de Foix her Cosin brother in lawe to Charles the first K. of Nauarre and left her there fearing least the Earle of Armignac who had taken from her the Earledome of Comminges should take her to wife to the end he might make himselfe a peaceable Lord and went her selfe to abide with her Vnckle the Earle of Durgel in Arragon but her daughter was married vnto Iohn Duke of Berrie widower of Ioane of Armignac dying notwithstanding without issue succeeded vnto her in the Counties of Bologne Anuergne Mary of Bologne her Cosin germane who was married to the Lord de la Tour and of Montgascon father to Bertrant de la Tour and Gabrielle wife of Lewis de Bourbon first Earle of Montpensier great Grandfather to the Duke liuing Afterwards came Magdalaine wife to Laurence of Medices ancestors to Catherine of Medices Q. Mother to the K. liuing at this present day About this time the Landgraue being come into Fraunce 1533. got of the K. a masse of mony to cōtinue the amitie which he carried vnto the Princes of Germany vpon the morgage of the Countye of Montbelliard in the name of Vlrich D. of Witemberge his Cosin by the league of Suaube expelled his Duchie giuen by the same League to the Emperour who since gaue it to Ferdinand in partage vpon condition that if he were not repaied within three yeares the County should remain vnto him he had besides other monie of his liberalitie and with that hee leuied men and recouered the Countrie and placed against his Cosin in May 1534. Afterwards paide the first monye back gratified with an ouerplus vpon this Clement 7. who at the marriage of his Niece to pleasure the K. had made Cardinals Odet de Chastillon Philip de Bologne Claude de Guiry and Iohn le Venier B. of Liseux hauing runne sundry fortunes died in the end of September 1534. Paul Ferneze succeeding him who presently made Cardinalles Alexander sonne to Pierre Louis his base sonne and Ascanio sonne of Catherine his base daughter As the doctrin of Luther profited in Germany Flanders England Italy cuntries adioyning Fraunce felt it no lesse rather it seemed to increase by the greatnes of persecutions which might be seene by the hotte persecutions in the yeare 1534. for searches and informations were no sooner made of the prisonners but they were as speedily burned quicke tyed to a stake after swinged into the ayre were let fall into the fire and so by a pullise pulled vp and downe vntill a man might see them all roasted and scorched by a small fire without complayning not able to speak by reason that they had taken out their tongue and gagged Afterwards the K. to the ende that might not be a meanes of diminishing of the Princes of the Empire their amitye towards him and to turne away the wrath of God which hee feared would fall vpon his Realme for the opinion of these people made a solemne and generall procession to be made at Paris where the relique of Saint Geneuiefe patrones of the Parisians descended which happeneth but rarely In the meane time hee excused himselfe towards the Protestant Princes by his Embassadour assuring them that he made them to be punished for their sedition not for their faith to conferre whereof hee prayed them to send some of their diuines to meete with his for as hee saide Pope Leo had himselfe heretofore tolde him that he must needes acknowledge many light ceremonies and humane traditions which were fit to be changed in time afterwards Guillaume du Bellay called de Langeay his Embassadour about them being assembled 1535. at Smalcade seeing that he could not conclude a generall alliance with them for they euer excepted the Empire and the Emperour returned without doing ought after hauing exhorted them in the Kings name not to receiue Mantoue for the place of Councell which the Pope promised nor any other place without aduise of the K. of Fraunce and England who would doe nothing the one without the other Louis 12. K. of Fraunce said he by his Embassador in time past maintained that it did not appertain to Pope Iuly to publish a councell without consent of the Emperor and christian Princes and because the K. of Nauarre was of the same opinion Iuly excommunicated him and vnder this title Ferdinande K. of Spaine seased of the Kingdome of Nauarre the K. of Fraunce is at this present of the same opinion that he can alow of no councell but in a sure place not suspitious where it may be lawfull for euery man to deliuer his minde Edward Foxe B. of Hereford Embassador for the K. of England spake much more affectionately and shewed that his maister greatly affected the same doctrine which he had already in a great part established within his Realme for which the protestant Princes humbly thanked thē praying that they would no more suffer such as were of like faith as they to be persecuted After the 12. of December 1535. by a decree made at Smalcade on Christmas euen they renewed for ten yeares their alliance which expired at the end of that yeare and deliberating among the rest of prouision and munitions it was there concluded that they would all receiue the confession of Ausbourgh and be content to runne the same race among other there were the Princes of Pomerany Vlrich of Witemberg Robert of Bauiere he of Deuxponts the Citties of Ausbourg Franckeforde Campodum Hambourg and Hanobry with many more who ioyned themselues at Franckford in April 1536. and after Guillaume de Nassaw and albeit that the Landgraue did not accord with them there in respect of their claim which was made to the signory of Hesse yet he promised that if there should be any outrage for the profession of the Gospel he would not abandon them whatsoeuer ensued theron In the end of March 1538. Christian K. of Denmarck and Iohn Marquesse of Brandebourg brother to the Elector were both receued therin Now for so much as Helde who had bene sent from the Emperour to the Germane Princes to bring them to agree to such a Councell as the Pope had assigned and therein to resolue vpon all their differentes in religion c. could gaine nothing charging them euery way if they refused so reasonable conditions of Peace hee framed a League of which he saide the Emperor King Ferdinande were the authors the associates to be the Archbishops of Mayence and of Salisbourg Guillaume Louis of Bauiere George of Saxe Eric Henry of Brunswich that it was cōcluded vpon at Noremberg vpon cōdition that if any were troubled for the ancient religion succour should be ready at hand and to endure for 12 years vnder the name of the holy League as made for the glory of God and defence of the Church Afterwards 1539. the 19. of Aprill at Francforte the peace of Germany was accorded vpon such conditions the Emperour graunteth to the confederates of the confession of
