Earle of Home who died last gave an evident proofe of that true knowledge of God wherewith he was indued and in which hée had more especially increased in the time of his troubles and afflications ¶ An extract of a complaint with a protestation of the Prince of Orange and the Gentlemen of the Low countries touching their oppressions THis yeare in the month of Iuly the Prince of Ornage William and Nassau accompanied with many Lords and Gentlemen of the Low-Countries all professors of the Gospell for prevention of the slanders and pretences of rebelion put upon them by the enemies thereof published in writing a declaration that it might appeare to all that they were so farre off from plotting any treason against the Kings Majesty that on the contrary they did by all the meanes they could acknowledge him to be their naturall Prince and Soveraign The true causes indéed for which they tooke up armes under the authority of their Prince for their owne defence as also of those who professed the protestant religion were the extortions the confiscations of body and goods with the continuall condemnations and putting to death even of the most noble personages of the Countrey And that the Prince of Orange might make knowne to all what injustice and cruelties were exercised upon those of the Religion he discovered the notorious subtilties of the cardinall of Gravella and others who under the cloaks of the pretended catholique religion sought nothing else thereby but the diminishing of Gods glory the Kings authority and the welfare of the commonwealth shedding the bloud of many a true Christian by whose death followed the losse of their temporall estates and all forsooth under pretence of Iustice And for as much as tortures vexations banishments executions both by fire and water by strait imprisonments sword and gibbets did still increase more and more that for these considerations the cause was lawfull and good in taking upon them the defence of so miserable a people to whom the Dutchesse of Parma Governesse under his Majesty had expresly permitted the preaching of the Gospell for preventing of the perils and dangers which threatened the ruine of the said countries And as the said Prince had béen a faithfull and loyall servant to his Majesty in doing him many acceptable services without either sparing his person or goods so was he also ready prest to be imployed still in the like more then at any time heretofore And thus procéeding on further hée made it apparant to every one whose judgement was not forestalled that the Duke of Alva who in respect of the dignities conferred upon him ought himselfe to be a patterne and a protector of the Nobility and Gentry had notwithstanding put to death thréescore gentlemen with others of quality rich Burgemasters of Bruxels and of other Cities besides that this his ambition being risen to a notable height of cruelty durst put to death the Illustrious Earles of Egmond and Horne without any shew of law or equity who had so faithfully served the Emperour Charles of famous memory in his wars Yea that he might yet further debase the Nobility of the Countrey which is as it were the principall support of his Majesty hée caused the heads of the said Earles to be set upon poles and forkes By such spectacles charging upon their parents and friends much obloquy and disgrace Yea this horrible execution did strike such a feare and terror into many that to avoyd these oppressions they fled the countrey For a conclusion he added that all these things layd together the issue thereof tended to the extirpation of all true Religion and consequently the depriving of the faithfull not onely of their spirituall but corporall good also And therefore as a Prince being a native member of the Empire he held himselfe obliged in having compassion over the wrackes made among so many poore Christians to lend them his best helpe furtherance for the frée passage of the Gospell and the consolation of such of his Majesties good Subjects as were persecuted imprisoned and oppressed ¶ Before wée shut up the History of the yeare 1568. wée will adde to the former Martyrs some that were executed in the Low-countries at divers times in the said yeare without tying our selves to any strict order touching their death ¶ Schoblant the sonne of Barthel Iohn de Hues Ioris Coomans Martyrs THe eleventh of February there were taken and imprisoned in Antwerpe Schoblant the son of Barthel Iohn de Hues and Zoris Coomans After which they were all joyfull and glad in the Lord confessing that nothing fell out in this regard but by his divine providence as it appeares by Letters written to their brethren the seventéenth of March containing that which followeth Séeing it is the will of God that we should suffer for his holy name and in the quarrell of his Gospell we certifie you brethren that we are of good courage hitherto howsoever the flesh continually rebels against the spirit counselling it ever and anone according to the advice of the old serpent But we are well assured that Christ who hath bruised will also still bruise the Serpents head and not leave us comfortlesse True it is we are now and then pricked in the héele but that Ioh. 14. 18. Rom. 16. 20. Gen. 3. 15. Mat. 11. 35. is all the Serpent can doe nor are we discouraged but kéep our faith close to the promises of God who is the Lord of heaven and earth having created all things of nothing He forsooke not Ioseph in Egypt nor left the Gen. 39. 21. Dan. 3. 25. Dan 6. 22. thrée yong men in the fiery furnace no nor Daniel in the Lions Den. This is the God of Abraham Isaac and Iacob and of their righteous posterity so that we can without feare say with the Prophet David the Lord is my helpe tower Psal 1◠strength and refuge By such and the like Scriptures deare brethren we comfort our selves in our bands rejecting all confidence in any man whatsoever Be not dismaid then good brethren and sisters for our bands and imprisonment For so is the good will of God now towards us And therefore pray rather that he will give us grace to persevere constantly unto the end so be it ¶ The examination of Schoblant taken the 24. of March in the presence of the Marquesse of the Bailiffe of the Secretary and many others 1568. Marq. WHere were you borne Schob in Sommerswall Marq. Where did you marry your wife Schob At Middleborouth in Zealand Marq. Where were your children baptised Schob In the Church of Christ in which true Christians are bound to baptise their children Marq. Though you should say no more we have sufficient testimony from your owne mouth Have you received the Lords Supper Schob Ya sir Marq. Are ye not a Minister Schob No sir Marq. Ought not you to submit your judgement to that which hath béen decréed in a generall councell where so many learned
to minde what I have often told you namely how God prolonged King Hezechias Isa 38 5. life for fiftéen yeares But he hath preserved my life much longer for it is many yeares agoe since you saw me at the point of death and through Gods goodnesse I am alive and I hope yea I am assured that he will so long preserve me as shall be for his glory and my eternall good through his only frée grace From the prison of Ast the sixteenth of September 1601. The Bishop of Ast was somewhat troubled about this his prisoner for if he had let him go he feared it would bréed some scandall and many might thereby be emboldned to open their mouths wide against the Romane religion Besides there was a clause in the Contract made betwéene his Excellency and the people of Vandois which exempted those of the religion from offence in these words And if it shall fall out that they be asked or questioned withall in Piemont about the cause of Religion by any of his excellencies subjects it shall be lawfull for those of the said Religion to answer without suffering any penall or personall punishment for the same Now Copin had a question put to him in which respect he ought to have béen cléered But the Bishop would by no meanes heare that hee had unâ—ustly imprisoned him and therefore that his death should not be laid to his charge nor yet that hee should be sent away absolved he sent the cause of his Endictment to Pope Clement the eighth to know what should be done with him We cannot learne what answer the Pope returned to the Bishop but not long after this good man was found dead in prison not without some apparent suspition of his being strangled there lest if they had executed him in publique the people should have been edified by his constancy Being dead he was condemned to bee burned and therefore having caused him to be brought out of prisoâ— they read his sentence openly and the body was cast into the fire Thus have you the last among the Vandois which is come to our knowledge that were persecuted to death for the cause of Religion ¶ Mention hath heretofore been often made of sundry bloudy massacres in forreine parts but wee are now come to fall upon the report of a businesse neerer home which if the most wise and watchfull providence of God had not timely and graciously prevented it would have to the ruine of our Church and state proved such a massacre the like whereof the heart of man never conceived the care of man never heard of nor the tongue or pen of man could scarse ever have utteted