Valentinian and the beginning of their liberty to the defeat of the Alaâ—s and to the bountie of this Emperor hauing freed them in recompence of so worthye a seruice that were to maâ—e a leape of aboue an hundred and thirtie yeares to confound thinges and to be ignorant of the estate of our Auncestors who at the time of this memorable defeate did in nothing acknowledge the Romaines But rather for a particular fruite of the victorie gotten by them in common with Valentinian they had possession of a great part of the Gaules not holding it of any but of their Sword nor doing homage but to their owne Valour It were in briefe not to haue obserued the originalls of true Histories Seeing then the auntient habitation of the FRENCH was in that part of Germany which lay nearâ—st vnto Gaule who can with reason deny but the are issued from thence and that in taking Gaule they made it to change both Master and Name This is in breise what may bee spoken with most apparancie of truth concerning the originall of our FRENCH nation if wee will not vrge more then may well bee iustified By what meanes and when they entred Gaule As for their estate and gouernment there is great likelyhood that it was a great nation growne warlike by meanes of desending themselues and succoring others with their owne forces I adde that they were led and commaunded by a king for the most auntient Histories represent them vnder a royall authority as I will shew els where Doubtles they had no meanes to buyld this great Monarchy in Gaule without force and order yet did they not erect it all at one instant but slipt into Gaule at sundry times eyther imployed to succor the Romaines or they themselues seeking their fortune and good aduentures And as they grew familiar by diuers sommonings so they got footing by little and little vntill that hauing not only expelled the Romains but all other tributarie Lords they became Masters and possessors of this goodly country so this Monarchy was buylt vpon the ruines of the Empyre and the end of the one was the beginning of the other The Romane Empyre had not only seazed vpon all Gaule â—s the eye of Europe hauing reduced it into the forme of Prouinces but did long inioe it by their Gouernours and Liefâ—â—nants generall This authoritie and Romane power was in a maner dispersed ouer the whole world But as this Empyre was framed of diuers peeces and built by Iniustice and Tyrany so God a iust iudge reuenger of iniquties raysed them vp great pourefull enemies from all parts of the world is it were hyred to teare in sunder this Cloake to dismember this Bodie by peecemeales and to punish their vnciuill rigor by a barbarous cruelty and their greedy iniustice bn the rauishing extortion of others The Empire then which had robbed was sackt it selfe and hauing taken anothers good lost their owne being skarce able and that by meanes of the FRENCH to retaine any show of this great and vast body The fury of Mahomet inuaded Asia and Affricke with a part of Europe like a violent flame with an incredible swiftnes Spaine was seâ—zed on by the Vandales Alanes Sueues and Gothes Italy by the Vandales Hunnes Gothes and Lombards Gaule wanted not sundry guests the Gothes seazed on that goodly Gaule Narboâ—ise called for the exelencie a second Italy and left their name to this goodly Prouince which they enioyed long and called it by their name first Gothia and after Languedoc as it were the language of Gothe although they giue other reasons of this name more subtile then true The Burgognons seazed of the country which they called by their name Bourgougne and erected a kingdome which contained the one the other Burgongne with the Prouince of Lionois Daulphine Sauoy and Prouence The Normans Brittons and Picts tooke euery one their tickett to lodge in Gaule according to the diuers occurrents of affayres which presented themselues in this generall dissipation of the Romaines Empyre who amiddest these confusions did with great difficulty retaine the least portion knowing not how to oppose themselues against so great and victorious enimies So the FRENCH hauing likewise in the begining seazed on their quarter were so fauoured by the prouidence of God that through their vallour they layed the foundation of a newe estate so as hauing expelled out of Gaule both the old and new vsurpers in the end they became Masters and buylt this goodlie Monarchy the which since hath giuen a lawe to neighbour Nations settled the Romaine Empire stopt the violence of these cruell and barbarous Nations and which is the greatest honour of this estate hath maintayned the ChristiaÌ„ Church in Europe the which God hath appointed for an habitation amidest the furious confusions of Asia and Affricke where the deluge of Mahomets blasphemies hath horriblely exceeded Wherein the greatnesse and power of Gaule is to be admired by the which Iulius Caesar could first alter the common weale of Rome his country into the newe forme of an Empyre and after when as all the most furious nations did flocke together to cast downe this great masse Charlemayne with the same force cold preserue a great part of the West from that cruell shipwracke which ruened all the Est. And as this spoyle was not generall at one instant ouer all Gaule but by fits like vnto a Riuer which taâ—es her course in a newe quarter so the FRENCH Monarchie was built by degrees The FRENCH being first imployed by the Romaines for their valour in notable occations We begin to reade of their Name with some show and state vnder the Empyre of Gallienâ—s about the yeare of Christ two hundred seuenty Posthumus gouernour of Gaule armed them against his Master and with the helpe of their forces the consent of the Gaules he enioyed Gaule the space of seauen yeares with the Title of Emperour It is likely this first aboad caused them to taste the fertile sweetnesse of this goodly and rich Country Thus both the example of Posthumus and the proofe of their owne forces gaue them courage to attempt for themselues Wee reade that vnder the Emperours Aurelian Probus Dioclesian and Constantius father to Constantine the great they haue often returned without any other subiect then to seeke their aduantage so were they often repulsed by the Romaines with great losse These fruitelesse striuinges might well haue cooled the heate of their attemptes but not their desire to seeke for means But they continued mâ—st obstinately theyr practize in Arms and mayntained their reputation â—uen with the Romaynes themselues who were glad to haue them for friendes and to imploy them in their warres as Constantine against Liâ—inius a greate enimie to the Christians and Constantius his sonne against the Germaines and Iulian the Apostata against the Persians Trulie aswell the Historie of the Church as Saint Hierome in particular one of the most famous Doctors spake of the FRENCH as
bee vnknowne to the French What a drowsines had it beene in so wise circumspect a nation to suffer themselues to be abused by a new-come Prince and by so grosse a pollicie to drawe themselues into apparent combustion which hung ouer their heads in preferring the French before the English who had then so good a portion in France where hee possessed the goodliest and richest prouinces How vnsound is this policy to imagine that a poor Prince Count of Valois hauing to do with a rich King of England who encountred the Frenchmens minds with an intestine force by the golden vertue of his Angels could haue abused such as were kept in their obedience by the force of right and reason for the preseruation of the Crowne of France their Countrie Who sees not but it had beene the ouerthrowe of Philip of Valois cause to say that hee had forged a law at his pleasure to exclude the lawfull heire and her ofspring from her right Truely the good cause of Philip of Valois made him victorious against the forces of Edward King of England and the auncient reuerence to him 430. authorized by a continuall vse and receiued by the common consent of the French reiected gold to respect the order of right for the benefit of the lawfull heire These French lawes were called Saliques of the riuer Sal which is in Franconia Etimologie of the word Salique or East Franco it ioynes with Mein and is not yet dryed vp It is neyther new nor extraordinary for people to deriue their names from Mountaines or Riuers and to shewe an example springing from the same thing by noting the Riuers The Country where the Citty of Paris is seated not onely the chiefe of this great realme but the Theatre of the whole world if by a happy peace she may recouer her ancient beauty is called the Isle of France for the concurse of diuerse riuers which ioyne with Seine and to this end the ship the armes of our chiefe Cittie shewes the oportunity of these goodly riuers Who can with reason reiect the apparency of this likely-hood That as our ancestors remayning alongst the riuer of Sal were called Saliens so the name hath continued to posteritie the which for the like reason are called Ripuaires as made for the commodity and vse of the dwellers vpon that banck the which they likewise called Ripuaires or Ribberots Truely long time after Conrad of Franconie the Emperour was called Salique to marke his beginning in that Country by the ancient name Thus much for the word But the inuiolable Maximes and Principles of the state of France the consent of all the true ancient writers the prescription of so many ages the generall approbation of all the French nation should make vs hold this Salique lawe for certaine without seeking for new opinions not onely weake and vnprofitable but insupportable in the state where the olde prouerb must stand for an oracle Remoue not the stâ—ane well layed Thus hauing briefely set downe the principall lawes of the state of France I will returne to the course of my history Thus hee raigned thus he liued and thus died Pharamond the first King of France Death of Pharamond leauing for hereditary successor of his Realme his sonne Clodion according to the right of lawe and King in effect by consent of the French This age was the sincke of Babarous nations by whome God would iustly punish the vniust pride of the Râ—mains The greatest parte came out of Asia staying first in Germany and from thence like Caterpillers or Grassehoppers â—read themselues ouer Gaule Italie and Spaine that is to say the Goths or Getes Alans Hunnes Sueues others from the North the Bourguignons Normans and Lombards We must know the Chaunge of these nations for the vse of his history But it sufficeth to touch them briefly in their places without cloying our chiefe subiect with a cumbersome discourse 431. CLODION or CLOION the hairy 2. King of France CLODION·KING OF FRANCE .2 CLODION the sonne of Pharamond succeeded his father in the yeare 431. and raigned one and twenty yeares The first attempâ— of Clâ—dâ—oâ— He laboured to follow his fathers course and to settle himselfe in Gaule but hauing transported certaine troupes which made a happy beginning passing to the couâ—trâ—es of Cambresie and Tournay betwixt the riuers of Somme and â—scout behold a furious mulâ—itude oâ— diuers nations assembled toâ—eâ—her of â—andales Alans Sueues and Burgâ—ignons iealous to see this great and warlâ—â—e people follow their steps in the conquest of a land not onely â—et to â—ale but abandoned in the disorders of the Romaine Empire oppoâ—ed themselues against them The French not able to withstand â—o great vnited forces retyred themselues into their Country oâ— Franconia To this iealousie was added the practise of Stillico Lieutenant generall tâ— Honorius Emperour of the West who easily ingaged these Nations seeking for woâ—ke against the French laboured by all meanes to crosâ—e them and to possesse â—imselâ—e of Gaule yet the successe did not fitte his desseigne for being preuented by Honorius his maister he was slaine with his sonne Euâ—herius whom he had appointed absolute heire of that goodly portion But the prouidence of God had left it in prey to these great and victorious Nations being come from diuers parts of the world to diuide the Empire Thus confusion preuailed by his authority who had most interest in the practises of Stillico who in taking Gaule for himselfe reteined still the Romaine name being ouerthrowne by Honorius The deluge of these barbarous nations oâ—erflowed all Gaule which from yeare to yeare was replenished with new guests The Bourguignons had already seized on a great part with the title of a kingdome whereof Arles was the chiefe Citty The Goths possessed Gaule Narbonnoise 440. euen by the Emperours consent who granted what he could not take from them with promise to passe no further So this victorious nation dispersed in diuerse places in Italy Gaule and Spaine were called by sâ—ndry names Wisigoths and Ostrogoths according to the place where they were planted by their great multitudes and valour Such was the disorder of the Romaines who in their seasons had subdued the whole world by their victorious armes These tempests and stormes raigned during the Empires of the two brethren Arcadius and Honorius the one commanding in the East The estate of the Empâ—re and the other in the West of Theodosius the second sonne to Arcadius and in the beginning of Vâ—lentinian the third a vitious and vnhappy Prince The raigne of Clodion fell out in those times not greatly memorable but to obserue his resolutions and manly endeuours to settle and increase the conquests of his father but with no successe Thus great and heroicall enterprises haue often stayes and lets in the beginning or such difficult crosses as they seeme quite suppressed Aetius a Romaine borne succeeded Stillico for the Emperour in that which
remained in Gaule he opposed himselfe violently against the French who at diuerse times endeuoured to passe the Rhin and to returne into France Clodion fortifying himselfe couragiously against this storme fainted not for all these first difficulties In the end hee resolued to hazard all vpon this last cast and to this effect hee raysed a mighty army with an intent to go in person to the conquest of this goodly kingdome But God had resolued to giue it to the French yet by an other hand then that of Clodion for he dyed in this voyage being on the bankes of Rhin with an intent to passe it in the yeare of grace 451. leauing Merouce heire of his desseigne and valour He was called Le Cheuelu or hayrie for that he made a lawe that none but Kings and their children with the Princes of the bloud should weare long hayre Law for wearing long hayre in token of command after the Romaine maner who shaued the heads of their slaues and seruants and left the Periwig onely to the Patriciens and the head bare This custome confiâ—med by the law of Clodion hath beene long time obserued in France so as by this maâ—ke Clodamyre the sonne of Clouis being slaine in a battaile by the Bourguignons was knowne among the dead and in token of a degrading or dishonouring they shaued such as they degraded from the royall dignity as it appeares by infinite examples amongst the which our History makes mention of one very memorable of Qâ—eene Clotilde who chose rather to cut off the heads of her young sonnes then to haue their hayre pold or shauen that is to say she preferred an honest death before the dishonour of her children for in cutting off their hayre the marke of their naturall dignity they were depriued of all hope to enioy their degree and were confined into a base estate vnworthy of their greatnesse to dye continually with heart-breaking reproche and infamie Genseric King of the Vandales at that time seized vpon Affricke The estatâ— of the Church and euen when as he besieged Hippone which at this day they call Bonne famous for the fishing of corall S. Augustine dyed the third moneth of the siege the fourth yeare of his ministery in that Citty and the 76. of his age hauing both seene and felt those tragicall desolations in the desolate estate of the Church afflicted then in diuers parts of the world by these Barbarians Theodosius the second the sonne of Arcadius a good and a wise Prince did his best endeuour to stop the course of this lâ—st shipwrack but hee preuailed not The insolencie of Valentinian the third a Prince extremely vitious thrust it headlong and the ill gouernment of his seruants namely of Bonifacius gouernour of Affricke and of Aetius gouernour of Gaule called in the Barbarians to the subuersion of the Empire who to be reuenged one of another being capitall enemies for the iealousie of their greatnesse did whaâ— they could to ruine their maister MEROVEE the third King of France who gaue the name and greatest grace to this first race MEROVEE KING OF FRANCE III 451. MErouee sonne or the nearest kinsman to Clodion succeeded to the Crowne as well by vertue of the fundamentall lawe of state as by the free Election of the French in the yeare 451. He was farre more happy then Clodion for he not onely effected his desseine in passing the Rhin and taking footing in Gaule but did happily extend the limits of his new kingdom further And the same Aetius which crossed Clodion Meâ—â—uee sets footing into France made the way easie for Merouee vnawares for the execution of his enterprise by this occasion Aetius fell in disgrace with Honorius his maister being greeued to see the great successe of the Goths Vandales and other barbarous nations in the Empire imputing the fault vnto his seruants and officers Thus growing iealous hee calles him from his gouernment of Gaule and sends Castinus in his place who was not onely vnacquainted with the estate of the Gaules bâ—t was also discontented with Bonifacius gouernour of Affricke with whome he had commandement to ioyne his forces to oppose against the common enemies of the Romaines During those actions Honorius died leauing Theodosius in the East and Valentinian in the West two yong princes of diuers humors Merouee imbracing this occasion with great dexterity sounds the hearts of his neighbors the Gaulois and finds them disposed to his deuotion He rayseth an army passeth the Rhine takes Treues at the first comming and then Argentin which is nowe called Strasbogh with the Countries adioyning to it Hee extends euen vnto Cambresie and Tournay and proceeding farther into Gaule hee seised on the best Citties of Champaigne with so great expedition as no Romaine appeared to stop the course of his victory Valentinian aduertised of this successe called back Aetius to quench this fiâ—e 452. sending him into Gaule with an armie against the French but there was other worke prepared for him for Attila King of the Huns The â—â—ench ioynâ— with the Romaâ—nes and 〈◊〉 who named himselfe the Scouâ—ge of God to chastise the Empire hauing assembled an incredible number of men in the desarts of Asia being fiue hundred thousand souldiars falles downe like a furious deluge spoiling all the countries where he passed and hauing crossed through Poland into Germanie and passed the Rhin he threatned to inuade France a country desired by all these nations for her fertilitie and beauty Aetius had no shorter course nor better meanes to auoyde this storme then to become friends with the French and with all the other possessors of Gaule who were threatned by this common storme so as in steed of warre he made a peace with Merouee vpon this extremity Attila entred Gaule and aduanced so farre that hee besieged Orleans Oâ—leans besieged by Attilâ— where Auian liued then a most famous Bishop who did greatly comfort the besieged by his piety and wisdom whilest that the forces of their confederate friends assembled by the meanes of Aetius the Romaines French Gothes and Bourguignons Orleans being at the point to yeeld Thierri King of the Goths arriues so happily as he forceth Attila to raise his siege to take another course Attila marching away with this vaste body of an armie he was pursued speedily by Aetius and his confederates who ouertooke him in the fields of Catalauna the which is diuersly taken either for the country about Chalons or about Tholouse The battaile was giuen and the combate was furious Attila ouerthrowne but not quite vanquished but the check fell â—pon the Huns who lost as it is constantly written 180000. fighting men and the victorie remained in commun to the Romaines French and Goths but the triumph and honour to Merouee and his men who fought very valiantly Thierri King of the Goths was slaine very happily to make the way easie for Merouee It was propounded in councell to pursue Attila but Aetius would not
ciuill warres bred in his minority and increased in his frensie so as a strange King was crowned King of France and became Maister of the greatest part of the Realme to Charles the 6. succeeded 54. Charles the 7. his sonne who established the Realme in expelling the Stranger and to him succeeded 55. Lewis the 11. his sonne who hauing incorporated Bourgongne and Prouence to the Crowne and purged the Leuen of intestin diuision left the Realme rich peaceable to 56. Charles the 8. his sonne who dying without Males left the Realme according to the law of State to 57. Lewis the 12. Duke of Orleance first Prince of the bloud who likewise dyed without issue Male leauing the Crowne to 58. Francis the 1. of that name first Prince of the bloud Duke of Angoulesme and he to 59. Henry the 2. his sonne and Henry to 60. Francis the 2. his sonne who dying without Male left it to 61. Charles the 9. his brother who dying without issue lawfully begotten left it to 62. Henry the 3. his brother the last of the royall race of Valois who being slaine by a Iacobin and dying without issue by the same right of the Fundamentall law of State he left the Realme intangled in diuerse confusions to 63. HENRY the 4. then King of Nauarre first Prince of the bloud and first King of the royall race of Bourbon A Prince indued with vertues fit to restore a State but successor to much trouble wearing a Crowne not all of gold but intermixt with Thornes wreathed with infinite difficulties gouerning a body extreamly weakned with a long and dangerous disease surcharged with Melancholy and diuerse humours sed with the furie of the people bewitched by the practises of Strangers who had crept so farre into the bosome of our miserable Country that they were ready to dispossesse the lawfull heires and to inuest a new King if God the Gardian and Protector of this Realme had not opposed a good and speedy remedie to their force in shew triumphant by the valour and clemencie of our Henry incountring his enemies with the one and by the other reducing his Subiects strangely distracted to their duties God send him grace to finish as he hath begun and Crowne the miraculous beginning of his reigne with the like issue Truly all good and cleere-sighted French-men may note how necessary this Head is for the preseruation of the State and by their daily and feruent prayers to pray vnto God for the long and happy life of our King And for the peace and tranquillity of this poore and desolate Realme Rom. 13. There is no power but from God and all powers in an estate are ordeyned of God THE FIRST RACE OF THE KINGS OF FRANCE CALled Merouingiens of Meroueé the third King of the French the most famous founder of the French Monarchie DANIEL 1.2 verse 21. The Soueraigne Lord rules ouer the Kingdomes of Men. And giues it to whom he pleaseth He putteth downe and sets vp Kings at his pleasure A particuler Chronologie of the races from the yeare foure hundred and twenty to seauen hundred and fiftie The yeare of grace Kings  420 1 PHaramond raigned 11. yeares 430 2 Clodion the hairy 20. yeares 450 3 Merouee the great Architect of this Estate and in this regard the most famous Stem of this race raigned 10. yeares 459 4 Chilperic or Childeric the first the sonne of Merouee 24. yeares 484 5 Clouis the first 30. yeares the first Christian King   The foure sonnes of Clouis to whom he diuided the whole Realme that is 514 6 Childebert King of Paris   Clotaire King of Soissons   Clodamite King of Orleans   Thierri King of Metz reigned together 42. yeares and 558 7 Clotaire the 1. reigned alone eight yeares 564 8 Cherebert King of Paris   Chilperic King of Soissons   Gontran King of Orleans   Segebert King of Metz reigne together 25. yeares 578 9 Chilperic the 2. in the end reigned alone 8. yeares 586 10 Clotaire the second 37. yeares 632 11 Dagobert the first 16. yeares 647 12 Clouis the second 18. yeares 666 13 Clotaire the third 4. yeares 670 14 Chilperic the third and  15 Thierri 19. yeares 689 16 Clouis the third 4. yeares 693 17 Childebert the second 17. yeares 710 18 Dagobert the second 5. yeares 715 19 Chilperic the 4. called Daniel by his first name 5. yeares 720 20 Thierri 20. yeares 740 21 Chilperic or Childeric the 5. the last of the race of the Meroueens hee liued with the title of a King ten yeares being degraded from the Kingdome he dyed a Moncke and left the Crowne to 750 22 Charles Martel Maire of the Palace who without taking the name of King but inioying it in effect left the Monarchie heredâ—tarie to his posteritie the date of his reigne being set vnder the name of Chilperic vnto the decease of Martell So this race hath reigned in France 320. yeares PARAMOND 420. the first King of France PHARAMOND I KING OF FRANCE· PHaramond the son of Marcomir is held for the fiâ—st King of Fraâ—ce by the consent of all our writers The fundamenâ—a l dare of the Freâ—ch Monarchie In the yeere of grace 420. He began his Reigne the yeare of Christ 420. A date very remarkable to describe the first beginning of the French Monarchie At that time Honorius and Arcadius brethren sonnes to Theodosius the great held the Romaine Empire inuaded so by strange nations as it was not onely disâ—eâ—bred into diuerse parts but euen Rome was spoyled and sackt by Alaric King of Goths Amidst these confusions the French Monarchie had her beginning vppon the ruines of the Empire The French inuited by them of Treues Estate of the Empire at the beginning of iâ— for the aboue named occasion first seized on the Cittie and from thence extended themselues to the neighbour countries they name Tongrie for their first possession which the learned hold to be the countrie of Brabant and about Liege This conquest was not made at one instant but augmented by degrees and the nearest prouinces were first surprised The French comming from beyond the Rhin it seemes they did first seize on that part which then lay neerest vnto them as the Countries betwixt the Rhin the Escaâ—t and the Mâ—use and from thence extended themselues euen to the riuer of Loyre They hold for certaine that this happie exploit of the French was vnder the name and authoritie of Pharamond their King who departed not from his natiue countrie but sending forth this troope as a swarme of Bees he reaped the honour and fruit of the conquest as the Soueraigne head Hee is commended to haue established good lawes His policie to haue framed and inured the French to a ciuil and well gouerned kind of life and to haue laid the first stone of the foundation of this great Monarchie in Gaule he reduced into one body and expounded
put the principall authors thereof to death as the ringleaders of rebellion Gillon entertaines this aduise he puts them to death that were the instruments of Chilperiâ—s disgrace And so with one stone giues two stroakes He take them away that might frustrate his desseine and disposeth the Frenchmens hearts to desire their ancient King And thus he makes the way for Chilperics returne by a very happie dexteritie and the â—â—ent was answerable Gillon hauing put these aforenamed to death became very odious to the French Guyemans abandons Gillon and cunningly embraceth this occasion in fauour of Chilperic He blames the French for their lightnes to haue expelled their naturall Lord and reciued a stranger farre more insupportable Chilperic called home chasticed by affliction Thus he makes them resolue to call home Chilperic who vnderstanding their desire and seeing the peece of gold the token of his returne sent by his faithfull friend returnes confidently into France he is receiued by the French and by their ayd forceth Gillon to resigne him the place and to retire himselfe to Soissons Such was the first part of Chilprics life The last was of another temper for being taught by himselfe he was so addicted to do good as he got the good will of the French of whome he was beloued honoured and obeyed all the rest of his life So as to good minds capable of reason affliction serues as a chastisement and not for a ruine for an instruction and not a destruction Hee did fight happily against Odoacre King of the Saxons subdued the Germans woon a great couÌ„try along the Rhin He added to this State the Country of Aniou hauing forced the citie of Angiers and to make absolute his happines hee had one sonne who augmented and assured his Realme They only obserue one notable error committed after his returne in taking Basine to wife being the wife of Basin King of Turinge who had courteously entertained him in his distresse violating the sacred lawes of hospitalitie suffering himselfe to be abused with the loue of a woman 585. accounted a witch for they say this woman who had forsaken her husband for him was a witch causing him to see a vision the first night of their vnlawfull marriage the which did represent the state of the succeeding kingdome by lions vnicornes leopards the which appeared fiâ—stin this visioÌ„ then by beares and wolues And lastly by cattes dogges and other small beasts the which did teare one another in sunder You must pardon these fables of antiquity bred as it seemes long after by the which she would represent the estate of the three races according to their diuerse occurrents Chilperic hauing liued thus and raigned thirtie yeares he left Clouis his sonne for successor and heire of one of the goodliest and bewtifullest pyllers of the French Monarchie as shall appeare by the following discourse CLOVIS the 1. the 5. King of France and the first Christian King CLOVIS .5 KING OF FRANCE CLOVIS succeding his father Chilperic was installed in the Royaltie by the French according to their ancient custome borne vpon a target in open assembly Hee began to reigne the yeare 485. and raigned thirtie yeares Hee had scarse atteyned to the age of fifteene yeares when as he mounted to the royall throne A yong man of great hope borne for the stablishment of this monarchie His forefathers had layed the foundation but he did build vpon these goodly beginings with so great valour wisedome and good fortune as he is to be held for one of the greatest Architects of this estate hauing had the honour to be the first King of France that receiued the Christian religion the greatest beautie of this Crowne and a priuilege so carefully planted by his successors as they haue purchased the title of most Christian as a marke of their chiefest greatnesse The progresse of the Historie will shew both his vertues and vices But at this entrie his mind being guided to so great a worke whereunto the wise prouidence of almightie God had appointed him fortifies it selfe the first fiue yeares of his raigne 485. being the time of his apprentiship before he vndertooke any thing the which hee did manage so discreetly embracing all occasions that were offered as in the end hee thought himselfe able to subdue all Gaule if God had not stayed the ambitious course of his vnmeasurable desires to shew vnto great personages that hee reserues a Soueraigne prerogatiue ouer all their enterprises We haue saâ—d before that in the dissipation of the Empire the Gaules had many vsurpers Bourguignons Goths and Frenchmen the Romaines had the least part for hardly could they keepe Soissons Compiegne Senlis and other small townes thereabouts The Bourguignons enioyed a great countrie the two Bourgongnes the Duchie and the Earledome Sauoy Lyonnois Forests Beauiolois Daulphiné and Prouence Arles being the Metropolitane Citty of the Realme The Goths possessed all Gaule Narbonnoise to the which they gaue the name and all Guyenne with the appertenances The French had the best part from the Rhin vnto Loire imbracing all the richâ— Prouinces of the Lowe countries vnto the Ocean the countries of Heyâ—ault Cambresie Picardie Normandie the Iâ—le oâ— France Maine Anâ—ou Touraine Vandomois the prouince of Orleans Beausse Hurepois GastiÌ„nois Sologne Berry and the neighbour countries although these great and large territories had particular Lords amongst the which the King was acknowledged for Soueraigne Such was the state of Gaule when as Clouis vndertooke the helme of this French monarchie To become absolute Maister of this goodly country which was set to sale to the mightiest he begins with the weakest the neerest Clouis aspireâ— to the Monarchie of all Gaule and him with whom hee had the most apparent shew of quarrell which was the Romane who held nothing of this great name but the shâ—w and pride in a weaknesse altogether contemptible Siagrius sonne to that Gyles of whom we haue spoken commanded at Soissons for the Romans Clouis had an hereditarie quarrell against him hauing sought to vsurpe his estate irreconciliable quarrels among Princes Hauing so goodly a shew to demand reason for so notable a wrong he dâ—fies him They assemble their forces Clouis calleâ— to his aide Ragnachaire the petty King of Cambray and Chararic of Amyens the first assists him the other excuseth being desirous to keepe the stakes and to be a looker on The first rooting 〈◊〉 of the Romaines and then to ioyne with the stronger Siagrius is ouercome in battell In this ouerthrow he leaâ—es his estate to Clouis and flies to Alaric King of the Goths being at Tholouse Clouis not content with Siagrius goods demands his person of Alaric and obtaines it Siagrius is sent vnto him his hands and feet bound Hauing him in his power he makes him taste the griefe of his misery reproching him that he had basely lost his gouernment deserued capitall punishâ—ent and so he cuts off his head afterwards he suppressed Chararic
furie of the fight This happened in the yeare 509. The fruit of this notable victorie was so great as all yeelded to Clouis where hee marched Those of Angoulesme made shew of resistance but a great parte of the wall beâ—â—g fallen as it were miraculously not onely the Cittie yeelded butall the Countrie being terrified offered their voluntarie obedience vnto Clouis as if God holding him by the hand had put him in possession of all that Prouince as the lawfull heire Auâ—eâ—gne makes some shew to resist but in the end it yeelds with all the Citties of the Prouince In this generall reuolt against the Vuisigoths Almaric the sonne of Alaric gathers a new head in the Countries of his obedience with wonderfull speed Clouis seekes him out and finds him neere to Bourdeaux The battaile is fought and the slaughter great on either side the one armie fights for honour and the other for life and goods But Clouis remaines conquerour 504. who in detestation of his enemie calles the place the Aâ—rien field which name continues vnto this day Almaric flyes to Thierri his confederate King of the Ostrogoths in Italy with an intent to returne speedily to be reuenged of Clouis All the countrie remaines peaceable to Clouis yea Tholouse the capitall Citty of the Goths kingdome And thus he returnes leauing a part of his army in garrison in the Citties of his new conquest vnder his sonnes command and in his Standard as a trophee he caried for a deuise Veni vidi vici I came and saw and ouercame like vnto Caesar. This great conquest gotten with incredible celeritie and admirable successe is a worthy proofe of Gods prouidence who disposeth of States according to his wise and iust pleasure pulling downe one and raising vp another Thus Clouis hauing expelled the remainder of the Romaines seized on the Bourgongnons estate and the Wisigoths remaining in a maner absolute Lord of the Gaules vnder the title of the Realme of France Hee desired much to liue at Tours as indeed it is the goodly garden of France but seeking to giue a perfect forme to this new estate as one head hath but one body hee choseth Paris for his capitall Citty being seated in the Isle of France and the true mansion of Kings aswell for the fertile beauty of the Country thereabout as for the concourse of Riuers which bring infinite commodities from all parts by the chanell of the Riuer of â—eine into the which all the rest fall as the common store-house of all commodities Thus Paris from small beginings as may bee noted by the lowe buildings and narrow streetes of the Isle being the first plotte is growne to a wonderfull greatnesse being the head Cittie of all the Realme The brute of Clouis force spread ouer all with a great renowne of his valour The Emperour sonâ—s Ambassadors to Clouis moued Anastasius Emperour of the East to desire his friendship although hee had more reason to be his enimy hauing dispossessed him of his ancient inheritance Thus the Empire declined flattering his most dangerous enemies against whom he should oppose himselfe Hee salutes him with a very honourable Ambassage sends him a Senators roabe the priuilege of a Patrician and Cittizen of Rome and the dignity of a Consull in signe of the honour his successours should haue to bee Emperours and to preserue the reliques of the Empire from a generall shipwrack Clouis entertained Anastasius Ambassadours with honour and bounty desirous to ouercome them with curtesie as well as by the valour of his victorious armes The violent course of Clouis victories seemed vnresistible Clouis beinâ— conqâ—erour is conquered but behold an vnexpected enemy not onely stayes him sodenly but takes from him the greatest part of his new conquests defeats his Armie and drawes him into danger neuer to performe any thing worthily The nation of the Gothes was then very great being dispersed in diuerse parts in Gaule Italy and Spaine so as one people issued from the same beginning as we haue sayd was distinguished by diuerse names to marke the places of their seuerall aboades The Wisigoths or rather Westgoths were they that dwelt in the West that is to say in Gaule West to Italy the Ostrogoths or Eastgoths possessed Italy by consequence East to Gaule These Estgoths had done great and notable exploits in Italy taken and sackt Rome and hauing seized on the goodlyest Countryes of Italy had there established a Kingdome vnder their name the which was ruined by the Lombards and the Lombards by the French as wee shall see in the continuance of this history These Goths named Getes by the Greekes an ancient people of Asia scattered themselues first along the riuer of Danubye entring the Countrie neere to Constantinople as well on the maine land as in the Taurique Chersonese neere to this quarter And so extending their limits did possesse Valachye and Hongarie and in the end Scandia and the Country which lyes neere the Riuer of Vistula in the Country of Sueden towards the Baltique Sea where they made their last retreate after many losses receiued in many places in seeking of their fortunes The Realme of Gothie carries their name euen vnto this day 510. I thought good by the way to note the estate of the Goths fit for this subiect Thus the successe of the French forces and the allyance so carefully sought by the Emperour a capitall enemie to the Gothike name did easily moue Thierry king of the East-goths to succour his kinsman Almarick a prince spoiled of his possessions whose example did solicite all the Goths to preuent the danger which did threaten them very neere So as from Italie Sicile Sclauonia and Dalmatia by his owne meanes and the credit of his friends he gathers togither fourescore thousand fighting men the which he giues to Ibba to leade against Clouis and he himselfe remaines in Italie to make head against the Emperours desseins least hee should cause some diuision in fauour of Clouis his confederate The Gothike armie enters by Piedmont takes Grace and Antibou and in short time all Prouence obeyes him The people of Languedoc louing their old maisters and not able to indure the insolencie of a new yeeld easily to the stronger A great losse both of Provinces and men Prouence remaines thus to the East-goths and Languedoc returnes to the Vuisigoths Clouis being brought a sleepe with the imagination of a generall triumphe awakes at this brute hee armes and marcheth speedily against the enemie hee is beaten and looseth 30000. men at this incounter whereby it appeared that he held not victoires at his girdle nor they proceeded not from his valour Clouis who vanquished euery where finding himselfe beaten and not able presently to make head against a victorious enemie returnes into France rather mad then transported with furious choller tossing in his braynes how to be reuenged of so notable a disgrace The Goths giue him leaue to runne and take cold being content to haue recouered
their owne After this he attempted no more against them and the greatest part of Bourgongne returned to the children of Gondebault But in the end both Prouence and Bourgongne shall bee incorporated to the Crowne by diuerse accidents the which we will note in diuerse places Clouis cruell practisâ—s to become great Clouis suruiued fiue yeares after all these losses remaining commonly at Paris hauing no heroicke mind to attempt any great conquests yet of a cruell disposition which made him die with desire of other mens goods Hee imployed all his wits to put his kinsmen to death hauing some â—eignieuries included within the compasse of his great monarchie with an imagination â—o leaue his children a great estate vnited In this desseine he puts to death Chararic to haue Amyens Ragnachatre to become maister of Cambray and Sigâ—bert to haue no companion at Mets although he were acknowleged in all these places for soueraigne This rauishing of other mens goods was vnexcusable but his tragicall proceedings to haue it was more detestable I tremble to represent the horror of these execrable crimes you may reade them in the originall of Gregorie of Tourâ— The truth of the historie requires they should bee registred but reason would haue the memory of so dangerous examples buried in obliuion I desire to be dispensed withall if I discourse not of these monstrous enormities A modest tragedie goares not the scaffold with the bloud of Iphigenia being content to report by a messenger that she was slaine by her fathers coÌ„mand drawing a curteine to hide the blood But if any one will vrge me with the debt which a historie doth owe I will say that Clouis caused Chararic to be slaine hauing seized on him and his sonne and condemned them to monastery As they were cutting of their haire the sonne seeing his father weepe bitterly said These greene branches will grow againe meaning the haire they cut off for the stocke is not dead but God will suffer him to perish that causeth them to bee cut off Horrible murthers coÌ„mitted by Câ—ouis Clouis aduertised of this free speech They complaine for the losse of their haire sayes hee let their heads bee cut off And so they were both put to death To get Ragnachaire who had faithfully serued him both against Sâ—agrius and in all his other enterprises hee corrupted some of his domesticall seruants with promise of great rewards in token wherof he sent them bracelets of latten guilt These traitors bring him Ranachaire and his brother with their hands and feete bound Hee beholding them Outcasts saith hee of our race vnworthie of the blood of Merouee are you not ashamed to suffer your selues to be thus bound you are vnworthy to liue repay the dishonour you haue done to our blood with your bloods and so gaue to eyther of them great blowes with a Battell Axe which he held in his hand 514. and slue them both in the presence of his Captaines and Councell But when 〈…〉 Traytors demanded their reward and complained of his Bracelets Auant saâ—th 〈◊〉 Traytors is it not enough that I suffer you to liue I loue the treason but I hate Trâ—ytors But the last exceeds the rest Hee perswades the sonne of Sigibert to kill his â—â—ther This infamous parricide murthers him and returnes to Clouis to put him in possession of his treasures whom he had thus massacred who being in the chamber and â—ending downe into a Chest to draw forth bagges full of gold hee caused his braiâ—es to be beaten out and being the stronger seized on Mets making a good shew to the people as ignorant of this murther Thus Clouis liued thus he reigned and thus he dyed in the yeare of our Lord 514. of the age of 45. the thirtith yeare of his reigne in the flower of his enterprises The death of 〈◊〉 in the Citty of Paris A Prince whom we must put in ballance to counterpeise his vertues with his vices valiant politick colde wise temperate diligent in execution His vertues his 〈◊〉 of admirable authoritie and indued with excellent politicke vertues fit for an estate Contrarywise hee was extreamly couetous ambitious wilfull cruâ—â—l bloudy infinitely giuen to the world immortalizing his good hap in this mortall life by his many enterprises the which hee feared not to execute with the losse of other mens goods and liues We must not wonder if we read of confusions in the following reignes wherein we shall first see bloud for bloud and the robber robbed spoiled dispoâ—sessed according to the trueth of Oracles Woe to thee that robbest for thou shalt bee robbed that killest for thou shalt be killed the same measure thou measurest shall be measured to thee againe Vnder his reigne the Romane Empire vanished quite into the West Spaine Gaule Italy and Germany were seized on by strange nations retaining no markes of the Romaine name The East had yet some shewes of the Empire whereof Constantinople was the seate Leo Zeno Anastasius Emperours liued in those dayes with many enemies The estatâ— of the Church shame and losse The Pope of Rome thrust himselfe forward amiddest these confusions and ruines recouering that which the Emperours had lost Leo Hilarie Simplicius Foelix Gelasius liued in those times learned men The Councell was held againe at Chalcedone against Eutiches and Dioscorus The 6. raigne vnder the foure sonnes of CLOVIS Childebert Clodamir Clotaire Thierry Who raigned togither forty and two yeares as Kings of France yet with a particular title â—nder this generall but in the end Clotaire remayned King alone And therefore their raignes are distinguished To this Coniunction of foure brethren some giue the sixt degree in the number of Kings and Childebert as the eldest beares the title CHILDEBERT the 6. King of France CHILDEBET KING OF FRANCE VI CLOVIS his desseine was to rule alone in a great vnited Kingdome but he sees his resolutions frustrate for this vaste bodie compounded of many peeces is scarce vnited but it is disioyned againe yea in his life time and the rest is diuided into foure parts to his children according to the lawes of nature but to the visible preâ—udice of the Estate incompatible of so many maisters as the following â—â—â—course will shewe A lesson both for great and small and a notable president of the vaâ—ity of humane enterprises where the end is not alwaies answerable to the beginning They take great paines to settle a firme estate which shal be soone dismembred either by lawe or force and that shal be dispersed sodeinly which was gathered togither too hastily Let euery one consider what hee leaues to his Children 515 for the which there is no warrantable caution but a good title These foure sonnes diuide the realme into foure Kingdomes Childebert was King of Paris and vnder this realme was comprehended the Prouinces of Poictou Maine Touraine Champaigne Aniou Guyenne and Auuergne Clotaire King of Soissons and the dependances of this realme were Vermandois Picardie
Clotaire his other Vncle but by chaunce they were reconciled Theodebert impatient of rest seeking where to imploye his forces findes that the Dane a people of the North A good and a happy warre did scoure along the sea coast to the great hinderance of the French Marchants he marcheth against them being resolute to fight with them These forces were better imployed then against his brother so the successe was more happy for hee chased away the Danes hauing defeated a great number and purged the Ocean from pyrates This exployte wonne him great reputation in all places so as he is sought vnto by the Ostrogoths in Italie beeing pressed by Belisarius Lieutenant generall for the Emperour Iustinian and a very great captaine who had recouered Sicile Naples and Pouille from them and in the ende the Cittie of Rome the which he fortified As the Goths estate declined daylie in Italie Theodat their King reiected and Vitiges chosen in his place Theodebert comes into Italie puft vp with his victorie hee takes footing and makes head against Belisarius but forced with sicknesse he retires to his owne house leauing three chiefe Captaines for the guard of the places conquered In his absence the Goths are defeated and Vitiges slaine Totila succeedes him who hauing taken and sackt Rome did so restore the Gothes estate in Italie as he became fearefull to the Romaines But the chaunce turned against him his army was defeated and himselfe slaine and to increase the mischiefe those great Captaines left by Theodebert were slaine one after another so as the Gothes being chased out of Italie by Narses all Theodeberts great hopes vanished 522 yet he laboured to attempt some great enterprise against the Emperour Iustinian and drew much people to it Wâ—râ—e rashly vndertaken prouâ—s vnfortunate but hauing made this goodly shew and put himselfe and his friends to great expences he was forced to returne out of Italy without effecting of any thing leauing a goodly example to Princes not to attempt lightly an vnnecessary warre least they buy losse and shame at too high a rate In the end Theodebert who thought to haue vanquished the mightiest enemies was slaine by a wild Bull going a hunting and his great enterprises were interred with him in the same graue hauing hunted after vanity and found death at the end of his immortall desseignes Theodebert left Theobald heire of the great estates of Austrasia Bourgongne and Turinge the which hee did not long enioy dying without children Austrasia is now called Lorraine and almost without any memory that he had liued but onely that hee had by will leâ—t his Vncle Clotaire heire of all his goods whereby there sprung vp a new warre Childebert indured this testament impatiently aswell for that hee was excluded as also for that his brother was made more mighty by his nephews estate so couetousnesse and enuie giue him aduise to crosse him Clotaire had one bastard sonne called Granus a sufficient man but very wicked and audacious who for his insolencies was in disgrace with his father Childebert resolues to oppose this sonne against the father and to vse him in the execution of his malitious intent Thus abusing the absence of Clotaire who was busied in warre against the Saxons he goes to field with a great armie supposing to haue to doe but with young men and irresolute and the more to amaze them hee gaue it out that Clotaire was dead This report was coloured with such cunning and as men do often beleeue that which they feare that these young Princes seeing themselues ouercharged with great forces yeeld to a preiudiciall peace with their Vncle. This heart-burning seemed to extend further when as death surpriseth Childebert who dyes the yeare 549. without any children and leaues his enemy Clotaire for successor being vnable to cary his realme with him Clotaire returnes out of Saxonie being offended with his bastard Hee pursues him into Britanie whither hee was fled A horrible punishment of a rebellioâ—â— sonne and by a wonderfull accident guided by the Iustice of God the reuenger of the sonnes rebellion against the Father Clotaire findes his sonne with his wife in a pesants house where transported with furie he burnes them aliue yet not extinguishing the memorie of his rebellion to terrifie rebellious children by so memorable a president Thus there passed forty fiue yeares in the barbarous and vnhappy raignes of these foure soueraigne Maisters children to the great Clouis in the which there is nothing memorable but the remembrance of Gods iust iudgement against those that suffer themselues to bee transported by their passions for all these vitious raignes were vnhappy passed with much paine and ended with much misery represented to the perpetuall infamy of the vnkinde cruelties of their Kings CLOTAIRE the first the seuenth King of France CLOTAIRE KING OF FRANCE VII CLOTAIRE remained alone King of France by the death of his brethren 552. for their children were dead and Childebert the eldest dyed without issue Behold the frute of so great paines after their diuisions to build great Monarchies Clotaire raigned fiue yeares alone he had by two wiues fiue sonnes and one daughter that is Cherebert Chilperic Sigebert Gontran Gautier and Closinde not reckoning Granâ—s wâ—om he had by a Concubine His raigne was short and wretched He sought to extort the thirds of all Ecclesiasticall liuings for his priuate affaires but the Clergie opposed themselues against him so as his threats preuailed not In the beginning he subdued the Saxons subiects to the French but the Turingiens being vp in armes and he about to suppresse them the Saxons ioyne with them to withstand him with their common forces Yet these mutinous nations seeing themselues encountred by too strong a party craue pardon and promise him obedience Clotaire refusing to accept it forceth them to make defence the which they performed so desperately as they defeated the French and Clotaire with great difficulty saued himselfe It is an indiscretion for a Prince to thrust his subiects into despaire An example for Princes not to thrust their subiects into despaire but to imbrace all occasions wisely that may purchase a willing obedience and not to seeke it by extremities After this defeat he returnes into France and being at Compiegne hee desires to go a hunting Being old and decayed he heats himselfe falls into a quotidian and dies the yeare 567. He was much grieued in his sicknes for hauing liued too too ill but he protested that he hoped in the mercies of GOD. As our histories report Before that he ruled as King alone he erected the little realme of Yuetot 567 vpon this occasion On good Friday hee slewe Gawter of Yuetot his seruant in the Chappell whereas he heard seruice They report the cause diuersely The greatest part hold that the King had rauâ—shed his wife lodging in his house so as he that was beaten suffered the punishement Pope Eugenius displeased with this infamous murther
kills her son She therefore giues him a morsell mixte with a languishing poyson which caused him to consume of a bloudy flixe that as he had sâ—ilt the bloud of others so hee might die in bloud and that the same wretched counsell which had bin the sepulchre of his brother should likewise be his owne for a memorable example to posterity that God suffreth nothing vnpunished and doth often punish the wicked by themselues and by their owne practises Such was the tragicke ende of the troublesome life of Thierri But what shall become of Brunehault The Iustice of God goes slowly but he recompenceth the slownes with the grieuousnesse of the punishement Let vs then heare the continuance of our history Brunehault carries a good countenance after the death of Thierri She makes him a stately funerall like a â—ourney and of foure bastard sonnes which Thierri had left she chooseth him that pleaseth her best to install him King in his fathers place and in the meane time she continewes the gouernment of the reaâ—me and calles herselfe Regent To conclude she doth promise vnto herselfe in all her courses farre better successe then Fredegonde presuming that she exceeded her in iudgement and experience no man remayning to controule her actions but her discourses were vaine imaginations and her foolish hopes the snares of her owne ruine The Nobility of Bourgongne infinitely grieued with the horrible wickednes of this womaÌ„ resolute not to endure the new tiranny which she practâ—sed had recourse vnto Clotaire as to their true and lawful Lord. Brunehault playes the resolute she prepares to war sendes diuerse Ambassadors into Germanie the chiefe was Varnare Mayre of the Pallace of Austrasia a man of great authority both at home and with strangers Hauing sent him for succors to some Princes of Germany shee growes iealous of him without cause and sends a trustie seruant of hers named Albon to finde meanes to kill him Albon hauing read those deadly letters teares them but vnawares he lets fall the peeces of this letter the which are gathered vp and caried to Varnare who vpon this new accident takes a new aduise He resolues to crosse the practises of this murtheresse so well knowne and hatefull to all men who likewise would make away her best seruants who had beene too faithfull vnto her in the execution of her wicked desseines Varnare doth treate so politikely in Germany as hee with-drawes their hearts and forces from Brunehault and winnes them vnto Clotaire This Counterbattery thus made hee returnes into Bourgongne His returne bred an vnexpected change for she who had alwaies deceiued was deceiued in the end fell into the pittefall Varnare did not seeme to knowe what she had desseined whereby hee had meanes to countermine all Brunehaults policies with so wise a dissimulation by his great authority as he gaines all the chiefe men for Clotaire deliuers into his hands the children aforesaide pretended to be heires and by this means giues him an easie victory ouer Brunehaults troupes who yeelding vnto Clotaire deliuer vp this wicked woman the cause of all their miseryes So at length the Wolfe is taken vnawares Clotaire a victor was receiued by common consent of the Austrasiâ—ns and Bourguignons and by that meanes beeing absolute maister of that great inheritance of Clouis his grand-father beganne his reigne by a worthy act of memorable Iustice. Hauing in his power the chiefe motiue of all these mischiefes hee caused Brunehaults processe to be made by the greatest personages he could choose in all his dominions that in so notable an assembly the sentence might be irreprochable By their censures Brunehault was found culpable of infinite and horrible crimes and was condemned to die by a terrible and extraordinary punishement for she was tied to the tayle of a wild maâ—e and drawne through a stony and rough Country Brunehault put to a horrible death so as being torne into diuerse peeces she died at diuerse times most iustly as shee had cruelly caused many others to die A notable example to shewe that the greatest cannot auoid the soueraigne Iustice of God who punisheth in this world when it pleaseth him when he spareth them it is a signe that hee reserues the punishment to his last Iudgement 610 Thus died Brunehault onely commended in histories to haue built many temples giuen great reuenues for the mainteynance therof whilest that she wallowed in her pleasures Saint Gregorie hath set downe certaine letters of his to Brunehault wherein hee commends her highly for her piety and singular wisdome Clotaire seeing himselfe King of so great a monarchy after a long and horrible confusion of intestine warres imployed all his eare to pacifie the realme leauing notable examples to princes to cure the wounds of an Estate after ciuill warres by mildenes Hee doth publiquely proclaime pardon of all iniuries both generall and particular to abolish the memory to come making his example a lawe of perpetuall forgetfullnesse This moderation Mildnes a 〈◊〉 remedie to cuâ—e a decayed estate more victorious then any great and seuere chasticement wonne him the loue and obedience of his subiects and confirmed a true and no counterfiet concorde amongest the subiects themselues He gouerned them after their owne humours vsing his authority with mildenes And for that they had liued in the Court of Kings from whome they receiued aduancements and honours the which they could not do by their annuall offices as then the gouernments were hee erected perpetuall magistrates with such authority as it might well bee termed the true patterne of a royaltie The greatnes of the seruant is a blemish to the Master He then augmented the great authority of the Maires of the Palace who controlled Kings and in the end vsurped the royaltie whereas before they were but controllers of the Kings house and not of the realme A notable president for Princes in the settling of an estate not so to communicate their authority to their seruants whome they desire to gratifie as they may haue meanes to become maisters Clotaire layed the first stone in the chaunge which shall happen to his posterity He had one onely sonne whose name was Dagobert It was his greatest care to haue him well instructed committing him to Arnoul Bishop of Metz a learned man and of a good life and likewise to Sadragesille his gouernour But Dagobert discouered euen then his bad disposition intreating his gouernor Sadragesille vnworthily Wherewith Clotaire the King was wonderfully mooued against his sonne who shewed afterwards that this was but a preparatiue to that he would attempt against his owne father forceing him in his life time to giue him the realme of Austrasia for his portion This kinde of rebellion was the fruite of Clotaires too great lenity as also priuate quarells which bred great disorders in the Court. Thus wee see there is nothing absolutely perfect in this world Clotaire dies in the yeare of Chrst 631. hauing gouerned 44. yeares from
