abusie Iesuite of Pontamosson in Lorrayne to Rome to put Sir Hugh to worke and to lay downe some newe direction to execute the secrâ—t Councell of Rome seeing that the former deuises had failed Friâ—r Claude from thence tooke his iourney into Spayne to giue some ghostly counsell to Dom Philipporey despagna Out of this voyage came the expedition of Italians and Spanyards into Ireland vnder the leading of Captaine Saunders which there dyed mad wandring in y e woods From thence also came the lustie flight of Locusts the Iesuits into England vnder the banner of their Generall Campion to roote out the Gospell and to plant Poperie if it could be done But if not to worke some busie peece of worke to her Maiestie that the Guizes in the meane time might work more surely in France without hope of any help out of England to the King and to the King of Nauarre or to them of the reformed religion if they should stand in any neede The Guizes of their part were not idle but by sundrie practizes had renewed the ciuill warres and by the Kings consent Monsieur his brother and the Duke de Mayne were in Commission for the conducting of the Kings Armies which thing they did as well as they could with as great preparations as might bée but yet without doing any harme But because the common report went that Monsieur should passe into England and from thence should go take possession of the Dukedome of Brabanâ— which was offered him by the States of the Lowe Countrey they were content yet once againe to winke at peace that they might be rid of him hoping that he would neuer returne into France to trouble them Therefore in the yeare 1580. Monsieur before he tooke his iourney was sent to the King of Nauarre which both met at Fleyx a Towne in Perigord situated vppon the riuer of Dradogne where they concluded a peace not much varying from the former Which thing being done Monsieur hasted to his iourney Now this being done Frier Mathew the Guizes Pursiuant of méere deuotion must needs post to Rome yet once againe to visite the Stewes and to aduertize Sir Hugh what was past in France to knowe of him how the Guizes should worke vppon this present occasion There Sir Hugh stayed somewhat his wisedome afore hee would giue answere knowing not well what counsell to giue or to followe because his Armado in Ireland vnder the conduct of Captaine Saunders Doctor of Militarie Discipline and his Locusts vnder the leading of the lustie Campion had sped but so so and had a very hot entertainment His brains therefore was driuen to peruss his Christerosse so that in this dumpe Sir Hugh must take counsell of Dom Philipporey despagna Therefore master Frier must trudge ouer the world Haue with you master Frier into Spayne to eate a peny worth of Raphams Vpon this hard mischances of fortune Sir Hugh thought good that Dom Philippo should play Xerxes and whilest he is a preparing the inuincible Arinado meanes should bee made to doo away both Monsieur and the Prince of Orenge that by the death of the one the Low Countreys should be left headlesse vnable to resist the petie Duke of Parma and by the others death the drists of the Guizes might be easily executed in France The procuring of y e death of the Prince of Orenge was committed to the petie Duke of Parma petie sonne to the holy man Pedro Aloisio who for his religion vz. his abominable and monstrous whoredomes was hanged at the windowe of his owne house a holy Martyr and bastard sonne to Sir Alexander Farneso Vicar of Rome called otherwise Paulus tertius This Duke of Parma acquitted himselfe pretily well of his charge as shall bee sayd hereafter The death of Monsieur was vndertaken by the Guizes that that if GOD himselfe would not kill him they would doo it which they also performed in time Frier Mathew Iesuit carrier of the Court of the Guizes returning out of Spayne fell sicke at Barbaste in Gascoyne not for any surfet which he tooke in Spayne except it were for eating too little The poore Pardoner there was so sicke that he would haue eaten any kinde of meate if he could haue had it But his good Masters did so diet him that according to his profession he afflicted his bodie with fasting out of measure to pull downe his courage least when hee should come into the Stewes to giue ghostly counsell to the Curtizans he should doo any thing to the discredite of holy Châ—rch and to the slaundring of the holy order of Iesuits for such fasting as he vsed in that iourney would doo greater miracles in keeping a Frier chaâ—â— than all the weeping which the Iesuites doo vse can doo The King sending his brother into Brabant determined to appoynt him a Counsell But the Kings Counsell being in a manner all Leaguers appoynted him two manner of men one to accompanie him and the other to counsell him They therefore prouided that such counsell should be giuen him as either should altogether nousell him in all filthie life or els should worke such meanes as might dishonor him or put him in danger of his life Another companie was appoynted him of vertuous Noble men of both religions onely to accompanie him to countenance the matter but not to counsell him Monsieur therefore in this equipage of men of so sundrie colours and qualities taketh his iourney first into England and from thence into Brabant the yeare 1582. there to bee inuested of that Dukedome of the holy Empyre which was duely and sumptuously performed Whilest Monsieur soiorneth in the Low Countrey the partakers of the Guizes thinking y e time long were very importunate to set the Duke forward about the busines which he knewe considering the good opportunitie of the absence of Monsieur For if he should returne sayd they and finde all things peaceable it would bee hard for them to worke any thing for as much as Monsieur had knowledge of their drifts who assuredly would seeke to ouerthrowe all and being in France of such power would goe nigh to doo it To these and like perswasions the Duke of Guize was wont to answere that hee will enterprize nothing openly whilest the King had any brother but if he could see one day the last of the house of Valoys to sit vpoÌ„ the Throne he promised them with a round oath to set his hand to worke so surely that if he did not carrie away the whole yet he hoped to haue a good part of the cake In the meane time the Guizes began to sell the most part of their offices and to gather great summes of money making their reckoning shortly to haue all and to dispose of all But thinking the time long that neither sicknes nor the fortune of warre had shortned the life of Monsieur which greatly they desired they determined to do that which God would not do and to execute Sir Hughs spirituall counsell There was