namely at one blow to have blowne up not onely the King Quéene and royall posterity but the whole body of the state in generall Now as the Church and State had each of them a share in this so admirable a deliverance from God upon the fifth day of November Anno 1605. so each of them shewed their care if it might be for ever to perpetuate the praise of God for the same on the said day the one by stablishing an act of Parliament for it the other by publishing a forme of thanksgiving the better to effect it some expression whereof the Reader may hap to méet with at the end of the discourse following ¶ A discourse touching the manner of the discovery of the Pouder-treason with the examination of some of the Prisoners WHile this land and whole Monarchy flourished in a most happy and plentifull peace as well at home as abroad sustained and conducted by these two maine pillars of all good government Piety and Iustice no forraine grudge nor inward whispering of discontentment any way appearing the King being upon his returne from his hunting exercise at Royston upon occasion of the drawing néere of the Parliament time which had béen twise prorogued already partly in regard of the season of the yeare and partly of the Terme as the winds are ever stillest immediately before a storme and as the Sunne blenks often hottest to foretell a following showre so at that time of greatest calme did that secretly hatched thunder begin to cast forth the first flashes and flaming lightenings of the approaching tempest For the Saturday of the wéeke immediately preceding the Kings returne which was upon a Thursday being but ten daies before the Parliament the Lord Mountegle sonne and hoire to A letter delivered to the L. Mountegle the Lord Morley being in his owne lodging ready to goe to supper at seven of the clocke at night one of his Footmen whom he had sent of an errand over the stréet was met by an unknowne man of a reasonable tall personage who delivered him a Letter charging him to put it in my Lord his Masters hands Which my Lord no sooner received but that having broken it up and perceiving the same to be of an unknowne and somewhat unlegible hand and without either date or subscription did call one of his men unto him for helping him to read it But no sooner did he conceive the strange contents thereof although hee was somewhat perplexed what construction to make of it as whether of a matter of consequence as indéed it was or whether some foolish devised Pasquil by some of his enemies to â—karre him from his attendance at the Parliament yet did he as a most dutifull and loyall subject conclude not to conceale it what ever might come of it Whereupon notwithstanding the latenesse and darkenesse of the night in that season of the yeare hee presently repaired to his Majesties Palace at Revealed to the Earle of Salisbury Whitehall and there delivered the same to the Earle of Salisbury his Majesties principall Secretary Whereupon the said Earle of Salisbury having read the Letter and heard the manner of the comming of it to his hands did greatly encourage and commend my Lord for his discretion telling him plainly that whatsoever the purpose of the Letter might prove hereafter yet did this accident put him in minde of divers advertisements he had received from beyond the seas wherewith he had acquainted as well the King himselfe as divers of his privy Counsellors concerning some businesse the Papists were in both at home and abroad making preparation for some combination among them against this Parliament time for enabling them to deliver at that time to the King some petition for toleration of Religion which should be delivered in some such Purpose of the Papists for delivering a petition to his Majesty to crav toleration of religion order and so well backed as the King should be loth to refuse their request Like the sturdy Beggers craving almes with one open hand but carriing a stone in the other in case of refusall And therefore did the Earle of Salisbury conclude with the Lord Mountegle that he would in regard of the Kings absence impart the same Letter to some more of his Majesties Counsell whereof my Lord Mountegle
liked well only adding this request by way of protestation that whatsoever the event hereof might prove it should not be imputed to him as procéeding from too light and too suddaine an apprehension that he delivered this Letter being only moved thereunto for demonstration of his ready devotion and care for preservation of his Majesty and the State And The Lord Chamberlain made privy to the letter by the Earle of Salisbury thus did the Earle of Salisbury presently acquaint the Lord Chamberlaine with the said Letter Whereupon they two in the presence of the Lord Mountegle calling to minde the former intelligence already mentioned which séemed to have some relation with this Letter The tender care which they ever carried to the preservation of his Majesties person made them apprehend that some perillous attempt did thereby appears to be intended against the same which did the more néerely concerne the said Lord Chamberlaine to have a care of in regard that it doth belong to the charge of his office to oversée as well all places of assembly where his Majesty is to repaire as his highnesse owne private houses And therefore did the said two Counsellors conclude that they should joyn unto themselves thrée more of the Counsell to wit the Lord Admirall the Earles of Worcester and Northampton to be also particularly acquainted with this accident who having all of them concurred together to the re-examination of the contents of the said Letter they did conclude that how slight a matter it might at the first appeare to be yet was it not absolutely to be contemned in respect of the care which it behooved them to have of the preservation of his Majesties person Wherefore they resolved for two reasons first Thought meet by the Counsellors to acquaint the King with the Letter to acquaint the K. himselfe with the same before they procéeded to any further inquistition in the matter as well for the expectation and experience they had of his Majesties fortunate Iudgement in cléering of obscure riddles and doubtfull mysteries as also because the more time would in the meane while be given for the practise to ripen if any was whereby the discovery might be the more cléere and evident and the ground of procéeding thereupon more safe just and easie And so according to their determination did the said Earle of Salisbury repaire to the King in his Gallery on Friday being Alhallow day in the afternoone which was the day after his Majesties Upon Alhallow day the Earle of Salisbury shewed the letter to the King arrivall and none but himselfe being present with his highnesse at that time where without any other speech or judgement given of the Letter but only relating simply the forme of the delivery thereof he presented it to his Majesty the contents whereof follow MY Lord out of the love I beare to some of your friends I have a care of your preservation Therefore I would advise you as you tender your life to devise some excuse to shift off your attendance at this Parliament For God and man have concurred to punish the wickednesse of this time And thinke nor slightly of this advertisement but retire your selfe into your country where you may expect the event in safety For though there be no apparance of any stir yet I say they shall receive a terrible blow this Parliament and yet they shall not see who hurts them This counsell is not to be contemned because it may doe you good and can doe you no harme for the danger is past so soone as you have burnt the Letter And I hope God will give you the grace to make good use of it To whose holy protection I commend you The King no sooner read the Letter but after a little pause and then reading it over againe hée His Majesties judgement of the Letter delivered his judgement of it in such sort as hée thought it was not to be contemned for that the stile of it séemed to be more quicke and pithy then is usuall to be in any Pasquill or Libell the superfluities of idle braines But the Earle of Salisbury perceiving the King to apprehend it déeplier then he looked for knowing his nature told him that he thought by one sentence in it that it was like to be written by some foole or mad man reading to him this sentence in it For the danger is past so soone as you have burnt the Letter which he said was like to be the saying of a foole for if the danger was past so soone as the Letter was burnt then the warning behooved to be of little availe when the burning of the letter might make the danger to be eschewed But the King on the contrary considering the former sentence in the Letter That they should receive a terrible blow at this Parliament and yet should not see who hurt them Ioining it to the sentence immediately A terrible blow indeed at once to have wracked King Queen Prince and Progeny Religion State and all following already alledged did thereupon conjecture That the danger mentioned should bée some suddaine danger by blowing up of powder For no other insurrection rebellion or whatsoever other private and desperate attempt could bée committed or attempted in time of Parliament and the Authors thereof unséene except onely it