sweete Liquor of his insatiable reuenge A notable obseruation for treacherous and reuenging spirits who are then vanquished when they thinke to bee Conquerors Thierri a King in shewe is a spectator of these Tragedies as of a game at tables of his diuers Maiors which play at leuell coyle vntill that Pepin gets it and enioyes it onely with the Soueraigne gouernment of the French Monarchie Pepin during the confusions of these raigns had beene in Austrasia and purchased great credit with all men so as he was held worthy of this great charge the which he gouerned with so great wisdome and valour as hauing settled France in a peacefull Estate he had purchased more credit authority among the French then the King himselfe In the ende Thierri dies in the yeare 693. hauing raigned 19. yeares leauing Clouis and Childebert his Children for a witnesse that he had liued but in effect Pepin and his for the true heires of the Realme CLOVIS the third the 16. King of France CLOVIS .3 KING OF FRANC XVI BEing the eldest sonne of Thierri he raigned foure yeares and dyes without name and without children 693 to whom succeeds his brother CHILDEBERT the second the 17. King of France CHILDEBERT .2 KING OF FRANCE XVII WHO raigned 17. yeares 700. and dies in the yeare 718. hauing left two Sonnes Dagobert and Clotaire of like humour to himselfe DAGOBERT the second the 18. King of France DAGOBERT .2 KING OF FRANCE XVIII 719. HE raigned foure yeares and left two Children Chilperiâ— and Thierri with no better memorie then the rest So there passed fortie and foure yeares during which time Pepin had good meanes to fortifie his authority the which was in effect absolute by the negligence or rather idlenesse of these Kings who made a necessary way to newe desseins by their voluntary suffrance to incroach vpon their authority Pepin well acquainted with the humour of the French naturally bent to loue their Princes did not openly despise his masters but excused their weake dispositions not capable of much paine representing the heauie burthen of a great Estate and that the honour to gouerne iâ— is a trouble which costes deere He setled an impression in the Frenchmens mindes That those onely were worthie to bee Kings that knewe howe to gouerne So without any infinuating speech the ordinarie seruices hee did to the realme mayntayning â—t in peace his great prâ—fession to loue religion Iustice and the peâ—ple whose â—ase hee was wonderfull carefull of did recommend him to all men and the good turnes he did to all persons by reason of his charge did daylie purchase him many friends and seruantâ— Doubtlesse as it is as great policie to bee a good man so is there no small dexterity in the tâ—king of Citties and Countries by the hearts of men Thus Pepin layed the foundation and his successors finished the perfect building of a newe gouernment A lesson for our Kings to haue a care howe they referre the charge of affaires to their seruants Read and iudge O yee Kings and to whome they trust and howe This example doth verifie that they were better to be more careful and take more paines then to disroabe themselues of this great authority the which makes them not only eminent aboue all men but carries as it were a tipe of the Maiestie of God in the gouernment of the world 718 whereof they must yeeld him an account and not loose that by base cowardlinesse which they should mainteine by vertue But let vs returne to Pepin â—ee made great shewe to loue religion and vpon this cause he makes warre against Râ—bod Duke of Fâ—ise a pagan whome hee conquered and forced to receiue the Christian religâ—on â—ith all â—is subiects He restored Lambert Bishop of Traict to his dignity beeâ—ng expelled by â—broin and confined into a Monastery finally he infinitly fauored all that tended to the seruice of God and one of his chiefest cares was to aduance them that had châ—â—ge ouer the Church whose loues he had so purchased by this good vsage as they soone requited him causing the people to loue him with whome such as rule their consciences haue great authority This was a point of state as much as of deuotion He also made proofe of his valour in diuers sorts reducing the people of Germany on either side the â—hin to the obedience of the French who began to mutine and so restored the beautie of the realme of Austrasia He was carefull to maintaine Iustice and imbraced the people no waies oppressing them with any new impositions In the meane time he was not carelesse of himselfe and his Children He commaunded absolutely beeing armed with the authority of his Soueraigne neither was there any appeale from him vnto the King Hee had two sonnes by Plectrude Drogon and Grimoald he gaue Champagne to Drogon and after his death hee caused his sonne to succeede him with the title oâ— a Duke In the beginning he gaue the offices of great Master and generall of the Treasure to Nordebert his deere friend but after his death he inuested his owne sonne Grimoald in those places Pepin incontinent But as the vanitie of man transports it selfe beyond the lymits of respect it chanced in the end that Pepin forgat himselfe in his prosperity for not satisfied with Plectrude his lawfull wife hee fell in loue with a gentlewoman named Alpaide by whome he had one Bastard which shal be verie famous in the course of this historie vnder the name of Charles Martel and as the mischiefe encreased hee puts away Plectrude and marries Alpaide Lambert Bishop of Traict admonished him of this fault but he suffred Alpaide to cause him to be slaine by her brother Dodon who soone after â—elt the punishment of this bloud for being strooke with a disease of wormes not able to endure his owne stench he cast himselfe headlong into the riuer of Meuze Grimoald the sonne of Pepin following his fathers example abandoned himself to strange women disdayning his wife But this adultery was decre to them both for Grimoald too familiar with one named Rangare sonne in lawe to Rabod Duke of Frisâ— was slaine with him by a iust iudgement of God hauing taught him so filthy a trade to abâ—ndon himselfe to strumpets and to reiect his wife Pepin was so perplexed for the death of his sonne as hee died for greefe and choller against Rabod the author of this murther Thus both he and his sonne reaped the fruits of their adultery Vpon his deathbed he ordayned Charles his Bastard to succeed him in the gouernment of the realme but Plectrude imbracing this occasion Charles Martel bastard to Pâ—pin vpon the death of her husband and well supported by her kinsfolkes causeth Charles to be taken and put in pryson at Cologne and aduanceth Thibauld the sonne of Drogon her owne sonne and Pepins to the gouernment although in effect she vnder his name gouerned all the affaires of state This
gouernment of a woman which is vsually imperious and without reason offended the most resolute among the French so as weary to be commanded by a distaffe Dagobert dying during these alterations they tooke a Prince of the bloud called Daniel forth of a cloister who had bin a Monke the greatest part of his youth Him they crowne King vnder the name of Chilperic the second to haue a royall name to countenance his actions and they giue him a Nobleman of France called Rainfroy to be his Mâ—ior who hauing leuied an army defeated Thibauld his grand-mother Plectrude 〈◊〉 small fight But when as Rainfroy thought himselfe voide of all enemies hee finâ—es a strong Competitor for Charles Martell being freed from prison could politickly imbrace the occasion and get authority by the perplexity of Plectrude to whom hee offers himselfe with all his meanes The decree of Pepin did import much 724. but the dexterity and valour of Charles could bee no more concealed then a goodly light in darkenesse Hee entertaynes such as were affected to Pâ—â—ctrude and her sonne in such sort as seeing themselues abandoned they receiue hiâ—â—or Maior according to the will of Pepin whose image Charles did carrie in his forehead and his memory liued yet in the hearts of the French Charles being receiued and installed Maior of France first assured himselfe of the Children of King Dagobert causing them to bee gently brought vp in a Monastery and afterwards not pursuing his reuenges as Ebroin had done he made a publike declaration that his onely intention was to free the Realme from the confusions which were so visible to all men and restore it to the ancient dignity neither would hee attempt any thing but by the consent and aduice of the French And in deed hee began to manage the affaires to the great content of all men Hee established an olde Prince of the bloud named Clotaire with a Counsell of state vnder whose name and authority hee gouerned as Maior and chiefe of the Counsell and therefore some writers reckon this Clotaire among the Kings of France although he were no King Rainfroy wâ—th his Chilperic finding himselfe too weake for such an enemie had recourse to Rabod Duke of Frise a capitall enemy to the house of Pepin with whose aide hee leuies an army incounters Charles and ouerthrowes him at the first charge But Charles nothing amazed at this checke rallies his forces and knowing that the enemy puft vp with this victory marched in disorder hee charged their confused troupes with such aduantage as hee defeates them quite neere vnto Cambray so as Chilperic and Rainfroy could hardly escape with a small trayne And so Charles proceeds with his victory for beeing aduertised that Plectrude was at Cologne and ment to disturbe the quiet of Austrasia hee approcheth neere vnto Cologne where he is receiued by the Inhabitants and hauing Plectrude and her sonne Thibauld in his power hee inflicts no other punishment but inioynes them to liue in quiet and to attempt nothing without his liking A worthie reuenge of a generous minde to pardon the vanquished Eudon succors him but being vanquished by Charles hee submits himselfe with the pretended Chilperic It is a second victory to vâ—e it well and mildly to his discretion and so did Rainfroy relying vpon the Conquerors faith Charles vseth the victory modestly pardons Rainfroy and giues him the gouernment of Aniou and suffers Eâ—don to enioye his liuing vnder the obedience of the Crowne And to settle the Realme in good order he degrades Chilperic being aduanced against Lawe and causeth the eldest sonne of Dagobert to be chosen King nâ—med Chilperic as the true and lawfull heire So hee raigned vnder the gouernment of his Maior CHILPERIC the third 728. the 19. King of France CHILPERIC .4 KING OF FRANCE XIX A Prince of no valour simple and voluptuous In his time the Sueues Saxons and Bauarâ—ens disdaining to liue vnder a simple and effeminate King sought to withdrawe themselues from the French obedience but Charles reduced them to the yoake reaping repentance for their rebellion Plectrude was wearie of ease who abusing the mildnesse of Charles retires to Vimes with her daughter Sanichilde the lawfull childe of Pepin and seekes to draw the people of Danubie into rebellion against Charles who hauing intelligence of her practises posts thether with a running Campe pacifies the Germaines and puts her in prison It is a great gaine to loose him that troubles a State but wee read not how hee disposed of her nor of her sonne Thâ—bauld Thus hee confirmed his authoritie in all places In the meane time Chilperic dyes hauing raigned fiue yeare and in his place his Brother was Crowned King THIERRI the second the 20 King of France THIERRI .2 KING OF FRANCE XX. 729. WHO raigned ten yeares and dying left his sonne Childeric the last Kâ—ng of this first raâ—e of Merâ—uingiens This is all that is memoraâ—â—e in thâ—se two raignes whilest that the second race prepares to â—ome in place and to take possession of the Crowne and scepter of the French Moâ—archie Charles Martel from Maior of the Palace is chosen Duke or Prince of the French He laies the foundations of a newe raigne for his posterity and in this respect is numbred among the Kings the 22. Now our discourse must be of that great Charles surnamed Martel by reason of the force both of his body and minde shewing breefely according to our stile what meanes he had to raise his race to the royall Throane As things succeeded in this sort Charles Martel who knewe what force an interest purchased by good order hath in an Estate informes his friends priuately which were maâ—â— howe much it did import considering the apparent weakenesse of their King and the necessity of the realme to haue one Commander whome all the rest might obâ—ye for when the King speakes not euery one holding himselfe as great as his Companion will play the King and so by consequence many mischeefes growe daylie Multiplicity of masters is a ruine to an Estate a multitude of masters beeing a ruine to an Estate That the authority of a Maior was not great inough to that effect and although it might be extended vpon necessity 〈◊〉 was it not conuenient seeing that which concernes the good and quiet of all 〈◊〉 to be approued by all and setled by a free and generall consent Hauing thus disposed the mindes of such as might rule in matters of great import hee makes a conuocation which hee cals a Parliament in the which it is concluded 730. That seing Charles Martel had by many proofs shewed himselfe worthie of a great commaund hauing well vsed his authoritie of Maior and that vrgent necessitie reqâ—ired a speedie and conuenient remedie therefore the absolâ—te gouernment shâ—uld bâ—e deliuered into his hands And to the end his authoritie should be knowne and obeyed with more respect hereafter hee should bee called Prince or Duke of Frenchmen
Peâ—ine childreÌ„ diuide the realme Charles and Carolomon his sonnes diuide the realme betwixt them by equall portions Châ—rles was crowned at Wormes Carolâ—man at Soissons writers agree not in the declaration of their portions for that by the death of Caraloman the whole realme came to Charles three yeares after the death of their Father Brothers of diuers humors who in the end had ruined each other by this equalitie of power which proues often an vniust and a dangerous ballance in an estate But Gods will was to preserue so great a Monarchie in Europe to be a harbour for his Church by chosing a great Prince to vnite in him alone the power which is dismembred by the command of many Maisters Charles was endued with singular gifts both of body and minde wherevnto by the wiâ—e care of his father Pepin was added as a seale the instructions of a vertuous conuersation Charles the patterne of a great King His manners learning and armes For the ground of all vertues he was carefully instructed in religion the which hee loued and honoured with great reuerence all his life time and likewise the Churches and Pastors Charitie temperance equitie care of Iustice and of order to releeue the people to keepe his faith both to friend and foe and to vse a victory modestly were the noâ—able effects of this excellent knowledge as remarkeable in him His studies as in any Prince that euer liued Hee loued learning by 〈◊〉 and learned men Paul of Pisa instructed him in the Greeke and Latin tongues anâ— â—â—mon in Philosophie and the Mathematikes Hee called these humaine sciences his pastimes and the companions of his Sword and sometimes did recreate himselfe therein Hee tooke a delight in poetry as some of his writings do witnes but especially in Histories wherein he was exceeding well red The vniuersities of Paris and Pisa built or enriched by him witnesse the loue and honour hee bare to learning In armes hee had his father Pepin for hâ—s chiefe schoolemaster and experience doth testifie how much he profited Before his father left him he had great commands and discharged them with such reputation His armes as the continuance of his armes when he was King shewe plainely that there was neuer soldiar that carried sword with more valour nor great Captaine that commaunded with more obedience nor performed any thing with greater fortune nor vsed his victories with more mildnesse iudgement neyther did euer King or Prince raigne with more authority nor was more reuerently obeyed then our Charlemagne well deseruing the name of great for his vertues He was of a liuely disposition quicke actiue and vehement but modestie and wisdome did season this viuacity and vehemency with so good a grace as iâ— the one could not bee without the other and this moderation of diuers humors made him as admirable in his wit as venerable in his countenance and person There appeared in him a graue sweete Maiesty in a goodly personage great strong and patient of labour A quicke spirit cleere sownd both in apprehension memory and iudgement resolution neuer failed him in difficulties no replie in discours terrible to some amiable to others according to the cause persons and occurrents Vertues which purchased him so great credit as he was beloued respected and feared of all men with such obedience as the effects of his raigne do shewe for hauing receiued a great Kingdome from his father he enlarged it with a wonderfull successe God hauing raised vp these three great Princes one after an other Charles Martel Pepin this great Charles to preserue the Christian name in a great Monarchy The successâ— of his raignâ— amidest the deluge of barbarous nations and the ruine of the Empire I haue coated these his singular vertues in the beginning to giue a tast to the obseruation of his great and admirable actions where there wants nothing but order to relate them fitly in so great a diuersity the which hath ministred occasion to the obscure writers of those times to be too breefe or too tedious ofte-times to report matters very vnlikely for the greatnesse of thingâ— which they haue handled in a fabulous manner and in deed the euents are almost incredible and more miraculous then ordinary Doubtlesse I could gather out of the most confident authors and that according to the order of times as euery thing hath changed and answerable to the greatnes of the subiect that which cannot well be represented without some direction All the deedes of Charlemagne must bee referred to that which he hath done either whilest hee was King alone of France or when he was Emperour and had vnited the Empire to his royaltie And in those times there is first to be obserued what he did in the life of Caroloman in Guienne and after his death in Italy Spaine and Saxonie where he had great matters to decide This is the desseine of our relation The deedes of Charlemagne in the life of his brother Caroloman CAroloman was infinitly iealous of his brothers greatnes whome with greeâ—e he did see be loued honored and obeyed of all the French for his singular vertues both of body and minde This iealousie too ordinary a Counsellor to Princes made him to seeke all meanes to counteâ—mine and ouerthrowe the affaires of Charlemagne who had his eyes fixed vpon Italie as the goodly and most beautifull theatre oâ—â—is vaâ—our the tâ—ue subiect to maintaine his authority and power among Christians and Carolomâ—â— did all hee coulâ— to crosse 〈◊〉 desseins And this was the estate of Rome and Italie 771 Presently after the decease of Pepin the Church of Rome fell into great confusions by the practises of Didier King of Lombardie a sworne and capital enemy hauing corrupted some of the Clergie hee caused Constantin brother to Toton Duke of Nepezo his vassall and trustie to bee chosen Pope with such violence as hee made Philippicus being already Canonically chosen to be degraded Troubles at Rome This better party seeing themselues contemned by the Lombard assemble togither and by one common consent choose Stephen the third a Sicilien for Pope who resolues to call in the King of France and to oppose him against his enemies desseins Charles sollicited by the Pope sends twelue Prelates speedily to Rome to fortifie their party against the other meaning at greater neede to apply a greater remedy The matter succeeded according to their desire that had intreated him for the Counsell beeing assembled at Latran they confirme Stephen lawfully chosen and depose Constantin raised by disorder and violence The Lombardâ— dissimulation But Didier would not be controuled with this repulse and seeing that force had not succeeded he resolues to trie policy and to vnder-mine Stephen witâ— a good shew He sends to congratulate his election purgeth himselfe of the Antipope Constantin degraded accuseth both him and his brother of ambition protesting to liue with him in amity and for proofe of this his
which is decreed in heauen At this time William Duke of Normandie the sonne of Rhoâ— The Duke of Noâ—manâ—â—â— traâ—terously â—â—aine who had shewed himselfe so affectionate in the restoring of the King to his dignitie was traiterously massacred by the meanes of Arnoul Earle of Flanders his capitall enemy leauing one sonne named Richard a young man vnder gouernment This vnexpected and extraordinary death must needes breed great troubles in Normandie an estate which was but now beginning It did greatly import for the good of France to haue this Prouince in quiet Lewis was likewise particularly bound Troubles in Normanâ—ie for the good entertainment he had receiued of William in his greatest necessitie the which tyed him to his sonne These were goodly shewes to maâ—e him imbrace this cause so as hauing intelligence of this accident hee sends expresly to Richard and his Councell to assure him of his loue and succour and followes himâ—elfe presently to Rouan with a traine fiâ—te for his royall greatnesse being loth to bee the weakest after so strange an alteration where the most audacious do commonly fish in a troubled streame The colour of his comming was to comfort Richard with his councell and fauourable assistance but in effect it was to seize vpon his person and estate Hee sends for this young child to his lodging conducted by his gouernour the Knight Osmand he doth assure him with sweete words of his fatherly loue but when night came he would noâ— suffer him to depart detaining him three dayes with a carefull garde The people incensed by them that had the charge of the young Duke mutine and besiege the Kings lodging Hauing pacified this popular fury in deliuering them their Prince hee protests to haue no other intent but to preserue his estate And so in an open assembly of the Citty receiuing him to homage hauing giuen him a discharge of his lands and Seigneuries hee doth solemnly promise to reuenge the death of William against Arnoul Earle of Flanders and gets the consent of the Normans to lead their Duke with him to be instructed with his sonne Lothaire a young childe of the same age Hee brings him to Lâ—on whether Arnoul the murtherer of William repaires in shew to purge himselfe of the murther but in effect to perswade him so to seize on Richards person as he might enioy his estate Lewis being resolute in this determination a man disloyall by nature Lewis deales tâ—echeroâ—sly wâ—th the Duâ—e of Normandie and louing nothing but himselfe hee caused this poore young Prince to bee straightly garded but this Gouernour Osmond retires him cunningly out of Laon conducting him to Senlis to Hebert his fathers conâ—ident friend This is â—ee which imprisoned Charles the Simple contrary to his faith and now hee detests Lewis his Soueraigne Lord who seekes to doe the like vnto onâ— of his vassalls But we shall soone see the Iustice of God aboue all who will punish one by an other and shew himselfe an enemie and reuenger of all disloyaltie and misdemeanour both in seruant and maister and in all other as all are naturally subiâ—ct to this soueraigne lawe of integritie and faithfulnesse to all men Hugues the great Earle of Paris and Maior of the Pallace had won great credit with the Citties and men of warre but hee was more feared then loued of Lewis a treacherous and reuengefull Prince whome hee distrusted and opposed his authoritye against him Hebert was his confident friend So in this occurrent of this young Prince hee comes to Paris and winnes him to promise fauour vnto Richard or at the least to make him promise not to bee his enemie 942. The King likewise knowing how much his friendshâ—ppe did import in these 〈…〉 labours to winne him such was the strangnes of that age as the master must 〈…〉 the seruant the which hee obtayned vpon condition to giue him a good part 〈…〉 Herevpon the match was made that Hugues should accompany Lewis 〈…〉 warre of Normandy and should enter on the one side while the King came on the other promising to diuide their conquests according to their agrement But this succeeded not according to their meanings the two deceiuers were deceiued but the greatest bare the greatest burthen This complot of Lewis and Hugues could not be so secret but it came to the knowledge of Hebert who gaue intelligence to Richard and his gouernors Osmond and Bernard the Dane so as they assemble at Senlis and resolue to crosse this double dealing of Hugues with the like policy To this ende Hebert according to the familiarity he had with Hugues goes to conferre with him to put him in minde of his promise of the right of a yong Prince vniustly pursued by Lewis and of his treacherous and disloyall disposition who hauing vsed him to worke his will would in the end deceiue him beseeching him to stand firme in a good cause for his ancient and faithfull friends and not to fortifie their common enemy by the afflictions of an other but in defending the right vniustly set vpon prouide for his safety and profit Hugues who thought it best to haue two strings to his bowe distrusting Lewis in his heaâ—t more then any man lyuing doth easily grant Hebert to assist Richard against Lewis and doth confirme his promâ—se by oth Hebert hauing thus ingaged Hugues and yet distrusting him greatly whome he sees to play on both sides returnes to Senlis to Richard and his gouernors where they conclude that if Hugues ioyned with the King against Richard they would compound with the King to his cost The deceiuer is deceiued and so it happened The King goes to field with his army on the one side and Hugues on the other to inuade Normandy in diuers partes when as Bernard the Dâ—ne chiefe gouernor of the State for Richard and Osmond of his person came boldly vnto Lewis and sayd vnto him that he had no neede to attempt Normandy by force when as he might enioy it by a voluntary obedience for proofe whereof if it pleased him to come to Rouan he should be obeyed But withall he aduised him to take heed of Hugues his ancient enemy shewing him treacherously the countenance of a friend seruant least he were circumuented but rather to accept of al Normandie with Rouan the which offred it selfe vnto him to receiue peace from him yeeld him obedience as their Soueraine Lord. Lewis willingly giues eaâ—e to this aduice he comes presently to Rouan and is honorably receiued sending word to Hugues that seeing the Prouince obeyed there was no neede of further proceeding and hauing not imployed him in this voluntary conquest it was not reasonable he shoul participate in an other mans estate that the publike good and reason required him to leaue Richard as he was vnder the obedience of the Crowne without dismembring of his Estate Hugues who pretended a good part of this rich Country was greatly discontented with Lewis Hauing dismissed his
gouerned this dislike so wisely as in the end Hebert was hanged And this was the meanes Lewis pretending to loue Hugues shewed a good countenance to all such as were affected vnto him especially to this Cont Hebert whome hee fauored extraordinarily protesting to trust him in all things the successe was answerable to his plot He calls an assembly of his vassalls at Laon and fortifies himselfe to be the strongeâ—t thether he calls Cont Hebert of whose councell in shewe he made great esteeme and writes his letters vnto him that he would vse him Hebert growne familiar with Lewis and sent for by him comes to the assembly fearing no enemy Lewis being master of the Citty reading a letter after diuer in the great hall he cried out Treachery punished with treacheâ—ie It is truely sayd that English men are not very wise The Noblemen about him desirous to knowe the cause of this speech hee fained that the King of England had demanded his aduice by this letter What he should do to a subiect that had called his Lord into his house vnder colour of good cheere had seized on him and caused him to die shamefully Hebert answereth with the rest That he must die infamously The King replies vnto him presently Thou hast condemned thy selfe by thine owne mouth thou wicked seruant thou didst inuite my father to thy house with a shewe of loue being there thou didest detaine him and cause him to die cruelly The company stood in shew amazed but in effect readie to execute the Kings pleasure not able to contradict so manifest a truth for the information of the death of King Charles the simple was notorious to the world â—ont Hebert hanged so as presently by Lewis absolute command Hebert was taken away deliuered to the executioner and hanged in vewe of all the world the place being neere vnto Laon noted by so memorable an execution is called Mont Hebert vnto this day And thus the treachery of Hebert after a long delay when he least suspected was punished by the treachery of Lewis Lewis dies hated oâ— his subiects and he himselfe after all these exploits died at Rheims in the yeare 955. hated and detested of the French leauing to Lothaire his sonne a Crowne neere the ruine and to Charles his yongest the faâ—our of his elder brother for a poore portion as wee shall declare heereafter LOTHAIRE the 34 King of France LOTAIRE KING OF FRANCE XXXIIII HE began to raigne in the yeare 956. and raigned 31. yeares 956. performing nothing that was memorable but that hee was heire to his fathers treacherie misfortune and the last but one of his race He was a forerunner of the change which happened to his posteritie Lothaires treacherous King He renued a League with the Emperour Otho the second who had succeeded his father Otho the first with an intent to â—eâ—iue the enterprise of his father Lewis against Richard Duke of Normandie either by policie or else by open force He sought twise to surprise Richard a good and a wise Prince with a shew of good meaning but hauing attempted all in vaine in the end hee vsed open force and was shamefully repulsed and beaten Thus he spent some yeares vnprofitably in this wilfull passion against the Normans Hee attempts warre against Richard of Normandy but in vaine bringing infinit confusions into â—â—ance both by his owne forces and by theirs against whome hee vndertooke this voâ—â—â—tary warre These miseries are set forth at large by those writers which liued in that age This breefe will serue for the matter according to our stile to shew That these calamities bred only by the passion of an il aduised King thrust the subiects into furie and dispaire and then into hatred against him being vnworthie to be respected hauing so litle regard of publike peace The general Estates assemble for the redresse thereof The Normans suffering as well as the French demaund nothing more then peace and Duke Richard notwithstanding his treatie with Lewis the fourth offered to hold of the Crowne to France so as his subiects might liue in quiet These honest profitable and necessarie offers augmented their hate against Lothaire 〈◊〉 sought war without any cause although he were vnfortunate alwaies mutinous and alwaies beaten To this phreneticall passion of his fruteles quarrels against the Normans 957. a new fantasie possessed Lothaire to breake the league with the Emperour to make warre with the Germaines or the possession of Lorraine anciently called Austrasia the which he sayd belonged vnto him by right time out of minde He sought by ill gouernment to repossesse that which lay farre off being vnable to keepe that which he had in his possession Lothaire makes warre against the Emperour He ingaged Regnier and Lambert the sonnes of the Earle of Mons in this action promising to diuide the conquest and did so contemne his Brother Charles whom his father had recommended vnto him leauing him no portion but his fauour hoping this liberty should breed more loue in him and also the reuerence of a brother tyed to his eldest should make him respectiue to the publike authority as he fled to the Emperour Otho for helpe Otho imbracing this occasion determines the sute which Lothaire would commence against him in respect of Lorraine inuesting Charles therein who sought releefe of him for his brothers discontent but Otho restoring Lorraine vnto him tooke from it great Seigneuries giuen to the Bishops of Cologne and Liege Lorraine giuen to Charles of France by the Emperour with condition also that hee should depend of the Empire Hereof grew great iarres betwixt the French and the Germaines with so violent a rage and passion as they were rather furious robberies then iust and well gouerned warres Charles the brother of Lothaire carried himselfe very indiscreetly as if he had been no Frenchman but a Germaine and was wedded to the Emperours passions with such vehemencie as if all his good fortune had depended thereon and had vtterly renounced France as a capitall enemie Moreouer the ordinary trafficke from France to Germanie was a dayly cause of discontent to the French to whom Lorraine was an ordinary passage for their commerce so as diuers persons receiuing dayly and vpon diuers occasions discurtesies from Charles Duke of Lorraine the French conceiued a hatred in their hearts against him which burst out in a seasonable time for the vtter ouerthrow of all the good hap wherevnto God had called him the which he could not gouerne by his indiscretion and cruelty But the prouidence of God making way for his decrees would expell them from the Crowne which had banished all faith valour humanitie Iustice and other royall vertues and disposed the people to these changes by their default who had the principall interest to entertaine their loues by equity and good vsage Lothaire hated of all men dyed in the yeare 964. leauing behind him an execrable memory of his actions
Barons Noblemen and Gentlemen to come and take the oath of fealty They runne on all hands onely the Earle of â—landers that Arnould which had beene the firebrand of those warres in Normandy playes the mutine Hugh hauing called him to doe homage and noted his contumacy goes to field with his forces to compell him thereunto Hauing seized on the greatest part of his country He forceth the Earle of Flanders to his obedience the Earle flies to humility and by the mediation of Richard Duke of Normandy whom he had so much wronged in his youth he makes his peace with Hugh yeelding him the homage which hee had denied with promise to obey him Hauing thus fortified the authority of his Soueraigne commaund hee passed vnto the gouernment of the realme and to make this voluntary obedience so well begun more pleasing to his newe subiects he calls an assembly of the cheefe of the Realme and giues them all to vnderstand that his desire was to haue their aduice for the well gouerning of the State Necessity spake and his proceeding did winne the most violent Hugh doth institute the Pecres of France Hauing renued their homages he sets downe the order of the twelue Pecres of France and protests vnto them all that he will not doe any thing of importance eyther in peace or waâ—re without their aduice So as in yeelding he did aduance himselfe with a wise and victorious modesty By the most ancient institution the chiefe charge ouer armes belonged to the Mayor of the Pallace to the which Martell added the authority of Duke of France But these two great changes gaue a sufficient testimony how much this great authority did import to counteâ— ballance and cheeke the soueraigne authority of Kings and Hugues himselfe was both a witnesse and iudge of that which he had done in the execution of this charge beeing in a manner royall He therefore resolues to suppresse it He â—uppresseth the Mayor or the Pallace and to bury it in an honourable tombe Hee sees many Competitors and takes thereby an occasion to discouer his intent declaring to the greatest of his nobility how happy he was in his raigne hauing the choise of so many persons worthy of this great dignity but finding himselfe bound to al he knew not to whome he was most indebted and was so affected vnto them all as he could not saye to whome hee wished best And therefore to satisfie all his good friendes hee had bethought himselfe of an expedient That his sonne whome nature had giuen him and France had nourished and brought vp for her seruice should be the person to content all his friendes in the execution of this charge which should be in title of a royalty All the Noblemen which would haue endured it oâ— an other impatiently imbraced this speech willingly the which preuented all iealousie and cured the cheefe sore So with one consent it was decreed That Robert sonne to Hugh Capet Crowning his sonne Robert King should bee his Lieutenant generall and to that end should bee anointed and crowned King as hee was at Rheims in the yeare 990 three yeares after his fathers election A wiâ—e Prince and of a temperate disposition a well seasoned plant for the fruitfull continuance of this latter raigne of whome it is sayd That hee was a sonne without frowardnes Roberts vertues a companion without iealousie and a King without ambition So Hugues effected 3. things by this wise proceeding Hee tooke away the breeding of future dangers by restrayning of so great a power he suppressed all iealousie and assured his owne estate in the person of his sonne But in burying thus honorablie the name and apparent shew of this dignitie he confirmed an other to reape the same frute for it is a resolued maxime That in a royaltie the first mouer of an estate must be fortified with some neere instruments with whom he may communicat some beames of his authoritie to impart them to other inferiour motions according to their order The Constable in old time had no commaund but ouer the horse either as great master or as generall vnder the charge of the Maior The Constable succeeds the Maior as the name doth signifie Hugh amplified this dignitie and in suppressing the name of Maior hee gaue that authoritie to the other for the which the maiâ—altie had beene in old time instituted reseruing the frute and preseruâ—ng France both from danger and feare of so great power which might aduance the seruant aboue the master yet this authoritie of Constable is very great soueraigne ouer armes vnder the Kings good pleasure to order the men of warre to take knowledge of their faults The authoritie of the Constable and either to punish or to pardon offences at his pleasure to order battailes to dispose of all things that concerne the souldiar and finally he keepes the kings sword for which the Constable doth him homage Moreouer vnder this dignitie Hugh appointed Marshals to execute the Constables commaunds as his cheefe hands and so by these two goodly institutions Marshals A proclamation to call all gentlemen togither that hold lâ—â—d of the Crowne for martiall affaires Hugh decrees that the elder should raigne alone amongst his brethren He suppresseth the Maior of the Pallais 〈◊〉 the charge ouer armes continued in great credit vnder the great light of the royall Maiestie Hee likewise fortified by new decrees the royall homages of Ban and Arrierban instituted by Charlemagne and to conclude hee made all those militarie orders wherein France surpasseth all other nations to be reduced to their ancient institution and right vse And as good lawes spring from bad manners so Hugh hauing carefully obserued the errours of former raignes endeuoured to redresse them and to preuent the like inconueniences The most dangerous error had beene the multiplicitie of many soueraigne masters one King being sufficient for a whole Realme as one Sunne is for all the world He therefore decrees That hereafter the title of King should not be giuen but to the eldest who should haue some raigne power and commaund ouer his brethren and they should respect him as their Lord and father hauing no portions but his good fauour As for the lands which their elder should assigne vnto them for their portions they should hold them of the Crowne to do homage and to be augmented diminished at the Kings good pleasure The aduancements of Kings bastards had much interessed the State hauing beene allowed and apportioned with the lawfull children yea euen raised to the royall throne as we haue seene Therefore Hugh decreed That hereafter bastards should not onely be reiected from the Crowne but also from the surname of France the which before was allowed them To him likewise are due the goodly ordinances of Iustice and of the treasor wherein without doubt France excels so as they be well executed according to the institutions of the golden age Thus by these wise decrees
hee preuailed more then all the armes of his Predecessors in preseruing a great Monarchie vnto this day supported with these goodly lawes and ordinances wherein without flattering the truth we may see by the effects that which the most learned Academicke doth represent but in discourse touching the true and perfect patterne of a well gouerned State vnder the fatherly authoritie of a King reuerenced by the hereditarie Law of his race with the free consent of the people confirmed by the Estates counterballanced by the authoritie royall 993. determined by the libertie of those which owe him voluntarie obedience The continuance of ciuill warres had bred such disorders in all parts of the realme as it was not without cause if men which liued in these miseries said that God had sent Hugh to restore the French Monarchie and they auouch predictions and prophesies of this raigne The fruits of Hughs raigne VVilliam Nangius as Oracles Doubtlesse this masse of building was too huge to continue long against so great a storme God made vse of it for a time as he had wisely decreed that is to say to deliuer the west from the blasphemies and furies of Mahomet and there to preserue his Church But it was necessarie this power should bee limited within his bounds to the end it might be well gouerned and in the end giue some rest vnto Christendome This happened in his raigne as if the building had then taken a firme and sure foundation War had raigned too long and ruined the poore subiects to inrich men of warre who being seized of the strongest places had without doubt deuoured one an other an ruined the Realme if a greater authoritie had not shewed it selfe to maintaine euery one in peace vnder the reuerence of the Lawes in the bosome of one common Countrie This confused warlike season had more need of a wise man to saue what was gotten then of a valiant man and stirring to make new Conquests Such was Hugh Capet a wise Prince aduised experienced resolute neither dull nor a coward as he made proofe in the beginning of his raigne against the rebells And whereas he parted with the Crowne-lands so easily to such as were seized thereon seeming therby to haue blemished the greatnes of his State it was like vnto one which had much land lying wast and had let it to farmers at an easie rent yet remaining alwaies master therof and to seize on it againe at his pleasure else all had bin lost for want of good husbandrie in so great and confused an abundance for Hugh Capet leauing to the possessors that which he could not take from them assured the Crowne landes by certaine homages and preserued the royall authoritie throughout the Realme And that which was profitable and necessarie for the State proued the most easie for the gouernours of the prouinces and strong places hoping to hold that which they had in hand desired rather to obey a King with any title auaileable to them and theirs then to play the pettie Kings at their pleasures and commaund absolutely alone for a while ouer few and beâ—n danger to lose all as vsurpers A notable proofe of the Frenchmens humors The French caâ—ot â—ubsist but â—nder a Reâ—â—lâ—e borne to obey a King and not able to subsist but vnder a royaltie The French had no lesse poweâ— then the Germains to make an electiue common weale as they had done but their humor sorted with an hereditary royaltie without the which they could not stand Thus Hugh Capet had setled his raigne with â—o great wisedome and authoritie and was so fortunate in the successe as we may iustly say he restored the Realme of France when it was almost ruined Hee raigned nine yeares foure alone and fiâ—e with his sonne Robert in great peace beloued and honoured of al men France as after a long and tedious winter puts on the new face of a pleasant spring All men honoured him Paris the chief â—lace 〈…〉 as the meanes of their assured rest His most vsuall retreat was to Paris the which was greatly augmented and beautified in his raigne whereas other Kings before him remained in diuerse places at Aix la Chapelle Compiegne Laon Soissons and else where according to occurrents and their humors Wee haue sayd that Arnulphe bastard to Lothaire was the onely man which had fauoured Charles of Lorraine against Hugh Capet The historie notes this man to be peruerse and disloyall hauing deceiued both Charles of Lorraine and Hugh Capet who had giuen him the Archbishopâ—â—ke of Roâ—an in recompence of the seruice he promised him against Charles to whom notwithstanâ—ing contrary to his faith hee gaue meanes to seize vppon the Citties of Rheimâ— LaoÌ„ SoissoÌ„s Hugh taking this presuÌ„ption for a preiudice to come learning by what had passed Hughes proceeding against Arnulpâ—e bastard to Loâ—â—aire who is deâ—osed from his Bishoprik how much the name of a bastard of France might import for a colour to disquiet the State and what danger there was of trouble in the beginning of his new raigne not yet well setled he therefore resolues to suppresse Arnulphe but respecting his qualitie hee assembled a nationall Councell of the French Church in the Cittie of Rheims This assemblie deposeth Arnulphe as guilty of treacherie and a troubler of the publick quiet and they substitute Gilibert in his place 995 who had beene Schoolemaster vnto Robert Afterwards Hugh coÌ„fines him to Orleans with Charles there to end his daies in rest Pope Iohn the 12. very ill satisfied with Hugh for that hee had not appealed to him for his confirmation in this new royalty disanulls this decree of the Counceâ—laâ— Rheims excomunicates the Bishoppes which had assisted restores Arnulphe and depriues Gilibert of the Archebishoprike of Rouan and to temper this sharpe and â—ough proceeding with some sweetnes he doth inuest Gilibert with the Archebishoprick of Rauenna But wee shall presently see that this was a meanes to raise him to the dignâ—â—y of Pope Hugh doth not for all this contend with Pope Iohn but hauing restored Arnulphe hee tooke from him all meanes of troubling the state to his preiudice It is that Pope Iohn The mâ—nners of Pope Ioâ—n the 12. of whome Platina writes so plainly as the wise reader may finde in the originall it selfe where hee shall reade with admiration not only the depraued manâ—ers of that man raised to so great a dignity whome hee disgraceth as a monster terming him most lewd most wicked and most pernitious These are his very words but also the confusions which raigned in those times for wee reade of nothing but partialities and factions one to expell an other and all to ouerthrowe the authority of the Emperour of Rome All these practises were not made without sharpe and long contentions as the history shal note the occurrentts this my inuentory shal be but a simple direction to the Originalls where as the pure truth speaking more freely the
the Reader to the whole Historie to the which we leaue him THE FIRST PARCELL OF THE THIRD ROYAL RACE CALLED CAPETS Conteining thirteene kings from Hugh Capet to Charles the fourth called the Faire The names of thirteene Kings of the first royall branch of Capets placing HVGH CAPET For the stemme and foundation of the third royall race which raigne at this day ROBERT PHILIP the 1. LEWIS the 7. called the long LEWIS the 8. PHILIP the 3. called the hardie LEWIS the 10. called HVTIN HENRY LEWIS the 6. called the grosse PHILIP the 2. called AVGVSTVS LEWIS the 9. called S. LEWIS PHILIP the 4. called the faire PHILIP the 5. surnamed the long CHARLES the 4. called the faire the last of this first branch From the yeare nine hundred ninetie six vnto a thousand three hundred twentie and eight ROBERT alone of that name 37. King of France ROBERT KING OF FRANCE XXXVII ROBERT began to raigne alone The raigne of Robert â—â—ng and happy in the yeare 996. and raigned 33. yeares Hee had three sonnes Hugh Robert and Henry by his wife Constance the Daughter of William Earle of Aâ—les Following the example of his father Hugh he desired to assure the Crowne in his house installing his heire in the right purchased to him and his by a decree of the States So he crowned Hugh his eldest sonne at Compiegne in the yeare 1028. But God who was wiser then Robert determined to call Hugh to a better Crowne for soone after he dyed being dead Robert continued in the same desseigne to assure his estate in his house and obseruing a more royall disposition in the younger then in the elder Robert prefers Henry his yonger sonne to the crowne before the elder he preferred vertue before the prerogatiue of eldership causing Henry the younger to be crowned in his life time decreeing by his will that Robert should content himselfe with the Duchie of Bourgongne doing homage for it to the Crowne of France So hauing happily disposed of his affaires and raigned with the generall content of his sâ—biects he dyed in the yeare 1031. being three score yeares old Robert dyes hi disposiâ—on A Prince very fiâ—te for the time being wise resolute peaceable and continent But Pietie was the Crowne of all his vertues and the knowledge of Diuinitie seasoned with learning one of the flowers of this goodly crowne for he is commended to haue beene very deuout and to haue loued both diuinity and humanitie They sing Hymnes of his inuention and namely that which is to the honour of holy martyrs which begins O constantia martyrum mirabilis the which bearing resemblance with the name of his wife Constance he was wonderfully pleased with the humour she had to be honoured with his writings being then greatly esteemed throughout the world 1010. There is nothing more dangerous in an Estate than the change of diuers masters 〈◊〉 experience hath taught in former raignes Wile Kings and of long life happy for an estate So God who ment to confirme the Mâ—narchie in this Race gaue a long and a happie life to these first Kings issued from Capet without any sudden change from raigne to raigne For Robert raigned 33. yeares Henry his sonne as much Philip his sonne 49. yeares Lewis the 7. forty four Lewis the 9. called Saint Lewis as much All wise Princes moderate valiant peaceable and happy As good houses are setled euen so Kingdomes are confirmed As when one good hus band succeeds an other adding welth to welth newe vpon olde houses then growe great euen so the long life of these good and wise Princes was continued with much happy successe as we shall see in euery raigne This in particular is remarkable in the raigne of Robert We haue sayd the realme was diuided as it were to many masters As there is small respect among equalls who seeth not what should haue succeeded betwixt so many great lords being equalls and especially in France but Robert did so firmely gouerne the helme of this great barke in the midest of the tempestuous seas of French humors as hee controulled all such as sought to free themselues from the Crowne whose authority by this meanes was great Robert maintaines his royall authoâ—y by the obedience which hee forced all them to yeeld that would plaie the mutines He enterrayned the amity his father had with Richard Duke of Normandie confirmed by allyance and for that there was iealousie betwixt him and Otho Earle of Chartres he could wisely make his profit of them both In the beginning of his raigne one Gautier gouernour of Melâ—n sold the place to the Earle of Chartres aboue named according to the manner of confused times At the complaint of Bouchard to whome the towne belonged He suppresseth the seditiouâ— the King commaunded Otho to restore it vnto him who refused to obey Robert sets the Normand against him who handles him in such sort as in the ende the Earle humbles himselfe vnto the King and deliuers vp both the place and marchant who was hanged Henry brother to Hugh Capet was Duke of Bourgongne by the decease of his brother Otho Henry then died and so Bourgongne returned to the Crowne But passion perswading Landry Earle of Neuers to make a benefit of his right of neighbourhood and time inuiting him to imbrace this occasion to fish in a troubled water hee seized on Auxerre by intelligence But hee was deceiued to thinke this a time wherein all things were lawfull for Robert goes presently to field with his army and beseegeth Auxerre where this ill aduised Landry was but the Inhabitants open their gates to the King and deliuer Landry into his hands All the Auxerrois obeye except Auallon who after a fewe daies yeelds and in the ende all Bourgongne Landry guilty of treason â—â—â—â—ers an easie punishement for his rashenes Hauing confessed his fault he obtaynes pardon of Robert promising all future obedience 〈◊〉 giuâ—s Bouâ—gongne to Robert his eldest sonne Thus Robert being master of Bourgongne hee giues it to Robert his eldest sonne But Robert doubly interested his younger beeing preferred and hee hauing a very small part in the State was not pleased with this portion Bourgongne was then distinguished into Duchie and Countie whereof the Countie belonged to the Empire and the Duchie to the Realme according to the diuision made by the Children of Lewis the gentle At that time Henry the 2. Duke of Bauiere surnamed the holy held the Empire Lorraine was the ordinary cause of debate betwixt France and Germany Robert to ende this controuersie meetes with Henry at a place called Enol Agreement with the Emperour for Lorraine vpon the riuer of Cher and made an accord with him the which continues to this day At that time Gothelon brother to the Earle of Ardenne held Lorraine Herevpon the hatred betwixt the Duke of Normandy and the Earle of Chartres kindled in such sort Robert reconciles the Duke of