be K. of Romans was proposed by the Emperour and couragiously refused by the Duke of Saxe who died about the 13. of August 1532. and other Protestantes in fauour of whom the King of Fraunce had already consigned one hundred thousand crownes But in the end of Iune 1534. by accord made betweene Ferdinand and the sonne of Frederic late departed it was said among other things that he should acknowledge him for K. of Romanes without preiudice to come to the Electors and that within two moneths the Emperour should ratifie the succession of Frederic as well to the goods of his Father as his Grandfather and should confirme the mariage passed with the Duke of Cleues In summe the endeuourers of peace the Bishop of Maience and elector Palatin preuailed so farre and the Turkes comming into Austria more that the Emperour to haue succour of all handes in the beginning of Iune 1532. at a day helde at Noremberg confirmed a generall peace throughout all Germany with forbidding any should be troubled for Religion vntill a Councell or if that helde not vntill the Estates had found meanes to appease that difference vpon greeuous paines to the breakers thereof and promised himselfe would be a meanes to the Pope that a Councell should be published within sixe moneths to begin one yeare after or if the Councell should not holde aduice should be taken in the imperiall daies to resolue the whole to which the protestants promised to doe all dutie against the Turke Concluded the 23. of Ianuarie and ratified the second of August by the Emperour and afterwards published the Emperour holding a day at Ratisbone Since the Emperour being returned from Vienne in Austria went into Italye where he assured himselfe of Clement the 7. from thence passed into Spaine Afterward Clement at the request of King Frauncis came from Genes to Marseilles in the Automne 1533. Where to confirme a reciprocall and euerlasting amitie hee gaue Katherine his Neece to Henry Duke of Orleans being 15. yeares of age a mariage no lesse coueted of the one side then the other True it is that Clement would neuer assure himselfe throughly thereof vntill he saw them in bed togither The K. in like sorte notwithstanding any offers and assurances which the Emperor other Princes offered vnto the Pope so as he would not perseuere therein tooke no rest vntill it was accomplished as well for the dignitie and singular recommendation of that race and the hope which his affaires might breede in Italye as contrariwse that the Emperour might soone enough thereby be impayred Now to the ende that such as willinglye suffer themselues to bee commaunded by their passions or in like sorte iudge euery thing according to the reporte and opinion of others may haue the truth deliuered of what they ought to beleeue of the house of Medices The race hath appeared very great highlye renowned and most honourable as well among the Christians as many of contrary faith be it that you looke into the Fathers stocke an Italian or the Mothers a French for the first being endewed with the vertues of charitie and discreete liberalitie either publique or priuate for the foundation of her greatnes a man would iudge the pollitique gouernement of the Medices in Florence much more worthy of praise then the raigne of a number of other christian Princes their power credit increased by Iohn de Medices named of Bicci contrary to the Nobles who sought cleane to ruine the whole estate of the towne so as hauing beene preferred to all their dignities and estates without euer suing for any one peaceable and succourable to all hee dyed most rich and wealthye freended of euery man leauing as well for heire of his vertues as his fortune Cosme surnamed the great in respect he was the most famous personage not bearing arms which euer was seene or read of in any discourse remarqued aboue all his vertues for his magnificent liberalitie from whence all men reaped profit and aduancement in their affaires euen so farre as he made search to helpe any of the Nobles or other which he knew stoode in any wante to releeue their disseanes so as when hee was dead the names of al his fellow Citizens were found in an inuertour which Pierre his sonne tooke of his goods carrying the tytle of Father of the Countrie which the Tuscanes caused to be engrauen vpon his Tombe And albeit the life of Pierre and his vertue was much more short thē was expected he left behinde him notwithstanding Laurence and Iulian of Medices so renowned in their time that hee being traiterously murthered by his enemies leauing a Posthumus named Clement the seauenth the Prince of the Turkes would not fayle but with speede enough send Bernard Baudin the murtherer to Laurence to vse him at his pleasure so much had he their honour in recommendation But so greatly were his graces recommended through Italy that euen as hee liuing they balanced his vertue in counterweight of the vices of the Christian Potentates for maintaining of whole Italye and all the Princes adioyning in peace so hee being departed all the Lordes of Italye before rayned with the brydle of his wise councelles tooke such a libertye to their