were by a blowing up of Powder which might be performed by one base knave in a darke corner whereupon he was moved to interpret and construe the latter sentence in the Letter alledged by the Earle of Salisbury against all ordinary sence and construction in Grammar as if by these words For the danger is past so soone as you have burnt the Letter should be closely understood the suddainty and quicknesse of the danger which should be as quickly performed and at an end as that Paper should be blazing up in the fire turning that word of As soone to the sence of As quickly and therefore wished that His Majesties opinion for searching of the under roomes of the Parliament house before his going to the Parliament the under roomes of the Parliament house might be well and narrowly searched But the Earle of Salisbury wondering at this his Majesties commentary which he knew to be so far contrary to his ordinary and naturall disposition who did rather ever sin upon the other side in not apprehending nor trusting due advertisement of practises and perils when he was truly informed of them whereby he had many times drawne himselfe into many desperate dangers and interpreting rightly this extraordinary Caution at this time to procéed from the vigilant care he had of the whole State more then of his owne person which could not but have all perished together if this designement had succéeded He thought good to dissemble still unto the King that there had béene any just cause of such apprehension and ending the purpose with some merry jest on this subject as his custome is tooke his leave for that time But
though he séemed so to neglect it to his Majesty yet his customable and watchfull care of the King and the State still bolling within him And having with the blessed Virgin Mary laid up in Anno 1605. his heart the Kings so strange judgement and construction of it he could not be at rest till hée acquainted the foresaid Lords what had passed between the King and him in private Whereupon they were all so earnest to renew againe the memory of the same purpose unto his Majesty as it was agréed that he should the next day being Saturday repaire to his Highnesse which he did in the said privy Gallery and renewed the memory thereof the Lord Chamberlaine The determination to search the Parliament house and the rooius under it then being present with the King At what time it was determined That the said L. Chamberlaine should according to his custome and office view all the parliament houses both above and below and consider what likelihood or appearance of any such danger might possibly be gathered by the sight of them but yet as well for staying of idle rumors as for being the more able to discern any mystery the nearer that things were in readinesse his journey thither was ordained to be deferred till the afternoone before the sitting downe of the Parliament which was upon the Munday following At what time he according to this conclusion went to the Parliament house accompanied with my Lord Mountegle being in zeale to the Kings service earnest and curious to sée the event of that accident whereof he had the fortune to be the first discoverer where having viewed all Wood and coale found by the L. Chamberlaine in the Vault the lower roomes he found in the vault under the upper house great store and provision of billets fagois and coales and inquiring of Whyneard kéeper of the Wardrobe to what use he had put those lower roomes and cellars he told him that Thomas Percy had hired both the house and part of the Cellar or Vault under the same and that the wood and coale under which were hidden thirty sixe barrels of powder great and small besides great barres of Iron péeces of Timber and massie stones covered over with Fagots therein was the said Gentlemans owne provision Whereupon the Lord Chamberlaine casting his eye aside perceived a fellow standing in a corner there calling himselfe the said Percies man and kéeper of that house for him but indéed was Guido Fawkes the owner of that hand which should have acted that monstrous and hellish Tragedy The Lord Chamberlaine looking upon all things with a héedfull indéed yet in outward appearance with but a carelesse and recklesse eye as became so wise and diligent a minister he presently addressed himselfe to the King in the privy Gallery where in the presence of the Lord Treasurer the Lord Admirall the Earles of Worcester Northampton and Salisbury he made his report what he had séen and observed there noting The Lord Chamberlaines report and judgment of what he had observed in the search that Montegle had told him That he no sooner heard Thomas Percy named to be the possessor of that house but considering both his backwardnesse in Religion and the old dearenesse in friendship betwéene himselfe and the said Percy he did greatly suspect the matter and that the letter should come from him The said Lord Chamberlaine also told That he did not wonder a little at the extraordinary great provision of wood and coale in that house where Thomas Percy had so seldome occasion to remaine as likewise it gave him in his minde that this man looked like a very tall and desperate fellow This could not but increase the Kings former apprehension and jealousie whereupon he insisted as before that the house was narrowly to be searched and that those billets and coales would be searched to the bottom it being most suspitious that they were laid there onely for covering of the powder Of this same minde also were all the Counsellors then present But upon the fashion of making of the search was it long debated for upon the one side they were all so jealous of the Disputation about the maner of the further search Kings safety that they all agréed that there could not be too much caution used for preventing his danger And yet upon the other part they were all extream loath and dainty that in case this Letter should prove to be nothing but the evaporation of an idle brain then a curious search being made and nothing found should not only turne to the generall scandall of the King and the State as being so suspitious of every light and frivolous toy but likewise lay in ill favoured imputation upon the Earle of Northumberland one of his Majesties greatest subjects and Counsellors this Thomas Percy being his kinsman and most confident familiar And the rather were they curious upon this point knowing how far the King detested to be thought suspitious or jealous of any of his good subjects though of the meanest degrée And therefore though they all agréed upon the main ground which was to provide for the security of the Kings person yet did they much differ in the circumstances by which this action might be best carried with least dinne and occasion of slander But the King himselfe still persisting that there were divers shrewd appearances and that a narrow search of those places could prejudge no man that was innocent he at last plainly resolved them that either must all the parts of those roomes be narrowly searched and no possibility of danger left unexamined or else he and they all must resolve not to meddle in it at all but plainly to goe the next day to the Parliament and leave the successe to Fortune which he beléeved they would be loth to take upon their consciences for in such a case as this an halfe doing was worse than no doing at all Whereupon it was at last concluded That nothing should bée Agreed that the search should be under colour of seeking for Wardrobe stuffe missed by Whyneard left unsearched in those houses and yet for the better colour and stay of rumour in case nothing were found it was thought méet that upon a pretence of Whyneards missing some of the Kings stuffe or hangings which he had in kéeping all these roomes should be narrowly ripped for them And to this purpose was Sir Thomas Knevet a Gèntleman of his Majesties privy Chamber imployed being a Iustice of Peace in Westminster and one of whose ancient fidelity both the late Quéen and our now Soveraigne have had large proofe who according to the trust committed unto him went about the midnight next after to the Parliament house accompanied with such a small number as was fit for that errand But before his entry into the house finding Faux found at midnight without the house Thomas Percies alledged man standing without the doores his clothes and bootes on at so
