will undeservedly speake well and ill of the same Action and the same man And lastly that great men loving not to come to accompt may abuse their authority Philip 5. the 48. King of France Anno 1317. THis Philip the 5 surnamed The Tall the controversie of the right to the Crowne being not yet determined betweene him and his Neece Daughter to Lewis Hutin whom Eudes her Unkle upheld and maintained her right marched with an Army every where compleate to Rheimes where hee made himselfe to be annointed King by the Arch-bishop of that See on the Feast of the Epiphany Anno Dom. 1317 and after returned to Paris Whither hee summoned Robert Count of Artois whom he forced to renounce the right which he pretended to that County whereof hee had Vi Armis by force and Armes taken possession to the prejudice of Mahant his Wives Mother In the meane time Lewis Count of Neuers Sonne of Robert Count of Flanders entertained the Flemings to his utmost endeavours in a revolt against the King who because hee came not to render homage for the Counties which hee held in France was cited to answer for himselfe before the King and fayling in his appearance all his possessions were seized for the King In the end the said Lewis Count of Nevers came and submitted himselfe to the King and recovered his Countries After upon perswasion of the Popes Legate there was a peace concluded betweene the King and the Count of Flanders the 15. of May Anno Dom. 1320 insomuch that the said Count did homage for his Lands to the King of France and accorded that Lewis the sonne of Lewis of Nevers should marry Madam Marguerite the second Daughter of France upon condition that he should succeede to the County of Flanders after his Grandfather and Father About the same time the Marriage of Isabelle the third Daughter to the King with Guy the Dolphin of Vienna was treated who not long after succeeded his Father John in Dauphine The Eldest Daughter was before marryed to Odo Duke of Burgundy After that the King quitted all the actions against his Subjects which some of his Councell in abuse of his good nature had put upon and against them And as he was deliberating to have but one sort of weights and measures in one and the same species and also a certaine rate and value of monies a malady intercepted his designes by which hee ended his dayes the third of January An. Dom. 1322. He was a Prince of a tractable disposition and therefore easily corrupted inclined more to ill than good The chiefest thing worthy remembrance in his Reigne was that his bad servants presuming on his gentle Nature layd heavy taxations on the people who thereupon maintained and thus hee suffering his Authority to be abus'd by them shew'd that although hee were great and tall of stature yet hee had but little wit and understanding A Benedicting Priest and Monke pretentending a voyage to the East committed many outrages in the East with a multitude of people by them assembled and called themselves Shepheards untill they were defeated in Languedoe This Philip would have made one weight and measure throughout his Realme but it proved but an Eutopian conceite not to be maintained by Authority or Reason The Jewes which were formerly expelled and driven out of the Kingdome were now againe admitted but after they endeavoured to bring in an Artificiall Plague into the Kingdome by using the helpe of Lepers some were grievously punished and the rest banished out of France Lastly this Kings five yeares Reigne was Rasa Tabula a blanke Table wherein Fame hath written no Royall action Charles 4. surnamed the Faire the 49. King of France Anno 1322. CHarles the 4 Count of Marche brother to Philip the Tall and to Lewis Hutin came by the same Law to the Crowne as his brother Philip had done who left no issue Male to inherit He was crowned the twelfth of February Anno Dom. 1322. He was severe in Justice giving every man his right desirous that all should be guided and governed by the Lawes and Authority of Magistrates Following that Norme he caused Jordan of L'Isle a great Lord to be attached who upon accusations of infinite enormities was attainted and convicted wherefore hee was hanged although hee had marryed the Neece of Pope John 22 and as others are of opinion his Step-mother About that time deceased Lewis Duke of Nevers the eldest son of Robert Count of Flanders who dyed immediately after By which occasion Robert the younger sonne of the said Robert Count of Flanders entred into a difference with his Nephew Lewis sonne of the Count of Nevers Hereupon the cause was pleaded in the Court of Parliament which proved of no validity to the good of the Nephew Then began the Warres betweene the English and French Anno Dom. 1324 upon the occasion that the Lord of Montpesac would to the Kings prejudice fortifie a Castle in Gascogne upon the borders of France Whereupon the King sent Charles of Valois his Unkle who so happily acquitted himselfe of his charge that hee recovered into the Kings powers all the Townes and strong holds in Burgundy which are beyond the River Garonne except Bourdeaux Bayonne and S. Senes Afterwards having obtained a Truce of the English he dyed in December An. Dom. 1325 as also the King deceased at Bois de Vincennes the first of March leaving Madame Joane de Eureux his wife great with Child who afterwards in the Moneth of April 1328. was delivered of a Daughter called Blanche Hee was the first King that ever permitted to the Pope the Decimations of the Churches of France This King reigned sixe yeares being wise temperate and just three chiefe vertues in a Prince but unhappy in his progeny Assoone as he was annointed he held a great Sessions in Paris to heare complaints and caused many Gentlemen to be punished in which number was one Jourdain of Lisle a Gafcon who being Nephew to Pope John the 22 had beene pardoned for eighteene capitall crimes and yet still grew more impious former mercy making him presume more of pardon untill at last he was taken and brought to Paris where King Charles caused him justly to be hang'd as a memorable example that Respect is an enemy to Justice which must be executed without sparing the guilty To conclude this Prince was worthy of the French Monarchy and deserved to be reckon'd amongst the chiefest men of State And as the Kingdome was happy in having so worthy and sufficient a King so his short Reigne deprived the Realme of that good which it should receive by his government But the best and most perfect men are in the blind world either despised for excesse of good or some tooke away by death to envy greater happinesse equall to their desert Philip of Valois the 6. and 50. King of France Anno 133. THis Philip Count of Valois the Sonne of the late Count Charles and Cousen german to the