little aboue the Waren in the high way from Hyers to Browage Wee haue sayd how about the 15. of September the Lord Clermont departed from the Prince at Pons and passed the riuer Loyre at a place called Rosiers thence passing through a place la clousiere des montils to the intent to passe vnknowne did fayne himselfe to be Secretary to the King of Nauarre frō thence he taketh his way to Bange where Rochemort departed from him The sayd Rochemort taketh his way to Beaufort which is situated betwéene Anger 's and the riuer Loyre where he was borne and soiorned there to see his brother and other friends and also to gather as many men as he could in that countrey Beaufort is a little Towne betwéene Loyre and Anger 's which is commaunded by a Castle of a reasonable strength which did hold for the king and was in the kéeping of Captayne Broke Rochemort arriued thether and visiting his friends who were the chiefest of the Towne and among them also Captayne Broke by their spéeches he vnderstood the state of Anger 's and the particularities there about the Castle There was a Captayne named Halot who had the kéeping of the sayd Castle of Anger 's whilest the Lord Bussy of Amboyse liued which had the gouernment of the Countrey Citie and Castle during the life of Monsieur the Kings brother But after the death of the sayd Bussy the Lord Brissack had the gouernment and had put out of the Castle the sayd Halot whereof by all meanes he sought to bee reuenged and to surprize the Castle And to bring this thing to passe he acquainted himselfe with Captayne Fresne who had commanded ouer a companie of Brissack at the beginning of the League This Brissack was one of the chiefest of the League and discharged the sayd Fresne after the edict of vnion was published in Iuly before for the which thing Fresne was greatly offended with Brissack These two Captaynes consented together to enterprize vpon the Castell and repayred to Beaufort to Captayne Broke to haue of him some company of men where they met with Rochemort and after certayne spéeches opened vnto him their enterprize who promised to furnish them with certayn men Rochemort aduertized the Lord Clermont praying him to send him men which shortly after sent him foure stout Souldiers This their counsell was wonderfully disguised as also the euēts fel out to be straunge and tragicall for Halot as he sayd would recouer the Castell for the King of whom sayd he he had letters to that effect to recouer the sayd Castle out of the hands of Brissack who was of the League as is afore sayd but indéede he respected himselfe thinking thereby to get the Kings or the King of Nauarre his fauour Captayne Fresne was desirous to be reuenged of Brissack at any price whatsoeuer These two were sure to haue men for the most part Papists Rochemort was in good hope that if he could get in the Castle he would finde the meanes to make it fall into the hands of the King of Nauarre Halot Fresne doo promise themselues that if Rochemort being the weakest and an Hugonet should attempt to innouate any thing they could easily dispatch him so that vnder the hope of one drift euery man had his meaning vnknowne one to another The enterprize is concluded the day appoynted The 26. of September some doo repayre at the time prefixed to the Suburbe of Pressigny some to the Suburbe called Lisses Captayne Fresne vsed to enter into the Castle easily as well acquainted with the Souldiers of the garde The day therefore prefixed hee goeth to see Captayne Greeke his friend who then commaunded in the Castle with ten or twelue Souldiers The sayd Captayne Greeke biddeth Fresne to dinner Fresne excused himselfe that he had company with whom he had promised to dine that day Captaine Greeke presseth him and prayeth him to bring his company with him Fresne had afore hand woon some of the gard whom he had made priuie to the enterprize he prayeth them of the second garde to let in them of his company whom he assured to be of his acquaintance but some of the souldiers mistrusting went about to shut the gate Rochemort and his companie withstoode them and taking weapons in hand did kill some of the garde Captaine Fresne went vp into the Captaines chamber who hearing the fray would haue gone foorth but being encountred by the sayd Fresne was slaine Captaine Halot seeing the tumult in stead to enter into the Castle ran into the Towne and vpon the rumour of the surprizing of the Castle biddeth the Citizens not to stirre for he had saith he caused the Castle to be taken for the King but incontinently he was taken prisoner by the Citizens Fresne and Rochemort being masters of the Castell the alarme was very hot in the towne notice was giuen euery where in great dilligence Rochemort forgetteth not to send to the Lord Clermont to certify him what was passed desiring him to send greater forces also to send word to the Prince Whilest these newes flye euery where diuers euents happened which deceaued both them and others They of the towne greeued to haue that thorne in their heeles sleep not but take armes beset the Castel and within a whyle haue succour of the Nobilitie of the countrey In the euening the inhabitantes would fayne haue parley with Fresne and vsed the means of Halot for to draw him forth of the Castell hauing placed in the darke of the night nigh the bridge 30. or 40. souldiers with Caliuers either for to take him or else to seaze vpon the drawing bridge when he should come forth Fresne vpon this parley going forth and being yet vpon the bridge one of y e souldiers hasting to shoot Fresne would haue returned in but Rochemort with his company seeing the perill did draw the bridge Fresne not able to recouer the drawing held fast at the chayns they without cut off his handes so hee fell into the ditch which was very deepe and cut in a rocke his Cloke was left hanging on the draw bridge There was a redde Deere in the ditch which tore him with his hornes They of the Towne by the licence of them of the Castell tooke him vp with a coard But the coard breaking hee fell downe agayne and at length was taken vp and buryed in a Chappell nigh the Castell Captayne Halot within few dayes after by the towne was condemned and executed These two being dead Rochemort a Hugonet remayned master of the Castell whereof hee geueth notice to the Lord Clermont who immediatly dispatched a messenger to the Prince being at the siege of Browage The inhabitants who could haue borne it with some contentation because they knew Fresne to be a Papist and that hee sayd he held it for the king after his death asked Rochemort for whom he kept the castel When he had answered that it was for the king of Nauarre they were greatly mooued and
intent to charge that remnant of the armie which was with him how all the commons had the watch word and looked to haue some warning to begin There was no hope to escape being few and they wearie and weatherbeaten without any hope of succour The Lord Boysduly met nigh Talsy two Gentlemen papists of his acquaintance who shewed him the selfesame daungers abouesayd and yet more that neither hee neither they who were with him were farre from spoyle The Lord Boysduly perceiuing that a Gentleman called la Mot in whom he had much confidence knew very well the amaze of that companie after assurance of amitie for himselfe and the Lord S. Gelays hée certified them that they were in a worser case than they knew and that the Prince perceiuing that hee had so great forces agaynst him had dissolued his armie and that his person was alreadie in place of safetie and almost all his armie and that there remayned no more but that which hee sawe with the Lord Saint Gelays who at all aduenture had vndertaken to saue the rest La Mot then offered him friendship his houses for to retire with such of his friends as hee would but his house was distant from thence eight leagues which his courtesie the Lord Boysduly accepted In these terrors all the troupe being on horsebacke marched at large in a plaine field not farre from the Castle Orges of one side and neere the Forrest of Marchenoire on the other side no man knewe which way to turne himselfe too nor what to followe for a present daunger was on euery side The Lord S. Gelays and other Captaynes with him were long before they could conclude of their way The enemies did approach and held that small companie in sight of which being aduertized they marched within the Forrest of Marchenoire and being somewhat entered within the sayd Forrest in the high way to Chasteaudune the Lord