ye have to note this following circumstance so admirable and so vively displaying the greatnesse of Gods justice as it could not be concealed without betraying in a manner the glory due to the Almighty for the same Although divers of the Kings Proclamations were posted downe after these Traitors with all the speed possible declaring the odiousnesse of that bloudy attempt the necessity to have had Percy preserved alive if it had bin possible and the assembly together of that damned crew now no more secret conspirators but open and avowed rebels yet the farre distance of the way which was above an hundred miles together with the extreame déepnesse thereof joyned also with the shortnesse of the day was the cause that the hearty and loving affections of the Kings good subjects in those parts prevented the spéed of his Proclamations For on the third day after the flying downe of Overtaken at Holbeach in Staffordshire in Ste. Littletons house these rebels which was on the Fryday next after the discovery of the plot they were most of them all surprised by the Sheriffe of Worcester shire at Holbeach about the noone of the day and that in manner following Grant of whom I have made mention before for taking the great horses who had not all the preceding time stirred from his owne house till the next morning after the attempt should have béen put in execution he then laying his account without his Host as the Proverbe is that their plot had without failing received the day before their hoped for successe tooke or rather stole out their horses as I said before for enabling him and so many of that soule-lesse society that had still remained in the countrey néere about him to make a sudden surprise upon the Kings elder daughter the Lady Elizabeth having her residence néere to that place at the Lord Harringtons house whom they thought to have used for the colour of their treacherous designe his Majesty Grants attempt to surprise the Lady Elizabeth her Father her Mother and male Children being all destroyed above And to this purpose also had that Nimrod Digby provided his hunting match against the same time that numbers of people being flocked together upon the pretence thereof they might the easilier have brought to passe the sudden surprise of her person Now the violent taking away of those horses long before day did séeme to be so great a riot in the eies of the common people that knew of no greater mystery And the bold attempting thereof did ingender such a suspition of some following rebellion in the hearts of the wiser sort as both great and small began to stirre and arme themselves upon this unlooked for accident Among whom sir Fulke Grevill the elder knight as became one both so antient in yeares and good reputation and by his office being deputy Lieutenant of Warwicke shire though unable in his body yet by the zeale and true servency of his minde did first apprehend this foresaid riot to be nothing but the sparkles and sure indices of a following rebellion whereupon both stoutly and honestly he tooke order to get into his owne hands the munition and armour of all such Gentlemen about him as were either absent from their owne houses or in doubtfull guard And also sent such direction to the Townes about him as thrrupon did follow the striking of Winter by a poore Smith who had likewise béen taken by these vulgar people but that he was rescued by the rest of his company who perceiving that the country before them had notice of them hastened awâ—y with losse in their owne sight sixtéene of their followers being taken by the townesinen and sent presently to the Sheriffe at Warwicke and from thence to London But before twelve or sixtéene houres past Catesby Percy the Winters Wrights Rookwood and the rest bringing then the assurance that their maine plot was failed and bewraied whereupon they had builded the golden mountaines of their glorious hopes They then tooke their last desperate resolution to flocke together in a troupe and wander as they did for the reasons aforetold But as upon the one part the zealous duty to their God and their Soveraigne was so déeply imprinted in the hearts of all the meanest and poorest sort of the people although then knowing of no further mystery then such publique misbehaviours as their owne eyes taught them as notwithstanding all their faire shewes and pretence of their Catholique cause no creature man or woman through all the countrey would once so much as give them willingly a cup of drinke or any sort of comfort or support but with execrations detested them So on the other part the Sheriffes of the shires wherethrough they wandred convening their people with all spéed possible hunted as hotly after them as the evilnesse of the way and the unprovidednesse of their people upon that sudden could permit them And so at last after Sir Richard Verney Sheriffe of Warwickeshire had carefully and straightly bin in chase of them to the confines of his County part of the meaner sort being also apprehended by him Sir Richard Walsh Sheriffe of Worcester shire did likewise dutifully and hotly pursue them through his shire And having gotten sure tryall of their taking harbour at the house above named he did send trumpeters and messengers to them commanding them in the Kings name to render unto him his Majesties Minister and knowing no more at that time of their guilt then was publikely visible did promise upon their dutifull and obedient rendring unto him to intercede at the Kings hand for the sparing of their lives Whoreceived only from them this scornfull answer they being better witnesses to themselves of their inward evill consciences That he had néed of better assistance then of those few numbers that were with him before he could be able to command or controll them But here fell the wondrous worke of Gods Iustice that while this message passed betwéen The preparation to assault the house the sheriffe and them the sheriffes his peoples zeale being justly kindled and augmented by their arrogant answer and so they preparing themselves to give a furious assault and the other party making themselves ready within the house to performe their promise by a defence as resolute It pleased God that in the mending of the fire in their chamber one small sparke should flée out and light among lesse then two pound weight of pouder which was drying a little from the chimny which being thereby blowne up so maimed the faces of some of the principall rebelsâ— the hands and sides of others of them blowing up with it also a great bag full of pouder which notwithstanding never tooke fire as they were not only disabled Anno 1620 Catesby who was the first Inventer of this treason in generall and of the manner of working the same by powder in special himselfe now first maimed with the blowing up of powder and next he and Percy
both killed with one shot proceeding from powder and discouraged hereby from any further resistance in respect Catesby himself Rookwood Grant and divers others of greatest account among them were thereby made unable for defence but also wonderfully strucken with amasement in their guilty consciences calling to memory how God had justly punished them with that same instrument which they should have used for the effectuating of so great a sin according to the old Latine saying In quo peccamus in eodem plectimur as they presently sée the wonderfull power of Gods Iustice upon guilty consciences did all fall downe upon their knées praying God to pardon them for their bloody enterprise and thereafter giving over any further debate opened the gate suffered the Sheriffes people to rush in furiously among them and desperately sought their own present destruction the thrée specials of them joyning backes together Catesby Percy and Winter whereof two with one shot Catesby and Percy were slaine and the third Winter taken and saved alive And thus these resolute and high aspiring Catholiques who dreamed of no lesse then the destruction of Kings and Kingdomes and promised to themselves no lower estate then the government of great and ancient Monarchies were miserably defeated and quite overthrowne in an instant falling in the pit which they had prepared for others and so fulfilling that sentence which his Majesty did in a manner prophecy of them in his Oration to the Parliament some presently slaine others deadly wounded strippped of their clothes left lying miserably naked and so dying rather of cold than of the danger of their wounds and the rest that either were whole or but lightly hurt taken and led prisoners by the Sheriffe the ordinary Minister of Iustice to the Gaole the ordinary place even of the basest malefactors where they remained till their sending up to London being mèt with a huge confluence of people of all sorts desirous to sée them as the rarest sort of Monsters fooles to laugh at them women and children to wonder all the common people to gaze the wiser sort to satisfie their curiosity in séeing the outward cases of so unheard of a villany and generally all sorts of people to satiate and fill their eyes with the sight of them whom in their hearts they so far admired and detested serving so for a fearefull and publique spectacle of Gods flerce wrath and just indignation ¶ Anno III. Iacobi Regis An Act for a publique thankesgiving to Almighty God every yeare on the fifth day of November FOrasmuch as Almighty God hath in all ages shewed his power and mercy in the miraculous and gracious deliverance of his Church and in the protection of religious Kings and States and that no nation of the earth hath béen blessed with greater benefits then this kingdome now enjoyeth having the true and frée profession of the Gospell under our most soveraigne Lord King Iames the most great learned and religious King that ever raigned therein enriched with a most hopefull and plentifull progeny procéeding out of his royall loynes promising continuance of this happinesse and profession to all posterity the which many malignant and devillish Papists Iesuites and Seminary Priests much envying and fearing conspired most horibly when the Kings most excellent Majesty the Quéene the Prince and all the Lords spirituall and temporall and Commons