the effects of his promise are excuses and delayes The King sends the Earle of Damartin to seaze on his person and the Lord Chastillon to comand in the Prouince The dilligence in the execution of this comandement put the Dauphin in danger to be taken at Oranges but hauing made shew to go a hunting he deceiued the ambush which the Earle had laid for him t The Dauphin did rely in two noble men who did counsell conduct him Lewis of Chalons and Iohn de Lestore a bastard of the house of Armagnac He was at Oranges when hee was aduertised of the Earle of Dammatius comming and escaping their snares he tooke another way and with sixe or seauen gentlemen recouered St. Claud. If he had fallen into his fathers collor hee would haue vsed him with more rigour then he thought But he went nor without making it knowne that hee would one day make the Earle of Dammartin repent it u The offence which Princes receiue are deeply ingrauen in their memories in brasse gratia onori vltio in quaestu habetur The Dauphin had a feeling of that which the Earle of Dammartia did him in executing his fathers comandements and was reuenged so soone as hee came to the Crowne And that it was not the respect of his father made him flye from his fathers wrath but the very weaknes of the Earle of Dammartin saying that if he had had halfe his forces hee would haue met him Being at S. Claude he 〈◊〉 vnto the King that he desired with his permission The Dauphin retires into Flanders and the meanes that he should giue him to make a voyage against the Turke It was at such time as all Christendome did mourne for the losse of that Citty which had beene sometimes the Metropolitane of the world x After the example of Rome Constantinople was called the head of the world and new Rome and was honored with the like dignities and prerogatiues lib. 1. de priuil Vrb. Sid. App. Salue sceptrerum columen Regins orientis orbis Romatui The Emperor Constans nephew to Heraclius resoluing to restore the seat of the Empire to old Rome said that they must honor the mother more them the daughter 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Zonarasin the life of Constans and the common starre of the vniuerse The Queene of all Realmes the faire daughter of that faire mother Rome the new Rome Constantinople which at the the time of her desolation was nothing but a great masse of stone made subiect to the Tirant of the East who hauing filled it with all impieties and cruelties hath made it the vnexpugnable dongeon of his tirranny and cruelty Charles sends word vnto his sonne that if the desire of glory reputation carried him to this enterprise he had lost great and goodly occasions against the enemies of France the Dutchies of Guienne and Normandy hauing beene reduc'd during his absence as for the voyage of Turkey he might not vndertake it vnlesse he were assisted by his Nobility the which hee had cause to employ elsewhere And to speake the truth Lewis lost much time which hee should haue imployed to serue the King and the Realme or to make new Empires tributary to France Hee should not haue beene in any place but in armies and the father should no more meddle but with the Counsell of affaires and to command bonfires to be made for his sonnes victories Nature gaue vnto the one wisdome and experience for his part and to the other force and execution y Age should resolue youth execute The one hath sorce the other wisdome 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Arist. Polit. 6. Lewis auoiding one danger fell into another and as Caesar found himselfe among Pirats thinking to flye from Scilla He trusts his enemy so he saw himselfe at the discretion of the Marshall of Bourgondy after that he had escapedthe ambush of the Earle of Dammartin who loued him not and had charged his troupes when as they aduanced vpon the marches of Bourgundy whereof the Duke was so iealous as hee could not endure that the French should approch them knowing well that a Prince looseth much of his reputation within which doth not stirre when hee is set vppon without z A Prince which suffers himselfe to bee molested vppon
disposition suspitious h Suspition and facillistie is to beleeue all things Suspitionum credendi temeritas Taâ— ruins friendships and the most firmest affections and boyling made them of Croüi to feele the indignation which hee durst not euaporate against Lewis who fauoured them It burst forth at such time as they setled the estate of the Earle of Charrolois house The Duke would haue Philip de Croui Sonne to Iohn de Croui set downe for the third Chamberlaine in the absence of the Lord of Auchy the first and of the Lord of Formelles the second Chamberlaine The Earle of Charrolois entred Anthony Raulyn Lord of Eimeries The house was diuided some followed the Fathers will and others the Sonnes i A controuer sie between two priuate Noblemen is able to diujde the opinione of a whole Court That which was betwixt Chimay of Emeries who should haue the first place in the absence of the L. of Auchy first Chamberlaine to the Duke was so affected as the father was for the one the son for the other The Duke seeing the danger which might grow by this adoration of the sunne rising made it knowne that he was both master and father commanding his Sonne to bring him the Rowle and in his presence cast it into the fire and then willed him to goe forth Monstrelet saith that the Duke commanded the Earle of Charolois to cause Croui to martch in his ranke I will not answered the Earle they of Croui shall neuer gouerne as they haue done and that the Father being offended at an answer so bold and of so little respect he would haue fallen vpon his Sonne but not able to get him he commanded him to auoid the country The Sonne departs full of murmuring and despite the Father comming to himselfe and seeing that his Sonne returned not Displeasure of the Duke of Bourgundy to his Sonne goes to horseback all alone sad and pensiue in a raynie night rides through the country to let the Dauphin know the griefe hee had and his Son the choller wherin disobedience had drawen him k Whatsoeuer the Sonne doth yet must the Father alwaies show himselfe a Father matters are very foule strange when as hee is forced to forget the dutie of a Father He lost himselfe in a wood and lay all night in a Collyars cabbin with hunger in his belly and choller in his head He came the next day to Seuenbergh a little towne of Brabant whereas he found one of his huntsmen who conducted him to Guinneppe where as the Dauphin the cause of all this trouble besought him to pardon the Earle of Charrolois The Duke would haue held the refusall of so iust a request cruell being made by and for a person so neere vnto him l As it is vnpleasing to intreat a stranger so is it a very sensible discipleasure to bee refused of his owne for he could not but loue his onely Sonne in despight of his youthfull wayward affections He required no other satisfaction but that hee should dismisse two seruants William Bithe and Guiot of Vsie who retired themselues into France Soone after the Earle of Charrolois bred another subiect of choller in his fathers hart Wandring of the Dauphin being a hunting he was come from hunting without the Dauphin and had suffered him to wander in a wood thinking that hee had been before When the Duke saw him returne alone he blamed him sharpely and commanded him to goe presently to horsebacke to seeke the Dauphin They sought him long by torch-light and found him on the way to Bruzells conducted by a Pesant m The Dauphins wandring was in the night abeue eight leagues from Brussels The Duke caused him to bee sought for with torches the next day hee gaue a crowne to the Pesant which had conducted him The Duke was exceeding glad to see him returne for he knew that he should be alwaies bound to yeeld an account of so precious agage and that he might be assured whilest he held him he might haue what he desired from the King Birth of Mary of Bourgundy the 13. of Feb. 1457 God sent the Earle of Charolois a Daughter for the first fruits of his marriage the Duke intreated the Dauphin to christen her Mary This birth did moderare the grief which the Lady Isabel of Bourbon her Mother had conceiued six monthes before for the death of her Father Charles Duke of Bourbon n Charles the first Duke of Bourbon dyed in the end of the yeere 1455. he was Sonne to Iohn the first Duke of Bourbon and of Boâ—na of Bourgundy daughter to Philip the hardy Hee married Agnes of Bourgundy Daughter to Iohn Duke of Bourgundy and had fiue sonnes and fiue daughter His sonnes were Iohn the second Duke of Bourbon Lewis who died yong Peter Lord of Beauien Charles Cardinall of Bourbon Archbishop of Lyon and Lewis Bishop of Liege The Daughters were 〈◊〉 Princesse of Orange Catherine Dutchesse of Gueldres Margaret Countesse of Bresse and Dutchesse of Sauoy Isabel wife to Charles Duke of Bourgondy and Mary married first to the Duke of Calabria and afterwards to Gaston de Foix. The King was offended for that hee did not yeeld him his Sonne and desired some occasion to let him know his discontent the which hee did not dissemble when as the Duke sought to punish the Gantois for a rebellion commanding him to suffer them to liue in peace as being vnder his protection The Dauphin thought the time of his returne into France long and had sworne that he would not make that voyage vntill his Father were past vnto another world 1459. The first yeare of his abode there Charlotte of Sauoy Daughter to the Duke of Sauoy was brought to Namur to consumate the marriage which had beene concluded fiue yeares before o One of the goodliest parts of ciuill society is marrage the first gate to enter into it is loue there is none to go out of it but that of death And for that in the marriages of Princes they regard more the interest of subiect estates then their own content It happens that their loues are not so pure and free A marriage which being made vnwillingly was continued without loue When the Duke of Bourgundy gaue the Dauphin his pension of 12000. Birth of the Dauphins sonne at Gnenneppe in Iune 1459. Crownes Oliuer de la March writes that it was vpon condition that he should marry her which shewes that he had no great desire She was deliuered of a sonne who was named Ioachim the Duke of Bourgondy was so glad of this newes as he gaue a thousand Lyons of gold to Ioselin du Bois which brought it He was the Godfather and the Countesse of Charrolois the Godmother The Insant dyed presently after and left the father very sorrowfull who being not then in those distrusts which age brings desired to see him great knowing well that the Children which were
he was freed from taxes Necessitie in whose schoole hee had learned great experience dispenst with him for the obseruations which are made in the choice of souldiers These were called Franke Archers who being well led did great seruices being able to indure all paine as beeing bred vp in discommodities and wants without cunning or malice They beganne their profession at the siege of Vernon The defects which are obserued in the life of this Prince as the griefes of Kings n The raignes of Princes doe not continue and end alwaies as they haue begdnne The first fiue yeares of Neroes raigne were iust Constant was good ten yeares cruell twelue and prodigall ten doe not alwaies incounter ends like vnto their beginnings His loues and his diuersions could not hinder it but that France hath giuen him the well deserued title of Victorious The end of the first Booke THE CONTENTS OF the Second BOOKE 1 KIng Lewis his going into France His entrie and Coronation at Rheims 2 The Duke of Bourgundy doth him homage and followes him at his entrie into Paris magnificence of the Parisians vpon this occasion 3 Estate of the Kings affaires with Pope Pius the second Reuocation of the Pragmatique Sanction 4 Discontent of the Noblemen of the Realme vpon the Kings first actions An obseruation of his Humors 5 His voyage and designes in Brittanny 6 Oppression of the people by new inuentions of Subsedies 7 Strange and furious reuolutions in England betwixt the houses of Lancaster and Yorke 8 Edward the fourth expels Henry the sixt King of England 9 Hee seeks to marry the Queene of France her Sister and takes a widdow in England 10 The King goes to Bourdeaux and there treates a marriage betwixt his Sister and the Earle of Foix. 11 Troubles betweene the Crownes of Castill and Arragon The Earledome of Rousilion engaged to the King 12 The Kings of Castille and Arragon referre their differences to the King 13 Enteruiew of the Kings of France and Castille vpon the Riuer of Vidaazo 14 The King returnes to Paris redeemes the Townes vpon the Riuer of Somme and visits the Frontiers 15 The Duke of Bourgundy comes to the King at Lisle to demaund his aduise touching a voyage which he pretended to make against the Turke 16 Ariuall of Lewis Duke of Sauoy at Paris 17 The King declareth his pretentions vpon the soueraigne rights of Brittany 18 The Earle of Charrolois stayes the Bastard of Rupembrâ— at the Haage 19 Ambassadors from the King to the Duke of Bourgundy vpon diuers complaints 20 The Duke of Bourbon first author of the league of the common weale Death of Charles Duke of Orleans 21 Charles Duke of Berry the Kings brother retires into Brittany 22 His Letters to the Duke of Bourgundy and his declaration vpon the taking of Armes 23 Death of Pope Pius the second to whom succeeded Paul the second a Venetian THE HISTORY of LEVVIS the XI THE SECOND BOOKE A Death which brings Scepters Crownes 1461 doth not alwaies meete with sorrow and teares When there is a question of the succession of the Realme An heyres teares are sone dried vppe a desire to raigne doth presently dry vp the teares which the law of Nature drawes from the eyes a There is no water whose spring is sooner dryed vp then that which flowes from a profitable mourning Lewis longed too much to be at home to be grieued when as they brought him newes that Charles the seuenth had quit him the lodging Hee had already spent two third parts of his age in obeying hee held the rest very short to command and to end at in great enterprises worthy of his qualitie b Life is very short for great entrriprises and inconstancie makes it much shorter Hee entertained the Iuie of his hopes in the ruines of this old building he did not hope for any light but by the ecclipse of this Sunne and his vowes were no let that his Father was not already among the God c The Romans held their Fathers dead in the number of the Gods and their Images were reuerenced as persons deysied Wherfore among the predictions which Antonin had of his adoption and successim to the Empire they note that In somrio saepe monitus suit penatibus suis Adriani simulacrum inserere Capitol Hee was often admonished in his sleepe that hee should place Adrians Image among his boushould Gods And what can a Kings eldest Son desire but to raigne euery obiect lesse theÌ„ a crown is vnworthy of his birth Lewis comes into France but the wishes are vnnaturall monstrous vpon vniust effects To desire for a crownes cause the death of him of whom he holds his life is ingratitude impiety The same day that Charles dyed Lewis was aduertised of his death d They that haue written that these newes were sent by Charles Duke of Aniou Father in lawe to Charles the seuenth are mistaken both in the name and matter for Lewis Duke of Anion liued since the yeare 1417. He went presently to horse to goe into France fearing least Charles his brother should make his profit of his absence The Duke of Bourgundy and the Earle of Chartolis accompany him with foure thousand horse chosen out of the flower of all the forces of their Estates and the Princes their friends He makes his entry into Rheims Hee entred into Rheims the fourteeene of August e The King arriued at Rheims the 14. August and caused himself to be annointed the next day A remarkable diligence They cannot goe too speedily to so great a Feast The Duke of Bourgundy being followed by the Earl of Charolois the Earle of Neuers the Earle of Estampes the Duke of Cleues the Earle of S t. Pol and many other Noblemen went out of Rheimes to the Abbcy of Saint Thierry to meet the King being attired in white and crimsin damask vpon a white courser caparonessed with the armes of France The next day he was anoynted and crowned The peeres of the Church were there in person The Duke of Burgundy Deane of the peeres The Duke of Burbon held the place of the Duke of Normandy The Earle of Angolesme for the Duke of Guienne The Earle of Eu for the Earle of Tholousa The Earle of Neuers for the Earle of Flaunders and the Earle of Vandosme for the Earle of Champagne The King is anoinâ—ed and Crowned The ceremony of his coronation was beautified with an other which they found very new and strange The King is anointed and Crowned The King drawing his sword presented it to the Duke of Bourgundy and intreates him to make him Knight He gaue this honour of Knight-hood to an hundred and seauenteene Gentlemen the first were the Lord of Beauieu Iames of Burbon the Earle of Geneua the Earle of Pontieu the Earle of Witembergh Iohn of Luxembergh and to the Marques of Saluces Sonne From the Coronation they went to the Royall feast whereas
which belonged vnto him The Parlament did then consider the iustice not the fortune and respected the Maiesty of the King though hee were a prisoner intreating the King to rest satisfyed with the Regency of the Realm and to assure the succession to his house after the death of Henry He accepted the declaration of the Parlament but considering that Queene Margaret had a great Army on foot to set her husband at liberty Battell at Wakefield he resolued to fight with her He gaue her battell at Wakefield against the aduise of his Councell who intreated him to stay vntill the troupes which his sonne Edward Earle of March brought him were arriued Presumption troubleth his spirits with a motion contrary to that of Reason which should haue diswaded him from fighting y The violence of courage is dangerous vppon the point of a battell for it darkens the clearenes of Iudgement doth easily change it to the trouble of reason and to that perturbation which the Philosoph call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â— Some haue written that the Queene caused the head of the Duke of York to bee cut off carrying a Crowne of paper others say it was the Lord Cliffords deed for their forces were not equall although in the courage of the Commanders there was no other difference but that of sexe No no it shall not be said that the Duke of York who had so often fought in France without any other trench or defence then his owne armes is shut vp that he attends a woman and doth not go forth to fight with her He spake this and went forth with 5000. men and met her The Combate in the beginning was terrible and furious The Queen cuts off the Earle of Salisburies head The Queene shewed her selfe among the troupes exhorting the Souldiers to honour glory Richard Duke of York was slaine Richard Earle of Salisbury whose head soon after the Commons who hated him cut off the which with many others of the same faction was set vpon the walles of York to bee a terror and an example to other Rebells After this victory the Queene whose courage was eleuated vppon the apprehension of all sorts of dangers 2. Battell at St. Albons and who held them lesse then the captiuity of her husband resolues to loose her life or to restore him to liberty She goes directly to London and comming to S. Albons she encounters the Earle of Warwick who aduanced to succour his generall with the same courage that she had defeated the Duke of Yorke shee chargeth the Earle of Warwick puts him to rout and frees the King a The excellency of courage shewes it selfe when as the soule is carried beyond all showes and apprehensions of dangers fortitudo contemptrix est timendorum Senec. Epi. 89. Edward Earle of March being aduertised of the death of the Duke of York his father refused not to tread in his steppes and to imbrace the toile Edward Earle of March succeeds the Duke of York his father in his authority from whence he expected his greatnes and glory He staid in the Prouince of Wales and expelled Iasper Earle of Pembrooke The Earle of Warwick ioyned with him and with all their forces he came to London where he was receiued with incredible ioy and acclamations He was one of the goodliest Princes of his time and in great reputation his bounty courage and liberality were powerfull charmes to winne mens hearts the English thinking that hauing him they had all and that their felicity was tyed to the long continuance of his Raigne b A Prince can desire no greater proofes of the affection of his people then when hee beleeues that nothing can saile him so as hee faile not them From thence are come these goodly acclamations Augusto Constantine Dâ—te nobis seruent vestra salus nostra salus â—od Theod lib. 7. tit 20. In te omnia per te omnia Antonine habemus A El. Lamprid Dion reports an excellent one 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 we haue all in hauing you He is proclaimed King and for that hee would haue no companion in his royalty hee resolues to fight with King Henry and marched directly to York lodging in a little village called Touton Henry being prepared to receiue him would not shew himselfe for that it was Palme sunday desiring to spend that day in the seruice of God but the souldiers seeing themselues so neere would not referre the partie vntill the next day They come to hands the combat continued tenne howers and the victory hauing beene long doubtfull and in ballance betwixt both Armies sodainely inclined to Edward The King and Queene seeing all their troopes put to flight they saued themselues in Scotland with their seruants c The Regent of Scotland led K. Iames the third to meet with King Henry the 6. and Q. Margaret The good reception with the succor which he receiued caused him to restore Barwick to the Realm of Scotland and from thence Margaret passed into France to her father to demand succors Henry the 6. flies into Scotland Edward returned triumphing to London and caused himselfe to be crowned King at Westminster the 28. of Iune 1461. he called a Parlement where all that had bene decreed by King Henry the sixt was reuoked After that Henry had gathered together some forces in Scotland he returnes into England being followed by a great number of his ould seruants The Iustice of his cause gaue him good hope d Hee that hath reason on his side is alwaies accompanied with good hope hee pursues his quarrell with more courage and assurance be exposeth himselfe to all dangers and his subiects serue and succour him more willingly and in all accidents the iustice of his cause doth comfort him but he was repulsed with great dishonor by Iohn Marques of Mountague King Edward beeing aduertised of the practises of Margaret both in France Scotland and England to restore her husband to his crowne he sets guards vpon the Ports and passages of Scotland to stop her entrie but as there is no miserie more insupportable then the remembrance of what we haue been King Henry bare this change of condition so impatiently as not apprehending the danger neither of his life nor of his first captiuitie and not considering that fortune had neuer done him so much good but might doe him more harme e Miseries doe but begin when as they seeme to end There is not any man but may haue more harme then hee hath had good Neminem eo Fortuna pronexit vt non tantum illi minaretur quantum permiserat Sen. Epi. 4. he returned into England in a disguised habite where hee was discouered taken and presented to Edward Hen. the sixt put into the Tower of London who lodged him in the Tower of London If he had thought that he had gone forth as hee did to get the crowne hee would haue giuen him one of copper made fast
the good or ill do easily concerne and Deane of the Peeres of France e The Duke of Bourgondy is first Peere of France in this quality hee made a protestation to King Charles the sixth saying that hee might not asist at the iudgement of the K. of Nauarre vvhich did onely belong vnto the Peeres a Prince renowned for honor and iustice as it appeareth by your great deedes conduct and gouernment of your great signories knowing that the disorders of the said Realme haue and doe displease you as reason is I would desire with all my heart to haue an assembly with you and other noblemen my kinsmen that by your counsell we might prouide for all matters which for want of order Iustice and policy are at this day in all the estates of the said Realme His designe of arming to reforme disorders and for the ease of the poore people f The opression of the people was not great being only for matters which were not accustomed who can beare no more and to set such an order in all places as it may be pleasing vnto God to the honour felicity and good to the said Realme and to the retribution of honour and perpetuall commendation of all those that shall imploy themselues I do intreat you most deere and louing vncle that in this matter which is great for so good an end it would please you to aid and assist me and to cause my brother in law of Charolois your sonne to imploy himselfe in my ayd as I haue alwayes assured my selfe he will doe And to the end that you and I may meet which is the thing I most desire for that my intention is shortly to enter into the Country and to keepe the fields with the other Princes and noble-men g The Princes and Noblemen of this party were Charles the Kings brother Phillip Duke of Bourgondy Francis Duke of Brittaine Charles Earle of Charolois Iohn Duke of Bourbon Iohn Duke of Calabria Peter of Bourbon Lord of Beauieu Charles Cardinall of Bourbon The Earle of 〈◊〉 the Duke of Nemours The Earle of Armagnac The Earle of Albretâ— The Earle of Dammartin The Earle of St. Paul The Prince of Orange The Earle of Newchastell The Bastard of Bourgondy which haue promised to accompany and ayd me I intreat you that you will be pleased to leuy and draw forces out of your Country towards France and in case you cannot doe it that you would cause my said brother in law of Charolois to come with a good power of men and withall to send vnto me one of your Counsell which is faithfull to assist for you in all matters which other Princes of the bloud shall think fit to be done for the good of the said Realmeâ— And by whom you may be stil informed of my good and iust intentions the which I will gouerne by you and other Princes of the bloud and no otherwise And that which my said brother in law in your absence shall doe or say for the publique good of the Realme h Vnder the Consideration of the publique weaâ—e many which had beene put from their places made vse of their interests Nâ—w Princes doe commonly fâ—ile in these changes If the Prince succeeds a good Prince whose raigne hath beene iust and happy then needs no chaÌ„ge if hee were not so he must not imploy such as wee his Ministers and therfore Galba was blamed to haue imployed the chiefe councellors of Neroes cruelties wickednes and ease of the poore people I will maintaine vnto the death and thereof you may bee assured Most deare louing vncle let me alwaies vnderstand if there be any thing wherein I may pleasure you and I will do it willingly praying God to giue you a good life and that which you desire Written at Nants in Brittany the 15. day of March the subscription was Your Nephew Charles and on the top To mine Vncle the Duke of Bourgondy Such was the language which they that were about this yong Prince made him to hold Death of Pope Piuâ— the second who knew well how to commend the good and to excuse and flatter the euill which he did and who indiscreetly drew him to designes whereas the danger was certaine and the profit doubtfull The Pope had made his profit of this diuision if death i Pius the second died at Ancona Platina saith that bee spake vnto the last gaspe and dispuâ—ed long with Lawrence Rouerella Bishop of Feâ—ara a learned Diuine Licerit ne extremam vnctioneÌ„ iterare qua semel invnctus fuerat Dum Basileae pestilentia grauissime egrotaret Whether hee might reiterate the extreme vnction wherwith hee had being anointed being sore sicke of the Plague at Basill had not disappointed a desseine which he had to reduce Francâ— wholly vnder the obedience of the Sea of Rome and to depriue it of the rights and priuiledges which doth free it in temporall things for in those which concerne the spirituall and orthodoxall Faith she hath alwaies been a dutifull and obedient daughter This Pope was lamented of all Christendome for he had great conceptions for her glorie and libertie in those places where shee was opprest vnder the tyranny of the Ottomans Beeing at Ancona to imbarke himselfe for the voyage of the Croisado after that hee had giuen audience to the Embassadors of France and of the Duke of Bourgundy who excused themselues that they could not serue in person in this voiage a slow continuall Feuer which had long held him depriued him of life He had no cause to grieue that hee had liued for that his life had been honored with so great and worthy actions as he might rightly say he had not been borne in vaine They onely blame him for that being Pope he had contradicted that which he had written being a priuat person His birth and fortune with so great Passion as hee discribed Pope Eugenius to bee the wickedst man in the world k AEneas Siluius in the beginning of the second booke of his Comentaries of the Councell of Basill saith that MeÌ„tita est iniquitas Gabriell Eugenius was called Gabriel Condelmar et perdidit cum Dominus in malitia sua quosynodali sententia ex Apostolica sâ—de precipitato factus est Dominus in refugiuÌ„ Ecclesiae suae And in the end of the first Necessarium fuit illud decretum ad reprimendam Romanorum Pontificum ambitionem vt deâ—â—ceps animam a temporalium rerum sollicitudiâ—e retraherent and his deposing a profitable and fit action for the church He was issued from the Picolhomini of Sienna and seeing that his father had beene expelled the Citie with many others of certaine families reuolted by the mutiny of the people he resolued to seek his fortune at Rome where shee hath alwaies done great miracles He was first of all Secretary to Dominike Grap and followed him to Basill when as he came to complaine that Pope Eugenius refused him a