free passions that Charles the eight drawne in by the Duke of Milan against the King of Aragon for the conquest of Naples and as soone the rest of the Potentates banding against him and since among themselues Italye neuer had from that time other occasion then to mourne the losse of his presence whome they knewe not sufficiently enough to honor considering the greatnes of his deserts hee lefte behinde him Pierre Iulian and Iohn which was Leo the tenth So as Iulian being departed without issue his goods and credite descended to Pierre though chased out of Florence he was after drowned at the mouth of Gariglan leauing for his heire Laurence of Medices whome Pope Leo and Frauncis the first married to Madame Magdalaine of the house of Bologne in Anuergne predecessors to the Q. Mother who in steade of the Countie of Bologne enioyed the County of Lauraguez in Lāguedoc for so much as Lewis 11. would needs haue the County of Bologne in exchange for Lauraguez at the hands of Bertrande Earle of Anuergne great Grandfather to the saide Queen See now the race on the mother side deriued from Robert the last of that name Earle of Bologne and Anuergne whose ancestors helde ranke about the Kings before the Constables Chancelors great Chamberlaynes or other officers of the crowne who left Guillaume and Iohn his heires the firste had onely Iodhe maried to Philip Duke of Burgundie and in her second marriage to Iohn K. of Fraunce to whome by will deceasing without issue she lefte the Duchie of Burgundie And so the Counties of Bologne and Anuergne came to Iohn her Vnckle who had Iohn which married Eleonor of Comminges of whom he had Ioane whom she brought to the Castle of Ortais to Guston
as well of life as goods which would ensue so cowardlye a resolution would make no other answere but that if the French did assaile him before they would dispatch him behinde In summe seeing them the farre stronger and notable but to curse his life and detest his ill happe hee set a French Gentleman at libertie to be a witnesse of his dutie Afterwardes being retyred with salte teares into his Chamber Strinchant made a Trumpeter goe vpon the side of the trenches to demaund a parle of the Constable which being graunted Strinchant went out hoping of some aduantagious capitulation which could be no other then that of D'anuille so the Earle hauing learnedly and eloquently as hee was very well studied in learning with the knowledge whereof hee honoured the profession of armes bewailed his miserie vnto the Constable was with the rest of the cheefe caried to Paris A notable example said some of the French for all such as reposing themselues in any prosperitie passed or in the merite of their owne valour consider not that the dutie of a Captaine is so inseparably ioyned to theirs which obey him that hee ought to stand no lesse assured and before the blowe come prouide for the same as well as his owne except hee would fall into the like inconuenience that this Earle did All the goods of Yuoy which were very great were giuen vnto the Constable who distributed the greatest parte vnto his owne companye and his sonnes Montmorency at which the olde bands openlye mutined and after that began to breake themselues and to quit their Ensignes So the Towne being rendred vp the three and twentith day of Iune receaued Blaineau afterwards Haucourt for Gouernour Mommedy which rendred it selfe life and Iewels saued had the Captain Baron a Parisian a yong Souldier but olde enough in warlike experience with a hundred horse and three Ensignes D'anuille Yuoy Mommedy Luxembourg and the most parte of the Duchie had beene before taken by Charles D. of Orleans third sonne to Frauncis the first and after rendred againe by an agreement betweene the King and the Emperour but they were not then in so good state D'anuille was as then but a little borough Towne and since all burned and after reedified according to the fortifications at this day with Bulwarkes Bastions and platformes of defence the rampires large and high and of good holde the whole newe repayred with walles of good stuffe Yuoy was strong and not taken by assaulte neither was there any reasonable breache made to enforce it but the Captaine Guelphe hauing inuented and himselfe made a great quantity of Mortier peeces which shot exceeding great bullets from the hyll downe so greatly astonished them that Gilles de Leuant cheefe for the Emperour yeelded himselfe life and iewels saued with some artillerie During the siege of Yuoy the Marshall of Sedan heire to the house of La March besought the King that hee would helpe him to recouer his Duchie of Bouillon which hee saide the Emperour vniustly detained from him at the perswasion of the B. of Liedge who gaue vnto him 4000. men and fiue peeces of artillerie wherewith he battered the castle of Bouillon which was seated vpon a high and steepe rocke going out of a mountaine from which it was seperate by a brode ditch and deepe of an hundred and fiftie pace in diameter made by chisell hammer with long trauell in the plaine and circumference whereof the better parte of the Castle is hewen out within the maine Rocke with like workemanship almost in forme of Ouall hauing on the dich side a platforme so high as it almost ouertoppeth one of the Mountains at the foote whereof is a forme of Casemate well perced to keepe it from any aproches on the other end is the Portall which goeth out of euerye side fifteene foote with lightes to keepe the flankers and which serue for the platforme within it is a core of antient building in forme of a square Pauillion couered with slate which vnderneath hath his sellers vauted within the very rock with an excellent good Well of fourescore fadomme the Castle is perced to so good purpose that a Chicken cannot peepe vp in any place but it will be discouered furnished with artillerie and all other prouisions for a long season receiuing but one way vnto it and