should have béen assembled in the upper house of Parliament upon the fifth day of November in the yeare of our Lord 1605. suddenly to have blowne up the said whole house with Gun-powder an invention so inhumane barbarous and cruell as the like was never before heard of as was as some of the principall conspirators confesse purposely devised and concluded to be done in the said house that where sundry necessary and religious Lawes for preservation of the Church and State were made which they falsely and slanderously terme cruell Lawes enacted against them and their religion both place and persons should be all destroyed and blowne up at once which would have turned to the utter ruine of this whole kingdome had it not pleased Almighty God by inspiring the Kings most excellent Majestie with a Divine spirit to interpret some darke phrases of a letter shewed to his Majestie above and beyond all ordinary construction thereby miraculously discovering this hidden Treason not many houres before the appointed time for the execution thereof Therefore the Kings most excellent Majestie the Lords spirituall and temporall and all his Majesties faithfull and loving subjects do most justly acknowledge this great and infinite blessing to have procéeded méerly from God his great mercy and to his most holy name doe ascribe all honor glory and praise And to the end this unfeigned thankfulnesse may never be forgotten but be had in a perpetuall remembrance that all ages to come may yéeld praises to his Divine Majesty for the same and have in memory this joyfull day of deliverance Be it therefore enacted by the Kings most excellent Majesty the Lords spirituall and temporall and the Commons in this present Parliament assembled and by the authority of the same That all and singular Ministers in every Cathedrall and Parish Church or other usuall place for Common prayer within this Realm of England and the dominions of the same shall alwaies upon the fifth day of November say Morning prayer and give unto Almighty God thankes for this most happy Deliverance and that all and every person and persons inhabiting within this realme of England and the dominions of the same shall alwaies upon that day diligently and faithfully resort to the Parish Church or Chappell where the said morning Prayer Preaching or other service of God shall be used and then and there to abide orderly and soberly during the time of the said prayers preaching or other service of God there to be used and ministred And because all and every person may be put in minde of this duty and be the better prepared to the said holy service Be it enacted by authority aforesaid that every Minister shall give warning to his Partshioners publiquely in the Church at morning Prayer the Sunday before every such fifth day of November for the due observation of the said day And that after morning Prayer or preaching on the said fifth day of November they reade distinctly and plainly this present Act. God save the King ¶ A Prayer and Thankesgiving for the Anno 1611 happy deliverance of his Majesty the Queene the Prince and the States of Parliament c. ALmighty God who hast in all ages shewed thy power and mercy in the miraculous and gracious deliverances of thy Church and in the protection of righteous and religious Kings and States professing thy holy and eternall truth against the wicked conspiraâ—ies and malicious practises of all the enemies thereof we yéeld unto thée from the very ground of our hearts all possible praise and thankes for thy wonderfull and mighty deliverance of our gracious Soveraigne K.
saile as they say and to apply himselfe to the time being brought hereinto by the advice of some namely that he should faine a giving of his consent to what the Magistrate required of him by meanes whereof hée might escape their hands But about the tenth of September comming againe to himselfe and But soone after recovers himselfe espying whereunto this determination tended hée protested before all that he would stand in the confession he had made from the first of April last past Wherefore on the ninth of August hée was brought againe before the same Iudges where he openly confirmed the same His Iudges said that he should either be drowned or burned alive Then on the thirtéenth of Ianuary 1566. according to the Venetian account which according to our was 1567. on Tuesday morning being come before the Tribunall sentence was pronounced upon him that hée should be drowned as an Heretique To which he gave them this answer I am no heretique but the servant of Iesus Christ At which words the popes legate commanded him to hold his peace telling him that he lied The next day in the morning which was the last of Ianuary he was brought into Saint Peters Chappell where he was degraded because he had béen a Priest and the night following he was conducted unto the Sea and there drowned in the place appointed who died prayising and blessing God with invincible constancy ¶ A relation of such things as fell out under the government of the Duke of Alva and of many men put to death 1567. THe afflictions of the protestants in the Low-Countries were multiplied this yeare under the dominion of Ferdinando of Toledo Duke of Alva It is well knowne that the Spaniards using all their endeavours to rule over this Countrey at their pleasures had no better opportunity to accomplish their design then to establish among them their inquisition thereby to dominéere over the goods honors and lives of every one The Nobles Citizens and Commons did what they could to oppose the same to which purpose they had instantly besought the King to afford them his royall presence that hearing once their complaints his Majesty might take some order for matters of so great importance alledging to this end the example of the Emperour Charles his Father who upon a businesse fame inferiour to this adventured himselfe with much diligence to passe through the enemies country who were but a while before reconciled onele to stay some mutinies begun in the City of Gand. These things had so moved his Majesty that he made them a promise by letters of his comming But his intention was broken off by such as were the upholders of the inquisition that so they might with the more facility attaine the end of their desires In stead of their King then they had sent unto them the Duke of Alva who at his entrance found the prisons replenished with Gentlemen other personages of note whom the Dutches of Parma had left in bonds after her death Long di dthey languish in this captivity whilst the Duke of Alva by faire promises dissembled a kind of méeke and gentle carriage of minde towards them giving them some hope of a generall pardon procéeding from the Kings clemency that thus he might catch the lords and governors â—he more cunningly into his nets whereof the Lord Lemorall Earle of Egmond Prince of Gand Governor of Flanders and Artois and others of quality gave but too lamentable experience who being fed with vaine hopes were at length inhumanely put to death The sixéene Provinces also subjecting themselves To wit Brabant Lambourg Luxembourg Guelderland Flanders Artois Haynaut Holland â—ealand Namur â—utphein Friseland Malines Vtrecht Overâ—seiz and Graningu◠〈◊〉 Le Conseil de sang under this new government lost their antient liberties and priviledges which evidently appeared by the exploits done from the yere 1557. hitherto by a new counsell of twelve elected and setled there by the Duke the principall of which were Vergas and Delrio the Fathers of the inquisition which Councell was commonly called the Councell of bloud ¶ The death of two Barons of Battembourg the one called Gysorecht and the other Thierri brethren with certaine other Gentlemen executed the same day at Bruxells 1568. AMong many Gentleman and Captains who were apprehended after the discomâ—ture of the Assembly in Holland whom the Dutches of Parma had imprisoned in the castle of Villford the two brothers of Battembourg a most antient Barony scituated upon Mense about two miles off from Nieumegne did manifest above others how much they had profited by being instructed in the Church of Geneva The elder of them was Gysbrecht and the other Dietrich or Thierri who from the flower of their youth had constantly professed and confessed the pure Doctrine of the Gospell On Tuesday the first of Iune Anno 1568. the Duke of Alva began to declare to the world his fained méeknesse putting to death the same day these two breathren besides the Lords Heter Dandelet Philip Wingle c. They were first brought into Provost Spellans house néere the horse faire in the City of Bruxels compassed about with a strong guard and many drummes beating that none might heare what were their last spéeches As they went to their death Battembourg the elder séemed to be somewhat pensive whereas Dietrich his brother was very chéerefull comforting the other with his gracious words saying Ah brother is not this the day we have so much desired Be not sorrowfull now for it is the highest honor that can befall us here to suffer for the Doctrine of the Sonne of God It may be for the love you beare me you grieve to sée me dye first I am content that you should drinke of that cup before me in regard you are the elder if not all is one séeing we are going to our God Gysbrecht by and by replied Thinke not deare Brother that the joy of the holy Ghost is taken from me now I am drawing nigh to the Lord being ready to dye for his holy name Then ascending the scaffold after he had made his fervent prayers to God the Executioner taking off his head he slept happily swéetly in the Lord. His brother following him next with such alacrity as much astonished the spectators He desired as some say to sée his brother and when he had espied his head he cried I shall by and by be with thee my brother So after he had ended his prayer he was by a quicke dispatch united unto him Those who testifie these things report That the other Gentleman had so much favour as to bée buried but these two brethren were made a spectacle being hanged up the cause was for that in the very same morning they suffered as also before they directly set themselves against the Idolatries which were proposed unto them The Saturday after the fifth of Iune the Earles of Eagmond and Horne were beheaded and there made a publique gazing flock Of which two the