and restored them to Iuuenall of Vrsins from whom he had taken them The treaty c Treaty of Conflans proclaimed at Paris the 28. of October 1465. signed and sworne was proclaimed and thereby the warre for the publicke weale was ended Contentment of priuat men maks them forget the publike contenting the interests of priuate men The King desired to quench the fire of this deuision rather with siluer then with blood and teares of his subiects To the Duke of Bourbon was assigned the like pension that he receiued of Charles the seauenth Anthony of Chabannes Earle of Dammartin was restored to his landes and soone after made Lord Steward of France in the place of the lord of Crouy d Ther was neuer so great a marriage but some dined ill some did what they listed and others had nothing Phil de Com. lib. 1. Cap. 14. Many others suffered themselues to bee vanquished by the King thinking themselues more happy to fall vnder his power then to escape e Those that were subdued by Alexaâ—der were more happy 〈◊〉 they that escaped his power for these had not any one to free theÌ„ from their misery the others were made happy by the Victor Plut. for they were freed from miseries and such as remained with the Earle of Charolois could not hope for any great felicity knowing his Councells and designes to be vnfortunate and it seemed his head was not made but to aflict ruine his body Earle of S t. Paul made Constable of France And for that the Earle of St. Paul was as it were Arbitrator of all the Earles Councels the King wonne him offring him the sword of France which Valeran or Luxembourg f Valeran of Luxembourg Earle of St. Paul was made Constabâ—e of France Anno 1411. two yeares after be yâ—elded vp the sword to Charles Earl of Albret Suylly from whom Kiâ—g Charles the sixth had taken it had sometimes carried It is the first dignity of all the orders of France First dignity of the State hee carries the sword not in a scabberd behind the King as they do before the Duke of Venice to shew that the vse and authority depends of them that follow it but naked before the King who alone commands to draw it and to put it vp when he pleaseth as hauing the only power of the sword ouer his subiects That of his Iustice remaines in the hands of his soueraigne Courts for the punishment of Crimes wherewith he meddles not Iupiter doth not strike hurt nor condemne any man Not only the Princes eyes but his pictures and his statues g A Prince should abhorre all that is inhumane and cruel The Emperor Claudius caused Augustus Image to bee taken froÌ„ the place wheras slaues were punished which had slandered their Maisters vnder the Empire of Caius or Tiberius to the end it should not be violated nor behold those punishments Dion should be farre from executions The Kings of France haue held this course to reserue vnto themselues pardons benefits and rewards leauing the distribution of punishments to their officers Lewis of Luxembourg was declared Constable at the marble table he tooke his oath and his authoritie was verified by the Court of Parliament As Arthur h Arthur of Brittaine was chosen Constable of France by the suffrages of all the Princes and great Counsell and although the King was then troubled in his iudgement and the seales of France stampt with the Queenes picture yet by letters of prâ—uâ—sion But the keeping of the Kings sword is giuen for the Kings sâ—rvice in fealty and homage and to be the chiefe in warre aboue all next vnto the King of Brittanie Earle of Richmont was the first whose letters of Constable were there published so Lewis of Luxembourg was the first that tooke his oath there We must not iudge of a mans fortune by the glorie of such dignities they bee peeces of Christall which as they glister so they will breake To hold a man happie that enters into great charges is to giue the name of the image to the mettle which is not yet molten Wee must see him come liue and runne to the end of the course to know what the issue will be With this charge Lewis of Luxembourg was wedded to his own ruine and did himselfe adde much vnto it for notwithstanding that he were bound vnto the King both by reason and oath Affection of the Constable S t. Paul yet as it is hard but the tree will retaine something of the soyle where it first tooke roote i Strangers 〈◊〉 not at the first leaue their affection to their party although they quit it Solon would not allow a stranger to be a Bourgesse in Athens if he were not banished from his Country the affections of men beeing like vnto a streame which ouerflowes and waters a field and is nothing the cleerer He still kept a naturall inclination to the seruice of his first Prince grounding his affections vpon one maxime in the which hee found his ruine in stead of greatnes whereunto he aspired k Theramenes an Atheâ—â—an the sonne of Aignon for that he was not firme in his opinions holding sometimes one party somtimes another was called Cothureue which is a kind of buskin vsed in Tragedies fit for either foot Pluâ— in the life of Niceas He thought to play k Theramenes an Atheâ—â—an the sonne of Aignon for that he was not firme in his opinions holding somtimes one party somtimes another was called Cothureue which is a kind of buskin vsed in Tragedies fit for either foot Plut. in the life of Niceas Theramenes in this Tragedie to remaine a neuter betwixt these two great Potentates to make them quarrell when he pleased to iudge of the blowes and to keep himselfe from danger thinking to be alwaies supported by the one when the other should seek to ruine him and to make both of them depend so vpon his will as as hee should prescribe them a lawe of warre and peace when hee pleased nt considering that newtrality which may bee commended in a prince when by reason of wisedome or weaknes he cannot doe otherwise is meere trechery and treason in a subiect who can haue but one maister It was a great miserie for him to be betwixt two Princes which could not agree He that is in this estate is not like vnto the towne of Siria l Pliny saith that the towne of Palmira in Syria remained without touch amidst the powers of the Romane and Parthian Empires which was nothing anoyed being inuironed by the Armies of the Romans and Parthians Hee finds his condition oftentimes like vnto the miserable marriner of Tire whom one waue cast out of the ship and another brought him in againe His humor did fauor his bad fortune wauering alwaies amidst the vncertainty of his resolutions and a spirit of contradiction When he was freed from one businesse he intangled himselfe with another
made his Brother the packhorse of his passions sought to put him out of hope to marry his daughter Marriage sought in Castille and perswaded him to seeke the marriage of the King of Castiles daughter f The K. desired the Marriage of Isabella Infanta of Castile with his brother but she was married to D. Fernando Prince of Arragâ—n King Henry treated for his Daughter D. Ioane Monsieur submitted his will to the Kings and Deputies were sent into Castille to King Henry the fourth The King had for his part the Cardinall of Alby and the Lord of Torcy The Duke of Guienne gaue his procuration to the Earle of Bolloigne and to the Lord of Malicorne to consent vnto this marriage and had neuer beheld the Bride Princes drinke these waters without seeing them This poursute was pleasing to the King of Castile who was offended that his Sister D. Isabella had married to Ferdinand of Arragon without his consent The King sends Ambassadors into Castile and tooke it for a great honor that shee whom the Grandes of Spaine held and who in effect was the supposed Daughter of Castile should bee wife vnto the French Kings brother hauing no meanes to lodge her in a better house Hee commanded the Archbishop of Seuill the Bishop of Siguenç and the master of the order of S. Iames to treat the marriage with the Embassadors of France All being concluded the King would haue the promises made in a great Plaine g The Princesse D. Ioane was brought into the field by the Marques of Santillana who had her in charge and to whom the King gaue in recompence of his seruice three Townes of the Infantasgo Alâ—ocer Valdolinas and Salmeron neere vnto the Monasterie of Paular enual de Locoia in the view of an incredible multitude which came thither The K. hauing renued his declarations against his sister D. Isabella and confirmed to his Daughter D. Ioane the title of Princesse and heire of Castille the Cardinall of Alby addressing himselfe to the Queene her mother besought her to sweare whether D. Ioane were the Kings daughter or not She sweare that she was He made the like adiuration vnto the King who affirmed the same They had not any need to seeke for the Iewes waters of probation h The Iewes to proue adultery had probation waters as they caled them The adulterous woman drinking therof did burst The Geâ—mans tried if their Children were lawfull making them swim vpon the riuer of Rhin nor to make this Virgin swim vpon the Riuer to know the truth of her birth And yet vpon this affirmation all the Grandes at that time kist her hands and she was againe sworne Princesse of Castille In this qualitie the Cardinall of Alby made her sure to the Duke of Guienne the Earle of Boulongue promising and receiuing the promises for him Whilest the King laboured to prouide a wife for his Brother Birth of Charls the 8. God sent the King a Sonne i Charles Dauphin of France was borne at Amboise the 14 of Iuly or as the Annales of Aquitaine report the last of Iune 1470. Charles of Bourbon Archbishop of Lion was Godfather and gaue him his name This birth reuiued the King who began to grow old his Maiestie was more respected factions were weakened Monsieurs hopes recoyled and France wholly preserued by these two great and speciall fauours of heauen valor and prosperitie or vertue and fortune which haue made her reputation to passe through so many ages k Valour without the which a great enterprise cannot bee ended laied the foundation of the Monarchy of France and prosperity withâ—out the which the best setled estates are not assured preserues it The Constable seeing that by Monsieurs marriage with the Daughter of Castille Constables new practises all his designes vanished into smoke labors with all the capacitie of his iudgement to disswade him from this alliance letting him know that it was dishonorable by reason of the vnlawfull birth of Bertraiamina for so they called her and dangerous for the hatred which he should purchase of D. Ferdinand and D. Isabella declared Kings of Castille with the like Art he represented vnto him the greatnes he should expect by the marriage of the Princesse of Bourgundy Death of Pope Paul the second Pope Paul the second died l Paul the second dyed of an Apoplexie the 28. of Iuly 1471. hauing raigned 6. yeers ten moneths during this poursuite and after that he had yeelded vnto it hee was sodainly surprised by death hauing held a Consistorie and eaten two melons at his dinner His election was as vnexpected as his death Cardinall Scarampi who was his enemie m Cardinall Lewis Scarampy Patriarke of Aquilea was enemie to P. Paul the second being yet a Cardinal Lewis reproched to Peter the sumptuousnes of his buildings and Peter said that he had rather exceed in that then in dice playing wherein Lewis tooke great delight did in the beginning of the Conclaue breake off the proposition which was made and yet contrarie to the ordinance of elections the suffrages agreed vpon the same subiect which they had reiected and the contention which had begunne the Conclaue ended This Pope shewed a great generosite for beeing chosen and seeing that the gowt or rather shame and discontentment hindred this Cardinall from comming to the adoration hee went to meete him imbraced him assured him of his loue and to forget all matters past This Pope augmented the pompe of the Court of Rome hee gaue Scarlet foot-clothes to the Cardinals Mules Platina saith that he loued not learned men and called all them hereticks that made profession and therefore he supprest the Colledge of Abreuiators which was full of great excellent spirits The feeling which Platina seemed to haue of this iniury did wholly ruine his fortune in the affliction whereof he wrote a letter vnto the Pope n â—latinas letter had thâ—se words Si tibi lâ—cuit indicta causa spoliare nos â—mptione nostra iusta eâ— legiâ—ima debet nobis licere conqueri illatam inâ—uriam inâ—â—stamque ignominiâ—m eiecti a te ac tam insigni coÌ„â—umelia affâ—cti dilabemur paâ—sim ad reges ac Principes eosque adhortabimur vt tibi consilium indicanâ— in quo potissimuÌ„ rationem reddere cogatis cur nos legitima possessione spoliaueris full of bitternes and without respect This Pope was also taxed to be very greedy of money Paul the secoÌ„d a great builder and not to haue held the iustest meanes to get it and yet his magnificence in the sumptuous building of the Pallace of St. Mark and in the reparation of that of S. Peter freed him from blame with such as know that magnificence is the daughter of liberalitie The promises beeing broken in the Castille the poursuite of the marriage with the Duke of Bourgundies Daughter was followed by the Constable with great vehemencie who could not endure
belong vnto the Earle of Armagnac If he tooke his part as some taxed him he did contrary to the duty of a Generall who should content himselfe with the glory of the command and execution c The glory honor of well executing the coÌ„mandements of his Prince serues for a booty in the distributioÌ„ wherof he that commands must consider that there is not any thing for himselfe Themistocles seeing a great nuÌ„ber of Collers chains in the enemies Camp said vnto him that did accoÌ„pany him Take off theÌ„ for you are not Themistocles and leaue vnto the soldier that which concernes profit The Earle of Armagnac seeing that hee must haue time to cleere these brutes He retires to Fonteraby and that oftentimes Innocency is forced to yeeld vnto a sodaine euent d We must giue time to broyles to make them vanish away when there is no meanes to resist Innocency it selfe is troubled when she is surprized Relinquenda rumoribus tempus quo senescant innocentes recente inuidiae impares Tac. An. Lib. 2. was aduised to goe out of the Realme and to retire to Fonteraby with his wife being loth that his person should be at the Earle of Dammartins discretion who beeing aduertised of his flight past on and seazed vppon the towne of Lestoré The Court Parliament of Paris vppon the informations of the Intelligences which the Earle of Armaignac had with the enemies of the Realme decreed a personall adiournment against him His processe was made by reason of his contumacy e The first default was obtained the 24. of Nouember 1469. the second the 19. of February 1469 the third the 6. of August 1470. and before that the E. of DaÌ„martin had seazed vppon all the County of Armagnac and by a sentence giuen the 7. of September 1470. he was condemned to loose his head But he was in a place of safety whereas the sentence could not be executed hauing an intent to let them know which had condemned him that he was aliue After that he had for two yeares space indured the miseries and discommodities which they suffer which are expelled from their owne houses and liue in a strange country hauing tryed that the wandring starres were as vnfortunate as the fixed f There is no such sweet abode as ones owne house They which bold them happy that runne from Prouince to Prouince are like vnto those saith Plutarch which iudge the wandring flâ—rres more fortunate then the fixed and sought by all meanes to returne into the Kings fauour Returnes into Guienne vnder the Dukes protection when as he saw that by the resolution of the Estates held at Tours the Kings brother left Normandy and tooke Guyenne for his portion and that hee was arriued at Bourdeaux he thought that he could not find a better refuge nor portion then with him he acquaints him with the misery of his life which was such as liuing his life was nothing but a liuing death g It is not life to stand alâ—waies in feare â— fall in to the handes of a mighty enemy which hath long armes Ita viuere vt non sit viuendum miserimuÌ„ est Cic. and the power which his enemies had against his innocency The Duke of Guienne pittied his estate and gaue him prouision to be restored to all his lands This displeased the King who saw that the Duke of Guienne ioyning with them whom hee held enemies to the Crowne aud continuing his poursute of marriage with the Duke of Bourgondies daughter Army of the King in Guienne might reuiue the League which he had smothered This feare h A Prince can make no greater shew that he feares his vassall then when â—hee retires from him Alexander by bis proclamation gaue leaue to all bannished men to returne into their Contries except the Thebanes and therefore Eudamidas said that Alexander feared none but the Thebans Plut. caused him to send 500. Lances with Foot-men and Canon vnto the fronter of Guienne deferring a more priuate reuenge against the Earle of Armagnac vntill another time He felt it cruelly after the death of the Duke of Guienne when as the King sent the Lord of Beaujeu Brother to to the Duke of Bourbon Seege of Lestore the Cardinal of Alby Bishop of Aras the Seneshals of Tholousa and Beaucaire the Lord of Lude with many other Captaines and a great nomber of Soldiers with Artillery who laid siege to Lestoré and contiâ—â—ed it sixe or seauen monthes The Earle of Armagnac sent them his Chancellor being Abbot of Pessant i The Deputies for the Earle of Armaâ—gnac were the Abbot of St. Denis and Bishop of Lombes with the Lords of Barbasan Raulsac and Palmarieux to tell them that it was not needfull to imploy such great forces against him The Earle desires a safe Conduct to iustifie himselfe that the Kings commandements should find no resistance in his contry that all was vnder his obedience and disposition yea his person so as it would please the King to giue him good security that he might go vnto him to iustifie his life and loyalty The offers were not accepted k It hath beene alwaies found strange that a subiect whose will should be conuerted into obedience and his reasons to humility should capitulate with his Prince The Duke of Nemours the Earle of St. Paul the Duke of Brittaine and the Earle of Armagnac repented it to late the Capitulations of an Inferiour beeing then more odious then they haue been since with Kings Al the Contry was ouerrunne spoiled and ruined and yet the Earle would not suffer his people to defend themselues declaring alwaies that he was the Kings seruant desiring nothing more then to iustifie himselfe offering to deliuer vp the Towne of Lestoré and for a greater declaration of his will hee caused the white Crosse and the Armes of France to be set vpon the Towers and Walles The Lord of Beaujeu and the Cardinall of Alby seing that without hazarding the Kinges forces they might enter the place Accord made with the E. of â—rmagnac by an accord which the King was not bound to keepe l This Maxime That a Prince being forced to make a peace or treaty to his disaduantage may fall from it at his pleasure had already taken footing in the councells of Princes they entred into treaty with the Earle of Armagnac and it was agreed That the said Lord of Beaujeu as Lieutenant to the King hauing speciall power soe to doe did pardon all crimes and delicts which he might haue committed against the King as wel in adhering vnto the Duke of Guienne m The Earle of Armagnac had followed the D. of Guienne in the warre of the Common weale and since had termed him selfe his Lieutenant Generall as otherwise That noe trouble nor hinderance should be giuen to himnor his seruaÌ„ts going nor comming That he might goe safely vnto the King with a hundred or sixe-score Horses
his owne conscience and tried that villanies are more easily committed then excused q It is a trouble to colour and disguise a villany An ancient Lawyer being importuned by a Tyrant to excuse a parricide which he had committed in killing his owne Brother answered That it was much more difficult to excuse an offence then to commit it hee imbraced the Dukes knees demaunded pardon of him and promised to marrie this woman to repaire the wrong iniurie which he had done her She craues reuenge for the death of her Husband and not the loue or alliance of him that had slaine him those that were present aduised her to accept of the offer seeing the mischeefe was done and Iustice might well reuenge but not repaire the wrong She being forced to fly to forgetfulnesse the Goddesse of the vnfortunate resolued to giue her selfe vnto him who had depriued her both of honour and husband and to binde him vnto her for his life which he could not saue but by her means The promises were written concluded and sworne whereunto the Duke added this Article that the husband and dying first without Children all his goods should remaine to his Wife This concluded their hearts did sacrifice to the concord of marriage and they promised to liue louingly together It seemed there was nothing else to be done nor that so cleare a heauen as was that day should haue any lightning or thunder The Duke turning towards the woman demaunded if she were content I am my Lord answered she by your bountie and Iustice. I am not replied the Duke who wayed how much the Commonweale was wronged in this crime that a Prince may well declare but he cannot make an offender innocent that he is bound to do Iustice r A Prince doing Iustice equally wins more glory then if he had giuen limits to the Sea vanquished Monsters ruined hell and supported heauen to giue an accompt of innocent blood there being no triumph equall to that which a Prince raiseth to his glorie in doing Iustice. He commanded the woman to retire caused the Gouernor to be carried to prison giuing charge that he should loose his head in the same place wher he put the womans husband to death A woman depriued at one time of two husbands and that he should bee also put into a Coffin s D. Ferdinand of Gonzaga Lieutenant Generall to the Emperor Charles the 5. in Italy made the like reparation to an Italian Lady Hee caused his head to be cut off that had committed the rape hauing first made him to marrie her to giue her all his goods Which done he sent this woman to the prison who being amazed at this spectacle to see her selfe the widow of two husbands in so short a time was so violently opprest with greefe as within a short space she followed the way which these two men had made her But to end the life and discourse of Charles Duke of Bourgoundy he died at the age of three and fortie He came into the world at Dijon on Saint Martins Eue in the yeare 1433. The verie daie that he was christned he receiued the choller of the golden fleece and withall the name of Charles which Charles Duke of Bourbon gaue him the title of Earle of Charolois and Lord of Bethunes The house of Bethunes entred into that of Flanders long before the house of Flanders entred into that of Bourgundie Baldwyn Earle of Flanders who purchased the Empire of Constantinople by the force of his Armes and the happie assistance of Anthonie and Coesne of Bethunes had two Daughters Ione married first to Ferdinand Prince of Portugall and afterwards to Thomas Prince of Sauoie and dyed without Children Margaret her Sister married William of Dampierre and had three Sonnes and one Daughter Guy William Iohn and Marie Guy married the Daughter of Fegard of Bethune Robert of Bethune succeeded him to Robert Lewis of Neuers to Lewis of Neuers Lewis of Malain Father to Margaret his only Daughter who was married to Phillip Duke of Bourgondy great Grand-father to Charles This house of Bethunes hath like vnto others t The house of Bethunes hath brought forth many great Captaines vnder this name of Robert Robert who defeated Manfroy in Sicily marryed the Daughter of Charls of Aniou Robert who beseeged and forced Roche vandais Looke in the Duke of Sullys Panegyre felt the iniuries of Time and Fortune Of Time which changeth and rechangeth all things which maketh the grasse to grow vpon the tops of Towers and giues bounds to Empires and Monarchies Of Fortune which makes of houses and men as an Auditor doth of Counters and a Melter of Medalles the first doth value them as he pleaseth and the last doth cast the same Image in Leade and Gold It hath remained in a manner ouerthrowne vnder the ruines of this house of Bourgondie there remained nothing but the remembrance of her greatnesse and a mournefull conference of that which she was with that which she had beene but Vertue would neuer suffer Fortune to deface out of the courage of her descendants the magnanimity which was hereditarie vnto them Valour and magnanimity were as naturall marks in their hearts u Many at their birthes haue carryed marks of their extraction the ChildreÌ„ of Seleucus caried an Anchor vpon their thigh they of Pithon of Nâ—sibe had vpon their bodies the impression of an Axe and the childreÌ„ of Semes founder of Thebes had a Lance. as the Anchor the Axe and the Lance to the Children of Seleucus of Pithon and of Semes But as that riuer which hauing runne farre vnder ground riseth vp more proudly and violentlie so this house continues about a hundred yeares vnknowne and farre from fauours and great dignities it shall be like vnto an example of vertue without fortune of fidelity without credit of merit without recompence it shall not bee but to appeare more glorious more powerfull and more happy then euer At the same time Galeas Duke of Milan was murthered Death of Galeas duke of Milan his in-iustice and crueltie had made him odious and insupportable He caused a Priest to be buried quicke with a dead mans bodie the which he would not interre without money An extreame cruelty and an extreame auarice Nothing did so much hasten his ruine as a disgrace which he had done vnto his Schoole-maister hauing caused him to haue as many blowes with a stirrop leather giuen him in his own presence as he had receiued stripes with a rod from him being his Scholler x Princes doe willingly remember the seuerity which hath beene vsed towardes them in their Inâ—ancies Nero put Seneca to death Arsenius fled into the desart for that Arcadius his Disciple had resolued to kil him To reuenge this affront hee disposed there of his Disciples whom he knew to haue beene wronged in their honours by Galeas to kill him Cruelties and whoredomes of the Duke of Milan
vpon Earth which is the Realme of FRANCE whereof many Princes and Kings our Predecessors haue beene so Great Vertuous and Valiant as they haue purchased the name of The Most Christian King c The Kings of France cary the Title of Most Christian since Clovis Charles the Bald is called Most Christian in his Coronation Pope Innocent Honorius the 3 d. in their Bulles to King Philip Augustus and to Lewis the eighth called them Most Christian. The Apostolike Legate and three Bishops named in their Letters write that the Realme of France is Most Christian. Du. Tillet as well for reducing many great Countries and diuers Nations inhabited by infidels to the good Catholicke Faith rooting Heresies and Vices out of our said Realme and maintaining the Holy Apostolicke sea and the holy Church of GOD in their Rights Liberties and Freedomes as for doing many other goodly deedes worthy of eternall memory so as some are held for Saints liuing in the glorious company of GOD in his Paradise which our Realme and other our Countreyes and Signiories we haue thankes bee to GOD so well entertained defended and gouerned as wee haue augmented and enlarged it of all sides by our great care and diligence and by the aid also of our good faithfull and Loyall Officers Seruants and Subiects notwithstanding that soone after our comming to the Crowne the Princes and Noble-men of our Bloud and Linage and other great Noble-men d The Princes and Noble-men of the League were Charles of France the Kings Brother Iohn of Anjou Duke of Lorraine and Calabria Iohn Duke of Alencon Charles of Bourgondy Earle of Charolois Iohn Duke of Bourbon Francis Duke of Brittanie Iames of Armaignac Earle of Marche and of Castres Duke of Nemours Iohn Earle of Armaignac his vncle Iohn Earle of Dunois and of Longueville Bastard of Orleans Lewis of Luxembourg Earle of S. Pol. Charles Lord of Albert father to great Alain and Anthony of Chabannes Earle of Dammartin of our said Realme or the greatest part of them had conspired plotted and attempted against vs and the Common-weale of our said Realme many great practises treasons and conspiracies so as by meanes thereof there hath followed so great warres and diuisions as it hath caused a wonderfull effusion of humane bloud ruine of Countries and the desolation of multitudes of people the which hath continued since our said comming vnto this present day and is not yet fully quenched but may after the end of our dayes reviue and continue long if some good order and course be not taken Wherefore hauing regard hereunto and to the age wherein wee are and to the certaine infirmity wherein wee are fallen for the which wee haue beene in great deuotion to visite the glorious body of Saint Claude so as with the helpe of our Creator wee are much amended and haue recouered health Wee therefore resolued concluded and determined after the returne of our said voyage to see our most deere and well-beloued sonne Charles Dauphin of Vienna and to instruct him in many notable things e Happy are those Princes which learn the formes of Gouerning well by the examples and instructions of their fathers Leon receiued them from the Emperour Basillius and Philip Augustus from Saint Lewis For if the highest knowledge of a Prince bee to know his Estate the knowledge cannot bee more faithfull nor certaine then from those which haue the experience The Booke of the Emperor Constantine Porphyrogenete for the Instruction of his sonne associated to the Empire the which is now remaining in the Kings Library is onely vpon this subiect and as Monsteur Casaubon who hath it in keeping writes in an eloquent Epistle vpon Polybius Sciebat vetus regnandi Princeps ad negotia gerenda in quibus Repub. salus continetur illud adprimè defiderari vtingenia hominum probè nota sint quibus cum agitur siue illi sint subditi siue amici siue socij siue hostes The Prince who was old in Gouernement knewe well that in matters which concerned the safety of the Common-weale it was chiefly to bee desired that the Dispositions of men with whom they are to deale bee well knowne bee they Subiects Friends Allies or Enemies for the direction of his life in good manners gouernement entertainement and conduct of the Crowne of France if it please God hee come vnto it after vs. For the accomplishing whereof after our returne from our said voyage into our Towne of Ambois wee went into the Castle of the said place where our said sonne the Dauphin was whom we haue alwayes caused to bee kept and bred vp there where in the presence of a certaine number of Nobleblemen and Ladies of our Bloud and Linage and other great Personages men of our Councell Captaines and Officers both to vs and said sonne wee haue called our said sonne before vs and haue caused those words and Remonstrances which followed to be deliuered vnto him First after a recitall made by vs of the aforesaid things or of the greatest part of them to our said sonne wee haue let him vnderstand how much wee desire that after vs he might with the aid of God come vnto the Cromne of France his true Inheritance and that he might so gouerne and maintaine it as it might bee to his honour and praise and to the profite and vtility of the Subiects of his Realme Dauphiné and other Countries and Signiories and of the Common-weale f This Instruction regards onely the setling of the Princes affaires and doth not extend vnto the duties of Conscience nor to those vertues which edifie Kings Piety and Iustice. But to what end so many Instructions To make a Princes conduct happy wee must wipe these wordes out of his minde If it please it is lawfull If it may bee it shall bee A good Prince should not will any thing but what hee ought Caesar◠cum omnia licent propter hoc minus licet vt foelicitatis est posse quantum velis sic magnitudinis velle quantum possis vel potius quantum debeas For that all things are lawfull to Caesar therefore they are the lesse lawfull As it is a happinesse to doe what thou wilt so it is a greatnesse not to will any thing but what thou mayest or rather what thou oughtest Plin. Paneg. Traja Item That if it pleased God to work his will on vs and that our son should come vnto the Crowne of France wee haue commanded and enioyned him as a father may doe his sonne that he shall gouerne himselfe and the said Realme Dauphiné and Countries by the Councell and aduice of our kinsmen Lords of our Bloud and Linage and other Noblemen Barons Knights Captaines and wise men of our Councell and especially of those whom he shall know and finde to haue beene good and faithfull to the deceased our most honored Lord and Father whom God absolue to vs and to the Crowne of France that haue been vnto vs good and