way for conquest as opinion of victory and learning is a great Engine in policy to bring about matters This King lost some reputation by his unchast Wife Elenor who following him to the Holy Land blotted her Fame with a sensuall imputation loving Saladin a Iester better than the King her Husband thereby shewing that lust is base and doth not regard either birth or honour Yet Lewis shewing the vertuousnesse of his minde and Noblenesse of disposition brought her backe in his owne Ship because he would not bee derided by any forraigne Prince but beeing safely landed he was much opprest with griefe in stead of casting her in the River which she had deserv'd he covered her shame and his owne by a divorce granted by a general counsell punishing her by shewing too much mercy while hee sought onely to be freed from the disgrace Philip 2. surnamed Augustus the 42. King of France Anno 1180. AFter the decease of Lewis 7 Philip 2. succeeded to the Kingdome Anno Domini 1180 out of which he chased the Jewes then there and by his prowesse and conquests acquired the name of Augustus and Conquerour He married Isabelle or Alice Daughter of Baldwin 4 Count of Flanders in favour of which Marriage hee resigned the County of Artois but afterwards taking upon him the cause of Lionor the Inheritrix of Elizabeth or Mabel Countesse of Flanders in the Counties of Vermandois and Valois against the Count Flamend who layd claime to the said Counties as being of the ancient stocke of Flanders hee tooke onely that of Vermandois leaving that of Valois to the said Flamend whereupon he being in an indignation went and performed homage to the King of Germany the eldest sonne of the Emperour for the County of Flanders Richard also Duke of Aquitaine second sonne of the King of England began to dis-acknowledge the King whereupon the King made warre against him and tooke some Townes from him but they were immediately accorded by the Popes Legate by whose perswasion they entred a League upon an expedition for the Holy-land But this agreement was incontinently broken upon new differences which happened betweene the Kings of England and France during which the King tooke into his possession the Counties of Mans and Tours whereupon King Henry of England tooke a conceite and dyed in the Castle of Chinon whereupon Richard his sonne undertaking the Kingdome marryed Adele Sister to King Philip and they both went to the Holy Land where arriving they tooke the Towne of Acre the twelfth of July 1191. After upon some jealousies conceived betweene them Philip returned into France leaving the charge of his Army to the Duke of Burgundy And because Philip Count of Flanders was deceased the King retained to himselfe the County of Artois which hee gave to Prince Lewis Whereupon England made warres against him which were ended by the death of Richard to whom John being substituted and losing the battaile at Bonnivel the King caused his sonne Lewis to be proclaimed King of England which hee afterwards left to Henry the sonne of John After that King Philip sent his sonne Lewis against the Albigeois and as the said Philip held a Parliament at Nantes he deceased of a Feaver in the 43. yeare of his Reigne in the Moneth of July Anno Domini 1223. This King being to joyne battaile with the Emperour Otho having caused a gilt Bowle to be filled with Wine and sopps of bread hee said Princes and Lords of France heere with me assembled let every one that is resolv'd to live and dye with me this day shew his resolution by taking a sop out of the Bowle of Wine and eating it as I have done which words being spoken the Cup was presently emptied and afterward the battell being joyned the King got the victory Being informed by his Courtiers that some Royall Jurisdictions belonging to the Crowne were usurped by the Clergy his answer was I had rather connive at some petty injuries than commence Suits against the Semitears of God and his Church This King having put away his Queen Gelberge the King of Denmarke complained to the Pope of this wrong done to his Sister and a day of hearing was appointed before the Popes Legate in the Bishops Hall at Paris Philips Case was well defended by his Advocates but when none appeared to plead for the Queene a young man unknownâ— steps forth of the presse and demands audience and having deliver'd the truth and pleaded against the King for the Queene and when his Speech was ended hee returned into the presse againe and was never seene more neither was it ever knowne from whence he came The amazed Judges remitted the Cause to the Councell and King Philip did ride presently to Bois de Vinennes where Gelberge was confined and having embrac'd her receiv'd her into favour and lived with her afterward in nuptiall love And heereby it may bee discerned that no man can bring Nature to any perfection for this worthy Prince was much troubled in minde and divided in his thoughts by loving this Gelberge whom he could not forsake for she had got such strong possession in his affection that he could not turne her remembrance out of his heart pass'd away to her by deed of gift Thus hee that could overcome his Enemies could not conquer his passions He reigned 44. yeares and by his vertue governed the State with such wisedome that all his troubles had a happy faire end from whence this conclusion may be drawne That a vertuous King is in the end happy howsoever hee bee compassed in with difficulties Lewis the 8. and 43. King of France Anno 1223. LEwis the eldest sonne of Philip succeeded to the Crowne Anno Domini 1223. Hee together with his wife Blanch sister to the King of Castile was Crowned at Rheimes the 6. of August to whom afterwards the Surname of Montpensier was given because he dyed there In the beginning of his reigne he renewed the ancient consideration and allyance which was betweene France and Almany and upon his returne he led his Army into Guienne where in a set battaile he overthrew the English whereof Savary of Maleon had the command by meanes whereof the French tooke the townes of Niot S. John D' Angely and Rochelle leaving nothing of the Countrey of Guienne on this side the River Garonne unreduced to the obedience of the King Insomuch that all the Lords as well of Pojctou as Lymosin and Perigort came to sweare him fealty and obedience Amanry also sonne to the Count of Montfort came to resigne into the hands of the King of France the right which his Father had left him in the Countries of Alby Languedoc Agenois Querâ—y and the County of Tholouze whom in recompence he made his Constable knowing him to be a man capable of such a charge The yeare following Richard Brother to the King of England besieged Rochelle but hearing of the comming of the French Army he passed over Dardonne with his forces and so