these butchers attending their misery Lewis King of France punisheth the rebells shut themselues into the great Tower of S. Donas Lewis doth first bury the body of this good Earle honourably the which had lien without sepulchre and then doth punish the murtherers and their complices rigourously But this is not all He must prouide for the Earledome remayning without a Lord by the death of Count Charles deceassed without children Pretendants for the Earledome of Flanders There wanted no pretendants William of Ypre sonne to Philip of Flanders the second sonne of Robert the Frison King Henry of England who desired greatly to ioyne this goodly Country with his Normandy Stephen of Blois Earle of Montreuill and Bologne Baldwin Earle of Hainault and William the sonne of Robert called Court-house brother to the King of England but his sworne enemy hauing vsed his father ill and kept him prisoner Lewis was soueraigne Iudge of this controuersy Flanders depending on the crowne of France He assigned all the pretendants of the Citty of Arras signifiyng that his intent was to do him iustice but in effect he inclined to fauour adiudging the Earledome of Flanders to the last that is to William of Normandy to binde him with more strict bounds against his â—â—nsman On the other side the Flemings assemble at Ypre and chose William of Loâ— Lord of Ypre The King aduanceth with his forces to Ypre to preuent this popular election where he enters the stonger and forceth William to renownce it VVilliam of Normandy made Earle of Flanders From thence he goes to all other good Citties where by his authority he causeth William of Normandy to be receiued for lawfull Earle and puts him in solemne possession by a publike act But his fauour had ill bestowed this goodly inheritance of an vnworthy man whose fury depriued him presently Lewis hauing installed him He oppresseth his newe subiects returnes into France William insteed of winning his newe subiects by equity and mildnesse begins to oppresse them after a rigorous and imperious manner by infringing of their preuileges ostentations of his authority taxes subsidies newe impositions and by all other meanes which Princes that seeke to loose their Estates hold to torment their subiects He had so far exceeded as the Citties without any wauering resolue to prouide a better Earle and to this intent they seeke a head The memorie of their good Earle makes them to cast their eyes vpon him that hath most right to this inheritance as the neerest kinsman which is Thierri son to the Duke of Alsatia and of Gertrude daughter to Robert the Frison The Flemings intreat him to come into their country The Flemings chooâ—e them a new Earle promising him all assistance to conquer the State He comes and is receiued with an extraordinary ioy by all the people All the Citties assemble to acknowledge him by order and dismisse William of Normandy who seeing a flat repulse by this people thus freed repayres to Lewis for succour in this extremity Lewis fayles him not his army marcheth with great speed hee himselfe comes in person and is receiued into Arras from thence he adiornes Thierry to come and answer before him as his soueraigne by what warrant hee carries himselfe for Earle this sommons is made vnto him at Ypre whether he had retired himselfe Hauing condemned him by default Thierrithe new Earle of Flanders defeated he approcheth his army to Ypre to vexe the inhibâ—bitants Thierri sallies forth with a notable troupe of men they ioyne the fight is fierce but the check falles vpon Thierries forces who with much a doe saues himselfe in Alost William pursues him and approcheth the towne sommoning the Inhabitants to obey and to deliuer vp Thierri as an Vsurper VVilliam of Normandy stâ—â—â—e in Flanders But he was not aduised that one with a Crossebow shot an arrow at him and pierced him through the arme Behold hee is wounded and within two dayes he dies Thierri and the Flemings send presently to Lewis to beseech him to receiue them into fauour whereby he may be assured of theyr faithfull seruice Lewis consents and confirmes him and hauing caused him to take the oath of fidelity and receiued his homage after the manner of his Ancestors 1121. he returnes into France But Flanders continued not long in quiet as we shall see hereafter To these stirres of Flanders were added some garboyles in Bourbonois and Auuergne Archibauld Earle of Bourbon was deceassed leauing one sonne of the same name Troubles in Bourbonois but a young man and a brother called Haman who abusing the time in the weake minoritie of his Nephew would make himselfe Maister of Bourbonois pretending the Earledome to appertaine vnto him by the death of his elder brother to whom hee must succeed in order as the yongest of the house The mother and friends of Archibauld opposed against Hamon the right of representation inuiolable in France in great houses which is that the sonne of the eldest brother represeâ—ts the Father and without doubt succeeds in all his rights to enioy them as if he himselfe liued for that the Father reuiues in the Sonne Hamon building his chiefe interest vpon force would not admit any reason that made for his Nephew so as the matter was brought before the King who by the aduise of his Councell declares Archibauld the lawfull heire and puts Haman from his pretensions commanding him to leaue the possession of Bourbonois free to his Nephew 1123. This Archibauld did afterwards marrie his daughter Beatrix to Robert Earle of Clermont in Beauuoisis sonne to the King S. Lewis The stâ—â—ke of the house of Bourbon and of this marriage by the royall stemme is discended the most famous race of Bourbon the which at this day doth happily enioy the Crowne and realme of France But Haman who held some places in Burbonois would not leaue the possession refusing to obey the Kings commandement relying vpon the fauour of Eustache Earle of Auuergne who sought to free himselfe There was a priuate subiect of complaint against him hauing displaced the Bishop of Clermont against the Kings will These occasions drew the King into Bourbonois where hauing besieged Haman he ended this controuersie in fauour of Archibauld The affaires of Auuergne were more difficult by reason of William Duke of Guienne who imbraced the cause for the Earle of Auuergne pretending that he was his vassall This quarrell seemed to take a long course but it was pacified by this meanes Lewis had six sonnes Philip Lewis Henry another Philip Peter Robert and one Daughter Constance He had crowned his eldest sonne Philip who dyed by a strange accident going to take the aire on horseback Philip eldest sonne to Lewis died by a strange accident a Hog passed vnder the bellie of his horse the which being feared did shake this young King so violently as he threw him downe and so brused him as within few dayes after hee
himselfe out of this great forest of Paris into Champagne to the Towne of Vertus where he assembles the 〈◊〉 of the Country and according to the honorable offers they had made him he obtayned all he could desire answerable to their meanes and faculties But the greatest benefit he did reape was the good example they gaue to other Prouinces who imployed all their meanes not to yeeld to Languedoc or Champagne in the honor of their loyaltie whervnto God and nature bound all good subiects to their King especialy being in necessity Thus the Daulphins courage began to reuiue seeing by effect in his extremest danger that all good â—renchmen were not dead A lesson for great men neuer to despaire in most desperate extremities The Nauarrois had no other care but to ruine the Daulphin the Nauarroiâ— seekes all meanes to ruine the Daulphin Not satisfied with his 〈◊〉 in Paris he solicits the King of England instantly and represents vnto him by sundry messages that a fit oportunity is now offred to make himselfe master of this goodly estate There was great likelehood the King being a prisoner and the affaires brought to that extremity that the English should soone haue preuailed ouer this realme But God had otherwise decreed who shewed the rod but stayed his arme holding in his handâ— both the hearts of men and the euents of things Edward obserued well the meanes to effect his desseins in this confusion but knowing the ambitious disloial humour of the Nauarrois he could not trust him Yet not to contemne so plausible an occasion he assists him with some helpes by degrees Edward distrusts the Nauarrois onely to balance what force should be offered expecting some better and more safe oportunity the which hee promised himselfe rather by treatie with his prisoner then by all the intelligences and practises of this Prince importunately disloyall against his owne bloud and the State the which hee should haue mayntained with the hazard of his life This turbulent spirit not able to containe it selfe within the limits of duty assembles al his forces to beginne the game by open hostility against the Daulphin and to this ende he labours to corrupt the Captaines of places but hee could no more moue their loyaltie then the 〈◊〉 had done the Citties The Daulphin seeing the Nauarrois in armes vnder the commaund of his brother Philipâ— doth likewise arme and very lawfully against so vniust a violence But heerein hee did wisely drawe proffit from his enimy and maintaine his authority not duely respected with 〈◊〉 force of armes nor pleasing if armes had not beene taken by necessity And frâ—m hence there grewe a great occasion to confirme his authority in the reasonable and necessarie imployment of his forces Laques â—orhomme The disorder and confusion of times had wonderfully dispensed the Nobility against the people by reason that the Nauarrois hauing impâ—â—yed them two yeares to make himselfe redoubtable and fearefull and keeping certaine troupes in field which were abandoned to all licentiousnesse for want of pay they had no other enemy but the Oxe and the Asse of Iames the goodman for so did 〈◊〉 soldiars of confusion call the countriman in derision Country men defeated by the Daulphin whome they had long tormented with al impunity But patience too much mooued turnes into surie The poore Country man thus tortured in the ende resolues to shewe his teeth to this 〈◊〉 of the people and to fall on them with open force who had so often oppressed 〈◊〉 without any resistance Vpon this occasion they make a popular League in the Country of Bâ—auâ—ois the people being armed in great troupes skirmish in diuers places and fall vpon the gentlemen by whome they had beene wronged they kill them their wiues and children without respect spoile sack burne and pull downe their houses This armed multitude in the beginning did much harme like to a fire sodenly kindled A dangerous course and of great consequence but it was happily suppressed by the Daulphin payring the fault for the which the Nauarrois was blamed This popular frenzie quencht in the breeding was called the Iaquerie of â— aques or Iames the good man too common in the souldiers mouthes as we haue said more ready to deuoure the couÌ„triman then to looke vpon an armed enimie Thus it was suppressed by the Daulphins diligence who opposing his men of warre to this seditious multitude vanquished them easily as the peoples rage moued against reason cannot long continue dangerous fits of ciuill warre when as such as haue the gouernement in hand neyther can nor will do iustice to the subiect vniustly oppressed who haue reason alwayes to demandâ— and can complaine when it is denied them But they seeke a remedie worse then the disease wheÌ„ as being culpable of the insoleÌ„cles they reprehend in such as oppresse them they will take vpon themselues to seeke reuenge the which they may not expect but from the hand of such as may lawfully take it that is from such as haue the publike authority vnder the law The Daulphin hauing repaired this confusion assembles the Estates at Compiegne to the great dislike of the Parisiens A Parliament called a Compâ—â—gne being partisans to the Nauarrois They sought as it were by especiall priuiledge to hold the possession of the Estates still at Paris and were much discontented they should be held in any place else But the Parliament proceeds without regard of their complaints and decrees That Charles the Kings sonne Daulphin of Viennois who till then had bin called but lieutenant to his father beeing prisoner should be acknowledged and called Regent of the Realme of France that all good Frenchmen should obey him as the King himselfe The Daulphin declared Regent This new title purchased great authority to this yong Prince throughout all France and making him to appeare in these obscure times of afflictions as a lanthorne during the tempest of a cloudy night it reuiued his courage seeing himselfe at liberty without the walles of Paris whereas Marcell should not braue him nor murther his seruants in his chamber yea in his bosome Thus did he settle his authority by degrees wonderfully shaken by the audacious credit of the Nauarrois who hauing another intent did runne a contrary course For as the Nauarrois desseine was to usurpe the state against all order so he troade it vnder his feete hauing recourse to vniust violence So as in the field he had armed troupes in the citty of Paris a sedicious multitude and generally passion and fury The two pillers of his desseins were Iniustice and Violence supported by the peoples fauour who may do much being wel aduised but what mischiefe can we imagin in an 〈◊〉 which a multitude will not attempt being bewitched by such as abuse them like a 〈◊〉 beast which goes where he is driuen The proâ—ect of this Prince otherwise great both by blood and meanes had an vnfortunate issue as wicked attempts
which did much harme in all places The Parisiens crie out that there was no more neede of any souldiers seeing that a peace was concluded and then they began with theÌ„ within the citty which were in their power The occasion was very small Behold a troupe of English men which came from dinner at the King of Nauarres lodging the multitude without any other cause but that they were English falles furiously vpon them The Parisiens muâ—â—ny against the English that had â—erned them they kill fiue and twenty at the first take forty seauen whom they drag into prison Then euery man seized on his guest at one instant so as there were 400. cast into the prisons of the Louure without Magistrate without order Onely a tumultuous crie was heard in the streets That they must punish these wicked Englishmen which had committed so many disorders and that the prisoners should answer the spoyles their companions did abroad The Nauarrois the bishop of Laon and the prouost of Marchants accompanied with their followers run to this Alarum they intreat the people to assemble and to do things by order and reason The multitude comes to the Greue The Nauarrois hauing whetted his naturall eloquence with a long artificiall discourse makes known his loue and the good succours the English had giuen him in his necessity The multitude at this name of English cries out That they must kill them without any further speech and then go speedily to S. Denis to dispatch the rest So without any more speech they command the Prouost to lead them thither The asseÌ„bly being thus confusedly dissolued the Nauarrois nor Prouost not daring to reply euery man runs to armes especially such as were best furnished so as in fewe howers there were sixteene hundred horse and ten thousand foote resolued to charge the English which spoiled the countrie with all impunity The Nauarrois and the Prouost make a good shew at this sodaine mutiny of the people and seeme more busie then the rest to remaine still coÌ„manders of this multitude but they dispatch sundry messagers vnder hand to wishe the English men stand vpon their gard and to attend resolutely this multitude of Parisiens which came against them without all order The troupe is in field the drums sound the Ensignes are displaâ—ed But the King of Nauarre made a stande betwixt Montmartre the windmills to giue the English breath who did say a strong ambuscado at Bois de 〈◊〉 send forth some of their best horsemen to draw this vnwarlike and ill gouerned multitude into danger These scouts appearing they are hotly pursued by the Parisiens â— but with such disorder as is incident to people couragious in the streets but cowardly in â—ight of an enemy that vnderstands his profession They run in this Ambuscadoe who â—â—â—rge of all hands vpon this disordered multitude and folowes them flying euen to the gates of Paris in sight of the Nauarrois and the prouost who are beholders of this defeat and relieue them not The Nauarrois retires himselfe to S. Denis where the body of his Armie was lodged the prouost of Marchants to the citty the which is filled with cries lamentations and iniurious speeches against them both The Prouost fearing the peoples fury goes garded with a troupe of 200. men least all should be lost he seeks to assure himselfe of the Louure and Bastile The maske is now vncouered and the people runs to armes Iohn Maâ—llard Captaine of a quarter at S. Anthonies gate takes a banner with the Armes of France and running through the Citty cries Mountioye S. Denis At this crie the sight of the standard all flocke together on heapes The Prouost seekes to saue himselfe in the Bâ—stile to auoide the fury of this multitude whom he had so often imployed to shed innocent blood and with him were Simon Palmier and Philip Guyphart two torches of popular sedition They enter but oh the iudgement of God which the wicked cannot fly at such times and by such meanes as he hath prescribed for their time the place they had chosen for their safety was the pitfall of their miserie for bâ—ing entred they wil be Masters vnder colour of certaine letters from the King of Nauarre who gaue the chiefe command of that place to the Prouost The Prouost is slaine and some others with him They fall to great words with them which commanded the place and from words to blowes where without any great difficulty they are all masâ—ared to the peoples great conâ—ent who flock to the Basâ—ile to see the ende of their Prouost They require the carcases the which are presently deliuered vnto them and drawne from thence with all sorts of ignominy before Saint Caterins Church whether the Prouost had dragd the bodies of the Maâ—eshals of France by him so vnworthely mâ—tthered God punisheth â—aulâ—s with answerable paines to the ende we should honor God who appoints the punishement according to the offence with an equal ballance and punisheth faults with answerable paines Thus the Cittie of Paris was freed from the 〈◊〉 us leuaine of confusion and restored to the lawefull obedience of their King in the yeare .1358 the second day of August remarkable for so notable an act The iust execution thus made The Regent receiued into Paris the Cittie as it were recouered of a deadly disease sends 〈◊〉 to the Regent beseeching him to come and take possession of the authoritie due vnto him The Regent comes and is receiued with as much affectionare ioy as before he had bene odious and contemptible Such are the people such they haue bin and such they sâ—albe that great meÌ„ may learne by these examples how to gouerne a multitude This happy successe troubled the Nauarrois who imagining the Crowne of France vpon his owne head did to his great griefe see him setled in the State who had beene almost ruined Vntill then he had the Kings seruice alwaies in his mouth as his good Kinsman and subiect but now passions driue him into such fury and despaire as he resolues to cast oft the maske of humility and obedience and all other ciuil respects and to make war against the RegeÌ„t with al violence not only by secret practices but by opeÌ„ force The Nauarrois seeing the Parisiens to grow affectionate to the RegeÌ„t The new attempts of the Nauarrois against the Regent sought by al means to torment them making stange spoiles of their houses especially of such as were his most deuoted seruants but in general al that belonged to Paris was abandoned to the spoile The Regent assembles his army the which he had retired to ease the people But the remedy proues often very hurtful to the champian Country vpon the first application Behold two French armies are in field in the heart of France comitting that which we haue seene with our owne eyes in the bosome of our miserable Country for what better coÌ„mentarie can there be
hundred men at armes Brittons vnder the command of the constable Clisson who was with the fleet in Brittaine They had a care safely to lodge this great army after their descent in England expecting with safety the variable euents of warre against a king and people whom they came to fight with on their owne dunghill To preuent all in conueniences they build a great frame or engine some attribute this inuention to the Constable Clisson others to Iohn of Vienne Admirall of France who had layde the first plot of this enterprise like to a towne of warre with towers bastions bulwarks A strong sort of wood made flankes and other defences according to the manner of that age There was a lodging for the King and his court according to the degrees of Princes Officers and Noblemen of marke Lodgings for the chiefe of the armie according to their quarters and space to set vp their tents and pauillions halls and common places for the munition and victualls which followed the army and to conclude conuenient roome to imbattell a great number of men of warre Thâ—s inclosure or frame was round and made of many peeces with admirable arte and so great aboundance of stuâ—fe as if they had cut downe a whole foâ—rest it was finished with wonderfull speede by the great number of workemen which came from all parts To the men shippes victualls and this engine the Kings court gaue an extraordinarye beauty being accompanied with the Dukes of Lorraine and Bar the Earles of Sauoy Armagnac Geneue S. Pol. Longueuille Eu Daulphin of Auuergne the Lord of Coussy Master William of Namur with all the great Barons of France and an infinite number of braue nobility who imbarked themselues more willingly then in the voyage to the holy land The preparation of the English for their defence Thus was the preparation made in France for England where they remayned in great perplexity to see so great a storme readye to fall vpon them They prouide the best they can first by deuotion hauing recourse vnto God then they fortifie their ports and all passages with great dilligence both with men of warre and all sorts of incombers to helpe those places which nature had made of hard accesse in this Iland They say that Richard leauied a hundred thousand foote and ten thousand horse which was not answerable to the Admirals relation the first Architect of this ridiculous attempt But thus are princes oft times abused imbarking themselues in dangerous actions without reason whose endes are not answerable to their beginnings All was ready in the end of September the King had prouided for the gouernement of the realme in his absence leauing his brother Lewis Earle of Touraine assisted with the Duke of Berry his vncle and the bishop of Beauuois his chancellour Thus he parts from Paris and comes to Scluse with great speed to recouer the time lost The Regent should not abandon his person in so long and important a voyage but he stayes behind the King promising to follow presently but his meaning was to bring this enterprise to nothing The king beeing arriued the howers of stay are tedious he tells the minutes and complaines of the time lost he sollicites his vncle to come by sundry letters The Regent seekes to ouerthrow the action and sends post after post he stampes he chafes by reason of his stay The whole Court is of the same humour The Duke of Aniou answers the King that he will part to morrowe but he stayes at Paris to make good cheere at leysure of purpose to draw on winter to make the voyage impossible and so to ouerthrow the action the which was neuer pleasing vnto him eyther for that it was pleasing to the Duke of Bourgongne his brother and so to crosse him or for that he held it preiudiciall to the King and his realme But seeing himselfe prest by importance and impatient letters from the King he parts from Paris and the same day the Constable Clisson waies anckor at Lantriguer in Brittaine with this great Towne of wood and seuenty two ships of warre meaning to ioyne with the whole bodye of the armie at Scluse but it fell out contrary to his disseine and otherwise then the facility of his supposed victory had represented vnto him For hauing â—un his course towards Flanders to take port at Scluse behold a contrarye wind casts him vpon the coast of England Part of the French nauie dispersed at sea where notwithstanding all the diligence of his Marriners his fleete was dispeâ—sed into diuers parts three ships wherein this great Engine was are driuen into England and runne on ground at the mouth of the Riuer of Thames Behold our Argonautes as much amazed to see themselues taken in a weyre as the English were glad who with ioy and admiration see themselues possessed beyond all hope and without any paine of that which had cost their enimies so much to ruine them These newes flie speedily to King Richard who commaunds this great booty to bee brought vp the riuer vnto him whether all the Country flocks to so strange a spectacle and euery one holds it for a presage of good successe to haue taken their Citty which should haue taken them An other part of the Fleet is driuen into Zealand and the Constable of Clisson with the rest arriues at Scluse much amazed at this first successe All their ioy of an assured victory is conuerted into a generall feare least some newe losse should followe this vnfortunate beginning The Regent opposeth himselâ—e directly against thiâ— voyage But whilest this amazement troubled most of the French the Duke of Bourgongne and those of his faction who desiâ—ed the performance of this voyage at any rate made these difficulties light as common accidents which should not hinder great enterprises the which cannot bee executed without some crosses for the which they must seeke a remedy and not dispaire He had perswaded the King againe easie to be drawne to what he desired Hereupon the Regent arriues who seeing the King resolued to imbarke vales his maske speakes plainely and tels the King in his Counsell That he will neuer consent he should expose his person and estate to the hazard of the sea of weather and of war and vpon an aduice which seemed apparently false being most certain that the King of England had assembled aboue a hundred thousand fighting men That these first losses were aduertisements froÌ„ heauen to bridle those vaine hopes which are sooner conceiued then brought forth He had alwayes sufficiently declared that it was not his aduice yet for that he would not seeme to contradict the Kings will crosse such as gaue him this councel as honorable to himselfe and profitable to his Realme he would not rashly oppose himselfe But seeing now that God spake he did open his mouth the more boldly bearing in his heart a faythfull zeale vnto the Kings seruice and the good of the State That
but yeeld vnto him as his vassall but as coÌ„stable of France and deerely beloued of his Maister the greatest monarch in Europe and Soueâ—aigne to the Duke of Brittaine herein the Duke must needes respect him his place giuing him auâ—hority in many notable actions ouer the greatest personages within the Realme This was the ground of their hate which not onely embarked King Charles lord vnto them both but carâ—ied him so farre into the maine as he could not auoide a notable shipwracke by their meanes By the former accord Iohn of Montfort was to yeeld vnto Clisson all his patrimonye whereon he had seized vnder colour of a confiscation reuoked by Charles â—he which he had not yet performed And alâ—hough he had promised the King and giuen him a newe assurance Complaines against the Duke of Briâ—taine yet did hee not â—â—ust â—he King but continued hâ—s intelligences with the English fortified his places and coyned boâ—h gold and siluer against the Lawes of State He refused likewise to acknowledge Clâ—ment â—he 7 for lawfull Pope whom France approoued noâ— to suffer the Eaâ—le of Ponthiâ—ure aforesaid to beate the name and armes of Brittaine These were the chiefe causes of their complaâ—nts and differences The King and his most secret councell Mercier Montagu and la Riuiâ—re held for the Constable The Dukes of Berry and Bourgongne and the Chancellour Orgemont for the Duke of Brittaine a cunning dissembling Prince and high minded He spake proudly by reason of his intelligence with England which could not fâ—ile him and mildly when as he found meanes to do his businesse vnder-hand not to breake with the King 1391. He comes to Tours vnto Charles where afâ—er many discourses their quarrells are ended by marâ—iages He is reconciled to the king Constable the Kings daughter beeing yet yong is promised to the Dukes sonne and the sonne of Iohn Earle of Ponthieure borne of the Constables daughter to the Dukes daughter who promiseth likewise to restore Clisson his lands in shew friends but in their hearts irreconciliable enimies Hereuppon Clisson goes into Brittaine to receiue his lands The Duke held a Parliament at Vannes whether he called his nobility The Constable comes fearing no enemie the Duke had built a Castle called the Hermine where he feasts the Sâ—ates The Constable is called and welcommed with the first this countenance did not shew what was prepared for the end of the banket against the Constable After dinner â—he Duke taking him by the hand vnder colour to shew him his building and to haue his aduise as of a great Captaine and well seene in Architecture he leads him from place to place through halls chambers and closets vntill hee had brought him to a great Towre hauing an iron doâ—e wherein were armed men The Duke enters first the Constable followes him as viewing the proportion of this worke and the thicknesse of the walles by the windowes But behold the Duke slips out of the Towre where he leaues the Constable and shuttes the doore after him This signe giuen â—he armed men seaze vppon the Constables sword and keepe him prisoner putting irons on his legges The Duke of Briâ—â—aâ—â— â—eâ—zeth treacherously on the Constable The Constable was not so much amazed at this strange vsage as the Duke reioyced at this sweet content of reuenge thinking to attaine the full of his desires to be reuenged of a capitall and cruell enemy and in the heat of his fury he commands a faithfull seruant of his called Iohn Baualan to dispatch the Constable presently Baualan accepts this charge but he doth not execute it He goes to the Towre and assures himselfe of the Constables person retaining the souldiours whom the Duke commanded to â—bey him and so he passeth the night with the constable But the night gaue him Councell The Duke transported with ioy in the heat of his choler goes to his rest but care awaked him and reason of more force then his passion lets him know the fault he had committed and repentance followed this first act A wise seruant in not obeying his masters passion The Duke lying restlesse a great paâ—t of the night riseth â—arely in the morning calleth Baualan and demands what is become of the Constable The Duke of Briâ—tain repents him of what he had done his passion bewrayes his minde before he spake witnessing the shame he had of his choler and his griefe for this furious charge Baualan comforts him and assures him that the Constable is well The Duke wonderfully glad of this newes which freed him from so cruell a torment commands he should be well intreated and with respect attending newes from the King from whom there comes post vpon post with complaints and commandements to the Duke The Duke without any great delay excuseth himselfe of his imprisonment and sends the Consâ—able to the King It had beene more auaileable for him to haue suppâ—essed his choler in committing this errour But he did verifie That he which offends doth neuer forgiue The Constable goes to the King to Blois he thanks him for his care of his deliuery the Duke doth likewise send vnto him to craue a safe conduct to come himselfe to make his iust excuses and to shewe what reason had moued him to put the Constable in prison The Dukes of Berry and Bourgongne holding openly for the Britton obtaine leaue for him to come vppon the Kings word He comes well accompanied and not onely iustifies the taking of Clisson being his subiect and in his owne Country but also hee would haue the King beholding vnto him for the respect he bare vnto his officer whoÌ„ oâ—herwise he might iustly haue put to death It is an easie matter for great men to manage their aâ—fairâ—s at their seruants cost The Constable digested quietly this new affront being glad to haue recouered his liberty but the Duke of Brittaines malice shal be the cause of great miserie both to the King and realme seeking new deuises to satisfie his choler a furious beast which can neuer bee tamed by flattery It burst forth vppon a light and ridiculous subiect which bred a horrible Chaos of sundry confusions Peter Craon a Nobleman of the Countrie of Aniou 1393. had great credit with the King and with Leâ—is Duke of Aniou his Brother who loued him so deerely as he trusted him with his greaâ—est secreats euen with his amorous passions wherevnto his loose disposition his age â—asâ— and Court made him too proane to the great discontent of Valentine his wife who exceeding iealous of her husband and an Italian seeking by all meanes to learne how he was affected feeling him so colde to her she finds no better expedient then to gaine Craon whome shee handled so cunningly as she drewe the worme from his nose Hauing speciall aduertisment of her husbands loues she threatens the Ladie that was beloued and complaynes to her husband naming the reporter The Duke of Orleâ—ns finding himselfe wâ—onged by this
restore this estate was not amazed nor daunted but hauing commonly in his mouth this Oracle We must haue God and reason on our side He hath recourse vnto God and falles couragiously to worke Hee flies to Rocheâ—l to assure it vnder his obedience Beeing in the Towne there happens a notable accident as he was in councell a part of the chamber sunke and Iames of Bourbon with diuer others were slaine in this ruine The King was but hurt From this danger he passeth on to the chiefe of his affaires He sends into Scotland Milan and Castile to summon his friends to succour him who speedily will send him notable aides He prouides for all the passages vnder his obedience He assures himselfe of Languedoc from whence hedrew his chiefe helpes by the Earle of Clermont from Daulphné by the Lord of Gaucourt from Lions Lyonnois Forrest Beauieâ—lois and Mâ—sconois by Imbert of 〈◊〉 Seneshall of Lions from Gascogne and other countries of high Guienne where he was acknowledged by the Vicont of Narbonne and the maister of Oruall He sendeâ— Iames of Harcourt into Picardy accompanied with Pothon of Xintrailles or S. Treille Stephen Vignoles called la Hire the flower of his captaines And likewise the Bourguignon sent thither the greatest part of his forces Ambrose de Lore goes into Maine â—â—rcâ—e Pregene of Coitiuy into Champagne The Earle of Dunois a bastard of the house of Oâ—leâ—ns â— keepes Orleans The townes lying vpon the riuer of Loire aboue beneath Orleans â—ere vnder the obedience of the French La Charité Gyan Iargeau Meung Baugency 〈◊〉 Amboâ—sâ— Tours Samour diuerse small townes in Beausse La Ferâ—é of â—aules Ianuille Esâ—ernâ—y Pluuiers And in the countries of Gastenois Vrepois Montargis Chastillon Millâ— Neerer vnto Paris Mont-lehery Orsay Marcoussy very strong places then but now desolate kept Paris in alarme Thus the Cardes were shufled but the English had the better part keeping the great citties and the Kings purse and as the stronger he begins the game which had this issue for the remainder of that yeare The English besiege and take Bazas and the French 〈◊〉 in Meulan vpoÌ„ Seine with great slaughter of the English but the Duke of Bedford loth to indure suce a thorne in the sides of Paris doth presently besiege it Charles sends theÌ„ succors vnder the command of the Earle of Aumale the Constable Boucqham Tanneguv of Chastel Too many coÌ„manders to do any great exploit Iealousie of command bred â—uch a confusion as all these troupes marched in disorder no man acknowledging but his priuate coÌ„mander Herevpon the English army arriues who had an eâ—sie coÌ„quest of these disordered troupes then Meulan yeelds to the Duke of Bedford The sharpnes of winter could not temper the heat of these warriours as the fortune of the warre is variable one wins another looseth Ambrose de Lore Iohn of Bâ—lâ—y thinking to take Fresnoy le Conte lost a notable troupe of their men The Lord of Fontaines hath his reuenge vpon the English defeates eight hundred of them at Neaâ—uille and Iohn of Luxembourg a Bourguignon defeates the Lords of Camâ—sches and Amaulry with their troupes The Earle of Salisbury takes the Townes of Vertus and Espeâ—nay and the strong places of Montaguillon and Osny neere vnto Paris The composition is strange the souldiers yeelding at the Regents discretion are brought to Paris bare-headed halters about their necks and swords at their breasts This miserable troupe thus tyed and ledde in triumph passeth through S. Iames street to go to the Tournelles where the Regent was lodged and from thence to bee drawne to the place of execution if the Duchesse of Bedford moued with the pitty of a French woman at so pittifull a spectacle had not begged the liues of these poore condemned men of hir husband Thus that yeare passed wherein Charles the 6. and Henry the 5 died but God to restore our Monarchie beganne in the same yeare to lay a leuaine against the attempts of Strangers The cause of diuision betwixt the Dukes of Bedford and Bourgongne who sought to ruine it Iaqueline of Bauiere Countesse of Hainault and Holland the onely heire of those two states had married with Iohn Duke of Brabant who by a blind and ambitious auarice gaue her selfe to Humfry Duke of Glocester vncle to the King of England and married with him reiecting her lawfull husband Her excuse was that the Brabantin was her cousin germaine but this shal be a meanes to dissolue the alliance so cunningly conioined by the dukes of Bedford Bourgongne Charles hath diuers losses who shall breake vpon this occasion The yeare begins while that losses came by heaps vpon Charles as the current of an vnauoidable ruine whatsoeuer he vndertooke succeeded not Iames of Harcourt was Gouernour of Picardy placed there ouer some remainders of the ship wrack of that country In Picardie he surpriseth Dommart in Ponthieu from the Bourguignon and spoiles the neighbour Abbaies and the country Hauing ruined these poore disarmed men he is charged by Ralfe Butler an English Captaine looseth all his conquest and escapes hardly with his life sees Crotoy taken before his face the chiefe dungeon of his desseines Rue S. Valery and in the ende the goodly Cittie of Abbeuille sufficient to sâ—ay the English forces if it had bin garded by good men After these shamfull losses he comes to Charles to excuse himselfe hee pardons him but GOD made him soone paye the interest of his thefts beeing the cause of his owne ruine Hauing no place of aboad he retires to Parthenay to his vncle who entertained him courteously but Harcourt not content with this kind vsage would be maister of the Castle his practise fell vppon his owne head beeing slaine by the gardes suffring the punishment of his treachery as he had done of his couetousnesse cowardise A lesson for bad seruants to their Princes detestable either for their robberies or for their treacherous cowardises whom God payes in due season In Maine The entrance of this yeare was also infamous in two shamefull losses happened to two great Captaines To Ambrose of Lore who looseth the Castle of Tennuye in the country of Maine and to Oliuer of Magny beaten by the English at the Bishops parke nere Auranches but from small accidents we must come to great actions Champagne was in no better case then Mayne In Champagne The Earle of Salisbury made warre with all violence against Pregent of Coytiuy who defended the Kings party the best he could but not able to beare so great a burthen he flies to Charles who sends him his Constable with forces Bourgongne the which were imployed both in an other cause and with other successe then hee had desseined for behold the towne of Creuant in Bourgongne situated vppon the riuer of Yonne vpon the frontiers of Champagne is surprised by the bastard of Baume for the King The Constable flies thither
the Constables good seruices After this shamefull disgrace hee seekes to couer his fault He exclaimes against the King exclayming first against the King as if hee had beene the cause of this infamous disorder happened at Saint Iames hauing too freely discouered his grieâ—es vnto the King he presumed to take Iohn of Malesâ—roit Chancellor of Brittain prisoner as beeing particularly charged to solicit the payement of such money as was appointed for this Britton army Charles was much offended with this presumption and in despight of the Constable caused Malestroit to bee presently released and sent into Sauoy The Constable was greatly discoÌ„tented with this proceeding the which he tooke as an affront done to his person and resolues to be reuenged So great were the confusions of that age as the seruant durst prescribe a Lawe to his maister and his counsell bandâ—e against him to controll his will Yea the Princes of the bloud so great was the corruption of that wretched age were the chiefe controllers of the Kings actions Then was there nothing more miserable then France who discontented with her King A dangerous waywardnesse to make the King odious or contemptible nourished the ambition of many Kings This iealous ambition did nothing cure the infirmities of our Estate Charles found it lost he could not raise it alone To debase his authority was no meanes to cuâ—e the confusions of the realme And as there is nothing more troublesome then affliction the French nation beeing then extreemely afflicted did nothing amend their condition in casting vpon the King the reproches of their calamities This deptiue themselues of their head wherein consists the whole life of the bodie An vnreasonable discontent The whole body of the State was sicke and this distasted people would haue their head sound A notable circumstance for it is strange that after so many miseries this domesticall confusion had not beene the vâ—ter ruine of the State But let vs returne to our discourse The Constable had great credit with the counsell whome in the beginning the King had greatly countenanced but the priuate practises and the generall discontent of great persons had made him halfe a King to crosse the Mignons whome al men hated Great men hated them as possessing the King the people detested them as managing all things at their pleasure to the preiudice of the common weale There were two Mignons that did greatly vexe them Gyac and Camus of Beaulieu They resolue by a generall consent to dispatch them The Princes with the Lords of Albret and Tremouille who had a great interest in the Sate were of the partie But the Constable must do the execution The matter concluded betwixt them was thus executed Gyac was taken in bed with his wife carried to Dun le â—oy condemned and executed that is he was put into a sacke and cast into the riuer The Kings Mignons slaine by the Councell The Constable performed this office without any other forme of lawe then his bare commande Afterwards Camus borne in Auuergne as hee walked in the Kings lodging was venturously slaine by a soldiar belonging to the Marshall of Boussac Charles vnderstood it and in a manner toucht the bloud of his two domesticall seruants beeing wonderfully discontented but the time which did authorise these confusions caused him to swallowe this pill quietly Tremouille married Gyacs widowe the heire of Lisle Bouchart and entred newly in credit with the King giuing him to vnderstand that all was for his seruice so as there was no more speeche thereof euery man shut both eyes and eares But Tremouille shall haue his turne hee shall leaue some of his haire and hardly saue the moulde of his doubled Thus the affaâ—â—es of Court ebbed and flowed the which raiseth vp one and cast downe an other In this deceytfull manner of life there is nothing certaine but incertentie fauours beeing â—â—uen not by desert but most commonly by a blind appetite which hath no other iudgement but the apprehension of weake heads diuiding the happinesse of a 〈◊〉 life into quarters this day to one and to morrowe to an other A goodly lesson for such as are fauored in Court not to bee transported with vaine hope toyes to deceiue the indiscreete The surest gards of prosperity are Integritie wisdome modesty and patience to remember aduersity in prosperitie according to the precepts of the wise This was the good gouernment of the Constable of Richmont a bolde practiseâ— of these domesticall confusions whilest the Bourguignon plied his businesse Wee haue made mention of the sute of Iaqueline Contesse of Hainault and Holland for Humfry Duke of Glocester her pretended husband against Iohn Duke of Braâ—â—nt her lawfull husband for so had Pope Martin pronounced it in fauour of the Bâ—â—bantin but from lawe they go to armes The Bourguignon supported the 〈◊〉 These Princes hauing prepared their forces begin by writing The 〈◊〉 accuseth the Bourguignon of couetousnesse and trecherie The Bourguignon giues him the lie But from reproches they fall to armes The Bourguignon offers the Glocâ—â—â—â—an to ende the question by combate and by that triall to auoide the effusion of theâ—â— sold aâ—s bloud The Glocestrian accepts it all is prepared for the combate but the Duke of Bâ—â—â—ord interpeseth his authoritie To this ende hee calls the cheefe men of all estats to Paris to quench this fire and by common aduice decrees That that day 〈◊〉 disanulled â—eyther should it bee preiudiciall to eyther partie That is to say 〈◊〉 being well vewed and considered there was no iust cause for eyther to call the other to this wilfull combate from the which they could not depaâ—t althouâ—â— it were accepted without great preiudice to both their honours In the meane time neither the Popes authority nor the Regents decree by the generall aduice of the States could preuaile but all bursts forth into open warre The Bourguignon proued the stronger so as the Glocestrian leauing Iaqueline at Mons posted into England for newe forces but all was in vaine the Bourguignon making his profit of this Princes absence did easily effect his desire hauing no oposite but a woman dishonored for her infamous adulteries Hee failes not to enter Hainault with a stronge army and vseth all force to reduce this people to reason The Country seeing it selfe pressed by the Bourguignons forces neyther hoping for noâ— desiring any succors from England The Duke o◠〈◊〉 leaseth on Iaqueline Countesse of Haâ—â—â—auâ—â— and perswaded that Iaqueline supported a bad cause resolue to obey the stronger Hauing to that effect protested vnto their Lady what they thought fitting for their dutie they seize on her person and deliuer her into the hands of the Duke of Bourgongne Philip receiues her honorably and promiseth her all offices of friendship to comfort her From Mons hee causeth her to bee conducted with a goodly traine to Gand by Lewis of Chaalons Prince of Orange a braue Noble man The Gantois imploy their
his forces vnited in two great kingdoms So euery one armes for a sharpe incounter according to the forces they could raise Two Antipopes in armes their courses First eyther of them prouides his battery ofexcommunication Clement the 7. cites Vrban before him and his College of Cardinalls canonically chosen with his Cardinalls vnlawfully elected by him who had beene desposed from the charge which had beene giuen him but to keepe declaring all that he had done or should do to be of no force Vrban on the other side incounters Clement with the like excommunications He declares him Antipope a schismatike and an Heretike and all them that should follow him guilty of high treason both against God and man Their goods honours liues bodies and soules confiscate This first point performed they come to the effects The crueltiâ—â— of 2 Popes Clement makes search throughout all the territories of his obedience for those of Vrbans faction whome hee imprisons condemnes and kills with sword fire and water many are strangled massacred drowned and burnt with extreame cruelty Vrban shall doe no better but he proceeds by degrees He makes his peace with the Florentines Perusins Milanois and Geneuois the Venetians onely he could not winne The Emperour Charles the 4. beeing dead he could not preuaile much with Wenceslaus an vnworthy Prince but he made his profit of Lewis King of Hongary a capitall enemy to Ioane Queene of Naples the soueraigne obiect of Vrbans choler whom he sought to ruine as the sole motiue of all his crosses But amidest the disorders of these confused passions the diuers effects of Gods prouidence are remarkable who drawes light from darkenesse and order from disorder in such sort as it is most commonly vnknowne to man but alwaies iust and admirain his iust effects Vrban presuming that the force of Hongary would fortifie his proceedings doth excommunicate Ioane Queene of Naples declares her incapeable of the crowne Vrbans proceeding against Ioane Queene of Naples and calles in Charles of Durazzo of whome we haue made mention But who sees not that this belongs properly to the history of Naples whereofwe intreat accidently matters being tyed together by a necessary vnion In the ende Ioane lost both goods and life through the power of Charles of Durazzo who remained absolute maister of the Realme of Naples by the death of Lewis of Aniou whom she had adopted but Lewis thinking to reuenge her death lost his owne life In the life of Charles the 6 and drew France into great miseries whereof this vnseasonable adoption was the leuaine Behold the ende of the first Ioane Queene of Naples who shall be soone followed with a second Ioane to continue our voluntary languishing in Italy But the ende of this Proserpina was the beginning of a second trouble Pope Vrban discontented against Charles of Durazzo whom he had opposed against queenâ— Ioane of Naples through the aâ—bition of Vrban the which hauing no limits transported his spleene against Charles oâ— Durazzo whom he had drawne out of Hongary He is not satisfied that Charles should do him homage but hee will haue some places in his absolute power and that Charles should inuest his Nephew Butillo a man of no estimation hauing nothing rare in him but his extraordinary vices in the principality of Capua the Duchy of Durazzo seeking to get so firme footing in the state as he might dispossesse Charles at his pleasure Durazzo being loath to labour for an other man excuseth himselfe to Vrban who takes no excuses for paiment but citeth him before his Consistory threatning that if he appeares not at the day prefixt he will proceed against him by excommunication Charles who feared more the losse of his new purchase then the lightnings of Vrban makes him vnawares a prisoner hauing placed many Souldiers about him for his gard Vrban seeing himselfe braued by Charles euen within Naples complaines of this affront and by his suffrance he retires to Nocera from whence he sends excommunications against Charles He doth excommunicate him Charles goes with an army against Pope Vrban who laying aside all respect opposeth a goodly army comes to besiege Vrban with Ensignes displayed in Nocera Hee sends a trumpet to aduertise him that he was come according to his assignement In the meane time he takes information of Vrbanes abuses beeing knowne and detested of all the world and moreouer he tried the opinions of the Cardinalls to censure or depose Vrbanâ— who being aduertised hereof was so moued as not able to be reuenged of Charles he imprisons seuen Cardinalls the most sufficient of his Colledge without any other iust matter to charge them with but that they were the learnedest and of greatest courage and to make triall of his forces The Popes nephew defeated and taken he sends his Nephew Butillo against him with a troupe which this great Captaine suffered to bee ouerthrowne and himselfe to be taken This successe daunted the courage of Vrban and inforced him to craue leaue of Charles to retire himselfe the which he easily obtained by the intercession of the Seigneurie of Genes whether Vrban pretended to go departing from Nocera he led with him these Cardinalls prisoners Pope Vrbans cruâ—lty against hâ—s Cardinals and desirous to be rid of them hee caused one to be slaine vpon the way pretending that he was sicke and abandoned his bodie he caused fiue others to be sowed vp in sackes and to be cast into the sea as he passed to Genes Beeing there he commanded three others to be apprehended beeing iealous that they had intelligence with the rest and in the presence of all the people hee caused them to be knockt on the head then hee dries their bodies in an Ouen and preserued them in chests the which he caused to be carried before him vpon moyles when as he did ride and for a marke what they were he set their red hats vppon the chests The originall notes this extraordinary ciuility in Pope Vrban In the ende Charles dies in Hungary but Vrbanes spleene continues against his children He had left two Ladislaus and Ioane who by the vertuous protection of their mother Marguerit The French copy writs it â—ane kept both themselues and their estate out of his hands Vrban sleeps neyther day nor night thirsting continually after their ruine And for that hee found by Charles that the Hungarians feared not his spirituall lightnings he grounds his desseines vppon temporall armes and knowing they are not to be raised without money he seekes the meanes to leuie a great masse To this ende he ordaines a Iubile as a solemne feast for all Christendome and to draw more people thereunto he sends newe indulgences and pardons Pope Vrbans practises to get monye into all parts vnder his obedience A deuice to get money the people beeing perswaded by his Bulls that it was the onely meanes to purchase Paradice and to auoide the paines of purgatorie He also
you haue yet done So the accord was made without comprehending of these three The Dukes of Bourbon and Alenson sweare to serue the King and yeeld vp Loches Corbeil Bois de Vincennes Sancerre Sancouins Erie Conterobert and other places which they held The Daulphin remaynes with his father who changeth all his trayne except his confessor and Cooke But all this is but counterfeit you shal soone see other broyles This phrensie of state bred in the Kings house against the King himselfe was by our Ancestors called the Pragâ—â—â—y Nine monthes of this yeare being spent in these garboiles Charles returnes to Tours to prouide for the raysing of the seege at Harfleu where the Earle of Somerset had lien long but it was in vaine for the Towne was taken in the end after a long and painfull constancie of the Inhabitants who could not be releeued in time by reason of these home-bred troubles and yet there was a second mischiefe The Lord of Gaucourt gouernor of Daulphiné a most profitable seruant of the King returning from the seege and causing some of his baggage which was scattered from the troupe to retire he was surprised by a companie of English and led prisoner to Rouen to the great griefe of Charles who loued him hauing giuen good testymones of his loyaltie in his greatest extremities But in exchange Charles takes Conches and Loâ—â—iers Townes of importance in Normandie from thence he came into Champaigne to subdue a part of these aduenturing theeues who had surprized some places in this Prouince Musse l'Euesque Montagu and others The Kings army led by the Constable takes them and razed them by the Kings commande pardoning most of these theeuish Captaines the bastard of Vergy and the Lord of Commercy A memorable execution but he caused Alexander bastard of Iohn Duke of Orleans to be drowned a notable theefe who hauing followed the discontented Princes had spoken vnworthilie of his maister This execution of Iustice is memorable vpon one of so high a birth being followed the same yeare with the exemplarie death of Gylâ—s de Raiz Marshall of France issued from a great and famous house The Marshall de Raiz burnt for sorcerie who beeing found guilty of Negromancie and Sorcerie was condemned by the Court of Parliament of Brittaine and burnt at Nantes with some of his seruants culpable of the same crymes He was honored for his valour but neither his armes nor his bloud could stay the hand of diuine Iustice meritoriously exâ—cuted by this iust decree of the magistrate Priuate actions worthie to be registred in the historie to shew that the greatest cannot flie the hand of God after they haue long abused his patience But the treaty of peace betwixt France and England being discontinued aboue a yeare was againe reuiued by the industrie of the Duchesse of Bourgongne a Portugall but much affected to the quiet of the Realme and a very sufficient woman who had great credit with her husband She followes it so wisely as in the ende two Kings sends their Ambassadors to Calais On Charles his behalfe were the Archbishops of Rheims Narbon A treatâ—e betwixt the two Kings for a peace but 〈◊〉 and the Earle of Dunois bastard of Orleans For Henry King of England the Cardinall of Yorke and the Duke of Exeter who brought with them Charles Duke of Orleans so being longe kept prisoner in England This poore Prince after the languishing of so long a prison was exceeding glad to see some meanes to returne to his house hauing felt the aire on this side the Sea and imbraced the Earle of Dunois one of the branches of his house hee who â—ad so faithfully serued him in his afflictions but hee greeued to see himselfe presently carried backe into England for that they could not agree vpon the foundamenttall points the English being resolute not to leaue one foote of that which they held in France And although the King were content they should freely inioy what they possessed so as they held it as they had done in times past of the Crowne of France by homage yet would they not yeeld in any sort being loath to relinquish their pretended souerainty But he refuseth which afterwards doth sue At this time they were inforced to retire with this resolution That without infringing any thing of the treaty begun euerie one should go home and consider of his affaires to assemble againe when neede should require The Duke of Orleans deliuered the which eyther part desired And this is al could be done for the general They proceeded farther for the duke of Orleans but as in these trafficks such as hold the possession do coÌ„monly vse policy the stronger giuing lawe to the weaker so in so precious matter as life the English must bee sued vnto making no hast to deliuer him for that they drewe great profit yearely for the pension of this great Prince Moreouer Charles had no great care of his deliuerie for that some malicious spirits had seasoned him with some bad impression against this poore Prince perswading him that his long imprisonment was not without some mistery and that it hatched some mischiefe against the King and his estate The which being miserable in so great a person gaue all men a iust cause of compassion But notwithstanding all these difficulties yet must this Prince one of the goodliest plants of this Crowne be now deliuered to leaue a successor for the realme of France The diuers aâ—flictions of the Duke of Orleans and God who would honor his race with the Crowne had prepared an admirable meanes for his deliuery by his helpe from whom in reason he might least hope euen when his owne friends had abandoned him A notable example for all men in many respects a prison of fiue and twentie years was a great affliction to a Prince borne to commande and yet captiue to an other The losse of all his goods gaue him a sufficient occasion to resolue to perpetual miserie and to leaue it for an inheritance to his posterity In the ende sclander a most cruell sting to a generous minde which hath honour for his assured Treasor had beene able to suppresse him But God who goâ—erns the rodde wisely giues him libertie goods and honour in due season in despight of this deuilish enuy which seeking to afflict the afflicted and controuling aduersitie as well as prosperity is then corrected when it seekes to correct an other but God doth neuer send helpes too late The Duke of Bourgongne vndertaks for the Duke of Orleans ransome Philip hauing resolued to do this good turne for the Duke of Orleans and to withdraw him out of prison compouÌ„ds for his ransome with the King of England for three hundred thousand Crownes He giues his word for it and payes it and so Charles Duke of Orleans being honorably conducted comes first to Calais where the mony beeing payed hee comes free to Grauelin to the Duke of Bourgongne his deliuerer