dispose thereof by Testament h When as they say that women are incapable of dignities it is to be vnderstood of charges which consist in Functions and Offices A Woman cannot be a Consull a President or a Chancellour but when the dignity is patrimoniall and annexed to the Fee such a dignity may belong vnto a woman as wel as the iurisdiction The King caused a Consultation to be made of all the learned Lawyers of his Realme to know what his Neeces right was They found that it depended vpon this Maxime That the Nephew or Grand-childe represents his Father and Grand-father in the right of Primogeniture or first borne That this right is transferred to the children of the elder although hee die before the Father and holds the place of lawfull heire They did also consider the custome and common obseruation of this Realme where the eldest sonne dying and leauing a sonne hee succeedes the Grand-father as his Father should haue done The Grand-fathers second-sonne being excluded from all pretention for the Nephew excludes the Vncle and representation hath place in this Realme in Fees which are not diuisible In the time of King Charles the fifth his Maiesty sitting with the Peeres of France in his Court of Parliament Ioane of Brittany married to Charles of Blois i Charles of Blois and the Lady Ioane of Brittaine his wife did enioy this Dutchy fiue twenty years or thereabouts vntil that Iohn of Montford being succoured by the Forces of England slewe Charles of Blois in battle and expelled his wife out of the Dutchy was declared heire to the Dutchy of Brittany as representing her Father against Iohn Earle of Montfort her Vncle. She was daughter to the Duke of Brittanies second brother and the Earle of Montfort was the third brother Allain Lord of Albret as sonne vnto the eldest Vicount of Tartas who was deceased succeeded his Grand-father in the Landes of Albret and excluded from the succession the Lord of Sancte Bazille his vncle and the Lord of Oruall his Grand-fathers yonger brother k In the house of Albret there are many Earledomes The Earledome of Gaure the Earledome of Dreux the Earldome of Peyragore and many Vicounties and Baronies They held that house in the time of King Lewis the eleuenth to haue sixe thousand pound sterling of yearely rent King Philip in the yeare 1314. did iudge the suite betwixt Maud daughter to the Earle of Artois and Robert of Artois her Vncle and by his iudgement it was decreed that the daughter should succeed as the neerest vnto her father Lewis Earle of Flanders had but one daughter the richest heire of Chrstendome the which succeded her father in the Earledome of Flanders excluding the Duke of Brabant her Vncle and was married to Philip of France sonne to King Iohn and first Duke of Bourgondy l The Treaty of Marriage betwixt the Duke of Bourgondy and Margaret Princesse of Flanders was made the twelfth of Aprill one thousand three hundred sixtie nine the Dutchy of Guienne which comprehends all Gasconie as well that which is of the iurisdiction of Tolouse as of Bourdeaux and more was carried to the Crowne of England by the marriage of the daughter of William Duke of Guienne with Henry King of England m Elenor the onely daughter to William Duke of Guienne and Earle of Poitiers was married to Lewis King of France and beeing put away by him shee married againe to HENRY sonne to the King of England and Duke of Normandy Henry King of Nauare Earle of Champagne left one daughter who was married to K. Philip the Faire and succeded her Father in the Earledome of Champagne The last Earle of Poictou n The County of Poictou and the Towne of Poitiers were vnited to the Crowne by King Charles the seuenth in the yeare 1436. had one daughter named Margaret who was married to the eldest sonne of France and succeeded her Father notwithstanding that the Earle of Saint Valier her Vncle was then liuing Raymond the fifteenth and last Earle of Tolousa dying without Issue Male Ioane his onely daughter succeeded him and was married to Alphonso of France brother to the King Saint Lewis o The marriage of Alphonso of France and Ioane Coumtesse of Toâ—ouse was treated in the yeare 1228. Matthew Earle of Foix dying without children in the yeare 1398. his sister surnamed Isabel succeeded him and was married to Archambaut of Grailly Lewis of Luxemburge Earle of S t. Paul had many children but his eldest sonnes daughter who was married to to the Earle of Vandosme was sole heire of all his lands as representing her Father who was the eldest p They hold that the Countesse of Vendosme did not succeede in the Earledome of Saint Paul by right of succession but by a Treaty of peace and that her Vncles were all incapable of this sucession for that the Landes of Lewis of Luxemburg her father had been confiscate The Earle of Lauragais left but one daughter who succeeded in the Earledome whereof she made donation to the French King The Earle of Castres had one daughter who was married to a yonger sonne of the house of Bourbon Earle of Marche who after her fathers decease succeeded in the Earledomes of Castres and Vandosme and excluded them of Montfort who were her Vncles from the succession Of this marriage were borne two sonnes Iames of Bourbon the elder who was Earle of Marche and of Castres and the yonger who was Earle of Vandosme Iames of Bourbon married Beatrix of Nauarre q Iames of Bourbon Earle of Marche married with Beatrix daughter to Charles the second King of Nâ—uarre the fifteenth of August one thousand foure hundred and fiue Elenor their onely daughter was married to Bernard Earle of Armaignac and Perdiac who after her fathers death succeeded as well in the Earledome of Marche as of Castres and excluded the Earle of Vandosme from the succession True it is that these Earledomes haue remained in the house of Bourbon by transaction r The King made Donation of the Earledome of March to Monsieur de Bourbon and his wife The Duke of Nemours children beeing restored to their Landes there was a sute to ouerthrow this Donation and then an Accord was made by the which the Earledome of Marche remained to the house of Vendosme and Bourbon the Duke of Nemours children being otherwise recompensed William Vicount and Lord of Mountpellier although hee had many kinsmen of his name had no other heire but his daughter Mary wife to Peter King of Arragon Peronelle s Du Tillet saith that this Peronella of Bigorre had fiue husbands 1. Gaston of Bearne 2. Ninion Sance Earle of Sardaine 3. Guy of Montford 4. Raoâ—l Tescu 5. Boson of Mathas daughter to the Earle of Bigorre succeeded her father in the Earledome of Bigorre in the yeare one thousand two hundred sixty foure and was married to Boson of Mathas Vicount of Marsan and
yeeld to any thing contrary to the dignity of his Crowne which cannot endure to be forced and doth neuer shew himselfe in publicke actions but with what is fit and necessary for his greatnesse and power e The words and actions of Princes are so considered and the people iudge of them as they vnderstand them and therefore should alwayes appeare Maiesticall and if it may bee Diuine And ancient Grecian said That a Prince should not speake before the people but as if hee were vpon a stage in a Tragedy This Maiesty is like vnto Moses Rod Maiesty compared to Moses rod. the which being held in the hand was the Instrument of admirable things but creeping on the earth there was nothing but horror and contempt Lewis the eleuenth was alwayes very carefull to maintaine this Maiesty being wonderfull desirous of reuerence respect and reputation and yet his priuate and familiar actions were very contrary This care was the last garment he put off hee shewed it vpon the tigpe of his lippes when as hee thrust forth the last words of his life He gaue it two supporters Feare and Admiratition f 〈…〉 that greâ— God who the Prince doth represent It is the support and protecâ—sion of an estae and confâ—â—â— bee contemned nor wronged but the whole body will be distempered maiestas Imperij solutis tutela Maiestly is the guardian of the Empires health another would haue maintained it with Loue and Authority but hee mist this first way at his comming to the Crowne and could neuer after recouer it hee found such sauadge humors and so accustomed to liberty that as the intemperance of the Patient iustifies the seuerity of the Physitian he was forced to vse fury to make mad men wise Thus his Maiesty was feared of the greatest Princes of Europe it was not contemned of any man without punishment and it was reuerenced of all his subiects This Maiesty was like vnto those Pictures which seemed fairest farre off It was admired in forraine Prouinces but it was something blemished by his carelesnesse and facility wherewith he did often wrong his greatest actions The Castillians at the voyage of Bayone scoffed at him to see him with so little pompe and maiesty Custome of Lewis 11 at ceremonies Vpon dayes of great shew hee caused some one to bee attired like himselfe g At the enterview of King Lewis the eleuenth and Edward the fourth at Piquigny Philip de Comines was attâ—â—ed like the King And yet a Prince should neuer doe any thing that should cause him to bee sought for among his subiects and seruants the brightnesse of his Maiesty must shine like vnto a Planet ouer the lesser starres Great men which inuiron a Prince giue a lustre to the greatnesse of Maiesty Offices of the crown The Offices of the Crowne are ordained to that end and the great dignities which France doth impart to great merites addes reuerence and doth incite their mindes to merit them It is like vnto the Garden of Phaeaces which abounds with all sorts of fruites It is not vnfitting to set downe heere who tasted of them during this Reigne h When as king Lewis the eleuenth came vnto the Crowne there was no Constable Arthur Duke of Brittanie Earle of Richmond was vnder the Reigne of Charles the seuenth Constable Lewis of Luxembourg Earle of Saint Paul no other carried the Sword during this Reigne Chancellour Peter of Moruilliers Iuvenall of Vrsins Lord of Treynell and Peter of Oriole Lord Steward The Lord of Nantoillet IOHN of Croi CHARLES of Melun ANTHONY of Croi sonne to IOHN of Croi and ANTHONY of Chabannes Earle of Damartin Chiefe Chamberer IOHN the second Duke of Bourbon i The Office of chefe Chamberer or Gentleman of the Chamber continued long in the house of Bourbon The King Saint Lewis gaue it to Robert of France his sonne Lewis the first Duke of Bourbon Charles the first Iohn the second Peter the second Dukes of Bourbon Lord Chamberlaine IOHN of Orleans Earle of Dunois ANTHONY of Chasteauneuf Lord of Lau. Marshals of France ANDREVV of Lauall Lord of Loheac IOHN Bastard of Armagnac Earle of Comminges Ioachim Rouant Lord of Gamasche of Boismenard and Peter of Rohan Lord of Gye There were but two vntill King Francis the first Admirall Iohn Lord of Montauban Lewis Bastard of Bourbon Earle of Rousillon Lewis Lord of Grauille Maister of the Crosse-bowes k The maister of the Ordinance of France or the Coâ—oncll of the Infantery haue succeeded in this charge Iohn of Estouteuille Lord of Torcy Great Butler the Lord of Lau. Wee finde not that hee had any Maister of his Horse or Maister of the Pantry Ioachim of Rouant was Maister of the Horse at his Coronation Yuon of Fau his chiefe Hunts-man Lewis of Lauall Lord of Chastillon was maister of the Waters and Forrests The ancient order of France was that Knights Banneret the Maister of the Pantrie the chiefe Caruer and the chiefe Cuppebearer should serue the King at the foure Annall Feastes and to either of them was giuen foure poundes sterling but when as Lewis the eleuenth neglected this Gratuity they forgot the Dutie It is one of the precepts of Maiesty that the markes of Soueraignty bee not imparted to any l A prince shold not be more sparing of any thing then of honours which depend of his maiesty yet hee suffered the Prince of Orange to stile himselfe Prince by the grace of God Here P. Mathew is deceiued and to René King of Sicile to seale in yellow Waxe in the yeare one thousand foure hundred sixty nine the which doth onely belong to the Kings of France other Princes of Christendome seale in waxe of diuers colours and to Charles Earle of Angoulesme to release prisoners when hee made his first entry into any Towne where he commanded m In this priuiledge but for once to Charles Earle of Angoules me prisoners for high Treason were excepted It was granted in the yeare 1477. Hee was very staied in giuing Titles of Honour and Dignity to great Families a Prince cannot bee too warie therein for it falles out often that the considerations which fauour the priuate merite of any one end with him when hee dies but when the dignitie is tyed vnto the person as the feodall titles of Dukes Marquises Earles and Barons bee the Family for the which the gratification was made is dispossest thereof when as the Landes goe away n Many disallowed that the feodall Titles of Dukes Marquises c. should bee giuen in France to the Land and not vnto the Bloud for it happens that some one loosing the land doth also loose the meanes to maintaine the Title which remaines Hence it comes that in England such dignities are not annexed to the Landes and Fees Policy in England for the titles of Houses but to the Bloud and the Descendants of the Familie The German doth not impart it to the
gaine preferre their owne priuate Interest before all publicke consideration The soundest Estates haue alwayes some vlcers to change the remedy and to change the Physition is one thing Wounds haue no time to close vp when they doe often change plaisters Hee dismist the Duke of Bourbon from the gouernement of Guienne Changes in diuers Charges and gaue it to the Bastard of Armagnac c IOHN of Andie Lord of Lescun bastard of Armagnac Earle of Comminges head of the house of Riberac Hee tooke from the Lord of Bueil the Office of Admirall of France and gaue it to the same Bastard and afterwardes to the Bastard of Bourbon his Sonne-in-lawe who did him great seruices yet hauing no consideration thereof hee tooke from him the Gouernement of Picardie to giue it to PHILIP of Creuecoeur Lord of Cordes Hee would haue the Lieutenants in the Gouernement of Bourgondy to hold their places as the Wolfe by the eare Hee tooke it from Des Cordes and gaue it to Chaumont who died in the yeare one thousand foure hundred eighty one d King Lewis the eleuenth being discontented that the Lord of Tremouille had not taken Dole hee tooke from him the Gouernment and gaue it to Charles of Ambois who was gouernor of Champagne Hee tooke the Seales from PETER of Moruillier and gaue them to IUVENEL of Vrsins from whom hee had taken them when he came to the Crowne them hee gaue them to Peter of Oriole Hee tooke the Office of Marshall of France from the Lord of Loheac and to restore it to him againe hee tooke it from the Earle of Comminges bastard of Armagnac Charles of Melun was his Lieutenant in the Citty of Paris hee dispossest him of that charge to giue it the Earle of Eu and made him Lord Steward of his house Entring into Paris hee made Iames of Villiers Lord of Lisle-Adam Prouost of Paris After the Warre of the Common-weale hee dismist him from that Charge and gaue it to ROBERT of Estoteuille His whole Chronicle is full of these changes in all sorts of dignities and Offices Magnificence Magnificence of Lewis 11. The Maiesty of a Prince is followed by his Magnificence which is one of the Flowers of his Crowne It is a Foile which giues lustre to this Dyamond e Iamblicus cals Magnificence the crown of the Empire of princes saith that it is chiefly admired among the principall actions of a Prince it shewes it selfe in many places and vpon many occasions but her Theter is in his House and at his Court shee presides in his expences and appeares in the priuate Ornament of his person Lewis the eleuenth did respect it so little Habit of Lewis 11. as to see his Apparrell you would haue said that he desired to liue poore and to dye rich Hee attired himselfe plainly in course Cloath and tooke no delight to see sumptuous Apparrell His Chronicle saith That hee ware Doublets of Fustian Whether hee did it to make his Fashion more popular or by his example to cut off vaine and vn-necessary expences thinking that a King who should carry nothing that doth sauour of a Woman is more adorned by the Ornaments of the minde then by those of the body f A Princes habit should not be too stately ful of pompe Romulus attiring himselfe in scarlet or purple lost the loue of his people nor lasciuicous and dissolute like to Nero Calligula Commodus and Heliogabalus nor of a strange fashion for the which Hieron of Syracusa was odious vnto his subiects It neuer represents him well apparrelled but once This was when to conclude the Treaty of Conflans hee went to the Mercers Grange with a small Traine and little brute Attired in a long Roabe loose furred with Ermines the which was much more seemely then the other garments which hee was accustomed to weare There is to bee seene at this day in the house of a Councellor of State Bed of Lewis 11. the bed wherein hee lay the which wee cannot behold without admiring the excesse of this Age and the simplicitie of that It is of Yellow and Carnation Damaske without any Lace and the Fringe without fashion Bodin saith That in scorne hee ware a greasie Hat and the coursest Cloath In the Chamber of Accounts there was an Article found of his Expences making mention of two shillings for a newe paire of Sleeues to an old Doublet and another Article of three halfe-pence for a Boxe of grease for his Bootes 300000 L sterling and yet hee raised yearely three millions more then his predecessors had done and did alienate a great part of the Crowne lands The expence of his house was much lesse then that of many Noble men of that time All things were very exact there frugality was recommended in such sort and superfluity so odious as they needed not to passe out of Sclauonia g Dissolution hath been great in priuate persons by the examples which Athens doth produce and among others of Aesope a player of Tragedies who being come into Sclauonia to eate Creuices which were much esteemed in that Prouince when as they told that those of Affricke were better he sailed into Affricke into Affrick to eate creuises By the accounts we find that they increased according to the years voyages and affaires It did not exceed three thousand six hundred pounds starling vntil the yeare 1480 when it amounted to foure thousand three hundred threescore and one pounds eight shillings Sterling In the yeare 1481. it came to sixe thousand sixe hundred sixty and eight pounds Sterling h The expence of the Kings house for that which concerned the mouth onely was in the yeare 1471. two thousand 800. and three pounds two shillings Sterling In the yeare 1472 2900. pounds The yere 1473 3280. pounds In the yeare 1474. 2520. pounds Sterling The yeare 1475. 3020. pounds In the yeare 1476. 3040. pounds in the yeare one thousand 4. hundred seuenty and seuen three thousand 600. and foure score pounds In the yeare 1478. 3480. pounds and in the yeare 1479 3700. pounds sterling And yet hee went not from Plessis from the eight of Nouember vntill the seuenth of September the yeare following that he was carried to be buried at our Lady of Clory The number of Seruants for the ordinary seruice of this expence was not great their wages small in comparison of these times They serued the whole yeare and it beganne in October There are none but these set downe in the rowle of his voluntary pensions Two Chaplins and to either of them twenty shillings a month and to a Clarke of the Chappell tenne shillings A Groâ—me of the Kings Chamber nine pound a yeare Fowre Squires of the Kitchin to either twelue pounds a yeare One Hastler one maker of Brothes a Sauce-maker a Head-cooke a Butler and two Groomes of the Carriages to either of them twenty shillings a month Two Vnder-Cookes of the Kitchin at sixeteene shillings a
borne late are soone Orphlins The losse of this infant which first had giuen him the name of Father was so sencible vnto him as Phillip de Comines saith that he made a vow neuer to loue any other woman but his owne wife and yet in many parts of his Cronicle we see him among women we find some lost some married and their husbands from base fortunes raised to great dignites with many other actions which argue not a continency equall to that of Alexander p Alexander being perswaded to see Darius daughters who were faire and yong made answer I will haue a care not to be vanquished by woemen seeing that I haue vanquished men who being a victor would not see those beauties which might vanquish him nor to that of Cyrus q They intreated Cyrna to see Panthea which he refused to doe and being told that shee was very faire it is for that reason said he I may not see her for if I doe visite her now that I haue leysure she will bind me another time when I shall be full of affaires who would by no meanes see her who he thought might bind him to see her more then once The King bare the absence of his sonne very impatiently it was a thorne in his heart which time could not pull out Death of Ladislaus King of Hungary Hee grew sicke and his sicknes was seconded by a great affliction for the death of Ladislaus r Sorrow creepes sodainly amidst ioy whiles they treat of a marriage at Toure betwixt the L. Magdalen of France and King Ladislans his Embassadors receiue newes of his death on Christmas 〈◊〉 1457. King of Hungary to whom he had promised the lady Magdalen his daughter After his recouery he thought that all the cause of his ill grew from the Duke whom he accused to haue drawne away his son and corrupted his good nature resoluing to seeke a remedy rather with deedes then wordes He leuied a great army and no man knew how he would imploy it the duke fearing that it was to make some enterprise vppon the townes of the riuer of Somme which had beene giuen him by the treaty of Arras staid not to demand the reason t In occasions which presse we must not loose time with wordes men of courage should not haue their handes on their tongues but their tongues in their handes he armes and goes into Picardy to prouide for the safety of his townes and to hinder the Kinges entry with forces The King sendes word to the Duke of Bourgondy that he was in armes to take into his protection the goods of the Lord of Rodemart u Princes haue alwaies pretextâ— to make warre and he that wil breake with his friend neuer failes to find occasions The Duke answered that he was no subiect of France that his lands lay in the Dutchy of Luxembourg that the King should speak more plainely and that he desired to know whether the king had a will to keepe the treaty of Arras or not The King had a desire to haue his sonne otherwise then by the hazard of Armes or breach of a truce which cost so much blood and drawn so many Princes into danger x In the assembly of Arras for a peace betweene King Charles the seuenth and Philip Duke of Bourgundy were present the Embossadors of the Pope of the Councell of Basill of the Emperor and of all Christian Princes They numbred about four thousand horses He feared to ingage hmselfe in new miseries and to bring France to the hazard of shipwrack which she had escaped He went to the west of his life and knew that the greatest of the Realme had their eyes turned to the East Age had coold his military heat the vigour of his nature was without edge the blood of his courage was nothing but slegme y Princes are men and borne men wherfore their best qualities and dispostions are mutable and in the and discouer their inconstancie And although that this first force of his spirits was not altogether deiected yet was it much altered France did still produce some fantastick humors vnknowne to other Prouinces as Egypt doth bring forth Beasts and Nile Fishes which are not found in other countries nor in other Riuers The house of Bourgundy had beene so beaten with the like storme as it desired to continue in this calme Declarâ—tion of the house of Bourgundy the couetousnes of great men was glutted with the calamities of innocents z The people are for the most part innocent of the causes of warre they suffer al the calamities The couetâ—usnes of Souldiers is neuer satisfied but with the miseries of innocents Calamitatibus insontium expletur auariâ—a Tac. lib. 2. the most greedy of troubles were forced to commend rest It would haue seemed hard vnto the subiects to see themselues ouerwhelmed so suddenly with waues a It is alwaies dangerous to take from the people the ease and commodities wherein they liue The iudgement of Tiberius was long in suspence before he could resolue to draw the people from the sweetnes of peace to the discommodities of warre Tac. saith Populum per tot annos moliter habitum non audebit ad durioâ—avertere The Duke would not leaue a doubtfull peace with his subiects he desired to be satisfied of the Kings intention saying that if they forced him to raise an armie they should bury him in his armes that he had no will vnto it vnlesse he were forced that the Trumper should make no noise if violence were not offered and that this Eccho should remaine quiet in the ease of solitarines but if they moued him hee would not be silent vntill that they who had caused him to speake did first hold their peace These practises past away and the King was glad that they raised no stormes not holding it reasonable to resolue to warre more by the occasion which hee had then by the inconueniences which he did foresee b All occasion to make warre should not be rashly nor ambitiously sought for what shew of profit soeuer they had It is better to haue a care to keepe subiects in peace is people townes and to increase the commerce so discipline souldiers and together treâ—sâ—re together least he be surprised in necessity besides being now opprest not with yeeres but with cares which seemes to be inseparable accidents of the life of great men and the excesse of those pleasures which Nature had made short for that they are pernicious hee suffered himselfe to be carried away with melancholly and waywardnes two rockes against which the vessell suffered shipwracke Hee grew wayward after the condemnation of Iohn Duke of Alençon to lose his head the tenth of October 1458. After which melancholly and heauines had seazed on him hee changed the troubles of his life into a perpetuall prison at Loches and gaue his goods to his wife and children c Iohn D. of