him had their wrongs redressed for the whole government which belonged unto the Kings was now ordered by Mayres yet this King was happy in his Consort and Queene Bandour of whose Piety and devotion to Religion the Abby of Shelces called St. Bandour and other religious buildings were lasting Monuments Clotharius 3. the 13. King of France Anno 666. THis Clotharius the third the eldest sonne of Clovis succeeded in the Regall power Anno Dom. 666 his brother Childeric or Childebert and Theodoric being very young Clotharius permitted the sway of government to his Mother Bathilde and his Mayre of Palace Ercembault or Ereich whom some are of opinion to have beene entituled Duke of France and after the death of this hee entertained one Ebroin in his place or as the Almaine Chronicles say Eberwin a German borne a man cruell malicious and wicked who was preferred unto him by the French He was the first that abusing the imbecillity and Infancy of his Master raised the power and authority of his owne dignity to such a heighth it never had before slighting and misprizing the Majesty and greatnesse of Kings insomuch that afterwards nothing of what importance soever must passe without the approbation of those Mayres all the Principality as it were being solely in their breasts and power swaying yea and limiting the expences of their Kings as they list themselves making Warres Peace Alliances Ordinances and Customes of the Kingdome at their pleasure Some Chronicles say that the Kings living at their ease and pleasures shewed themselves but once a yeare in publicke upon the first day of May in a generall assembly which was held every yeare for the publick affaires of the Kingdome in a place called The Field of Mars where they rode in a Chariot drawne by foure Oxen accompanied with the chiefe of the Baronry as well hearing the complaints of their Subjects as giving audience to Embassadors of forraigne Princes all which they received at the second hand from their Mayres This Clotharius was surprized by a Feaver whereof he dyed having reigned foure yeares without leaving any issue Anno Dom. 670. Theodoric undertakes the government of the Kingdome but through the turmoyles betweene him and Ebroin Mayre of the Palace the subjects enforced him to a Monasticke life at St. Denis and Ebroin at Leuxeul in the Franche Contè Clotharius lyes at St. Denis in France The composition of his minde was cruell which the subjects felt in heavy taxations by him imposed saying that plenty and peace made them forgetfull of their duty And of him and his successors it may be said that they left nothing memorable but that they left no memory Hee may be reckoned among those Kings that were living Pictures of Soveraignty shewed every yeare to the people and so put up againe into his Chamber but if Vertue be active and consists in doing good how could Kings thinke that they might rule by their Deputies You never knew that Flock of sheepe did thrive when the Shepheard committed them to the care of an Hireling or a Boy and a Dogge for then the poore sheepe are torne by Bryars so are the poore subjects by oppressions when Rex dormit securus when the King sleepes and suffers his Mayres to governe him and his Realme Therefore it is said that no man is good in regard of the nobility of his Birth but for the excellency of his Vertue For true Nobility dependeth of Vertue and all other things are of Fortune But this was the defect of these times that made soveraigne power have aweake aspect and not to looke so fine and cleare as it would have done for this King and many others were then but like Pictures in Arras yet for all his cruelty they bestowed upon him those funerall Rites which appertained to Soveraignty and inhumed him amongst the former Kings Childeric 2. the 14. King of France Anno 670. THis Childeric King of Austrasy and brother to Clotharius being called to the Crowne by the Frenchmen tooke Vlfoalde for his Mayre but they found themselves as much troubled with him as they had beene with Theodoric and Ebroin whom they had made Monkes and confined into Monasteries This Childeric who was a man of no great wit and dissolute confined saith Sigebert Leger Bishop of Authun a man of a holy life to the Monastery of Luxeul Neverthelesse the Supplement of Idatius affirmes that he was so gracious with him that he was in a manner as Mayre of the Palace He caused a Gentleman to be ignominiously whipped who was of Franconia called Bodille by which fact he excited such a scandall against himselfe and a generall hatred of most part of the Nobility of his Realme that they all rebelled against him after the example of Ingolbert aliâs Wigobert and Amalbert giving such an occasion to Bodille that he sought all occasions of revenge for the notorious disgrace hee had received from him who on a day espying him comming from Hunting caused him to be murthered by the assistance of his Compliees who also shewed no more mercy to his Queene and Wife Blitilde although shee were greaâ— with child which was a cause that Vâ—foalde fled into Austrasie and that thâ— Lords of France by the advice of Legeâ— Bishop of Authun tooke Leudesil thâ— sonne of the late Ercembault for Mayrâ— of the Palace who as it seemes to Aymoynus and Ado taking Theodoriâ— out of the Monastery estated him in the Regall Throne Childeric and his Wife were funebrially interred in the Church of St. German des prez lez Paris Anno Dominâ— 676 and seven yeares after that by the generall consent of the Frenchmen hee was called out of Austrasie to governe the Kingdome of France Hee left no issue Sigebert and Paulus Aemilius seeme to confound the History being of opinion that Childeric reigned after Clotharius 12. yeares and Theodoric 17. yeares after him but others hold that the reigne of Theodoric continued 19 in the which they number the yeares of his being a Monke Childerick being substituted in his place This King was another of the same stampe with the former by nature enclined to tyranny and cruelty disgracing his well-begun reigne with a bad conclusion for Kings mounted on the top of Honour and beholding their subjects with contempt thrust forward by flattery or ambition doe easily become Tyrants And as this Kings life did not shew handsome so his death plotted and effected by Bodille did instruct Kings not to dishonour or contemne their Nobility being their right Arme. And also it shewed that a disgracefull punishment inflicted on a Gentleman doth touch the quicke of the soule with a deepe apprehension for being of a freer tender nature they scorne as much to receive an injury as doe any and therefore they account it Justice to revenge though they dye in the confirmation of the act This appeares by Bodille who concealed her anger untill like Lightning it struck the King before it was seene for he must be