out his hand to receive you unto him Are you are you willing to goe unto him Yes I assure you saith she most willing and much more willing than to linger here below in this world where I see nothing but vanity The minister not willing to continue longer in this kinde of discourse asked if she were pleased that they should goe to prayer declaring that godly personages there present would willingly joyne their desires with hers To which she consenting the said Minister prayed by her a good space whilest this pious Lady manifested her ardent affection to call upon God When prayer was ended the Minister discerning in her the undoubted testimonies of her repentance and of the sorrow she conceived for the offences which she had committed against God together with the assured confidence which shée had in his mercies as a Minister of the Gospell amd Embassadour of the Son of God by the authority dispensed to him having committed to him the word of reconciliation he assured her in his name that all her sins were forgiven her of 1 Cor. 5. God and that they should never come into account before his judgement Seat yea that she should no more dount thereof then if the Sonne of God from heaven should say unto her Daughter thy sins are forgiven thee And to the end that troubled consciences might the better be quieted Christ hath used these words speaking to his Ministers saying Whose soever sins ye remit they are remitted Mat. 16. 14. and whose sins ye unloose they are unloosed The reason is because the word which they pronounce is not the word of a mortall man but of the immortall God being of no lesse weight than if himselfe uttered the same Then he asked of her Majesty if he accepted of so gracious a Message which assured her of the frée pardon of all her sins Yea I doe saith shee and make no doubt thereof Not long after these exhortations the Admirall comming in and with him another Minister shée also gave care to him for a good space together whose discourse tended to prepare her for death as he had done who had spoken to her immediatly before who having finished his spéech prayed also with her and for her which she heard with great attention and affection Then she requested that these two ministers might stay with her all night in her Chamber and that they would in no wise leave her The greater part of this night was spent in holy admonitions which these two ministers gave to this gracious Lady and Princesse one after another Besides these admonitions she commanding that some Chapters of the holy Scripture which were pertinent for her condition should be read unto her one of the Ministers read in her hearing certaine Chapters out of the Gospell of Saint Iohn namely from the fouretéenth to the seventéenth After he had read to her these Chapters he went to prayer which being ended the Quéene desired to take some rest but it was not long ere she commanded them to reade again whereupon the other Minister having made choise of certaine Psalmes of David full of ardent and affectionate prayers suiting to this Princesses present affliction he read them unto her and for a conclusion read the one and thirtieth Psalme Psal 31. 5. where the Prophet among other things doth there commend his spirit into the hands of God because saith he thou hast redéemed me O Lord God of truth The Quéene willed them to pray with her again and thus as I have said was the most part of the night spent in such vertuous exercises namely in exhortation in reading the holy Scripture and in prayer during all which time the ministers never discerned in any of her spéeches or behaviour the least impatiency Nay whereas some dayes before she fell sick she shewed how affectionately she was bent to provide things most magnificent for the day of her Sons marriage according as the State of so great an alliance required it was admirable to observe that after thâ—s sicknesse had seized upon her God wrought in her such aforgetfulnesse and neglect of all such matters that she never made shew of having so much as a thought thereof This night being thus passed and spent by this noble Queene she persevering in the expressions of like pious actions and ardency of Faith the next day in the morning betwéen eight and nine of the clocke she departed this life to take possession of a far better life swéetly yéelding up her spirit into the hands of God the ninth of Iune 1572. the sixth day after she fell sick in the 44. yeare of her age She had her perfect spéech alwaies even to the houre of her death shewing not only the stayednesse and soundnesse of her judgement which ever in times past she had in her care about the salvation of her soule but in her other worldly affaires also Now to avoide all jealousies and suspitions of her being wronged by poyson or otherwise in this matter of her so sudden sickenesse her body was opened by sundry expert and learned Doctors of Physick and Chirurgery with all exquisite diligence who found her heart and liver very sound and untouched her lungs only excepted which long before on the right side had béen very ill affected by reason of an extraordinary hardnesse which they had contracted and withall a great imposthume which so far as man could judge they concluded was the cause of her death But they had no command given them to open the braine and therefore finding somewhat out of frame in her body they delivered their opinions only concerning the same Thus you have with as much brevity as I could and as the merit of the thing required the true report of the manner of this vertuous Princesses sicknesse and death thus ar related unto you only my request is saith my Author that if any have a more perfect and particular knowledge of the excellent parts wherewith the Lord had adorned and beautified her they would not suffer the same to be buried in silence but to cause it to sée the light that on the one side it may serve as an example to posterity and on the other side that we may learne to blesse God for her piety and constancy ¶ An Introduction first into that which Anno 1572. leads to the death of the Admirall of France Then to the massacre at paris and so in some other Cities And first what moved the Admirall to come to Paris AFter the death of the Quéene certaine Princes were sollicited by the King to give their attendance at Paris for the folemnising the mariage of the Prince of Navarre now made king by the death of his mother according to the ceremonies which were thereto appertaining Among the rest letters were directed to the Admirall by the King himselfe to come to this marriage which were delivered unto him by Cavagues wherein the King assured him be would not tarry long after him Willing
not yet satisfied But going from house to house with their associats Anno 1569. where they thought to find any Huguenots they brake open the doores then cruelly murthered whomsoever they met sparing neither sex nor age The pretence was this Report was raised there that a treason of the Huguenots was discovered who had conspired to kill the King his Mother his brethren having already killed fifteene of the guard Carts were laden with dead bodies of yong maidens women men and children which were discharged into the river covered in a maner all over with the slain and dyed red with their bloud which also streamed down the stréets from sudry parts thereof whereat the Courtezans laughed their fill saying That the warres were now ended and that hereafter they should live in peace c. But it would take up too much time to recite all the lamentable passages of this so sad and tuefull a tragedy ¶ This with some others which follow belonging to this History because they could not bee omitted are here under inserted TO begin then with Monsieur Pierre de la Place President of the Court of Requests whose story we will relate somewhat at large because his singular piety requires the same On Sunday morning about six of the clock one called Captaine Michael harquebusier of the king came into his lodging into which he had the more easie accesse for divers private respects This Captaine being armed having a harquebuse This was a token by which the murtherers were distinguished form others on his shoulder apâ—stoll at his girdle