literae expeditae per Praelatos personas Ecclesiasticas dictiregni receptae non fuerunt nec ipsi Praelati personae Ecclesiastâ—cae illis parere nec monitis Sixti Innocentii Iulii aures praebere sed eidem Pragmaticae constitutioni inhaerere voluerint The Buls of Sixtus the third Innocent the eight Alexander the sixt and Iulio the second were fruitlesse The Decre of the Councell of Lateran serued to no purpose and this Pragmatick Sanction ended not before the Concordants were past at Bolonia betwixt Pope Leo the tenth and king Francis the first They did iudge by the kings first actions 1461. what the manner of his gouernment would be The King discontents the Nobilitie and that he would beautifie the diuinations of his raigne with other trophies then of clemencie t Clemencie is the Ornament of the raigne of Kings they should begin with it Nouuâ— imperium occupantibus vtilis clementiae â—ama Tacit. lib. 4. Hist. Hee disappointed in a manner all the officers and seruants of king Charles his Father taking a great delight to vndoe that which hee had raised and to raise that which hee had puld downe He gaue Berry onely to his brother for his portion vpon condition that it should returne vnto the Crowne if he dyed without issue male u There was a time when as the Kings of France left vnto the Princes of their bloud the proprieties of their portions Philip of Valoiâ— left the Countie of Valois to Charles his younger brother Philip the Faire was the first that ordained by his Câ—dicill that the County of Poictou giuen by him with other lands to his yonger sonne Philip of France who afterwards was K. Philip the Long should returne to the crowne for waÌ„t of Heyres male vpon condition the King which should then raigne should marrie his Daughter Hee tooke the Seales from Iuuenall of Vrsins and gaue them to Peter of Moruilliers The Duke of Alençon was a prisoner in the Castle of Loches whom he set at libertie Hee caused the Earle of Dammartins processe to be made and after that the Court of Parliament had condemned him to dye hee gaue him his life vpon coÌ„dition that he should imploy the remainder in the I le of Rhodes for the seruice of Christendome and should put in caution but not able to find any hee had the Bastil for his prison from whence he escaped in the night by a hole which he had made in the wall at the same time when as the Duke of Berry passed into Brittanny Taneguy of Chastell x Taneguy of Coastel Nephew te him that â—lâ—w the Duke of Bourgunay was master of the horse to K. Charles the seuenth hee retired into Brittany where the Duke made him his high steward Chamberlaine being discontented for that he was not satisfied the money which he had aduanced for the funerals of Charles the seuenth retired himselfe to Francis Duke of Brittany This Prince had succeeded to Arthur of Brittany Earle of Richmond his Vncle Francis the second Du of Brittany and was well informed of the humor and designes of Lewis and therefore in the beginning hee sent his seruants throughout the Realme disguised in the habites of Iacobins and Franciscans to moue the people to looke vnto the beginning of this Raigne and to coniure them to defend their libertie with tooth and nayle y The Embassadors of Sparta beeing sent to Xerxes said vnto Gidarne who commended the felicity of such as serued the King If thou didst know Gidarne what libertie were thou wouldest counsell vs to defend it not with the launce and target onely but with our teeth and nayles aduising them that this King entered into the Realme as into a countrey of Conquest that he held all that pleased him to be lawfull That he forced great men not to obey but to serue The people not to bee gouerned but tiranized and to prepare themselues to liue in such sort as they might say they had not any thing Being aduertised of the Duke of Brittaines practises The Kings voyage into Brittany he went to see him vnder coulour to visit the Church of S. Sauiour of Redon Deuotion was the pretext and a desire to know the Dukes country and forces the cause of this Pilgrimage z It is a great aduantage to know the forces of an estate which one meanes to assaile and to measure them with his It was the aduise of Xenophon Chabrias said that theron consists a part of the Generals dutie He was not resolued to leaue him in peace He knew well that three or foure yeares before hee had sought to make himselfe a companion to King Charles the seuenth hauing refused to doe him homage vpon his knee and without his sword for the Dutchie of Brittanie a In the homage which Francis the second Duke of Brittany did vnto King Charles the seuenth at Moâ—bason in February 1458. Iohn of Estoteuille said vnto him My Lord of Brittanie you should put off your girdle And Chauuâ—n Chancellor of Brittany answered He ought not It were an innouation he is as he should be hee had also discouered that hee and the Earle of Charolois had giuen their faith to runne the selfe same fortune although that the remembrance of the Death of the Duke of Orleans his grandfather by the mothers side had beene able to disswade him from the house of Bourgundy and that it had beene better for him to ioyne with his Cozens the Dukes of Orleans and Angolesme and to continue his designe vpon the Duchie of Milan to recouer his grandmothers inheritance whereof Francis Sforce had ceazed b Francis Duke of Brittanie sonne to Richard of Brittanie and Margaret of Orleans Daughter to Lewis D. of Orleans and Valantyn of Milan had vndertaken to make warre against Francis Sforce Anâ—al of Brittanie The Venetians and Borso of Este Duke of Ferrara gaue eare to the propositions which they made giuing hope to assist the rights of the house of Orleans These first years of the Raigne of Lewis were very sharpe and those which followed altogether insupportable Great men were depriued of their Dignities Rigor in the beginning of Lewis raigne and the meaner opprest with great charges There was couetousnes for men of merite and prodigalitie for the rest c It is good aâ—ter a prodigall Prince to haue one that is couâ—tous who may restraine those excessiue prâ—fusion he that findes not any thing to giue cannot be liberall He said he would gather money together to redeeme the townes vpon the Riuer of Some He had knowne what a crowne was worth and how many peeces would make one They that haue past by the indiscretions of necessitie proceed very discreetely in their expences If all the time that hee had beene banished from the Court he had no want of necessarie things so had he no great abundance superfluous His sparing was the lights which swelled by the leannesse
to submit himselfe to the mildest yoake seeing that hee could not remaine free o The miseries of ciuill diuision reduced Rome to that estate as hauing no hope euer to recouer her liberty she sought for nothing but for the mildest serâ—itude Hee left vnto Henry the name of King onely for all the authoritie was in his hands he gaue to the Earle of Salisbury the Office of Lord Chancellor of England and to Richard Neuell his Sonne the gouernment of Callis He disposed of publike charges as he pleased still giuing them vnto those of his faction In the end the king discouers the Duke of Yorkes designe Queene Margaret his wife who had been aduertised thereof le ts him vnderstand that he did temporise but vntill the partie were made to ceaze both of the king and Realme and among his partisans the king was held but for a Tyrant As if his Raigne had been by vsurpation or constraint p Among many differences betwixt a King and a Tyrant they put this that a King raigns with the loue anâ— consent of the people and a Tyrant rules by constraint The king imparted this to his principall seruants D. of Yorke retires from the Court of England who were of aduise to restraine this great authoritie which the Duke of Yorke had within the Realme The Duke beeing suddenly aduertised thereof retired secretly to Wigmore in Wales Richard Neuell to his Castle of Midleham in the North Countie and Richard Earle of Warwicke to Callis so as the cruell seditions in England grew more violent then before during the which the French spoiled the coasts of Kent and Iames king of Scotland inuited by the same occasion entred by Roxborge The same cause which made this warre ended it q The shaâ—pest Ciuill wars are pacified when as strangers meddle to gaine by them The two parties agree against the third and although the Prince be offended yet it is better to remit the punishment The king of England let the Duke of Yorke vnderstand that the ciuill discord and the bad intelligence which was betwixt them had opened a gate to the enemies to inuade England that the common danger did binde them to vnite their forces to defend it and that hee was contented to forget all matters past vpon hope of a better conduct hereafter English cease their ciuill discords to war against the French excusing himselfe that matters had not alwaies gone directly being impossible for a Prince to obserue all the kinds of Iustice and equitie r Many things vniust of themselues are made iust when they are countenanced by necessitie or profit wherfore Plutark obserues That if there were question to accomplish al the kindes of iustice Iupiter himself might not in that case bee a Prince The Kings intention was allowed by all men the Duke of Yorke being loth to be the author of the ruines of the Realme declared that all his affections tended to his greatnes and quiet and to take away all occasions of doubt He came vnto the King to London with the chiefe of his faction The feare of a forraine warre quenched the ciuill s There is no such indiscretion as to hazard ones own to get another mans and to draw forth the bloud which is needfull for the life of the bodie It is more glorie for a Prince to maintaine himselfe them to grow great Preseruation safety is the essence of an estate profit it but an accessary Mens mindes altered with things past grew milder and all their wills were vnited in one accord for the defence of the Realme detesting the discord which had drawne them into a warre which was not necessarie nor could bee happie and made them a prey and triumph to their auncient enemie But as the fire of sedition is neuer so well quenched but there remaines some sparks in the ashes Troubles renewed in England which kindle again if they be a little blowne that there be alwaies some which delights in troubles for that it is their rest t Seditions commonly are fed supported by three sorts of men First the heads of factions Secondly they that cannot liue in safety in the time of peace Thirdly they which are out of the presse find themselues free from dangers and in danger for that they come not neere them being like vnto those riuers which enter into the sea and doe not mingle their streames the Duke of Yorke and the Earle of Salisburie being retired to their houses after this accord were presently forced to leaue them to reuenge an affront done to the Earle of Warwick at VVestminster where he had been set vpon by the kings guard and forced to saue himselfe by the Riuer of Thames with the hazard of his life They said that Queene Margret was the author thereof being very desirous to ruine the Nobility of England and to ouerthrow the cheefe howses u A King should maintaine great families neither can hee suffer theÌ„ to be wâ—onged but hee shal weaken the greatnes of his maiesty wherof the Nobility is the cheese piller In all estates the Nobles haue beene respected and distinguished from others euen amongst the Thracians the genlâ—emen went only vppon horseback and at Rome Noblemens wiues went in Littors who were the pillers of the Realme The warre began as soone as it was declared The three Richards are in field King Henry hauing leuied great forces comes to York Andrew Trollop who was come from Calleis with the Earle of Warwick thinking to serue the King when as he saw their armes turned against him left the Earle of Warwick to follow the King who in moment scattered his enemies and forced the Duke of York to passe into Holland there to attend vntill his Partisans had raised the ruines of that party Battaile before London whereas K. Henry was defeated Presently after the three heads of the faction returne into England with an intent to vanquish or to dye they present themselues at the gates of London they giue and winne a great Battell whereas the Victors saw tenne thousand men slaine and as many prisoners King Henry who seemed to haue beene raised vp to show the inconstancy of Fortune and the misery and vanity of man remained at the Victors discretion The English remembring that his grandfather had caused King Richard to dye in prison began to acknowledge the iudgements of Gods iustice who punisheth the Children for the offences of their fathers x Henry Earle of Harford and Duke of Lancastre tooke armes against Richard the 2. seazed on him puts him into the Tower of London and caused himselfe to bee crowned King and after that he had forced him to resigne the Crowne hee sent him to Langleâ— where hee was murthered In this great prosperity the make falls from the Dukes face He speakes plainely Duke of York declared Regent that whatsoeuer he had done was grounded vppon the rightes of the house of Yorke the
to the toombe of his Father at the Celestins at Paris the 21. of February 1504. by the commandement of king Lewis the twelfth his sonne After the battell of Azincourt he remained fiue and twenty yeares prisoner in England The English would not deliuer this Flower-deluce without ransome and to redeeme him the D. of Bourgundy payed three hundred thouthousand crownes What a change Iohn Duke of Bourgundy depriues Lewis of Orleans of his life Philip Duke of Bourgundy his sonne giues libertie to Charles of Orleans and to make the bond perfect he giues him the golden fleece and marries him to his Neece Mary of Cleues shee was the third wife hauing before his imprisonment married Isâ—bel of France widdow to Richard King of England and Bonna of Armagnac x The afronts which are receiued from great persons must not onely be disgested patienâ—ly but also after a constant manner murmuring auailes nothing Many haue made of scratchings incurable wounds oftentimes the iniury is doubled and renewes when as they make it knowne that it is receiued according to the designe of him that doth it x By Mary of Cleues hee had Lewis the twelfth his onely sonne and two Daughters Mary was promised to Peter of Bourbon and afterwards married to Iohn of Foix Vicount of Narbonne father to that Achilles of France GastoÌ„ of Foix Duke of Nemours of Germaine Queene of Arragon Anne of Orleans was Abbess of Fonteueâ—aud The Duke of Bourbon hauing opened the passage to this designe of the warre of the common-weale The Duke of Berry retires into Brittany they attended no more but to see the head Charles of France the Kings brother beeing at Poictiers and making show to goe a hunting whiles the king was in his deuotions steales away and goes vnto the Embassadors of Brittaine Iohn of Rommille vice chancellor of Brittaine and Tanequy of Chastell who were come to haue a Prolongation for other three monthes to make answere to the kings demands carried him away speedily by the meanes of the Lord of Lescon a Gascoine and led him into Brittanie y The King being gone in deuotion to our Lady of Pont in Limosin the Duke of Berry retires into Brittaine He was but eighteene yeares old hee held life so short and that of Princes which liue in subiection so troublesome as if he did not speedily know what it was to bee a master the knowledge would euer come to late He was welcome for this was the firebrand which they must cast to set France on fire The Duke of Brittanie promised him the seruice of his person and all the succors of his forces Hee declared the cause of his departure by letters which hee wrote to the Duke of Bourgundy and to the other Princes of their intelligence The most apparent was drawne from the bad gouernment of the affaires whereof the Princes of the bloud z It concernes the Princes of the bloud to look into the disorders of the estate and to assist the King faithfully to rearesse theÌ„ whiles there is heat in tâ—is bloud wee may hope for the life and continuance of the body which haue the chiefe interest and care of the whole bodie should apprehend the dangerous euents and had subiect to complaine to see vnworthy men without honor or merit to deale in that which should passe by their hands and to leap ouer their heads to great offices That his armes and his desires had no other obiect but to restore order vnto the Realme and there withall to ease the people of their oppressions the which he could not otherwise hope for but in making the King know in the beginning of his raigne a At the Câ—mming of new Pâ—aces they make demands and pursuits for that which they dâ—sire the rest of the Raigne for when they are well settled they will no more beare speake That 〈◊〉 Petcennius hauing prepared his companions to mutine hee said Quando ausuros exposcere remedia nisi noâ—â—m et nutantem adhuc Principem vel armis adirent Tacitus lib. 1. Annal. the extreame necessity whereinto it was brought His will was manifested more amply by his letters to the Duke of Bourgundy which Monstrellet setts downe in these termes Most deere and welbeloued Vncle I recommend me vnto you I let you vnderstand that of late I haue often heard the clamors of the Princes of the blood my kinsmen and other Noblemen of this Realme in all estates of the disorder and pittifull gouernment which now doth raigne by the councell of men being about my Lord full of all lewdnes and iniquity who for their owne profit and priuate disordered affections haue drawne my Lord into iealousie and hatred against you me and all the Noblemen of the said Realme yea against the Kinges of Castile and Scotland so long allyed vnto the Crowne b The most ancient alliances of the French haue beene with the Scots and then with the Castilians The Crowne of France hath had pretentions vpon Castille at the inheritance of the Lady Blanch of Castile mother to St. Lewis as euery man knowes In regard how the authority of the Church hath beene kept Iustice done and administred the Noblemen maintained in their rights and priuiledges and the poore people supported and freed from oppression I write no more vnto you for I know you are sufficiently informed and I am greeued at the said thinges as I ought to be as he whom it doth so neere concerne as euery man doth know c The Children of one family are interessed in the 〈…〉 and the Princes of the bloud in the gouernment of the estate and desire to prouide for it by the Counsell of you of the said Princes and kinsmen and other Noblemen who haue all promised to aid and serue me not sparing body or goods for the quiet of the Realme and the publick weale thereof and also to saue my person which I found to be in danger For incessantly and openly my said Lord and they about him spake such wordes of me d The words of such as are neerest vnto a Prince make men iudge of his intentions The Duke of Berry hearing that the seruants of the K. his brother spake freely against him thought that their discourses were framed vpoÌ„ his Good words entertaine friendship and bad dissolues theÌ„ as I might with Reason haue cause to doubt I therefore left my said Lord and am come vnto my good Cosin of Brittaine who hath giuen me so good and commendable reception as I cannot sufficiently commend it and is resolued to serue me with body goods and all his power to the good of the said Realme and publicke weale And therefore my most deere and welbeloued vncle my intention and desire is to imploy my selfe with you and the said noblemen my kinsmen whose counsell I will vse and not otherwise to restore and redresse the said desolate Realme knowing that you are one of the greatest of the Realme whom
called an assembly of the Princes and chiefe noblemen and propounded this question which he seemed to receiue from the K. of England to haue his aduice What punishment that farmer descrued who hauing inuited his maister to come vnto his house had put him to death All concluded that the crime was punishable and Hubert said that hee ought to be hanged You shall bee said the King you haue condemned your selfe And hee had noe sooner spokeÌ„ the word but hee was hanged the simple being lodged at the foot of the Tower where he had beene imprisoned He made some offer to pacifie the Duke and to giue hostage to procure such satisfaction from the Liegeois as was fit He had friends in the Dukes Councell i The aduice of that which was done in the D. counsell came as it was said from Phil. de Commines and casting twelue or fifteene thousand Crownes among them And he himselfe writes after this manner The King had some friend which aduertised him that he should haue no harme if he did yeeld vnto those two points but if he did otherwise hee thrust himselfe into very great danger he was by that meanes aduertised of the Resolutions which were taken wherof the mildest and most moderate were not pleasing vnto him The first opinion was that they should keep promise with him so as he would declare himselfe an enemy to them of Liege The second that being offended as he was it was dangerous to giue him liberty to reuenge himselfe The third that they should send for the Duke his brother and the other Princes to consult what was to be done In the end they past by this straight that he was constrained and it is the greatest violence that may be done vnto a King to consent vnto a a warre against them of Liege who had relyed vppon his protection The Duke continued three dayes in great alterations and past the third night in such disquietnes as he did not vncloath himselfe but lay downe vppon his bed then rising sodainly he would walke and talke to Phillip de Commines his Chamberlaine whose integrity and moderation did serue to calme those violent stormes that troubled his soule He was wholly French k Philip de Commines became a Partisan to the King who drew him into France gaue him the signory of Argenton in Poictou and the Seneshalship of the same Country and from that time some thought he resolued to retire himselfe into France But it is not credible that there was any trechery in him The vptightnes and sincerity of his writings frees him from suspition If he had been blemished with infidelity ingratitude vices which dissolue al humane society l All the greatest reproches are comprehended in these two wordes Ingrate and trecherous Nihil aeque Concordiam humani generis dissociat et distrahit quam hoc ingratitudinis vitium Sen. the King had not trusted him with so many great and important affaires The Duke went early in the morning vnto the Castell to the King who was already aduertised of what he would say vnto him and had time to thinke of his answer and to fit it not so much vnto reason as to necessity m Amazement should neuer bee seene on a Princes forehead He should be maister of his wordes but much more of his countenance for his lookes do often contradict them and betray the secrets of the heart and aboue all to carry so euen a countenance as the Duke should not discouer that he had any ill game or that he had any apprehension to loose for if he had thought that hee had made him affraid he would haue done him a mischeefe n Many times a bad designe begun is not ended when as he that doth it thinkes that he is not discouered And it is a maxime grounded more vpon experience then Conscience in such occasions not to do so much or to do more all together The Duke was accompanied by the Lordes of Crequy Charny and la Roche He could not by the humility of his wordes so well dissemble his proud and threatning gesture The Duke coniures the King to go to Liege but the trembling of his voice discouered the motion and storme which choller caused in his heart â— And then there is no great reason in humble wordes and respectiue countenances when as the effects are contrary and that the inferior braues the superior o To what end sâ—rues respect and humility of wordes if the action be proud The day when K. Iohn wâ—â— taken at the battell of Poictâ—ers the prince of Wales serued his maiesty at supper bareheaded The King intreated him to sit downe It belongs not to the subiect answered the Prince and yet hee held him prisoner He demanded of him if he would hold the treaty and come to Liege to help to reuenge him and the Bishop of Liege his kinsman of the Liegeois who by reason of his comming were reuolted The King granted it the Peace was sworne vppon Charlemaignes crosse and the whole towne was full of ioy for this accord the 12. of October 1468. 1468. Oliuer de la March reports this otherwise then Phillip de Commines The King saith he was not well assured but as soone as he saw the Duke enter into his Chamber he could not conceale his feare but said vnto the Duke Brother I am not safe in your house and in your Country and the Duke answered yes sir and so safe as if I should set an arrow come towards you I would put my self â— before you to preserue you And the King said vnto him I thank you for your good will and will goe where I haue promised you but I pray you let the peace be presently sworne betwixt vs. Then they brought the Arme of St. Leu and the King of France sware the peace betwixt him and the Duke of Bourgondy and the Duke of Bourgondy sware the said peace and promised to keepe and entertaine it with and against all men The next day they parted and came to Cambray p Notwithstanding their speeches vnto the Duke of BourgoÌ„dy that hee should be blamed to break the assurance which he had promised the King hee still answered Hee hath promised me and hee shall hold it I will make no Conscience to force him Peter of Goux his ChaÌ„cellor was one of those which counselled him not to offâ—nd the King Oli. de la March. and entred into the Contry of Liege in the beginning of winter The King had no forces but his scottish garde and 300. men at armes The Duke held a Counsell in the sight of Liege what he should do Some were of opinion that he should send back part of his Army for his forces were too great against a demantled towne which could not be releeued seing the King was with him He gaue no credit to this Counsell and it succeeded well for he could not be too strong hauing a mighty
white Damask imbrodered thick with fine gold of Cypres with buttons of gold furred with fables a little black hat of his head with a feather of gold On either side of him were the Cardinall of St Susanne Bishop of Anger 's and Rene Duke of Anjou and King of Sicile o At the foote of the Kings scaffold were set The Vicont of Narbonne George of Pem 〈◊〉 the Lords of Tancaruille Chasttillon Buell Longueuille Lauall Aigle Câ—aon Cruâ—â—ol la Forest The Prince of Piedmont a yong Infant was vppon one of the steps Princes which werâ— about the King and of either side stood the Earle of Foix Prince of Nauarre and the Kings brother in law with the Earles of Neuers and Eu The Earle of Dunois high Chamberlaine of France was by reason of his gowt set vpon a little stoole behinde the King of Sicile with many other Noblemen There were two other places rayled in the one in the middest of the Hall neere vnto the Kings for the Princes of the bloud the Constable the Chancellor the Patriarke of Ierusalem the Arch-bishop of Ierusalem the Arch-bishop of Tours and other Bishops p In the second place railed in were the Marquis of Pont the Earle of Perche the Earl of Guise the Earle of Vendosme the Earle Dauphin and the Earle of Montfort The other being great and spacious which did inuiron the first of either side was for the Deputies of the three Estates Betwixt the Kings Theater and that of the Princes were two formes directly against the King on the one were the Peeres of France and on the other were the Officers of the Crowne Euery man being set q It is obserued that the Earle of S t Paul CoÌ„stable of France was at the vpper end next vnto him Monâ—â—urde Trayâ—ell Chancellor of France in Crimson veluet coâ—es and a little beneath theÌ„ on the same forme the Archbishop of Tours the Bishops of Paris Charâ—res Perigueux Valences Limogis Senlis Soissons Aire Anranches Angoulesme Lodeue Neuers Agen Cominges Bayone and others and all the greatest of the State humbled before the Prince like vnto the rods and Maces of the ancient Magistrates of Rome r In the assemblies of the people of Rome the Magistrates did hold downe their rods and Mâ—ces in signe of humilitie and spake standing the people being set shewing that they had no power to command and all Magistrates dealt by Petition vsing these words velitis Iubeatis the Chancellor rose from his place and presented himselfe vpon his kneee on the right side of the King who told him in his eare what his intention was Oration made by the Chancellor Hee made the Estates acquainted therewith in a long Oration the Deputies beeing prepared vpon the Kings instructions finde that they neither could nor ought to grant vnto Charles of France the Duchie of Normandie for his portion It was said that it should remaine vnto the Crowne and the King was intreated to maintaine the auncient lawes of the Realme concerning his Patrimonie holy sacred and inalienable either by contracts or by prescription of time and against any whatsoeuer and that the Princes of the bloud should not therein haue any more fauour nor priuiledge then priuate men s That which may make an alienation perfect and giue â— title of iust possession doth not comprehend those demands which are inalienable may be reunited although the alienation were made for euer yet the purchaser shall not recouer the price of the thing alienated the King himselfe being bound by oath at his Coronation not to alienate any thing and in doing so to giue vnto his Brother a portion with the title of a Dutchy or an Earledome the which should be worth twelue hundred poundes starling a yeare and a yearely pension of foure thousand and eight hundred pounds starling without drawing it to consequence t This clause of coÌ„sequence was superstuous shewes from what respect it came For the portion was so small as no man would make it a President There are houses in France where the yonger sons would not bee so satisfied for the yonger brethren of the house of France The King gaue the Dutchy of Guienne besides the riuer of Charante Guienne giuen to the Kings Brother the countrie of Agenois Perigort Quercy Xanictonge the Gouernment of Rochell and the Bailewike of Auins hee changed the Parliament of Guienne from Bourdeaux to Poitiers This resolution was carried to Monsieur and to the Dukes of Brittany and Bourgundy his confederates Monsieur was so ill and so desirous to change the ayre as notwithstanding that hee found small profit in the change of his condition yet would he not refuse it the Lord of Lescun perswaded him to reconcile himselfe vnto the King and to accept of what he should giue him The Estates did also resolue that the Duke of Bourgundy should be adiourned to appeare in person before the Parliament at Paris Adiournement of the Duke to the Parliament of Paris to doe right vnto the Earle of Eu u Charles of Artois Earle of Eu dyed without children in the yeare 147â— Hee was taken prisoner at the Battel of Azincourt and remained three twenty years in England for St. Valery and other lands which he detained The King was well pleased with this resolution for that he knew well that when the Duke should see himselfe charged in this manner he would make an answer according to his humorfull of contempt and that some grose-headed fellow executing his commission indiscreetly for profit would moue him and prouoke him to do somthing whereat the Court should bee offended and vrged to seeke reparation The same Court of Parliament sent Iohn Loyselier Complaints for the Pragmatike Sanction x The Deputies of the Court of Parliament let the K. vnderstand that the abolitioÌ„ of this Pragmatick was shamefull and iniurious for the FraÌ„ce had neuer had in like causes Ordinances which had taken their authoritie from the vniuersall all Church That as long as she had obserued this Pragmatick she was full of all prosperitie and feared of her enemies whom she had chased out of Normandie and Guienne and had seene Prelates of such holines as they had done miracles and Iohn Henry Councellors of inquests to represent vnto the King to the Estates the great preiudice which France had receiued by the abolition of the Pragmaticke Sanction that it was depriued of a rule which comprehended all the liberties and freedomes of the French Church approued in the Conciles of Basill and Constance That by the cessation of such decrees France must needs looke for some great confusion of the Ecclesiasticall Order and a generall impouerishment by the transport of gold and siluer beyond the Alpes But the King hauing obtained what hee desired against his Brother and the Duke of Bourgundy hee carried his thoughts to other things then to that which the Estates expected for