S. Gelays shewed them the ineuitable danger whereunto they were fallen he shewed them that the enemie was to be beguiled and for that intent it was expedient and necessarie to deuide themselues into small companyes and to followe diuers waies and that the Lord would conduct the parts aswell as the whole wheresoeuer it should please him The Lord Aubigny vndertooke to conduct one troupe one way Captaine Ryeux went another way some tooke the way to Orleans others drawed towards Paris A Genâ—leman Papist which was with the Lord la Mot tooke with him the Lord Tifardiere and the other Gentlemen of Poytow to whom he shewed great courtesies The Lords S. Gelays Boysduly Campoys Chesmi and others to the number of ten or twelue went vnder the assurance of the Lord Mot the way to Chasteaudune in Beausse As it was a straunge thing to see the dissipation of that armie without blowes bloudshed or losse of any man by the fight of the enemie so it was a pitifull sight to see the separation of the Souldiers from their Captaines of the seruants from their masters the seruants did cast away the things which they had gréedily gathered to saue themselues vppon their horses The waies were full of good stuffe armes baskets males apparell and other things of value euery one did cast away the things which they had taken from others more willingly than when they tooke it God did then require an accompt of many disordered persons in whose hands Manna did rot which they had greedily gathered And it is to be confessed that God testified from heauen that he will haue his worke aduanced by other meanes than by such armes for a great companie of this armie were not accompanied with pietie and Christian modestie On the other side God tooke away all matter of boasting and glorying from the enemies for it was a straunge thing that considering the small distance of places where these companies of the enemie were the great multitude of lustie fresh and well furnished companies which they had the Countreys and Townes thrée or foure score leagues round about all fauourable to them hauing compassed the others round about yet not one after this separation appeared to fight nor to assault these vanquished few men as he which durst not come nigh the skinne of a dead Lyon The Lord Saint Gelays with them of his companie had scarse gone a League in Beause when he discouered three cornets of Launcers of Italians and Albanoyces who were from Chasteaudune marched in good order and came trotting forward at the end of the Forrest where the separation was made The Lord Mot who lead the Lord Saint Gelais and his companie did feare and felt himselfe in great daunger as he saide with such companie of Hugonets after him and faining to discouer he forsooke his guests and got to a village farre before them The Lord S. Gelays and his companie beléeued certainly that those troupes came vpon them and thought themselues as good as dead But behold the eyes of these armed men were so blinded by the power of him which blinded Bilham the sonne of Beor and Elimas the Sorcerer that without perceiuing him or any of his companie they passed by within the distance of fiftie paces from them there was onely a barne of a Farme betwixt them and the Lord S. Gelays stood still in the high way before the barne It was a wonder that this companie was so carried away inuisible out of sight of that multitude as if it were in a clowde and that none of the enemies went through the high way whereby they might haue béen discouered These companies of Italians and Albaneses went into a village not farre of where they perceiued some horses and Harquebusiers they set vpon the house where the Lord Aubigny was with others who neuerthelesse tooke their horses saued themselues without any domage These horsemen found much spoile by the way without any man to claime it The Lord S. Gelays riding along in the champiane countrie of Beausse toward Chartres with the Lord Mot without kéeping any high way the night being rainie and darke began to enter in suspition of the sayd Mot being a Papist So the Lord Mot returned backe with this opinion that the Lord S. Gelays with his companie would goe to Cheuroles toward Orleans but he tooke his iourney to Ianuile lying betwéene Chartres and Orleans and there crossing the high way from Paris to Orleans passed through many companies of armed men who were lodged in Beausse and so recouered vpon him the Forrest of Orleans The returning backe of the Lord Mot as is aboue sayd was to play a popish tricke with the Lord Saint Gelays for perceiuing that he was not strong enough he went in the night to gather companie to haue set vppon them at Cheuroles and so to haue taken them prisoners to his aduantage as he did not dissemble afterward to speake openly So that his professing of amitie was an allurement to drawe them into his snare for afterward he followed them as farre as Ianuile with
day of the same August So that the night following the enemy began to draw pieces out of their fort and at the breaking of the day put fire to it which there continued the space of sixe moneths hauing caught vnder the earth to those great pieces of timber wherewith it was made euen from the very foundation The composition was very honorable and to the great aduantage of the king of Nauarre for it was first agreed that the Marshall Biron should lead away his army beyond the riuer without attempting vppon Tonnay Charante a place very weake which hee diâ— hold for the king of Nauarre Secondly that Marans should remayne free for the traffike Thirdly that the king of Nauarre should haue a Gentleman of his in the casteâ—l with certayne number of souldiers to hold the inhabitantes of both religions in the same liberty which they had before the warre This agreement they of Fontenay and Niort would not hold and neuer ceased to make warre vntill that they were well punished for wicked robbers did continually issue out of Fontenay Maillezayes Niort hauing for their Captayne a certayne Masse Priest named Sir Merye parish Priest of Ronde who did dayly robbe Marchants and trauellers of their goods and often times of their liues vntill they were reduced vnder the handes of the king of Nauarre The seuenth of the same moneth the king of Nauarre came from Rochel when it was very late entered the Iles of Maran by the fort Brune and from thence to the Bastile viewed all the fortes and trenches on that side and about ten in the night did suppe at the signe of the Moone The eight day hee deuided his companies sending some into Poytow other into Annis to refresh themselues whilest the L. Byron lead his army into Xainctonge so that armie began to bee broken agaynst Reeds and Rushes of Marans doing afterward nothing but within a while after by litle and litle it was scattered and reduced to nothing The Papistes spake diuersly according to their passion as though this armie had not done what they might haue done But the truth is that the king of Nauarre had prouided such a good order within the Iland and that there was such a number of men of valour that the Lord Biron could not do otherwise then he did except he would haue thrust his meÌ„ to the slaughter without endomaging much his enemy Secondly the marishes which at that tyme were wont to bee drye were yet full of water euen a foot high for the causes aboue recited Thirdly the men of warre haue made fortes at euery entrance into the Iland furnished with good and resolued men for they were about one hundred of braue and 〈…〉 gentlemen making about two hundred good horses aâ—le to oppose themselues agaynst the enemy if he had