entire government of the whole Kingdome and command of all insomuch that he was called Prince of the French-men great Master and Governour of France And Clotharius had but the bare title of King which is a cause that Paulus Aemilius and other Historians have not inserted him into the Catalogue of the Kings of France The aforesaid Clotharius deceased about the yeare 719 and lyeth inhumed at Nancy This King having not the power of a King was like a Picture of Majesty for some years exposed to the publick view but afterwards death drew a Curtaine between him and the world and then he was soone forgotten whereas vertue doth give a second life to Princes while their name is preserved fresh in memory For Sola virtus expers Sepulchri Vertue alone can never dye But liveth still in memory And therfore that excellent monument better than any Marble stone cut into forme by Carvers Art is the statue of the mind not that of the body for Statue huiusmodi relinquendae quae virtutis sint monumenta magis quà m staturae corporis That King doth need no Tombe cut out by Art Whose Fame doth live in every Subjects heart Daniel alias Chilperic 20. King of France Anno 719. DAniel whom some affirme to have beene the Sonne of Childebert and brother to Dagobert and others that he was onely of the blood Royall was taken out of the Monastery to bee made King and his former name was changed into Chilperic Anno Domini 715. In the beginning of his Reigne he entered into a confederacy with Ratbode Duke of Frizeland In the meane time Charles Martel escaped the imprisonment of his Step-mother Plectrude and as hee made all possible meanes and waies for the recovery of his right before that hee could effect any thing he was by Ratbode defeated neare the Meuse before that Rainfroy and Chilperic could come to charge him Neverthelesse Anno Domini 716. after as the Frenchmen went with a Convoy of an infinite treasure of monyes from the parts neare Cologne which Plectrude had given them Charles Martel set upon them with such a fury that he enforced them to forsake it neare unto Albis By the meanes whereof taking heart for this his first fortunate enterprize he overthrew Rainfroy an◠Chilperic Anno Domini 717. th◠21 of March neare unto Vinciate who came with an intent of an ample revenge Charles by this victory assuring himselfe of the French desirous to reduce the rest of the Kingdome of Austracy entered by force into Cologne and forced Plectrude to surrender unto him all his Fathers Treasures And for the greater validity of his cause puts one forward whom some esteeme to have beene the Uncle of the last King Dagobert called Clotharius or Lotharius forcing him to take upon him the title and name of King with him afterwards hee went to encounter Chilperic and Rainfroy who by the meanes of Eude Duke of Aquitan or Gascogne were destitute of their Forces being by him defeated and overthrowne in Champagne insomuch that for safety Chilperic retired to the said Duke with all his Treasures Anno Domini 719. Clotharius the titulary King departed this life whereupon Charles Martel sent to demand King Chilperie of Eude that he might bee sent unto him by whom he was afterwards acknowledged as a King and entertained Eude into his amity and love Chilperic also a yeare after deceased Anno Dom. 720. having reigned five yeares and a halfe in a troublesome and turbulent State which was scarce settled in all the time of his Reigne Charles Martel with Clotharius or Lotharius who had tooke the name and title of King raising many perturbations in his Kingdome But Death at length drew his dayes to a period after his great and manifold troubles and lyeth interred at Noyon Theodoric 21. King of France Anno 720. THeodoric was by Charles Martel substituted to Chilperic Anno Domini 720. and reigned onely titulary as others had done before him for the space of eighteene yeares Charles Martel left Anion to Rainfroy upon condition that hee should resigne the office of Mayre and after that went to terrifie and chastise the Saxons who had rebelled at which time Ratbod Duke of Frizeland dyed A.D. 727. He brought the Almaines into such a servitude to the French that before that time they never performed Afterwards having enforced Plectrude to come to an agreement he marched into Aquitan against Eude where in the way hee by a generall Parliament made himselfe to bee stiled Prince of the French Whereupon Eude more enraged than vanquished incited the Saracens of Spaine by the meanes of Muguoce Lord of Lerdane his sonne in Law their servant whom Charles encountred before Tours and gave them an overthrow by the assistance of the said Eude who was enforced to take his part by reason of the insolencyes committed by the Saracens who had now come downe into his Countrey In this expedition hee gained the sirname name of Martel for the Mortality he made of his enemies After the ending of this warre he went against the Burgundians to punish them for their rebellion and also those of Provence After that knowing the death of Eude he reduced Guienne and Aquitaine into his obedience dis-inheriting Gaifer and Walde the sonnes of Eude who retiring themselves into Gothland and Septimany alias Languedoc recovered by the assistance of the Visigoths a part of Guienne in the meane time that Martel was in warres against Pepin the sonne of Ratbod whom he overthrew and forced the Frizons to become Christians After having sent backe his Vncle Childebrand against the Visigoths and Saracens who had possessed Avignon himselfe went to quell Burgundy now upon a revolt and by the aide of Luitprand King of the Lombards he went to drive Athin out of Narbon and out of all Languedoc and Provence all which he submitted to the Crowne of France and hee tooke away the Earledome of Marsiles from Count Morice who had delivered Avignon to the Saracens Theodoric dyed about the yeare 740. It was a usuall custome for great Warriers and Souldiers in those times to get some titular addition to their name as Alexander was called Ille magnus so Martel was so sirnamed Quasi mortalis or Martialis because he was mortal in his expeditions full of martiall valour he was the first founder of the second Race of the French Kings and therefore must needes be a man of great vertue since the raisers of private families are either Saints or Divells that get honour by vertue or goe to hell for it to leave it to their Posterity Childeric 3. the 22. King of France Anno 740. CHilderic succeeded his brother Theodorick Anno Domini 740. He was the last King of the race of the Merovees Charles Martel deceased at Paris October the 22. An. Dom. 741 leaving Carloman and Pepin surnamed The short Giles Arch-bishop of Rouen and Griffon who was by another Mother Carloman and Pepin tooke upon all their Fathers possessions and