foundation and to raise it for it canâ—otlast vpoÌ„ light actions That of the E. of Warwiâ—k must needs be great hauing twise changâ—d the estate of EnglaÌ„d and as it were disposed of the Crowne sent vnto the King to receiue him The King seemed to haue a great desire to see him and succour him He landed at Diepe and was conducted with all his troupe to Amboise The people flockt vppon the high-wayes to see those mournefull relikes of Troy Euery man had heard speake of the desolation of the house of Lancaster they did regard them as Prodigies of fortune whom she had chosen to be pittifull examples of her inconstancie Within six monethes the King gaue them meanes to returne into England The K. giueâ— succors to K. Henry with such forces as Edward durst not affront them Hee was forced to quit the partie and seeing how dangerous it was to stay vntill the Earle of Warwick came vnto the gates of London hee retired into Holland to the Duke of Bourgundie carrying nothing with him but a hope to returne k It is a poore equipage for a Prince which goes out of his estate with hope to returne but a retreat of this sort against a Prince that is stronger is honorable Valentinean the second left Aquilea to Maximin and fled into Thessalonica with Iustina his mother where he obtained succors of the Emperour Theodosius who restored him to the Contrie Sigon Lib. 9. Imp. Occident Behold Henry the sixt drawne out of prison and set in the royall throne Henry the sixt 〈◊〉 it lâ—bertie and Edward expelled but he continued but six monethes for Edward being relieued with ships and men from the Duke of Bourgundy returned into England and presented himselfe before the gates of London where he entred victorious The Duke of Clarence left the Earle of VVarwick l The Duke of Clarence being in France was sollicited and wonne by a Gentlewoman which came out of England from the King his Brother and he 〈◊〉 that belong in England he would turne to his side side King Henry was murthered in the Tower his sonne was detained prisoner Death of King Henry the sixt and soone after slaine The Earle of VVarwicke was slaine vpon the place and the Queenâ— was a prisoner Thus the Realme which Edward had lost in eleuen dayes was recouered in one so true it is that Estates change in a moment m The euersions and conuersions of the estates are most commâ—â—ty 〈◊〉 Breui bus momentis suÌ„ma verti possunt Tac. lib. 8. An. that it is hard to make good vse of things ill 〈◊〉 During these Tragedies the King who wisht they had continued longer the more to weaken the Dukes designes and to humble his thoughts continued the warre which he had begun in Picardie The Constable who would needs be a necessarie euill n Hibrea a wise Cittizen of Messala a Towne in Caria said smiling to Eutidianus a man very profitable but difficult and insupportable in the gouerment of publike affairs that hee was a necessary euill to the Towne for that noâ— manâ— could indure him for his roughnes nor â—liue without him for his good gouermeÌ„t to these two Princes was glad to let the Duke vnderstand what he could doe Amiens S t. Quentin taken He took S t Quentin Amiens opened her gates vnto him Abbeuille the Cittadell of Picardy had entred into the same partie if Philip of Creuecaeur Lord of Cordes had not entred The Duke not holding himselfe safe in the middest of the Constables friends retyred to Dourlans and from thence to Arras Being there he receiued a letter from the Duke of Guienne containing these wordes Labour to content your subiects and then care not for you shall find friendes The Duke seeing himselfe thus surprised and dispossest of the Townes which he did so much esteeme intreated the Constable not to presse this warre so hotly nor to doe the worst he could and to consider that the King without any precedent offence had taken armes and broken the treaty of Peronne before that he had disclaimed his friendship o The Romans before they made war Renunciabant amicitiam Germanicus being wronged by Piso Gouernour of Soria sent him word that he was no more his friend The Constable beeing glad to see the pride of his first maister humbled Pollicy of the Constable of S t. Paul makes the danger greater then it was hee threatens him with an ineuitable ruine if he did not open his eyes to those expediments which he propounded vnto him letting him know that in the darknes of his infidelity he did alwaies reserue a good day for his seruice p I neuer knew saith Phil. de Commines that man haue a good end that sought to terrifie his Maister and keep him in Iealousie Yet will he not declare himselfe to be other then a good Frenchman for to mannage his busines with honour the leape was too dangerous from S t. Quintin to Brussels The passage from one contrary to another is neuer made without violence q MeÌ„s thoughts passe not sodainly from one extreame vnto an other they goe by degrees there must be a meane betwixt both to vnite the two extreames He promiseth to serue the Duke in effect in seruing the King in shew and to make knowne the fruites of his seruice by the bad intelligence and diuision which hee would still entertaine and was already framed betwixt the two brethren the King and Mounsire the only means for him to be in safety and his estate in peace r The hatred and discord of brethren is the ruine of States all well as of priuate families This mischeefe hath bin long in the world the examples are borne with it And if two brethren could not agree together in their mothers womb it is no wonder if two brethren being armed quarrell But to end this war which was begun and would continue with such cruell effects Hee councells the Duke to giue his daughter to the Kings Brother against him there was no other help but to win Monsieur in giuing him his daughter in marriage that all his desires should ayme at this marke as the true end of his contentment from the which he might wander by many waies s They say we may come to one end by diuers meanes But to hit one marke there is but one direction the straightest lines are the shortest we may misse by diuers meanes ayming too high or too low on the right hand or on the left It is euen so in the actions of men and could not attaine vnto it but by this Allyance that if he were so resolued hee would follow his party and bring his head to his seruice with the Towne of S t Quentin and a good number of his seruants In a word that he would doe any thing yea set fire of the Temple of peace t There are seruants â—ound sit for all assaies
that any other should deale in it Hee represented vnto him the greatnes and commoditie of the Estates which this marriage would bring him after the death of his brother and father in law makes him to apprehend it in such sort as this yong Prince who filled not his fantasie with small imaginations continued his first poursuite of an alliance with duke Charles assuring him that it would produce great effects for their common fortunes and profit o An apparent and important profit is a great motioÌ„ to diuert the effect of a promise The Duke of Brittanie promised vnto himselfe the honour of the mediation for a matter which did profit few men and offended many The King had no desire his brother should be so great p Tâ—e Kings of France haue in former times repented themselues for that they had made their brethreâ— so great Charles the â—ifu gaue to Philip the hardie the Duchie of Bourgundy which K. Iohn had vnited vnto the Crowne maâ—ied â—im to the heyre of â—landeâ—s The house of Bourgundy grew so mighty as it would equall it selfe with that of France The King of England sent often to the Duke of Bourgundy to diswade him from this alliance entreating him to consider that the Duke of Guienne Designe of the King of England succeeding the King who had no children and holding the countries belonging to the house of Bourgundy England did foresee her ruine and destruction The Duke of Bourgundy would haue no such sonne in Lawe he gaue a desire and appetite to all men with one hand and tooke all hope from them with the other he promised her to all gaue her not to any he made vse of his daughter to entertaine the loue of Princes and to passe ouer his affaires with more successe to repaire by pollicy the defects he found in his owne strength thinking that his weaknes did dispence him of his word and that fraud was glorious against his enemies q Deceit which makes an enemy receiue an affront is as commendable as it is to bee blamed when it deceiueth him that is not so declared whereas they say that fraud is glorious in warre it is not to be vnderstood in breaking words and promises but of politick fained and artificiall stratagems But he had no desire to marry her propounding vnto himselfe in this marriage more the aduancement of his owne designe then the contentment of his daughter hee promised her to Maximilian sonne to the Emperour Frederic Princes pretending to marry the Daughter of Bourgundy and inclined much to that party to doe his busines in Germany where he desired to purchase some credit for at the same time Sigismond ArchDuke of Austria had ingaged vnto him for fourescore thousand florins the Country of Alsatia and Brisgaeu with the County of Ferette r The Country of Alsatia Brisgâ—â— the black Forrest the Contie of 〈◊〉 or Forrest Were ingaged by Sygismond Arch-duke of Austria for 80000. floriâ—â— vpon condiâ—ion that the D. of Bourgundy should not alter any thing of the Lawes and Customes of the Country in the yeare 1496 Hee promised her in like manner to Nicholas sonne to the Duke of Calabria to draw him from the Kings allyance who had promised him his eldest daughter To the Duke of Guienne to trouble the Kings of France and England and to Phillip Duke of Sauoy for an other designe Yet the practise was so followed by the Duke of Brittaine and the Constable who promised in regard of that marriage to draw him into Amiens and S. Quintin as he gaue his word to consent vnto it and at the same instant hee assured the King of England that hee would not doe it his words vppon this subiect were neuer of one tune s It was a witty comparison of him that said that mens actions were like notes of musick sometimes in spaces sometimes in lines sometimes aboue and sometimes beneath and neuer or seldom straight for any long coÌ„tinuance and did not accord with his heart The Dukes of Guienne and Brittanie being well aduertised that their hopes were crost by the King of England gaue the Duke of Bourgundy to vnderstand by their Ministers that without the assistance of the English they were strong inough and had sufficient intelligence to force the King to doe him right and that the principal end of their Armes being for the publike good of the realme they could not haue that successe which they expected imploying their ancient enemies and that so long as they had forces and meanes in France it was not needfull to seek them in England t Wâ—ilest that wee may passe without succors we should not seek them Plato in his Lawes forbids to dig for water in a neighbors house before that hee had sought it in his owne These words were deliuered vnto him by Vrfe in the behalfe of Monsieur Wherevpon the Duke said to Philip de Commines Behold the Lord of Vrfe presseth me to make mine armies as great as I can and tels me that we shall doe great good vnto the Realme doe you thinke if I enter with the company that I shall lead that I shall doe any good Philip de Commines answered smiling In my opinion no Then the Duke said I loue the good of France better then my Lord of Vrfe thinkes for whereas there is but one King I would there were six He would gladly haue had the whole peece u Ambition striues to diuide and teare in peeces that which shee can not breake nor carry wholly away but knowing the impossibilitie that the ascent was too steepe and the top too slipperie hee had no care but to breake that which he could not wholly enioy x There is not any one of so great a courage but thinking to make himselfe a King he trembles the ascent vnto a royaltie is slipperie the top shaking and the precipise fall fearefull He prepared great forces and the King sent his into Guienne being incensed that his Brother had restored the Earle of Armagnac to his lands which had been confiscate and hee spoyles both the one and the other He wins his cheife seruants the more easely to chase him out of Guienne The Duke of Guienne prest the Duke of Bourgondy to succor him the Duke sent vnto the King to intreat him to suffer Monsieur to liue in peace The King answered that hee had no intent to alter any thing of his brothers portion but to keepe him from attempting beyond his bounds And behold a remarkable poynt of wisedome in this Prince whilest the Duke prepared his army he sent Peter D'oriole Chancellor of France vnto him and the Lord of Craon to make an ouerture of an accord A Peace treated and a promise made to restore Amiens A peace was treated and the King promised to restore Amiens and Saint Quentin the duke was so much greeued for the losse of these two townes and had so great
no more to let him know her constancy and to â—make her not as straw which smoakes x Affliction hurts some and â—rofits others as in the same fire Auruin rutilat et palea fumat et sub eadem tribula stipulae â—oâ—minâ—untur frumenta purgantur We must not consider that which is indured but he that indures and after what manner Tantum interest non qualia sed qualis quisque patiatur Nam pari modo exagitatum exhalat horibiliter Câ—num et sâ—aâ—iter Fragrat vnguentum Aug. but as a precious mettall which shines and is purified in the fire They were so extreame as if in the beginning they had let him see the least part or the choise of a cruell death with what a resolution would hee haue imbraced this to auoid the miseries of the other The most violent torments which a body can suffer are but light scratchings in respect of the burning wounds of the hearts greefe His Conscience gaue him deepe ones for they write that he had offended not onely the Kings Maiestie by this third reuolt but also that of the liuing God by a notable villanie Incest of the Earle of Armagnac marrying with his owne Sister vnder a false dispensation y They say that Ambrose of CaÌ„bray Feferendarie to Pope Calixtus the fourth gaue this dispensation for money for the which hee was accused and imprisoned in the Monasterie of Mont Oliuet A coniunction as abominable now by religion as it was in former times to be desired by the reason of necessitie z Wee reade in the 17. Book of the City of God an excelent passage vpon these incestuous marriages Commixtio sororuÌ„ et fratrem quanto sit antiquior compellente necessitate tantâ— postea facta est damnabilior religione prohibente Presently after the death of King Lewis the eleuenth Charles of Armagnac his brother besought King Charles the eight to restore him to the lands and estats of the house of Armagnac and to bee admitted to answer the accusations layed against his brother shewing that by the seuerity of King Lewis the eleuenth and by the great credit which his enemiâ—s had Memory of the Earle of Armagnac restored hee could neuer obtaine a safe conduct to come and iustifie himselfe King Charles by the aduice of the Princes Prelats and other Noblemen of the Realme graunted it the third of Aprill 1483. and he was restored to the possessions of the house of Armagnac After whose death many pretended the succession a The Pretendants were Catherine of Alencon Countesse of Laual Charles D. of Alencon Charlotte of Armagnac wife to Charles of Rohan Alain of Albret The Cardinals of Luxembourg Louise of Lyon wise to Charls bastard of Bour â—on Seneshall of Thoulouza Francis Philebert of Seissell Afterwards the Court of Parlament by a decree of the seuenth of September 1510. b The Court of Parliament declared the goods of Iohn of Armagnac forfeited to the King and the seuenth of Sept. 1470. Fortie yeares after on the same day they receiue his heires to purge his crime and to rasie his memory receiued them to iustifie the Earles memory Charles Duke of Alençon whose Grandfather had married the Earle of Armagnac's Sister drew his iustificacion from the same reasons by which he was accused They said he had receiued Letters from the King of England and that Iohn Bon had brought them vnto the King with the answere His innocencie therein was very apparant for if he had receiued his letters and would haue made any answere he would not haue giuen them back vnto the bearer They were cunning practises said the Duke of Alençon of such as haue gouerned Lewis the eleuenth to tempt the fidelity of the Earle of Armagnac and to haue a share in his spoile That if Iohn Bon had been a true messenger to the King of England as he made shew to be he had not carried the Letters vnto the king That the Earle of Armagnac was naturally an enemy to the English Earle of Armagnac a great enemie to the English and being at Font arabic he carried himselfe in such sort towards them as men wondred how he could be banished for fauoring them c He that will iustifie himselfe must liue in such sort among them where hee is exiled as his Innocencie may be apparent and his returne more easie There haue been banished men who for the Integritie of their liues haue been more happie among strangers then in their owne houses He would not suffer his seruants to conferre or conuerse with the English which did trafficke in that Contrie and it hapened one day as the yong men of Bayonne were come to dance before the Countesse of Armagnac his wife an English man hauing a red crosse vpon his brest slipt into the hall with the people who are accustomed to follow dances The Earle who held the meeting of an English man with a red Crosse for as bad a presage as the ancients did a Moore with a crowne of Cypres d The ancient SuperstitioÌ„ held it a bad presage to meet with a Mâ—ore as Plutarque notes in Brutus The Emperor Seuerus meeting a Moore carrying a Crown of Cypres on his head Iratus ab occulis remoueri precepit et coloris eius tactus emine et Corona commanded his Gentlemen namely Carbon and pettie Santignem to driue him out and as they ranne after him with their naked daggers Mauleon his Stuard stept betwixt them saying that they were in a strange countrie and that the Townes-men might rise against such an act which the Earle of Armagnac seeing he tooke his Stuards staffe and chased the English man out of his lodging making him to leape downe the stayres That being parted from Fontarabie to goe vnto the Duke of Guienne by chance he found an English man at the Sea side whom he caused to be taken and carried him prisoner to Lestoré onely for that he was an Englishman King Francis the first King Francis quit his pretensions to the Contie of Armagnac e Marguerite of Orleans or of valois the onely sister to King Francis 1. was first married to Charles D. of Alencon and next to Henry the second of that name the 26. King of Nauarre the first yeare of his raigne by his letters pattents giuen at Compeigne in February 1514. resigned vnto the Duke of Alençon and to the Lady Margaret his wife and their children all his interest vpon certaine conditions the which happening it fell to the house of Albret Iohn Duke of Alençon was so wonderfully grieued at the miserable fortune of the Earle of Armagnac as all his affections grew cold to the Kings seruice and carrying alwaies from that time this vlcer in his brest he sought the Duke of Bourgondies protection All which did but hasten his miserie and the losse of his libertie We must end this discourse with these words that the reputation of the seruices of the Lords of the
de See and brought words and offers of affection and seruice on the Dukes behalfe who feared that the King would make some sodaine inuasion The D. of Brittaine demands a peace hauing an armie of fifty thousand men ready to fall vpon his country The King with all his forces p A Prince should neuer doe all that be may against his enemies would not doe what he might doe against these gyant-like enterprises reseruing his thunder-bolts to an other season The more slowly Princes take Armes the more difficult it is to draw them out of armies hee resolued to vanquish without fighting and considering that the Lord of Lescun was the first linke of the chaine of the Duke of Brittanies Councell that all the iudgement conduct and experience in Brittanie did lye in the person of this Nobleman q Phil. de Com. speaking of the Lord of Lescun saith that there was neither iudgement nor vertue in Brittanie but what proceeded from him who after the death of the Duke of Guienne his master had retired himselfe to the Duke of Brittanie a good and a loyall French man who neuer would consent that the places of Normandie should bee giuen vnto the English hee thought that if he could draw him to his seruice the accord which he should make with the Duke of Brittanie would be more firme and withdrawing him from the Duke of Bourgundies alliance hee should make him so weake as all his forces would not suffice for his defence The King drawes the D. of Brittanie from the Duke of Bourgundies alliance There r When as the Prince hath won him that is in most credit and authoritie with him with whom he treats hee doth worke his affaires safely and with aduantage is nothing so easie as to bring one whether necessitie driues him The Lord of Lescun being won giues the Duke his master to vnderstand that there is no other safety for his affaires but the Kings protection The accord was made so as the Duke might haue eight thousand pounds starling The Lord of Lescun had a pension of six hundred pounds starling foure thousand crownes in readie money the Order of S. Michel the Earledome of Cominges halfe the gouernement of Guienne the Seneshallships of Vennes and Bourdelois The Captainship of one of the Castells of Bourdeaux s K. Charles the seuenth hauing taken Bourdeaux againe he caused two Castles to be built Castell Trumpet towards the Sea and that of Du Han towards the firme land which King Charles the seuenth had caused to be built and those of Bayonne and St. Seuert Essars and Souppleinuille instruments of this negotiation were also rewarded t Phil. des Essars a GentlemaÌ„ of the house of Brittany had 4000. Crownes giuen and six score pounds starâ—ing for yearely pension with the Baillewike of Meaux and was made Master of the Riuers Forrests of France Souppleinuille who did belong to the Lord of Lescun had six thousand crownes in gift a pension and offices fit for his qualitie the Kings bounty could not suffer any seruice to passe without recompence Truce annuall betwixt the King and the Duke of Bourgundy The affaires of Brittany being compounded the King went into Picardie It was his and the Duke of Bourgundies custome euery yeare to make a truce for six monthes in the beginning of Winter during the which there were many voiages and conferences to quench the causes of warre which they held to be shut in the Constables thoughts who began to stand in feare of the Duke and to keep aloofe from the King Philip de Commines saith that the Chancellor of Bourgundy came to make it but as it was the first yeare of his comming to Court he was not very curious to vnderstand the truth the which is drawne out of the Articles that were published and signed by the Earle of S. Paul Constable of France and by Philip of Croy deputed for the King and Guy of Brunen Lord of Imbercourt and Anthony Rollin Lord of Emery for the Duke of Bourgundy The Deputies promised to cause this Truce to be ratified by the first of December it ended the first of Aprill following betwixt which they should meete at Amiens u This assembly was appointed in Amiens the first of December 1472. to treat a peace and the restitution of S t Valery which the D. of Bourgundy demanded to treat a Peace The Constable following the intention of the King his Master and that which had been treated with the Lord of Lescun would not haue the Duke of Brittany comprehended in the Truce among the Allies of Bourgundy The Deputies shewed that the Duke of Brittany their Ally did relye vpon them x To forget Allies in Treatiâ—s and Accords is an iniury against the lawe of friendship Vnde maiores cum qui socium feâ—ellisles in virorum bonorum numero non putaâ—â—erunt haberi oportere Cic. our Elders did not hold him worthy to bee put in the number of good men that deceiued his companion that they could not forget them in the number of their frends that he had not disclaimed their friendship that they held him yet for their Allie and that he had often abandoned them by Letters and words and yet had beene firme to them in effect That youth did inflame his bloud but reason did still reclaime him That the Duke did then name him among his Allies leauing it to his choise by the first of February whether he would be comprehended among the Kings Allies or the Dukes There was no remedy The King would haue fifteene daies to name his Allies and eight dayes after to adde such as he should forget The Duke of Bourgundy Ambitions designes of the Duke of Bourgundy who would spend the time of Truce in great imaginations which filled his head with fumes and his heart with perpetuall flames propounded to allye himselfe vnto the Emperor He desired to extend the bounds of his Empire from one Sea vnto the other his spirit went still on and neuer lookt backe y It is an error in Princes that they seldome or neuer look behind theÌ„ They consult vpon the passage but neuer vpon the returne Leopold Archduke of Austria talking how hee should passe an Army of twentie thousand men into the Canâ—on of Suâ—its Kune of Stocke his iâ—ster said vnto him I will not follow thee thou talkest how thou shalt enter but thou neuer dreamest how thou shalt come forth Leopold was defeated aâ— Morgarten Munster The like was said vnto K. Francis the first by Amaril vppon his proposition to passe thâ— Alpes He held himself King alreadie of one part of Gaule hee deuoured all Germany in Imagination God had giuen him great Prouinces which he thought deserued a more stately Title then of Duke of Earle for the obtaining whereof hee made a voyage to Treues to the Emperor Frederiâ— hauing made a very sumptuous preparation for the solemnitie of that publike
declaration of King of Gaule-Belgicke He came thither about S t Michell in the yeare 1473. the Emperor went to meet him D. of Bourgundy goes to the Emperour to 〈◊〉 conducted him into the Towne and offred him his lodging The Duke was contented to returne and lodge in a Monasterie without the Towne To haue that which he pretended he offred vnto the Emperor the marriage of his Daughter with the Arch-duke Maximilian his sonne who succeeded him in the Empire It was an Act of wisedome in the Duke z A Prince should alwaies prouide that his successor be not vncertaine Ne successor inâ—erto â—it This certaintie preuents practises and partialities to prouide for the succession of his Estates seeing that he had but one daughter but it was vanitie to buy the Title of a King so deerely The crowne the Scepter and other royall ornaments were made there was no let but in the Emperor why the Duke did not vse them but hauing demanded vnpleasing conditions their enteruiew brake off and neither Royaltie nor marriage succeeded The Emperor not to delay him and abuse him refused him the Crowne sodainely a Although they hold sodaine refusals to be the best and that he which denies speedily abuseth least yet when he that is refused mightie and may be reuenged they must win time wherewith all things are accommodated departed secretly from Treues and imbarked vpon the Rhin without giuing him any answere The Emperor mockes at the dukes demand not thinking himselfe bound to bid him farewell that was come without his priuitie The Duke was left alone with his mouth open to the ayre of his hopes swearing by S. George that Frederic should repent it and that he would haue by force that which he refused him vpon his intreatie and merit They continued a month together the publike discourses were of the meanes to make warre against the Turke the priuate past about this Royaltie Thus they parted both as much discontented as they seemed pleased at their meeting b Cranzius who writes this enterview hath these wordes Tandem minori alacritate digresti quam congressi sunt visi In the end they parted with lesser ioy then they came to gether The Duke of Bourgondy visited the Lands that were ingaged vnto him The Duke passeth by the County of Ferette where his soldiers intreated the poore Peasants so cruelly as from that time euery man studied how to returne to his first maister c The Duke was no sooner gone out of Brisac but the soldiers spoiled the towne coÌ„mitting a thousand insolencies and buâ—nt the Augustins Monastery Colmar refused to open her gates He past his Christmas at Brisac and there ended the yeare 1473. In the beginning of the next he returned to Montbelliard from thence to Besançon and then to Dijon The ministers of both Princes foreseeing that whilst the Constable liued Peace would be vncertaine 1474. and that one and the selfe same Sunne would see it spring vp and dye they make religious remonstrances and full of Conscience vnto their maisters and dispose them to a good reconciliation for the which by their consents there was a conference appointed at Bouuines Assembly at Bouines d This Conserence of Deputies for the K. and Duke of Bourgondy at Bouines in the yeare 1474. was sought by Imbercourt to reuenge the iniury which the Constable had done him at Roy. neere vnto Namur The King sent the Lord of Curton Gouernour of Limosin and Iohn Heberge Bishop of Eureux For the Duke of Bourgondy came William Hugonet his Chancellour and the Lord of Imbercourt The first proposition was to make away the Constable who was much aflicted for the Duke of Guiennes death it was the swarme which gaue him both hony and waxe e A great authority caÌ„not maintaine it selfe in a season when it is not respected that of the Constable could not continue but in warre warre was his element it entertained his Estats made him to bee respected both of the King and the D. of Bourgondy They held him to be a spirit of discord from whence came all Inuentions to make peace of no continuance and warre euerlasting Resolution taken to do iustice of the Constable and to maintaine his authority in Confusion They said that he was like vnto the bay tree in the hauen of Amicus which they called mad for that one branch of it being put into a ship all that were in it fell to iarres and deuision wherevppon they resolued that who so could first seaze on him should put him to death within eight dayes after his taking or deliuer him to the other party to dispose of him at his pleasure The best resolutions vanish away as soone as they are discouered The Constable had an inkling of this proposition f Great affairs should be managed with secrecy iudgement The resolution taken at 〈◊〉 against the Constable was not secret he was aduertised and by this meanes anoided the storme which threatâ—ed him but this was but to deferre an ineuitable mischefe and assembled all the trickes and deuises of his braine to breake off this assembly he aduertised the King how the Duke had sought him The Conble creepes into the Kings fauor to draw him to his party and of his great attempts to shake his loyalty and with what constancy and generosity hee had reiected his offers hauing no desire to affect any greatnes more assured nor any assurance more happy then the seruice of his King without the which there is not any thing in the world that deserued his loue or remembrance beseeching him Not to beleeue the passions g It is necessary to haue a sound and perfect Iudgment to discerne with what intention aduertisments are giuen which concerne the loyalty of a man of credit for oftentimes they are the practises of Enemies to make them frustrate When a Prince is iealous of his good seruants he remaines at the discretion of others Zenon vsed this policy against Phalaris of the Deputies of Bounines who set his head to sale to make a cruell sacrifice thereof to the Duke of Boâ—rgondies reâ—enge and to satisfie his discontent for that he could not draw him aliue vnto his seruice nor perswade him to so base a treason against his Prince The King beleeued him the more easily for that he knew well that the Deputies of Bouines were the Constables enemies in particular and desired to find their reuenge in his disgrace with the two Princes The priuate h A man that hath power authority and aspirces to more cannot indure to bee â—rost or contradicted Crastus being in an assembly which was held â—or the diuiding of the gouernmeÌ„ts of Prouinces seeing himselfe gainsayed by another bee flrooke him on the face with his first sent him away all bloudy Plut. hatred grew for that the Constable in an assembly held at Roy had giuen the lye vnto the Lord of