that very narrow and painefull the borough is vnderneath in time past a faire towne but so torne asunder by the warres that it remaineth almost vnhabited Semoy which commeth towards Mommedy runneth there with a mighty fall of streame especially when it swelleth by reason of the Winter raines and snowes on the one side it is shadowed with another Mountaine full of woods and craggie rockes so sharpe that it is almost vnpossible to dwell there not to hurte the Castle on that side not able to bring any Cannon the rest of the places are very lowe vallies and dangerous The Marshall notwithstanding to make his troupes appeare greater then indeede they were made his companies to passe and repasse many times in one selfe same place to make it be thought that the whole French armye was there assembled afterwardes hee planted his peeces vpon the Mountaine but so vneasily as they were faine to binde them hard with great and huge Cables for feare of tumbling downe from whence there was not aboue six volleis shotte hauing onely a little scratte the toppe of the wall with small apparance of any breache when as the Captaine Bastard of the house of Haurion very ancient in that Countrie besought a Parley and obtained pardon so as if hee had no succour within three dayes hee should yeelde vp the place life and goods saued the artillerie and other munitions there reserued and his sonne in hostage The three dayes being expired he departed with his Liegers the Marshal confessing that he had vndertaken this conquest at an aduenture Likewise the Captaine had his hed afterwardes strooke of for his so good seruice Bouillon was yeelded vp the very last day of thirtie yeares that the Duchie had beene out of the handes of the right heires and afterwardes the Marshall easilye recouered all the appendances and hauing lefte there Des Auelles with a good Garrison hee returned to thank the King for this so great a benefite vpon this the army drawing towardes Cinets and de Lumes being dead the Castle of Lumes was deliuered vp to Vielle-uille Lieutenant to the Marshall S. Andre by Merembarque who kept the same for the imperials the fortes whereof were vndermined and throwne downe no more remaining but the dungeon which the King gaue with parte of the confiscation of this rebellious vassale to the D. of Neuers and Earle of Retel and the rest to De Conflant a French gentleman who had married the Neece true heire of the Lord the Castle is at the foote of a Mountaine where the riuer of Meuse runneth by it and on the other side a faire Medowe
hee was not ignorant of permitted not that one should disfurnish a place of guarde chiefely of such importance of Metz of victuals and prouisions whereof it should be furnished to distribute them to a Campe which might be master of the field and follow any other way or Country as towards Sallines a most fertile Countrie wherin he should not onely finde all commodities but in eating and consuming thereof he should the more disaduantage the enemye in not being able to recouer the like there At which seeming to content himselfe he demanded some guide which knew the Country and might conduct him and lead him thither whereto was ordained by the Duke of Guise and expressely sent from Metz one Gaspard de Hus a natiue Gentleman of Metz notwithstanding in very short space he changed his minde for insteed of taking the waye towardes Sallines hee came the more neerer within one legue to Metz and encamped in a place called Aey where he made some stay vsing all the scales which he could imagine for vnder colour to gaine the good grace of the Emperour by some remarqueable seruice entising the Duke of Guise to giue him some trauerses or to trouble him by some disorder had not the Prudence of that Prince bene so great as to foresee and remedy the same Then hauing by diuers remoues trauersed all that Countrie and being turned towards Treues to fetche there a number of Souldiers which he had left there he came downe to Pont Camouson neuer hauing for al that resolued any thing with the B. of Bayonne either of his own appointment or pay of his people albeit that the King had againe sent back Lonsac vnto him for the very same cause notwithstanding he could conclude vpon nothing with him training alwaies the effect in diuersitie of demaundes coloured with faire wordes whereon it was a very vneasie matter to laye any foundation and therefore they entred into the greater suspition of him so as the first mistrust began to encrease more then before wherefore with as much speed as might be the King who hauing knowne the Emperours intents and preparatiues had alreadye caused all his Garrisons bandes and arriere bandes and other new companies to repaire vnto Champagne made his Campe to assemble at S. Michel a little towne of Lorraine vpon the riuer of Meuse sixe leagues on the side of Pont Camouson as farre from Verdun and ten long ones from Metz whether likewise repaired the Constable the D. of Neuers the Earle of Anguien the Prince of Conde the Earle of Aumale the Vice-count of Rohan the Marshall S. Andre Chastillon generall of the French Fanterie the Earle of Villars Bourdillon then ordained Marshall of the Campe the Earle Reingraue and Reiroc with their Regimentes of Lansquenets and sundrye other great Lords and Captains As touching the Imperiall armie it was altogether readie and grew great by view of the eye hauing so farre already marched as being arriued at Deuxponts it extended it selfe throughout all the Countrie of Vaulges in sorte that it was very requisite to lodge and cause to enter into Metz all such succours as well of men of artillerie and other munition as had beene determined to be sent thether and therefore the most commodiously that hee was able the Constable sent from Saint Michael the companies of horse and foote which were ordained to this purpose vnder the charge and conduct of Horace Farneze Duke of Castres carrying