without house without bread without honour without mourning without memory but that his end was prodigiously memorable The reasons were his imperious pride in prosperity and his despairing dejectednesse in adversity fooâ—â—sh extreames becomming not a magnanimous mind therefore his affliction was hated of his subjects not considering the true cause of his affliction But the chiefe cause was his distrust in God in his extremities for he should have acknowledgd that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as David said O Lord although I am throwne downe I have held my peace thou hast it done Eudes or Odo the 30. King of France Anno 891. EVdes or Odo sonne of Roberâ— Count of Paris and of France Tutor to the young Charles tooke the government of the affaires under the Title of King and by the consent of Arnulph and the Lords of France Hee was consecrated and annointed King and crowned by Walter Arch-bishop of Sens who was a cause that Baldwin Count of Flanders and Fulco Arch-bishop of Rheimes sent Guy Duke of Spoleta into Italy to take the affaires of France into his hands Odo being established gave the County of Paris and of France to Count Robert his brother and instituted Richard Count of Authun governour of the lower Burgundy for the defence thereof against the Normans who having beene Anno Domini 888. repulsed from before Paâ—is by Count Robert came before Sens from whence they were heaten by the â—â—id Richard Duke of Burgundy who was the first that left that dignity hereâ—itary and patrimoniall to his succesâ—â—rs Walter Nephew to Eudes making 〈◊〉 insurrection against him betooke himselfe into Lygus whence fetcht out he was put to death At the same time Ebulo Abbot of St. Germans and Count Ranulph together with his brother Gotsbert arose against Eudes in Aquitaine whom he made to goe against them In the meane time the greatest part of the Lords of Neustria were in pursuite of Fulco Arch-bishop of Rheimes and of the Counts Heribert and Pepin the young Charles the Simple whom they caused to be crowned King in the City of Rheimes Whereupon Eudes and he grew to great Warres so that Charles the Simple would have entered into a confederacy of a Fleete oâ— Normans under the conduct of Hastingâ— for the recovery of his Kingdome buâ— he was prevented by Fulco the Archbishop of Rheimes because they werâ— as yet Pagans Fulco made peace betweene Eudes and Charles the Simpleâ— Anno Domini 897 and by this reconciliation a part of the Kingdome wâ—â— given to Charles and the other permâ—ted to Eudes who enjoyed it not lonâ— after because he deceased without issue the 13. of January Anno 898 and at his death hee declared that of right the Crowne after him ought to returne to Charles the Simple to whom it of equity and right appertained From the Race of this Eudes sprung Hugh Capet for Widechind of Saxony favour'd by Charlemagne sent his son Robert or Rupert into France who had two sonnes Eudes and Robert Father to Hugh the great Father to Hugh Capet afterward King of France Fame drew this Character of Eudes that hee was a good wise man yet he could not please the French by his Regency for the excesse of his vertue curbing the desire of such as sought to raise their fortunes by usurping power over the State and the Kings weaknesse supported by Eudes drew envy on his actions seeking the good of the Common-wealth which hee neglected but with approved resolution not abated by private malice went forward with the government of the Realme and at last resignes all his Authority to the King who like Phaethon unfit to rule the Chariot of the Sunne by his bad government met those misfortunes which Eudes kept off while hee lived for Wisdome and Discretion is Scutum invincibile an invincible Buckler folly envy policy treachery slander adversity necessity power and injustice and all the Devills invisible Artillery cannot pierce nor wound him that is therewith arm'd Charles the Simple the 31. King of France Anno 898. CHarles surnamed the Simple was estated in his Fathers Throne Anno Dom. 898 and by the reason of his imbecillity every one encroched upon him by making whatsoever possessions they held as hereditary to their posterity what belonged of right to the Crowne in so much that great dignities Dutchies Earledomes and government of Provinces which formerly were held but for terme of life in a titulary way were now made hereditary Anno Domini 912. he made a peace with Rollon upon condition that the Countrey of Neustry bounded by the River Epte on the one side and by the Ocean on the other should remaine to Rollon in Title of a Dutchy to hold it in homage of the Crowne of France conditionally also that he and his whole Countrey should bee baptized in the Christian Faith By reason whereof he was baptized Robert after the name of his Kinsman Count Robert from thence Normandy had its denomination In those times also there were great troubles in France which were raised by Robert brother to the former Odo who had caused himselfe to bee crowned King by Herivee Arch-bishop of Rheimes whilst Charles was in Loraine for the recovery whereof Charles led an Army of Lorainers against Robert whom he tooke at unawares neare to Soyssons Notwithstanding this Robert resisted him valiantly but with the losse of his life The battaile neverthelesse was lost by Charles who fled into Loraine Whereupon the Allies of Robert called in Duke Rodulph of Burgundy whom they caused to be crowned King at Soyssons for want of Hugh le Blanc sonne of the late Robert who by reason of his youth durst not pretend the Crowne After this Charles staid not long to be entrapped in the snares of Hebert the Count who sent by his Cousin Bernard Count of Senlis to take him so that he was detained prisoner in the City of St. Quintin and afterwards was sent to the Castle of Thyerry upon the Marne and from thence to Peronne where he ended his life five yeares after his imprisonment leaving Lewis in the power of his Mother Theargine who for his safety conveyed him into England This King having resign'd his Crowne to Raoul his God-sonne the first Prince of the blood by his Mother Hermingrade Daughter to Lewis and wife of Boson King of Burgundy dyed with griefe and of a languishing Melancholy to see that his treacherous vassage should so affront and oppose him and use him in such a disgracefull manner For there is no greater misery or vexation than when the Master through want and poverty is abused by the man it doth even astonish the minde and pierce the Heart unto death for Asperius nihil est humili cum surgit in altum Rodulph or Raoul of Burgundy the 32. King of France Anno 923. ROdulph having beene crowned King at Soissons the 13. of June Anno Dom. 923 reigned 13. yeares hee went afterwards to warre with Hugh le Blanc against the Normans others