intent and that the place deserued some ceremonies that he would not purchase that reproch to haue yeelded at the first sight of the enemy and that he knew his humor not to attempt any thing but when he may doe it safely profitably and honorably He thought otherwise in his heart and Edward knowing well that the Constable deceiued them The K of England repents that he beleeued did not conceale it that the duke had done him wrong to imbarke him vpon his assurances The Duke take his leaue vnder a pretext to goe fetch his forces and retired into Brabant to passe at Mezieres into the Dutchie of Bar. The King of England did not like of the reason of his sodaine departure knowing well that the Dukes affaires were in no good estate and might impaire The English were amazed and discouraged as they are commonly which ground their enterprises vpon the promises and passions of strangers z They that haue needs of forraine succors promise wonders to ingage them and doe not commonly performe halfe their promises Their wils wauered betwixt hope and repentance For all the Townes whereof they promised themselues the conquest and which they had sometimes held they had onely Perronne and that was but by way of passage to refresh them The season was incommodious The Duke of Brittanie remained quiet to see the game and who should win He had incensed the King too much who had new drawne from a Secretarie of England two Letters written by Vrse a The Duke of Brittanie promised to loyne his forces with those of England and to receiue 3000. English This designe was discouered by two letters written by Vrse who then serued the D. of Brittany the one vnto the King of England and the other to Hastings his Lord Chamberlaine which discouer his practises and the promise which he had made to ioyne with the English All these reasons make Edward incline to a peace he hath some about him would gladly haue re-past the sea His chiefe seruants were not very eager of warre and remembring the entertainment at S. Quentin they found that the English were too blame to trust in the French against the French and to beleeue that Rauens will pick out one anothers eyes The Ceremonie was who should speake first there was not any one betwixt these two Princes that would attempt this mediation they thought that hee which should first demand a Peace had confest himselfe vanquished There is a great disparitie betwixt the affaire of Princes and priuate men their rules and Maximes are very different like to the Kings of Thrace whose Gods which they serue are not the Gods of the common people b The dissemblance of the affaires of great men shâ—wes it selfe in many respects and ceremonies which are not considered among priuate persons The King of Thrace is distinguished from his suâ—iects by the difference of the sâ—ruice of his Gods he hath his apart which his subiects are not suffred to worship Haward and Stanley Occasion which caused an ouerture of a Peace who were neerest about the King of England offred an occasion to breake this Ice They had taken a Groome of the Kings Armie who was sent back without ransome as the first prisoner of the English Being at libertie and readie to depart Haward and Stanley said vnto him Recommend vs to the good grace of the King your Master if you may speake vnto him He failed not and the King remembring what Garter had said vnto him found that his veluet had wrought These salutations draue him into a great perplexitie Whatsoeuer comes from an enemie is to be suspect He caused the messenger to be put in Irons fearing that he was a spie he is sounded into and curiously examined by his most confident seruants hee himselfe speakes vnto him and findes him constant without varying This perturbation of minde held him vntill the next day with the which he sate downe pensiue to his meate Posture of Lewis the eleuenth when hee was pensiue When as he was in his deepest cogitations the minde did so neglect the actions of the bodie and left them in such disorder as no man would haue taken him for a wise man c Phil. de CoÌ„ represents in these world 's the grace of K. Lewis when hee had any fantasie in his head As soon as he was set at the table and had studied a little as you know he did in such sort as it was very strange to them that did not know him for without knowledge of him they would haue held him vnwise but his deeds witnes the contrary After that he had been a while pensiue hee told Philip de Commines that hee should take away the table and went to dine in his chamber causing the seruant of the Siegneur of Halles to come vnto him of whom he demanded if hee would goe into the King of Englands Armie in the habite of a Herauld He had bethought himselfe of this man to whom hee had neuer spoke but once and notwithstanding that Phil. de Commines told him that in his opinion hee had neither stature nor grace yet would hee not any other Iudgement of the King to distinguish spirits He had made choise of him as of a man of good vnderstanding and who had as the Historie saith a sweet and pleasing voice He considered that if the charge hee gaue him did not succeed he should quit in disauowing him and make it knowne that he was but in a disguised habite like vnto Comediens d They demanded of Polistratidas Embassador of Sparta if he came in the behalfe of the commonweale or of himselfe hee answered eloquently 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 If you grant me that which I demand said Polistratidas I will cause my selfe to be aduowed if not I let you vnderstand that I haue no charge He would not accept this charge for any thing that Philip de Comines could say or promise him he fell vpon his Knees as if hee had beene condemned to die e When as the King thought this man was in a good humour he sent the master of his horse for the banner of a trumpet to make him a coate of Armes for the K. was not curious nor accompanied with Heralds and Trumpets as many princes be Phil. de Com. l. 4. c. 7. The King came and spake with him and wonne him at the first word A Herald sent to the King of England promising him mony and the office of an Esleu in the I le of Rez Hee must be attired and there was some trouble to make him a coate of armes and more to send him away secretly and not to seene but most of all to instruct him in that which he should say His coate of armes was in a bouget behind his saddle hauing commandement not to put it on vntill hee did enter into the English army Philip de Comines obserues in this place the little care and
to moue humours not to purge the bodie It was told Pompey that there were amoÌ„g Stertorius papers many Senators Letters who exhorted him to come into Italy and to attempt against Rome but Pompey did an Act not of a yong man but of a graue setled inâ—gement causing all his Letters to be burnt and not suffring one to be read Plut. but the King who contemned not any thing thought that it was an Arrow shot against the Constable therefore he desired to be satisfied from Edward who dissembling not his great discontentment against the Constable related vnto him the whole History of his preuatications and for proofe thereof deliuered two Letters into his hands After a long discourse accompanied with infinite shews of loue honor and respect the two Kings parted Edward past by the Sea leauing Hostages in the delights and feasts of Paris and the chiefe Noble men of his Court talked of nothing but the Kings bountie The Heralds and trumpets of England at their parting cryed out A largesse a largesse h Liberalitie is like the Sunne amoÌ„g the other lights of a royaltie It is the myâ—rhe which preserues the reputation of Kings incorruptible for the most noble and mightie King of France A largesse a largesse The King went to lie at Amiens by the way he entertained himselfe with that which he had obserued in this Action speaking these words to Phil. de Commines confidently A wise obseruation of the king I found the King of England so willing to come to Paris as it did not please me Hee is a goodly King and loues women much hee might finde some Mignion at Paris who would tell him so many goodly tales as he might haue a desire to returne His Predecessors haue beene too much in Paris and Normandie His company auailes me nothing on this side the Sea but on the other side he is my good brother and friend Being come to Amiens and ready to set downe to meate Haward one of the Hostages thinking to doe him a great pleasure came and told him in his eare that if he pleased he would draw the King of England vno Amiens and it might bee to Patis to make good cheere there with his Maiestie The King who hauing saued the Capitoll i It is good to see an enemies back The Gauls demanded boats to passe the Riuer of Tyber and the Senate commanded to giue them some beeing put to rout they assured them the way to saue them Poliâ—nus Lib. 2. had no care but to make a large way for the Gaules to passe receiued this speech with a good countenance although it did not please him and as if he had thought of other matters he began to wash and to speake of other things Haward remembred him after supper hauing not obserued the Kings intention by the first euasion The King being prest by his importunity said that he was then ready to goe to horse to see what the Duke of Bourgundy would doe and to make him runne the hazard of Armes seeing he had contemned the opportunitie of an accord They that past the Sea vnwillingly would haue beene glad to haue found some occasion to haue stayed longer in France they had some reason for the good of their estate and that Paris might be to London as Carthage had been to Rome k Estates maintaine theÌ„selues by the common feares and iealousies they haue one of an other And therfore Scipâ—o Nasiâ—a did aduise theÌ„ to preserue Carthage notwithstanding that she had put the 〈◊〉 of Rome to comprimise Ne metu ablato aemula vrbis luxuriarâ— felicitas vrbis inciperâ—t Least being freed froÌ„ the feare of a Citie that was enemy the Citie in her prosperitie should fall to â—yot Flor. Lib 2. de Bello Punice They had such hot spirits among them as if they had not some imploiment without the Iland they were capable to beginne the Earle of Warwicks game During the Kings abode at Amiens he was visited by the English especially by those that would not returne without some present The King giues preâ—â—mâ—s to the English The Duke of Glocester who seemed much discontented with this Truce found it good after that the King had giuen him plate and horses This Prince did sow euen in barren groundes the feare of ingratitude did not stay his handes from giuing vnto them who being gone neuer gaue him thankes l They doe not forbeare to sow after an â—â—n fertill haruest hee must not leaue to binde one after ingratitude although the benâ—fit perish with the other he must not suffer it to perish with himselfe He was very well pleased with that day but he was greeued that the King of England had shewed so much passion for the Duke of Brittaine for his desire was not to suffer him in peace Edward declares the Duke of Brittanâ— to be his friend Hee caused him to bee sounded againe by the Lords of Bouchage and St. Pierre but they brought nothing back but rough wordes sweating that he would repasse the sea againe if they quarreled with the Britton m Besides the bond which K. Edward had to the D. of Brittany for that hee had assisted him in his greatest necessiâ—y he feared to discoÌ„tent him least he should set Henry whom he held prisoner at libertie The King seeing that he could not diuide them thought to make him a good friend whom he could not declare a iust enemy Peace betwixt the King and the Du of Brittany seing that he was comprehended in the Truce Wherefore there was a Treaty of peace betwixt them signed and concluded in the Abbey of Senlis the 16. of October 1475. published in the Parliament of Paris and at the estates of Brittaine The King of England was not more content to see his realme againe then the King seemed ioyfull to haue sent him out of his Princes somtimes let slip free speeches in their Cabinets which are obserued and reported againe The King being some dayes after King Edwards departure with his seruants reioyced at the happy successe of his affaires saying that there was nothing to be compared to vanquish without fighting n The victorie which costs least bloud is mâ—st glorious said Alphonso K. of 〈◊〉 Panorm in his life and that they which returned from the place whether they came to make warre without doing any thing were vanquished Words escaped the K. vpon the Treatie of Peace He iested that with wine and money he had sent away the English This flowing of words with more truth then wisedome came to the hearing of a Gascon Marchant remaining in England who was come into the Cabinet to craue leaue to transport a certaine number of pipes of wine Impost free Heard by a Gascon Marchant The King would haue been glad that this man hauing seene the Palace of his Councels bare and vncouered had been blind deafe but he made no shew of it acknowledging
an enemie who departs discontented x Words of contempt or mockery inflame mens hearts to other resolutions theÌ„ are expected Cabades a Captaine of Persia besieging Amida and finding 〈◊〉 that the siâ—ge would be long difficult resoluâ—a to leaue it The inhabitaÌ„ts grown proud thereat came running to the waâ—s calling him coward and mocking at his retreat Wherewith Cabadeâ— was so incensed as â—e returned prest forced and spoiled the Towne The Deputies of either side met but could not agree euerie one seeking to maintaine his owne The King told his that he would not haue so many words and causing the Dukes deputies to come he shut himselfe in with them and before they parted concluded a Truce for nine yeares beginning the 13. of September 1475. and ending the same day in the yeare 1484. The Duke would haue Baldwin Bastard of Bourgundy the Lord of Renty Iohn de Chata and Philip de Commines excluded and to loose the benefit of this Truce the which notwithstanding was not so soone published to saue the Dukes oth who had sworne not to hearken vnto it so soone As they were vpon the Treatie the King of England being discontented that the Duke of Bourgundy treated apart sent Thomas of Montgomerie vnto the King to assure him that be would return in the Spring with a mighty Armie to finish the Duke of Bourgundies ruine but the King who loued him well where he was answered that the Truce which was then in question was no other then what had been made with him without any alteration but that the Duke desired to haue his Letters Patents apart Thus a peace was made both with the English and Bourgundians These mists which were so thick as there was no hope to see the Sunne all the day were disperced in a moment leauing France in the same cleerenes that it was before The wisemen of those times saw and did acknowledge the particular care of Gods prouidence ouer this Monarchy hauing by his singular grace escaped so terrible a storme It was not the first brunt nor the greatest fit which tryed the firmenes of her forces The foundations of this Estate are so well layed y Al the estates in the world haue tried her Inconstancie what are become of the Empires of Assiria of Persia of Media of Egypt of Iudea of Macedon Quicquid in altum â—ortuna tulit ruitura leuat Whatsoeuer fortune hath raised on high is to fall againe And Plato saies that euery thing is in this world as vpon Euripus sometimes aboue sometimes beneath 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 her lawes haue so wisely preuented all kindes of accidents that although there bee nothing constant in the world and that nature turnes euery thing sometimes aboue sometimes beneath yet it stands amidst the greatest shakings and supports it selfe like a Colosse with his owne waight The composition of this body is so strong and vigorous as it entertaines it selfe euen with his excesse and disorders other Estates with all their good order are not in better case and the least disorder they commit brings their life in danger z Plutark said that the reputation of Sparta was like vnto a body which alwaies tooke a dyet which was distempered with the least disorder The Kings wisedome was the Instrument of Gods prouidence to free this Realme from the danger which did threaten it It is true that if necessitie which hath no law did not excuse the proceedings of this Prince and if the honour of the action did not remaine to him that hath the profit there might be exceptions taken to that which the King did to haue this Peace A wise Prince and lesse fearefull would haue aduentured a Battell rather then be subiect to his enemies pride but these high and generous formes of treating are buried in the ruines of proud and triumphant Rome and there is nothing remaining but admiration which the History represents The Romans neuer receiued condition nor capitulation a As the Romans did neuer receiue offers nor conditions from an enemy so long as he was armed so did they neuer goe whether they called them If thou beest mighty thou maist force me if thou canst not I must goe whether my commoditie leades me from an armed enemie they neuer made retreat in disorder Neuer did Generall of a Roman Armie giue place to any one were he a King Neuer did they in strange Prouinces quit the markes of their authoritie Neuer did they allow a stranger how great so euer to enter into their lodging on horseback b When as Tigranes came to Pompey to yeeld himselfe into his hands the Sargeants told him that he must light for that no man was euer seene to enter on horseback into the Romans lodgings Plâ—t And in a word neuer had Prince his minde and resolutions raised to more generositie FINIS THE CONTENTS OF of the seuenth BOOKE 1 THe Constables perplexitie after the peace 2 The King sends for the Constable 3 The Constable leaues S. Quentin and retires to Mons in Hainault 4 The King seazeth on S. Quentin and summons the Duke of Bourgundy to effect the Article of the Assembly of Bouuines touching the Constable 5 Hee is deliuered to the King and conducted to the Bastille his processe made condemned to die and executed 6 Profit and blame which the Duke of Bourgundy receiued by the Constables death 7 Armie of the Duke of Bourgundy in Lorraine 8 Attempt vpon the Dukes life discouered by the King 9 Armie of the Dukes against the Suisses 10 The Kings voyage to Lyon 11 Siege of Granson The Suisses giue and winne a Battell and recouer Granson with a great spoile 12 The Duke seeks vnto the King for a continuance of the Truce 13 Rene of Aniou King of Sicile comes to the King at Lyon 14 Duke of Bourgundies Army before Morat defeated by the Suisses 15 The Suisses enter into the countrie of Vau and the Duke retires into the Franche Conty 16 Yoland Duchesse of Sauoy the Kings Sister leaues the Bourgundian party 17 Alfonso of Portugall comes to demand succors of the King 18 Henry the fourth King of Castille declared vnworthy of the Crowne 19 Accord betwixt the King of Castille and the King of Portugall 20 Affliction heauines and griefe of the Duke of Bourgundy after the Battel of Morat 21 Rene Duke of Lorraine besiegeth and takes Nancy 22 Armie of the Duke of Bourgundy before Nancy and treason of Cont Campobasso 23 Defeat of the Duke of Bourgundy and his death an obseruation of his courage and a memorable example of his Iustice. 24 Death of Galeas Duke of Milan THE HISTORY of LEVVIS the XI THE SEVENTH BOOKE AT the Treaty of Piquigny the Constable of Saint Paul resembled a Tree beaten with three contrary winds which notwithstanding conspyre all together to teare it vp by the roote The Constable in ill terms with all men a Great wits doe often-times commit great errors and you
the ancient alliances u The Allâ—ances betwixt France Castille were confirmed by the Dâ—puties of both Kings betwixt Baâ—onne Fontaraby of France with Castile Alphonso retires into Portugall would cause him to be taken he thought to retire himselfe with an intent to shut himselfe into a Monastery or to make a voyage to Ierusalem hoping for no succours but from God hauing in vaine attended them from men The King being loth to abandon him in this preplexity caused certaine ships to bee armed in Normandy to conduct him into Portugall where his sonne dispairing of his returne had already taken the title of King D. Beatrice widdow to D. Ferdinand of Portugall Aunt to the Qâ—eene of Castile Accord betwixt the Kings of Castile and Portugall vndertooke to reconcile them intreating her Neece to come to Alcantara to conferre together Their Conference did produce a peace for a hundred yeares x It was said by this accord that the peace should bee kept betwixt the Kings of â—astile Porâ—ugal for a huÌ„dred years one to come to the content of both Realmes and to the glory of both Kings who then carried their armes and their designes to the conquest of new contries y In the yeare 1475. the first voyage was made to Guinee by the marriners of Castile after they had conquered the canaries in the yeare 1417. Of this enterprise Iohn of Batencourt a french was Generall and carried the title of King Of that of Guinee Pedro de Colied s. By this peace it was said that the King of Portugall should not marry D. Ioane that shee should depart out of Portugall or if shee would remaine there she should haue her choise either to marry with D. Iohn Prince of Castile newly borne when he should come to age or enter into a monastery This Princesse did rather choose a monastery then marriage and tooke vpon her the habit of S ta Clara in the royall Monastery of Coimbra who for the greatnes of her courage and contempt of the world deserued of posterity the surname of excellent The flight of Granson and the losse of Morat two fatall accidents to a spirit insupportable both in prosperity and aduersity z There are spirits like vnto sick bodyes which are distempered with heat and cold they cannot iud ure prosperity nor aduersity brought comfortles aflictions vnto the Duke Afliction of the Duke of Bourgondy after the Battell of Morat and made him continue sixe weekes solitary at Riuiere suffring his beard to grow carelesly feeling his vnderstanding to grow weake and his naturall heat so cold as they made him to drinke wine alone in stead of Ptysan which before was his ordinary drinke And to recouer his spirits and to cheere his heart they applyed therevnto diuers sorts of remedies and if by fits he came to his good sence it was but to make him haue a more liuely apprehension of his vnfortunate Estate a A great courage is very seÌ„sible of puâ—lâ—â—e disgraces Mahomet seeing himselfâ— forced to raise the siege from Belgâ—ade with losse and shâ—me called for poison to Râ—l himselfe He neuer remembred this ahhâ—oâ—t but 〈…〉 his is head against the wall and â—are his mustastachos The solitarines which hee vsed to passe away his greefe did but augment it and let him know that there is no worse estate then that of a discontented mind in an vnsound body Hee woould not endure any one to talke vnto him and was mad when they spake If hee would haue suffred himselfe to be seene it would haue giuen him ease and by the cheerfulnesse of his countenance his soldiers would haue recouered their spirits which this accident had danted b Princes in the change of their fortunes entâ—r into fury against them 〈◊〉 at seek to adâ—â—se them Perseus hauing been defeated by Paulus AEmilius slue 2. of his greatest fâ—iendes wâ—o sâ—ept foreward to tell him some truth Euery thing disâ—leaseth an aflicted mind Great sorrows must be euaporated for the more they are restrained the more they swell and grow more violent but beeing past they must shew a countenance free from all perplexity or basenes He is contemned of his friends Time did but increase the wound in the Soule of this Prince his friends and allies contemned him Galâ—as Duke of Milan seeing that by this losse all his Intelligences were crost in Italy turned his back to him Frederie Prince of Tarentum abused with a hope to marry his daughter allies himselfe to the house of France whilst that this triumphant Chariot went well euery one would be on the top of it but now it is ouerthrowne they abandon it c Prosperity fiâ—ds many friends kinsmen misfortune and misery hath noâ—any 〈◊〉 shiâ— doth most commonly fellow fâ—rtune who hath hauour good successe at her sides The Duke of Lorraine seeking to make his profit of the Duke of Bourgundies misfortune recouers his places lost in Lorraine with the horsemen he had of France Duke of Lorraine recouers his own CoÌ„try and beâ—leegeth Nancy and some footemen from the Suisses and the Townes of Germanie He besieged Nancy forced the Lord of Bures of the house of Croy to yeeld after that hee had in vaine sollicited succors from his Master d Râ—ne Duk of Lorraine recouered many places which the Bourgâ—ndians held Eâ—pinal wouâ—d not yeeld without seeing him for that they were made beleeue that he was dead Nancy hauing indured ten weekes seege it yeelded the 7. of Nouember 1476. The English which were within it hauing lost Cohin their leader began to murmure more at the length of the succors then the languishing of the siege for they had no other torment then the impatiencie of that which they attended They told de Bures that if hee did not compound they would make their owne appointment De Bures in steed of opposing himselfe to so vniust dishonourable a demand yeelded vnto them The Pilot beleeued the Galley slaues and the Phisition yeelded to the pleasure of his sicke patient e Pompey resolued to makewarre at the appetite of his soldiers the which the Captaine of a shâ—p should not doe much lesse the Generall of an army and against his owne mind for he was wont to commend those Phisitions which did not please the disordred Appetiâ—e of their Patienâ—s Plut. The composition was made and three daies after succors came The Duke of Bourgundy Army of the Duke of Bourgon dies before Nancy not to giue the Duke of Lorraine leisure to fortifie Nancy nor to furnish it with men and victuals blockt it in on euery side hauing Pont a Mousson for his retreat This was not done with the aduice of his best Captaines f Notâ—ing doth more aduance the ruine of a Prince then not to beleeue Counsâ—ll and to presume to know more then any They hold him saith Paulus AEmilius that would manage all thinges after his owne braine for an arrogâ—nt
with the Spaniards 24 Blanch Countesse of Foix Queene of Nauarre the mother of many children 25 Battell of Guinegast 26 Siege of Rhodes by Mahomet the second and the valiant resistance of the great Master ⧠THE HISTORIE Of LEWIS the eleuenth THE EIGHTH BOOKE TWO great occasions presented themselues vnto the King to augment his Empire 1477. after the death of the Duke of Bourgondy In the first it seemed that Italy was not diuided but to vnite it againe vnder the gouernment of one alone and that not any one but the French King might vndertake it or hope for it They councelled him to make his profit of these diuisions K. Lewis councel'd to make his profite of the diuision of Italy and to renue the right which the Crowne of France had to the Realme of Naples since Charles Earle of Aniou a Pope Vrban the third called Charles of Aniou against Māfroy and promised him the Inuestiture of both Siciles Charles came to Rome in the yeare 1264. in May and receiued it frō Clement 4. and from the same hand the Crown at S. Iohn de Latran the 28. of Iune Prouence brother to the great King who renowned by the power of Armes and much more by the holinesse of his life deserued to be declared a Saint Robert of Saint Seuerin came vnto the King b Robert of S. Seuerin came to the King to make him resolue to come into Italy Paulus Aemilius saith that the King answered him that he had learned frō his Predecessors that the Frēch could neuer keepe any thing in Italy and made him diuers ouertures to moue him thereunto but he who was a Prince which made more account of the essence then of the appearance of things would not hearken to it The Geneuois intreated him to take them vnder his command hauing liued happily vnder King Charles the 7. He was contented that Iohn Galeas Duke of Millan c Iohn Galeas Duke of Millan did homage for his mother for the Dutchy of Genoa to the Lord of Argenton returning from his Embassage to Florence in the yeare 1476. should do him homage and whē they said that they gaue themselues vnto him he gaue them vnto the Diuell refusing a command so ill grounded as vpon the quicke-sand of the will of a multitude He was also resolued not to meddle with the affaires of Italy hauing learned from his fore-fathers that to send Armies beyond the Alpes was nothing but to purchase repentance with much charge and great difficulties d The Geneuois haue often sought a Maister Guichardin saith that desiring with great instance to giue themselues to Lewis the eleuenth he did not accept the donation and had often refused Dimescolarsi in Italia come cosa piena dispese difficulta all vltimo perniciosa al regno di Francia to meddle with the affaires of of Italy as a thing full of charge and difficulties and in the end dangerous for the realme of France Guic. l. 1. He sent the Signior of Argenton to Florence Troubles at Florēce being full of troubles for a conspiracy made against the house of Medicis Laurence de Medicis liued in that Common-weale as a Cittizen and commanded as a Prince for alwaies in states which depend of the authority of many heads there are some which excell the rest e In popular Estates there hath alwayes beene some priuate man more eminent then the rest Pericles at Athens Epaminondas and Pelopidas at Thebes His Grand-father the great Cosmo Cosmo de Medicis surnamed the Great had laid the foundation of a great authority which did threaten the Common-weale with a new forme of gouernement vnder the power of one alone He was in such reputation through fauour of his wisedome as he began to terrifie the liberty of the Citty and as Machiuel saith the other Citizens held it dangerous to offend him and most dangerous to suffer him The contrary faction attempted to stoppe the growing of this designe the which they thought they could not effect but in killing Laurence and Iulian de Medicis brethren who were not odious vnto great men but for that they had too great credite and their vertue too much reputation and applause f In a free Cittye the great vertue and reputation of one alone is alwaies suspected Cato said against Scipio that a Citty could not termed free in the which the Magistrate did respect feare a priuate man Heauen which reserues vnto it selfe the disposition of States and which aduanceth or staies the Destinies as it pleaseth had resolued to raise the house of Medicis by the same meanes that their enemies sought to ruine it g Conspiracies do many times succeed happily for them against whom they are made Brutus in his History of Florence the 6. Booke saith Consilia quae à coniuratis ad Medicum potentiam euertendam inita fuerant ad eorū principatum stabiliendum mirifice contulerunt The councels which the Cōspirators had taken to ouerthrow the house of Medicis did wonderfully serue to settle their power and authority It was already growne to that splendor and raised so high as the fight of the vulgar sort was dulled and could not discerne it The Lords which carried this Name being hardy and couragious knew their owne merit and knowing themselues capable to reigne worthily past all difficulties to reigne assuredly The Conspiracie was executed vpon Iulian being at Masse in Saint Reparees Church but Laurence saued himselfe in the Vestry The Conspirators were hanged at the Palace-windowes and the Conspiracie held so execrable throughout all the world as Mahomet h All Princes are interessed in the punishment of traytors When as Mahomet vnderstood that one of the Conspirators was in Constantinople he caused him to be apprehended and sent bound to Florence would not suffer one of the Conspirators to liue safely in Constantinople Pope excommunicates the Florentines The Archbishop of Pisa was among them that were hanged Nicholas Cardinall of Saint Georges was put in prison Pope Sixtus the fourth was offended and fauoured all those that had beene dealers in this Conspiracie he did excommunicate the Florentines Army against the Florentines and caused Ferdinand of Arragon King of Naples to Arme against them the Duke of Vrbin was Generall of the Popes Army and of the King of Naples and with him the Kings two sonnes they did ouer-runne the Territories of Florence yet they spared that which did belong to Laurence de Medicis to bring him into suspition and to make the people beleeue that he had intelligence with them i So Hanibal spoiling and burning the houses which were about Rome forbad the Souldiers to touch any thing that did being to Fabius Maximus This Common-weale was in deadly conuulsions of her liberty Changes of gouernment at Florence scarce knowing what should become of her Her Physitions had rather see her rot with languishing then to cure her or bury her