attempted to enter Also the enemyes had to goe aboue fifteene hundred paces in the Marsh not aboue fiue in a ranke all discouered to our men who were in the forts Fourthly the Marish was full of steppes which the Cattell made in winter so that if the horsemen had waded the one foote had soonke very deepe and the other would haue stayed vppon the firme ground with a great number of Galthrops which were cast in diuers places Such was the state of Maran when the composition was made The king of Nauarre left the Lord Iarry gouernor there as before with charge to warre agaynst no man if they should not warre agaynst him The Lord Nemours whom the King had sent thither to commaund ouer the men of armes stayed not there long for hee was commaunded by the king of Nauarre to retyre in Poytow and after went to Bruant Few dayes after the distributing of the companies out of Marans captayne Lommeau discouered the money of the tributes Impost of Poytow conducted toward Loyre by certayne Albaneses and some gentlemen with Popish souldiers of the countrey whom they set vpon but they saued them selues in a Priory Not farre from thence he compassed them immediatly with certayne companies The king of Nauarre being aduertised thereof at Rochel departed speedily and caused the great Culuerine of Marans to bee brought before the Priory which was strong without canon they within yeelded themselues by composition which was that they should goe away safe leauing behind them six thousand crownes which was the charge of their conuoy As the king of Nauarre vsed a wonderfull diligence in going thether so was his diligence no lesse in retyring thence and commaunded all the companyes to do the like knowing well that y e enemie which was yet at Morye and about Fontenay with his armie would not faile to set on him which thing did happen But the sayd king of Nauarre had already repassed the fort of Brault which thing all his companies did not for many remaining at Lusson to refresh themselues and to fare French-like were charged and put to flight some were slaine some taken prisoners most of them saued them selues leauing behind them their stuffe and baggage and among them captayne Lommeau It is sayd before that by the aduise of the Duke of Guyze diuers armies were appoynted for diuers prouinces and namely the Duke Ioyeuse for Languedock where he entering with a power tooke the Cities of Lodeue and Saint Ponce hée tooke also Montesquion but Marueiolx hee tooke by treason In all these places he committed incredible cruelties and such as it were needfull to find out new wordes to describe them But as God is a iust reuenger of wronges so did he not suffer these crueltyes long vnpunished but shewed tokens that his iustice is neither fayned nor idle nor his hand shortned in punishing such insolent Tyrants For after diuers and manifold excesses and iniuries done in the countrey he besieged the mas Saint Puelles the weakest most miserable and least defensible of all the places of Loragoys there was he so shamefully beaten put back that after they had slaine him thirty Captaines and fiue hundred Harquebusieres they scattered his regiments and so leauing his credit behinde him cracked among men of valour was faine to returne home as well as he could well chastized to tell newes of his good speede to his Master Shortly after the Nobilitie of Languedock aduised better by the proud and insolent outragiousnes of the man and of his companies and taught by the execution of Gods iustice vpon that rabble of sauage robbers assembled the states of that prouince at Castelnawdarry where they concluded neuer to meddle anie more with the leaguers neither to proceede any more by the way of warre and vyolence agaynst them of the Religion It is sayd before how the Duke d'Espernon was appointed for Daulphine and Prouance and the sonne of Ioyeuse for Auuergne The Lord Espernon therefore entring into Daulphine with his power had better successe for first he tooke Valance Tallard and Guileslie from the league and reduced them to the Kings obedience He tooke also many townes from
couered with zeale of popish religion as with a Maske partly for their treacherous intents which shee knew they had against the Crowne of France Yet these petty Lords of Lorreyn must needs haue her whether she will or not but her they may not haue before they take Sedan the chiefest towne of her principalitie which they had terrified all this moneth of March by the barbarous inuasions of the Lord Rosne It is saide also how the besieged in Iamets haue kept off the enemies and had caused to trench themselues in villages thereabouts where they were dayly assaulted by them of Iamets Now in the latter end of March the armie before Iamets was greatly increased inforces so that all things being readie Iamets is pressed and besieged more narrowly then before and after many skirmishes betweene them the arâ—illerie is placed for the battery There remained to them of Jamets for hope of succour after mans iudgement the towne of Sedan in the which vnder the auâ—hority of the Duchesse commaunded the Lord Nieuile a Gentleman famous in counsell valour and experience he had within Sedan a small number of Gentlemen and good Souldiours The army which was before Iamets desirous to cut off all hope of succour from Sedan sent part of their horsemen Frenchmen Italians and Spaniards with a number of Harquebusiers about Sedan to spoyle and to seaze vpon all places and high waiâ—s by which they of Sedan might come to succour Iamets and among others they tooke Vaudelincourt Balan and other places Their courses were raging and their rage spared nothing the contempt which they had of so weake an enemie made them as the manner is both insolent secure and careles of their safetie which was the cause that diuers times and in diuers places they were charged by them of Sedan who issuing out fiercely made great slaughter of them as the time and small meanes which they had suffered them so that they were shamefully driuen out of their villages of Vaudelincourt and Balan But to preuent such inconueniences the Lorde Rosne and other Captaines who conducted the turkish troupes of the League determined to lodge hereafter more closely then they had done before and for that cause the fourth day of Aprill the greatest part of the horsenien and footemen which were on the east side of Mense went to Bemily situated on the west side of the sayd riuer where the L. Rosne lodged and the rest of his companies lodged at Aucourt Haracourt and Raucourt leauing on the east side of Mense the Baron of Saraxenbourg with foure companies of horsemen to wit his owne and the Lord Anthony Vize a frenchman a great friend of the Duke of Guyze the third was the company of the Lord Tilly a Lorreyne and the fourth was conducted by Captaine Carlo an Italian These companies placed themselues within the towne of Douzie belonging to the principalitie of Sedan That towne they determined to fortifie by reason of the situation which is good being situated vpon the riuer named Chize flowing from Iuoy and within a quarter of a league beneath Douzie falleth in the riuer Mense which caÌ„not be passed by foord in winter the sayd Douzie lyeth directly from Sedan to Iamets so that hauing Douzie they be masters of the way from Sedan to Iamets Nigh vnto the village of Douzie beyond the bridge at the ends of the meades at a place called Marie were two companies of horsemen lodged commanded by Ihan and Thomas Albaneses there they were set to succour Douzie for by the meanes of the bridge lying betweene them and the towne in a moment they could