Childrens quarrell invading one anothers Territories and maintaining hot warres But to conclude the memorable Warre undertaken to recover the Holy-land from the Saracens was now begun under the conduct of Godfrey of Bologne who being chosen King of Jerusalem refused the Diadem saying It is not fit for any Christian Prince to weare a Crowne of Gold since Jesus Christ the King of Kings did weare one made of Thornes Lewis the 6. the 40. King of France Anno 1109. THis Lewis the Grosse succeeded to the Crowne after Henry his Father and was solemnly Crowned at Orleans by Gislebert Arch-Bishop of Sens Anno Domini 1109 He first beganne to quell the pride anâ— power of the great Lords of France who countenanced by the King of England arose up against him but in the end he accomplished his designes In those times the Englishmen moved their first warres upon the French in the behalfe of Count Thibault of Campagne and Bloys But the King in revenge commanded William the sonne of Robert Duke of Normandy and sent him accompanyed with Baldwin Count of Flanders and Foulques Count of Aniou with an army to surprise them whereupon there was a peace made betweene them and the English to quit Cisors to William the sonne of Henry Baldwin Count of Flanders being wounded in the Conquest of Normandy went to end his life in Flanders who for want of issue instituted Charles son of Conutus King of Denmark to bee his heire In the meane time the King being advertised that the Emperour came in aide of the English prevented â—is designe and forced him to retreate Iâ— forced also the Count of Aâ—vergne and the Vicount of Polignac to give satisfaction to the Bishop of Clermon and at his returne he notified to William Duke of Aquitaine that onely Avergne but also Aquitaine were in tenure of the Crowne of France The County of Flanders was in question betweene Arnulph the Dane Baldwin Count of Haynaut and William of Ipres by the death of Charles who was slaine in S. Donatus in Bruges and by the King it was adjudged to Robert Duke of Normandy by right of consanguinity whereupon warres ensued After that the King caused his sonne Philip to be Crowned at Rheimes the fourteenth day of April 1129. the King of England being in presence but two yeares after hee dyed by meanes of a Hogge that came under his Horse feete and frighted the Horse that hee threw him on the ground Lewis his brother was Crowned in his place by Pope Jnnocent the five and twentieth of October 1131 Lewis the Grosse deceased at Paris Anno Dom. 1137. leaving sixe Children Baldwin Earle of Mons in Henault complaining unto Lewis the Grosse that he had wrongfully given the Earledom of Flanders which was his right unto Duke William of Normandy and desiring to have leave granted to maintaine his Title by Combate The King said You must combat then against me for the Seignory which you claime is my right and inheritance This King also in a Battaile being severed from his Souldiers was likely to be taken Prisoner by an English Knight who laying hold on the raines of his Horse cryed aloud The King is taken whereupon the King valiantly kild the Knight and as he fell downe said One man alone cannot in Chesse play give the King the Mate At a certaine siege being forsaken of his Souldiers in regard of the unseasonablenesse of the weather and constrained to retire hee said with a brave kind of anger That an honest and honourable death was better than a shamefull and dishonourable life The last action of his reigne was the marrying of his sonne unto the daughter and heire of William Duke of Normandy by this allyance to settle a more firme peace and make his sonne strong in friends while his younger sons were compelled to depend on the meere favour of their elder brother on whom the estate being setled they might therby bee instructed to shew unto him a willing obedience for equality breeds discord and grumbling but an acknowledged dependance on another procures respect for necessity makes brave minds glad to be oblieged Lewis the 7. the 41. King of France Surnamed Augustus Anno 1137. THis Lewis undertooke the government the same Moneth wherein his Father dyed and marryed Elianor the onely daughter of William Duke of Guienne and Poictou Afterwards hee made warre upon the Count of Vermendois because following the censures of the Pope hee repudiated Peronelle sister to Queene Elianor that he might re-entertaine his former wife whom before he had divorced And taking the Towne of Vitry in Parthois hee put to the sword and fire more than 3500 persons for the expiation of which fact St. Bernard advised him to make a voyage with his Army into the Holy Land for the succour of Palestine Whither hee arriving with his army he had but an ill trick put upon him by the Emperour of Greece Moreover perceiving his Army much affoibled by the assaults of the Turkes he saved himselfe in the towne of Attalia and came to Antioch where the King conceived a great distaste against his Wife who had accompanyed him all that vâ—age Afterwards he joyned forces with Conradus the Emperor for the beleaguering of Damietta But that siege tooke no effect through the envy of the old Christians there conceived against the new-commers which was a cause that the Emperour and the King â—etreated each to his owne home where the King was in danger to have bin surprised by the Emperour of Greece but he was rescued by George Lievtenant of the King of Sicily The King upon his returne divorced his Wife who married with Henry Count of Aniou and Normandy who should succeede to the Crowne of England bearing with him the Counties Poictou and Aquitaine Afterwards the King took to wife Constance the daughter of Alphonsus King of Castile who being deceased he tooke Adele or Ale alias Alice daughter of the Count of Champagne by whom An. Dom. 1165. he had a sonne named Philip and surnamed Deodoctus to whom the King growne aged resigned his Crowne notwithstanding hee was but 14. yeares of age and was Crowned at Rheimes An. Dom. 1179. King Lewis deceased the 19. or the 29. of September although some report upon the 29. of the same Moneth or August An. Dom. 1180. Hee lyes interred in the Abby of St. Barbeau which hee had formerly built In his reigne the Holy Land which the Christians had taken seemed to bee utterly conquered remaining under the Christians obedience untill the unhappy death of Godfrey of Bouillon for when the Commander was gone whose unspicious good fortune put life into this action the Warre did not prosper yet before his death he encountred an Army of sixe thousand men which the Turkes had brought into Palestine and came off with very good successe and had so proceeded if his Death had not prevented the good fortune of Christendome For the name of so great a Warrier conducting an Army prepares the