making a defensiue warre attending the successe of Tartas Talbot fearing least Galardon should be surprised by the French doth raze it and this was all Let vs now returne to Tholouse to conduct Charles from thence to Tartas Taâ—taâ— releeued by King Chaâ—les for there lies the waight of his affaires Assignation is giuen it must be held To conclude the King comes at the appointed time with a goodly and mighty army the condition is performed he demands his hostages and the effect of accord So young Albret is deliuered Tartas continues vnder his obedience the day honorably kept and all the Prouince in quiet Tartas thus victoriously assured Charles resolues both to husband the occasion with his forces and to proceed farther Saint Seuer was held by Thomas Rameston with a hundred men at armes and fouerteene hundred Cros bowes and fortified what might be in those dayes Charles takes it by force slewe the greatest part oâ— the English and takes the Commander prisoner Acqs hauing endured a seege of sixe weekes is yeelded by composition The Earle of Foix was with the King and imployed both his person men and meanes to do him seruice but the impatiency of the French thrust them vpon his Country where they committed many insolencies The Bearnois discontented with the French assembles his forces and chargeth them as enemies but they had their reuenge for they fell vpon this ill armed multitude and slue seuen hundred to the great griefe of Charles fearing that this escape might alter his affaires but the Earles discretion couered this excesse and Charles continued his course Agâ—n held for him from thence he summons Toneins Marmande Port Saint Marie which yâ—eâ—d him obedience Reole being obstinate was beseeged and assayled with dâ—fficultiâ— but in the ende it was taken The shaâ—pe winter hindâ—ing the course of Garonne for the vitteling of the army made the seege both long and difficult and gaue the English meanes to recouer Saint â—â—uer and Acqs not very well garded but the Earle of Foix winnes Saint Seuer againe The deaâ—h of Potâ—oâ— and la Hire and the Earle of Lomaigne Acqs. A great number of the Nobility of the Country forced to make a good shew during the English force submit themselues to the King as the Lords of Puiols Rauson Roquetaillade and Pelegrue Thus Charles hauing made the Lord of Coitiuy Seneshall of Guienne gouernor of that conquered Countrie he makes his returne into France Being at Montauban he lost those two great Captaines so famous in his raigne Pothon and la Hire more rich in vertue honor then in substance yet Pothon was maister of the Kings horse and his sonne was Marshall La Hire left for his chiefe welth the immortall memorie of his loyaltie and valour the which hee happily imployed in the greatest necessitie of this Crowne Names in truth most worthy to be consecrated to the perpetuall memorie of posterity for a president to such as manage armes and make so great profession of honour with what title were these most hâ—nored for their vertues or for their Castells A happie exchange to change perishing gold which oftentimes makes him hatefull that loues it with the pleasing smell of immortall praise An vnreprouable ambition amidest the reproches of this golden age which loueth gold more then honour So Montauban was a tombe for their bodies and the whole world the Epitaphe of their praises At that instant and in the same place Charles ended the controuersie for the Earldome of Cominge Ioane daughter to the Earle of Cominge and Boulogne married at the first to Iohn Duke of Berry soone to King Iohn was after his decease married to Mathew Earle of Castel-bon of the house of Foix. She had one daughter by this Mathew but for that there was no good agreement betwixt them she makes a will to bridle her husband that by vertue of the authority of a father he should not enioy her lyuing instituting King Charles the 7. her heire in case her daughter died without lawfull heires In disdaine of this testament Mathew much yonger then she and who had not taken her but for her Crownes kept her prisoner an aged woman of foure score yeares The Daughter of Ioane of Cominge beeing dead the Earldome belonged vnto the King as lawfull heire by the donation of Ioane the lawful heire So Charles was bound by a double bonde to defend the gray haires of this old woman against the insolencie of her cruell husband who finding himselfe supported by the fauour of the Earle of Foix and Armagnac his Cousin hauing alreadie seized vpon some Townes of Cominge and playing the pettie King during the confusion of times and the neighbourhood of the English thought all things to be lawfull The King adiournes them both to appeere at Tholouse The Parliament of Tholouse erected wheras then he established a Parliament for all the Countries of Languedoc Foix Cominge Gaure Quercy Armaignac Estrac Lomaigne Mcgnaoc Bigorre and Rouergue Mathew deliuerd Ioane his wife into the Kings hands and it was decreed by the Court of Parliament the which they noate to be the first of this sollemne assemblie that Ioane should liue in free libertie out of Mathews power and should enioye the moity of the reuenues of Cominge and the rest should go into the Kings cofers The Earle of Foix and Armaignac yeelded vp the Townes of Cominges which he had vsurped and was adiourned vnto Paris to yeeld an account of many rebellions whereof he was accused especially for that he set in his titles â—ernard by the grace of God Earle c. A marke fit for soueraintie the which appertaines not to Seigneuries subiect to this Crowne Thus Charles remembers Lawes in the heat of warre but it requires an other Comissioner to execute this decree by force of armes after the death of Ioane who being conducted to Poictiers liued not long in this libertie Charles bâ—ing returned to Poitiers about the moneth of Maâ—ch resolues to imploy his sonne Lewis both to fashion him to affaires and to drawe him from suâ—h as would seduce him He giues him the gouernment of those Countries which lies betwixt the riueâ—s of Suze and Seine For the well imploying of this newe authority there were two goodly occasions presented one vpon an other Deepe was reduced to the Kings obedience this was a great annoyance to Rouen for the freeâ—ng whereof the Duke of Yorke doth beseege it raising forts to keepe them from all releefe This seege had continued nine monethes very tedious to the beseeged The Dâ—ulpâ—ins happie exploicts when as behold the Daulphin accompanied with the Earles of Dunois and Saint Pol and the Lord of Gaucourt assailes these forts and forceth them killes three hundred English and many Normaines either by the sword or water and so frees Deepe This occasion was followed by an other which chanced in a manner at the same instant Ioane Countesse of Cominge dies at Poitiers soone after she had tasted the aire of
mounted on a horse of the same proportion rushes through them diuids them that held him Then happilie arriues the bastard of Bourgongue and the Earles garde by means whereof the French retire themselues to their ditch Charles of Bouâ—ggongâ—e taken and rescued where they had beene in the morning During the which a false brute of the Kings death had almost ouerthrowne all for euery one began to faint The Earle of Maine the Admirall of Montauban and the Lord of Barde imbracing this common beleefe flie with al the rereward Lewis aduertised of this amazement takes off his helmet shewes him selfe to his soldiars and so assures them that he is aliue On the other side the Bourguignon rallies his men dispersed and wearied readâ—e to flie if they had bin charged At the same instant the Count Saint Paul goes to the field and gathers together vnder his enseâ—gne about eight hundred men at armes and but fewe foote Behold the two armies ranked one against an other noâ— like vnto tired men but hauing vewed one another and mutuallie discharged their Canon The night approched A famous battaile for running away which ended the battaile an in counter where the nâ—table flying on either side did wonderfully moderate the furie of the fight The which beâ—ng thus ended the King was conducted by the Scottes to the Castell of Montlehery hauing neither eaten noâ— dronke all that day and then he retyres to Corbâ—il The Earle keeps the field â—poiles the dead and therfore holds himselfe a Conqueror· Amongest the Kings men were knowne Iefferie of Saint Bâ—lain Charleâ— Earle of 〈◊〉 mastâ—r of the plâ—â—e of Battaile the great Steward of Normandy Captaine Flâ—â— uel Baylife of Eureux with many gentlemen to the number of foure hundred horse and but fewe of foote men Our Burguignons the Lords of Lalain Hames Oâ—gnie Varenne and almost all the Earles Archers Haplainonurt Aimeries Inchy and many others were taken flying and brought prisoners to Paris of footemeÌ„ there were more slaine then of the Kings part A'l which were estemed by some at two thousand of both sides The number the dead others heâ—d theÌ„ three thousand six hundred but al affirme constantly that there were more Bouâ—guignons theÌ„ French although Lewis lost more horsemen In trâ—th the firme resolution the constant labour the dangerous hazards manfully passed by the King were sufficient motiues to incourage his men to honor and if he had beene well and couragiously followed notwithstanding his small number and want of artillery the Earle of Charoloâ—s soldiars had digged their graues at Montlehery Three daies after the battaile the Earle of Châ—rolois being aduertised that his confederates approched Succors come to the Earle of Charolois went to receiue them at Esâ—ampes The Dukes of Berry Brittaine the Earle of Dunois and Dammartin the Lords of Lohâ—ae Marshall of France of Buâ—â—l Chaumont and Charles of Amboise his sonne all disgraced by Lewis and put from their offices although they had well serued the King his father They brought with them saith the historie eight hundred good men at armes most Brittains who had newly lest the companies euery one pretending some discontent Of Archers and other men of war resolute wel appointed six thousand on horsebacke all of the Brittons charge who assured by some meÌ„ at armes that fled vpoÌ„ the Kings death promiseth to himselfe much good in conceit in case the Duke of Beâ—ry come to the Crowne And if at that instant they would haue giuen him credit they should haue suppressed the Bourguignons or at the least dismissed them verifiyng That there is small loyaltie and lesse pitty in men of warre On the other side the Duke of Berry began to loath these broyles for in open Councel hauing vewed seuen or eight hundred hurte men wandering vp and downe the Towneâ— he said how much more glad would I haue beene if this warre had neuer begon 〈◊〉 Duke Beâ—â—y lotheâ— the esâ—uâ—iâ—n of bloud then to purchase my selfe riches and honor which the price of so much bloud A speech worthy of a milde Prince and not bloudie but ill digested by the Bourguignon supposing that Charles would easely make his peace vpon the least motion made by Lewis And to assure him selfe as wel without as within the realme he sends William of Cluni afterwards Bishop of Poitiers to Edward King of England although he had alwayes supported the house of Lancaster from whence he was issued by his mother against that of Yorke Hauing refreshed their troups they all dislodge from Estampes and take the way to Saint Mathurin of Laroham and Moret in Gastinois and hauing an intents to passe the riuer of Sâ—ine the Earle imployes many coopers to make pipes hauing brought great store of stuffe for that purpose whereon a bridge was made for want of conuenient boats through the fauour of the Canon which the Earle had planted in an Isâ—â—nd in the midest of the riuer There ioynes with them Iohn Duke of Calabria the onelie sonne of René King of Sicile the Prince of Orange Thibauld of Neuf-chastel Marshall of Bourgongne Other succors come to the confederate Princes and Montagu his brother the Marquis of Rotelin the Lords of Argueil and Thoulongeon with many others leading nine hundred men at armes of the Duchie and Countie of Bourgongne six score men at armes barded Italians commanded by Galeot and Campo-bâ—sso foure hundred Germain crosse-bowes sent by the Cont Palatin and fiue hundred Suisses the which were the first that came to our warres A fatall and lamentable alliance for the Bourguignon as we shall see in his place of other footeman very fewe All this great torrent of a hundred thousand men inuiron Paris Paris beleagard they seize vpon S. Maur on the ditches Pont Charenton Consâ—ans S. Deâ—is and other Places there abouts they tyre the inhabytants with contynuall skirmishes euen at their gates and shakes theyr affections by practises and deuises The Duke of Berry writes to the Clergie to the Court of Parlement to the vâ—iuersitie which then was in great credit in Paris and to the Bourgesses to euery one a part shewing them that all these forces tend not but to the peoples ease and profit and requires them to depute men of iudgement and learning to vnderstand more at large the causes of this their great assemblie Ten Deputies heare their complaints being led by William Chartier Bishop of Paris they report it to the Counsell of the Cittie who answeres That the Cittie shal be free for the Princes to enter into at their pleasure they and theirs abstaining from violence and paying their expences Surely this would haue beene a Conquest of the cittye of Paris But the great Maister of Nantouillet the Marshal Ioachim and other Captaines take a vew of their forces and by this meanes retayne the Parisiens who changing their minds are fully confirmed by the arriuall of Iohn of Rohan Lord of Montauban Admirall of France with
voiage of Liege and to giue vnto Charles his brother the Earldomes of Brâ—e and Champaigne the which the Bourguignons did A peace betwixt Lewis Charles of Bourgongne that at neede they might haue more meanes to succor one an other the treatie of Arras and peace of Charenton were reconfirmed and sworne vpon the crosse which Charlemaigne was wont to carrie called the crosse of victorie Truely experience hath alwayes testified that princes do more wisely pacifie their quarrells by graue and trusty seruants then by enteruewes from the which such as had neuer anie matter to deteâ—mine to gither do seldome part without mutuall dislikes and grudgings the seeds of diuisions ' and warre the which may bee long smothered but at length it breakes forth From henceforth you shall see vpon the theater a wretched people panting yet with the bastonadoes lately receyued but not yet vanquished and so much the more lamentable for that their owne calamities cannot make them wise who hauing obstinately rebelled against their naturall Prince and indiscretly imbraced our Kings quarrell run headlong to their totall ruine Lewis was ingaged by promise and suÌ„moned to performe it Besids the Scotts of his gard he sends for three hundred men at armes hauing with him Iohn Duke of Bourbon Charles Cardinall of Bourbon and Archebishop of Lions and the Earle of Beauieu brothers to the Bishop of Liege A Cittie then of the bignes of Rouan exceeding wel peopled seated in a mouÌ„taine couÌ„try Situation of Liege fertill watered with the riuer of Meuze which runs through it but by the last years check almost all dismanteled greatly weakened of men Liege beseeged so as the Marshal of Bourgongne the Lord of Himbercout leading the auantgard and gaping after spoile thought to haue entred at their first approch before the King or Duke were arriued Iohn of Vilette chiefe Tribune of these Liegeois They make a sallie and other Captaines seeing them lodge confusedlie in their suburbes they issue resolutely by the old breaches and kill aboue eight hundred men amongest the which were a hundred men at armes they hurt many amongest them the Prince of Orange All the people were ready to make a generall sally but some Canonadoes shot into the great steete kills very many and keepes in the rest The Tribune was hurt and died within two dayes after with some other Captaines whilest the two Commanders arriue take their lodgings Lewis in a great farme a quarter of a league from Liege Charles in the midest of the suburbes where the King went to lodge next day right against the Bourguignons lodging This approch breeds a great distrust for Charles doubted that Lewis would cast himselfe into the Towne or practise something against him Charles distrusts Lewis or at the least saue himself before the taking of the Towne To be the better satisfied the Duke doth lodge three hundred of his best men at armes in a barne betwixt his lodging and the Kings the better to obserue the Kings actions In the meanetime they make a good shew and keepe good gard vntill the nyne and twentith of October the day of the seege when as Charles and all his men disarme themselues to be the more readâ—e the next day for the assault During these eight dayes the beseeged gaue libertie to their Bishop to go to the Duke and to offer him their Towne and goods The Duke is inexorable at his subiects request desyring nothing but their liues But he had resolued a sharpe reuenge and retaynes the Bishop not accepting of any offer The Apostolike Legat had no more any credit with Charles neyther was he so happy as he expected The Ligeois abandoned by the French dispayring of all foraine succors and of all grace with their Prince behold a troupe of six hundred choise men of the Country of Franchemont issue forth hauing for their guides the masters of those two lodgings where the Generalls did lie The partie was well made but the enterprise was great and ill managed yet did they hardly faile in it The guides should lead them secretly through the hollow rocks neere vnto these Princes lodgings to surprise them kill theÌ„ The Ligeois dispayring hazard all or at the least to carry them away before their gards were in armes Moreouer all the people should issue forth by the gate and breaches right against the great streete of the suburbes and with their cryes and fighting discomfort the whole army or at the least sell their liues deere in dying gloriously They issue forth kill the sentinells and stayed at a pauilion in the which the Duke of Alençon and the Lord of Craon were lodged where they slue some seruants with their halberds and partuisans they charge euen vnto the grange wheras the three hundred men at armes were in their first sleepe the whole multitude runs thether and troubles both Nations some crying God saue the King others God saue the Duke of Bourgongne and some also crie God saue the King and kill to sowe diuision betwixt the French and Bourguignons They awake they arme defend the entrie In the meane time succors come froÌ„ al parts to the duke being charged by a squadron led by the master of the lodging He is slaine first and then all his company The King is no lesse amazed his host coÌ„passeth his house with an other band The Scotts are about him The King Duke in great danger of their liues they first kill the â—oste and then his followers and so the multitude recouers the Towne in disorder The two Princes talke togither and thanke God for their deliuerie and with a iust cause for if these desperate men had neyther linguered at the Pauilion nor at the grange without doubt they had had these two Princes at their discretioÌ„ but God would reserue ours for the restoring of his estate and increase of his reuenues with the Bourgnignons losse and the Bourguignon for a more tragicke ende Ouâ— Lewis grewe likewise pale with distrust foreseeing that if Charles did not take this Towne by assault Lewis distrusts the burthen might light on him that he was in danger to be stayed and taken being the weaker in the army There was no hope of retyring he was too well garded The miserable estate of two Princes and his honour likewise ingaged Thus he stood vpon thornes yet resolute in shewe and alwayes a perfect dissembler A miserable estate of these two Princes who of late had so solemnelie sworne a peace and yet one could not assure himselfe of an others faith This desperate sallie had amazed the Dukes men who euen by the Kings advice would willinglie haue delayed the assault for some dayes but Charles constant in his desseine lettes Lewis vnderstand that if he pleased hee might retyre to Namur vntill the Towne were taken as for himselfe hee would not part without seeing the issue the next morning but Lewis was ingaged in honor
hundred horse with a sufficient number of foote to keepe the place The Cittizens of Colongne with their neighbours arme sixteene thousand foote and incampe vpon the Rhin right against the Duke to cut off his victualls that came out of Gueldres and to stay the boats with their Cannon The Emperour and Princes both spirituall and temporall do arme as the King had often solicited them they send vnto him to make a triall of his intent Lewis failes not to graunt what they demanded promising twenty thousand men when as the Imperiall army should be at Colongne But he had worke at home Edward King of England discontented The English prepare for France that Lewis had supported Henry and the Earle of Warwicke against him prepares in the Bourguignons fauour fifteene hundred maisters all Gentlemen well mounted and the most part barded which made a great number of horse 14000. Archers all on horse-backe with a great number of foote The Duke of Brittaine hauing already consented to rebellion should receiue three thousand English and ioyne his army with them as appeared by letters written by the hand of Vrfé sometimes master of the Kings horse and then seruant to the Britton the one letter to the king of England the other to Hastings great Chamberlaine of the said realme the which the King did buy of a Secretary of England for three score markes of siluer In the meane time the King treats of a peace with the Duke of Bourgongne to preuent this storme Lewis seekes for a peace of the Duke of Bourgongne is refused or at the least to prolong the truce The Duke excuseth himselfe vpon his word giuen to the English who labours to drawe the Duke from Nuz exhorting him to accomplish the conuentions considering his great charge and that the season fit for warre was almost spent To this ende the Lord Scales Nephew to the Constable makes two iournies to Charles who pretends by friuolous reasons that his honour is much ingaged in this siege and that hee could not rise without great blame Lewis procures to Charles many enimies Lewis to crosse him being alwayes his crafts master in any action eyther of warre or peace procures him many and new enimies It was no matter of difficulty to draw in René the sonne of the daughter of René King of Sicile the heyre of Lorraine by reason of his grandmother after the death of Iohn Duke of Calabria and Lorraine his Vncle and of the Marquis Nicholas sonne to the said Iohn For the Duke being dead Charles of Bouâ—gongne desirous to vnite thiâ— Duchy to his country had caused him to be taken prisoner but he was deliuered in exchange for a young Germaine Prince who was taken studying at Paris and marching presently with his armye hee had easily deuoured that preie if the King following him had not forced him to passe on René Duke of Lorraine René therefore sends to defie him before Nuz and fortified by some French troupes commanded by the Lord of Craon he enters the Duchy of Luxembourg spoyles the country and razeth Pierre-forte a place of the said Duchy and neere to Nancie Sigismond of Austria Sigismond Archduke of Austria had in the yeare 1469. ingaged his country of Ferrete to the Duke of Bourgongne with all the lands he enioyed on eyther side the Rhin for threescore and ten thousand Crownes Charles had placed Peter of Hagenbach there for Gouernour a wicked man a violent extortioner and insupportable both to the nobility people who complaine to Sigismond beseeching him to succour them against the outrage concussions of Hagenbach Sigismond had beene long in dislike with the Suisses his neighbours but by the Kings meanes they were all easily reconciled So they conclude a league in the which the imperiall Citties ioyne Strausbourg Basill Colmar and Slestad and contribute to furnish the summe due by Sigismond to Charles And many Imperiall citties the which they consigne into the hands of a banker at Basill then the inhabitants of these ingaged lands signifie vnto the Duke of Bourgongne that they hold themselues freed of the oath they had made vnto him And holding themselues freed from the Bourguignons obedience they reiect his Lieutenant generals coÌ„mands To suppresse them he assembles a great troupe of Picardes Flemings Hennuiers and Lombards and on Chistmas day at night a good worke on a good day hee seekes to bring them secretly into Enshem The Cittizens beate them back kill and take many the rest flie to Brizac with Hagenbac The Brizançons arme and are the stronger they â—â—ize on the gouernor expell the soldiars and then do they speedily informe of his mildemeanors giuing intelligence to all their allies and demand Iudges to iudge of the processe They depute some from Alsatia Strasbourg Basill Songoye of the blacke forest Fribourg Berne Soleure and other places who condemne Hagenbach to dâ—e vpon foure principall crimes The Duke of Bâ—â—â—gongâ—â—â— Lieutenant executed by the Suisses for that he had caused foure men of honour to bee beheaded at â—han without any forme of Lawe to haue made and displaced officers at his pleasure contrarie to his oath to haue brought in forraine nations into places with all liberty and for that he had rauished women forced virgins and committed incest with Nunnes The Duke of Bourgongne aduertised of the death of Hagenbach resolues to be reuenged of such as had beene actors And herevpon Henry Earle of Vittemberg and Montbeliard is taken by the Dukes men Those of Basill aduertised hereof send a number of men with artillery to Montbeliard to stop the Bourguignons passage who suÌ„mons the Castell the which refusing to yeeld he sends six thousand horse vnder the commande of Stephen Hagenbach to reuenge his brothers death Open warre betwixt the Dukeof Bourgongne and the Suisses and to make war vpon the Bishop of Basill who whilest that Sigismond assembles his coÌ„federats spoiles about thirty villages killes takes carries away and ransomes men women children and cattle Behold a strong party made against Charles of Bourgongne by the Kings policy whereby the Suisses entring into Bourgongne take Blasmont beseege Hericourt defeate the Bourguignons that come to succor it and kill two thousand which done they retyre The truce nowe expired as the King had vnderhand stirred vp the Duke of Lorraine Lewis his exploits the truce being expired the Germains and the Suisses against the Duke of Bourgongne sufficiently busied before Nuz he now by open force takes from him spoiles and burnes Tronquoy Montdidier Roye Montreul and Corbye and then sends the bastard of Bourbon Admirall of France Generall of this army before Arras and there abouts who spoiles and consumes with fire most of the places lying betwixt Abbeuille and Arras The Inhabitants of Arras force their men of warre to go to field vnder the commande of the Earle of Rhomont the Queenes brother But the Admirall hauing layed a strong ambush sends forth about
would haue dangerously shaken the estate of this realme So the English and Bourgiugnon part from Calais passe by Boullen and drawe towards Peronne where thinking to lodge they were disapointed which gaue some dislike vnto the English Being at Peronne the constable sends Lewis of Creuille to the Duke of Bourgongne excusing himselfe for not deliuering vp of Saint Quintin whereby said he he should haue lost all his credit and intelligence in France and hereafter be altogether vnprofiâ—able for him The Constables â—â—iuolous excuse But he was now wholy at his deuotion seing the King of England witâ—iâ— the realme Moreouer he promiseth the saide Duke To serue and succour him and 〈◊〉 friends and allies as well the King of England as others and against al men without any exception and intreats him that that writing of his owne hand may serue as a gage of credit with the sayd King The Duke giues his letter vnto Edward assuring him moreouer that the Constable should not only giue him entrance into Saint Quintin He deceaues both King Edward and Duke Charles but into all his other places Both the King and Duke beleeued it The King for that he had married the Constables Neece the Duke for that the Constable was in so great feare and distrust of our Lewis as it seemed he should not dare to faile of his promises They part from Peronne and approching neere Saint Quintin they send some English troupes before to enter the Towne as to the taking of a certain possession But the Negro saieth the prouerbe changeth not his hewe The signall they giue them of their approach neere vnto them are skirmishes and Canon shot Two or three English are slaine and some taken and so they recouer their armie greatly discontented with this dâ—shonour The Bourguignon to colour this foule and treacherous part The Constable supported by Charles pretends the Constables meaning to be verie good that he could not couer the yeelding thereof with any apparent pretext if at the simple sight of so small troupes he should be amazed that he would be forced therevnto and if all the whole armie marched he would make no refusall But these were â—ests he desired but to winne time and not to shew himselfe enemy for any man The next day Charles of Bourgongne takes his leaue of Edward promising to returne speedily with all his forces Edward and his men had small practise in the estate of our realme they are not those braue warriers which had so long gouerned our France they needed conduct direction to fashion them to our armes without the which they know themselues at their first ariuall to be vnprofitable Another 〈◊〉 in the Duke of Bourgongne but in a short time they are fashioned and become good souldiers In the meane time they are abandoned and the season of doing any thing almost past they must therefore resolue And thus the King discouers that Edward would agree The English had taken the seruant of Iames Grasse a Gentleman of he Kings house but for that he was their first prisoner Edward giues him liberty At his departure Howard and Stanley both in credit with Edward said vnto him Recommend vs to the King your maister if you may speake vnto him Garter the Herald had named these two to obtaine a pasport for the Ambassadors that Lewis should send to treate This message bred some iealousie in the Kings head who then was at Compiegne for Gilbert the brother of Iames Grasse followed the Duke of Brittanie A notable circumstance and was in great credit but being carefully examined they finde he deserued credit Lewis remembers the direction the Herald had giuen him and sodenly takes this resolution with himselfe To send a seruant the sonne of Meridol of Rochel belonging to the Lord of Halles or Scalles in qualitie of a Herald A counterfeit Herald This seruant had his countenance and personage very vnpleasing yet a good wit and a sweet speech But why did Lewis make choise of a seruant whom he had neuer seene but once But well chosen and why amongst so many thousands more capable of that charge he might disauow him if need required as intruding himselfe or at the least aduenturing without his priuitie and at all hazards the losse of a seruant was not great This Herald fashioned after the Kings minde hath his charge deliuered him and is attired with a coate of Armes made likewise in hast of a Trumpets Banner enamelled like a pettie Herald that belonged to the Admirall and then he goes to horseback without any mans priuitie except Villiers Maister of the horse and the Lord of Argenton Being arriued at the English armie he is brought before the King to whom he deliuers his charge That the King his maister had long desired to haue good amitie with him to the end that both their realmes might hereafter liue in peace That since his comming to the crowne he had neuer made warre nor attempted any thing against the Crowne of England If he had receiued the Earle of Warwicke it was onely to crosse the Duke of Bourgongne That the Duke of Bourgongne should not haue procured his pâ—ssâ—ge into France but to make his peace with more aduantage with the King If any others were actors meaning the Constable it was but to serue their owne turnes in â—â—â—ssing him and to worke their priuate profits not regarding the affaires of England 〈◊〉 now Winter grew on that his Armie was not raised without exceeding charge 〈…〉 â—ecretly to offer a recompence of all or part The policie of Lewis which was a great perswader 〈…〉 Thaâ— such as nourished this warre betwixt them were some Noblemen and Marchants who made their profit of the peoples losse That if the King of Engâ—â—â—â— youâ—d giue eare to a treatie the King his Maister would imbrace it with so great aâ—â—ection as both himselfe and his realme should remaine well satisfied And for 〈◊〉 if it pleased him to graunt a safe conduct for a hundred horse the King would leâ—â—â— Ambassadors vnto him well informed of his pleasure vnlesse he desired a mutuall enterview in some place mid-way betwixt both Armies then the King should graunt a safe conduct for his part These speeches please and this counterfeit Herald returnes with a safe conduct as he desired accompanied with an other Herald to carrie one from the King with the same tenor Ambassadors sent froÌ„ both the Kings The next day the Ambassadors of either side meete in a village neere to Amiens For the King came the Bastard of Bourbon Admirall the Lord of S. Pierre and Heberge Bishop of Eureux For Edward came Howard Sellenger and Doctor Morton afterwards Chancellor of England and Archbishop of Canterburie In truth it was much so to humble himselfe but the waightie burthen of affaires which oppressed our King forced him therevnto who with one stone gaue two stroakes for Lewis sent back his enemie to the great
confusion of the Duke of Bourgongne Let vs generally confesse that it is not now alone that God doth shew his singular grace and fauour to this Monarchie The Britton was watchfull and ioyntly with the Bourguignon they practised crosses of dangerous consequence The English from a generall demand of the Crowne of France restraine himselfe to the Duchie of Normandie oâ— Guienne But a franke demander requires a bold denier Lewis protests that hee would doo any thing to send the King of England out of this realme but to yeeld him the possession of any lands hee will rather put all to hazard Hee had a goodly and mighty army which they esteemed saith the Originall a hundred thousand fighting men and in shew might doo much the English being in bad termes with the Bourguignon But the quietest course is the best and both being willing to agree an accorde is soone made In the end the King graunts the English three-score and twelue thousand Crownes present paiment Paris lent the money vpon promises of restâ—tution by the feast of All Saints next following Articles of agreemeÌ„t with the English the marâ—iage of Charles with the eldest daughter of King Edward both being yet very young neither shall it take effect and for the estate of her house the Duchie of Guienne or fiftie thousand Crownes yearely payable in the Tower of London for nine yeares following at the end whereof hee and his wife quietly to enioy the reuenues of the sayd Duchie and the King should remaine discharged of the payment of 50000 Crownes to King Edward Moreouer the King promised sixteene thousand Crownes pension to some of Edwards fauorites who had much assisted in this reconciliation to Hastings two thousand to Howard to Iohn Chene Maister of the Horse to Sellenger Montgommeri and some others the remainder and besides there was great store of Siluer and Plate distributed among King Edwards seruants so euery Saint had his candle These conditions performed Edward should repasse the Sea and leaue Howard and the Maister of his Horse in hostage vntill he had recouered England yet not without an enterview of both Kings This peace should continue nine yeares comprehending the the Dukes of Bourgongne and Brittanie if they pleased The Bourguignon hearing these newes hastes his returne to the English followed onely with sixteene hundred Horse The Duke of 〈◊〉 come to king Edward At his â—irst arriuall hee discouers his inward passions by his outward countenance But hee came too late to preuent it Edward tells him that hee hath made a truce for nine yeares and exhorts him to enter according to the reseruation he had made He reprocheth King Eâ—waâ—d for making a truce Charles replies by fitts and after a reprochfull manner That Edwards Predecessors Kiâ—gs of England had performed many high exploits in France and with much sweare and toyle had woâ—ne great reputation He checketh him that hee did not procure the English to passe for any neede he had but onely to giue them occasion to recouer their ancient inheritance And to make it manifest that hee had no neede of their comming hee would not accept of any truce with the King vntill that Edward had beeâ—e three monethes in his owne Country And hauing thus sayd heereturnes towards Luxembourg from whence hee came A brauadoe of ill digestion to the English and his Counsell but plausible to all the friendes of confusion But what is become of our Constable is there no speech of him during this treatie The Constaâ—â—â— perplexed Nowe is hee more incombred with feare then euer Hee knowes well that he hath displeased the King the English and the Bourguignon all alike and still hee apprehends the conclusion at Bouuines In the meane time hee seekes to please all and setts a good face on it Edward had freely made offer to the French Ambassadors to name some Noblemen that were Traitors sayd hee to the King and his Crowne and to proue it by their hand-writings The King holds a Counsell vpon this matter some maintayne Edward discouers the constables disseins that this accusation is fraudulent and that the English would make his demandes the greater with the wracke of an others honour as hauing good intelligence in France But Lewis his iudgement was more sharpe hee knewe the Bourguignons courses he considered the season that the English had not any one place in their hands and that the Bourguignon had deceyued them Moreouer he knewe well that the Constable would not giue them any entry and least he should bee farther imbarked in the league the King entertayned him with many letters and kept him in good humour and the Constable likewise sent often to the King yet alwayes swimmyng betwixt two streames vnderstanding that the treaty betwixt the two Kings grewe to some perfection he seemed well satisfied and sends Lewis of Creuille a gentleman of his house and Iohn Richer his Secretary aduising the King that to auoyde this threatning forraine tempest hee should procure a truce to satisfie the English it were good to graunt them one or two smal Townes to winter in Hee supposed in doing this the English should be beholding to him and to rest fully satisfied for the affront at Saint Quentin Note alwaies that Lewis was a wonderfull instrument of diuision when he pleased Lewis subtill industry Contâ—y a prisoner at the defeate of Arras went and came vpon his faith to the Duke of Bourgongne to treat a peace Hee was by chance in Court at the comming of these two persons The King hides him in his Chamber behinde the hangings to heare and report to his master the speeches the Constable and his people held of him Creuille by the Kings commandement with a loud voice sayd that the Constable had sent theÌ„ to the Duke of Bourgongne with many instructioÌ„s to diuide him from the English and that they had found the sayd Duke so farre incensed as by their perswasions he was not onely readie to abandon them but to charge them in their retreat Creuille in speaking this did counterfet the gesture of a passionate Prince stamping and sweaâ—ing S. George the oath of Charles of Bourgongne saying that he called the King of England Blanâ—borgne and the sonne of an Archer whose name he carried words accompained with all the indignities that might bee spoken This mooued laughter in the King who taking pleasure at the repetition thereof and seeming somewhat deaffe made him to straine his voice in the report Contay no lesse amazed then the King was pleased would neuer haue beleeued it if he had not heard it And although it grieued the King much to dissemble the Constables counsell to giue some places to the English yet would hee not discouer his discontent to these deputies but answered them gratiously I wil send to my Brother the Queene the Constables wife were Sisters and let him vnderstand my minde hauing cunningly drawen a promise from his Secretary to reueale
day of their iourney they had certaine aduice by a messenger which the Lord of Craon sent to the King Abbeuille made the way to the rest The Admirall and Argenton had sent a man before to treat with the souldiers Townes in Picardie yeeld to the king who atteÌ„ding the coÌ„ming of these noble meÌ„ there came forth to the number of foure hundred Lances Being come forth the people open the gates to the Lord of Torâ—y they spare the King those crownes pensioÌ„s which the Admirall by vertue of his warrant had promised the Captaines This was one of the Townes which Charles the 7. had deliuered by the treatie of Arras the which should for want of heires males returne to the Crowne Dourlans followes They summon Arras the King pretending this Towne to be his by confiscation for not performance of duties and in case of refusall they threaten force The Lords of the Rauastein and Cordes make answere to Maister Iohn of Vacquerie afterwardes chief President of the Parlement at Paris that the CouÌ„tie of Arthois appertayned to Mary of Bourgongne and came to her directly from Marguerite Countesse of Flanders Arthois Bourgongne Neuers and Rhetel married to Phillippe the first Duke of Bourgongne son to King Iohn yoÌ„ger brother to King Charles the 5. Beseeching him to mainteine the truce made with Duke Charles deceased So they returne without doing any thing but onely wonne some men that soone after serued the King well who resoluing to reduce such places by force as should disobey his commaund goes into Picardie In this voyage he causeth his Court of Parlement at Paris to come to Noyon with the masters of requests and some Princes of the bloud to resolue vppon the processe of Iames of Armagnae Duke of Nemours and Earle of Marche prisoner in the Bastille at Paris and taken in the yeare 75. at Caâ—lâ—t by Peter of Bourbon Earle of Beauieu at what time the Dukes wife died partly for griefe and partly by childbirth She was daughter to Charles of Aniou Eaâ—le of Maine By which Court being found guiltie of high Treason he was condemned by a sentence pronouÌ„ced by master Iohn Boulenger the chief president to loose his head vpon a scaffold at the Hales at Paris on munday the 3. of August The Duke of Nemours beheaded and was by the like grace buried at the gray friars as the Constable had been He was one of the chiefe of the warre for the common weale whome the King laboured to bring to his end all hee could Lewis is exceeding glad to haue surmounted his most malicious aduersaries the Duke of Guienne his brother the Earle of Armagnae the Constable the Duke of Nemours All the house of Aniou was dead René King of Sicile Iohn and Nicholas Dukes of Calabria and their Cousin the Earle of Maine afterwards Earle of Prouence whose successions he had gotten But the more the house of Bourgongne exceeded all the rest in greatnes and power hauing with the helpe of the English continually shaken the estate of this realme for the space of thirty two yeares vnder Charles the 7. and their subiects being alwaies readie to trouble this Crowne by warres so much the more pleasing was the death of their last Duke vnto him knowing well that being now freed of his greatest incomber he should hereafter finde greater ease Yeâ— he erred in his proceedings not taking so good a course as he had forecast in the life of Charles of Bourgongne Lewis his error after the death of Charles in case he should die for allying him selfe by the marriage of the Daulphin his sonne with the heire of Bourgongne or at the least with some of his Princes for that there was a difference of age betwixt them hee had easily drawen vnto him the subiects of these large and rich Seigniories and had preserued them from many troubles the which haue afflicted both them and vs by the same meanes and freeing them from war he had greatly fortyfied his realme recouering with small toyle that which he pretended to be his The which he might easily effect for the Bourguignons were very humble without support without forces notable to make aboue fifteene hundred horse foote which were preserued at this generall ouerthrow But these are humane discourses wherein he had done better then thus resolutly to haue sought the ouerthrow of that house and by the ruine thereof to purchase to himselfe friends in Germanie or elsewhere as he pretended but without effect Presently vppon his arriuall Han and Bohain yeelded Saint Quentin takes it selâ—e and calls in the Lord of Mouy Maister William Bische borne at Mâ—lins in Niuernois a man of base qualitie but inriched and raysed to great authoritie by Duke Charles Gouernor of Peronne yeelds the place and the Lord of Cordes inclines to the french party They fayled of their enterprise at Gand but yt succeded at Tournay The King had sent Maister Oliuer le Dain his SurgioÌ„ borne in a village neere vnto Gand not onely to carry letters of credit to Marie of Bourgongne who then was in the possessioÌ„ of the Gantois that suffered no man to speake vnto her but in the presence of witnesses perswading her to yeeld vnto the kings protection seeing that both by father mother she was issued from the bloud of France being well assured that hee should hardly obtaine her whilest that hee prouided her a husband fitt for her qualitie as also to worke some alteration in the Cittie discontented with the Priuileges which Philip Charles had taken from them the rigorous exactions they had made Oliuer hauing staied some daies at Gand is called to the Town-house to deliuer his charge The Surgions 〈◊〉 He deliuers his letter to the Infanta assisted by the Duke of Cleues the Bishop of Liege and other great personages She reads it and they call him to deliuer his message He answeres that hee hath no charge but to speake to her in priuate They reply It was not the custome especially to a young gentlewoman that was to marrie He insists that he will deliuer no thing but to her selfe They threaten him with force Hee is amazed and going from the Counsell considering the qualitie of the person they doe him some disgraces and if hee had not speedily escaped hee had been in danger to haue had the riuer for his graue Doublesse it is a great hazard when matters of importance are managed by men of meane estate and the people thinke themselues contemned if they bee treated withall by men of base qualitie This barber knewe something for to preuent this inconuenience he termed himselfe Earle of Meulan others write of Melun whereof he was Captaine But Lewis reposed great trust in two men of the same sort Being gone from Gand hee retyâ—es to Tournay the which lies vpon the frontiers of Hainault and Flanders a strong and a goodly Towne but free and at that time a neuter seated fitly to
Arras Boulongne Hedin and so many other Townes and to be lodged many dayes before S. Omer In truth our Lewis had a quick conceit and very watchfull He knew well that the English in generall were wonderfully inclined to warre against this realme as well vnder colour of their ancient pretensions as for the hope of gaine inticed by many high deeds of armes wherein they haue often had the aduantage and of that long possession both in Normandie and Guienne where they had commanded three hundred and fiftie yeares vntill that Charles the 7. dispossessed them That this baite might well perswade them to crosse his desseignes These two mighty Princes neighbours cannot see without iealousie the one to growe great by new conquests and the other to be at quiet He therefore entertaines Edward with sundrie Ambassages The politike liberalitie of Lewis presents and goodly speeches causeth the pension of fiftie thousand Crownes to be duely payed at London and some sixteene thousand distributed among such as were in credit about him so as the profit they drew from the iudicious bountie of Lewis tyed their tongues and blinded their eyes Money was muck to him in regard of a man of seruice and he was pleased to vaunt that the great Chamberlaine whereof there is but one in England the Chancellor Admirall Maister of the horse and other great Officers of England were his Pensiooners So he gaue vnto Howard foure and twenty thousand Crownes in money and plate besides his pension in lesse then two yeares and to Hastings great Chamberlaine a thousand markes of siluer in plate at one time as appeares by their quittances in the chamber of accoumpts at Paris Lewis had great need to vse this policie and bountie for this yong Princesse did infinitly presse Edward who for her cause did often send to the King to demand a peace or at the least a truce and in the Court of England there wanted not some to incense Edward that seeing the terme was expired by the which Lewis should send for the Infanta of England whom they called Madame the Daulphine hee would deceiue him Yet no respect neither priuate nor publick could moue Edward he was pursie louing his delight vnable to suffer paine glorious of nine famous victories The disposition of Edward King of England and fraught with home-bred enemies and aboue all the loue of fiftie thousand Crownes so well paide in his Tower of London kept him at home Moreouer the Ambassadors that came from him returned laden with rich presents and alwayes with irresolute answers to winne time promising speedily to resolue the points of their demands to their maisters satisfactions But let vs obserue another ingenious policie Lewis neuer sent one Ambassador twise vnto Edward to the end that if the former had happily treated of any thing that tooke not effect the latter knew not what to answer and so ignorance serued him for an excuse with delay of time Moreouer he instructed his Ambassadors so well as the assurance of the marriage they gaue to the King and Queene of England the accomplishment whereof they both greatly desired made them take hope for paiment Lewis feeds Edward with dilatorie hopes Yet the King had neuer any such meaning there was too great an inequalitie of age and thus getting a moneth or two by mutuall Ambassages he kept his enemy from doing him any harme who without the baite of this marriage would neuer haue suffred the house of Bourgongne to be so oppressed An other reason disswaded Edward from imbracing of Maries quarrell The reason why Edward neglects Maâ—â— of Bourgongne She had refused to marry with the Lord Riuers brother to the Queene of England The which match was not equall hee being but a poore Baron and she the greatest heire of her time And the better to keepe Edward quiet the King inuited him to ioyne with him and consented that he should haue for his part the Prouinces of Flanders and Brabant offring him to conquer for him at his owne charge foure of the greatest Townes in Brabant to entertaine him ten thousand English men for foure moneths and to furnish him with Artillerie and carriages so as Edward would come in person and seize vpon Flanders whilest that hee imployed his forces else-where But Edward found that Flanders and Brabant were hard to conquer and painefull to keepe and also the English by reason of the commoditie of their trafficke had no will to this warre Yet said hee since it pleaseth you to make mee partaker of your victories giue mee of those places you haue conquered in Picardie Boulongne and some others then will I declare my selfe for you and assist you with men at your charge A wise and discreet demand but those places were no lesse conuenient for Lewis who was loth to beat the bush for an other to get the birds It appeares that Edward did wonderfully affect the alliance of France Edward greatly affects the alliance with France and feared to â—iue the King any occasion to infâ—inge it so as some say hee caused his brother the Duke of Clarence to be put in prison vpon colour that hee would passe the seas to succour the Dowager of Bourgongne for the which crime he was condemned to haue his head cut off and his body to be quarteâ—ed a punishment inflicted vpon traitors in England But at the entreaty of their mother Looke the Chronicles of England Edward did moderate this sentence and gaue him the choise of what death he would wherevpon he was drowned in a Pipe of Malmesey But this Duke was sonne in lawe to the Earle of Warwicke whome Edward had slaine in battaile as wee haue sayde and it seemes the greatest crime they could obiect against him was the priuate hatred which vsurpers commonly beare to those whome they doubt might but erosse their tyranicall vsurpations And as wee haue recreated our selues beyond the Seas let vs now passe the Alpes and see what is done there suffering our warriours to enioy a truce vntill the next yeare There were at that time two mighty families at Florence the one of Medâ—â—â—s the other of â—acis These were supported by Pope Sixtus the fourth Troubleâ— as Florence and by Ferâ—inand King of Naples to ouerthrowe the absolute gouernement of the Citties they attempt to murther Laurence de Medicis and all his followers and gaue for watch-word to the murtherers when as the Priest celebrating the high Masse should say Sanctus in the Church of S. Raparee where they should assist at a certaine day A treacherous attempt against the house of Medicis Laurence escaped but being maymed of many of his members he saued himselfe in the vestry Iulian his brother was slaine and some of their followers Then runne they to the Pallace to murther all those which had the gouernement of the Citty but being mounted they see that some of their men had abandoned them so as they were not aboue foure or