with him a number of pioners and store of pouder for the better strengthning of the towne though not in so great quantitie for all that as the Constable could haue wished and as hee had done without the feare he had of the Marquesse who was alwayes at Pont Camouson his men being ouer the plaine Country round about giuen to all insolencies of warre pilling leauing not ought but what they made no account of or could not carrie or beare away The which was found very strange and greatly augmented the distrust which might be had of him Notwithstanding to bring him to some reason they sent vnto him the Duke of Aumalle de Chastillon and the Earle of Reingraue to praye him to cause his people to leaue of their wasting and spoiling of the Countrie and finally to resolue with him the last accord of his appointment and paye of men Then they soone inough discouered what had bin before conceiued of him but as it were in a cloud rendering so ambiguous haughtie an answere with a spitefull and malecontent iesture that he demanded almost the moitie of a kings ransome for appointment And as touching the order of his mens liuing hee shewed that he had alreadie setled his affaires answering in the end with an assured resolution that he was a friend to the king and an allie to the house of Lorrain but hee meant that his souldiers should haue wherewithall to liue and take it where they could find it in case of refusall he was resolued what he had to do and whether to retire himselfe yea so far as refusing to receiue such monie as the Constable had sent vnto him Whereby they well perceiued how he was reconciled to the Emperor by the practise of some Who perceiuing that he was out of his reach for doing him any harme and that he had himselfe great need of people pardoned him all his faults and forbad that any should make his processe in respect of the war passed ratified the contracts made with the B. of Bamberg and Wicibourg released him of going to the war in Hungary yea so farre as to agree with him the more he pardoned the Earles of Itigen both father and son Albert de Mansfeld and his children Now the Emperor lying sicke of his gouts and as well for this cause as for the importunitie of the time his armie soiourning in the countye of Vaulges with as great dilligence as was possible they placed againe the French army at S. Michel strengthned it as well with the French Fanterie Germans Zuizers to the number neere hand of 30000. footmen and betweene seuen and eight thousand horse wherefore the French began to hope better than euer so as the aduise of some was to charge vpon the Marques whilest that the greater armie of the enemie was so far of the meanes were the gallantnes of the French armie the discontentment of the Marquesses people not able besides to make anie retrait into anie place wherein they should not be pursued as enemies for their insolencies passed present to come Other preuailed in councell which perswaded that it would be better to goe more couertly to worke and vnderhand to withdraw the better part of his captains souldiers by meanes of such Germanes as were alreadie come to the kings seruice with assurance of redie paie good intertainment to come Which was so wel handled that with a great mutiny hapned between themselues the colonell Reif-berg with his regiment accepted from thence forward
to me poore Crookebacke and at the instant drawing out his dagger hee stabbed himselfe so farre into the bodye as hee fell downe starke dead which being knowne to his Father hee maruelouslye mourned and notwithstanding he spared not to sease of all his goods which caused a great tumulte in Mustapha his Campe but it was nothing in respect of that they did after they vnderstoode of his death In such sorte as Solyman with great daunger of his life was constrained to banishe Rostan and depriue him of all honors and dignities This death fell out very fortunatelye for the Christians to whome Mustapha was a sore enemye and tooke singular pleasure in shedding of their blood it was likewise taken so greeuouslye of the Turkes that from thence forth this prouerbe is growne among them Gietti Sultan Mustapha all is ended since that hee is dead all is done whatsoeuer we thought of for they imagined in their own fancie that it was he which should enlarge the bounds of their Empire in another manner of sorte then euer did his Ancestors which they could not expect at the handes of any other Let vs handle againe the siege of Teroene The Emperour lying at Bruxelles and being promptlye aduertised of the taking of Teroene conceaued a verye great pleasure thereat sweetening by the happe of this good fortune the bitternesse of his former disgraces so as throughout all the Countryes of Flaunders Arthois and Henaute were seene great bonfyers Afterwards he commanded that it should be razed and throwne down to the very foundations to the end nought might rest but the place where it might be sayd Teroene had beene Afterwardes hee sent the Prince of Piemont his Nephewe Lieutenant generall in his armye to quenche a sedition and a certaine enuye which the Princes and great Lordes bare to Binecourt a worthy Cheefe of these troupes But such is the malice among men that it was neuer nor euer shall bee but that enuye will bee among equalles albeit that often tymes it maye lye dissembled The King vnderstoode of these sorrowfull newes as soone as the Emperour which at the instant seemed as strange vnto him as any thing which they could haue made reporte of considering how hee had before receiued an entire contentment of that furious assaulte which the French had so resolutely sustained but being certified by diuers reportes how all the matter was handled hee was greatlye greeued at the taking thereof and much more bewayled his men which he thought to be in a farre greater number dead then afterwardes it was found to be Now albeit that among the French the plainte was