recouer the towne The companies which had passed the riuer Mense vnder the conduct of the Lorde Rosne were gone to besiege Raucourt appertayning to the Soueraignety of Sedan They besieged it when it was altogether vnprouided of all necessary things for which cause the Lord Nieuile determined by the aduise of the cousell to furnish it with all necessary things as well with prouision of victuals as munition of warre and by the way to charge three companies of light horsemen which were lodged in Haracourt and to that ende hee departed out of Sedan about eight a clock in the euening the tenth day of Aprill accompanyed with foure score horses and foure hundred Harquebusiers but there fellout such a terrible tempest and violent rayne that they were enforced to retire saue onely they victualed Raucourt The twelfth das of April the Lord Nieuile aduertized of the diligence which the Baron of Saraxenbourg vsed in fortifiyng Douzie he considered that the longer he should delay to charge him the greater the difficulty would be and that the sooner the better without giuing hun leaue to fortifie himselfe in that place which did so presse Sedan and tooke from him the meanes to succour Iamets he therefore called the counsel and propounded them two enterprizes which bee would willingly attempt the â—â—e was to goe to Haracourt the other to Douzie whither it was concluded that they should martch the same night They departed about ten a clock at night with foure hundered Harquebusiers and fourescore and twelue horses commauuded by the Lorde Arsoune and Falayses It was also ordered that the footemen should goe three diuers waies to wit that the Captaines Dorys and Parramentier with one hundred Hâ—rquebusiers should goe to get the bridge of Douzy vpon the riuer Chize to stop the sally of them who were within the towne and by the same meanes to let the companies of the light horsemen who were at Mary distant onely from Douzie the shot of an Harquebush betweene that place and the towne nothing being but the meades and the riuer least they shoulde goe into the towne to succour their fellowes Captain Cheuerdery Lieutenant to the Lord Caulmont should assault the lodging of the Lord Saraxenbourg with 50. Harquebusiers the Captaines Framond and Massart with their troupâ—â— should charge vpon the trenches through the which the horsemen should issue foorth The rest of the footemen commaunded by Captaine Villepoys Seriant Maior should stay with the horsemen for to helpe where neede should bee and to fauour our horsemen when they should ioyne with the enemie The thirteenth day about three a clock in the morning the troupes of Sedan did charge Douize and they who had the charge to sease the bridge came so fitly without finding any great resistance that quickly they were masters of the bridge But it was not so at the barritados whom the Captaine Framond and Massart did charge for there our men were violently resisted by the Barron of Saraxenbourg himselfe and the Lord Anthony Vize Dom Ihan Romeroa Spanyard who made a salley with fiue and twentie or thirtie horsemen who notwithstanding were receaued so coragiously by our footmen who had charged the Barricado that being beaten back they were faine to retire within their trenches so confusedly that our footemen in beating them before entred with them and seazed vpon the barricado In this
béene cast below the méeting of two channels they had béen followed with such violence that they had béen cut to peeces afore they could haue come to Marans It is not to bee forgotten that the King of Nauarre at the same houre caused the regiments of his gardes of Charbonieres and Soubran conducted by the Lord Mignonuile Marshall of the campe to take paines for to wade ouerthwart the Marishes in the water to the knee more then a League and defeated a part of the enemie whome they met in their retyring The Fort of Clousy seeing the disaray of their fellowes rendered immediatly at discretion therein were fourescore men commaunded by Captaine Serre who were all saued the enemies partly made their retire in great haste to Marans and partly fled another way In the towne where it was thought that some resistance would haue been made was such a maze that there was found no body Many of the forces of the King of Nauarre not staying for the setting on of the bridge both a foote and horseback cast themselues in the water The Lord Cluseaulx who did dine at Marans whilest the King of Nauarre did force the passage hearing of the flight of his men as well with them which had remained within the towne as with them who had retired from the garde of the passage with the Lord Tremblay few of the company fled into the Castell because there was no other way nor place to flee to The first which entred into Marans were the gardes of the King of Nauarre followed at hand with the rest of the armie as fast as they could passe ouer at Clousy At the same instant the enemies were besieged in the Castell the quarters parted to euerie regiment and at euening euerie one was lodged vpon the Castell ditch The King of Nauarre followed them at hand with his maine forces and lodged that same night at Marans The same day were summoned all these forts following fortified with Garisons of the enemie The Fort Boysneuf where commaunded the Lieutenant of Captaine Serre with thirtie men with him who yeelded Also the Fort Brune wherein were threescore men commaunded by Captaine Camart who yeelded also The Fort Allowette holden with twentie men commaunded by the Lieutenant of Captaine Roque all yeelded with their liues safe There rested in all the Iland that day being the sixe and twentie of Iune to recouer from the hand of the enemie but the Castell the Forts Bastile and Paulee situated vpon the other entries into the Iland The prudence of the K. of Nauarre is not to be forgotten that before he assaulted the Iland hee placed the Lord Trimouille with all his light horsemen and the companies of the Lord Orges Plassak and Arambure within the town of Saint Ihan of Liuersay in the high way from Niort to Marans that the enemie might not receaue succour through the Bastile The Lord Trimouille had made a Fort in two dayes betweene Saint Ihan of Liuersay and Bastile to cut from them which were therein all meanes to escape away and hope of succour The monday on the seauen and twentie of Iune the Captaine and Souldiours of the said Bastile séeing that all the meanes to auoyde were cut off from them did yéeld and went foorth with like conditions as their fellowes had done the day before being in number fourescore and ten commaunded by Captaine Chapel The eight and twenty the King of Nauarre with two canons and two Culuerines began to approach and in the middest of the day put them in place of batterie The Lorde Clermont there did commaund that night there were certaine motions of Parley The nine and twentie about three a clock in the morning when the besieged saw that the King of Nauarre went to worke in good earnest they demaunded to Parley and in the name of all the rest came forth Captaine Riuiere to require conditions of the King of Nauarre At length the composition was concluded that the Captaines and Gentlemen should goe forth with their horses and corselets the souldiours with their swords that the rest of their armour should remaine within the Castell The master of the campe the Lord Tremblay the Captaines Maron and Toure should remaine in the hands of the King of Nauarre to deliuer him the colours to wit eyght Ensignes for two companies had none and the Cornet The agréement was carefully kept the King himselfe conducted