Queene being Imperious high minded proud sent him the choice either to go assaile her in her owne countrey where she would attend him or that he would stay in his owne and she would go vnto him to say vnto him If thou comest not I will goe that euery one followed the strangers fortune they sent a great Embassage vnto the king consisting of many Noble-men and of all the orders of the Countrey among which were William Hugonet her Chancellor and the Lord of Himbercourt the dukes chiefe seruants they found the king at Peronne where he had made his entry and present the Princesses letters vnto him who besought him to protect her rather then oppresse her as hauing the honour to come out of the House of France and rather consider the pittifull estate of her present Condition and Sexe the which besides was subiect to the Councels and Authority of passionate Men then the respects of his owne priuate Interest That all subiects of Hatred and Offence should bee buried in the Tombe of Duke Charles her Father z When 〈◊〉 the Supreame Authority lights vpon a woman she must of necessity bee supported with great and eminet vertues with a generous courage and a wise conduct to gouern her selfe vpon the first refusall discontētments grow and then factions Simon Rosgon Bishop of Agria demanded of Q. Elizabeth daughter to Sygismond and wise to Albert King of Hungary the Arch-bishoprick of Strigonia to whom shee answered Whilst I raigne you shall not haue it and he replied as long as I liue you shal not raign and they both kept their words That it was piety for a great Prince her Kinsman and Soueraigne to defend her in her Countries and Estates whereunto she succeeded according to the Lawes and Ordinances of Kings his Predecessors and in the end that she was resolued to referre her affaires to the good gouernment of foure persons of the Dowager her Mother Sister to King Edward of England of Rauasteen brother to the Duke of Cleues her neere kinsman of Hugonet her Chancellour and of the Lord of Himbercourt The King gaue them good words The King winnes the Princesses Embassadors and hauing entertained euery Deputy a part following the first precept not to force all at once but to pull of the horses taile haire by haire a To shew that perseuerance cōtinuance doth by little and little preuaile ouer all things Sertorious caused two horses to be brought the one leane feeble and old the other fat and strong behind the leaner he set a strong and mighty man and behind the other a slender weake one a signe being giuen the strong man tooke the leane horse by the taile and sought with all his force to pull it of but he laboured and sweate in vaine The weake man who was behind the great horse began to pull it haire by haire and soone stript it without any paine Plu. Hee drew the cheife of them to be at his deuotion vpon the assurance of the marrying of his sonne with their Mistresse Hugonet hauing all his lands in Picardy towards Amiens and Himbercourt in Bourgundy giue themselues vnto him and for the first proofe of their affection they dispose Phillip of Creuecoeur Lord of Cordes to open the gates of Arras vnto him holding him freed from his oath to the Princesse They thought that if this marriage tooke effect there were nothing to be diuided betwixt the house of France and Bourgundy Vpon the same opinion Townes yeelded to the King Hedin Therouenne and Monstreuill yeeld b That which the Ancients called Gessoriacum is at this day named by the French Bologne by the English Bollen and by the Flemings Beunen Beatus Rhenatus saith that he had seene an old Inscription where were these words Gessoriacum quod nune Bononia Bulloine did not beleeue so lightly it endured a Battry the King entred and finding this Towne fit for the fortification of the frontiers as it hath bene alwaies famous on either side the Sea he compounded with Bertrand de la Tour who was Lord in propriety and as the new Lord he did homage without Girdle or Spurres bare-head and on his knees to the Virgin Mary offering as a right and duty vnto her image a Hart of Massiue Gold weighing two thousand Crownes Boloigne vnder the Virgine Maries homage vpon condition that from thence-forth he and his successors Kings should hold the Earledome of Bulloine of the Virgine should do her homage and at euery change of a Vassall should pay a Hart of pure Gold of that weight Thus the Princesse of Flanders Arras besieged saw herselfe forced to quite that which she could not keepe c It is better to quite that which we cannot keepe then to loose it in keeping it Phillip of Macedon did willlingly abandon many places vnto the Romanes and a great continent of his Country which he saw he could not defend rather then to be seene to haue lost it vnwillingly So after the Battell of Cannes the Romanes refused to succour many of their Allies desiring rather to loose them then to be blamed for that they were not able to defend them T. Liu. Dec. 4. yet the King held nothing of Arras but the Citty which de Cordes had deliuered vnto him and wherein he remained Gouernour The Lord of Lude defeated the Horsemen which they of Doway had sent and in this Encounter Vergy was taken and remained a whole yeare prisoner in chaines for that he would not be sworne vnto the King protesting obstinately that he could not cease to be seruant to the house of Bourgundy nor begin to affect that of France d It is dishonorable rashly to fall from the duty which we owe vnto the Prince L. Maenius an Officer to Augustus being carried prisoner to M. Anthony he demāded of him What wilt thou shall bee done with thee that they strangle mee answered Maeniu◠forneither for grace nor punishmēt will I euer cease to be Caesars souldiour neither will I beginne to be yours They of the Towne seeing themselues prest demanded a Pasport of the Bastard of Bourbon Admirall of France for two or three and twenty Deputies vnder colour of going to Bollen to treat with the King They go forth with this pasport but being followed and surprised vpon the way to Flanders they were led to Hedin and by a sentence giuen by the Prouost condemned to loose their heads the King arriuing vpon the execution staid it Princes alwaies cause punishments to cease when they are in presence They told him that among them that were executed there was a Parisian called Oudard of Bussy to whom he had giuen the office of a Maister of Accompts in the chamber at Arras Hee caused his head to bee set vpon a stake in the Market-place wearing a scarlet hood furred with Meneuer Arras yeelded by composition A breach being made an assault valiantly giuen basely defended Arras yeelded by composition the
Gabardan Of this marriage issued D. Mathea married to Gaston Prince of Bearne who succeeding her father and mother brought vnto the principality of Bearne those goodly peeces of Bigorre Marsan and Gabardan In like manner by the daughter of Gaston Prince of Bearne named Margaret married to Roger Bernard Earle of Foix all that is come vnto the house of Foix. Examples which serue to confirme this generall custome obserued within the Realme That in all Dutchies Counties Vicounties Baronies Lands and Signiories the daughters being neerest in degree haue succeded and beene preferred before the Males So as if King Lewis the eleuenth had liued he would haue decided this controuersie in giuing sentence for the Neece against the Vncle His iudgement had beene grounded first vpon the right of the first borne and representation secondly vpon the conuentions of marriage betwixt Gaston of Foix and the Lady Magdalen of France making expresse mention that the children which should bee borne should succeed in all the lands of Foix and Bigorre then held by Gaston of Foix her father Thirdly vpon the ancient customes and obseruances of the Realme Fourthly vpon the testament and last will of the Earle of Foix. Alphonso of Portugall died also at the same time Death of Alphonso K. of Portugall hee had his share in the miseries of Kings hee entred a childe into the Realme t Such as God giues the prince such must the people receiue him but the wisest of all Kings saith Vnhappy is that Realme which is commaunded by a child Metius Falconius Nicomachus approuing the Election which the Senate had made of Tacitus being old and broken vsed these wordes Dij auertant principes pueros pattes patriae dici impuberes quibus ad subscribendum magistri literatij manus teneant quos ad Consulatus dandos dulcia circuli quaecunque puerilis voluptas invitet Quae malum ratio est habere Imperatorem qui samam curare non nouerit qui quid sit Respub nesciat nutritorem time at respiciat ad nutricem manum magistralium ictibus terrorique subiaceat faciat eos Consules Duces Iudices quorum vitas merita aetates familias et gesta non nouerit God forbid the Princes and Fathers of the Countrey should be tearmed children whose hands their maisters must hold when they subscribe and who are drawne to giue Offices with childish delights What a misery is it to haue an Emperour which knowes not how to maintaine his fame nor what a Common-weale is who feares his Tutor and is subiect to stripes and terror and shall make them Consuls Dukes and Iudges whose liues merites ages families and actions hee doth not know which was ill for himselfe and worse for his subiects His mother Elenor sister to Iohn the second King of Arragon was depriued by the Estates of the Regency which her Father had left her Peter Duke of Coimbra caused her to bee poysoned Alphonso tooke Armes to reuenge his mothers death Peter was slaine before Lisbone with a poysoned Arrow They would haue married Alphonso to Ioane the supposed daughter of Henry the fourth King of Castille this Tragedy hath beene formerly plaid He died at Sinta being nine and forty yeares old in the yeare one thousand foure hundred eighty two and the three and fortith of his reigne and was interred in the Royall Monastery of the Battell of the order of preaching Friers After the warres betwixt him and the King of Castille and the vnfortunate voyage which he made into France hee did nothing but languish He saw himself forst to passe into France for succors Fortune could not set him in a more wretched estate for there is nothing so miserable as to see a Prince expeld his Countrey and begging Pitty is presently changed into contempt and the consideration of that which is honest doth not ouer-sway that which is profitable They may well say that kings are brethren that one royall bloud cals another that their interrests are common that Rome is his mother the Senators his fathers their children his brethren yet if the aid which he demands doth not benefit him that giues it he shall returne more discontented then he came u In great deliberations profite goes before honesty Demetrius sonne to Seleucus hauing beene giuen in hostage and bred vp from his infancy at Rome intreated the Romans to restore him to his Realme which was held by the children of Antiochus and to moue them thereunto hee called Rome his Countrey and Nurse the Senators his fathers and their children his brethren But for all this the Senate inclined to that which was most safe and profitable they assisted the children of Antiochus being weake and yong suspecting much the great courage of Demetrius who was in the flower of his age Polib Thus behold three Kings imbarked almost at one instant in the shippe of Death Death of the Dutchesse of Bourbon onely God knowes the port whereunto they are arriued hee did call at the same time the Lady Iane of France Dutchesse of Bourbon to the end that Lewis should not be grieued to leaue the world The Chronicle calles this Princesse Most noble Powerfull Holy and the example of good liuers She died in the Castle of Moulins in May 1482. She had laboured all her life to entertaine loue and friendship betwixt the King her brother and the Duke of Bourbon her Husband knowing that the concord of France and the greatnesse of her houshold depended thereon and we may ascribe vnto her the glory of the peace which was made at Ryon by the which the principall fire-brands of the great fire of the league were quenched Whereupon all they that loued quyet cast their eyes vpon those of this Princesse and held them the Pleiades of France whose sweete Influences made the Oliue-tree of peace to flourish x Princesses by whose meanes peace doth flourish are the Pleiades of Estates wherein they are allied Pliny saith that the Oliue-tree springs vnder the Influence of the Pleiades Conâ—ipiunt oleae virgiliaruÌ„ exortu haec sydus illaruÌ„ est Polybius saith that among the Grecians the Caduce and among the Barbarians the Oliue is a signe of peace friendship At the same time dyed Iohn of Bourbon the second of that name Earle of Vendosme Here amazement stayes me suddenly why in all the History of King Lewis the eleuenth Philip de Commines hath neuer made any mention of that Nursery of Caesars and of Alexanders and of that Royall branch which hath brought forth the greatest King that euer ware Crowne or Scepter He speakes of foure sonnes of Iohn the second Duke of Bourbon of Charles Cardinall of Bourbon of Peter Lord of Beaujeu of the Bishop of Liege and makes no mention of Iohn the second Earle of Vandosme who liued vnder the reigne of Charles 7 and continued vnto the end of Lewis 11. wee must not wonder if the Chronicle hath forgotten it it doth often follow toyes and leaues
Kings owne mouth Clemency Clemency This goodly Pearle is not seene in his Crowne b The vertue which rayseth Kings to heauen is Clemency Consulere patriae pâ—rcere afflictis fera Caede abstinere tempus arque ira dare Orbi quietem saeculo pacem suo Haec summa virtus petitur hac coelum via Sen. in Octau this great and royall vertue which pardons the afflicted rayseth vp them that are deiected Lewis the 11. knew not how to pardon and breakes the current of choller was vnknowne vnto him Yet neuer Prince found more occasion to winne himselfe honour but that deceitfull Maxime that a Princes iustice may alwaies and in all cases dissemble c A Prince may mingle prudence with Iustice he may bee a Doue and a Serpent with these three conditions that it be for the necessary apparant and important good of the State that it be with measure and discretion and that it be for an offence and not to offend and sow the Foxes skinne vnto the Lyons fil'd his raigne with tragicall examples of seuerity and gaue him in dying that contentment not to haue left any offence vnpunished Phillip de Commines being to liue vnder the sonnes raigne hath not written all he knew and could haue spoken vpon the fathers and yet he saies but too much to shew his rigour Hee was these are his words suspitious as all Princes bee which haue many enemies and which haue offended many as he had done Hee was not beloued of great men nor of many of the meaner sort and had charged his Subiects more then euer King had done If Commines would haue painted out a cruell Prince hee could not haue imployed other coulours then those wherewith hee sets forth his rigorous prisons his Cages of Iron and his fetters d Cardinall Balue inuentor of these Cages of Iron was lodged there with the first and continued 14. yeares Lacum fodit aperuit eum incidit in foueaÌ„ quam fecit He digged a pit and opened it and fell into the Ditch whicâ— hee had made Hee saith That they were of wood couered with plates of Iron that he had caused Germanes to make most heauy and terrible fetters for mens feete Rigorous prisons of Lewis the eleuenth and there was a ring to put vpon the legge very hard to open like vnto a choller the chaine was great and waighty with a great bullet of Iron at the end much more weighty then was fit and they were called the Kings Snares Although that punishments be the effects of Iustice and very necessary for that hee hurts the good which pardons the wicked yet it caries some shew of cruelty when as the Prince himselfe seemes more carefull thereof then he ought and that hee doth employ them as well against innocents as those that are guilty e The more rare executions bee the more profitable is the example Remedies which curemildly are to be preferred before theÌ„ which burâ—ne mutulate To affect new punishment and against accustomed manners of the Country are markes of cruelty I haue seene saith Phillip de Commines good men prisoners with fetters on their feete who afterwards came forth with great honour and receiued great fauours from him amongst others a sonne to the Lord of Gruture of Flanders taken in battell whom the King married and made his Chamberlaine and Seneschall of Anjou and gaue him a hundred Lances Also the Lord of Pieâ—â—es a prisoner in the warre and the Lord of Vergy For hee found in the end that vigour doth but distract mens minds the violent gust of the Northen wind cannot make a passenger to abandon his Cloake whereas the Sunne casting his beames by little and little doth heate him in such sort as hee will bee ready to strip himselfe into his shirit Generous horses obey the shaddow of a small Wand whereas Asses tell their paces by the number of their blowes The raigne of this Prince was wonderfull stormy they could not say of him as of Antonyn that hee had shedde no bloud f The raigne of the Emperour Antonyn was so good as Herodian called it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is to say without bloud Tristan his great Prouost who for his barbarous and seuere behauiour did as iustly as Maximin deserue the name of Sowre was so ready in the execution of his rigorous commandements as hee hath sometimes caused the innocent to bee ruined for the offendor Hee alwaies disposed this Prince rather to vse a sword to punish faults then a Bridle to keepe them from falling A more temperate Spirit would haue staid him and Princes in these stormes doe but what pleaseth them which guide the effects of their Wils A Prince is no lesse dishonoured by the multitude of executions g A multitude of executions saith Seneca breeds as bad a reputation to the Prince as a multitude of Burials to a Physitian too great rigours makes the paines contemptible augments the number of offendours and makes them to become wicked through despight then a Physitian receiues blame by the death of his Patient Claud of Seyssell could not say any thing more bitter to the memory of this Prince then that which hee writes That there were seene about the places of his abode many men hanged vpon Trees and the prisons and other houses neere full of prisoners who were often heard day and night crying out for the torments which they endured besides others which were cast into the Riuer Many great Princes haue felt the seuerity of his humours Iohn Duke of Alençon had in the end as much cause to murmurre against his iustice as hee had to commend his Clemency in the beginning of his Raigne Hee had beene condâ—mned to loose his head vnder Charles the seuenth The King restored him to his liberty and honour to make him some yeares after vndergoe the like censure h The Duke of Alençon being prisoner in the Casile of Loches was led to Paris the sixt of Iune 1473. by the Lord of Gaucort Chaletiere Steward of the Kings house with 24. Gentlemen and 50. Archers Hee caused him to bee apprehended and carried to the Towre at the Louure His Processe was made in the yeare one thousand foure hundred three score and foureteene and a Sentence pronounc't the eightenth of Iuly in these termes Sentence against the Duke of Alençon The Court hauing seene the Charges Informations and Confrontations of witnesses against Iohn of Alenâ—con his voluntary confessions the Processe and other things which were to bee seene touching the great and heynous crimes committed by him by the conspiracies practises and treaties which hee hath many and sundry times had and made with the English the ancient enemies and aduersaries of this Realme and other Rebels disobedient to the King and to the great preiudice of the King and subuersion of the publique good of the Realme forgetting through ingratitude the great grace that the King had done
him i The King going into Touraine about the end of the first yeare of his raigne found Iohn Duke of Alençon prisoner at Loches and set him at liberty infringing the conditions for the which the King had pardoned him and likewise the quality of other crimes which hee had committed Hauing also seene and considered all that was to bee seene in this party with mature deliberation It hath beene said that the Court declares the said Iohn of Alençon guilty of High Treason Crimes wherewith the Duke of Aleniçon was accused and Murther and to haue caused counterfeit Money to bee quâ—ined with the Kings stampe and Armes k Coyning of money is one of the rights of Soueraignety It is treason to make any be it good or bad Many NoblemeÌ„ in France had the priuiledge to coine but they were reuoked by an Edict made by King Francis the first and as such a one the said Court hath condemned him to receiue death and to bee executed by Iustice and with all hath declared all and euery his goods forfeited to the King the execution notwithstanding of the said Iohn of Alençon reserued vnto the Kings good pleasure The King freed him from the paine but hee left him one more tedious then that of death Ignominy and Imprisonment Hee did not also suffer René King of Sicile his Vnkle by the mothers side to liue in peace Hee commanded his Court of Parliament to make his Processe But it made him answere that hee could not bee iudged of Treason but in the Kings presence l Bodin in the fourth booke of his Common-weale the sixt Chapter saith that the Court of Parliament made this answere the twenty sixth of April one thousand foure hundred three score and fifteene It had done the like in the Duke of Alençons Processe in the time of King Charles the seuenth In the yeare 1458. Hee had the courage to withstand this brunt and as wee haue seene attended vntill that time had cured the vlcer of the Kings hatred against him The Duke of Nemours could not escape the seuerity of his Iustice the which hee had contemned by great relapses into the same faults If the Duke of Bourgundy had returned a Conquerour from the Suisses and Lorraines the King would haue beene no lesse troubled to put him to death then to set him at liberty m Captiuity is a meanes to free the soule from the tyranny of the body It is an act of çenerosity to contemne death more then to hate life Fortium virorum est magis mortem contemnere quam odisse vitam Q. Cur. lib. 5. The tediousnesse of his prison had disposed his soule to leaue that of the body without griefe to contemne death and to hate life Princes finde the offences of them they haue bound vnto them more sencible and lesse pardonable The King had erected the County of Nemours into a Dutchy Relapses of the Duke of Nemours he had pardoned him his felony of the League of the Common-weale and yet forgetting the effects of such a bond and his oath of fealty presently after the Duke of Guienne was retired into Brittany hee sent a man vnto him disguised like a Frier to offer him both his body and goods protesting to serue as hee did against the King his Soueraigne Lord. The Duke of Guiennes death forced the Duke of Nemours to flye the second time to the Kings mercy for a second pardon which the King granted him vpon an oath which hee tooke neuer to conspire against his Prince n The extract of the Processe sent to the Prouines and Parliaments shewes that this oath was taken in the presence of sixe Apostolike Notaries and sixe Royall Notaries and vpon the Crosse end Crowne of our Sauiour soone after hee assisted the Earle of Armagnac and renewed the practises and intelligences which he had with the Duke of Bourgundy All these inconstant actions weere degenerated into so many crimes which might not remaine vnpunished and which did assure him that death could not surprise him His soule was bound to resolue the same day that hee entred into resolutions which could not be otherwise expiated o Innocency may bee surprized crimes cannot for the offence and the punishment are Twinnes it is also a kinde of content to foresee which way wee must passe Iulian dying did thanke the Gods for that they had not kild him by surprize The King caused him to bee taken at Carlat and sent him prisoner to the Castle of Pierrescise which was then without the walles of Lyon A while after hee caused him to bee conducted to Paris where his Processe was made by the Court of Parliament p By an accord made betwixt King Lewis the eleuenth and Iames of Armagnac Duke of Nemours the 17. of Ianuary in the yeare 1469. the said Duke did renounce his place of Peere being content to be tryed as a priuate person if hee did faile in his obedience to the said King who did not shew that rigour but did furnish his Court with Peeres for his iudgement made at Noion the fourth of August 1477. Du Tiller The Lord of Beaujeu Earle of Clermont was President by the Kings Commission Hee confest all that hath beene formerly spoken and moreouer that hee had had intelligence with the Constable of Saint Paul to seaze vpon the King and Dauphin Confessions of the Duke of Nemours That the Duke of Bourgundy had sent him word if hee could take them hee should haue the Citty of Paris and the I le of France for his part That the Dauphin should be deliuered into the hands of Monsi r de Bresse and the King transported out of the Realme of France q The Duke of Nemours confessed more that hee had consulted and giuen credit to a Frier a Doctor of Diuinity whose bookes had beene burnt in the Bishops Hall at Paris Vpon these occasions he was condemned to loose his head at the Hales in Paris the fourth of August one thousand foure hundred three score and seuenteene Hee was a Peere of France but this quallity was omitted in his Sentence for that by an accord made the seuenteenth of Ianuary in the yeare one thousand foure hundred three score and nine hee had renounced his place of Peere and was content to bee tryed as a priuate-person in case of relapse The sentence of death was pronounced vnto him by Peter of Oriole Chancellour of France r A Prince shold alwaies keepe his word inuiolably and hold faith the foundation of Iustice. It is a great glory for a Prince when his tongue and heart agrees Mira est in principe nostromeÌ„tis linguaeque concordia noÌ„ modò humilis pâ—â—ui animi sed seruile vitium scit esse mendacium The vnion of mindle tongue is admirable in our Prince hee knowes that lying is not onely the signe of a base and abiect mind but that it is a seruile vice Hee had no refuge to his