this pattent to the Chancellor Francis Chrestien to be sealed brings a coÌ„mandement from the Duke to that effect the which the Chancellor refused to do Behold Landais hath purchased two enemies for one both haue sworne his ruine but they must countenance it with justice They depute the Lord of Pont Chasteau to summon the Chancellor to do iustice vpon Landays to appoint Iudges for his triall and to force him to appeare They make informations against him wherevpoÌ„ they decree to appreheÌ„nd him It is bruted throughout the toâ—ne that Landays by sentence should be committed prisoner The people runne by heaps they fill the Castle yard will not depart vntill Landays bee deliuered He â—aues â—imselfe in the Dukes chaÌ„ber The Nobilitie doth force the ChaÌ„cellor to repaire to the Castle and to demand this man The Duke being constrayned deliuers him but vpon condition that he shâ—uld not be vsed coÌ„trarie to Iustice The Duke forced to deliuer Landays Lâ—ndays hanged commands vpon paine of death that he suffers no outrage be done vnto him vnder colour of Iustice. The Nobilitie being aduertised of his taking posts to Nantes and offer themselues vnto the Duke like humble subiects suing for his fauour Landays pâ—ocesse being made with that of Iohn of Vitry one of his seruants by certaine Commâ—ssioners they were hanged This done the people were pacified and the Nobilitie by the intercession of the Earle of Comminges returned into fauour The Earle of Dunoys causeth â—ew combustionâ— obteyned letters of pardon Then returnes the Earle of Dunois to his Towne of Parthenay in Poictou but without the Kings permission The King that is to say the twelue vnder his authoritie suspect his returne and fearing least the Duke of Orleans had sent for him or that he practised some newe worke sends for the Duke Hee sends backe the messenger with promise to followe vpon a second charge by the Maâ—shal of Gie doubting the humour of the Countesse of Beauieu and moreouer mad at his ill vsage keeping 〈◊〉 as it were confined within Orleans without libertie to go forth in safety he parts from Orleans vnder colour to go a hauking he takes the way to Fronteuaux and from thence to Nantes A league made by the Orleannois whether the Earle of Dunois went to meete him This departure was presently knowen and Parthenay was sodenly beseeged taken and razed with many other places in Guienne belonged to the Earle of Cominges and others that were in Brittain These men slept not A league is presently made vnder the Dukes of Brittain and Orleans whereinto there enters the Prince of Orange Francis of Laual Ladie of Dinan and Chasteaubriant Iohn Lord of Rieux Earle of Aumale Marshall of Brittain the Earles of Angoulesme and of Dunois The Duke of Lorrain who fiâ—des no great satisfaction of promises is easily drawen into it Maximilian King of the Romains gaues his consent Charles opposeth Lewis of Bourâ—on Earle of Roche-sur-Yon great grand father to the Duke Montpensier that nowe liueth and makes him his Lieutenant general in this war with Lewis of Bourbon the yongest brother of the Earle of Vendosme he giues them for assistant maister Lewis of Tremouille Viconte of Thouars who had married Gabrielle of Bourbon sister to the sayd Conte Lewis Francis Duke of Brittain had no great reason to be a Sanctuary for these mutines by receiuing them to drawe all the forces of France vpon his decaied age attending nothing but his graue But supposing to protect himselfe from the Kings surprises he must ruine his Country his Nobility and his subiects But then falles out an other accident The Lords lately reconciled grewe in iealousie that the French were come to reuenge the wrong done vnto their Duke or else with their ruine and the Dâ—kes to make their peace in France They desired to send them home for two respects the one to content the King and his Sister the other for that they should not growe in any such credit with the Duke as in the end he might imploy them against themselues wishing in a manner for Lanâ—ays to oppose him against them Moreouer they feared Iames Guibé a Captaine of the Dukes men at armes and in good credit Nephew to Landais and his seruant The King seekes to diuide the Brittons from theâ—r Duke least hee should seeke some reuenge for his Vncle death If it should be so how could they subsist The King discouers this secret iealousie and findes a good expedient to thrust them on to their owne mutuall ruines To this end he sends Andrew of Espinay Cardinall of Bourdeaux and the Lord of Pouchage with instructions to Rieux Marshall of Brittain and commission to offer them men and meanes to expell the French out of Brittain The best aduised discouer the Kings intent that acceptiâ—g of this offer they make the way open for the King to enter into Brittain A secret treatie of the Nobility of Brittain with King 〈◊〉 But in the end they agree That hee should not send into Brittain for this succour aboue foure hundâ—ed lances and foure thousand foote and that at the Barons request That the King should pretend nothing to the Duchâ—e whilest the Duke liued That he should nor beseege nor take any towne Castell or fort within the Country and that his soldiars should take nothing without paying That when as the Duâ—e of Orleans The Conditions the Earle of Dunois and others should retire out of Brittain the King should â—ee bound to withdrawe his forces And for the Brittons That the Noblemen of Brittaine should arme with him and accompanie his armie to expell the French The confirmation of these Articleâ— is seconded with foure hundred Lances and fiue or six thousand men led by the Lord of Saint André The French enter Brittain who enters Brittaine on the one side the Earle of Roche-â—ur-Yon on an other and the Vicont of Tours on the third All the Country is sodenly filled with Frenchmen at armes and the Orleanois are amazed being vnfurnished both of force and counsell to resist The Earle of Dunois beeing of more iudgement then the rest considers that the company of a hundred Lâ—nces belonging to Alain of Albret was a part of those foure hundred commanded by Saint André that it was conuenient to winne him and with this desseine to put him in hope of the marriage of Anne of Brittaine An inuention according the necessity of the time but this was not the Earles intent who labored to winne her for the Duke of Orleans neyther the Prince of Orange 1487. who vnder hope oâ— this alliance had drawne the Arche-Duke Maximilian into this league whereby he should enter into Bourgongne with a mighty army led by the Duke of Lorraine whilest that he himselfe should annoy the King in Flanders and Picardie But great shewes and smal fruits He was so poore and needy as the King might easily disappoint all his pracâ—â—â—es and
of Naples â— and did he not apprehend him who had publikely protested That he would neuer suffer the oppression of his cousin for Charles and Iohn Galeas were sisters chiâ—dren Doubtlesse now the time was come when as that should bee verified which Laurence of Medicis spake a little before his death vnderstanding of the vnion of Bâ—ittanie to the Crowne That if the King of France knew his owne forces Italie sâ—ould suffer much and the pubâ—ike predictions of Friar Ierosme Sauonarola whereof wee will speake heâ—eafter The King now takes his way to Lions to assemble his forces and diuides them into twâ— armies at land and at sea 1494. In that at land were about sixteene hundred men at â—rmes two archers to a Lance sixe thousand Archers on soote The voyage to Napâ—â—s six thousand cross-bowmen sixe thousand pikes eight thousand hargrebusiers carrying two hundred swords twelue hundred pieces of artillerie of iron and brasse sixe thousand two hundred pioners two hundred expert Canoniers six hundâ—ed maister Carpenters three hundred masons eleuen hundred men to cast bullets to make coale cordes cables The Kings army foure thoâ—sand carters and eight thousand horse of the artillerie The armie at sea consisted of eighteene gallies six galeons and nine great shippes The chiefe commanders that did accompany the King were Lewis Duke of Oâ—leans Lieutenant generall for his Maiestie by sea the Earle of Angoulesme the Earle of Montpensier the Pâ—ince of Orange the Duke of Nemours Iohn of Foâ—x Vicount of Narbonne the Earles of Neuers Ligni Boulongne Bresse the Lord of Albret Lewis of Tremouille Vicount of Thoâ—aâ—s the Marshals of Gié Rieux and Baudricoâ—rt the Lords of Crusol Tournon Piâ—nâ—s Silli Guise Chandenier Mauleon Prie Montaison d' Alegre Bonneual Genouillac Frainâ—â—eles Chaumont Chastillon Palice Vergi d' Hospital Beaumont Myolans Mattheu bastard of Bourbon the bastard of Bourgongne with a great number of Noblemen voluntarie gentlemen The Lord of Cordes so famous in our historie for his singular valour wisdome and loyaltie died at Bresse three leagues fâ—om Lions The Lord of Vrfé master of the Kings horse prepared all things necessarie for the fleete at Genes Some infection transported the King from Lions to Vienne from whence the Duke of Orleans parted for Genes and there the voyage was fully concluded for vntill that time the disswasion of the best aduised and the defect of the cheefe sinewes of warre had held them in suspence for that a hundred thousand Frankes borrowed vpon great iâ—terest in the banke of Soly at Genes could not long maintaine the ordinary charge of his house Yet fifty thousand Ducats lent him by Lodowike Sforze and the liuely impression of the Cardinall S. Pierre the fatall instrument of the miseries of Italie did somewhat reuiue the fainting courage of Charles What shame saith he what infamie to giue ouer so honorable a resolution an enterpâ—ise published throughout all the world the Popes amazement the terror of Peter of Medicis the ruine of the Arragonois who can stay the violent descent of this armie euen vnto the marches of Naples Doth he doubt the want of money At the fearefull thunder of his artillerie yea at the least brutâ— of his armes the Italians will bring vnto him and the rebels spoiles shall feed his armie what shadow then what dreame what vaine feare doth cause this inconstant change where is that magnanimitie where is that courage which did but euen now brag to ouer runne 〈…〉 forces of Italy vnited together In the end the King maâ—cheth the 23. 〈◊〉 Augâ—st â—eauing Petâ—r Dâ—ke of Bourbon his brother in law foâ— Regent who conducted the Queene fâ—om Greâ—oble â—â—to France Dâ—â—bâ—lesse we must obâ—erue a singular and fauourable prouidence of God 〈◊〉 vnâ—eâ—takes this 〈…〉 money in the câ—â—dâ—ct of this voiage vndertakeâ— vpon borroâ—ed money but where God workes all â—â—inâ—â— are eâ—sie For a thâ—â—d prâ—ofe of his need being at Turin the King borrowed the 〈◊〉 of the Dâ—chesse of Sauoy daughter to William Maâ—quisse of Montferrat wiâ—â—w to Charles Duke of Sauoy pawned them for 1200. Ducats for a fourth being at Cassal he pawned the iewels of the Marquisse widow to the Marquis of Montferrant for the like summe women woâ—thy doubtlesse of our historie hauing loued our France with a singular affection At Asâ— the King was toucht with the small pocks a Feuer which did hazard his liâ—e but within sixe or seuen dayes hee was recouered Thether came Lodâ—wike Sforze and Beaâ—rix his wife daughter to the Duke of Ferrare to â—aâ—â—te and withall came very â—auâ—urable newes Ferdinand was lately deceased Alphonso his Sonne had two Armies iâ— field one in 〈◊〉 towards Ferrare the which Ferdinand his Sonne Duke of Calabria â—â—â—manded accompanied by Virgil Vrsin the Earle of Petilliano and Iohn Iaâ—ues of Triuulce who afterwards serued the King This Armie had to incounter them the Earle of Caiazzo and the Lord of Aubigni a Scottishman who stopt their passage The other at Sea led by Don Frederick brother to Alphonso accompanied by Obietto of Fiesque a Geneuois and others by meanes whereof they were in hope to drawe the citty of Genes into their faction But the Bayliffe of Dijon entring with two thousand Suisses assâ—red it for the King Obietto with three thousand men had taken Rapale twenty miles from Genes The two S. Seuerins brethren and Iohn Adorne brother to Augustin Gouernor of Genes ioyned with the Duke of Orleans and a thousand Suisses charged them The first ouerthrow of the Arragonois ouerthrew them and slue a hundred or six score It was much in that age for then their warâ—es were not bloudy tooke some prisoners and all that escaped were stript by the Duke of Milans people so as Fredericke could neuer gather them againe together A disgrace which did much distast the Florentines being alwaies more inclined to the house of France then to that of Arragon incouraged the king to proceed â—nimated therunto by the perswasions of Lodowick My Lord â—aith he doubt not of this enterprise Lodâ—wiks perswasions to Charles there are three great parties in Italy you hold the one that is Milan the other stirs not those be the Venetians you haue no businesse but at Naples hauing conquered that realme if you wil giue me credit I will assist you to become greater then euer was Charlemagne and we will expell the Turke out of Constantinople He spake well if Christian Prince had bin well vnited Finally Charles makes his entry into Pauia in quality of a king vnder a Canopy the streets hanâ—ed the People crying God saue the King Then grew there some iealousie they wold haue the King rest satisfied with the towne for his lodging but in the end the castle was opened vnto him where he did visit Iohn Galeas his cousin being sicke at the point of death not without great compassion of such as thought the course of his life would be soone
in France In the meane time the soldiars sacke Ferdinands lodging and his stable the men at armes disperse themselues theresome here some Virgilius the Earle of Petellano craue a safe-conduit from the King and retire with their companies to Nole Ferdinand thinking by this iourny to haue assured the Neapolitaines returnes at the time perfixt when as the Capuans aduise him not to set forward seeing they were other wise resolued Auerse a Towne betwixt Capua and Naples sends their keyes to the King Auerse yeelds and the Neapolitains determyned to followe them Ferdinand retyred into the Castel knowing that fiue hundred Lansquents ment to take him prisoner he giues theÌ„ the mouables of the said Castell and as they were busie to diuide it he slips from them setts the yong Prince of Rosane at liberty whome by loue or force he carried with him and the Earle of Popoli Ferdinand King of Naples flies he causeth the ships that remained in the port to be burnt and sunke and saues himselfe with the Queene Don Frederick his vncle his daughter Ioane and some few seruants in the I le of Ischie and whilest he was within sight of Naples he often repeated this goodly Oracle If the Lord keepe not the Citty the watchmen watch but in vaine Thus all wauer at the Conquerors fame and with such cowardise as two hundred horse vnder the command of the Earle of Ligny going to Nole tooke both Nole Virgilius Nole taken and the Earle of Pettilano without resistance being retired thether with foure hundred men at armes attending the safe conduit they had obteyned from the King being amazed like to the rest of their army and from thence they were led captiues to the fort of Montdragon Naples yeelds and all their men stript In the meane time the Neapolitans Ambassadors come with their keyes desiring a confirmation of their ancient exemptions and priuileges The King enters the 21. of February and is receiued with such excedâ—ng â—oâ— both of great and small of all ages all sexes and all qualities as euery one runs as to their deerest redeemer from a hatefull insupportable tiranie Thus Charles without planting of tent or breaking oflaunce in foure moneths and a halfe with an admirable happines The whole Kingdome of Naples conquered by Charles came sawe ouercame They saie commonly that the poyson lies in the taile and that the hardest part to flea of an eele is the caile The perfection of the victorie consisted in the taking of the Castels of Naples The Tower of Saint Vincent built for the defence of the port was easily taken The new Castell the lodging of their Kings seated vpon the sea strong by nature by art plentifully furnished with victuals and munition and manned with fiâ—e hundred Lansâ—â—enets but abandoned by the Marquis of Pescare to whome Ferdinand had left it in gard who seeing the garrison bent to yeeld the place had followed Ferdinand was after some small defence yeelded vpon condition to depart in safetie to carry what they could away And see heere the first and greatest error which the King committed in this exploit himselfe wanting experience but his minions and fauorits no couetousnesse Hee gaue all these victuals and other moueables to the first that begged them who furnished themselues with the munition He committs a great error whereon the preseruation of the Towne and place depended The Castle de l'Oeuf built vpon a rocke hanging ouer the sea being battered with the Canon the which might onely indamage the wall but not the rock it selfe compounded if they were not releeued within a certaine time and after foure and twenty dayes siege it was deliuered into the Kings hands The King made his entrie into Naples the 12. of May in an Imperiall habit and was receiued as King of France and of both Siciles whereof the realme of Naples makes a part Emperour of Constantinople Charles makes a royall entry into Naâ—â—es But herein he made no iust accoumpt with him that gi es and takes away Kingdomes The Barons and commonalties sent away their Captaines and troupes dispersed into diuers parts of the realme Those which depended most of the house of Arragon do first turne taile The Caraâ—ses who enioyed forty thousand Ducats of inheritance The Dukes of Mâ—lfe Grauina and Sora. The Earles of Montorio Fundi Tripalda Celano Monteleon Merillano and Popoli come to doetheir homage and generally all the Noblemen of the Realme except Alphonso Auolo Marquis of Pescare the Earle of Acre and the Marquis of Squillazzo whose liuings the King gaue away An other rigour which shall be a great cause of the following reuolts Calabria yeelds willingly to the Lord of Aubigny sent thether with a small troupe except the Castell of Rhegium but they wanted meanes to â—orce it the Towne held for the King Abruzzo yeelds of it selfe Apulia erects the Standard of France except Turpia and Mantia who notwithstanding had planted the Flower-de-Liz yet refusing any other command then of the King himselfe who had giuen them to the Lord Persi d' Alegre and they returne to their first maister The Castles of Brundusium and Gallipoli were neglected with too gâ—eat confidence but they shal serue shortly as a leuaine to stirre vp a masse of rebellion The rocke of Caiette well fuâ—â—ished with all things necessary yeeldes at dâ—scretion after some light assaults Tarentum Otrante Monopoli Trani Manfredonne Barle and in a manner all other strong places yeeld at the first brute But some holding themselues wronged for that they had in a manner disdayned to heare their deputies others for that they had sent no man to receiue them will soone returne to their first demand The I le of Ischia remained yet and Ferdinand vpon the first intelligence of the yeelding of the Castles of Naples had abandoned it to Ianick d' Auolo brother to the Marquis of Pescara both most faithfull to their Prince and was retyred into Sicile The King sends thether his armie at sea the which was cast by a tempest vpon the 〈◊〉 of Corse yet in the ende they anchored vpon the realme but after the last acte of this expedition This armie holding it selfe too weake to force the foote of â—scâ—ia would not assaile it and therefore the King resolued to send into Prouence and Genes formore shippes and to assure the Sea the which Ferdinand scowred with foureteene galleys ill armed Bâ—t prosperitie doth oft times make vs become insolent and without considering the consequence wee easily let matters passe at aduenture Our French are now well lodged they dreame of nothing but feasting dancing and Turneys and the greatest about the King haue no other care but to make the victorie profitable to themselues without any regarde neither of the dignitie nor 〈…〉 of their Prince who not satisfied with the conquest of these goodly and riche estates determines to aduance his victorious forces Let vs leaue them gâ—â—tted
he continually returned towards Rome to ioyne with the armie that was marching to the conquest of Naples Nothing crossed the course thereof but the alarums which the Emperour had formerly caused But when one treats with a Prince that is flexible for money the accord is soone made The gold of France must now stay the iron of Germanie Philippe the Arch-Duke might doe much he was a Prince inclined to peace and it may be he died too soone for the good of France leauing an heire Lewiâ— confirmes a truce with the Emperour whose birth and al the course of his life hath beene most fatall to the Crowne and the traffict of his subiects made them loth to heare speake of warre with the French But that which did most import the King offred to giue Claude his onely daughter in marriage to Charles son to the said Arch-Duke and for a dowrie when they should be both of age to consuÌ„mate the marriage for neither the one nor the other was yet three yeares old to giue the Duchie of Milan So by the meanes of Philippe and for money Lewis obtained a prolongation of the truce in the which the King of Naples was not comprehended who nothwithstanding by the meanes of fortie thousand ducats and a bond of fifteene thousand more monethly pourchased a promise from Maximilian Not to make any accord but to comprehend him in it and to make warre in the Duchie of Milan when as need should require to diuert the Kings forces There yet remained one scruple Ferdinand King of Arragon and of Castille by Isabell his wife might stirre vp the Venetians and happely the Pope both prompt inough to oppose ioyntly against the greatnesse of this Crowne Hee was concurrent with our Lewis in the right of the succession of Naples for although Alphonso King of Arragon had dispoposed thereof to Ferdinand his bastard as his owne proper good gotten without the rights of the Crowne of Arragon Yet Iohn his brother successor to the Realme of Arragon and since Ferdinand sonne to Iohn had alwaies protested of their lawful pretentions to the estate of Naples as a good purchased by Alphonso with the forces and treasour of Arragon And this Ferdinand King of Arragon temporised like a Spaniard watching his opportunitie to attempt some great matter for his owne benefite â—â—e did not onely make demonstration of all the dueties of a good kinsman to Ferdinand King of Naples and his other successors but the better to lull him a sleepe hee allied himselfe to the sayd Neapolitain giuing him his sister Iane in marriage and consenting that Iane her daughter should marrie with young Ferdinand This concurrence of two Kings in like desire The Realme of Naples diuidâ—a betwixt the Kings of France and Arragon caused the one to free himselfe from letts and crosses and the other to get a part of that which hee could not compasse wholy and so then to share betwixt them the conquests of the sayd Realme vpâ—on condition That the King of France should haue the Cittie of Naples with all belonging to the land of Labour and the Prouince of Abrazzo Ferdinand should for his part haue all the lands and territories belonging to Apulia and likewise to Calabria agreeing that euery one should conquer his owne part without any bond to ayde one another but onely not to hurt one another and that they should doe homage vnto the Pope Lewis with the title no more of King of Sicile but King of Ierusalem and Naples imitating the example of Frederick the second Emperour of Rome and King of Naples by his wife the daughter of Iohn King of Ierusalem in name but without effect and of Naples and Ferdinand in qualitie of Duke of Apulia and Calabria The armie going to Naplâ—s The capitulation was no sooner concluded but the King prepared his armie vnder the command of Lewis of Armagnac Duke of Nemours sonne to Iames beheaded at Paris vnder Lewis the eleuenth and the Lord of Aubigni an ancient wise and well experienced Captaine In the which were Francis of Bourbon Earle of S. Paul brother to Charles Eaâ—le of Vendosme sonnes to Francis of Vendosme who dyed at Verceâ—l Lewis of Bourbon Prince of la Roche-sur-Yon great grand-father to the Duke of Montpensier now liuing Charles of Bourbon afterwards Duke of Bourbon and Constable of France Lewis of Bourbon Earle of Montpensier his brother Gaston of Foix Vicount of Narbonne the Kings Nephew sonne to Iohn Vicount of Narbonne but by reason of their yong yeares obeying the aboue named commanders The troupes were a thousand Lances foure men to a Launce sixe thousand French foote foure thousand Suisses and the Duke of Valentinois with his forces The armie at sea commanded by the Earle of Rauastein Gouernour of Genes consisted of three Caraques of Genuoa and â—â—xâ—â—ene ships with many other small vessels laden with many foote men so as they esteemed their footemen to be twentie thousand who by the Popes fauour and Borgias his sonnes Fredericks simplicittie passed through all Italy without any resistance Frederick King of Naples had not yet discouered the secret conuention of the two Kings who proceeding plainly did sollicit Gonsalue who lay at Anchor in Sicile vnder colour to succour him to come to Caiete and very simply put some places in Calabria into his hands as he demanded but this was but to make the conquest of Ferdinands portion the moâ—e easie So hoping that Gonsalue hauing ioyned with his armie he should haue sufficient forces to withstand the French he went and camped at S. Germaine with seuen hundred men at armes six hundred light horse and six thousand foote with the troupes which the Colonois brought vnto him hauing likewise sent his eldest sonne Ferdinand to Tarentum to commit the Prince of Basignan and the Earle of Melete to prison accused to haue intelligence with the Earle of Caiazzo who was in the French armie the which being come neere vnto Rome the Ambassadors of France and Spaine giue notice vnto the Pope of this diuision made betwixt their maisters with an intent afterwards say they to make warre against the enemies of Christian religioâ— and according to the tenour of thiâ— agreement they demand a leagar the which was presently granted Doubtlesse the more wee seeke to shadow and colour an iniustice with goodly shewes the greater it appeares Two Kings blamed for this diuision Behold the desseignes of two Kings discouered and layde open to all the world and both ioyntly blamed Ours for that he had rather drawe a corriuall into Italy to whom his enemies and ill willers might flie then to leaue the full possession vnto Fredericke offering as we haue sayd to hold the realme of him and to pay him a yeerely tribute The other for that desire to haue a part of the realme had made him to conspire against a King of his owne bloud whom the more easiâ—ie to ruine hee had alwayes entertained with lying promises of
on this side the Pyrenâ—e mountaines So as the English seeing that Ferdinand did vse them onely to satisfie his priuat couetousnesse tooke shipping and sayled into England To recouer this vsurped realme the King sent Francis Duke of Longneuille gouernour of â—uienne Charles Duke of Bourbon sonne to Gilbert late Viceroy of Naples Odet of Foix Vicontu of Lautrec Iohn of Chabannes Lord of Palisse Marshall of France Peter of â—errâ—â—l the Lords of Maugiron Lude Barbezicux Turene Escars Ventadour Pompadour and other valiant Captaines and Gascons which hee assembled from all parts But the army being diuided by the dissention of the Duke of Longueuille who as Gouernour of Guienne pretended the commande to belong vnto him and the Duke of â—ourbon vnwilling to yeeld vnto him by reason of his quality proued fruitlesse for the King of Nauarre Thus the realme of Nauarre was inuaded by the Spaniards who remayned master thereof The departure of the English and the enterprise of Nauarre being made frustrate 〈◊〉 affects the affaires of Milan with greater vehemencie whilest that the Castel and that of Cremona held good but the opposition of so many enemies bred many 〈◊〉 There were many hopes to drawe some one of these from this common alli 〈…〉 Bishop of Gurce had courteously giuen eare to a friend of the Cardinall of S. 〈…〉 whome the Queene of France had sent vnto him and held one of his people at 〈…〉 Court to make a motion that the King should bind him selfe to aide the 〈◊〉 against the Venetiâ—nâ— that Charles grand-child to Maximilian should 〈…〉 â—ingâ— yongest daughter to whome he should giue the Duchie of Milan 〈…〉 the King shoâ—ld yeeld vnto them the rights he pretended to the realme of Naples 1513. and that the said Duchy being recouered Cremona and Guiaradadde should be held by the Emperour Moreouer the Veneâ—â—ans were wonderfully grieued at the Popes new treaty with the Emperour which put the King in hope to draw the Venetians vnto him The Arragonois came betweene by a politike stratageme to assure his new Conquest of Nauarre he had sent two Fryers into France it is the Spaniards custome to manage affaires by the meanes of religious persons to make their negâ—tiations the more graue and to colour their policies with more subtilty to treat with the Queene touching a general peace or a priuate betwixt the two Kings The amity of the Suisses did import much But remembring that by their forces Charles the 8. had first troubled the peace of Italy Lewis his successor by meanes thereof had conquered the Estate of Milan recouered Genes and ouerthrew the Venetians that at this present the Pope and other Potentates of Italie payed them annuall pensions to bee receiued into their confederacie They grew obstinate in refusing the Kings alliance whâ—ch he sought by the Lords of Tremouille and Triuulce In the end the King being reiected by the Suisses seekes the Venetians who conclude to make a league with the King according to the capitulations made formerly betwixt them by the which Cremona Guiaradadde should remaine to theÌ„ Robertet Secrettary of the State Triuulâ—e and almost all the chiefe of the Councell approued this league But the perswasions of the Cardinall of S. Seuerin opposite to Triuulce and the Queenes authoriâ—y who desired much the greatnes of her daughter by the foresaid marriage so as sâ—e might remaine with her vntill the consummation thereof made the King and his Councell incline to the Emperours party But discouering that these were but practises of the Emperour to make the King proceed more coldly in his courses he soone gaue it ouer Whilest that armes ceased on all sides the Popes passions encreased He reuiued his desseines against Ferrare Sienne Luques Florence and Genes and as if it had beene in his power to beat all the world at one instant he thrust the King of England into warre in whose fauour he had dispatcht a Bull in the Councell of Lateran whereby the title of most Christian was giuen vnto him and the Realme of France againe abandoned to him that should conquer it But as he deuised of all these things and without doubt of many other more high secâ—â—â—s according to the capacity of his terrible spirit howe great so euer death ended the course of his present toyles the 21. day of February at night Pope Iulius dies A Prince doubtlesse of courage of admirable constancie and most worthy of glory if he had directed his intentions to aduance the Church by peace as hee sought to grow great in temporall things by policies in war Iohn Cardinall of Meâ—icâ—s succeeded â—im and was called Leo .10 The happy memory of his father his lawfull election free from bribes and Sâ—monye his faire conditions his liberality and mildnesse of spirit A new election gaue great hope of the quiet of Christendome Yet soone after his instalment he shewed plainely that he was rather successor of his predecessors hatred and couetous passions then of S. Peter According to the treaty of the aboue named Friers the Kings of France Arragon concluded a truce A truce betwixt â—rance and Arragon whereby our Lewis hauing more liberty to thinke of the warres of Milan resolued to send an army knowing well that the people of that estate oppressed with excessiue taxes leauied to pay the Suisses and with the lodging and payment made to the Spaniards desired earnestly to returne to his obedience And to make this enterprise the more easie the accord propounded before with the Venetians was againe renued so as the Venetians considering that a concord with Maximilian keeping Verona from them was not sufficient to protect them from troubles and dangers and that hardly they should get such an occasion to recouer their estate they binde themselues by Andrew Gritti Peace betwixt the king of Fâ—ance and the Venetians To ayde the King with eight hundred men at armes fifteene hundred light horse and ten thousand foot to recouer Ast Genes and the Duchie of Milan And the King to assist them vntill they had recouered all they had possessed in Lombardie and in the Marquisate of Treuise before the treaty of Cambray The King knew well it were but labour lost to seeke the Pope who desired to haue no Frenchman in Italy Yet the deuotion he had to the Romaine sea made him sue vnto Leo not to hinder him in the recouerie of the aboue named places offering not onely not to paâ—se any further but also at all times to make such peace with him as he pleased But Leâ— â—reading the steps of his Predecessor perswades the King of England to ioyne with the Arragonois in the oppression of France according to the Bull gâ—uen by Iulio he protested to continue in the League made with the Emperour with the Catholicke King and with the Suisses The King thus frustrate of a peace with the Pope A royall army in the Duâ—hie of Milan sends the Lord of Triuulce with fifteene
commonly the better The 17. of Februarie Iohn de Medicis to be reuenged of a disgrace which his troupes had receyued by a former sallie layed a bayte for them of the Towne seconded with a double ambush the one in the trenches nere vnto the Towne the other farther of The Spaniards drawen on by their former victories pursuing them which had charged them they discouer the farthest Ambush and began to retire when as the nerer cuttâ—â—g off their way putts them all to the sword But this small victory did greatly preiudiâ—e the generall Iohn de Medicis had the boane of his heele broken with a shot and was carried vnto Plaisance His troupes were so dispersed after his hurt as the armie was deminished aboue two thousand and his absence did coole his soâ—diaâ—s courage and heat in skirmishes and assaults for he was a great soldiar and the good successe of a battaile doth partly depend of the presence of such personages The Imperialls had no more meanes to maynteine themselues within their fort want of money had soone driuen them forth yet they considered that by their retreat Pauia would be lost and they were out of hope to preserue the rest which remayned in the Duchie of Milan To assaile the French within their lodging were a â—angerous and vaine attempt Also the enemies resolution was not to giue battaile vnlesse â—ome aduantage were offred them but onely to retire their men that were within Pauia and to man it with newe troupes the which they could not do without passing in vâ—â—e of the French Caâ—pe They therefore prepare themselues to two effects eyther to execute their desseine or to fight if the King issuing out of his fort would stoppe their passage The night before Saint Mathias day the 25. of February the day of the Emperour Charles his natiuity they disquiet and tire our men with many false alaâ—ums Batâ—aille of Pauia and make two squadrons of horse and foure of foote The first vnder the commande of the Marquis oâ— Guast consisting of sixe thousand Lansquenets Spaniards and Italians The secoÌ„d vnder the Marquis of Pesquaire The third forth of Lansquenets led by the viceroy and Duke of Bourbon They come to the Parke wall cast downe about threescore â—â—dome enter within it take the way to Mirabel leauing the Kings army vpon their left hand The artillery planted in a place of aduantage doth much indomage their battaâ—lons and forceth them to runne into the valley for shelter Here impatience transports the King He sees the enemy disordred and thinkes they are amazed moreouer he had intelligence that the Duke of Alanson had defeated some Spaniards that would haue passed on the right hand and had taken from them foure or fiue Cannons Thus the King loosing his aduantage seekes his enemies and passing before his owne Cannon hinders their execution The Imperialls desired nothing more then to haue the King out of his forte and to be coâ—ered from his artillery They now turne head against him which was directed to Mirabell The King supported with a battaillon of his Suisses beeing his chiefe strength marched directly against the Marquis of Saint Ange who ledde the first of the horsemen ouerthrowes them killes many and the Marquis himselfe But oh villanie The Suisses in steed of charging a battallion of the Emperours Lâ—nsquenets which did second their men at armes they wheele about and go to saue tâ—em selues at Milan The Marquis of Pescara came to charge the King with his battaâ—â—ons Francis Brother to the Duke of Lorraine and the Duke of Norfolke who lâ—d about fiue thousand Lansquenets marched resolutly against him but they are sodâ—â—â—â— inuironed with two great battallions of Germains defeated and cut in peeces 〈◊〉 Suisses thus retired the Lansquenets lost the whole burthen of the battaile lay vpon the King so as in the end being hurt in the legge face and hand his horse slaine vnder him charged on all sides defending himselfe vnto the last gaspe he yeelded vnto the Viceroy of Naples who kissing his hand with great reuerence receiued him as prisoner to the Emperour At the same instant the Marquis of Guast had defeated the horse that were at Mirebel and Anthony de Leue issuing out of Pauie charged our men behinde Thus seeing the pittifull estate of the Kings person all giue way all seeke to saue themselues by flight The Duke of Alanson seeing no hope of recouerie preserues the rereward in a manner whole Slâ—ine in the battaile and passeth the riuer of Tesâ—n The vantgard for a time maintayned tâ—e fight but in the ende it shronke by the death of the Maâ—shall of Chabannes This day depriued vs of a great number of the chiefest Noblemen of France amongest the which the Marshalls of Chabannes and Foix the Admirall of Bonniuet Lâ—wis of Tremouille about threescore and fifteene yeares old a worthy bedde for so valiant a Nobleman whose Councell deserued to be followed Galeas of Saint Seuerin master of the â—orâ—e Francis Lord of Lorraine the Duke of Norfolke the Earle of Tonnerre Chaumont Soâ— to the great master of Amboise Bussy of Amboise the Baron of Buzansois Beâ—uprâ—â—â— Marafin the chiefe Quirie of the Kings stable and about eight thousand men The bastard of Sauoie Lord Steward of France died of his wounds being prisoner There were taken Henry King of Nauarre The Eaâ—le of Sâ—int Paul Lewis Lord of Neuers Fleuranges sonne to Robert de la Mark the Marshall of Montmorency Laual Brion Lorges la Rochepot Monteian Annebault Imbercourt Frederic of Bossole la Roche Du Maine la Mâ—â—lleray The Regâ—nts foreâ—ight Montpesat Boissy Curton Langey and many others Of the enemy there died about seauen hundred fewe men of Marke besides the Marquis of Saint Ange Triuulce and Chandions who remayned at Milan aduertised of the ruine of their army returned with their men in to France so as the very day of the battaile all the Duchie of Milan was freed from the French forces The next day the King was led to the Castell of Pisqueton vnder the gard of Captaine Alarson alwaies intreated according to the dignity of a royall person but so farre forth as the quality of a priâ—oner would permit The Duke of Albanie was farre ingaged in the realme of Naples and all passages by land were by this disgrace stopt To drawe him out of danger the Regent mother to the King giuing order for the affaires of the realme sent Andrew Dorie generall of the Kings gallies vnto him with la Fayete the Viceadmirall beeing at Marseâ—â—les who without any losse of men but of some â—couts chased by the Colonnois euen to the very gates of Rome returned safely into France The estate seemed nowe neere a shipwracke as well by the imprisonment of the head as by the death of many worthy personages who might haue serued greatly in the preseruation thereof But God by many corrections would often chastise France but neuer ruine it The Kiâ—g of Englaâ—d
the Venetians of two and twentie thousand ducats which they should contribute euery moneth did owe threescore thousand and that little which Lautrec did gather of the custome of the Cattell of Apulia was imployed for the defraying of his ordinarie expences The number of the defendants â—â—s great their experience in deeds of armes well tryed beeing nine or ten thousand old soldiars It was therefore better to beseege then to assaile Naples A braâ—e â—tratagem of Philippin Dorie and to prouide that they might not bee releeued with victualles neyther by land nor sea Philippin Dorie kept the gulphe of Salerne and the Imperialls relying vpon the valour and strength of their men conceiue a hope to ouercome him This resolution was necessary for the Spaniards they make choise of a thousand Spanish shot and diuide them into six Galleys foure Foists and two Brigantines Don Hugues the â—iceroy Gobbe an olde sea Captaine and almost all men oâ— command will be partakers and to amaze Dorie a farre off by a shew of a greater number of shippes they make a long traine of Fisher-boates and send two galleys before giuing them charge to retire at the enemies approach that they might draw them into the open sea Dorie aduertiâ—ed of the Imperials councell by faithfull spies makes three of his galleys to disperse themselues as if they fled to the end that turning they might through fauour of the winde charge them in flanke and in poupe and followed with fiue galleys he marcheth towards the enemie The greatest stratagems consist in expedition the first blow 〈◊〉 worth two The Spaniards presumed that compassing in Dorie with the smoake of their Canon to take from him his sight and marke Dorie preuents them and for the first check he carries away with one Canon shotte fortie men out of the Admiraâ—l amongst the which was the Captaine and many officers the other peeces fitly discharged do likewise disorder them On the other side the galley of Don Hugues discharging her Canon kils the Captaine of Dories galley and hurts the maister with some others The approches are made and a furious charge is giuen with their shoâ—te and other armes These two fight with great courage three other Imperials presse two Genâ—uoises and seemed to haue the better after the death of many men of either side when as the other three which made shew to flie hauing gotten into the â—pen Sea they turne the prâ—we against the enemie beate in peeces the Admiralâ— aâ—d an other called Gobbe take their foists sinke some burne others kill their men breake their armes and fighting hand to hand and foote to foote in the end they get both the aduantage of the combate and the honour of the victorie Don Hugues de Moncade Viceroy of Naples Fieramosque with many other Gentlemen and Captaines A victorâ—e at â—ea gotten by Philippin Dorie and aboue a thousand men wee slaine and remained a prey for the Fish Two Spanish foists sore battered recouered Naples with great difficultie the Prince of Orange caused the maister of one of them to be hanged the other went and yeelded to Philippin Dorie The Marquis of Guast Ascanius and Camille Colonnes the Prince of Salerne Saint Croix le Kiz Gobbe Serenon with a great number of chiefe men The successe thereof were taken prisoners These are goodly beginnings in so famous a siege which fill the French with great hopes of a happy successe and the Imperialls with a strange amazament They see the flower of their men buried in the waues they haue lost the command of the Sea and are blockt vp so neere at land as they haue no meanes to be releeued with victuals they haue no meale but by their hand mills no money for their souldiars the plague did dayly diminish their numbers Stabie Saint Germaine Fondy and all the countrie about yeelds to the conquerour the Prince of Melfe ioynes to that partie the people of Calabria seeme very willing to come vnder their command Distresses in the French armie But the point of a totall victorie consisted either in the conquest or the defence of Naples Our men were much annoyed for fresh water diseases encreased the which did greatly waste the armie the enemy being stronger in light horse did cut off their prouisions by their dayly sallies Lautrec without doubt a great Captaine but absolute in his opinions left most of his horsemen dispersed at Capoua Auerse and Nola so as the black bands hauing no horse to second them came often with disaduantage from their skirmishes The report was that they prepared an armie at sea at Marseilles but it was onely in imagination The Venetians more carefull of their priuate interest then of the generall good fitted themselues of those places which should be their portion of the conquest The Pope had no other desseine but to recouer the authoritie which his house was wont to enioy at Florence Thus there appeared many difficulties on either side yet such as there was an expectation of victorie for the French for in the end there arriues two and twenty Venetian galleys in the gulphe of Naples the tenth of Iune which depriued the besieged of all commodities at sea and threatned them with a generall famine But see what caused the totall ruine of our French The Emperour in the middest of a notable losse makes a great gaine We do commonly sinke vnder our owne burthens and are the cause motiues of our owne miseries The infidelitie of the Genouois is herein detestable but we may obserue a goodly lesson for Princes To endure much of a rude seruant when he is profitable vnto them and that they must neuer hope to recouer him when he is chased away or lost Lautrec aduertised of the foresaid victorie commanded they should send the prisoners into France Phillippin puts them into two gallies with that intent But the bootie was too good and might easily draw a Genouois soule to dispence with his faith As they passed by Genes Andrew Dorie stayed them couering his secret desseins with this pretext That the King had not satisfied him for the ransome of the Prince of Orange and other prisoners which hee had taken at Porte-sin during the seege of Pauie the which had beene set at libertie a peace being concluded at Madril with the Emperour neither yet for the entertainment of his galleys without the which he could no longer maintaine them That if it pleased his Maiestie to do him right yeeld vnto the Genouois their accustomed commands ouer Sauone the King thinking to keepe Genes in awe had transported the traffike of marchandise and the custome of salt to Sauonne with their ancient liberties and priuileges he would deale with the people that for assurance of his faith hee should furnish the King with twelue gallies entertayned in the which he might place such Captaines and souldiars as hee should thinke good reseruing onely two gallies for the gard of the port A strange and insolent
course for the seruant to prescribe a law to his master But the losse of such a seruant was the losse of Genes of the Realme of Naples and of the armie which beseeged it But these demands of Dorie being found vnreasonable by the Counsell especially by the Chancellor du Prat a sower man and of great authoriâ—â—e the King sent Anthony de la Rochefoucault Lord of Barbezieux with the office of Admirall into the East-seas and a Comission to seize as well on his Mâ—iesties galleys aâ—â— those of Andrew Dorie yea and of his person if hee might find the meanes Andrew aduertised of this charge retyred himselfe to his gallies deliuered vp the Kings left his pay and practised by his Spanish prisoners Reuolt of Andrew Dorie hee tooke part with the Emperour â—ith the libertie of Genes vnder the Emperours protection the subiection of Sauonne to the Genouois a pardon for himselfe who had beene so great a persecutor of the Spanish name entertainment with the Emperour of twelue gallies Of Philippin his nephew and threescore thousand ducats yeerely pay with many other honourable conditions during which trâ—â—tie his nephew Philippin not onely kept ill gard but also priuilie releeued the beseâ—ged with victuals and in the end retired himselfe from Naples with all his gallies This departure of Philippin caused the Venetians who wrought from the sea shore vntill they met with the trench which Lautrec had made betwixt the Towne and Mount Saint Martin which the enemâ—es had fortiâ—ied to leaue their worke and looke to gard the sea This was the first effect of Dories retreat to preiudice the French armie Behold the second whence followed the ouerthrow of their enterprises and the losâ—e of their infinit charges The fifteenth of Iuly the Venetian gallies returne into Calabria to prouide biscuit So the port remayning open The great constancie of Lautreâ— the beseeged receiued a great refreshing at such time as necessitie had brought them to Lautreâ—s deuotion who notwithstanding the plague resoluing rather to die then to retire one foot backe from the place hee sollicited the King to supplie him with money and men in their roomes that had died of the infection The King sent the Prince of Nauarre brother to Henry King of Nauarre but with so small a troupe whereof the greatest part were voluntarie yong gentlemen who marched onely for pleasure and to win honour as hee was forced to send some out of the armie to conduct hâ—m safely from Nola to the Campe and to receiue some mony which he brought This charge was giuen to Candalles nephew to the Marquis of Salusses who passing in his returne before Naples was charged by the Imperials who â—ssued forth in great troupes being hurt his men put to rout himselfe taken prisoner to Naples and then redeemed by exchange of one of theirs that was taken in the fight hee died of his wounds Hugh Earle of Pepoli was likewise exchanged for an other and their troupes were diminished by about two hundred that were slaine and taken A hard forerunner of a fatall checke which within few dayes shall wast our warriors Now behold a pittifull Catastrophe of these two armies The Imperials by their dayly sallies prouided them things necessary and doe often cut off the victuals from the French armie take their baggage and forrage euen at their forts and their horses at the watering their hopes increase with their aduantages their Lansquenets mutine no more euery one esteems it a glory to haue suffered contrariwise the others decay both in force and courage the horse disband some to refresh themselues others to auoid the plague the footmen faint hauing no horse to second them the plague began to ceasse at Naples and increased amongst our men The Earle of Vaudemont Gruffy with many other Captaines were alreadie layed in their graues the Prince of Nauarre Camille Triuulcâ— and almost all the men of commaund were sicke and that which did most import Lautrec striken with sicknes could not redresse those things which did hourely tend to ruine Rence de Cere whom he had sent towards Abrâ—â—aâ— to make a leuie of foure thousand foot and sixe hundred horse found the Treasorers who payd him with their ordinarie answere I haue not a farthing The King hath no money in his cofâ—rs The enemies did so belay the wayes as they could not go to Capouâ— euery man almost was sicke in the armie the footmen were almost wasted Simon Râ—main a braue Knight and of the French partie had beene defeated in Calabria Somme had beene sackt with the slaughter of a troupe of men at armes and light horse Most commonly there were no victuals in the campe they wanted water all the Cesterns being drie and to heape vp their miseries Lautrec dying the 15. of August interred with him all his braue desseins Lautreâ— dies Without doubt the death of a valiant commander and of great reputation is the ruine of an armie The head failing all the members tremble and soone fade away Moreouer wee obserue in this Nobleman that no man how wise and valiant soeuer is alwaies happie for vertue and fortune haue alwayes beene at hatred and mortall warre The King did honour his funerals at our Ladies Church in Paris with a mourning dumpe fit for one of his children The Marquis of Salusses tooke vpon him the gouernment of the armie A man of courage beloued and well followed by men of war but it decreased and disorders encreased daily The Earle of Sarni with a thousand Spaniards chased three hundred foote from Sarni which were in garrison there and followed with a greater troupe hee tooke Nole from Valerius Vrsine who being retyred into the Castle attended two thousand men which the Marquis sent him the which being charged in the plaines of Naples were put to rout Fabricio Maramao issued out of Naples with foure hundred men and finding Capoua in a manner forsaken he straightway entred into it So the French abandoning Pozzuole put the garrison into Auerse a place of great importance for the Campe. But Capoua and Nola being lost they could hardly recouer any victuals So as the armie being no longer able to subsist The seege of Naples raised did â—ise in the night to recouer Aduerse The Imperials discouer their departure they poursue them defeate the battaile vppon the way being led by Peter of Nauarre and the reereward commaunded by Pomperant Negrepelisse and Paul Camille Triuulâ—e They take the Nauarrâ—is with many other commaunders and men of qualitie and beseege the Marquis in Auerse who hauing no meanes to defend him selfe sent Guy of Rangon to parle with the Prince of Auranges and did capitulate with him as followeth That hee should leaue Auerse with the Castle artillerie and munition That as Lieutenant Generall to the King hee should remaine a prisoner That hee should imploy his authoritie to cause both French and Venetians to yeeeld vnto the Emperour all the Realme of Naples That the
their lodging and finds nothing done Some exclayming first would haue made their cause good Others storme their pay being nowe out and protest that if it bee not satisfied they will wrappe vp their enseignes A fruitlesse attempt vpon Ast. and sound a retreate They had reason it is an ordinary course when as the chiefe foâ—â—â— of an army consists in a mercenarie nation Humieres searcheth all the purses in the campe makes for euerie Companie fiue hundred Crownes and with this boane did somewhat satisfie their greedinesse But in the meane time the beseeged giuing the alarume to the Campe they bring in seauen companies of foote 1534. and three hundred horse to their succors Thus the small likelyhood to force the Towne and lesse to famish it seeing that for want of pay the strangers were no men of resolution Humieres leaues the Towne of Ast to surprise that of Alba. About eight hundred Spaniards were parted from Alexandria to enter into it Iohn Paul de Cere meetes them Alâ—a and Quers taken chargeth and defeats them so as at the arriuall of the French the Câ—ttâ—zens of Alba vnfurnished of soldiars yeelding to the yoake of obedience gaue occasion to them of Quiers to follow their example This absence of the army made Caesar of Naples gouernour of Vulpian a man actiue and Vigilant A dangerous attempt against Turin but vnfortunate in his enterprises to attempt Turin Turin had in it but two companies of foote vnder de Wartis and d' Angart weake forces for a place of such importance yet the Inhabitants were well affected to this Crowne Caesar â—ubornes a Corporal a GascoÌ„ to deliuer him the next day of his gard a bulwarke of the Towne right against our Ladies Church Such base people should neuer knowe the day nor houre of their watch The night being come he brings ten enseignes of foote and some three hundred horse the soldiar giues him notice by a signe of the most conuenient place to plant his ladders he settes them vp before the alarume was in the Towne he putts fiue enseignes into the bulwarke two or three base soldiars whom the traytor had of purpose drawne in with him saued themselues by flight Boutieres gouernour of Turin hearing the alarume goes into the streete followed onely with the Suisses of his gard and some gentlemen hee finds the Townsmen armed and resolute to do their duties he marcheth directly into the bastion with no armes but a halberd shutts the gate by which they came from the sayd bastion into the Towne the darknesse of night had hindred the enemie from seeing it open the which preserued the Towne for whilest that Caesar made fit his ladders to enter into the Towne the alarume grew hot Wartin arriues with two hundred shot and forceth the enemie to abandon the bulwarke The Imperialls râ—pulse at Tuâ—in hauing lost seauen or eightscore men at whose departure the soldiar payed for his offence with his life This attempt the bad inclynation of the forren forces the quarrels betwixt Caesar Fregâ—se who led the foreward and Iohn Paul de Cere Colonnell of the Italian foote the controuerses of Brissac with Anniball of Gonsague Earle Laniuolare six thousand Spaniards and twelue hundred horse being entred into Montcallier and thâ—eatning Turin but weakly furnished with men made Humieres to leaue Iulio Vrsin in Alba with a thousand foote vnder his charge and a thousand more vnder Artigue-Dieu and Peter Strossy in Quieras Caesar Fregose with the like number of men such as he would chose with the rest of the army turnes head towards the enemy to surprise him at Montcallier The Marquis of Guast aduertised of this desseine puts the rest of his troupes into the sayd place This enterprise prouing fruitlesse and Humieres not able any longer to hold his strangers without pay he sent Francis Earle of Pontreme with sufficient forces to make good Pignerol against the Marquis who threatned to surprise it to take froÌ„ tâ—e French all meanes of retreat succours in keeping the passage of Suze Then hee supplied Turin with two thousand French foote commanded by Allegre and Laâ—â—gny Quiers with a thousand men of the bands of Aramont besids eight hundred which the Knight Assall gouernour of the place had Sauillan with a thousand Italians vnder the command of Iohn of Turin leading the Lansquenets and the rest of the troupes into the Marquisate of Salusses to attend newes and money from the King for their pay for want whereof this army serued to small vse The Marquis of Guast seeing Humieres retired into Pignerol whether the violence of the Lansquenets had driuen him there to attend their pay he sent thirteene enseigns of foote to Siria a small Towne vpon the mountaine to keepe the valley of Suze in subiection and by the taking of the Castells of Riuole and Villane to take from them of Turin all meanes to heare newes out of France So the way by the valley of Suze being cut off and that of Pignerol by the meanes of Montcallier Carignan and Carmagnole which the enemy enioyed Humieres being ill obeyed by the Lansquenets whome they forced to pay vpon their olde rowle although their number of ten thousand were halfe decreased and those of Turin prest with want of victuals and money 1537. which they could not endure after Saint Andrews day Piedmont in danger to be lost for want of money the King was in danger to loose all Piedmont The Marquis hauing taken the Towne of Quiers by assault with Albe and Quieras by composition was become master of the field and held Pigneroll a great and vast Towne so straightly begirt as no victuals might enter when as the King by a supplie of fiue and twentie thousand Crownes which he sent to Boutieres made an entrie for the Countrimen to bring victuals to Turin which before was shut vp for want of payment for their wares then he caused the the bands of the Earle of Furstemberg and of Nicholas de Rusticis to march to Lions vnder the commaund of the Daulphin his son and of the Lord Steward with ten thousand French foot commaunded by Montiean followed by fourteene hundred men at armes and light horse attending a leuie of fourteene or fifteene thousand Suisses which the Earle of Tende made for his Maiesties seruice resolute to march after himselfe in person And not to leaue his realme vnfurnished he left the gouernment of Paris and the I le of France Picardie Normandie and other Countries about to the Duke of Orleans his yonger sonne hee sent backe the Duke of Guise into Bourgogne and Champagne Henry King of Nauarre his brother in law into Guienne and Languedoc and the Lord of Chasteaubriant into Brittanie The Daulphin accompanied with Anthonie Duke of Vendosme parts from Lions about the tenth of October The Daulphins voiage into Piedmont gathers togither in Daulphiné some three thousand Legionaries and the remainders of Humieres armie which were