them part of the way they were not iniuried so much as one word although the Lord Cluseaulx had great enemies The same day Captaine Roque rendered the Fort Paulee with the same conditions that the Castell was yeelded vp the Lord Lauerdine sending word that he could not rescue them for because the Lord Boulay was lodged on that side The King of Nauarre kept Cluseaulx prisoner who was brought with great solemnitie into Rochel where he was kept prisoner a long time hauing lisence notwithstanding to goe where he would vnder custodie of certaine Souldiours he was better vsed then many did expect at length he was deliuered and among other vpon this condition neuer more to ioyne himselfe to the League The King of Nauarre also sendeth all the armour which there was taken in great stoare with the colours to Rochel there were taken also many faire horses So in the space of foure dayes he recouered all the Iles and Forts of Maran did rid all that quarter of the filthie sinke of the Leaguers where he did shew no lesse courtesie to his enemies then valour and diligence in the repressing of them It is said before how that after the accursed and execrable rebellion and insolencie of the Leaguers in Paris they perceauing the foule and dangerous errour which they had committed in missing of the Kings person and that hee was now safe enough from falling into their hands againe which might redound to their vtter vndooing they sent three manner of spyalls to him to view his countenance to sound the thoughts of his heart by the way of sorrowing and excusing the desperat fact attempted against his sacred person in Paris It is saide also how they sent a supplication vnto him therein faining a submission full of snares and vnreasonable demaundes It is sayd also how vppon the rumor spread abroad throughout all the realme his faithfull seruantes of all callinges and degrees moued with anger and compassion repayred vnto him most humbly prayed him not to put vp such publike iniury proffered him their seruice goods and liues for the reuengement of such an outragious offence Now agayne many of the Kinges subiects of all qualityes and degrées do repaire a fresh vnto the King most instantly to require him not to suffer such a damnable treason of the Guyzes and their confederats let go vnpunished but that punishment be executed vpon such offenders in such sort as is fit for the greeuousnes of the offence they do promise him againe all aide and succour if hee will resolue himselfe to seeke the
assault geueÌ„ was one of the first which went vp to the same breach which the said Baron Vignoles kept intending to haue saued him but the said Poysson beeing not knowen by his friend Vignoles was receaued by two Harquebuze shot which did bear him downe to the ground so that he was carried away The heat of the fight dured a long hower and after that time the enemies began to faint but on the contrary their courage was doubled that were on the breaches Euen some of the souldiers who were gone towards the Castell to take breath after they had retyred within the forts ioyned themselues againe to the defenders of the breaches Then went they apace to worke vpon the enemy There was great disorder in the retire of the enemie for most part of them did cast away their weapons and lost them in the ditch and in the fortes which they forsooke Many were drowned in the ditch casting them selues downe from the fortes vpon the yce which by reason of that brake vnder them The ditches were incontinently lighted with a number of torches and linkes out of the Towne and Fortes for it was very darke The besieged in the towne spoiled the dead that euening some went out of the Forts vnto the brooke which doth separat the town from the suburbe to get armor Notwithstanding a point of humanity was shewed toward the enemy worthy to bee remembred for they did not hurt so much as to take any thing from the enemies who were left hurt vpon the breaches and in the ditches but rather they were had into the towne their woundes dressed and curteously vsed euen to the day that the towne was surrendered This victory is the more memorable because about fifty men defended the breaches against such a multitude for all the regiments of the Swissers also assaulted the same in witnesse thereof many of them remayned in the ditch It is also to bee noted that during the assault when they within the towne had set fire into a pomgarnad for to cast it into the ditch it fell again betweene the legges of the Gouernour and did burst without doing any hurt Upon this prosperous issue of that assault the Lord Plessis gouernour called all the Captayns and Gentlemen to render thankes to God for his gracious fauour shewed vnto them On the side of the Towne the Lord Perrine was killed with a shot in the head whereof he dyed within a while after Captayne Forest and the Lord of Saint Cosmio were hurt in both armes Of the enemies syde there were found the fifth day of Ianuary aboue fifty dead within the ditch besides them who were drowned and many which dyed afterward in the side of the Towne iâ— is certayne that there were found missing in that day of the army aboue three hundred and that one Captayne onely had lost aboue sixe score Beside them whith were wounded in great number was the Lord Brigneulx master of the campe this man lost his Sonne at Montagne now he hath a blow let him learne then not treacherously to vyolate the right of Nations as he did at Mauleon The night after the assault was bestowed in fortifiyng and continuing the trenches This day was bestowed of the enemie in the burying of the dead The same day in the euening a drumme of the enemie brought letters to the Lord Plessis gouernour of the place from the Lord Palneau When he had receiued them he assembled all the counsell to open the sayd letters in their presence The letters in substance did import that the said L. Palneau had great desire to speak with him about a thing which would bring him much contentation which he said he could not write In the same letters he prayed the Lorde Plessis to giue him meanes and safe conduct to speake with him All the Captaines gaue their aduise that he could not refuse that parley because that the Lord Palneau second sonne to the Earle of Carauas was a faithfull seruant to the King and great friend to the house of Bourbon and deadly enemie to the League and that by him they might also vnderstand newes of the King of Nauarre whereof they were in great care The 6 day of Ianuary the Lord Palneau accompanyed with the Captaine Grange who was of the regiment of Countie Graâ—pre went to the fort of the tower of the Castell made after the forme of a horseshooe During this parley they began the battery with two pieces at the breake of the day about noone they encreased with three pieces more and continued till night There were bestowed that day aboue eight score Cannon shot There were two souldiers slaine whereof the one was named Bourg of the company of the Lord. Vignoles there was great mâ—ane made for that man for his great valour for he was a rare patterne of godlines and vertue The Lord Plessis going foorth to that parley accompanied with the Lord Ayomont vpon returne reported to the counsell that the Lorde Palneau had notified vnto theÌ„ that the Duke of Neuers had determined not to vnbit nor to depart from that siege before he had salued his honour and to that end he would spare no friend no meanes nor authority That his stay there in that siege did hinder the affaires of the king of Nauarre more than they did think That the King did besiege Orleans by the citadell