of Chastel a He was one of the Commissioners whom the King appointed for the accusation and Imprisonment of the Cardinall of Balue one of the Architects of the league found in the end that there was no better lodging then at the kings armes His fortune was ruined in Brittany and raised in France Hee did negotiate the enter-view of the King and Duke of Bourgondy at Peronne he was imployed in the Truce of nine yeares 1475. and was aduanced to the gouernment of Rousillon The Lord of Nantoillet had for a time the authority ouer all the Armies of France Lord of Nantoillet he wanted nothing but the name of Constable for he did exercise the Functions the King hauing made him his Lieutenant Generall throughout his whole Realme and afterwards Lord Steward of France He was so fauoured as the King gaue him often the moity of his bed This fauour lasted not long The Chronicle of the Kings library saith That the King could not pardon any one of whom he had suspition Death of the Lord of Nantoillet He caused his head to be cut off in the yeare 1468. and that the Hangman hauing cut off but a peece at the first blow hee lest him force and courage enough to stand vp and to protest before heauen and the people that hee died an Innocent After that Philip de Commines had said that he had serued the king well in Paris in the warre of the Common-weale he addes In the end he was ill rewarded more by the pursuite of his enemies then by the Kings fault but neither the one nor the other can well excuse themselues Anthony of Chabannes Anthony of Chabannes Earle of Dammartin brother to Iames of Chabannes Lord Steward of France saw the ship of his fortune cast vpon the shelfe in the beginning of this Princes Reigne His good fotune drew him out of the Bastille to go to the warre of the Common-weale in the end whereof hee was made Lord Steward of France hee had the chiefe charge of the Kings Army in Guyenne and was then much fauoured by this Prince with whom hee was so inward as when hee meant to marry his second Daughter to the Duke of Orleans hee discouered his secret affections vnto him by a letter which hee did write vnto him vpon that subiect wher of the Chronicle in written hand of King Lewis the twelfth makes mention hee sent him word that whatsoeuer they said hee was resolued to giue his daughter to the yong Duke of Orleans but no man should bee troubled to nourish the Children that should bee borne of that marriage Peter of Termouille Peter of Tremouille Lord of Croan saw not his life to end with the fauours and honors hee had had of this Prince His Predecessors Guy of Tremouille and Iohn of Tremouille Lord of Ionuelle were made great in following the Duke of Bourgondies party The eldest of this house married Ioane Countesse of Boulleyn and Comminges Widow to Iohn of France Duke of Berry b K. Charles 〈…〉 yeare 1430. King Charles 7 supported George of Tremouille Lord of Craon in the quarrell which he had with the Earle of Richmont for the Lands of Thouars and Benon Peter of Tremouille defeated the troopes of the Prince of Orange before Gy in the Franch-County but hauing beene repulst from the siege of Dole hee was disgraced by Lewis the eleuenth who loued the seruices better then the seruants Hee was saith Philip de Commines a very fat man who being reasonably well content and rich retired himselfe to his house Charles of Ambois did long feele the disgrace of Peter of Chaumont his father Charles of Ambois who retired himselfe in the begining of the reigne of Lewis with the Duke of Berry c The House of 〈…〉 by the Kings Commandement in the 〈◊〉 1465. He was afterwards imployed in great affaires and continued vnto the end His brother was Bishop of Alby and then Cardinall and the greatest fauourite of Lewis the twelfth who called him M r. George Philip de Commines calleth Charles of Ambois a most Valiant Wife and Diligent Man Peter of Rohan Peter of Rohan Lord of Gy did gouerne his fortune happily amidst the waues and stormes of this Princes reigne who made him Marshall of France He was one of the foure which vndertooke the gouernment of affaires during the Kings infirmity and disability d 〈…〉 the Bishop of 〈◊〉 the Lord of Châ—umont the Marshall of Gye and the Lord of Lude gouerned the Estate for 10 or 12 dayes Hee continued this great Authority vnder the reigne of Charles the eighth for the respect whereof the Lady Anne of France Regent to the King and Wife to Peter of Bourbon offended that the Duke of Orleans attempted vpon her Authority would haue taken him prisoner by the Marshall of Gye The Duke of Orleans retired himselfe and hee that was chosen to stay him was the Instrument of his returne and made his peace with the Regent Iohn of Chalons Prince of Orange Iohn of Chalons left the Duke of Bourgondy to serue Lewis the eleuenth then hee left Lewis to serue Mary daugther to the Duke of Bourgondy This first discontentment against his first maister grew for that disputing the succession of Iohn of Chalons Prince of Orange his Grand-father e Iohn of Chalons sonne to Lewis Margaret of Vienne was married to Mary of Baussac heire of the principalitie of Orange by whom hee had Lewis surnamed the Good Lewis first maried Ioane of Montbelâ—art by whom hee had William and then hee maâ—â—ied Elenor of Armagnaâ— by whom hee had Lewis and Hugh Williaâ— was married to Katherine of 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 Iohn of Chalons was borne of whom wee now make mention against Lewis and Hughe his vncles the Duke of Bourgondy being President in his Councell when as the cause was pleaded made a Decree against him This despight drew him to the Kings seruice who promised to restore him to his lands and to giue him the gouernment of Bourgondy but when as he saw that he had but the name and that the Lord of Tremouille had the command of all the forces he returned to the seruice of the Princesse of Bourgondy and caused the whole Countrey to reuolt from the King He troubled him much and let him see that a great Prince hath no small enemies that a Hornet is able to put a Bull into fury Iohn of Esteteuille Iohn of Eâ—â—teuille Lord of Torcy gouerned his fortune amidst so many rockes and shelues vnto a safe port The King made him maister of the Cross-bowes and committed vnto him the guard of the Cardinal of Balue in the Castell of Montbason It was he that came and aduertised the King of the danger in suffering such numbers of English to enter into Amiens during the Treaty of Piquigny Philip of Creuecoeur Philip of Creuecoeur Lord of Esquerdes or Cordes Marshall of France He had great
from him for they are supernaturall and his sodaine punishments and especially against them that vse violence and cruelty Who commonly are no meane men but great Personages either by their owne absolute power or by the Princes authority When God meanes to change the fortune of a Prince Lib. 1. chap. 3. from good to bad or from prosperity to aduersity he prepares him enemies of no force suffers his seruants to become treacherous and makes him distrustfull and iealous of them that are most faithfull Example of Charles Duke of Bourgundy God giues the Prince as he meanes to punish Subiects Lib. 5. chap. 9. and to Princes Subiects and disposeth of their affections towards them as he meanes to raise or ruine them God hath not created any thing in this world Lib. 5. chap. 18. neither men nor beasts but he hath made him some thing opposite to keepe him in feare and humility God speakes no more to men neither are there any more Prophets which speake by his Mouth For his Faith is ample and plaine to all those that will heare and vnderstand it and no man shall be excused for Ignorance at least they which haue had hope and time to liue and which haue had their naturall wits The misery of Princes is when as God is so offended as hee will no longer endure them Lib. 5. chap. 18. but will shew his force and his Diuine Iustice and then he doth first of all take away their iudgements which is a great wound for them it toucheth He troubles their house and suffers them to fall into diuision and murmure The Prince fals into such indignation with God as hee flies the counsell and company of wise men and doth aduance Vp-starts Indiscreete Vnreasonable Violent men and Flatterers who applaud whatsoeuer he saith If he must impose a peny they say two If he threatens a man they say he must be hanged and in like manner of all other things And that aboue all things they cause themselues to be feared They carry themselues insolently and proudly hoping that they shall be respected and feared by this meanes as if Authority were their inheritance Princes THere is good and euill in Princes In the Prologue for they are men like vnto vs and to God onely belongs perfection When as the vertues and good conditions of a Prince are greater then his vices In the same he deserues great praise for that such personages are more inclined to all voluntary things then other men as well for their breeding and little correction they haue had in their youth as for that comming to the age of man most men seeke to please them and to applaude their humours No man should attribute any thing to himselfe Lib. 1. chap. 4. especially a great Prince but should acknowledge that grace and good fortune comes from God Great Princes are much more suspitious then other men Lib. 1. chap. 5. for the doubts and aduertisements which are giuen them and oftentimes through flattery without any necessity Princes and they which rule in great Estates should bee very carefull not to suffer any faction to grow in their house from whence this fire flies throughout the whole Prouince But this happens not but by a Diuine instigation For when as Princes or Realmes haue beene in great prosperity and wealth and haue forgotten from whence that Grace did come God hath raysed them enemies of whom no man doubted God doth a great fauour vnto a Prince when he makes him capable to winne men Lib. 1. chap. 9. and it is a signe that he is not infected with the odious vice and sinne of pride which doth purchase hatred with all men Princes and great men that are proud and will not giue eare to any Lib. 1. chap. 10. are sooner deceiued then they that are affable and heare willingly God shewes a great grace vnto a Prince Lib. 1. chap. 10. when he knowes good and euill especially when the good precedes Aduersity teacheth a Prince to be humble Lib. 1. chap. 10. and to please them that he hath need of Example of Lewis the eleuenth expelled from his fathers Court in his youth A Prince which hath entred into league with others Lib. 2. chap. 12. should dissemble many things which may breed diuision betwixt them and as he is the stronger so should hee bee more wise It is the counsell which the Lord of Contay gaue vnto the Earle of Charolois who was discontented for that the Dukes of Berry and Britany held councels in his chamber and presence diuided from him I neuer knew Prince that could discerne the difference of men Lib. 2. chap. 12. vntill he had beene in necessity and in action Princes haue sometimes need of them whom they haue contemned Example in King Lewis the 11. Edward the 4. and the Earle of Charolois Princes impart their authority to them that are most pleasing vnto them both for the age which is most sortable vnto them and for that they are well conceipted of them or sometimes they are led by them who know and gouerne their delights But they which haue vnderstanding returne soone when there is neede I haue seene Princes of two humours some so subtile and suspitious Lib. 1. chap. 16. as no man knew how to liue with them and they did still imagine that they were deceiued the others trusted enough in their seruants but they were so grosse and vnderstood their owne affaires so ill as they could not discerne who did them good or euill And these are presently changed from loue to hatred and from hatred to loue And although that of both sorts there are few found good nor any great assurance in them yet I had rather liue vnder the wise then vnder fooles For there is more meanes to purchase their fauour but with the ignorant there is no meanes to be found for that there is nothing done with them but with their seruants whom many change often Yet euery man must serue and obey them in the Countries where they are for they are bound vnto it To pardon to be bountifull or to do any other grace are things belonging to the Office of Princes A Prince or any other man that was neuer deceiued cannot be but a beast nor haue knowledge of good and euill nor what difference there is Men are not all of one complexion Lib. 1. and therefore the Prince for the lewdnesse of one or two should not forbeare to doe pleasure to many For one alone being the least of all those to whom he hath done any good may happily do such seruice as it shall recompence all the villanies which the others haue committed Example in the Hostages of Leige whom the Duke sent away free contrary to the opinion of the Lord of Contay who concluded to put them to death some made the Liegeois grow obstinate in their reuolt others were the cause of their reduction and the instruments
Disposition of Charles the 8 th 117 Dispute of the Authority of the Pope and Councell 61 Dissimulation of the Duke of Brittanie 9 E Edict to reforme Souldiers 185 Edward the fourth his death 81 Embassadours of France make Ouerture for a peace 5 Embassages ambitiously affected neuer succed happily 185. Error of learned men not to communicate 194 Estate of Lorraine 49 Estate of the Low-countries at the discretion of the Gantois 75 Estates that are popular haue alwayes some one priuat man more eminent then all the rest 2 Estates vnhappy which are forced to seeke strange Maisters 30 Example is a cleare light in doubtfull things 154 Examples of diuers disorders 114 Excesse esteems nothing but what is rare and chargeable 158 Expences ruled by occasions 176 F Fauours of Princes last not 148 Ferdinando base son to Alphonso of Arragon crowned King of Naples by Pope Pius the 2 d. 52. is ouerthrowne by Iohn Duke of Calabria Ibid. and restored by Scanderbeg 53 Flatterers pleasing to Princes 106 Florence in one hundred yeares changed estate seuen times 3 Formes of warre changed 43 France cannot bee disarmed of foot-men 40. it sends Spaine to the Indies 177 Francisco de Paulo an Hermit of admirable holinesse 105 G Garniers Oke 178 Generosity of a yong Boy of Sparta 47 God the Iudge of hearts 122 Grauity ridiculous 133 Griefe of Pope Sixtus for the peace betweene the Venetians and Ferrarois 57 H Henry the fourth the last French King his worthy commendations 143 Heralds creation 137 History should be free from loue or hatred 89 Hugonet and Imbercourt condemned to dye 15 I Iames of Luxemburg his generous answer to the King 172 Ignorance and Weaknesse feare any encounter 67 Impiety ouertaken by Iustice. 10 Ingratitude and Impiety of Adolph of Guelders 16 Inhumanity of Mahomet 45 Intelligences of the Duke of Brittanie discouered 8 Inuentions are not perfect in the beginning 44 Iudgement transported with choler is like a shippe without a Pilot. 67 Iudgements are free after death 120 Iudgement vpon the recompence of seruices 187 Iustice is the felicity of Empires 154 K Katherine of Foix Queene of Nauarre 84 Kings haue long hands and many snares to entrap their enemies 51 L Lewis counselled to make his profit of the diuision in Italy 1. He declares himselfe for the Florentines 3. Hee seeketh a peace of Maximilian 38. His designes vpon Lorraine and Prouence 48 Hetakes possession of Prouēce 54 He neglects the calling of a councell 57. His waywardnesse and melancholy 69. his visitation of his son at Ambois 70. he fals into new apprehēsions of death 95. his distrust 104. his deuotion 107. his curiosity 108. his last actions 109. he could not indure to heare of death 111. his superstition Ibid. his death 112. his children 115. his pilgrimages 122. the Latine which he would haue his sonne to learne 130. his custome at Ceremonies 134. his contempt of the markes of Maiesty 136. hee knew not how to pardon 144. his rigorus prisons 145. his feare of the reuenge of women 150. he was neither liberall nor couetous 171. his meane borrowings 175. his proper Science 185. his letters pattents wherby he gaue Armes to his base daughter 193. his great popularity 196. his delight in hunting 197. his fauorites and Contemporaries Ibid. c. Lightnesse Choler and Facility do not well become a Prince 37 Loyalty of the Earle of Vandosme 89 Loue of God and contempt of the world 106 M Magistrates should not quit their charge for any respect 153 Magnificence of the house of Burgondy 137 Magnificence of Lewis 11 th 140 Magnificence how far it extends 141. Religious Magnificence 142 Mahomet dies for griefe after the losse at Belgrade 48 Maiesty compared to Moses rod. 133 Mariages of France Sauoy 164 Mathias Coruinus his resolute answere to the Turkes Embassadors 28. his commendation 98. is chosen king of Hungary 100. his valor and conduct with other worthy acts 101. his war against the Emperour 103. his death Ib. Maxime of Machiuel 122 Miscounting in the History 74 Misery of the Duke of Brittanie 11 N Necessity of Horse-men 41 Neighbour-estates haue alwayes some disputes 38 New discipline for Souldiers Ib. Nobility of Hungary discontented 102 O Oath of the gouernment of Florence 3. an Oath should haue three conditions Truth Iudgement and Iustice. 32 Obedience is the Science of Princes 130 Obseruations of the aduantages of foot-men ouer horse-men 39 Offers of Bajazet to the King 95 Office of Heralds at Armes 137 Offices that are great should not be hereditary 138 Offices are to bee maintained if they be good 139 Oppression of the people 68 P Philip Earle of Bresse his marriages and children 165 Policie to bring an enemy into suspition of his owne people 2 Policie in England for the Titles of families 135 Popes bound to the Crowne of France 125 Pouerty of France in the time of King Iohn 176 Practise against the life of an enemy by any other meanes then by Armes is vnworthy of of a Prince 35 Predictions vpon the Life of Lewis the eleuenth 189 Presumption of Oliuer le Daine 12 Pride troden vnder foot 47 Princes rely vpon their Ministers 157 Priuiledges of the Parisians 170 R Relapse of the Kings sicknesse at Tours 69 René of Anjou his commmendation 53 Reputation grounded vpon great and eminent vertues 155 Reuenge taken by a woman 46 Rhodes besieged by Mahomet 25 S Sacke and desolation of Dole 166 Science of Treasure 179 Sentence against the Duke of Alençon 146 Sentence very rigorous 150 Sermons of sedition 126 Silence the soule of great actions 163 Simplicity of the eloquence in old time 129 Sleping for a Benefice 173 Stablishment of Posts 169 Sterrility of Suisserland 180 Suspension of Armes not alwayes necessary to make a peace 7 T Temperance wherein it consists 193. the fruits thereof 195 Treaty of peace and marriage between France Bourgondy 75 Tributes by which the meanes to make war are maintained may not be touched 42 Tristan his barbarous behauiour 145 V Valour is naturall to the French Kings 183 Vanity of iuditiary Astrology 189 Venetians contempt of the Popes fulminations 4. their Accord with the great Turke 6. They proclaime warre against the Duke of Ferrara and soone after conclude a peace with him 56 Vertue enuied for the lustre thereof 10 Vision miraculous 27 W Wisedome of the Lord Hastings 167 Witnesses of our faults and imperfections wee seldome desire to see 65. Workes of vanity and ostentation Z Zizimi reuolts against Bajazet 95. his letter to Bajazet 96. he repaireth to Rhodes and is conducted into France 97 FINIS
had suffered vnder the gouernment of the Duke of Berrie his vncle hee commanded the Dukes of Berrie and Burgondy to retire and would not haue any other prince neâ—re vnto his presence but Lewis duke of Bourbon his vncle by the mothers side and Iohn of Burbon Earle of March of V endosme whom hee loued infinitâ—y giuing a reason hereof openly That he loued those Princes for that they had neuer serued any other maister and had neuer had any ambition nor design against the state neither had they euer giuen him any occasion to complaine of them This vertue was neuer found in a great spirit but it did purchase power and affection with others Pride is barren humility fructifieth a vine spreading vpon the earth beares excellent fruit the high and straightest Cypres-trees are vnfruitfull Hee was not so bountifull of his fauours to the Lord of Beaujeu but hee was as sparing to the Duke of Bourbon his brother he had an implacable hatred against Iohn Duke of Bourbon sonne to Charles the Achilles of France This hatred was nourished with a fresh apprehension for that this Prince lamenting the disorders of the State the miseries and oppressions of the people and the bad vsage which Charles Duke of Berrie suffered had laid the first foundations of the league had left it by the Treaty of Ryon and re-entred againe into it vpon despight for that during this Treaty the Duke of Millan by the Kings commandement had ouer-run and ruined his Countrey of Beaujolois and Forrest But for that hee was a Prince of great power great courage and great credit in the heart of all France hee would not euaporate this fire of reuenge and indignation which hee had against them and considered rather what he might doe then what he should do And the Duke who was acquainted with the disposition of this King knewe well that all Princes write offences done them in brasse and the seruice which they receiue vpon sand wherefore he remained long in his Dutchy of Bourbonois and would not come to Court The King whose chiefe care was to weaken his enemies and to diuide them gaue him the gouernement of Languedoc dissembling the remembrance of things past Vpon this assurance the Duke of Bourbon shewed that hee did not breathe any thing but the Kings seruice neither had he any greater content then to yeeld him proofes equall to his affection and therefore hee followed him to Peronne and we must beleeue that without him in this voyage hee had giuen his Enemies more courage to execute those dangerous councels hauing resolued to stay him For besides the respectes of Alliance the Duke of Bourgondy respected this Prince who had the two principall partes necessary in great Captaines Valour and good Fortune l The two qualities necessary in the Generall of an Army are Valour and good fortune Duo sunt quae Claros Duces faciunt summa virtus summa foelicitas Lat. Pac. Paneg. Wee haue formerly seene that the Constable of Saint Pol did what hee could to drawe him to the Duke of Bourgondies partie Fidelity of the Duke of Burbon and to make him ioyne with the King of Englands forces and that this braue Prince made it knowne that nothing was able to shake his loialty no not if he should be reduced to the misery of Iob m An extreme oppression is no lawfull cause to arme against the Prince rebels seeke pretexes and coulors to shadow their discontents but good subiects suffer with patience although that the sincery of his actions could neuer wipe away the blemish which distrust had put in this Princes eyes yet would he not trouble the content which hee had receiued by the testimony which his conscience gaue to fidelity and vertue The King also fore-seeing that if his enemies were fortefied with his fauour and forces hee should be much troubled hee coniured him to come vnto him The Duke excused himselfe vpon a resolution which hee had taken to liue quietly in his house the which no man could enuy him hauing purchased it with incomparable toyles and crosses Hee besought the King to suffer him to rest in the port of this tranquility after so many stormes and to content himselfe with the seruice which the other Princes of his house and his Bastard the Admirall did him The King entreated and coniured him to come and to reape the same fruits in Picardy which he had sometimes receiued in Guienne n The honour of the glorious victory of Fromigny is giuen to Iohn the second Duke of Bourbon who then tooke the title of Earle of Clermont for hee charged the English with such fury as with the losse of tenne men onely hee defeated fiue thousand English and tooke 1400. prisoners to the shame and confusion of the English sending the Bishop of Mande vnto him to deliuer his requests and recommendations more confidently and to assure him that the occasion was not lesse glorious then at Fromigny The Duke being loath to faile France in so great an occasion and remembring that his predecessours had not desired a more glorious graue then to die vpon a field of battell couered with the bloud of their enemies o The Princes of the house of Bourbon who haue dyed for the seruice of the Crowne are Peter of Bourbon slaine the 19. of September 1356. at the battell of Poicters Iames and Peter his sonne at the Battell of Brignay neere vnto Lyon Lewis at the Battell of Agincourt 1415. Francis at the battell of Saint Bridget on holy Crosse day in September 1525. Iohn at the battell of Saint Laurence 1557. and Anthony at the siege of Roan 1562. and to free the King from all conceite that he had a will to giue eare vnto the Constable who did solicite him with all vehemency he deliuered the Constables letters into the Bishops hands protesting that hee would neuer carry Armes against the Kings seruice The effects did not differ from his words for seeing the Duke of Bourgundies troupes approach to enter the Country he went to horse and put them to rout The Earle of Conches was slaine there the Earle of Rousillon Marshall of Bourgundy was taken prisoner there with the Earle of Dammartins sonne and the Signiors of Longy de Lisle Digoin Ruygny Chaligny and the two sonnes of the Signior of Viteaux one of which was Earle of Ioygny Being then assured of the discent of the English and that they had passed the Sea he came vnto the King with sixe hundred horse and commanded part of his Army which was neere vnto Beauuais Matters being reduced to those tearmes that the King desired and the King of England hauing repassed the Sea he retired himselfe to Moulins to performe the last duties to his mother p The Lady Agnes of Bourgundy dyed in December 1476. Shee was wife to Charles Duke of Bourbon and mother to Iohn the second of that name Duke of Bourbon to Charles Cardinall and Arch-bishop of Lyon
Peter Lord of Beaujeu Lewis Bishop of Liege and Iames who dyed at Bruges and to the Lady Ioane of Bourbon married to the Lord of Arlay Prince of Orange and Margaret of Bourbon wife to Phillip Earle of Bresse and from that time resigned his aboade at Court vnto his brethren After the Duke of Bourgundies death hee would not bee an actor in the warre which the King beganne against his daughter and with a discourse free from all flattery a vice vnworthy of a great courage q A great courage speakes frâ—ely but without btterner or slander Fattery is the marke of seruitude and slaunder deth falsely vsâ—rpe that of liberty Adulationiâ—oedum crimen seruitutis malignitati falsa specieâ— libertatis in est Tacit. Hist. Lib. 1. hee did not dissemble his opinion saying that the King should haue giuen it a better and a more reasonable Title then a simple desire to ioyne the Low Countries to his Crowne this so free and true a iudgement did much offend the King who from that time resolued to let the Duke of Bourbon know that this last offence had renewed the feeling of the first He caused secret informations to be made against him yet doubting his courage reputation he would not haue the rigor of his iustice aime directly at him Hee beganne with his Officers and gaue commission to Iohn Auin Councellour in the Court of Parliament and to Iohn Doyac to enforme against him thinking that to free themselues from trouble they should bee forced to engage their Lord r Claude of Seyssiell saith that King Lewis the eleuenth sent vnto â—he Duke of Bourbon some of his ministers men of base condition to doe him some intollerable wrongs vnder colour of Iustice thinking for the great spirit which hee knew to be in him to prouoke him to offer some violence or to make resistance but the Duke knowing to what end all was done endured it with patience and escaped by sufferance dissembling they decreed a personall adiournement against his Chancellour his Atturny the Captaine of his Guard and many others who appeared with more confidence to defend themselues then slander had assurance to accuse them vpon their answere the Commissioners knew not what to say and the Court of Parliamen which knew well that it was a practise to trouble the Duke of Bourbon whose probity and integrity two rare qualities in that age had purchased him the surname of Good and the affections of all the people enlarged them The Chronicle saith that this proceeding was against God and Reason It was a very sencible griefe vnto him to see his loyalty called in question and his seruices contemned But hee considered all these occurrents with an open eye and a resolute brow with the a â—uantages which a good conscience gaue him and did iudge thereof with a setled spirit lamenting the bad counsell which entertained the King in his great rigours in an age which was not fit for it s Seuertty is not good in a Prince whose age is declining It is needefull to purchase loue Galba knew it well Some other would not haue forborne teares for so peircing a griefe he would haue lost his sleepe and his body should haue found no other rest but that which disquietnesse brings by the agition of the mind but afflictions which assaile good men do them no other harme but burne the bonds which hinder them to lift their hands with their hearts vp to heauen They blesse the name of God in the midst of flames Imprisonment doth not depriue him which suffreth for iustice of the sweetnesse of a profound sleepe His rest is so sound as the Angell of the Lord which comes to deliuer him must awake him It is now time that Lewis go the way which these great Kings haue traced vnto him There wants nothing but this peece to the triumphant Charriot of death and hee could not desire better company then of these three Kings his neere kinsmen who were there already t Hauing passed through all the charges of life we must not refuse that of death Seneca said to him that was loath to leaue the charges and offices wich he had exercised in his life time Quid tu nescis vâ—um esse ex vitae officijs mori Dost thou not know that to die is also one of the duties of life Sen. Epist. 77. he had passed by all the offices of life there remained nothing but the last but it is the most difficult and would bee lesse if he had thought on it in time if going by the way of life he had thought of the lodging of death those feares which hold him in worse estate then death it selfe should be dispersed Accidents foreseene a farre off considered without amazement and attended with resolution do not trouble the minde like vnto those which surprise it His thoughts were ingaged in so many mortall and perishable things as he had small care of Immortall and yet these went before him and attended on him and the others followed after him and abandoned him He hath busyed himselfe to gather vp Attlantas Apples and hath so much the more hindred the fruite and prise of his course In the way of health he that staies retires and hee that retires looseth himselfe and goes astray There are three sorts of men whom God loues not they that stay they that turne backe and they that wander Wee must giue courage to the first call on the second and direct the others Lewis found himselfe to be in so difficult a passage as he had need to be encouraged Lewis fals into new apprehensions of death supported and directed u It is a sweete consolation to a Princes minde among the trances and feares which are found in the passage of life and death when hee hath not to doe with any but himselfe that all his enterprises are ended and that he may say I die content hee could not but murmurre against the Law of Nature which did not suffer him to glut himselfe with the pleasures of life But to haue content of the rest at the point of death hee must make prouision thereof throughout the whole course of his life That word I dye content is not alwaies found in the mouth nor proceeds not from the heart of Princes who haue had so much paine to content theÌ„selues in whose liues as in those of other men we finde Vanity weakenesse inconstancy and misery The great oppositions which Lewis makes against the decree of death shew that he is not yet content with the fruits of life He complaines that he hath discouered the Port and desires to thrust himselfe againe into the violent waues of the world He thought that a little more life would haue made him reape the fruites of so many designes which hee had sowne in diuers places and did grieue that death would not suffer him to see that ended which he had begunne Yet it is a very remarkeable thing