all the rest were razed The Lansquenets hauing ioyned with Annebault he beseegeth Cony ouerthrowes a peece of the wall and giues an assault but it was the place which was best fortified a great rampar behind the breach stayes our men the which after an howres fight they are forced to abandon with the losse of many men of seruice and the night following two hundred horse and eight hundred foot being entred made the Admirall to sound the retreat eight Canons diuided into two batteries had so troubled the defendants as not able to answere the diuers assaults the Towne in shew had beene wonne But errours are knowne after they are committed Vpon the retreat the Earle Maxime Anthonie Maruille and Theode Bedaine an Albanois encounter two hundred Imperiall horses neere to Bra they charge them defeate and take the most part of them and the enemie hauing abandoned many small peeces the Admirall reduceth to the Kings obedience Villeneufue of Ast Poring Cambian and Riue de Quiers Winter did cut off all meanes of more happie successâ— So dismissing his armie and sending the Lansquenets of Colonnel Reichroc into France he tooke his way to Mont-Cenis Mont-Cenis is subiect to tempests as wel as the sea The way is straight Annebaults dangerous retreat restrayned by two mountaines when any storme ariseth the gusts of wind do gather togither balls of snow vpon the tops of the hills which growing great as they roule downe ouerthrow all they meet and they to whome the straight is knowne for oft times the guides are lost runne many times into caues full of snow Annebault was in this danger most part of them that did accompanie him found their graues vnder the snow some loose their eyes other die with cold some returne benummed of their feet others of their armes and hands and few of this whole troupe inioyed his perfect health himselfe was neere vnto a fatall end if some men attending the end of the storme in little caues had not preserued him from the iniurie thereof At that time the King determined a reuenge against the inhabitants of Rochelle the neighbour Ilands which were mutined against the Kings officers for the custome of salt Being arriued at Rochell they assembled all in the gardein Rebellion of the Rochellois where his Maiestie did lie confessed their rebellion publikely and most humbly craued pardon for their offence The furie of a King saith the wise man is the messenger of death but a wise man will pacifie it And the cheerefull countenance of a King is life his fauour is like vnto a cloud bringing raine in due season The King mooued with the pittifull noyse of this people crying for mercy with their hands lift vppe kneeling on the ground and teares in their eyes did graciously remit their offence The Kings clemencie freed the prisoners â—or this offence deliuered their armes and the keyes of the Towne commanded the garrisons both of foot and horse to retyre receiued them into grace and restored their liberties and priuileges without doubt A King maintains his throne by clemencie In the meane time many practises and enterprises are made against Turin The Marquis of Guast did at sundry times send vnto the Iudge of Turin An Enterprise vpon Turin being borne at Quiers a number of carts laden with wine and within the vessels which were as long as the carts many armes harguebuses pertuisans and corselets to arme fourescore men the which he should receiue into his house disguised like couÌ„trimen bringing victuals to the market who at the first tumult they should heare at the Towne gate should issue forth armed and seise vpon the Court of gard in the market place whilest that other souldiars armed with Iacks and shirts of maile morians swords daggers and targets brought in fiue carts of haye sixe in euery one the haye being so cunningly layed as cutting a cord within the bundels would fall downe should fight with the gard at the port and fauour the entrie of eight hundred horse 1543. and fiue thousand foote which should be ready at the alarum But the enterprise being discouered made the Iudge to loose his head The enemie notwithstanding le ts not to proceed to the execution of his carts of haye in the absence of Bellay whome his priuat affayres had called into France after the death of his brother and the twelfth of February Boutieres Lieutenant for the King at Turin was well aduertised of some carts which were preparing at Ligâ—â— an imperiall Towne neere vnto Vulpian but not of the maner of the former enterprise They hazard their haye Raimont commanding at the gate causeth Perrichon his Lieutenant to thrust a pike through the first cart he drawes it out all bloudie the souldiars leape forth and the first thrusts Raymonet through the bodie with his sword Raimonet takes him by the throat and stabs him his companions likewise come forth force the gard seise vpon the armes that hang vp and become maisters of the port Valiantly without doubt but somewhat too soone for them their succours were a mile or more from the first bridge Captaine Saluadeur d' Aguerre who deserues to be named hauing a great share in the preseruation of the Towne who had then the gard of the place hearing the alarume at the gate and crying Sauoye turnes head with his troupe repulseth the fiue that were slipt out off the first cart and goes directly to the gate A well aduised Smith who dwelt neere the gate goes vp and with a great hammer breakes the chaine and le ts downe the Portcullis so as the Imperialls could not enter Boutieres and Moneins arriue they shut the gates kill some of the souldiers that were betwixt the gate and the Portcullis the rest creepe vnder the Portcullis being too short and Cesar of Naples who not many dayes before had left three of his souldiers hanged at Turin being executed for an other conspiracie against the Towne seing his enterprise made frustrate retyred without the losse of any but of his Lieutenant who was slaine with the Canon On the other side the Duke of Cleues made warre in Brabant and had wonne some places from the Emperour So as the Bourguignons turning all their forces against him giue the Duke of Vendosme meanes to victuall Therouenne to take Lilliers by composition being a strong place betwixt Aire and Betune at the entrie of the marish to burne the Towne beat downe the gates and to make it and many other places about Therouenne Saint Omer Aire Betune altogither vnprofitable for the enemie And to the Earle of Aumale eldest son to the Duke of Guise accompanied with the Lords of Laual Saint André Escars Dampiere Chastaigeray Esguilly and a great number of other yong gentlemens occasion Exploits in Picardie to quicken the enemie with continuall skirmishes and assaults most commonly carrying away the aduantage The happie successe and the fauorable season inuited the King in the beginning of Iune to go
1567. But a great desseine imparted after the French manner to many meane person◠〈◊〉 vncapable of such actions turne them easily into smoake Not one of them that vâ—dertooke the charge could effect it For the second the Protestants being first armeâ— were in the beginning masters of the field but within sixe weekes the Catholikes forced the Prince and the Admirall to flie to the Germains which the Duke Iohn Câ—sâ—â—er brought them as we shall see Their proiect against the Suisses was likewise diâ—coâ—â—red and the forces which should haue met at an appointed day failed in their â—â—â—â—â—dition The fourth succeeded but it imported least of all but this separation 〈…〉 in shew and not in authority nor credit The King is much incensed against them He was at Meaux and prepared to â—â—lemnize the feast of Saint Michel according to the custome of the Kings of 〈◊〉 The Prince approcheth with fiue hundred horse and by this attempt forceth the â—ing to retire with some amazement to Paris in the midest of sixe thousand Suisses and a good number of horse The retreat of Meaux the which had beene in danger if a hundred and fiftie horse comming out of Picardie and the harguebuziers on horse backe which attended the Prince had arriued betwixt Paris and Meaux at the day appointed At the same time the Protestants party arme on all sides and this generall taking of armes vnlocked for with that bold enterprise vpon the Suisses and the taking of Orleans Soissons Auxeâ—re and some other places had wonderfully amazed the Catholikes But that which augmented this alarume the Prince being too weake loath to ingage himselfe in this forest of halbards pikes and shot went to lodge with his troupes in Saint Denis where some others arriuing in fewe dayes made vp the number of two thousand horse and foure thousand shot The beginning of the second troubles The King assembles his troupes and had alreadie ten thousand men But this â—â—daine approche to Paris might perswade them that the Prince expected speedie and great forces and that he had good intelligences in Court and at Paris Paris was the chiefe obiect of his armes The Pariâ—ens were not accustomed to fast taking their viâ—tualls from them hee hoped of two things to effect the one either to force them to fight or to drawe his enemies to a more assured pacification then the first To this end he sends d' Andelot with fiue hundred horse towards Poissy and Pontoise to seize vpon the passages of Seine beneath Paris and other troupes to seize vpon such places as were aboue the Towne Some companies were sent to ioyne with the forces that came out of Guienne who should come to Orleans being lately surprised by la Noue He and the Admirall with about eight hundred horse and twelue hundred harguebuzieâ—â— keepe Saint Denis and intrench Saint Owin and Auberuilliers to courbe Paris on that side But how could so many excellent Captaines vndertake so painfull and vnlikeâ—â— a desseine May an Ante assaile an Elephant Howe many mighty armies haue in former times lost their labours thinking to effect such an enterprise To remaine idle had impayred their reputation They were sodenly drawen into it and they must for their honours sake attempt that which occasion seemed to present vnto them Thei◠〈◊〉 being fresh and full of resolution made difficult things easie One thing onely staâ—ed the course of their prosperities Such places as the Prince hoped to surprise vpon Marne and Seine whether if he should be forced to abandon Saint Denis he meant to retire himselfe and attend his Germains there were two onely seized on Laigny and Montereau On the other side the Constable Lieutenant generall for the King in this armie resolued hauing increased his troupes to force the enemie to fight The great aduantages he had inuited him vnto it He had fifteene or sixteene thousand foote and two thousand Lances he was furnished with artillery hee had a commodious place for a battaille and fitt to lodge his troupes and Cannon The Parisiens felt famine and were much greeued to see such tenants in their farmes And many cried alreadie against the Constable as a great temporiser and as firme a partisan to his Nephewes as to the King his Master They were to blame for he was no sooner aduertised of the error the Prince had committed in dismembring the bodie of his army as we haue heard The ba taile of Saint Denis but he presently imbraceth the occasion â—ends seauen or eight hundred Lances followed with some sâ—ot for their retreate to discouer the certeintie of the Protestants forces and the next day the x. of Nouember he goes to fieâ—d with all his army and giues him battaile The Constables footemen for the most did little good and the Princes very much The horsemen on either side shewed great resolution and courage In the ende the Protestants are forced from the place and followed aboue haâ—fe a quarter of a League and it may be but for the Constables hurt whereof he died within fewe daies after they had beene chased more hotly but the night fauored their retreat The Constable hurt whereof he died and parted the battails To conclude the Catholikes were masters of the field and had the spoile of the dead and by consequence the honor of the battaile the which shal be blemished the next day with a great disgrace This aduantage seemed to inuite the Catholikes to perfect their victorie the next day but the losse of the Constable kept them within their walles The Prince attended a second charge not thinking his enemies would haue taken it for a repulse hee therefore sends speedily for d' Andelot who comes to Saint Denis at midnight sorie to haue lost his part of the banket Hauing rested a while the Commanders conclude to make an atâ—eÌ„pt to abate some of their aduersaries glory gotten the day before They bring their small army to field present themselues before the sâ—burbes of Paris stand there some houres in battaile burnt a village many wiâ—dâ—â—lls to vrge them But no man comes forth They bury their dead dresse their hurt men The Captaines viewe their Cornets and companies and will hazard no more What should the Prince then do beeing incamped before Paris with a fewe men The losse of one man did import him more then a hundred of his enemies and to stay there was his ruine He dislodgeth marcheth to Montereau and there augments his army with the forces that came to him from Orleans and Estampes The death of this incomparable olde man but farre more happie in his age The Princâ— retreat if hee had shed his bloud against the stranger enemies to this Crowne the which he had so freely imployed during all the course of his life and not against his Countriemen yea against his owne bloud gaue the commande of the royall army to Henry Duke of A â—ou the Kings brother a Prince of 16. yeares of age vpon whose
into Rochell War in Guâ—â—nne they recouer all the forts and places which had beene taken from them since the suprise of Marans And the more to restraine the Rochelois they build a fort at Lucon vnder the command of Captaine Mascaron They hoped this fort should be a bait to drawe the Protestants to field but hauing built it without contradiction Puigaillâ—rd tries an other stratageme He retires his forces into high Poictou giues out That the Princes had gotten a great victory and that he must by the Dukes commandement leade away his troupes with all speed That by a strong ambush and turning head sodainely he might charge the Protestants defeate them at their first approch Notwithstanding La Noue his companions keepe themselues quiet giuing their troups amazed by their last fight time to take breath the which causeth Mascaron to slacke the gard of his fort La Noue being aduertised that the fort was to be forced The sort of Lâ—son bâ—â—eeged goes out off Rochelle with foure Cornets eleuen Enseignes of French and three hundred Lansquenets which remained Puigaillard gathers together speedily what troupes hee can which now began to leaue him and to shut vp la Noue betwixt Marans and Luson makes them to march two dayes a night to S. Gemme halfe a league from Luson but with one light repulse Here his second policie of war preuailes as little as the fiâ—st He faynes himselfe sicke giues out that a burning ague detained him in his bed then vnder colour of the deliuery of Roussiere a gentleman of Poictou others whom Puuiault had lately taken in an encounter he sends a trumpet to assure them of this pretended sicknes to discouer the strength of the beseegers But this spie was not cunning inougâ— he trips in his answers and by his faintnesse discouers his maisters practises Puuiault extorts the tâ—ueth by force then shewing them that they had to do with men that were toyled broken with their great march they dislodge from S. Gemme to ioyne with la Noue Puigaillard is aduertised that the enemy flies and retires in disorder to Marans He approcheth enters the Bourg and finding nothing but the nest some run to the victualls others to the spoyle But they haue a contrary aduice That the enemy is neere and in battaile La Noue had 〈◊〉 his men by the fauour of the ditches hedges and bushes which compasse in the 〈◊〉 of that Country where as Puigaillards horse could not passe but by small companies La Noue commanded the charge S. Esâ—ienne and Bruneliere begin it against a hundred and fifty maisters of the chiefe troupes of Puigaillard and makes them to stagger Puuiault forceth through them The battaile oâ— Luson kils some and amazeth the rest Puigaillard and those that were best mounted flye vnto Fontenay foure leagues from thence the footmen hemmed in on all sides and broken by the horse presently giue way and remaine at their mercy without mercy namely of the Lansquenets who reuenge vpon them the bloud of their countrymen shed neere to Montcontour Sixteene Enseignes and two Cornets were taken fiue hundred old souldiars slaine vpon the place and thirty men at armes with many Commanders and Officers of Regiments and Companies Sâ—uen or eight hundred prisoners were sent away with white wands in their hands The Fort being valiantly assailed and yeelded by Mascaron added foure companies to the victory The â—orte taken and this victory caused the conquest of Fontenay la Comte from whence the besieged retyred to Niort La Noue hauing lost his left arme in the siege Oleron Marennes Soubize and Brouage yeelded to the victors where as the death of Riuiere Puitaillé recompenced La Noues hurt So as by the recouery of all that which the King held about Rochell the Protestants coopt vp the Catholikes within the walles of Saint Iean d' Angely The Prince Daulphin came into Poictou to repayâ—e Puigaillards losses and to strengthen the forces of the Earle of Lude for the making of some new attempt when as a peace concluded betwixt the King and the Prince stayed the course of theyr triumphes The third Edict of peace the eleuenth of August and caused a suspension of armes to renue it againe two yeares after with a more vnworthy and horrible proceeding By this third Edict of peace they had foure Townes of safety Rocheâ—le Montauban Cognac and La Charité to be held two yeares in the Princes names and the Princes with the chiefe Commanders of the Protestants attending the full execution thereof retyred to Rochelle the armies were dismissed and the strangers conducted into Lorraine Soone after the Emperour Maximilian the second gaue his eldest daughter in marriage to Philip King of Spaine so the Vncle marryed his Neece but the house of Austria hath oft times obteyned such dispensation and so our Charles in the Towne of Meziers in the end of Nouember King Charles maâ—â—ies the â—mperours Daughter tooke to wife Elizabeth the yongeâ— sister a wise and vertuous Princesse There was a peace concluded but no full obseruation of the Edict wherevpon the princes sent Briquemault Teligny Beauuais la Nocle and Cauannes to Court. The King at their instance sent commissioners throughout all the prouinces of his realme But there were some amongst them who not many yeares before had condemned the Admirall to be hanged Amongst others the Marshall of Cossé and Proutiere maâ—ster of Requests were at Rochelle to consult with the Queene of Nauarre and the Admirall about the meanes in generall to mainteine the realme in peace particularly to treate of a marriage betwixt Henry of Bourbon Prince of Nauarre A Treaâ—â—â— of 〈…〉 and 〈◊〉 of Vaâ—eâ—s and Marguerâ—te oâ— Valois the Kings sister and then to conferre with the Admirall touching the warre which his Maiestie seemed to pretend against the Spaniard in the Lowe countries to the protection whereof he was greatly sollicited The Kings good countenance and the gifts hee gaue to the Deputies namely to Telygny who seemed to be greatly in his Maiesties fauour likewise might do much to perswade â—is father in Lawe to come to Court makes them at their returne to Rochelle to extoll the Kings singular loue and affection to the Queene of Nauarre the Princes the Admirall and to all the rest of their party and to assure them by his commandement that he will not onely mainteine the peace but also confirme it by the allyance of his owne sister and that he desires to conferre by mouth with the Admirall touching this new expedition of the Lowe countries and therefore they should make haste to go vnto him And the better to confirme them in this beleefe 1571. the King sends Biron after them with the same charge The Kings disâ—ymulation with the Princes and Admirall and that hee would procure the Queene his mother and the Duke of Aniou his brother to moderate their splenes and discontents and would worke a reconciliation betwixt
the fury of this massacre to the ancient quarrell of those of Guise with the house of Chastillon But the foulnesse of the fact might heape vpon them and their posteritie the hatred of all men The Guisians denie to take the maâ—â—acre vpon thâ—m with whom humane society and vertue is in recommendation For they had not spared an infinite number of learned men of reuerent old men honest virgins honourable matrons women with child chaste maydens young Schollers and little infants hanging at the brests of their mother Arming themselues therefore with the peoples loue they refuse to go out of Paris handling the matter so politikely as they cause the King to auouch all that had beene done So Charles writes other letters to his Ambassadours and Gouernours aduertising them That the tumult which had happened concerned not religion but the preseruation of his estate his house and person against the practises of the Admirall and some other seditious persons who had ioyntly conspired his death his Mothers The Admiral accuâ—ed oâ— conâ—piracie and his bretherens and therefore he would haue his Edict of pacification religiously obserued Yet if any Huguenots moued with these newes oâ— Paris should assemble in armes they should roote them out as perturbers of the pubâ—ike peace referâ—ing the surplusage of his will to the credit of the bearer And the better to authorise this approbation the 26. of August Charles with his bretheren assists in Parliament all the chambers being assembled where sitting in his seate of Iustice he declares openly that those things which had chanced in Paris were done by his owne proper motion and commandement yet making no mention of the cause Chrisâ—opher of Thou the cheife President commended his zeale in the name of all the company But to what end did he write the contrary the next day to his officers and the Magistrates of Townes That to his great griefe the Admirall his Cosin and some others of his party had beene slaine at Paris commanding them to preuent all mutinies and murthers and to proclaime that euery man should remaine quiet in his house without taking of armes or giuing any offence and to giue order that his Edict of pacification be exactly obserued and yet the same day to publâ—sh a declaration of the former tenour conteining that by his expresse commandement the Admirall and other his complices had beene slaine not for matter of religion but to preuent the execution of a wicked practise made by them against the Kings person the Queene Mother his bretheren the King of Nauarre this was for a colour of excuse to such as would obiect why then was this Prince saued from shipwrack and it may be for the loue of him the Prince of Condé his cousin and generally against their houses and the houses of France Doubtlesse there was small likelyhood that a little troope of men dispersed some â—n the suburbes others within the Citty in small numbers should presume to attempt any thing against the Estate Charles had both night and day his ordinary gardes Frâ—â—ch Suisses and Scottâ—shmen the most of the Princes Noblemen and Gentlemen of the realme were in Court to honour the marriage Those which had accompanied the King of Nauarre and the Prince of Condé had no other armes but their swords and for a gage of their innocencie had brought for the most part their wiues children sisters and kinsfolke studying onely to shew themselues at the Tilt and â—ourney The accusation made no mention of time place or adherents neyther of the meanes or any witnesses of this conspiracy If it had beene plotted since the Admirals hurt three hundred Gentlemen vnarmed which had accompanied him could they haue effected any thing vnder a Commander tyed by both the armes and ready to see the one cut off by the aduise of the Physitians and Chirurgians in a mighty Citty and against aboue three score thousand men ready to be opposed at the first alarum Moreouer the King of Nauarre and Prince of Condé who had beene still present at all councells would they haue blemished their honours and houses with so great an infamie And if their innocencie had freed them from the common danger the consultations of the Admirall and his followers had they not beene very childish at such a time in such a place among so many naturall Frenchmen come with him wâ—o had neither goods kinsfolke pleasure nor content without the Realme Besides if the Admirall were suspected of this attempt might they not haue committed him presentâ—y to a safe prison informe of his practises and take such conclusions as the crime might deserue according to the Lawes To conclude admit the Admirall after his hurt or else his friendes had giuen forth some bad speeches must the same punishment deuoure so many persons who conuersed onely with their bookes and papers with their trafike and with their worke so many women who dreamt but of their huswiferie so many virgins and infants whose age and condition kept them from the conference of any councell As for the attempt against the King of Nauarre that accusation is friuolous Had not the Admirall him in his power for the space of three yeares what benefit sâ—ould he reape by his death Haue they not conuersed long togither with an humble sincere respect of the Admirall towards him and a perfect loue of the said King to the Admirall â—ut omitt all other reasons that might refute this slander let vs onely obserue the testimonie which Monluc giues in the 7. booke of his remembrances vppon this subiect The Queene mother saith he did me the honour to write vnto mee that they had disâ—ouered a great conspiracie against the King and his Estate the which was the cause of what had happened I knowe what my belief was it is not good to offend ones master The King did neuer foâ—get how the Admirall made him retire in hast from Meaux to Paris wee loose â—ur iudgments sodenly and doe not dreame that Kings haue greater harts then we haue and doe sooner forget seruices then offences And a little aboue My Lord the Admirall was â—â—l aduised to thrust himselfe into Paris to shew that hee gouerned all I wonder that so aduised and wise a man should comit so grosse an errour Hee payed deerely for it it cost him his life and many more The particularities of such as during this horrible butcherie haue shed their blouds for religions sake at Meaux Troyes Orleans Bourges la Charité Lions Tholouse Fourdeaux Rouan and other Townes in villages and in the open fields as they sought to saue themselues without the realme haue beene obserued in other workes that are extant and the bloud of these murthered persons which amount to aboue thirty thousand hauing died the earth and made the waters redd haue cryed so loude that the heaâ—ens haue contiâ—ued their vengeance ouer great and small for so many yeares as tâ—ere remaines scarse any one of the authors of this violent
fact Brittanie and Picardie râ—mained reasonably quiet Champagne and Bourgongne shed little bloud through the pâ—llicie of them of Guise that all the blame might light vpon the King as also they had saued many of the chieâ— Protestants in the midest of the furie of this Parisien euensong In Auuâ—rne Saint Heran put more money into his cofers then he shed blâ—ud in his â—ouernment In Daulphiné there were some murthers committed In Prouence the humanitie of the Earle of Tende restrayned the hands and swords of the bloâ—â—e minded In the end the people glutted with the bloud and cloyed with the spoyles of the muâ—thered protestants growe quiet and the King appoints an extraordinary Iubile witâ— generall processions where his Maiestie assisted with the Qâ—eene his mother his breâ—hâ—en and the Court of purpose to giue thankes to God for that which had so happily succeeded There were yet some thornes stucke in Charles his feet Rochel Sancâ—rre Montauban Nismes Aubenas Milliaud Priuas Mirebel Andure and other small Townes of Viuarets and Seuennes serued as a Sanctuary for the Protestants that â—ere escaped to keepe them from danger Rochell was not to be dealt with all and it seemed that industrie and secret practises should preuaile more then open force Strossy â—â—d la Garde will releeue the inhabitants with men to keepe it and vnfurnish them of victualls requiring a quantitie to refresh their armie But they had men inough a great number were fled thither and many Protestant soldiars whom the hope of the voyage of Flanders entertained in the Kings army slipt hourely into their Towne Their priuileges likewise did free them from garrisons and as for victuals they had for their prouision but could not spare any Strossy and la Garde spent both time and money in vaine about Rochell they therefore send Biron vnto them for their Gouernour with expresse commandement to receiue a garrison They answer That they cannot beleeue that that charge comes from the King who commanded the strict obseruation of the Edict and grants them the vse of their ancient priuileges vnder his obedience And for a testimony they produce the Kings letters of the 22. and 24. of August whereby his Maiestie layes the motiues of the sedition vpon them of Guise saying That he had much adoe to mainteine himselfe in the midest of his gardes in his Castle of Louure As for the reasons which made them to auoyde all the surprises and baites of such as Biron sent to treate with them they vsed the meanes which politicke wisedome doth vsually furnish in such incounters offering notwithstanding to accept Biron so as the troupes may bee retyred from thence the exercise of their religion to remaine free and that he bring no forces into the Towne Biron summons them by vertue of his authority and vpon refusall Warre againâ—â— the Rochellois proclaimes war against them and euen then vnder colour to giue the armie at Sea meanes to disperse it selfe he labours by all meanes to cut off their victuals and prouisions and to weaken them of their men The King by his Letters Pattents of the 8. of October calls home all that were fled out of diuers Townes saying that as a good father of a family he had pitty of his poore subiects being out of their houses and for not comming did seize and declare their goods forfeit Yet the excuses which the King made vnto the Pope to the Duke of Alba and to the Ambassador of Spaine That the brutes of the Belgike warre and all the former Councels had tended to no other end but to the ruine of the Huguenots that his intent was to liue in peace and good correspondencie with the Catholicke King and the Commissions he had sent to the Gouernours of Prouinces to degrade all Protestants from their offices and publike charges although they were ready to renounce their religion except such as aduanced to meane offices were continued by the King abiuring according to a forme set downe by the College of Sorbonne and to search for all Protestants that during the troubles had had the command of armes or Townes of warre made this repeale of Charles to be wonderfully suspect Hereafter they vse all acts of hostâ—litie against the Rochelois such as they know to be of the Towne are kept prisoners and put to their ransome ships that sayled towards their Port were stayed all marchandise belonging to the Rochelois seized and confiscated They therefore hasten the succours which the Counte Montgomery the Vidame of Chartres and others prepared for them in England The 25. of October they set sayle but not able to approche they returned back Those of Sancerre hauing refused to receiue a gouernour and garrison from the hands of La Chastre gouernour of Berry were belegard in the beginning of October Cadaillet Grome of the Chamber and the Kings Huntsman very well knowne in the Towne as an ancient seruant to the Earle of Sancerre was sent to conferre with them hee brought the inhabitants to that point as some desiring and others refusing the Lord of Fontaines being a Catholike his brother surpriseth the Castle by the meanes of some inhabitants who shutte themselues into it with him but the resolution and the greater number of the Protestants dispâ—aced them within foure and twenty houres as Fontaines came to their succours So as La Chastre prepares now for open force whereof we shall sâ—e the progresse in the beginning of the following yeare This vnworthy and strange proceeding against the Protestants had made the French name hateful to strangers especially in Poland and did much trouble the negotiation in fauour of the Duke of Aniou Moreouer the Protestants both within without the realme laid plots which in short time might produce dangerous effects To make the Bishops negotiatioÌ„ more â—â—sie and to crosse the proiects of others they obserue hereafter some forme of iustice against any one that were found after the furie of the massacre Briquemault and Cauaignes executed Briquemault a Gentleman of three score ten yeares old and Cauaignes maister of Requests vnto the King both inward friends vnto the Admirall and of great reputation were of the nuâ—beâ— They threaten them with an extraordinary torture if they set not downe vnder the r hands to haue conspired with the Admirall the death of the King his brethren the Qâ—eene mother and of the King of Nauarre promising them pardon if they demaund it in aduowing that wherewith they are charged We will neuer said they accusâ— innocents nor our selues of so execrable a crime The Comissioners not able to extort from them any such confession they were both by sentence of the Court as guiltie of high Treason vnworthily hanged the 27. of October in the presence of the King Qâ—eene mother her two other sonnes and the King of Nauarre To the same execution was added the like decree against the Admirall His bodie had beene taken from Montfaucon A decree against â—he Adâ—irall and secretly
tyme in curling of his haire The battaile of Coâ—tras The nine teenth of October accompanied with the Prince of Condé the Conte Soissons his brother the Viconte of Turenne and other good commanders hee takes his lodging at Coutras to passe the riuer of Drougne at a ford The Duke supposing to haue him at his deuotion betwixt two riâ—ers giues the rendezuous to all his forces the next day betwixt Roche-Chalais and Coutras and there made choise of his place of battaile to his best aduantage halfe a League from Coutras The King of Nauarre and his souldiars had swet more in skiâ—mishes then in tenis-Courts and did take more pleasure in the dust of their enemies chase then in feasts The inequalitie of the number doth not amaze them Hee marcheth before resolues his men to fight makes them to fall on their knees and pray to God puts his horsemen into foure squadrons his owne that of the Prince the Earles and the Viconts The souldiars inflame their courages by mutuall skirmishes and reprochfull speeches from words they goe to blowes The King of Nauarres artillerie thunders fiâ—st at eight of the clocke and at the first volle sweepes away seuen Captaines of the regiment of Picardie The Dukes answeares him but without effect The ignorance or malice of the Canâ—oniers hauing planted it so low as it fell vpon a little â—ill betwixt both armies The Dukes horsemen led by Lauerdin and Captaine Mercoeur giue the charge and at the first encounter force through the King of Nauarres squadron and passing on the Vicont stayes him and beates him backe The Duke presuming by this first good happe to obteine a totall victorie ouer thâ—ee cheefe heads of the house of Bourbon aduanceth resolutely flancked with two hedges of armed men to charge with the Lance. The foure commaunders march euery one in the head of his troupe first easily the pace then the trott and after in their full carier They charge and breake them This conflict which consisted for the most part of Leaguers Defeat was almost as soon dissolued as it was resolued on it began at nine of the clocke and at tenne not any of the Dukes men had any offensiue armes some aâ—e ouerthrowne some taken and some seeke their safetie in flight The victors poursue them thâ—ee Leagues and strewe the fields with men horses and armes The Duke is compassed in by a squadron of men at armes A voyce reuiues the memorie of the slaughter made at Saint Eloy and of the Companie of Pueilhes at the brute whereof he is slaine presently Death of the Duke oâ— Ioyeâ—se without any respect of his qualitie His brother Saint Sauueur Bresay who carried the white Cornet Roussay the yonger brother of Pâ—ennes guidon to the Duke the Earles of Suze Ganuelo d' Aubiâ—oux the Lords of Fumel Neufui the elder brother of Perigord yong Rochefefort Croisete Gurat Saint Fort guidon to Saint Luc du Bordet his enseigne de Vaux Lieutenant to Bellegarde gouernour of Xaintonge Montigni enseigne Tiercelin master of the Campe Pluuiault la Brangerie Campelis the yonger la Vallade Bacullard with many other Caâ—taines and a great number of men of account and qualitie with about halfe of the armie made the battaile of Coutras famous by their deaths as the most memorable of all that haue been giuen for religions cause in France Many rich prisoners and a very rich spoyle All his Cornets taken his cannon carried away and his baggage seized on At their returne from the pursute thankes were giuen to God vpon the place of battaile died with bloud and couered with carcases But that which honoured the King most in the midest of this so commendable a moderation of his victory hee shewed himselfe no lesse milde and courteous to the prysoners and the wounded then wise and valiant in heate of the fight He caused the dead to be buried cured the wounded sent home almost all the prisoners without ransome gratified most of the Commanders caused the enseignes to bee deliuered to Montigny aboue the rest commended him to haue behaued himselfe valiantly in the battayle whereby hee began to purchase fauour with the King of Nauarre and afterwardes gotte great reputation with him for his valour and fidelity when as hee vnited both Crownes into one The Prince of Condé at the first charge had a blowe with a Lance on the side and beeing ingaged vnder his horse it did so preiudice his health as the griefe thereof did soone hasten him to his ende This is the greatest losse of the Protestants army in this coâ—bate in the which there was a very small number slaine and not one of account The King of Nauarre is nowe freed from the snares that were layed for him nowe hee aduanceth towards the spring of the riuer of Loire and giues aduice of his desseine to the army of strangers which then was in Hurepois about the Lands of the Lord of Chastillon The King camped vpon Loire betwixt Cosne and Neufui and by aduice of the Duke of Neuers hee cloyes the passages with trees stoanes and other hindâ—ances where the horses should passe The second cause next to God of the ruine of this army to whom they thought the King at his entry would haue presented a blanke to prescribe what they pleased The Duke of Guise followed them at the heeles and the Duke of Mayenne on the one side and yet both of them could not keepe them from surprising of some small Townes to refresh their army But when as they see themselues frustrate of all hope to ioyne with the King of Nauarre or to passe the riuer of Loire that they must eyther retire or march forward to meete with the King of Nauarre or ingage themselues farther within the realme to seeke bread for themselues and forrage for their horses or else march on the left hand and wander into vnknowne Countries they growe amazed they mutine they faint Some Frenchmen attempt la Charité but their enterprise succeeds not The Germaine aâ—my in Beausse In the ende they leade the army into Beausse where they should finde meate both for man and horâ—e The seauen and twentith of October they lodged at Vimorry and places there abouts neere to Montargis To take from them this lodging the Dukes of Guise and Mayenne taking aduantage of the passages of the riuer of Loing come at supper time with fifteene hundred horse and fiue thousand foote and charge the Baron Donneau beeing lodged in Vimorry with seauen or eight Cornets of Reistres Charged at Vimorry but they had almost verified the saying of the King of the Epirots vanquisher of the Romaine army We are vndone if we get such an other victorie for three hundred horses of baggage the Barons two Cammells and the death of fifty souldiars with a hundred seruants was not sufficient to recompence the bloud of fortie braue and gallant Gentlemen and two hundred good souldiars slaine vpon the place by the Reisâ—res who
speedily repayred to their Cornets whilest the Dukes men were busie at the spoile The Duke of Mayenne receiued two pistol shot on his caske by the Baron and in exchange the Duke gaue the Baron a wipe on the forehead with his coâ—rtelas but with small hurt This losse of horses and baggage makes the Reistres to mutine againe growing impatient neither seeing their pay nor the King of Nauarre for a bayte they force Châ—steaulandon and spoile it The Prince of Contys arriuall neere vnto Chartres The Prince of Conty arriues at the army where the Duke of Bouillon resigned him the charge and the white cornet pacified this mutinie Then the Suisses treated with the King by the Duke of Neuers means his Maiesty hauing now coniured them by their alliance with this crowne to serue him or to retire themselues Defection of the Suiâ—ses some of the Captaines followe the Kings party others receâ—â—ing foure hundred thousand crownes returne to their country but some of them at their arriuall lost their heads By this defection the army is halfe decreased the toiles of the warre tire them the discommodities proue at length insupportable many of the troupes disbande they foresee an apparent danger if they giue battell They take Councell the 24. of Nouember to turne head and to draw this languishing army vp to the springs of Loire But the Duke of Guise had well obserued from the beginning that striking the shepheard he shall disperse the flocke The Baron lodged at Auneau neere to Chartres with seuen Cornets of Reistres but he trusted too indiscreetly to a promise made by the garrison of the said Castle not to commit any acte of hostility and to furnish him with victualls for his money The Duke manned it with good store of harguebusiers and and at the fiâ—st sound of the Trompet to horse he enters the Towne with all his forces euen as their Carts stopt vp the streets and gates in the morning Being thus surprised Râ—istres defeated at Auneau and hauing no meanes to recouer the fields they are forced to returne into their lodgings and to remaine at the Conquerors mercy either slaine or taken The spoyle was great eight hundred Wagons great store of armes Iewells and chaynes of gold Two thousand horse of combate and of carriage So as in one night all the Dukes footemen were in a manner horsed rich in spoiles and rich in prisoners The Baron with some fewe other leaped ouer the walles and saued themselues through the fauour of the night and in a marishe He makes a stande halfe a league from Anneau and rallies them together that escape The Suisses that remained come vnto him all determine to breake The Prince of Conty the Duke of Bouillon Chastillon Cleruaut and the rest become answerable for what is due so as they will marche on They might easily haue forced through the Duke of Guises army but they were surprised with feare a passion which doth easily vanquish the quicknesse of mans iudgement The army hath now but one wing to flie withall it is a body without armes or legges yet the hope of paiment makes them continue their course vp against the riuer But the disorder was great feare accompanies them many Gentlemen slipt away dayly to their houses and most of them which remained could not easiâ—y resolue to fight They must make long marches to auoide the enemie they had no guides no smiths for their horses who were spoiled for want of shooes no bread for the souldiars no forrage for their horses their troupes wasted most of them were without pouder without bullets and without meanes to recouer any the Lansquenets are reduced to two thousand and most vnarmed and the Suisses haue changed party The Reistres thinke of nothing but of their returne into Germany the French slippe away hourely The Duke of Espernon coasts them with the Kings armie and â—isheth they would accept of a capitulation to disapoint the Duke of Guise of an absolute victory which he did expect The Duke of Guise pursues them yet is it not fit for the Kings estate he should wholy vanquish these maimed troupes the seruant would then presently attempt against the maister Moreouer this army still holding the field the Realme should be much impouerished and ioyned with the King of Nauarre they might effect great matters The King offers them a safe conduct to returne vppon condition that the French should deliuer vp their colours Capitulation giuen to the Reiâ—â—â—es that the Reistres trusse vp their Cornets and that all sweare not to beare armes in France without the Kings expresse command The eight of December they accept of this capitulation at Lency in Masconois and so disband The Lord of Chastillon protests neuer to deliuer vp his Ensignes but to the King of Nauarre Câ—aâ—â—illons retreat He vnderstands the Reistres threaten to carry him away as a pledge but hee frees himfelfe from theyr mutiny like a gallant Gentleman hee assembles a troupe of a hundred horse and some shot on horsebacke and takes the â—ay of Râ—uanne towards the head of Loire Mandelot Gouernour of Lionois Cheurieres the Earle of Tournon and others seâ—ke to stoppe his passage hee is beset on all sides by his enemies hee makes his way with his sword and passeth through them like a lâ—ghtning and forcing his enemies to flie he causeth the children of that Country to call it the battaile of Turne-taile The Strangers thinke to refresh themselues at Geneua but the most part were not able to get thether and many of the Câ—mmanders eyther with languishing and griefe or as the common saying was â—iâ—h the sweete Wines they drunke with the Duke of Espernon gaue vp the ghost The Duke of Bouillon dyed the xi of Ianuary in the 25. yeare of his age Death of the Duke of Bouillon leauing Charlotte his sister for his heire marryed since to the Vicount of Turenne now Duke 〈◊〉 Bouillon and Marshall of France An other troupe of Reistres marched towards the French Conté the Marquis of â—oâ—t eldest sonne to the Duke of Lorraine and the Duke of Guise pursuing them agaâ—â—st the pâ—blike faith vnto the Mountaines of Saint Claude enter the territories of Montbeliard and Hericourt where by a lamentable reuenge vpon a poore innocent people by the burning of two hundred Villages by the forcing of many wines and maideâ— and by the muâ—ther of a great number of all ages all sexes and all qualities they leaue the markes of the inhumanitie and the brutish fury of the League and carâ—y the â—poiles of their triumph into Lorraine All the chiefe of the League assemble at Nancy where they resolue to make the last triall of their ambition The season inuites them mens humours are well affected The Catholikes consciences freed from the furie of strangers confesse themselues wonderfully bound to the Duke of Guise the people extoll the victory of Auneau and the dispersing of this great armie the Nobility of the League
writes vnto them Our great could not execute his desseine the King hâ—uing saued himselfe within Chartres I wish you to retire to your houses as quietly as you may â—aking no shew to haue seene any thing And in the ende I am so amazed as I knowe not what to doo I beleeue him Kings haue long hands they catch a farre off and their blowes are dangerous So hereafter the King shal free himselfe from the leaguers party but he shall be little the better The Duke is no lesse troubled in minde seeing the Sunne of the royall Maiesty eclipsed hee seemes grieued rebukes the people causeth outrages to ceasse deliuers the French companies their armes and puts them out off the Citty but at Saint Anthonies gate quite contrary to the waye which their Maister tooke In such mutinies no minde bee it neuer so resolute continues stâ—ll constant in one Estate The Duke of Guise sees now that the greatest of the Clergy approue not these newe insolencies their callings haue more grace vnder the beauty of a King then in the confusion of a Democraâ—ie The French Nobility at the least of ten parts nine cannot fit themselues to the humors of the Princes of the League their proper and eâ—â—entiall forme iâ— to oppose themselues against the subuersion of this Estate The Gentlemen hold their honours dâ—gnities charges fees and iurisdictions by homage of the King and foresee that a royalty cannot be suppressed but the Nob lity must likewise perish there is the like reason but without proportion of the obedience and taxe due vnto a King as of a rent due vnto the Lord of a Mannor hee that hath withdrawne himselfe from the first will likewise free himselfe from the last Hee sees that the learned men of honour abhor tâ—is disgrace lately done vnto the King The Court of Parlament resolues to abandon Paris All France is offended with the Kings departure and without the Kings person the Tragedy of Chilperic cannot well bee played nor the instructions of the Aduocate Dauid perfectly effected It is therefore better to play the dutifull seruant and making vnto the King some shew of respect seruice and obâ—dience to labour to returne into Grace and at the fiâ—st opportunity to effect their purpose The Duke seekes â—o returnâ— into â—auour So the Duke of Guise not able to support himselfe in these high attempts falls flat downe Hee protests of his innocencie to the King and of his endeauours to checke the peoples fury hee offers to prostrate himselfe at the Kings feete to iustifie his honour the which hee saies is strangely wounded by his enemies that are about his Maiesty But on the other side the glosse doth ill agree with the text hee chooseth a Prouost of Marchants and Sheriffes at his pleasure receiues the Arcenall the Bastille and other places of strength deposeth many quarter maisters and Captaines takes an oath from such as he installs seizeth vpon the Kings treasure as he had done at Chaalons Reimes Soissons and through all the towns of his obedience And if this mischiefe continues said he I protest to preserue both the Religion and the Catholikes Then by other letters written to Bassompierre a Lorraine The King leuies forces and so do we He is at Chartres and we at Paris Espernon is chased out off Normandie the kings seruants are imprisoned in many great townes the lesser send to submit themselues to Paris and vs. Whilest the Duke prepares a salue for the so are which he had made and the Parisiens perswade their associates to mainteine themselues ioyntly against the King of Nauarres with whom they said the King had made himselfe a partisan to the preiudice of religion and the Catholike Church his Maiestie exhorts his Lieutenants and Gouernours of his Prouinces to retaine the Nobility and people within those limits of duety and respect which tie them to their Soueraigne and the chiefe citties not to frame their affections after the modell of Paris But he speaks no more like a King his stile is the stile of a man that flies that feares that intreats And to repaire this disorder he imployes the Queene Mother The Queene Mother imployed â—or a peace But how could this turbulent spirit cure the infirmities of the Estate being irreconciliable in her hatred to the princes of the bloud and transported in her affection to the children of her daughter the Duchesse of Lorraine She aduiseth the King to passe ouer quietly the insolencies of the league but there is no likelihood she should more regard the profit of her sonne then the aduancement of the Marquis of Pont her grandchild She brings to this newe common weale for the royalty seemed now to be changed into a Democratie complaints and teares against the brauings and force of a couragious Prince and a furious multitude And promising effects of greater zeale to Religion more respect in the distribution of offices and more moderation in the exaction of subsidies she presumed to giue contentment to those who made shew to imploy themselues for a generall â—eformation and to reduce the most violent to their obedience But this serues but to breed a second treaty like to that of Nemours Paris without the King is a body without forme the most iudicious find it and lament his departure The late orders of religious men haue great credit with him They send the Capuchins in procession vnto Chartres to mitigate the heat of his choller and then the chiefe of the Citty went to excuse the motiues which had forced the people to defend themselues and to beseech him to returne to Paris where hee should be â—eceiued with as great ioy as his subiects were grieued to vnderstand of his departure and should finde better seruants then those which had councelled him to ruine and then to leaue them and to graunt them seuen principall points of their petition The extirpation of heresie by the forces of his maiesty and the holy vnion Seuen demâ—nds of thâ— leâ—gue The banishment of the Duke of Espernon and of his brother la Valette Warre in Guyenne by the King in person and by the Duke of Mayenne in Daulphiné Abolition of the tumults of Paris Confirmation of officers chosen for the managing of ciuill causes since the Barricadoes A restoring of the goodly and auncient ordinances of the Realme And an abolition of parties gifts and abuses brought in by Espernon and â—a Valette The Qâ—eene mother presents these Deputies and the King vrged by the league to graunt their request le ts the Cardâ—nall of Bourbon and the other Princes vnderstand The Kings answer That the peace and warre the battells wherin he hath so willingly exposed his person and the last ouerthrow of the Protestant Reistres haue alwaies beene sufficient testâ—monies of his zeale to the mainteynance of the onely Catholike religion withi◠〈◊〉 realme to the extirpation of heresie and false doctrine but iealousyes and distrust had preuented him from reaping the fruits