great and the losse very preiudiciall yet necessitye the inuentresse and mistresse of all Artes sharpning the wits of men to assay strange things stirred vp the Kings spirit in a sorte ioynte with the sorrowe and greefe of the losse so that being aduertised how his enemies shortlye after this ruyne took their way and prepared themselues to come and do as much at Hedin he made ready all preparatiues to fortifie the same with men and all thinges fitting to staye them shorte or at the least vntill such a time as hee imagined his armye coulde be in a readines to the end to raise the siege and driue them into their owne Countrie Now the D. of Bouillon Marshall of France desirous more and more to perseuer in the K. seruice had long time before vndertaken the defence of this Castle to which would needes accompany him Horace Farneze D. of Chastres and the Earle of Villars with a great number of other Lords Gentlemen and good Souldiers who to make proofe of their courage of their own accord presented themselues to this seruice albeit that the K. stoode in some doubt of the force and validitie of that place and had no affection at all to expose thither such personages of such authoritie they notwithstanding preferring an immortall renowne before their goods or liues went to enclose themselues within this forte to this verye ende were dispatched couriers and commandements to the Captaines of the men of warre to haue in readines all their companies and as soone as it were possible to cause them to march and to render themselues neere Amyens where the Constable was hoping to assemble together there the Kings army commissions were distributed to the Captaines of the Fanterie to make their leuies as soone as they were able and to those of the olde Ensignes and entertained companies to furnish them compleate and wel armed to conduct them surely and without plaints vnto the Rendeuous there was also proclaimed throughout all the Realme that the Rirebands according to their dutie and the Kings ordinance should forthwith march and furnish themselues to the same place afterwards they aduertised and besought the Zuizer cantons of the French league to send to their succour a certaine number of footemen of their nation the best armed and compleate that they could according to the agreement between the Kings of Fraunce and them The King in summe caused great diligence to be made and commaunded that all thinges should be prouided for the putting of his power into the fielde where his enemies being aduertised and well assured that if they did not imploy that small time which they could get within which the Kinges army might be made readye so to purpose as they might enforce Hedin hardly they should attaine to the cheefe of their enterprise or retire without a battaile or other peiudiciall accident they aduaunced with such diligence their affaires that the Towne being voide of inhabitants who were fled and retired into France with whatsoeuer they could carry away of their goods was in very short time taken by them in respect it was not much defended by Souldiers who shutte vp themselues within the Castle esteeming it impregnable There they planted on the one side one of their batteries and the other towards the parke and the greatest of all by the Towre Robin where the French had already made theirs but notwithstanding any resistance which they within besieged were able to make they were not able to diuerte them This Castle being little which in al could contain but 2000. men and that hardly hauing in times past beene builded by the Dukes of Burgondie onely for the pleasure of hunting not to fortifie it in any sort so not loosing one sole hower by day or night to batter it so furiouslye as was possible they trauailed not onelye to throwe it downe by their artillerie but vndermined it so diuerslye and in so many places that it was impossible that a Cony berry could haue more holes and hollowes vnder the ground then were vnder the foundations of this castle all the countermines secrets within being known practised by many of the enemies the place besides being very subiect to this imperfection Now the enemies had already battered and digged downe the greatest parte of the parapette and rampire of the great breach
matter vntill about the 13. of that moneth when hauing had aduertisements how the Constable had caused 4. ensignes of the French fanterie and 2. companies of light horse to passe ouer the riuer of Some they determined with 4. regiments of their caualery to surprise and defeate them so readilye that as they would haue executed the enterprise before that those which were about Amiens should be aduertised thereof it fortuned that the Constable had addressed the same day another party to go visit them as farre as their owne Campe Paul Baptista hauing commission to passe the riuer with 50. horse to attacke the skirmish and draw thē to fight the D. of Neuers remaining in ambuscade with 3. companies of light horse in a wood vpon the banke of the riuer of Authia who finding himselfe at any time to be ouermatched had Sansac to rescue him who was behinde half a league of with 5. other light cōpanies the Prince of Conde was a quarter of a league on the right hand of him with 3. light cōpanies likewise the Marshall of S. Andre with 500. men at armes a mile farther behinde towards the campe the constable being halfe way between al his companies and the riuer accompanied with 4000. horse as wel of companies as Rirebands and 20. ensignes of Fanterie half French and halfe Lansknets and 4. feelde peeces but easing the French of the paines to goe seeke them out they approched neere the Marshall S. Andre hauing lefte all their light Caualerie behinde them so as three hundred horsecouriers rushed euen vpon the Constable without discouering any of the ambuscades Hereupon Sansac his light Cauallerie began the skirmish neerest to the Marshals ambuscade where