three precedent Kings succeeded to the Crowne by title of his favour excluding Lewis of Evreux his Vncle who at that time as it is thought was already dead and was confirmed by the States notwithstanding that Edward King of England pretended the Crowne by his Mothers right who was the onely daughter of Philip the Faire He recovered a faire battaile against the Flemings who had revolted against their Duke and enforced the King of England to doe homage for the Dutchy of Guienne and other lands which he held of the Crowne who in revenge thereof entertained Robert of Artois Count of Beaumont who was banished out of France through a false accusation by whose perswasion the King of England beeing allyed to all the Princes of the Empire whereof hee had already obtained the Vicariate beganne to warre against Philip in Nantonge Anno Domini 1336. Afterwards he caused the Flemings to revolt against their Duke by the means of one James Artivel an Artisan The French that were in the Towne of L'Isle and first discomfited the English and Flemings but afterwards they were shamefully overthrowne at the Sluce Port when they laboured to hinder the English from joyning with the Flemings And after this victory he encamped before Tournay where he continued during fifty dayes during which time the Mother of the Count of Hainault wrought a Truce between the Kings of England and France which continued not long because the warres were renued shortly after betweene them because the King of France caused Oliver de Clisson to bee executed for Treason In which warre the French lost the memorable battaile of Crecy neare Abeville wherein the greatest part of the Nobility and flower of all France was slaine and the Towne of Calais taken After this the King having marryed in a second wedlocke the Lady Blanche daughter of the late Philip King of Navarre and received the Danphinate of Humbert together with the City and Countrey of Montpelier for a purchase of the King of Maillorque he retired to Nogent there to conclude his daies the 23. or 28. of August 1350. leaving Iohn Duke of Normandy and Philip Duke of Orleans He was an ingenious wity Prince as appeareth by his justification of the Salique Law by these words of Scripture Consider the Lillies of the field how they doe grow and doe neither labour nor spinne intimating whose Armes are Lillies or Flower de Lyces should not fall to the Distaffe Also he taxed the unfaithfulnesse of King Edward of England in these two Verses by himselfe composed Anglicus Angelus est cui nunquam eredere fas est Dum tibi dicit Ave tanquam ab hoste cave The Englishman an Angell is which trusted will deceive thee Beware of him as of a Foe when he doth say God save thee After his marriage with Blanch daughter of Philip of Evreux he lived not long after he had tyed this knot this new wife being an unnecessary trouble in his old age so that sickning at Nogent advising his two sonnes to live in peace and bee carefull of the Realme which he resigned to the eldest he concluded his reigne and dyed He was a King in whom vertues and vices were equally mingled for he was valiant in danger and couragious in affliction just and loving to his subjects But his rash valour whereon hee presumed often engaged him and his subjects in many miseries Edward the third King of England Anno 1351. THis King comes here to be inserted amongst the Kings of France being the first that left the Title Hereditary to the Kings of England and first quartered the Armes of France with the English Armes giving thereby occasion and provocation of his succeeding Warres he obtained a gentle victory at Sluce upon Midsommer day in a sea sight Afterward he challenged Philip of Valois then King to a single combate by him not accepted afterwards makes a Truce with France their battailes being ready to joyne in Britagne in France then he declares the Truce with France broken He arrives afterward in France with bloody Colours with his hopefull son the Prince of Wales then about sixteen yeares old Afterward he got the Lawrell wreath of Conquest in the battaile of Cressey and his sonne was as victorious as his Father both sharing equally in honour purchased by valour But his sonne afterward whose veines were full of his Fathers Spirit and fortitude shewing that Nasci a Principibus est magnum obtained another triumphant victory against the French at Poictiers and by it confirmed his Fathers atchievements Then againe Henry invaded France besieges Paris concludes a peace King Iohn of France being taken prisoner and afterward ransomed hostages were also given and so the Clouds of warre were a while drawne away but suddainly againe France felt a new storme from England for the Earle of Blois slaine in Battaile by the English loseth the Dukedome of Britagne Then againe King Edward sends Iohn Duke of Lancaster to invade Prance and Sir Robert Knoles to the parts about Britagne and thus as he was famous for his many other Royall vertues expressed done at home and in the circumference of his owne Dominions so likewise he appeared in France like a flaming Comet which boded the effusion of much French blood But age sicknesse comming on hee was forc't to leave the world as the same did him before his breath left him but Nature could not hold out any longer and he was forced to resigne his life into the hands of his Creator at Shene now Richmond the one and twentieth day of Iune Anno Domini 1377. in the 64. yeare of his Age having reigned fifty yeares foure moneths and odde dayes in which time France felt the desolation which warre had made he carrying away the never dying Fame of a valiant Conquerour he lyeth buried at Westminster for as much of him as was Mortall but Multum sui vitabit Libitinam his soule and Fame are immortall in Heaven and on earth and was especially famous for Conquering France and writing himselfe Roy de Angle tèrre France King of England and France John 1. or the second of that name the 51. King of France Anno 1350. JOHN the first or second of that Name succeeded to the Crown and was consecrated at Rheims the 26. of Septem An Dom. 1350. In the beginning of his reigne hee caused the Lord Ralph of Nesle Cōstable of France to be beheaded for Treason and in his place hee justituted Charles of Spaine Count of Angolesme The Truce being broken betweene him and England he betooke him to S. John d' Angely and in his returne he instituted the Order of the Starre in the Noble and Royall House or S. Owen Afterwards Charles King of Navarre caused the Constable to be massacred upon a jealousie which hee had conceived against him on the sixt of Ianuary 1353 and the Lord Iames de Bourbon was substituted in his place In the meane time the King of Navarre whom the King of France had