nationall Counceâ—â—â—f the French Churches The Deputies notwithstanding especially the Clergy will allowe of no reason Tâ—ey are for the most part transported with passion and apprehend nothing but 〈◊〉 maâ— aduance the League Iâ— the King refuseth this article the Duke of Gâ—ise 〈◊〉 dâ—sâ—olue the Estates and laie all the blame vpon his Maiestie He hath so well prouâ—â—â—d for his affaires as he holds himselfe maister of the Castle of Blois and of the Kâ—ngs person There is neither gate hall chamber nor Cabinet but the keyes are at his â—leasure He hath great forces ready He checkes them that speakes not to his liking their voices and consents are forced in the Parlament house he puts in and puts out and doth what he pleaseth Those whom the King and Parlements hold inâ—â—pportable finde accesse and support with him To conclude see the first Prince oâ— tâ—e bloud the first of the most ancient and most famous house that doth at this daâ— weare a Crowne the first of that royall branch of Bourbon which onely remaines aftâ—r so many sisters and cousins of Aniou Alençon Eureux Berry Bourgongne Angâ—ulesme and Orleans and which onely succeeded that of Valois depriued of the right which nature hath giuen him without calling him or hearing his iustifications The Clergy sayes he ought to be no more cited his heresie his incapacity to the Crowne is apparent The Bishop of Chaalons in Champagne deliuers this conclusion to the Nâ—bâ—lity The Bishop of Cominge to the third Estate and the Archbishop of Ambrun to the King to make a law thereof and then followed the last act of the Tâ—agedie of a dispossessed King But oh men the Eternall lookes on you and laughes at your Counsells he nowe 〈◊〉 vpon the stage to act his part and to bring forth effects far from his thoughts The King is aduertised from all paâ—ts of a great conspiracy against his Maiestâ—e The Duke oâ— Espernon assures him by letters The Duke of Mayenne iealous it may be of hiâ— bâ—others greatnes aduertiseth his Maiesty from Lion by a Knight of worship and the Duke of Aumale from Blois it selfe by his owne wife that the Duke of Guise hâ—d very pernicious desseines that the houre of the execution did approch that they 〈◊〉 to seize on him and to lead him to Paris These aduerâ—isements kindle a newe courage in the King hee meanes to preuent â—im and disâ—ouâ—rs his minde to foure whom he knowes as faithfull to his Maiesty as â—nemieâ—â—o the damnable proâ—ects of the League He must suppresse this newe starre 〈◊〉 tâ—e East whom the people worshipped already The present necessity will not suffer 〈◊〉 to bring him forth in viewe the Popes respect retaines him his oath to protect 〈◊〉 Estâ—â—eâ— makes him irresolute the troubles which this execution will cause in 〈◊〉 diâ—â—osed to the League makes him doubtfull yet he must die Hee hath no 〈…〉 France but of a simple subiect and yet without the Kings authority 〈…〉 he hatâ— built a League had intelligence with the stranger leauâ—ed 〈◊〉 waâ—re attempted vpon townes and broken the publike peace He continues 〈…〉 against the oath of the Edict of vnion with the Cardinall Morosine Legate 〈…〉 and Don â—â—igo of Mendosa Ambassador of Spaine He confirmes his 〈…〉 â—ederations with the Gouetnors of reuolted townes Hee published by 〈…〉 that hee hath not taken armes but for Gods and the Kings seruice aâ—d yet by the surprise of so many townes he hath hindered the aduancement of the Kings army in Guienne against the Huguenots The obiect of his aâ—mâ—â— is the safety and religion of the Catholikes and to depriue the King of Nauarre oâ— all hope of succession to the Crowne and in the meane time it appeares that he hath sought the loue of the King of Nauarre he hath promised to giue him his sonne in hostage and to meete him with seuenteene Princes of his house at the riuer of Loâ—re to serue him and make him King of France Many letters intercepted discouer that after his maiesties pardon of many capitall crimes he renues his disseynes against the King and against his estate Obiecâ—ions against the Duke of Guise The surprise of the Marquisate of Salusses is by his intelligence He disgraceth the Kings actions he blames him to haue vnwillingly made warre against the Huguenots to haue sold the said Marquisate that vnder colour of recouering it hee might diuert the warre against the Heretikes In steed of reducing the Townes held by the Huguenots hee keepes his Captaines and men of warre at Blois vpon assurance of a profitable change Hee hath caused bookes to bee Printed in fauour of the lawfull succession of the house of Lorraine to the Crowne At the Barricadoes this voice was heard It is no longer time to dally let vs lead my Lord to Reimes He hath suffered himselfe to be saluted by the people with cries and acclamations which belong onely to the Soueraigne Prince He hath vaunted that he was able to take the King prisoner or to do worse although he entered but with eight horses into Paris being assured of the force and wills of the Citizens He hath â—eized on the places of strength within Paris made Gouernors Magistrates and officers at his pleasure He hath so corrupted the Estates as the Deputies speake not but by his mouth they produce nothing but what hath beene first examined in his Councel Many crie out that he stayes too long beâ—ore he strikes Hee speakes no more but in termes of a Souereigne with pride disdaine and threats He hath refused to subscribe the Edict which the King would publish in cases of treason He doth already seale Letters pattents with his great seale He forbids the Commons to giue victualls or munition to such companies as the King had sent vnto them There remaines no more but to confirme in his person that ancient greatnes sometimes vsurped by the Maâ—ors of the pallace and to deale with the King as Charles Martel had done with Childeric In the ende they represent vnto the King the Processe of Salcedo a party in this conspiracy the counsells of Nancy and of Paris in Lent last whereof the chiefe point was To seize vpon the Kings person the instructions of the Aduocate Dauid the letters of the Qâ—eene Doüager of Denmarke to the Duke of Lorraine her sonne the attempt of the Barricadoes and to heape vp the measure the practises corruptions and violences done by the Duke of Guise to the Estates The like and lesse crimes haue in former ages brought more famous heads then the Duke of Guises to the blocke The Leagues and practises of an Earle of Harcourt of a Constable of Saint Paul of a Duke of Nemours haue brought them to shamefull endes Pope Sixtus now liuing hath of late put to death the Earle of Pâ—poli of the noblest families of Italy only for that he had concealed some banished men in his house The Duke of Guise himselfe did of late pursue with all violence the disobedience
and some others were lightly hurt In this battaile they obserue three chiefe things The first the Kings firme resolution to giue battaile with an assured confidence that the sinceriity of his intent and the equity of his cause should bee fauored with the assistance of heauen The second that at the very instant of the fight it seemed that the earth did bring forth armed men for his seruice for on the eue and the day of battaile there came aboue sixe hundred horses vnto him vnexpected The third that of two thousand French Gentlemen only twelue hundred did fight twelue hundred put to rout an army of foure thousand horse fresh well mounted well armed and twelue thousand foote Without doubt the Eternall God of armes doth neuer forget the right of Princes Conquests after the victory against their rebellious subiects and a braue resolution with a wiâ—e commaunde giues a happie ende to battailes This victory purchased Vernon and Mante vnto the King two principall bridges vpon the riuer of Seixe And the heauens seemed to poure more blessings vpon our Henry and to make his way easie to an absolute Royaltie An other 〈…〉 of the League for the Earle of Rendan chiefe of the League in Auuergne was the same daie of the battaile of Yury shamefully chased from the seege of Iosstre slaine in battaille his troupes cut in peeces and his artillery taken by the Lords of Curton Rostignat and Chasseron As they had abused the Mantois with a vaine assurance of his death whome they durst not looke vpon nor incounter so with the like practises they must delude the Parisâ—â—ns The Duke of Mayenne his sister of Montpensier and the other heads of the League deceiued of hopes published by printed bookes That at the first assault at Dreux the Bearnois had lost aboue fiue hundred men that their wounds had made a greater number vnfit for their armes That the Marshall of Biron was wounded vnto death That in an other encounter neere vnto Poisâ—y the Vnion had gotten a great victory That in the battaile of Yury the combate had beene long and the losse almost equall That if the Bearnois bee not dead hee is little better But such as glad to haue saâ—ed themselues came to Paris marred all in verifying the Contrary making the people to hang downe their heads and to wish for peace by a still and mournefull muttering The fire brands of hell in their pulpits made the losse farre lesse then it was giuing them an assured hoped of speedie and newe succors from Spaine for the restoring of their Estate and the destruction of the Maheustres so they then called such as did fight vnder the Kings Enseigns To that ende the Duke of Mayenne went into Flanders to the Duke of Parma that is to say hee went to ruine his honour and reputation for being a master at home among his owne countryemen hee went to make himselfe a seruant and slaue to an ambitious proud man who hath often made him attend at his gate and lacquay after him before hee could receiue an answere of any matter of small importance to the great griefe an disdaine of the French Gentlemen that did accompanie him Doubtlesse it was necessary the Duke should trie the insolency of strangers the better to know the courtesie of the French and submit his armes and person to the King his soueragine and lawfull Lord the means whereby hereafter hee shall abolish the memory of things past Aduersity makes the wilfull more obstinate The Court of Parliament at Rouen for execution of the former decree puts to death the seauenth of Aprill some prisoners the Kings seruants and three daies after they declare all those persons guilty of high treason to God and man that followed the King of Nauarre so speake the decree and would not yeeld to King Charles the tenth of that name 1590 ioyne with the Vnion and carrie armes vnder the â—uke of Mayenne â—â—â—lest these threaten by their decree and the Duke goes to beg releefe the King being at Manta laboured to reduce the Parisiens to reason by mildnes But these trumpeâ—â— of sedition imputing this delay to want of courage perswaded the people that shortly their sworne enemie should haue worke inough and that at length he should beemined that a little patience would giue them a great victorie that they must not yeeldâ— any article whatsoeuer making impudent allusions to the name of his familie who is now seated in the throne of this monarchie These insolent exclamations brought the King about Paris Paris is accustomed to liue from hand to mouth Seege of Paris the benefit of the Hales the Place Maubert and other market places is the cause that the most part of housholds doe not knowe what prouision meanes And the cheefe of the League had so setled this former beleefe in the Citizens minds as of a hundred fourescore and nineteene had neglected to prouide for things necessarie to endure the toyle of a seege So as the taking of Mante Poissy Pont-charenton Corbeil Melun Montreau vpon Seine and Logny vpon Marne brought Parts in few moneths to extreame necessitie Compiegne Creil and Beaumont stopt the 〈◊〉 of Oise Erronious decision of Sorbonne But the ordinarie cries of the Preachers the practises of the cheefe and the Ladies of the League and the erronious decision of the facultie of Sorbonne giuen the seuenth of May in the thâ—rd generall congregation held to that end in the great hall of the sayd College prohibiting all Catholikes according to the law of God sayd they to receiue for King an heretike or fauorer of heretikes relaps excommunicate although he do afterwards obteine by an outward iudgement absolution of his crimes and Censures if there remaine any doubt of dissembling treacherie or suâ—uersion of the Catholike religion Condemning all them for heretikes forsakers of religion and peâ—â—icious to the church that should suffer any such to come to the crowne Al these made the multitude more obstinate against the extreamest miseries which the rigour of a long and painful â—eege may cause Besides this decision they had yet stronger restraints to bridle mens tongues actions that fauoured the flowre de Liz in their hearts The sixteene set spies to obserue the speeches and countenances of such as they suspect that is to say of such as wish for peace and haue not lost the remembrance of the true Princes of France And if any one chance to say It were good to â—reate of a peace He is a politike hee is a Roialist that is to say an heretike and enemie to the Church They spoyle imprison yea put to death such as doe not applaud this horrible tyrannie 〈◊〉 of the Paâ—â—siâ—ns The Duke of Nemours in the Duke his brothers absence commaunded at Paris and for his cheefe Councellors he had the Popes Legat the Ambassador of Spaine the Archbishop of Lion the Bishops of Paris Rennes Plaisance Senlis and others â—anigarole Bishop of
the French with too great confidence and contempt of the enemie the Duke of Ioyeuze sets vppon them with all speed in the night kills foure hundred hurts a great number of them and but for the wisedome and aduise of Themines had slaine all the rest and gotten two Cannons of Montauban This done the Duke of Espernon retyres into Prouence 1592. His brother La Valette died in February are the Estate of Prouence required the Dukes presence being Gouernour The mines surprised and deâ—eated Ioyeuze layes hold of this occasion and the tenth of September returnes and campes before Villemur Reiners commits the place to the Baron of Mauzac to Chambert and la Chaize 〈◊〉 and valiant Commaunders in warre and goes himselfe to gather togither some â—â—â—cors at Montauban The seigneur of Desme is happily there with some forces without any stay puts himselfe into Villemur Ioyeuze made his battery of eight Cannâ—â—â— and two Culuerins when as Themines accompanied with sixe score maisters and tâ—o hundred harguebusiers marcheth couragiously to succour them causeth his horsemen to light and sends their horses safely backe to Montauban and so with great deâ—teritie thrusts himselfe into Villemur And in good time for the next day the twentith of September Ioyeuze gaue a sharpe assault but it was valiantly defended with great losse to the enemie At the same instant Themines giues an alarum with foure Trumpets which he had brought with him chargeth Ioyeuze fiercely and defeats a regiment newly come from Tholouse with a supplie of powder bullets pikes and iron forkes Hereupon the Marshall of Montmorencie Gouernour of Languedoe supplies the beseeged with some troupes led by Lecques and Chambault who aduertised of new forces come to Ioyeuze attend some dayes for Missillac Gouernour of Auuergne to ioyne with him Ioyeuze meanes to preuent them before they ioyne with the Auergnac to set vpon them Hee chargeth them at Bellegard and finds the beginning succesfull and pleasing but the end foule and mourneful for he left the field and returned with great losse Notwithstanding hee meanes to amaze the beseeged and by the Councell of Onoux and Momberault politike Captaines he makes many fires in his Campe as signe of victorie and ioy but Themines Leâ—ques and Chambault did but laugh at this policie Missillac arriues at Montauban with a hundred masters and a good number of harguebusiers Ioyeuze hauing his troupes then dispersed some before Villemur others in field against the Kings seruants all the Commaunders resolue to fight with him Missillac leads the foreward Chambault the battaile Lecques the reereward and the 19. of October they resolutely set vppon the Dukes first trench by the regiment of Clouzel and Montoison garded by two hundred souldiars and presently succourd by foure hundred others they force them and chase them to their second trench after an houre and a halfs fight vnder their Commaunder The rest of the Kings armie comes violently vpon them Themines issueth out of Villemur and chargeth them behind He leaues the place and retires farther off to Condommes where his campe and artillerie remayned His men seeing themselues poursued take this retreat for a slight they grow amazed all disband all flie in disorder feare makes them to loose their iudgement and the most part casting themselues into the riuer of Tar the bridge of boats which Ioyeâ—ze had made being vncapable of so great a presse desired rather to trie the fortune of the water then of the victors sword They cut the bridge which was in a manner the death of all them that had trusted in this violent Element Ioyeuze disapointed of the vse of the bridge leaps amongs the rest into Tar being full of them that fled and the Tar swalowing vp his bodie as the rest leaues his soule to seeke the place of his destiny The victors passe the foard and charge them that did swim in the water poursue them that flie The Duke of Ioyeuze drowned cut all in peeces they incounter and of so great a number bring but fortie three prisoners The death of about three thousand men ruined the League in Languedoc and Quercy Three Cannons two Culuerins two and twentie enseignes and all the baggage were the spoyles of this so memorable a day And to make it the more memorable the victors lost but tenne men whereof foure being not well knowne did by mistaking run lâ—â—e fortune with the vanquished Thus Villemur hauing endured aboue two thousand Cannon shot was fully deliuered with the losse of seuenteene souldiars onely The Dukes bodie was drawne out of the water and buried in Villemur and the Kings army consisting of fiue hundred masters and two thousand and fiue hundred shot besides those which remained in the place beseeged retyred hauing purchased great honour to their garrisons Thus the Leagues affaires began to languish the impatienciâ— and lightnesse of people who promise vnto themselues much and suffer little did queÌ„ch this great heat which was lately seene in good Townes the whole partie runs headlong to their ruine They did no more take for payment the assurance which was giuen them to prouide shortly for this common disorder and by an assemly of the Estates proceed to the Election of a King The League dâ—clines who should raise the pillers of their Estate and restore the good order and harmonie that should bee betwixt them The zeale of the new Pope Clement the eight moued them very little The forces and pistolets of Spaine grow hatefull vnto them The actions of the Duke of Mayenne are detested they abhorre the tyrannies which other pettie Kings would practise in their Prouinces and did well foresee that the ambition of great men would soone thrust the people into the gulfe of vtter ruine finally â—ueâ—y one begins to lifâ— vp his head and to desire peace They speake of it in the open Parliament of the League The cheefe of the Cittie ioyne with them that are most desirous of quiet and in the end procure an assemblie of the Cittie of Paris in the midest of Nouember They speake very plainly to end these troubles and to send to treat with the King to that end and purpose besides by the death of the Cardinall of Bourbon lately deceased the preferring and aduancing of the vncle before the nephew which they pretended was no more of force The Duke of Mayenne seing himselfe readie to be disapointed goes to the Towne-house intreats the assemblie to referre the decision of that point to the Estates and to forbeare to deale therein Otherwise said he I shall haue reason to thinke that the authors thereof are ill affected to our partie and will deale with them as with the enemies of our religion Notwithstanding all his threats it was decreed that attending a conuocation of the Estates they should send â—â—to the King to obteine a free trafficke betwixt them and the Townes of this Realme The Duke not able to impugne this conclusion seemes to
Honories gate whereof hee had the keies and draw in a good number of men of warre to fauour the enterprise and that by Saint Denis gate should enter an other troupe of sufficient armed men as well to seize on the gate as of the rampar on either side to make a barre betiwixt the Spaniards and the Wallons and keepe them from ioyning They keepe two gards nere Saint Denis gate one at Saint Eustace Crosse and the other at the Temple At the same instant the garrisons of Melun and Corbeiâ— should enter by boat at the Bulwarke by the Celestins and should be receiued by Iohn Grossier and by the Seigneur of Cheuallerie the first being Captaine of the sayd Bulwarke and the other Lieutenant Generall of the artillerie remayning in the Arcenall And to auoyd a popular tumult a brute should be spred abroad of a peace betwixâ— the King and the Duke of Mayenne whom vnder colour of the peoples iealousie of the Spaniards which he had caused to approch vnto Beauuois they had found meanes to send him out off Paris with promise to cause them to retire That ouer night they should giue tickets to the cheefe whome they knewe desirous of a peace as for the multitude of factious and the partisans of Spaine they durst not speake openly vnto them to bring in the King some that were desirous of peace could not rest assured of his clemencie and bountie by the which they should bee aduertised of the accord and intreated to arme with their friends for the bringing in of the Deputies of either part which should come in the morning to make the publication and resist the Spaniards that would oppose themselues So it was decreed and so executed This order being resolued on it was imparted to those with whom the enterprise had beene long before concluded by the meanes of the Lord of Vicques then Gouernour of Saint Denis to whome the greatest honour is due both for that all the associats did rely vpon him and daily were aduertised and incouraged by him and also for that hee did carrie himselfe so wisely in Saint Denis as he was more Gouernour of Paris then of S. Denis The nineteenth of March the Secretaries of the Lords of Brissac and S. Luc carrie it to Senlis to the king with a portrait of the Cittie setting downe the places of the Strangers gards of their partisans They are searched going out of the Towne but they remember not to looke into their gloues where their instructions were written by the hand of the sayd Langlois the Sherife The King giues them aduice for the execution the night before the 22. day of the moneth A bold and 〈◊〉 execution about foure of the clocke he finds all things readie and the new gate and S. Denis gate at his deuotion He enters with his troupes led by the Lords of Hâ—mieres â—elin Vicques Fauas at the same gate by the which the deceased king parted mournfully out of Paris At the same instant the Lord of Vitri comes with a troupe of men at armes to Saint Denis gate beats backe the strangers who made resistance vppon the rampar enters the Towne sets gardes at the gate and on the rampâ—rs then passing through Saint Denis street he incounters his Maiestie whose troupes were come to Saint Michels bridge and before the Pallace Thus according to the oth which his Maiestie had taken of the Captaines of euery companie Paris oâ—ey the King Not to do or suffer any insolencie or outrage to any Cittizen but to such as should obstinatly make resistance all his troupes enter without disorder without murther without spoyle and by their perfect obedience testifie how great his authoritie is that commaunds ouer them The King being seized of the Loâ—ure the pallace both Chastellets and other cheefe places of the Cittie and assured of the Duke of Feriâ— and his Strangers hee went armed with his caske on his head with an incredible concourse and ioy of the people to our Ladies Church and there gaue sollemne thankes to the Soueraigne Protector of this monarchie who hauing as it were led him by the hand by such extraordinarie and miraculous meanes into the Capitall Cittie of the realme gaue him hope that he should soone chase the stranger ouâ— off his inheritance and peaceably inioy the throne of his predecessors In the meane time the Earle of Brissac Iohn L'huillier master of the accounts and â—rouost of the Marchants with the Shriefe Langlois accompanied with the Heraults â—ent through the Cittie proclayming the Kings generall pardon causing them to take white scarfes and gaue tickets printed at Saint Denis conteining an abolition of all offences past So as in lesse then two houres all the Cittie was quiet euery man went to his ordinariâ— exercise the shops were oâ—ened as if there had beene no alteration and the Townesmen grewe familiar with the men of warre There was nothing but signes of wonderfull ioy and loue the bitternesse of the proud and insolent commaund of the Spaniard made the Parisiens to tast the sweetnes of the fatherly rule of their Kings and those detest him as an enemie who lately feared and respected him as a master A happie and famous day wherein the people lately so contrary and full of crueltie reduced to that miserie as they durst not sigh in their miserie exceeding glad to see a meanes to inioy their ancient libertie know not with what acclamations to receiue their peacefull and gratious King who by his wonderfull clemencie washing away the blemishes wherewith Paris had beene vnworthily polluted made the Inhabitants of slaues Cittizens restores them their wiues children goods honours Magistrates and liberties and giues peace to them who lately held it a crime to demaund bread onely and capitall to demaund bread and peace togither His Maiestie suffred the Duke of Feria Dom Diego with other Commaunders and men of warre to depart with their baggâ—ge theiâ— matches out and their armes downe The Bastille made some shew of resistanâ—e but as al was prepared to force it that their victuals which were purposely kept backe began to faile them De Bourg hauing the commaund thereof yeelded it three dayes after and his Maiestie to recompence such as had serued him in this enterprise gaue them great gâ—fts with many offices and aduancements Hee confirmed all the companies of the Cittie and disanulled the declarations which had beene published in the moneth of March 1589. he restored the Lord d'O to his gouernment from the which the generall reuolt had expelled him hee appointed him to go to the Towne house to take an oth of the offiâ—ers in the presence of Monsâ—eur Francis Miron one of the Kings priuie Councell master of Requests and President of the great Councell ouerseer of the gouernment of the Kings armies and appointed to assist him And the Earle of Chiuerny Chancellor of France assisted with the Seigneâ—rs of Ris Pontcarre Miron and other Councellors of the priuie Councell
then to leaue that willingly which they could not hold by force That the King had expresly forbidden him not to consent to any Treaty nor to the choyse of any place for an Assembly before he had assurance of this restitution That hee held it a wrong done vnto the dignitye of so great a Prince to the honour of his commaundements to the equity of his cause and to his good fortune once to hearken vnto the difficulties they made to yeelde him vp that which was his owne That whosoeuer should treat with this preiudice deserued to be punished as the authors of Treaties that were dishonourable to their Maisters The Generall of the Fryars who could get no other resolutions at his hands returned twise into Flanders to let them vnderstand that among all the reasons of the Treaty that of Restitution was inuincible and that it was in vayne to demaund a Peace of the French if they did not restore all That this Restitution was the soule of the Treaty without the which it was a fantastike body without any naturall proportion and substance That in the ende desiring too much they should haue nothing and thinking to hold all they would loose all The Archduke doth aduertise the King of Spaine that there was no meanes to enter into the Temple of Peace but by opening of the gates of Calais Ardres Dourlans and other places taken in Warre vnto the King of France God inspired the heart of the King of Spaine against the opinion of his Councell of State to yeeld vp all his pretensions for the good of a Peace rather then to leaue the world in this perpetuall Discord and Confusion He did consult with his Councell of conscience vpon the necessity of this Restitution They answered him that he could not liue with a quiet soule nor die in the integrity of his Religion if he did not restore those places The King of Spaine followed this aduice aduertâ—sing the Archduke that he would not for that which he had gotten from an other loose the meanes to leaue a Peace to his owne Estates Vpon this resolution the Generall of the Fryars returnes into France The King of Spain reâ—olueâ— to yeâ—ld all the places and passeth his word vnto the Lâ—gate Sillery for the Restitution so as after an infinite toyle of two moneths these three made all things ready for a Treaty Sillery returnes to the King leading with him the Generall of the Fryars as wel to let him vnderstand from the Kings owne mouth what he had sayd vnto him by his commaundement as also to haue the Generall tell the King what hee had promised and propounded on the Archdukes behalfe The Legate remayned at S. Quintin aâ— Gardien of the words and intentions of two Princes Being assured of eythers faith they agree vpon a place for the assembly of the Deputies and to conclude the Treaty â—he Towne of Veruins being vnder the Kings obedience and neere vnto the â—â—oâ—ters of Arthâ—is was found the most commodious Veruins chosâ—n for the conference and was presently furnished with all things necessary to receiue the Ambassadors The King Deputed Pompone de Belieure Knight Lord of Grignon the chiefe and most auncient of his Priuy Councell and Nicholas Brulart Knight Lord of Sillery Councellour of State to his Maiesty and President in his Court of Parliment For the King of Spaine and the Archduke there came Iohn Richardot Knight President of the Kings Priuye Councell and of his Councell of State Iohn Baptista Taxis Knight Commaunder de los Santos of the Military order of S. Iames and Councellor of State and of the Councel of Waâ— Lewis Verrichen Knight AudieÌ„cer chiefe Secretary Treasorer of the Charters of the Councell of State The Cardinall Medicis Legate of the holy Sea assisted by the Bishop of Mantoua was as it were an Vmper of all difficulties in this good and holy reconciliation The Kings Deputies arriued first and those of the King of Spaine presently after where hauing saluted one another with hearts full of ioy and incredible content they promised to treat Roundly Sincerely Mildely communicating their Commissions one vnto an other and reforming those errors which they found The Precedence yeelded to the French that they might begin to treat more safely and freely After much question and many protestations made by the Deputies of the King of Spaine for the Precedence in the ende they yeelded vnto the French Kings to take what place they pleased after the Legate and the Popes Nuncio At their first sitting the Legate exhorts them to shewe the fidelity and integritie iâ— this action which their Maisters desired The Legate exhorâ—â— the Depuâ—ies whereof he assured himselfe by their experâ—ences as of those which had happily managed the greatest affayres of Europe more then any other men wishing them to consider that hauing the honour to Councell two of the greatest Princes of the world who submitted their wills vnto their Councells as the most diuine thing among men when it is purged from ambitious passions violent thoughts and preiudicate opinions they should omit nothing that might regard the contentment of their good intentions and not to doubt but that God who hath an especial care of Kings and Kingdomes would infuse the light of his sâ—irit into their most seceet thoughts and threaten them with the sincerity of his Iustice if they did not apply all their indeauours to his glory and the good of the Christian common weale Then they entred into Treaty with a mildnesse fit for men of that quality and the merit of the matter It was managed with such secrecie as nothing was knowne before that all was concluded The chiefe poynt of difficulty was for the restitution of Places Many reasons were propounded on eyther side but the Kings Deputies had great aduantages the force of reason the prosperity of affayres in the recouery of Amiens and aboue all the fauour of the time and occasion The King of Spaine would not dye but in Peace he desired his Sonne might raigne in Peace and that his deerely beloued Daughter might be married in Peace The Aâ—chduke languished with a desire to be married and fearing least the promise which he had not taking effect during the life of the King of Spaine the conditions would be made worse he pressed Richardot and Taxes not to proceed in this negotiation after the Spanish manner but to remember that they must not prolong their consultations nor protract an action the praise whereof depended vpon the conclusion So after they had balanced all matters in the treaty to reduce them to a iust proportion of reason all controuersies betwixt the two Kings were reconciled and ended During the Treaty of Veruins the Emperour Rodulphus the 2. as well for himselfe as for some Princes of the Empire An Agent sent from the Emperour to the Stâ—tes of the vnited Prouinces at the instant request of the King of Spaine sent Charles
this bee withdrawne from me I would to God I had followed the aduice of my deceased father of famous memorie or at the least that you would beleeue and follow mine I should then beare my crosses more lightly should die with more content leauing you in this vallie of miseries Behold then what I leaue you for an euerlasting testament aboue so many Kingdomes and Seigneuries to represent vnto you as in a glasse after what manner you shall gouerne your selfe after my death Bee alwayes very watchfull of the change of Kingdomes to make your profit thereby according to occurrents Haue an eye ouer those that are most â—amiliar with you in Councel You haue two meanes to maintaine your Realmes of Spaine the one is the present gouernment the other the nauigation of the Indies As for the gouernment you must either relie vppon the Nobilitie or vppon the Clergie If you leane vnto Churchmen keepe the other in awe as I haue done but if you fortifie your selfe with the Nobilitie shorten the reuenues of the Clergie as much as you may If you seeke to entertaine their friendships equally they will wast you disquiet your realmes wherof you shall neuer see a finall end If you will make vse of the Nobilitie my aduice is that you keepe good correspondencie with the Low Countries for that they be friends to the French Consideration of forraâ—ne Princes English and some Princes of Germanie Italie Poland Sueden Denmarke and Scotland can little helpe you therein The King of Scotland is poore Denmarke drawes his reuenues from forraine nations Sueden is alwaies in faction and besides ill situated The Polonians are alwaies masters of their Kings Although Italie bee rich yet is it farre off and the Princes are of diuers humors Contrariwise the Low Countries are rich in men and shipping constant in trauell diligent in seeking out hardie to begin and attempt and willing to suffer It is true I haue giuen them to your Sister but what is that There are a thousand â—uasions whereof you may make vse in time The cheefe are that you alwaies mainteine your selfe Tutor vnto her children and that they alter nothing in matters of Religion for these two points taken away you are wholy wiped of those Countries Hold good correspondencie with the Popes giue them bountifully bee courteous vnto them entertaine their most familiar Câ—rdinalls and labour to haue credit in their Conclaue Keepe the friendship of the Bishops of Germanie Aduice touchâ—ng the Pope but let not their pencions be any more distributed by the Emperour Make them to know you they wil serue you the more willingly will receiue your presents with more content Draw not any neere vnto you that are of base condition respecting the Nobilitie and the Commons equally for to speake the truth their pride is great they are mightie in riches and whatsoeuer they desire must bee done they will bee a burthen vnto you and in the end they will become your masters Serue your selfe then of the Nobles of the cheefest families and aduance them to Preferments of great Reuenues The common sort are not so needfull for that they may procure you a thousand discontents which will consume you Beleeue not any of them if they bee not of qualitie free your selfe from English spies and discharge you of French pensions Serue your selfe boldly with some of the Noblemen of the Low Countries whome you shall haue alwaies bound vnto you by fealty As for the nauigation of the East and West Indies therein consistes the power of Spaine and the bridle of the Italians from the which you cannot exclude France nor England for that their Power is great their Marriners and Saylers many the Sea large their Marchants too rich their Subiects too greedie of money and their Seruants too faithfull I haue excluded the lowe Countries but I feare that in time mens humors may change and therefore you must do two things change your officers at the West-Indies often those which you call home make them oâ— your counsell for the Indies Councell touching the Indies so in my opinion you shall neuer bee deceiued but both the one and the other wil make knowne vnto you the profit and seeke for more honour Do you not see how the English seeke to depriue you of that commodity as hee is mighty at Sea in men and shippes as for the French I do not feare them So fortifie yourselfe with them of the Lowe Countrie although they be partly Heretikes and would continue so vpon condition that they may freely sell their Marchandise in Spaine and Italie paying the King his customes and other rights and obtayning pasport to sayle to the East and West-Indies putting in Caution heere and taking an oth that at their returne they should come and discharge in Spaine vpon paine of punishment if they did otherwise I thinke they will not refuse nor deny to obserue it And by this meanes the riches of the Indies and Spaine shal be common and shall haue free commerce with the Low Countries whereby both France and England shal bee disapointed My Sonne I could set before your eyes greater desseines for the conquering of Kingdomes but you shall finde in my Cabynet the aduertisementes and discourses which haue beene giuen mee Commaund Christopher de Mora to deliuer you the Key presently least those secrets fall into some others mans hands I haue caused some breefes of these memorialls to bee burnt the seauenth of September I doubt all are not supprest bee carefull to enquire for them I haue this day added If you can reconcile Antonio de Perez drawe him if you may into Italie or at the least that hee promise to serue you in some other of your Kingdomes but suffer him not to returne into Spaine nor to go into the Lowe Countries Touching your marriage the instructions are in the custodie of Secretary Lâ—o. Reade this often it is all of my owne hand writing Bee watchfull alwaies ouer your most secret Councellors accustome your selfe to ciphers discontent not your Secretaries let them alwaies bee imployed bee it about matters of importance or otherwise trie them rather by your enemies then by your friendes If you discouer your secrets to any familiar friend keepe alwaies the most important within your owne bosome A peace being proclaimed in France the King applies his thoughts to reforme all disorders and to administer Iustice to all his Subiects And for the better assurance of the publicke tranquiâ—lity hee did as his Predecessors had done in the like occasions prohibiting by the aduice of his Princes Officers of his Crowne and Lords of his Councell the carriage and vse of Harguebuses Petronells Pistolls Pistolets After the Peace in the yeare 1559. and in the yeare 1569. The carrying of armes forbidden the 4. of August 15â—â— published in the Couâ—t of Parliamenâ— 13. and other Weapons vpon confiscation of Armes and Horse and two hundred Crownes fine for the first offence and
the Peace of Veruins but nothing could bee concluded His Holinesse being made Iudge and Arbitrator of all controuersies betwixt his Maiestie and the Duke the parties produce all their pretensions The Ambassadour of France demanded restitution of the Possession saying That it ought to bee iudged before the Proprietie and that the Possession of aboue a hundred yeares should serue for a good title to France if they had nothing else The Dukes Ambassadour answered That power may giâ—e possession without right and that his Master had preserued his interest with the possession After my difficulties and much dispute the French men that were resident within Rome gaue it out that they had pleaded too much that there was no reason the Pope should ouerthrow the right of a great King Brauerie of the Frenâ—h to please a pettie Prince that they must end this quarrell with the Canon in the plaines of Piedmont As these men braued it in words the others published their reasons in writing shewing that the rule of the Law which will haue the dispossessed restored to his possession is not prâ—ctised among Princes nor for Principalities The French insist vpon the contraâ—y and vrge an end of this businesse with great vehemencie desiring rather to bee preâ—ently dispatcht then to languish in the tediousnesse of the remedie The Spaniards deâ—ayed the decision of this procesâ—e all they could holding the dispute more auaileable to them then the Resolution and the Disease more profitable then the cure The time appointed for the Arbitrement was almost spent in tedious difficulties as vnpleasing vnto the Pope as to the French And although hee had no lesse zeale to maintaine Concord then he had shewed affection and care to suppresse Discoâ—d yet would hee gladly haue beene freed of this Iudgement for the bad effects which hee did apprehend and whereof the coniectures were easie â—y the consideration of things past Hee dâ—sired not that the Iudgement which he should pronounce should giue any cause to the one or the other to complaine of his Iustice being troubled what he should pronounce for that it was a thing without example and was dangerous to determine of that which had beene decided In these two extremes either to iudge the possession of the Marquisate to the King or to ioyne to the Petitorie to content the Duke A â—ropoâ—ition of â—equestrâ—tion hee fiâ—des a meanes to haue the Marquisate sequestred into his hands as a Newter to remaine in deposito vntill it should be adiudged vnto the one or the other To this end F. Bonauenture Calatagiron Generall of the Friars and newly made Patriarch of Constantinople was sent into France with Ronâ—as the Dukes Secretarie vnto whom the King not onely granted against the aduise of his Councell that the Marquisate should remaine in Deposito in the Popes power as one who had no pretension nor title vnto it but also a prolongation of the Arbitrement for two moneths The Duke was well pleased that this sequestration should maintaine the hope of his possession The French desired rather a definitiue sentence then a sequestration for although they had no cause to doubt of the Depositors fidelitie yet through too much trust men doe often fall into great inconueniences The Kings Ambassadour freed them of those apprehensions and managed this Seâ—uestration so politikely as they found it in betâ—er estate then the Kings Councell did expect Hee carryed himselfe herein like a man of great Iudgement neither could hee serue his Maister meanly in a subiect of so great import The Duke grew in some Iealousie of Arconas for that he was a Milanois beleeuâ—â—g that he did rather follow the Spaniards intentions then his wherevpon hee called him back to Turin vnder colour to send him into Spaine Hee that succeeded Arconas in that charge marred all receiuing the Instructions that were giuen him too lightly and deliuering them too indiscreetly for visiting the Cardinals which he thought did fauour the intentions of the King of Spaine and the Duke his Maister hee drew nothing fâ—om them but that the issue of this businesse would not bee as hee expected The rest of the Cardinals which had other desseignes blamed the Dukes Councell who had ingaged him in the expectation of a iudgement both doubtfull and of small honour that the best hee could hope for was the hatred of a great Prince who would alwayes remember this iniurie and that they had caused him to plead so long for his owne The French vsed other subtilties to make him councell the Duke to breake off the Arbitrement And for that this ingagement in an others hands was not pleasing vnto them they held it little for the reputation of France to follow such tedious formes by way of Iustice seeing there was a more speedie course by the way of Armes They gaue it out that the Depositaâ—ie would hold things in that Estate as when it pleased him he would make it knowne that the thing engaged belonged vnto him that he had good correspondencie with the King and that his intention was to make one of his Nephews Marquis of Salusses and Feudatarie of France This feare or rather indiscretion of the Ambassador imbarqued him so farre in this Iealousie Indiscretion conâ—ounds and troubles it selfe as he holds the Iudge for suspect and sends to his Maister that he should dislike of the Depositarie as much as the King And although the Popes intention was not to be corrupted yet he beleeued it to be true by the Popes coldnesse and he did not onely beleeue it but thinking it a baâ—enesse to dissemble it and treason not to speake it hee told the Pope That his Maisters Highnesse did expect an assured Iudgement from his Holynesse to be maintained in possession of the Marquisate as a thing which he held of his Predecessors wherof he had been spoiled by the violence of the stronger had recouered it by the good hap of an occasion The Pope said vnto him that he desired not to leaue these two Princes long in this dispute nor to breake the course of happinesse which their subiects promised themselues by the continuance of the Peace But the Ambassador who was transported added That if his Holinesse gaue sentence in fauour of his Maister he should dispose of the thing adiudged and finde him as full of affection as any other to second his intentions when it should please him to haue the Marquisate for one of his Nephews The Pope who marcht vprightly being offended at an offer so contrary to the integritie of his intention The Arbitrement depost broken sayd vnto the Ambassador that he neuer had any such thought and to free him from all feare he would desist from the Iudgement and deale no more neither with the Arbitrement nor Sequestration All men thought at Rome that the Arbitrement was broken and the consent for the Sequestration reuoked the French cared not and the Duke was content that things should passe by other formes
other places That the King of Spaine did thinke that to preuent that all these discontentments should not carrie this Prince to some dangerous party it was necessary to tâ—e him vnto the Crowne of Spaine by some strong bond They therefore demand the first Prince and the first Infanta vnder colour to bring them vp after a royall manner The Councell of Spaine demands the Dukes children and in a Court whereas they might one day hope to raigne The Duke was discontented with this demaund perceiuing well that it proceeded more from distrust then affection His Councell aduised him to giue this content vnto the King of Spaine that hee could not lodge his Children better and that that was the Vniting and very cement of perfect friendship Yet he resolued to keepe his children and to send the Count la Motte to make his excuse that the present estate of his affaires would not suffer him to send them nor to prouide them a trayne and furniture fit for the voyage The King of Spaine to take away all excuse glues order to haue money prouided for him at Milan and perswades the Duke to send the Count la Motte as Gouernour and conductor of the Prince The Duke takes the money and keepes the ware saying that the ayre of Spaine was not proper for his Children that their indisposition and the tendernes of their age would not suffer him to hazard them so soone in so long a voyage This refusall offended the King of Spaine The King of Spaine offended with the Duke and makes the Duke to resolue vpon that which he held most profitable From that time he could no more looke on a Spaniard He then left the Spanish Ambassador at Turin and came to Chambery When as he did see any one a farre off in his Councell of the Spanish faction he lookes on him with such a disdainfull eye as hee shewes himâ—elfe no more in his presence he skornes the Spanish fashion and commends the French saying that there is no such felicitie as to conquer ones selfe and to yeeld himselfe absolutly vnto himselfe The King was long before he would yeeld vnto the Dukes coming into France saying that it was not necessarie hee should passe the mountaines without the Marquisate of Saluces But the Cheualier Breton and Roncas did presse the King that hee would bee pleased to giue their Maister leaue to see him assuring him that hee would giue him al content The first was framed to the fashion of that Court and did beleeue that when they should see a Prince great in Iudgment admirable in liberalitie and indued with many excellent qualities they would grant him all without any difficultie Many diswaded the Duke from this voyage laying before him the dangers in trusting a great enemie wanting no examples whereof one in such remarkable accidents were sufficient to make him to change his mind and to ground his iudgement vppon experience Roncas returned from the Court he found the Duke at Hautecombe and brings him letters from the King fuller of desire to see him then of any hope that this enteruiew should yeeld him any great profit This letter well considered was not sufficient to make the way for such a passage shewing that although the King desired his comming 1599. it was alwaies without preiudice to haue reason of the Marquisate Iâ— was imparted to the Councell whereof some sayd that this voyage would gâ—â—e an offence which Spaine would neuer pardon others sayd that the end of this game would be the losse of the friend-ship of the King of Spaine which would bee profitable to the Duke and necessary for his Children The Duke answers that the Marriner is ill aduised that strikes often against the rocke where he hath many times suffred ship-wracke That the hatred of Spaine would make the conditions of the treaty more easie and beneficial and would lay open that which none but himselfe could expresse carrying in his brest certaine desseins which hee could not trust to any but himselfe There was no reason of force to make him change this opinion He sayd that as soone as he had seene the King hee should be content They had much adooe to perswade him not to send an Ambassador but a simple Post vnto the King of Spaine not to aske his aduice but to carry him assurance of his going into France the which hee vndertooke when as they could not beleeue it in Court thinking that hee had changed his resolution When as all doubts were taken away the King gaue order for his receyuing commanding the Gouernor of Lions to prepare the Arch-bishops lodging for his owne person and the nerest houses for the Noblemen of his Court That he should accompany him in the best sort he could to any thing that he desired to see within the Towne That he should go meete him the mid-way of the last post with al the Nobility of his Gouernment that they of the Towne should attend him at the gate when he should enter and that the Prouost of Marchants should tell him that he had commandement to do him the same Honour that was to bee done to his Maiesty and visiting him in his lodging to present vnto him the goodliest rarest fruites that might bee found in the Country and that they should feast him defray him with all his traine This was executed with such order and state as the Duke hath sayd often since that this entertainment had bound him The Earles of the great Church of Lions were in doubt whether they should receiue this Prince as they had done the Duke Emanuel Philibert his Father The Dukes of Sauoy as Earles of Villards and Soueraignes of that County in the Country of Bresse haue had place as Chanoin of Honour in that Church the which is presented vnto them the first time they enter The same Honour should haue beene offred vnto the Duke passing by Lions as had beene giuen vnto his Father when he came after the Peace in the yeare 1559. if things had beene in the same Estate or if they had not fouÌ„d a greater difference The Chapter of this Church had great reason to intreat the Prince as they had done his Predecessors seeing the King would haue him receiued like vnto his Maiesty and giue him that testymony of Honour the effect whereof did Honour them as much that gaue it as he could finde himselfe honoured that receiued it But for that through the Kings Conquest the County of Villards was no more vnder his obedience that things were yet in suspence of Warre or Peace that Princes are alwaies offended with the communication of such Honours â—a Guiche Gouernor of Lions aduertiseth the King of the Duke of Sauoyes reception The King demands what a Chanoine of Honour is hee resolued not to do any thing therein but what it should please the King to appoint He doth aske the Gouernors aduice wherevpon la Faye one of the Earles of that Church was
he found that it was too late Afterwards the Popes Nuntio interposed himselfe there was some hope of reconciliation About that time three hundred Christians of Canisia defeated foure hundred Turkes of Sigethe and not one escaped Schuartzebourg Generall of the Christian army with Palfi and Nadaste attempted Buda in vaine but they surprised Schambock notwithstanding the resistance which the garrison made On the other side certaine Hussars Cedrins and Villeceins which went to Zolnock defeated a troupe of Turkes and Tartares and contrariewise the Tartares spoiled Hungary and Transiluania firyng all euen vnto Cassouia and Aâ—ilech where the Christians taking courage slue all these firebrands this execution was done by the Peasants Now did Cardinall Andrew Battâ—ry send letters of excuse to the Emperour with assurance to bee alwaies faithfull vnto Christendome and that he would soone reâ—â—we the Contract by an Ambassage which he would send expresly Schuartzebourg 〈◊〉 twelue thousand men out of Comorre and laide them in Ambush in a Valley neere vnto Buda of purpose to surprise the Towne but not beeing able to effect iâ— hee spoiled the suburbes the enemy not daring to sally sorth And the next day he defeated a Conuoy which carried money vnto Agria where 400. Turkes were slaine and the Bega himâ—elfe taken prisoner Reder and Rebesse made Knights by the Emperor which was the Captaine of Hatlouan The Emperour to incourage the Nobility did honour Melchior Reder and Rebess his Lieutenant with the order of Knight-hood for that they had valiantly defended the seege of Varadin The first of Iune the Christians of Comorre â—et vpon the Castell of Rique and tooke it although â—qin a name of the Country being reuolted had discouered vnto the Bega the estate of the Christians they returne victors with a Conuoy that Palfi sent them by reason of the Tartares courses The Emperiall army was not yet come into Hungary although the troupes of Sueueland were discended by the riuer of Danuby Coronel Osterrues of Saxony had also brought a thousand soldiaâ—s The other Princes of Saxony sent not any The Turkes defeated by the Christians by reason of the courses of the Admirall of Spaine vpon the territories of the Empire as hath beene sayd But God gaue a great victory to the Châ—â—stians beeing but fewe in number against a great multitude of Turkes they had intelligence that fiue thousand Turkes went with a Conuoy of victuells vpon the Danoâ—e vnto Buda the which was wonderfully prest with famine the Christians knowing that the enemies would refresh themselues at Pesta layed an Ambush nere vnto Buda and cut al these troupes in peeces Ambassadors from the Moscouite to the Poland taking a great spoile to the great confusion and hindrance of the Turkes About the same time God put it in the minde of the Duke of Moscouy to aide the Christians against the Turke he sent first vnto the King of Poland an houre-glasse of sand a Cimiter halfe drawne and some Petronels Some did interpret this as a defiance of War taking the houre-glasse to signifie that the time of truce betwixt tâ—eÌ„ was past the Petronells betokened war but the Cimiter halfe draâ—ne signified that the Duke of Moscouy was ready either for Peace or Warre But the Moscouits Ambassador declared the contrary and that his Master desired passage for forty thousand men through Poland the which hee would send vnto the Emperour against the Turkes The Mâ—scouite sends Ambassadors to the Emperour in fauort o Christians that there should be a perpetuall Peace betwixt the Polonians the Moscouits The Polonians being suspitious by nature denied a passage for 40000. horse through their Country and as for a Peace the Estates should deliberate tâ—eroâ— in their next assembly The Duke of Moscouy apprehending this iniury scornes the Polonois caused his Ambassadors to imbarke on S. Nicholas day in an English ship which coasted aboute Suedland Norway and Denmarke to enter into Germany by the riuer of Elbe hauing 〈◊〉 three monethes in this voiage in the end they arriued at Stode so passing by Hamberow Lubeâ— Magdebourg they came into Bohemia â—hereas the Emperor was They were honorably receiued at Lubeâ— and Hamborowe whereaâ— they gâ—ue away publikely great sums of mâ—ny vnto the poorer sort gaue hope vnto 〈◊〉 Hans Townes that their Masters wold coÌ„firme their preuiâ—eges in his great Citty of Nyuogard in Moscouia The Emperour gaue theÌ„ audience at Pilzen for that the plague was at Prague The day the Emperour gaue them and ence they caused the preâ—ents that were seâ—t by their great Dâ—ke to bee caried before them The great Duke of Moscouies presents to the Emperour which were many white Falcons a Horâ—emans Mace all couered with precious stones set in gold great Cuppe with two handles all of gold a cloth of gold with the Image of S. Nicholas whom they e pâ—cially reuerence certaine peeces of Persian cloth wrought with Gold foure timbers of Sables and summe Foxes skinns as blacke as Vellet After the presents the two Secretaries followed holding two letters in their hands being lift vp on heigâ—â— the one from the great Duke of Moscouy named Borissou the other froÌ„ the Prince his Sonne both written to the â—mperour the which carried credit for the Ambassador who presented the letters and presents himselfe The Emperour receiued them very gratiously with offer of all reciprocall friend-ship But of all their promises there was nothing effected by reason of the Iealousie and Hatred of the Polonians against the Moscouits We haue before shewed what happened to the King of Poland in his â— calme of Sueden how that after he had made a Peace nere vnto Stockhomle with his â—nclâ— Charles Duke of Suyderland who in â—â—eede of comming to two are the obseâ—uatâ—on of the sayd accord was returned to Colmar and so into Poland leading his Sâ—fteâ— with him The Suedens who had yeelded vnto his party would not follow him into 〈◊〉 but remayned at Colmar which is a Sea Towne where the sayd King of Polâ—nâ— had â—eft Ladisâ—â—us 〈◊〉 for 〈◊〉 assisted by Iohn 〈◊〉 and other Nobles of Suedland Charles seeing the King his Nephews retreat beseegeth them and 〈◊〉 them ready to yeeld by famine During the seegâ— for that he would not seeme to imâ—ugne the accord made betwâ—xt his nephew and 〈…〉 the Estates to the Towne of 〈◊〉 being assigned vnto Lyncop who confirmed 〈◊〉 the ordinances of O berg and Sudâ—rcop and the two precedent Conuocationâ— of Statâ—s by the which it had beene decreede that Charles should be sole Administrator That they should send an Ambassage vnto the King to let him vnderstand that if he came in aâ—mes they would oppose themselues Iâ— otherwise the Realme desired him That if the aâ—â—aires of Poland did detayne him he should send his eldest Sonne Vladislaus or his brother Duke Iohn to settle the Realme of Sueden according to their ancient lawes Whilest they expected his answer