where was the Marshal Haumont and that the king would vse the forces of the King of Nauarre against the leagued To be short the Lord Plessis and all others which had assisted him had gotten honour enough in the defence of such a naughty place and that there was no more meanes to stand obstinate in defence of the saide place the said L. of Neuers being sufficiently informed of the necessities wherein they were as well of men who were greatly weary as of victualls That if they would hearken to render that place into his handes he offered vnto the gouernour gentlemen armes horses and baggage and to the souldiers armes and baggage and for the safe conduct the County Granprè the Baron Poluan and Bastenay Captaine of an hundred light horses should conduct them safely whither soeuer they would goe He gaue them beside eight dayes space to aduertize the King of Nauarre of the capitulation and in case that the said King should not giue any succour within the sayd eight dayes by any meanes he in his person or his Lieftenant the sayd L. Plessis and his should surrender him the place and they to enioy the benefite of the agreement There were many gaings and commings vpon this proposition and at length the affaires being propounded to the counsell they did stick much vpon the voluntary proffers of the Duke of Neuers to giue eight dayes to aduertize the King of Nauarre which made them beleeue that the sayd king was neither ready to helpe them nor had sufficient power so to doo which notwithstanding was the only hope of them that were besieged who
raunsoms sparing neither Nobles nor others of the romish religion for that onely they were faithfull to the King This exploit done Mercure gathered as great forces of men of warre as he could and from thence tooke his iourney toward Fongeres in the low Britayne a towne which he had gone about long before to seduce and had the chiefâ—st of the inhabitants at his deuotion they receaued him very willingly and hauing the towne he agreed with the Captaine of the castell who solde him the place with all the moueable goods and furniture therein belonging to his master the Marquesse Roche for the summe of fifteen thousand crownes which he receaued In Aprill the Lord Bordage and other Gentlemen of the religion accompanied with few men tooke the town of Vitre belonging to the yong Lord Laual which thing when Merceur who was then at Fongers vnderstood hee sent a Gentleman of Britaine named Tailowet with certaine companies of men of warre and the commons of the countrey whom he raised vp in armes to the number of sixe thousands they besieged Vitre the space of fiue wéekes but the place was valiantly defended by the saide Gentlemen and their small company During this siege in the moneth of May they of Roen hauing receaued letters from the King by the helpe of some honest and faithfull men came againe to their right wittes and returned to the Kinges obedience with whom they agréed for the impunity of that offence which was past They tooke prisoner the Lord Charroniere whome Merceur at his departing to Fongeres had left there gouernour they tooke also the Spanish Moore to wit Captaine Iohn and many other of that faction and behauiour if the Lorde Merceur had béen there it had béen an easie thing to haue taken him also Whilest these things were a dooing on both sides the Lord Morlak entred into the Castell Iosselin the strongest place of all Britaine for the Kings seruice The Lord Saint Lauuers a Captaine of the Leaguers with certaine companies enterprised to surprise the Towne and so to kill Morlak therein choosing for the executioÌ„ of his purpose the day which they call holy Friday a day of great deuotion among the Papists least of al suspected and so to haue taken it when they should haue béen busie about their ceremonies and enchauntings so he surprised the towne but not the Lord Morlak who did holde the Castell Whilest these broyles did so passe in Britayn in other places also as if it were at a day appoâ—nted the traiterous Leaguers tooke Molins in Borbonnoys situated vpon the riuer Allier which rising out of the Mountaines of Anuergne falleth into Loyre at the towne Charite That place was well defended by the Lord Rostayn but being set on when the Garison was absent for lack of men the towne was caried away to the Leaguers About the selfe same time the faction of the League in the citie of Bourdeaux shewed themselues and attempted to surprise the towne against the King They had conspired an accursed practise both against the Marshall Matignon the Kings gouernour there and also against the towne and good inhabitants who were knowne to bée faithfull to the King their intent was to stab the said Marshall Matignon to sâ—aze vpon the citie and Castles and to kill all them that should not bée of their side The traitors had made a great preparation of shippes at Browage had stayed many shippes which were bound to Newland for fishing to fauour the enterprise vpon Bourdeaux Vpon Easter euen therebels there vppon the watch word rose vp in armes part of them did seaze vpon the gate of Saint Iulien and part of them had incamped themselues at another side without the citie The Magistrates of the citie séeing this commotion with strong hand went toward them who had stayed vpon the gate Saint Iulien the rebels did resist the Magistrates and beate them back The Marshall Matignon taking part of the Garisons out of the Castells with the assistance of the inhabitants faithfull to the King dooth march with some forces a foote through the streates of the towne toward the gate that they had seazed vpon The rebells séeing this power comming against them without any fight began to faint and in a while after to run away and shift for themselues yet could they not so spéedily auoyde but there was fiue slaine vpon the place many of that conspiracie were apprehended There were two executed one a captaine of the citie and the other was of the gaâ—des of the Marshal who declared the whole conspiracie and accused a great number and of the chiefest of the citie They who had remayned within the towne fearing to be detected by reason of a guiltie conscience the night folowing left behinde them their maker whome they shoulde haue swallowed downe whole and aliue the next day following being Easter day They leapt ouer the walls for on the morow a great number of ropes were found hanging at the wals by which they slided down the greatest part of them retyred to Browage and shortly after the King sent eyght hundred Launce-knights there to bée in Garison to kéepe the rest in their duetie Whilest these rebellions were a working in Britayne and other places and Prouinces of the realme the King vnderstanding the greatest part of his realme to be reuolted from his obedience and how a great many Noblemen and Gentlemen whome he hath forgiuen at Bloys and let scape vnpunished abusing his lenitie or rather accounting it as it was in trueth pusillanimitie had turned againe to his enemies began to fal in great mistrust and to despaire both of himselfe and of his estate The Leaguers who were about his person to increase this his amaze aduertised him though falsely for the most part that the Spaniard the Princes and States of Italy the Dukes of Sauoy and Lorreyne had sworne the reuengement of the death of the Duke of Guize Also they perswaded him that he was not in safety at Bloys and therefore aduised him to retyre to Tours this counsell they gaue him not for any care which they had of his safetie although that God turned it to the best but for that they thought to haue more assistance there to performe their wicked intent purposed against him that citie being great and populous and where were many of the chiefest Leagued who had promised their helpe to the traitors They tolde him also how the King of Nauarre with great power approched and was already at Saumour to passe ouer Loyre for to inuade the Realme The king not knowing what to doe nor whom to trust and perceiuing theÌ„ that were at Bloys for the most part to be his secret enemies to haue intelligeÌ„ces w t the rebels in the latter end of March departed from Bloys and remoued to Tours being wel assured that at al extremities he should haue the King of Nauarre whose fidelitie and valour he knew well howsoeuer the Leaguers of his counsel did terrifie him of his