pardoned instead of acknowledging his fault complotted against the State of the said King which being discovered he entred into an Amity with the King of England By meanes whereof King Iohn having surprised him sent him prisoner to Paris Hereupon Philip of Navarre his brother in an indignation caused the English to come into Normandy against whom the King intending an opposition was enforced to turne it upon the Prince of Wales in Poicton where having lost the field through his temerity hee was taken Prisoner In the meane time the Parisians at the perswasion of Stephen Martel mutinyed against the Dauphin who tooke upon him the Regency of the Realme and appeased the tumult having first restored the places of Normandy to the King of Navarre who had escaped out of prison Afterwards upon a treaty made at Bretigny the eight of May 1360 a peace was concluded with the English and ratified at Calais the 24. of October In the meane time Philip Duke of Burgundy deceased at Roucere neere Dijon without issue by reason whereof Iohn the King declared himselfe to be his Heire After that he making a preparation for a beyond-sea voyage first came to London intending to make a strong peace with England and dyed there the eighth or ninth of April 1364 leaving Charles the Dauphin Lewis Duke of Aniou John Duke of Berry and Philip Hardy Duke of Burgundy This King shewed magnanimity in his most adverse fortune for Apparet virtus arguiturque malis Vertue will apparent be In the depth of adversity which was verified in this King John who sitting in the English Campe at a Supper prepared for him by the Prince of Wales who had taken him prisoner in the Battell of Poitiers said I purposed to have bestowed a Supper on you this night but the fortune of the War hath made me your Guest The Englishmen for a summe of money having got by composition the Castle and Towne of Gwines King Iohn complaining to the King of England that the Truce was broken contrary to their compact and agreement King Edward answered That Trafficke or Merchandise the surrender of the Castle being by money procured did not breake the former Truce This King when King Edward required homage for the Realme of France as held of England answered that hee could not justly alienate a right inalienable received from his Ancestors and therefore he resolved to leave it entire to his children for affliction might engage his person but not the Crowne of France while hee was King who would sacrifice his life for the preservation of France Hee dyed in England Anno 1364 being a good Prince but infortunate wise in ordinary matters but not in great affaires just but too confident in trusting others temperate in his private life but violent in the publicke government For great vertues meeting with Wisdome doe on the Theater of this life give unto Kings a Crowne of applause and commendation Charles 5. surnamed the Wise the 52. King of France An. 1364. AFter the decease of Iohn the first this Charles 5. surnamed the Wise was crowned the 19. of March Anno Dom. 1364. At the comming to the Crowne hee gained against those of Navarre a very memorable victory under the Conduct of the Lord Bertrand du Gueselin in favour whereof he gave him the Dukedome of Longueville From thence the said Guesclin went to aide Charles of Blois against whom Iohn of Monfort relying upon the English had begun warres for the Dutchy of Bretagne where he was taken fighting valiantly before the Castle of Aulroy against Iohn Lord Chandos High Marshall of England but a peace being made betweene the Duke of Monfort and the Countesse of Blois the King likewise made a peace with those of Navarre and after sent Guesclin to ayde Peter King of Arragon against Peter King of Castile in favour of Henry Sancho and Telco his naturall brothers and also in revenge of the death of his Wife Blanche the daughter of the Duke of Bourbon whom hee had caused to be slaine Peter of Castile being deposed of his kingdome and Henry substituted hee retired to the Prince of Wales who restored him to his former estate After returning into Guienne he imposed upon his Subjects unaccustomed taxations and imposts which caused the Lords of Armaignac and of Albert to appeale to the King of France as to their Soveraigne Lord which was a cause that moved Charles to give an eare to Henry who offered to hold his kingdome of Castile from him so that hee would ayde him in the re-conquest thereof Whereupon the King sent him Guesclin who gained sixe battells against his Enemy and in the sixt Peter of Castile was taken by the Lord de Villaines a French Knight of whom Henry ransomed him and put him to death enjoying by that meanes the kingdome of Castile In the meane time because the King embraced the appeale of the Lords of Gascogne the Prince of Wales denounced warre against him which the King managed so well by the assistance of his brothers that repairing the losses of his Father and Grandfather received by the English hee reconquered Guienne Poictou and Bretagne and deceased in September Anno Dom. 1380 leaving Charles and Lewis under the tuition of their Unkles This King had many vertues shining in all estates both in happinesse and adversity and when the Realme was in the heate of troubles he saved it from ruine so that his fame was spred abroad leaving an honourable remembrance to his posterity Hee favoured Learning and the learned preferring the Schoolemaster Nicholas Oresme He caused the Bible to be translated imitating therein St. Lewis and tooke great delight to read the Scripture and Philosophy and he made Aristotles Ethicks and Politicks and many places of Tully to be translated into French and his favour shewed to learned men cherished their fancies and made them seeke unto the forsaken Muses for witty inventions Hee would heare Suits in open Court and redresse the wrongs of the oppressed and tooke pleasure to advance his houshold servants and gave them meanes for bringing up their sons and marrying their daughters And as he was a favourer of Learning so Bartholl Baldus Petrarch Bociac Plorindes Bonaventure and John Wickliffe of Oxford in England lived in his Reigne But Vertues are not hereditary for Charles sonne to this King degenerated from his Father and the Kingdome of France was afterward punished in the weaknesse of the succeeding Kings so that the confused government brought forth sad effects such as are to bee expected where the rabble multitude have a power unrestrained by Authority and doe swarme and rove about like unruly Bees Charles 6. the 53. King of France Anno 1380. THis Charles 6. about the age of 14. yeares was crowned the first of November Anno. Dom. 1380. In the beginning of his Reigne hee received homage for the Dutchy of Bretagne and enforced the Gaulois to their obedience to their Duke as also he chastised the Parisians who had mutinyed