and his handkerchiefe tyed about his left arme presenting himself before the said De la Place the first words he spake were that the Duke of Guise had slaine the Admirall by the Kings appointment with many Huguenots besides and because the rest of them of what quality soever were destinated to death he was come to his lodging to exempt him from the common destruction onely he desired to have a sight of that gold and silver which was in the house The Lord de la Place somwhat amased at the audacious malapartnesse of the man who in the midst of ten or twelve persons which were there present in the roome durst presume to utter such language askt him if he knew where he was or whether he thought there was a King or no To this the Captaine blaspheming answered that he willed him to goe with him to know the kings pleasure The said Lord de la Place hearing this fearing also some danger to be towards by sedition in the City slipped forth at a backe doore behind his lodging purposing to get into a neighbors house In the meane while most of his servants vanished out of sight and this Captaine having stored himselfe with a thousand crowns was intreated by the Lady Marets daughter to the said Lord to convey her father with the Lord Marets her husband into the house of some Romane Catholike which he consented to doe and also performed it After this de la Place being refused at thrée severall houses was constrained to retire backe againe into his own where he found his wife very pensive and grieved beyond measure fearing lest this Captaine in the end would cast her sonne in law and daughter into the river as also for the imminent danger wherein her deare husband and all his family were But the said Lord de la Place being strengthened by the spirit of God with incredible constancy in the inner man sharply rebuked her and afterwards mildely demonstrated unto her that we must receive these and the like afflictions from the hand of God and so having discoursed a while upon the promises of God comforted her Then he commanded such servants and maids as remained in the house to be called togeher who being come into his Chamber according to his custome on the Lords dayes he made a forme of exhortation to his family then went to prayer and began to read a Chapter out of the booke of Iob with the exposition or sermon of Master Iohn Calvin upon it So having spoken somewhat of Gods mercy and justice which as a good and wise father useth to exercise his elect with sundry chastisements lest they should bée intangled here below with the things of this World he shewed how néedfull afflictions were for Christians and that it was beyond the power of Satan or men to hurt or wrong them unlesse the Lord of his good pleasure gave them leave What néed have we then said he to dread their authority which at the most can but prevaile over our bodies Then he went to prayer againe preparing himselfe and his whole family rather to endure all sorts of torments yea death it selfe than to speake or doe ought that might tend to the dishonour of God Having finished his prayer word was brought him that Senecay the Provost Marihall with many archers were at the doore of his lodging commanding the same to be opened in the Kings name saying that he came to secure the person of the Lord de la Place and to preserve his house from being pillaged by the common sort The Lord de la Place having intelligence of this spéech commanded the doore to be opened to him who entring in declared the great slaughter that was made upon the Huguenots every where in the city by the Kings command adding this withall in Latine that he would not suffer one to live Qui mingat ad Parietem Yet have I expresse charge from his Majesty saith he to sée that you shall sustaine no wrong but only conduct you to the Louvre because the King is desirous to be informed touching many things about the affairs of those of the Religion which he hath now in hand and therfore willed him to make himself ready to goe to his Majesty The Lord de la Place answered That he alwaies thought himselfe happy before he left this life to gaine any opportunity by which hée might render an account to his Majesty of his behaviour and actions But in regard such horrible Massacres were every where committed it was impossible for him to passe to the Louvre without the certaine danger of his person praying him to assure his Majesty of his willingnesse to come the whilest leaving in his lodging as many Archers as hee thought fitting untill the fury of theâ— people was somewhat pacified The Provost agréed to his request and left with him one of his Lieutenants called Toute Voye with some foure of his archers Not long after comes into his lodging Prestdent Charron then provost of the merchants with whom conferring a little in secret going his way he left with the foure archers which were there before foure more of the city archers The whole night following was spent in stopping up and fortifying of all passages from entring the house with logs and provision of Flint-stones damming up the windowes so as if séemed by this so exact and diligent a defence the
archers were left in the house to frée the said de la Place and all his family from the common calamity till Senecay returning the next day after two of the clocke in the afternoone declared that hee had expresse charge from the King to bring him to his Majesty without delay Hee replyed as before that it was dangerous as yet to passe through the City in regard that even the same morning there was an house pillaged next to his Seneca on the contrary insisted saying it was Anno 1572. the common spéech of these Huguenotes to protest that they were the Kings most loyall and obedient subjects and servants but when they were to manifest their obedience to his commands then they came off but slowly séeming rather much to abhor and detest it And whereas he pretended danger Seneca answered that he should have a Captain of Paris who was well known to the people to accompany him As SenecacoÌ„tinued this speech the Captaine of Paris surnamed Pazon a principall actor in this sedition entred the chamber of the said Lord of Place offering his service to conduct him through the city to the King which Dela Place would by no means yeeld unto telling Seneca that he was one of the most cruell bloudy minded men that was in all the City and therefore séeing he must néeds goe to the King he intreated that the said Seneca would be his guard To whom Seneca answered that having now other affaires to looke unto he could not conduct him above fifty paces Then his wife though otherwise a very gracious and good Lady out of that entire love which she bare to her husband prostrated her self at the féet of the said Seneca beseeching and intreating him to accompany her husband to the King But the said De la place who never shewed any signe of a dejected spirit came to his wife tooke her up from the ground rebuked her and told her that it is not the arme of flesh that we must stoupe unto but unto God onely Then turning himselfe about he perceived in his sonnes hat a white crosse which through infirmity he had placed there thinking thereby to save himselfe for which his father sharply chid him commanding him to plucke that marke of sedition thence telling him that we must now submit our selves to beare the true crosse of Christ namely those afflictions and tribulations which it shall please our good God to lay upon us as sure pledges of that eternall happinesse which he hath treasured up for all his elect servants Thus séeing himselfe pressed by the said Seneca to goe with him to the De la Place addresseth himselfe to go to the King King resolving upon death which hee saw he could not avoid he tooke his cloake embracing his wife earnestly wishing her above all things to have the feare of God and his honor in precious estéeme and then went on his way boldly Comming into the stréet where the glasse-house is over against Cocks stréet certain murtherers who attended there for his comming with their daggers in a readinesse killed him about thrée of the clocke He is first murthered â— then thrown into the river in the afternoon as an innocent lambe in the midst of ten or twelve of Senecas Archers who led him into that butchery and then pillaged and embezeled away what they found in his lodging for the space of five or six daies together His body whose soule was now received into heaven being carried into a stable and covering his face over with dung the next day they threw him into the river Peter Ramus the Kings professor in Logicke Peter Ramus massacred and afterwards disgracefully handled a man renowned among the learned was not forgotten He had many enemies among other one called Iames Carpenter who sent the murtherers to the Colledge of Priests where the said Ramus was hidden But being discovered hée offered a good summe of money to save his life yet was he massacred and cast downe out of an high Chamber window to the ground so as his bowels issuing out of the stones were afterwards trailed through the stréets the carkasse was whipped by certaine schollers being set on by their tutors to the great disgrace of good letters which Ramus professed I doe here saith the Historian forbeare to write what cruelties were exercised in this