the French were borne downe and rudelye put backe euen to the hindermost man so as they tooke two prisoners who tolde them that the Constable was not aboue a quarter of a league of with all his forces the which caused them to hasten to giue the charge vpon the companies of the D. of Vendosme and of Sansac who at the same instant was couered and charged by an other thousand horse and vpon this medley the Marshall began to march with a great trot right towardes them which quicklye stayed them and by and by they discouered the Prince of Conde in set battaile galloping to ioyne vpon them whom as soone as they saw they put themselues in such disarray as being recharged onely with fiftie helmets they were put to flight for the Prince of Conde so roughly set vpon them as he and his company pursued them a long League where were slaine of theirs betweene 7. and 8. hundred men among whome there was found of renowne the Earle D'espinoy and other great Lordes of the low Countries seauen as well Ensignes as Guidons gained neere 500. prisonners in number among whom the D. of Ascot was found On the French part for men of reputation the sonne of Canaples and of La Roche Guion and the Guidon of Sansac remained there prisonners with some other souldiers especially of the light cauallery not any great number either taken or slaine This reencounter so happily executed greatly quailed the courage of the imperials who since did no matter of importance for incontinentlye after they departed from Beauquesne where they were encamped so as hauing razed the towre and the forte they came by great iournyes as farre as Ancre Miraumont within 4. leagues of Peronne French lands where hauing put to the fire and lodged ten Ensignes of their brauest men within Bapaulme thinking that according to the common brute the first fury of the French would be there discharged without making any longer stay the body of their army retyred towards Arras which was not as then very great or puissant for many of them especially of the borderers of Artois and Henaulte retired to their owne houses to gather together the best of their goods and enclose it within strong townes or hide it in sure and secret places knowing that the Kings armie was all compleate and was to put into the fielde within a fewe dayes the which in the end of August was assembled to gether neere to Corbie and the first of September the Ensignes of Fraunce were displaied about the little towne with a mighty great number of men the which the K. would needs see vpon a little mount especially the Zuizers now they set their battailes in such ordinance as they caried the prise ouer many nations a thing which maruelously was agreeable pleasing vnto him The Constable being generall of the army and the first cheefe in the auantgarde was accompanied with the Princes Dukes of Vendosme Neuers Anguien Montpēsier and the Admirall each one of these Princes hauing a regiment of men at armes which is of 200. men at arms and ouer which they cōmanded 49. ensignes of French sundry making vp the number between 15. 16000. men of whom Chastillon Admirall of France was generall the Earle Reingraue colonell of the Lanseknets with Reisberg had 4. regiments which are 20. ensignes making the nūber between 10. 12000. men foure Ensignes of Scottes and two of English amounting betweene twelue and fifteene hundred men Sansac was the principall chiefe of the light Cauallerie neere to two thousand horse comprehending therein three or foure hundred English men braue men and well skilled in this occupation The nobles and rierbandes were compleat verie neere three thousand horse whereof La Iaille was generall there were few of the particular companies of harguebuziers on horsebacke for that the King had a little before made an ordinance therupon to euery Captaine of one hundred men at armes to leauie fiftie harquebuziers on horsebacke armed with corslets murrions vanbraces or sleeues of maile with an handgunne or harquebuze or a firelocke or cocke within a case of well tanned leather mounted vppon good curtailes and vnto euerie one of fiftie fiue and twentie in like equipage conducted by a man at arms of the greatest experience especially to that end to be chosen out of their own companie all which made wel vp the number of twelue or fifteen hundred A thing well inuented and by good counsell to assist a man at armes in anie narrow or vneaeasie place and which gaue great countenance and grace to the armie in beeing the first before the companyes together with the diuersitie of theyr apparell In this battell was king Henrie neere vnto him the Prince of Ferrara the Duke of Guise the prince of La Roche-Suryon and the marshall Saint Andre euerie one of these princes hauing a regiment of men at armes as the rest The great Escuyer de Boisi and Canaples wyth theyr bandes of the royall house and the guardes as well French and Scots as Suizers and a number of great Lordes and Gentlemen following the King as well in respect of their fidelitie as to make knowen vnto him theyr vertue and good will Of all sortes of artillerie there was about one hundred great and