moneth Possonnes the Duke de Mayne his gouernour there considering the state of the Duke of Sauoy his affayres seeing the Canon planted and the Lord Diguieres fortified with newe supplies all the commonaltie bent against him and being without any hope of ayde or reliefe the 30. of September yeelded the Towne of Essiles by composition that his Souldiers should freely depart with bagge and baggage So by these meanes the passages into Piemont doo remayne in the Kings power and the countrey of Daulphine is limitted with his olde limits long before fortified by the French Kings during the warres of Italy Sonnes generall of the Duke of Sauoy had prouoked the Lord Morges his nephewe to fight fiftie agaynst fiftie on horsebacke and appoynted the place which thing the Lord Diguieres vnderstanding conducted the sayd Morges vnto the place where the sayd Morges remayned with his forces readie to accept the offer from nine a clocke in the morning vntill three a clocke in the euening and at length came a Trompetter with a letter from the sayd Sonnes carying an excuse The Lord Diguieres in attending the comming of y e enemie had espied a passage néere Iallon where the enemie had entrenched himselfe and there lodged eight companies vnder the conduct of Captaine Venust and perceauing that there was no more hope of Sonnes comming to the combat appoynted he determined to spend the rest of that day in doing some exployt and to assault the sayd companyes who did lye vpon the hanging of the mountayne betweene Suze and Noualize and hauing found meanes to place one hundred Musketters who battered the enemie vpon the side of their fort the trenches of the enemie were forced and fourescore of them slayne among whom were Captaynes Venust Gassard and Charband Captayne Vilars with some other was taken prisoners and foure companies of Senton master of the Campe were so scattered that they came neuer together agayne This exployt was done the first of October This being done the Lord Diguieres returned again to Essiles and sent backe the foure Canons to Ambrun and caused two great peeces to bee drawne from Gap to Barcelona a place situated in the County of Nice and pertayning to the Duke of Sauoy hee sent his forces before to besiege the sayd Barcelona and when hee came himselfe about the eleauenth day of October and had made a breach the same day the enemie did parley and yéelded themselues with safetie of their liues leauing behind them their armour colours horses and baggage the Captaines were permitted to depart with their swords vpon an hackney The inhabitants had graunted them to enioy their goods abiding vnder the Kings obedience as the rest of his subiects vpon condition to pay sixe thousand Crownes for the army and the fraight of the Artillerie The 13. day the gouernour called Coreloere departed with three souldiers with him and as many of citizens and countrey men who repayred to their houses vnder the Kings safegard The 14. day the Lord Diguieres layd batterie before the Castle of Metans which he slenderly battered the 15. day only to view the enemies countenance But they being greatly afrayed the next night did steale away and so saued themselues except thirtie of them who were intercepted by the watch In this way of Piemont the Lord Diguieres had neuer aboue three hundred horses and twelue hundred shot and found no greater enemie then the inaccessible height of the mountaynes where ouer he was forced to passe the Canon but chiefly in his iourney to Barcelona The Citie of Grenoble in the land of Daulphine notwithstanding the truces and good entertaynment from time to time receaued of the Lord Diguieres had been seduced after the King last deceased and did hold still after for the League though not with such desperat madnes and insolencie as many others had done Now the L. Diguieres hauing well repressed the madnes chastized the rashnes and folly of the D. of Sauoy and hauing in a manner subdued and pacified that countrey forsooke the Duke of Sauoy and determined to scoure as much as he could all the remnant and ragges of rebellion out of that prouince which thing to bring to passe he thought good to begin at the head to wit the Citie of Grenoble and as by the euent which followed it seemed that he did besiege distresse that Citie which thing caused the inhabitants to consider that the Lord Diguieres had in a manner all the land of Daulphine at commaundement His power was increased and returned out of Piemont with few victories of many they weighed also how they were out of hope of any succour as well from the Duke de Mayne as from the Duke of Sauoy who being taught by the schoolemaster of fooles which is experience would not haue hereafter great lust to returne in haste into Daulphine These circumstances caused them well to consider the danger wherein they stoode which thing moued them to make a motion of peace by the which they were reduced to the dutifull obedience of their lawfull Soueraigne This peace was concluded in the suburbs of Saint Laurence by Grenoble the two and twentith of December betweene the Lord des Diguieres one of the kings priuie counsell and of estate captayne of a hundred men at armes of his Ordinances and generall of the armie leuied for the kings seruice in the land of Daulphine on the one part and the court of Parliament the commonalties of the countie and the Consuls of the same First that the exercize of the Romish Religion shall remaine frée both within the towne and suburbs thereof as hitherto it hath béen and that the Cleargie in all the prouince shall enioy the full possession of their goods in any place in the prouince vnder the kings protection Secondly that the frée exercize of the reformed Religion may be publikely celebrated within Trescloistre suburbs of the sayd citie without any let trouble or molestation Thirdly that all dwellers in the same towne that will continue therein shall personally protest and acknowledge Henrie the fourth king of France and Nauarre for their Soueraigne and shall yéeld to him the oth of fidelitie in like cases requisite in the hands of the Lord Saint Andrew president of the court of Parliament and Chastelard counsellor in the same court in the presence of the Lordes of Blemew and Calignon and vpon the same oath taken the sayd inhabitants shall bée maintayned and restored in the full and peaceable enioying of their goods offices priuiledges and franchizes Fourthly if any man of whatsoeuer calling or condition soeuer it bée shall be vnwilling to take the sayde oath and shall be desirous thereupon to departe else where hee shall be safely conducted to any place that they will go and may enioy their goods offices and dignities either by sale or by receauing their annuall fruits or stipend thereof at their choyce prouided alwayes that they enterprize nothing against the Kings seruice Fiftly that the custodie and