foresaid City of Paris on Sunday Munday Tuesday and the daies following because in such confusions those that survived had little leasure to think upon the murthers committed in their presence to observe every particular I content my selfe therefore to say in a word that no man living in Paris taking notice what was done there this Saint Bartholomewes day c. but will averre that there was never séen heard nor read of such perfidious â—â—sloyalties strange ravishments more then brâ—â—â—â—â—ruelties audacious robberies execrable blasâ—â—â—â—â—es as those that were committed in these few â—â—â—es wherein it was safe for one to be any thing rather then an honest man ¶ Of a young man who preferred his Mothers safety in these broyls before his own A Young man about the age of two and thirty yeares a sincere Christian and excellently well learned above many of his age and time going early abroad this Sunday morning upon some speciall occasion returning home and perceiving what a strange rumor there was concerning the death of the Admirall throughout the City of Parts he out of his singular and childelike affection to his Mother hastened to her with all possible spéed informing her what had happened and so wrought for her without delay not regarding his owne safety that he secured her in a place as you would say fitted for the purpose After which himselfe being found alone shut up in his study at prayer to which exercise he had long before devoted himselfe The furious Massacrers on that part of the City asked him if hée would obey the King he answered yes but I must also obey God Then they began presently with battle axes and staves to load him with blowes on the head that he received his owne bloud into his hands and then making an end of him they threw him into the river ¶ Two Ministers massacred TWo Ministers appertaining to the King of Navarre the one called More the other Desgoris fell also into the hand of these murtherers who killing them cast them into the water I cannot learne saith the historiographer by report that any moe Ministers were slaine at this time then these two At the writing hereof many were living who laboured in the worke of the Lord in the Church of Paris and were also miraculously preserved ¶ Aninhumane Cruelty PHilip le Doux a great Ieweller at his returne home from Guybray saire being gone to bed his wife at that time had the midwife attending upon her being ready to be delivered shée hearing these furies below bouncing at the doore commanding it to bée opened to them in the Kings name as till as she
hearing this rebuked him sharply saying that then he thought himselfe wiser than the King and all those that professed as his Majestie did Insomuch as they who stood about Le Blanck began to handle him roughly so that hée had much adoe to escape with his life had not Montpessat rescued him from that danger because he was come thither upon his word The Governour said if he had béen there he would have slaine him The Governour being pressed to dispatch this massacre at Bourdeaur wist not well what to do For on the one side La Sieur de Vesins with sundry others comming from the Court assured him from the King that he wondred why the businesse was deferred so long shewing that he could not performe a more acceptable service unto him than it On the other side Strossi who hovered about Rochel to take it wished him to be well advised what he did what command soever he had to the contrary Foreséeing belike that if he went forward with this execution the Rochellers would have had the said Strossi in such a jealousie that his project would have béen defeated and so would be no small prejudice to the Kings affaires putting him in hope that he would stand betwéen him and all perils For the truth is the army by sea which was prepared against Rochel lying for a time at Burdeaux under pretence of conquering Florida would have béen ready enough to have made a generall massacre there but that they were afraid the Rochellers would be incensed thereat Yet in conclusion the Governour having ballanced things on both parts was perswaded by the Sieur Montpessat to put the massacre in execution To which purpose an oath being taken a catalogue was made of such as they meant to spoile On Saturday then which was the third of October 1572. the Governour having assembled together all the scum of the City to aide and assist him in so barbarous an act commanded them with other souldiers to be ready presently after dinner to put the Kings command into execution To which they were very forward comming in their Liveries attended on by Captaines of tens to direct them touching that they had to do The greater part of the massacrers had red hats given them by Peter Estounach and for the blood wherwith they dyed their armes they were called the Red Band others called them the Cardinalls Band. The Governor commanded them to kil all those of the Religion especially such as had taken armes and not to spare one And himselfe intending to shew them the way went to the house of Master Iohn Guilloch Lord of Obiere counsellor in the Court of Parliament to execute the hatred he had long since conceived against him who being about to escape away out at a backe doore they caught and brought him into the outer court before his house in the presence of the Governour who with a short sword massacred him which done his house was wholly pillaged At that time they brought a certaine Minister out of the Consciergery who a few daies before comming from the country Saintong to Bourdeaux for his better safety as he thought was there apprehended and imprisoned and as soon as he was come out of the prison they massacred him before the gates of the Palace Master William Savins house a Counsellor of the said Parliament who was one of the Religion was forced open pillaged and spoiled and himselfe cruelly murthered His Clarke called Simonet séeing his master about to be massacred embraced and comforted him and being asked whether he were of the Religion he answered yea and would die with his master for the same Thus they were slaine one in anothers armes The cruell Martyrdome of Du Tour a Deacon of the Protestant Church A Deacon of the reformed Church called Du Tour an old man who in the daies of his ignorance had béene a Priest in the popish church being sick in his bed was haled forth into the open stréet of whom it being demanded whether he would go to Masse and thereby save his life he fréely answered No especially now drawing so néere his end both in regard of his yeares and gréevous sicknesse I hope saith he I shall not so far forget the eternall salvation of my soule as for feare of death to prolong this life for a few dayes for so I should buy a short terme of life at too déere a rate They hearing him say so massacred him instantly It was lamentable to sée the poore Protestants wandring up and downe not knowing where to save their lives some were rejected of their owne parents and kinsfolkes who shut their doores against them pretending as if they knew them not others were betrayed and delivered up by those to whose trust they had committed themselves many were saved even by Priests and others from whom a man would have expected no such security Some were saved by their very enemies whose hearts abhorred such detestable outrages All the City was full of terrors and horrible threats against those of the Religion saying that the Kings commandement was that he would not have so much as one of them left in his Kingdome And if any refused to goe to Masse that an hole should be digged for him in the earth in which he should forthwith be buried without any more adoe Scoffing Ballads sung in contempt of the Admirall of Chastillon and other Protestants NEare the Palace and thorowout the City were defamatory Libels sung against the Admirall of Chastillon and the Huguenots In which regard such in whose hearts God had reserved but any sparkle of piety were so terrified and vexed with their blasphemies that the condition of the massacred séemed to be much better than theirs who were left alive who heard and saw those things without ceasing which to an honest minde was more bitter then death it selfe The Governor was very carefull after the massacre was ended to advertise the Sieur Montpessat by a Gentleman of all things which had passed according to the promise he had made unto him Which Montpessat was suddenly surprised with a disease wherein féeling Gods hand heavy Anno 1573. Montpesat suddenly surprised with a strange disease upon him he uttered such lamentable outcries that his bloud and soule were poured out at once a judgement justly inflicted upon him for all the innocent bloud the which he had shed without a cause The judgement of God upon one Vincent THe like judgement of God fell not long after upon another of these massacrers called Vmcent Advocate of the Court one who had had his hand déepely dyed in this bloudy enterprise not sticking to boast that with his own hands hee had murthered Agraulet doore kéeper of the Court This man also fell dangerously sick but in the end recovering againe and as he thought being in good health he told some of his friends that hée felt his armes strong enough to handle his Coutleare or short sword as well as ever he had done But within a