the Ardennes giuing notice to the rest of the imperiall townes of the yeelding vp of this Which in respect it was the rampart of the whole countrie was wel enough fortified It had beene in former times a litle village where all assemblies for any great hunting still met in which Q. Marie tooke singular pleasure But for that shee found the seate thereof very proper and delectable shee fell a building there sparing nothing which was any waies requisite to the beautie or fortification thereof which shee would in farre better sorte haue perfited had not the K. taken it who not onely was studious to finish what as yet was vnperfit but better to fortifie and rampire it then euer it was before commaunding them of Mariembourg to name it from thence forwardes Henriembourg Now to the end to make the way more easie and the better to be of discouerie as farre as the little towne of Maubert-fontaine which was the next they caused a little village called Rocroy to bee fortified within which they lodged the Capitane La Lande with his ensigne of 300. men on foote the Capitane Breuil of Bretaigne with three companies of French still remaining in Mariembourge Shortly after Gonor was sent thither from Disnan hauing already beene gouernour of Metz who receiued the King order to remaine Leiutennant generall at Mariembourg at the hands of the D. of Neuers Who at his departure from Ardennes a little after the taking of the Castle of Beaurin had sent the Harrowlde of Angoulesme with his trompetor to summon the Castle and towne of Disnan and to know whether the inhabitants determined to continue in newtralitie such as was accorded in the countrie of Leige or if they would hold out for and in the name of whome of the Emperour or the Bishop of Liege But in steade of yeelding an honest answere or speaking like a souldier farre forgetting themselues they answered them that if they had in their hands the K. and the D. of Neuers harts and liuers they would soone make a frycasse of them for their breakfast pelting there with so many Harquebuse shot at them that they were compelled to returne with all speede and deliuer their report The D. of Neuers being come downe with his armie as farre as the ports of Giuets the first day of Iuly found that the Castle of Agimont not yet yeelded standing on this side the Meuse a quarter of a league from the other Giuets albeit it had beene already summoned Notwithstanding the same day hee made a number of his light Cauallerie to passe the water with certaine companies of foote to enuiron the Castle attending the K. army which marched from Mariembourg of purpose to ioyne with them Now as the vantgarde of the K. armie ariued the footemen made semblance as though they would scale it and giue the assault which in the end turned to good earnest for the souldiers entred so farre and furiously in sporte that they within could no longer sustaine their assault In such sort as they were compelled to acquite and abandon the defences and to giue them entrance so as being entred with furie they put all to the sword that offred to make any resistance which was for al that no great number nor men of any marke And there was taken prisonner the Captaine of the Castle called Eurard de la Marche owne sonne to the Earle of Rochefort Father to him who then liued Lord of the place and the most part of the rest of the souldiers were sent away the morrow after The whole armie remained on this side at Giuets encamped for the most part betweene the borough and the Castle in a long spacious plane and notwithstanding that this great riuer made a seperation between the two armies yet did not their kinsfolkes friendes neighbours and companions faile continually to crosse ouer to visit and feast one another The King himselfe being moued with the good report which he had heard of the D. armie passed ouer in person to see it in battell on Wensday the sixt of that month and found it in so good order and equipage that hee grew thereat much contented Now there remained but a little forte called Casteau Thierry which appertained to the Baylife of Namur or else all round about was subiected to the K. obedience Therefore there was sent thither the same day a regiment of the French footemen with artillerie and some companies of horse but those which kept it vnderstanding what entertainment they had had at Agimont neuer tarrying their comming quitte the place in good time So was the Castle found emptie and abandonned but furnished with most faire moueables as was possible and great quantitie of all sorts of graine These two armies soiourned at the two Giuets six whole daies together and the seuenth dislodged the Kinges feete kept on the way on this side the Meuse and the D. of Neuers for the difficultie of the waies was faine to encampe that night in a vallie two leagues from Dinan aboue which there was a Castle called Valuin which was found emptie and hee lodged in the base courte The next morrow the two armies encamped aboute the Towne and Castle of Disnan and Bouines The artillerie being planted vpon the height of an hollow thorough which the high way passed which went to the plane aboue battered Bouines so furiously vntill three of the clocke at afternone that a breach being made at a portail and within a Tower the assault was therewith all giuen and carried away with small resistance being onely defended by them of the Towne it selfe with whome it fared full ill for their labour For vpon the first furie there was made a sore slaughter some thinking to saue themselues leaped into the water and yet for all that they coulde not escape death the most part of them being slaine with Harquebuze shot whilst that they dipped to the bottome of the water like Duckes The rest albeit that they had crossed the riuer and so taken prisonners by the French were afterwards hanged and strangled for hauing so rashly resisted and held out against the K. power True it is that in the recompence of the faire warres which the Spaniards made vnto the French at the taking of Teroenne the K. pardoned and saued a number of their liues which were retired into the great Tower which stoode aboue the Towne Afterwards of his great accustomed humanitie he caused the women maidens and young children to bee all saued and gaue vnto them for their better safe conduct a Harrowlde and a trumpetor Now the verie same morning as the D. of Neuers hard by the Castle of Disnan would needes him selfe with Iamets goe neere to take the view Iamets horse next adioyning to his owne person was slaine with a Harquebuze a croc himselfe being warned there by how such cheefes of an armie ought not so venterously to expose themselues to such perill for that day notwithstanding the