other should make him restore that which hee detaynes from mee on tâ—at side 〈…〉 I find his manner of proceeding to bee very bad The Duke dâ—mands twâ— Lâ—gatâ— To conclude 〈◊〉 Patriarke I wil beseech the Pope to take my answere in good part who holds that I cannot bee vâ—gâ—d by any reason to lay aside those armes which the Duke hath â—oâ—câ—d me to take 〈◊〉 run headlong without any necessitie into this warre in the which I am engageâ— against my wil. I meane not to bee irreconciliable to him but I will tell you that â—ee hath carrâ—ed himselfe in such sort towards me as I will no more relâ—e vpon his woâ—rds After so many breaches he must finde some other meanes to warrant that hee saith oâ— some others then my selfe to beleeue him His former carriage makes me iudge what the future may be It is euident that in a ful peace he vsurped the Marquisate of Saluces of 〈◊〉 deceased King his benefactor alleadging no other reason but that he woâ—ld keepe it more safely for him then the Huguenots who woâ—ld â—surpe it promising to doe as hee pleased I can shew his letter written vnto the King But when there is any question to keepe his promise The Dukâ— letâ—er to the dâ—câ—asâ—d King hee then no more rememberâ— it Iudge also how I can bee assured of the loue of this Prince who during the â—isâ—ries of France sought to vsurpe Daulphiné and Prouence where with his friends he 〈◊〉 cauâ—ed infinite ruines and where hee pretended no other right but neigâ—bourhood aâ—d conueniencie and to make himselfe great with his neighbours losse 〈…〉 the taking oâ— the Marquisate so as his Ambassador in Suitzerland in an open diet at Bade excusing his masters couetousnes to the thirteene Cantons sayd that his children which were many were issued from Kings and Emperours and that it was naturall for Fathers to seeke all meanes to make their children great and to thinke of it in time seeing that no man knowes what time he hath to thinke of it The which should giue occasion to al his neighbours to forecast how they shall keepe their estates vntill his children bee prouided for The â—â—rre which I make shall not trouble the quiet of Christendome I am readie to desist when hee shall doe mee right for many iust pretensions which I haue vppon his Estates and Countries the which he deteines from me to the preiudice of my Crowne Let no man doubt of my resolution to obserue the treatie of Veruins but it doth not 〈◊〉 meâ— to quit mine owne The Patriarke seeing that hee would allow no other reasons then his owne beseeched the King to grant a cessasion of armes but his â—equest 〈◊〉 not granted the King being vnwilling his army should rest vntill it had taken Montmelian and Bourg being dangerous to remaine in an enemies Countrie and not to beâ— assured of the cheefe places of strength the losse whereof strikes terror 〈…〉 The King sent the Patriarke to Lions to treat with his Councell more 〈…〉 pâ—oposition The Spanish Ambassador considered the course of this warre yet he made no shew that the King his master desired for all this to alter the publike peace notwithstanding hee could not forbeare to say that besides the naturall affection which hee bare to the Duke of Sauoy and to his children hee held it the dutie of a mightie Prince to lend his helping hand to them that were vniustly oppressed yet he made no protestation which might make them doubt of the obseruation of the Treatie The King also sayd that he would cheâ—ish the loue of the King of Spaine so long as hee should make account of his but hee â—ould neuer trouble himselfe with so difficuâ—t a thing as to keepe a friend by force He commanded the Marquis of Lullins to retyre for if an Ambassador be alwaies suspected during an assured peace there is no reason to trust him in time of war The King being resolute not to lose any time in a season which was so precious parted from Grenoble dyned at Baraut visited his troupes which were at Montmelian and from thence went to the Marches vewed Chambery and being come vnto the â—uburbs he coÌ„manded Villeroy to speake vnto Iacob who coÌ„manded in the Towne to lay before him the danger whereinto he thrust himselfe with all the Inhabitaâ—ts if they attended force in so weake a place The King offers mercie to the inhabitants of Chambery That the King desirous to preuent the ruâ—ne of so many poore innocent Creatures offered mercy sought to vanquish them by mildnesse before hee imployed any other meanes Iacob accompanied with the President Rochette thanked the King and beseeched his Maiestie to suffer them to aduertise his Highnes in what Estate they were The King granted them three dayes to resolue and to send to the Duke but the people not attending his resolution being desiâ—ous to free themselues from the apprehensions of the misery which follows them that are â—bstâ—nate Chambery yeelded the 21. of August forced him to enter into parlie so as the Towne was yeelded to the Kings obedâ—ence Those within the Castel promised to yeeld within 6. daies if they were not succored with sâ—fficient forces to raise the seege The King left la Buisse a gentleman of Dâ—ulphiné there for Gouernor Hauing effected so great a matter with so small forces hee was well pleased to see his army augmented by the troupes which La Guiche Gouernour of Lions brought vnto him being about 300. horse of the Nobility of his gouernment and of his companie of men at armes Being master of the field hee resolued to haue the cheefe Fort. hee seazed vpon the two approches of Tarentaise and Morâ—enne He parted from Chambery the 26. of August lodged at Saint Peter d' Albigny and the next day came to Conflans where hee found that Les ' Digueres had by maine force drawne two Cannons to the top of a mountaine The King comes to Conflans and batters â—â— battred a pauillion and made a small breach in a curtine The place was sufficient to haue assured Women but they that were within it shewed not themselues Men being one thousand fiue hundred in number among the which there were a hundred all armed and three hundred more which carried Cuirasses They had scarse made fiftie shott but they yeelded through feare and demanded no other composition but their liues thinking themselues very happy to redeeme their liues with the losse of their Armes The capitulation of Conflans Horses and Baggage the which the King gaue them out of his bountie well satified with the place their enseignes and the promise which they made him not to carrie armes for twelue dayes The discription oâ— Charbonnieres As Conflans commands the passage of Tarentaise so Charbonieres holds that of Morienne being seated at the entrie of the mountaines which makes the valley ioyning to Mont Cenis This place stands vpon a rocke
His Maâ—esty hauing giuen order for Montmelian depaâ—ted the next day without entring into the Castell to visit his Army tâ—e which finding as resolute as hee desired hee â—ad no other desseigne but to seeke all meanes to approch neere in viewe of his enemy by diuers discouâ—ries which he â—ent to mâ—ke in diuers places but all was so couered with deepe snowe as it was impossible to doe any thing but to greeue at the discâ—mmodity and in the meane time to â—eepe the soldiars in breath in attempting of some places among others the Tower of â—iliâ—te and â—ome Corps de garde placed at the entry of the next Mountaiâ—es the which â—he RegimeÌ„t of Nauarre did soone breake The King being aduertised by his good intelligence that the Duke stayed by the like discommodity of the wether and place 〈…〉 ruine or at the least much inacoÌ„modate his own Country his sâ—biects aâ—d Army hee leâ—t l' Esdigueres at Mousâ—iers with his troupes to command in the Country of Taâ—entâ—ise and to attempt as occasion should serue vntill the Duke were retired Hâ—s Maiesty came to Chambery whereas the Cardinall Aldobrandino prâ—sented vnto him Arconas d' Alymes the Dukes Deputies for the Peace to whom he sayd Your Mâ—stâ—r hath nothing but words and I shew the effect I sayd vnto you at Parâ—s speaâ—ing to Alâ—nâ—s that you were welcome so I say now The Duâ—â—â— Ambâ—sâ—adors preâ—ented to the King but I meane not to treate but with this Reuereâ—d peâ—sonage speaking of the Legat. Tâ—o dayes aâ—ter this the King went to take Horse-backe hauing referred the treatie of peace to the returne of his Chancellor and Councell from 〈◊〉 and went with the rest of his army to assure Saint Katherins Fort whether in the beginning he had sent the Lord of Sancy to rayse a regiment of foot in the Countrie to keepe in the garrison of the Fort and afterwards Mounsieur d' Vitry with the Regiments oft he Cheualier of Montmorency Corces and other troupes Saint Katherins Fort is built vppon an high hill The Situation of S. Katherins Fort. which ouerlookes all the Countrie it consists of fiâ—e bastions which are not walled yet it is ditcht and furnished with al things necessarie It lies two Leagues from Geneua defended by six hundred men whereof two parts were Suisses Some few dayes before the Kings arriuall one of the Captaines of the bâ—seeged went forth with his Maiesties leaue to the Duke of Nemours who with the Kings good leaue was retired to his house of Anicy that he might be freed from this warre and not hurt or preiudice his Cousin the Duke of Sauoy the King sent presâ—ntly one of his gard to bring him to Leluisel where hee was lodged a quarter of a Leaâ—â—e from tâ—e â—ort hauing let him vnderstand the resolution of his desseine the greatnesse of his forces the small hâ—pe they should haue of the Duke hee preuailed so as soone after his returne to his Companions they did capitulate to depart with their bâ—ggage and armes The capitulâ—tion of Saâ—nt Katherinâ— Fort. their Drummes sounding and Enseignes displayed caâ—rying away with them a third part of the artillerie if they were not succoured within tenne dayes Tâ—e King left the Count Soissons to attend the effect of this capitulation and went to Lions to meet the Qâ—eene as wee shall shew hereafter The Duke of Sauoy hauing failed at Montmelian gaue it out that he would succor Saint Katherins Fort. He had a goodly army and those that were about him thâ—ugâ—t there were but too many to chase the French out of Sauoy Moreouer hee thoughâ— to haue a passage by Valais either willingly or by force he had also good friends among the pettie Cantons of the Suisses being distasted with the seruice of this Crowne for that they were not payed what was due vnto theÌ„ De Vic the Kings Ambassador made all their friendship fruitles imploying himselfe worthily against all his practiâ—es hee assistâ—d in all their assemblies hauing good words to content some and paâ—ience to disgest the indiâ—crâ—tion of others and couragious answeres against the threats and braueries of the most diffiâ—ult yet he could not hinder the Leuie of 4000. men granted to the King of Spaine by foure or fiue Cantons for the defence of Milan with charge not to enter vpon the Kings Dominions vpon paine of death but hee kept them from maâ—ching so soonâ— as the enemie desired which stay made them not onely vnprofitable but also hurtful by his great expences The six dayes being expired the Gouernour of S. Katherins Fort came forth with 600. men according to the Capitulation All the Captaines of the Duke of Sauoys places excused their yeelding vpon necessiâ—ie to accuse theiâ— Prince of indiscretion 〈…〉 yeâ—lded who had reason to comâ—layne of their valouâ—s for they might haue done better Tâ—e Count Soissons aduertised after the yeelding of Sâ—â—nt Katherins Foâ—t that the Duke coming by the Tarentaise aduanced with his whole army to succour the bâ—â—eeged hee assembled his troupes and resolued to meet and fight with him if hee durst hazard the day But hee was sooner aduertised of his retreat then of his marching The Dâ—ke had sayd at Paris and to the Seigneâ—r of â—ossause at Turin that whosoeuer would make warre against him he would shew him sport fâ—r fortie yeares space but hee lost all Sauoy in lesse then fortie dayes and theâ—e â—emayned nothing in Bresse but the Cittadell of Bourg A Câ—â—uoy for tâ—e Citâ—aâ—â—ll 〈…〉 without all hope to be succored by â—orce He entertained Bouuens who commanded there with hope that he should receiue a great Conuoie from Bourgougne which the Baron of Lux and oâ— S. Angel who beseeged it with blockhowses hindred Captaine Vatuiler to effect And then hee exhorted them by letters to hold it good vntill the treatie of peace whereof he assâ—red them the which was the onely meanes as wee shall shew to free the beseeged fâ—om the necessitie whereunto they were reduced The Duke of 〈◊〉 comeâ— to Flâ—rence and without the which they must needes haue fâ—llen vnder his Maisties subâ—ection Behold all which passed of greatest import in the conqâ—est of Sâ—uoy and Breâ—e by the most Christian King But this warre did not hinder him â—rom thinking of his marriage he had beene contracted at Florence the 25. of August Monsieur de Belle-garde Maister of the Kings â—dorse carried the procuration to the great Duke of Tuscany The Duke of Mantoa came to â—lorence the 2. of October and the next day arriued the Ambassador of Venice The Pope would gladly haue had the Qâ—eene receiue this blessing of her Marriage at his hands and to haue done her the like honor as he did to the Queene of Spaine at Ferrara The Cardinall enters into Fâ—oâ—enâ—e the which for certaine reasons could not be effected and therefore he sent the Cardinall Aldobrandino his Holines Legat Nephew in whoâ—e hands the words of preseÌ„t
but should remaine free as well for the Kings subiects as for all that would go or come into France and the souldiars which shal passe through the Kings Country for the Dukes seruice or any other Prince by the suffrance of his Gouernours and Lieutenants generall shall no way anoy his Maiesties subiects And for the effecting of that aboue mentioned the Duke should deliuer vnto the King or to any one deputed by him the Cittadell of Bourg as it then was without any Demolition and al the Artillerie Pouder Bullets and munition of War 〈◊〉 yeelded to thâ— King which shal be in the place at the yeelding thereof Moreouer the Duke did passe ouer vnto the King on the other side of the riuer of Rhosne the places and villages of Aux Chousy Vulley Pont D' Arley Cessel Chancey and Pierre Chastel with all the Soueraignty and Iurisdiction hee might haue ouer those places and the Inhabitants thereof The said Duke did also transport and resigne vnto the King the Baronie and Baylewike of Getz with all the appurtenances as the Duke and his Predecessors had formerly enioyed it without any retention All which places and things yeelded and resigned should remaine vnited and incorporated to the Crowne of France and should bee reputed the patrimonie of the Crowne and might not bee seperated for any cause whatsoeuer Also it was agreed that the sayd Dâ—ke should truly and effectually restore vnto the King or to any one deputed by his Maiestie the Place Towne and Chastellenie of Castell Daulphin with the Tower of Pont and all that hath beene held by the Duke or any of his depending of Daulphiné in the same Estate they then were in without any demolition or ruine leauing in the sayd places all the Artillerie Poulder Bullets and munition of War which were then in the sayd places the souldiars carrying away such goods as belonged vnto them whithout exacting any thing of the Inhabitants It was also agreed that the sayd Duke should demantell the Fort of Beche Daulphin the which was built during warre and should pay for the passage reserued a hundred thousand Crownes in the Cittie of Lions fiftie thousand readie downe when as the Fort of Charbonnieres should be yeelded vp and other fiftie thousand within six moneths after And in regard of the sayd grant and â—esignation The Marquisate of 〈◊〉 tranâ—ported to the Duke the King should be contented â—or the good of the peace to quitt and resigne vnto the Duke his heires successors al the rights and pretensions which hee or the Daulphins of France had or might haue to the Marquisate of Saluces and all the dependances with the Townes of Cental Mons and Roque speruier without retayning any thing leauing vnto the Duke all the Artillerie Poulder Bullets and munition for Warre which were in the sayd places in the yeare one thousand fiue hundred ninetie and eight The King did also promise to restore vnto the Duke or to any one that should bee deputed by him all places that had beene taken since the yeare one thousand fiue hundred eightie and eight from the said Duke and now held by his Maiestie or his seruants all in the same Estate they then were and without any demolition and in restoring of the sayd places the King might transport all the Artillerie Pouder Bullets and munition of Warre that was in them and all the goods that belonged vnto the souldiars not exacting any thing of the Inhabitants These were the cheefe points of the treatie of Peace the which was signed by the Legat and the Deputies and thankes giuen vnto God The King holding his aboad at Lions after this conclusion to be vnprofitable The King aâ—d Queene go to Paris takes Post and goes to Paris The Legat goes to Auignon by the riuer of Rhosne The King left the Constable Villeroy and the Deputies at Lions for performance of the Treatie At the same time Herminio was dispacht to carrie newes vnto the Pope and in passing to the Duke of Sauoy and the Count Fuentes he found them both at Some vpon Po to consult of the meanes which the Duke of Biron propounded vnto them to resolue vpon war rather then peace The Duke receiues it as the most vnfortunate effect of all his aduentures swearing that he would cut of his Ambassadors heads that had signed it The Count Fuentes complaynes of the Duke The Count Fuentes sayd that hee had not to doe with this Peace having so many iust occasions and such good meanes to make war that he would not let 40000. men and 40. peeces of Cannon remaine idle Both seemed discontented the one for that the King or the King of Spaine had all the benefit of the peace and the other for that his master should haue need of him by the war and he should keepe Piedmont in awe The Duke complayned that the Councell of Spaine had kindled a war to consume him they had thrust him into a storme to make profite of his shipwracke and had drawne him to a preiudiciall exchange The Dukes complaint reaping no benefit for that the French were out of Italy hauing them neerer neighbours in another place nor that Milan should bee couered or that Italie should haue the Alpes to guard it from the inundations which it had receiued in former times by the forces of France seeing this rampart was made with the â—â—akening of his estates The Count of Fuentes foreseeing whereunto these complaiâ—ts did tend The Count of Fuentes complainâ—s of the Duke gaue the Duke to vnderstand That the King of Spaine his master had reason to complaine of this great and fruitlesse charge being a troublesome thing to entertaine great forces to no effect that this mightie and fearefull armie was not rayâ—ed nor entertained but to restore him to his estate that the fault was in himselfe if it were not employed and withall he added the mutinies and murmuring of the Spaniards who complained that they depriued them of the fruits of a victorie which they did limit with the taking of Lions In this contention they resolue not to signe any thing without the King of Spaines commaundement and to keepe the armie still readie to march The Kings Deputies being aduertised that the Duke made no care to confirme what had beene concluded they aduertised the King thereof and sent a post vnto the Legat being at Auignon to know his opinion thereof The King commaunds them to attend the Dukes resolution without impatience being indifferent vnto him which he made choise of but he should shew a weake Iudgement if he should accept of any but of peace for that hee should not of a long time recouer that by warre which peace should now presently bring him The Legat adâ—â—â—tâ—sed that the Duke refused to signe the peace The Legate was so mooued with this Alarum as hee preâ—ently tooke post to goe vnto the Duke sending Count Octauio Tazzonâ— to the King to aduertise him of his
feare which hee did without Iustice. Hee complayned of the King and of the vnequall recompence of his Meritts and Seruice hee proclaymed his discontents adding threats to his complaints speaking of the King with so small respect as his most pâ—ssionate seruants held his speeches to bee insolent and dangerous It was the defect of his Nature but Fortune added something vnto that for finding himselfe to abound with all the prosperities that a well ordered desire could wish for in his condition he found that men loose themselues beeing to much at their owne case The opinion of himselfe raysed his thoughts so high as hee valued himselfe at an inestimable price thinking that his heart was not of the common temper of others He held himselfe incomparable that there was no man liuyng that might equall him and that none that were dead had atteyned to his meritts And although that in all his life hee had shewed small zeale to relligion yet nowe when as hee prepared his heart to the moâ—ions of ambition hee would seeme very relligious protesting that hee would bee an irreconciliable enemy to the Protestantes La Noâ—le Seigneur of la Fin was by reason of the troubles of Prouence and the quarrell of L' Esdigueres retired to his house beeing threatned by the King in quarrell with â—ome great personages of the Realme and surcharged with debts and sutes in Lawe The discontented do still meete by appointment or by chance The Duke of Biron who knewe that hee had beene imployed in the Dâ—ke of Alansons affaires that since hee had negotiated with the Ministers of the King of Spaine and the Duke of Sauoy during the seege of Amiens and that he had a heart full of discontent imagined that hee sought a Master They talke togither and mixt their greefes and passions in one complaint Hee discouers his discontent to la Fin. they propound to seeke that without the Realme which they could not finde within it and to enter in practise with the Duke of Sauoye they resolue to aduertiâ—e him of an intelligence which L'Esdigueres had vpon the fort of Barrault the which he executed happely Hee went into Flanders for the execution of the Treaty of Veruins where Picoté of Orleans had conference with him inspired his heart with desires to raise his Fortune with those who both knewe and admired his merits The Duke of Biron heard him and made no shewe to vnderstand him and yet hee left him in an opinion that if he came into France hee would bee well pleased that hee should speake more plainely vnto him of that subiect The Spaniards did beleeue that hee yeelded seeing hee gaue eare and assured themselues eyther to winne him or to vndooe him The King was aduertised by one that was then imployed in the Arch-dukes Court of this practise but hee sent him word that the Marshall Biron was of too high a spirit to yeeld to so great a wickednes Being returned out of Flanders the King would haue married him but he made shew that his affections were otherwiâ—e setled And although he gaue it out that he sought the daughter of Madame de Luce yet hee treated to haue the other daughter of the Duke of Sauoy whâ—rof Cheualier Breton had spoken vnto him La Fin had a promise from the Dâ—ke of Biron to doe all he could to content his hopes Picoté had made a voyage into Spaine to receiue directions Farges a religious man of the order of Cisteaux went into Sauoy and so to Milan to receiue order how to teaâ—e this plant from France but the Dâ—ke of Sauoy being at Paris pulled vp the Flower de Luce which was planâ—ed in his heart disâ—osed him so to trouble the King within the realme as he should leaue him the Marquisate of Saluces in peace Vpon this assurance the Duke of Sauoy had no meaning to efâ—ect the Treatie of Peace warre was proclaymed the Duke of Biron takes the cheefe places of Bresse Being at Pierre Chastell in the beginning of September La Fin comes vnto him who by his order had made two voiages to S. Claude where Roncas was The King had aduice thereof but hee thought it better to dissemble these practises then to surpâ—ise the best of his seruants in his actes of infidelitie Hee was content to draw him into Sauoy and to tell him that he must abandon La Fin and not to giue eare to his bad perswasions The King shewed him his error to guide him into the right way but as they which are possest with this violent passion of desire to be Masters are no more capable of gouernment nor Councell He contemns the Kings aduice hee conceiued that what the King spake for loue proceeded from feare continuing still his practises with La Fin and neuer going to see the King but with a great troupe Hee made him beleeue being at Annessy that hee desired to discouer some passage and demanded guides of the Countrie to that end but it was onely to let Renazé passe to the Duke of Sauoy to discouer vnto him the estate of the Kings armie and to make D' Albigny retyre with his troupes the which without this aduice had beene cut in peeces It was at the same time when as the Duke of Biron intreated the King to giue the gouernment of the Cittadell of Bourg to him that hee should name He is discâ—ntenâ—ed for â—he reâ—uâ—â—ll of the Cittadell oâ— Bourg The King answered him that hee would commmit that place vnto de Boisses This deniall did so transport the the Duke of Biron and thrust him into such strange and diuilish resolutions as one morning being in his bed at Chaumont he made an enterprise vppon the Kings person whereof mention is made in the deposition of La Fin and Renazé but it was not executed He himselfe had horror of so execrable a thought La Fin went also from the army to conclude the bargaine with the Duke of Sauoy and the Count of Fuentâ—s Hee treated first with the Duke and the Ambassador of Spaine at Iureé and then at Thurin with Roncas Hee went to Milan to the Count of Fuentes whether Picote also came bringing an answere from the Councel of Spaine to the Duke of Birons propositions and order to conferre with La Fin and to perswade him to make a voyage into Spaine Hee sayd openly that the King of Spaine desired to haue the Duke of Biron at what price and peril soeuer The Duke of Sauoy He treaâ—s with the Dâ—â—e of Sauoy and the Count of Fâ—entâ—s and the Count of Fuentes appointed a day to meet at Some with the Ambassador of Spaine La Fin and Picoté There their minds were knowne and all diâ—ficulties freed of either side La Fin who had peerced into the seacret of his Councells sayd that the marriage of the Duke of Sauoyes third daughter was the Cyment to ioyne togither and vnite all this Treatie with promise of fiue
to take counsell of his Conscience to euaporate those bad humors which did choake him The night past so quietly as many thought it would be but a Thunderclap which made a great noise did little harme that the King would rest satisfied to haue discouered the Treason and taken al meanes from the Traytors to hurt him not being conuenient to discouer all the conspirators He coÌ„manded the Count of Soissons to go to the Duke of Biron to do what he could to dissolue the hardnes of his Heart to draw the trueth froÌ„ him he goes vnto him he coniures adiures him to think of that which he thought least of to humble himselfe and to feare the Lions pawe the indignation of a King The Duke of Biron answered That the King could not complaine but of the good seruices he had done him that he had great reason to coÌ„plaine that he suspected his Loyalty hauing giuen him so many proofs The Couâ—t of Soissons hauing obserued his humor what litle frute might be drawne from his obdurate Heart by any more perswasions who beleeued that the King had sent him to draw something from him he left him Early the next morning the King walking in the little Garden he sent for the Duke of Biron and talked long with him thinking to reclaime him to giue him meanes to free himselfe froÌ„ the mischiefe into the which he did run headlong by his wilfulnes He continued long bare-headed liâ—ting his eies vp to heauen beating his Breast making great protestations to maintaine his innocency There appeared choller in the Kings countenance by the Duke of Birâ—â—â— behauiour there seemed fire in his words From thence the Duke went to dinner by the way he met one with a Letter which aduised him to retire himselfe he shewed it to the Captaine of his Gard who â—ished that he had beene stabd with a Dagger so as he had not come He mocked at all them which foretold his fall and seemed alwayes hardy and bold in his answers The King heard his braueries coldly Dissimulation a new vertue in Princes but not able to apply himselfe to dissemble which is held a new vertue in Princes he still cast out some words of the bad estate into the which his wilfulnes would bring him The King was much troubled in minde before he could resolue the Lords of Villeroy Sillery and Geure went and came often before they could vnderstand wherunto it tended Many thought it was to shorten the course of Iustice In great accidents Iustice it without formâ—â—â—y in so apparent a crime and begin with the execution dealing with the Duke of Biron as Alexander did with Parmenio for Princes are Masters of the Lawes they haue one forme of Iustice for great men and another for those whose quality requires not so great respect In these accidents there is no difference whether bloud be drawn before or after dinner Necessity teacheth the disorder and the Profit doth recompence the example so as the Estate be preserued by the death of him that is preuented But the King will none of that He proceedes with more Courage and Generosity These examples of Execution had beene blamed in his Predecessors he will haue his Subiects and all the World to know that he hath power and authority sufficient to roote out by the forme of Iustice not the Authors of such a Conspiracie for they be Deuils but the Complices and the instruments how terrible so euer He will haue the Solemnities and lawfull Ceremonies obserued and that they be iudged by the rigour of the Lawes The resolution was taken to apprehend him in like sort to seize vpon the Count of Aunergne The King would not haue them taken in the Castle but in their Lodgings The Duke of Biron who had some doubt thereof and who was prepared for that which he could not fore-see nor preuent thought that hee needed not to feare any thing in the Kings Chamber and that all the danger were at the going forth and therefore he prouided himselfe of a short Sword The Duke of Biron carried a short Sword with the which he presumed to make his passage They gaue the King to vnderstand that if he were apprehended in any other place it must needes be bloudy that to auoide an inconuenience it was good to passe ouer respects that were more Vaine then necessary The King walking in the Gallery called for Vitry and Pralin and gaue them order how he would haue his commandments executed and then he called for his supper The Duke of Biron supt at Montignys Lodging where he spake more proudly and vainly then euer of his owne Merits and of the friends he had gotten in Suisse Then he fel to coÌ„mend the deceassed King of Spaine He praiseth the King of Spaine his Piety Iustice and Liberality Montigny stayed him sodainly saying That the greatest commendation they could giue vnto his memory was to haue put his owne Sonne to death for that he had attempted to trouble his Estates This speech brake off the Duke of Birons discourse who answered but with his eyes and thought of it with some little amazement After Supper the Count of Auuergne and the Duke of Biron came to the King who walked in the Garden They were well accompanied intending to haue gone with a lesse Trayne It was sayd the Dukes Horses were sadled ready to be gone and that he had asked leaue in the Morning The King hauing done walking inuited the Duke of Biron to play they entred into the Queenes ChaÌ„ber The Count of Avuergne passing by the Duke at the entry of the Doore sayd vnto him in his Eare He plâ—ies at Primero with the Queene We are vndonne There played at Primero the Queene the Duke of Biron vpon whom all the mischeefe must fall and two others The King played at Chesse and in playing did acte the part of Vlisses going and comming to giue order to his affayres It appeared that his Spirit was troubled with a waighty action He entred into his Cabinet being perplexed with two contrary Passions doubtfull wherevnto he should yeeld The Loue which he had borne to the Duke of Biron the knowledge he had of his Valour and the remembrance of his seruices made him to reiect all thoughts of Iustice and to intreat him as Licurgus had done him that put out his Eye On the other side feare of trouble in his Estate and the apprehension of the execâ—able effects of so vnnaturall a Conspiracy accused his Clemency of cruelty which preferred the priuate before the publike He praied vnto God to assist him with his holy Spirit to pacifiâ— the Combat which he felt in his soule and to fortefie him with a holy resolution to that which should be for the good of his People ouer whom he coÌ„manded by his onely Grace His praier being ended all difficulties which troubled him were dispersed and he fully resolued to deliuer the
Graue and a part of his Armie beeing mutined for their pay and seized vpon Hoochstraten retired himselfe into Spaine where hee was receiued with small grace and countenance hauing serued his Master ill in the Lowe Countries This yeare all the Elements did contribute to the prosperity and blessings of the Peace the Earth did let the King see a newe production of his Treasor Mines of gold dâ—â—couered They discouered in many partes of the Realme mines of Gold Siluer Copper and Lead In the Country of Lionois neere vnto â— village called Saint Martin the plaine which depends of the Country of Saint Iohn of Lions there was a Mine of Gold found by a Countryman who laboring in his Vineyard found a flint stone intermixt with Gold whereby they gathered an infallible assurance that this member was not without a bodie De Vic Superintendant of the Iustice at Lions had commandement from the King to set some to worke in it The first production was admirable and among many goodly peeces one was shewed vnto the King very riche in the which the Gold did appeere and put forth like vnto the budds of a Vyne as fine as that of Carauana so as it might bee sayd that these fiue thousand yeares the Sonne had made nothing more perfect in the bowells of the Earth For it was not Gold in Pepin nor in Poulder as in the running streames of the newe found Land nor mixt with sand as in Bohemia but in Stoanes and in Rockes all pure Gold or pure Siluer for alwaies the one goes with the other perfect of it selfe without mixture of any other mettels The King immitating his Predecessors who had alwaies fauored the workes of Mines which bring infinite commodities made a generall Edict for the ordring of the worke and worke-men An Edict for the ording of the Minâ—â— Hee created a great Master and a Controuller generall ouer all the Mines of France with priuiledges to drawe in forraine worke-men which they could not want Bellegarde was the first great Master of the Mines who resigned it to Ruse Beaulieu Secretary of State Bellingin first grome of the Kings Chamber was Controller generall The newe allyance with the Suisses beeing concluded they deputed fortie two among them to whome they gaue power to sweare the obseruation thereof They came into France in September beeing honorablie receiued in all places The fourth of October they came to Charanton a League from Paris where they were Royally feasted at the Kings owne charge in Senamys house After diner the Duke of Montbazon and the Lord of Montigny Gouernor of Paris went out of the Citty with a hundred or sixscore Gentlemen to meete them and to welcome them in the Kings name At S. Anthonies Gate Bargelone Prouost of Marchants with the Sheriffes Councellors of the Citty Quarter-Maisters chiefe Bourgesses and the three Companies of the Archers of the Citty Their reception receiued them and conducted them to their lodging in S. Martins Streete The next day they dyned with the Chancellor after Dâ—nner he went to his Maiesty to the Lovure desiring them to haue a little patience vntill the King sent for them Soone after the Duke of Esguillion accompanied with fifty young Gentlemen of the best Houses that were then in Court went to fetch them and to conduct them vnto the King entring into the base court of the Lovure the Duke Montpensier with many Knights of the Holy Ghost and Noblemen of mâ—ke receiued them in the Kings name at the Stayres foote going vp to the Hall the Count of Soissons with many Gouernors of Prouinces and old Knights of the Order receiued them and so conducted them into his Maiesties Chamber where they did their obeysance the King taking euery one of them by the Hand Then the Aduoyer of Bearne who was their speaker said vnto him in his owne language That the cause of their comming was to sweare the renewing of the Alliance and to assure his Maiesty of their faithfull seruice Viger did interpret vnto the King who after hee had answered them and witnessed the content which he had of the Declaration they had made in the behalfe of their superiors he told them that they were welcome from thence they went to kisse the Qâ—eenes hand who was in her Chamber with all the Princesses and Ladies of the Court presenting their seruice vnto her and the good affection of their Superiors for the which she thanked them Before the oath was taken they intreated the King that it would please him to heare some particular charges they had from their Superiours The Chancellor was appointed to heare what they demanded The Suisses demands the which the Aduoyer of Bearne deliuered vnto him in three Demands The first was that it would please his Maiesty to augment the summe of foure hundred Crownes which was appointed to be distributed euery yeare among them being not sufficient to pay their interests The second was that the priueleges of those of their Nation which trafficked in France might be confirmed The third was to giue them the declarations that were promised as well vnto the fiue petty Cantons for the continuance of their alliance with Milan and Sauoy without infringing that of his Maiesty as to the Protestant Cantons that they might not be forced to giue men to make Warre in France against them of the Râ—ligion To the first his Maiesty made answer that the ciuill and forraine Warres where-with his people had beene ruined would not giue him meanes to do better yet and that they must content themselues with that which had beene promised The second and third were granted and the declarations required by them signed Sunday the 12. of October was appointed for the swearing of the Alliance in our Ladies Church whether the Ambassadors were conducted by Monsieur de Vic. The King being come to the Church and set in State the Princes of Condé and Conty went to fetch the 42. Ambassadors in the Bishops Hall and conducted them to their places All beeing set the Archbishop of Vienne approched to his Maiesty carrying a booke of the Euangelists in his hands and at the same instant the Ambassadors drewe neere also Before them was Vaguer Secretary of State at Soleuvre betwixt M. de Sillery de Vic he carried betwixt his armes a Cushion of Crimson Veluet garnished with Gold on the which were two treaties of the Alliance Treaties of Alliance presented to the King the one in French the other in the Germaine tongâ—e sealed with his Maiesties seale and those of the Cantons and their Allies After they had all done their duties and saluted his Maiesty Monsieur de Sillery saide vnto the King That these Treaties of Alliance were the same which his Predecessors had made with the Seigneuries of the Cantons and that whatsoeuer was added was for the honour and profit of his Maiesties seruice The Aduoyer of Bearne who delâ—uered the speech The Aduoyers speech vnto the King
would bring vnto his Maiestâ—es seruice and to continue your fauour towardes vs and assist vs with your Wise and Graue aduice c. Many Iudged of the ende of this enterprise by the beginning and were more dilligent to write then they had beene to execute it well They beleeued in Court that Geneua was taken The King had intelligence that the Duke was Maister of the Towne and the manner of the execution was represented with so great ease and happines as there was lesse reason to doubt it then to beleeue it The truth was not knowne but by Letters from the Gouernor of Lions the which came before any discourse that was published by the Towne that was deliuered The Duke repast the Mountaines in post his Troupes remained a league from Geneua in three places The Duke returnes in post at Toâ—non Fâ—ssigny and Ternier He commanded his Ambassador to giue the Senate of Berne to vnderstand that he had not made this enterprise to trouble the quiet of the Cantons Hiâ— declaratioÌ„ by his Ambassador to the Senate of Bâ—aâ—ne but to preuent L'Esdiguieres from beeing Maister thereof who intended to deliuer it vp afterwards vnto the King who had beene too mighty a Neighbour and would haue giuen them alltogether occasion to feare him The issue oâ— this Enterprise did shewe that God will not haue Treaties violated for the assurance whereof his Name hath beene inuocated notwithstanding any preâ—ext of Religion Witnesse Lewis King of Hungary in the vnfortunate battell of Varne against the Turkes where he had broken his Faith The King promiseth to succour them of Geneua The King aduertised of the successe of this enterprise hee sent word vnto the Magistrates of this Common-weale that if their Enemy did attempt by a setled seege or by open Warre any thing against them hee would assist them and imploy all his forces for their defence 1603. commanding the Gouernors and Lieutenants Generall of the neerest Prouinces to ayde them all they could The Cantons of Bearne and Fribourg allied to Geneua being aduertised of this attempt sent twelue hundred Suisses and the King who had an interest that it should not fall vnder the command of any other Prince or Common-weale sent also sixe hundred French All prepares to Warre the Geneuois made some courses into the Duke of Sauoyes Countrye and surprised S. Geny of Aâ—ust they imagined vppon a little good successe to extend theyr limits vnto Mont Cenis The King commanded De Viâ— his Ambassador in Suisserland who returned then to his charge to passe by them to assure them that hee was not of their humors which frame not their affections nor binde not the duties of friendship but vpon good euents louing Friendes no longer then they drawe profit from them That he would neuer fayle them for their defence and protection desiring to know of them what meanes they might haue to make an offensiue War to the end the succours he should send them might bee profitably imployed Monsieur â—e Viâ— â—entto Geneua They receiued De Vic with a publike applause sending forth the French Horse and Foote to meete him but as hee was deceiued in this vnexpected Ceremony so were many others which thought that hee came to incourage them to Warre They heard his Propositions in a priâ—ate Conference exhorting them rather to a long and durable Peace then to a short Warre They intreated him to propound the like in their generall Assembly which no man else durst doe euery one holding it a Crime and a signe of Basenesse not to preferre the Councells of Warre War is pleasing to men that know it not before any Accord and not to enter in Hostile manner into the Dukes Countrye Some which had neuer seene War but in the Idea conceiued Victoryes in their imaginations building vpon the Snowe of Mont Cenis I hat it would not continue aboue sixe months that the Warre would bee no lesse profitable for the good of their Common weale nor lesse happy then it had beene to their Neighbours in the time of Duke Charles and that all that had any interest in their preseruation would assist them That all those great Spirits which delighted in the exercise of Warre would come and offer them their Armes and Liues De Vic through the trueth and excellency of his discourse gaue them to vnderstand That Peace was so necessary for them and Warre so preiudiciall as they had great reason to imbrace the one and to flye the other That although the causes of Warre be alwayes goodly and the meanes made easie yet the effects were no lesse terrible the successe being not alwayes answerable to their hopes That a forraine Warre was profitable and to be vndertaken when as Ciuill Wars could not be otherwise auoyded but a well setled Estate which hath alwayes liued happily by Peace should not seeke these stormes nor take delight to bee at Warre with her Neighbors Thus he perswaded them to imbrace Peace but a Peace with these three qualities Assured Proâ—fitable and Honourable A Peace confirmed by an equall Comerce of all Commodities and which should roote out all occasions of Warre They entred into some Truce with the Duke but hauing required assurances for the obseruation thereof it beeing not honorable they proceeded no farther and the Duke gaue them to vnderstand that it was indifferent to him whether they were his friends or enemies The King who is a Prince full of Iustice and Integrity foreseeing that this Warre would not be ended by them that did begin it Desired to maintaine the Peace which was so necessary for all Christendome for the which hee had layd aside Armes The Cantâ—â—s of the Suisses mediators of a Peace when as he might hope for most fruite for the increase of his Estates His Ambassador therefore in Suisserland perswaded the Cantons of Glaris Basâ—e Soleurre Schaffouze and Appenzel as least suspected and interessed to be the mediators of this Accord There was some difficulty but the Seigneury wearied with a Warre the profit whereof could not repaire the ruines which the want of Peace should cause and hauing tryed that all the profit they could hope for depended on their neighbors succors That hope which is not maintayned but by forraine supports is alwayes ruinous That they had no meanes to reuenge the wrong that was done vnto them That there was no likelyhood that the Catholike Suisses would breake with the Duke of Sauoy for their respect That being so neere they must of force apply themselues to some quiet and equall kinde of lyuing Genâ—ua resolues to a Peace They yeelded to the perswasions of their friends and Allies and by their aduice relinquished many demands which their Councell had resolued and the Duke had reiected as vniust and dishonorable The Conference of the Treaty was at Rouilly with D' Albigny and the Conclusion at Saint Iulien betwixt the deputies of either part If the issue hath beene happy and profitable to
Adultery and Incest for satisfaction whereof they condemne them to loose their heads The King during the Processe was often sued vnto for their pardon But considering that in such Crimes it were impiety to shewe pitty that mildenesse was seuerity and clemency cruel and that the most holie and the most iust of his Predecessors reuoked a pardon which hee had giuen to a malefactor falling vpon that verse of the Prophet Dauid in his praier-booke Doe Iustice at all times Sayd that hee reâ—erâ—ed it to the Iustice of his Court of Parliament The Father desired to change the infamie of the punnishment into a death lesse shamefull but longer and more cruell the which the Emperor Opilius Macrinus vsed causing such as were condemned for crimes to be shut vp betwixt foure Walles Hee offered all his Lands to procure his Children that manner of punishment The executioÌ„ of the parties condemned This could not be for that by the doome of the Iudgement the execution was to be done at the Greue where it moued pitty and compassion in many lamenting the youth of the Brother the beauty of the Sister and the misery and blindnesse of them both The yeare ended in Peace as it had begunne in pleasures and sports there was no newe occasion offered but the passage of the Constable of Castille to go into England for the conclusion of the Treaty of Peace betwixt the Kings of England and Spaine The Constable of Castills passage The King aduertised of his passage by Bourdeaux sent to the Marshall d' Ornano to receyue him the which he did going to meet him with a great number of Noblemen and Gentlemen of the Country The Emperor Charles the 5. passing through France admired the great and goodly Traynes of Gouernors of Prouinces which came to receiue him commending them very much The Constable of Castille fuller of these Spanish fumes made no great account thereof and receiued these honours after a Spanish manner The Marshall d' Ornano entertayning him with the singularities of this Realme told him That heeshould see a Country yea a World in seeing Paris He answeâ—ed him That he had left behinde his backe the goodliest Citties of Christendome But they are not so Great nor so well peopled saide the Maâ—shall D' Ornano The People answered the Constable Adde nothing to the excellency of Citties although it helpes something for the strength of the State The Marshal asked him If he would not see the King He shewed by his answer Thas he was not greatly curious yet must hee see him with the respect that was due to that Maiesty Hee came to Paris with a great Trayne The King of Spaine spares no cost in such occasions and thinkes no expences more royall then those which makes his Golde to glister in the Eyes of strangers In like sort his Ministers and Ambassadors seeing themselues so well followed and serued take delight in shewing the greatnesse of their Maister and are not silent when they must publish his power Mendoza who neuer went out off his Lodging but on Horse-backe in Litter or in Carosse with all his Traine although it were but to go to the Church the which was very neere his Lodging hee neuer spake three words but two were for the greatnesse of his Maister saying often Mendozas speech That God was mighty in Heauen and the King of Spaine on Earth An other going out of Rome to accompany the Pope went with sixe Litters six Carosses euery one hauing six Horses two hundred Gromes and threescore Carts for baggage and all for a small iourney The Prince of Parmas Traine was admirable and royall shewing by his equipage the greatnesse of his Maister whom he serued The Constable of Câ—stille did not hide it neither in his Wordes nor in his Traine hee had alwayes some wordes of ostentation to shewe it The Constable comes to visit the King He went to the Lâ—vâ—re and did see the King in his Cabinet he entred with a good Grace but stately and proude the which was sodenly conuerted into great humility for approching neere vnto his Maiesty who was sitting in a Chayre he kneeled vpon one knee and continued so a little longer then hee thought The King tooke him vp imbraced him and shewed him a very good Countenance He spake much to assure him that the King of Spaine held nothing more deere then the preseruation of the Peace Hâ— lets him vnderstand his Masters affection to the Peace and vnlesse that time should greatly force his will hee had no other power but to continue it in this Resolution and to bring forth fruites of great Loue and Friendship the which is firme and constant betwixt equall powers Hee heard from the King words of the same affection then he tooke his leaue to go see the Queene Going downe to crosse the Court where he was attended by his people with forty Torches of white Waxe hee said to some of his Company That the King had receiued him with the Maiesty of a King He saâ—uâ—es the Queene â—nd the Daulphin and had imbraced him as his Kinsman Hauing done his duty vnto the Queene he demanded leaue to go and see the Daulphin The King caused him to be conducted the next day to S. Germaine Being arriued there the gaue notice to his Gouernesse that the Constable was there with a great Traine of Spaniards At that word of Spaniards the little Prince opened his eyes and makes them speak it againe They be Spaniards that come to see you Spaniards said the Prince ça ça giue me my sword Who so had not known that this word came from his own motioÌ„ would haue thought that they had printed in his fantasie the same opinion which King Charles the seuenth Lewis the eleuenth and Charles the eight had had in thier infancie of the English and Bourguignions And if the Spaniards had heard him the strangenes of such a word would haue caused them to apprehend new worke and to feare and beleeue that which the French souldiar saith that they must present Milan for the first tryall of this yong Eaglet The Constable admired his constant eye and his Phisiognomie and was amazed at so great a boldnesse in that age and so much Iudgement in that Infancie Monsieur the Daulpin told him tales in his language and according to his vnderstanding as Alexander did to the Ambassadors of Persia. All the Spaniards did meruaile and the more for that the dore was open for the least of the trayne They see about him a goodly companie of young Noblemen Alexander Monsieur the Prince of Longueuille and the three sonnes of the Duke of Espernon The Constable of Castille past on to goe into Flanders he came to Bruxelles and descended at the Archdukes Pallace where he was well receiued and from thence hee past into Flanders Although the subiect ought not to reckon the yeares of his Prince but to wish him a long and prosperous life yet we
that it would not bee taken ill at Rome knowing that he did it onely to please the King and to haue audience But he had some difficulty to decipher himself when he was to speake vnto the King for he could not vnder one habit play two contrary personages neither had hee words in his mouth nor teares in his eyes for this sorrow He that will ease an others griefe must shew that he hath a part feeling thereof Hee went after an other maner and his spirit did fit him with an other kinde of complement the which although it were free yet was it not vnpleasing Hee sayd vnto the King that such as knew what he was and in whose name hee spake would wonder at the office which he did but he had more occasion then any other for that al lamented the losse of the Body but his Maister the losse of the Soule The King sayd vnto him that hee beleeued his Sister was saued for that in the last gaspe an extreame griefe might carry her right into Heauen the Noncio replied My Lord that discours is more Metaphisicall then Phisicall and so they both entered into other talke The great Duke of Tuscany had an enterprise profitable glorious for ChristendoÌ„ The Knights of his Order presented unto him often many occasions which might fill their hands with palmes and charge the Turkes with blowes and shame The burning of the Turkes gallies at Algier hee made choise of the most difficult important in burning of the Turkes gallies at Algier that he might make all that season fruitlesse and his preparation vnprofitable The time did hasten the execution but the wisedome of the great Duke did iudge that the stay was more safe then the hazard if a Diomedes were fit to do this enterprise an Vlisses was as necessary to coÌ„duct it Policy Wisdom being better then Force An English Captain arriued happily with a Ship laden with Marchandize for a Marchant of Pisa. The great Duke informes himselfe of him in what estate the Gallies were in the Port of Algier He told him that they were eight in number ready to set sayle in the beginning of Aprill to scowre along that coast The great Duke discouered his desseigne vnto him the Captaine gaue him some reasons to make this enterprise easie and the great Duke â—eanes to execute it He laded his ship with Salt vnder the which he had hidden his Fire-workes Powder Armes and to the end that if the execution succeeded not as he hoped the King of England should not be offended he left the English Flag and tooke that of the Estates of Holland and Zeland Hee entred the Pâ—râ— of Algier making a shew that he would vnlade his Salâ— Where finding two other English Vessells he discouered his desseigne vnto the Captaine offering them part of the Honour and Profit of the execution if they would hazard themselues in the same danger They agree and prepare for it happilie taking such good oportunity to cast the fire as if the great Duke had bin as well serued by them which made the artificiall fires as by them which cast theÌ„ the Turke had saued nothing of his Gallies but the ashes which the Winde had left vpon the Port and the spoyles of this Pyâ—at had beene preuented He had another Enterprise against the Turke where in he was not hindred but by the Infidelity of those to whom he had giuen the Word Faith of a Prince to dwell safely in his Estates An other enterprise of the great Dukes in Negrepoâ—t The Iewes which liue at Liuorno did discouer it giuing intelligeÌ„ce thereof so soone as the Marriners which came from the Leâ—ant and past by the Port said that they attended the great Dukes Gallies in Negrepont The great Duke did but laugh at it Theâ—e be the affects of Fidelity and Affection which Princes may expect in nourishing those Serpents in their bosomes The Iewes bee the Turkes best spies who knowes that they are madde against Christians with an implacable furye Curst Dogges are kept tyed all day and let loose at night But these People should be straitly garded at all times And in all places they should be still kept in seruitude as their rebellion against the Trueth hath deserued The King of Spaine discontent The King of Spaine is offended that the French go to serue Prince Maurice to hinder his brother the Archduke in the taking of Ostend That he lends them money that he prohibits his Subiects to trafficke into Spaine and Flanders The King saies that he hath not therby any cause to coÌ„plaine For the first he doth not aduow them that go to serue the States For the second he reâ—tores that which they haue lent him paies in small summes the grosse which he had receiued in his necessity But the King hath two great occasions to be offended with the King of Spaine The one was that he refuseth to reuoake the impositioÌ„ of 30. in the 100. which he hath set vppon all Marchandize that goes in or comes out off Spaine Discomodities vpon the Inhibition of Trafficke Vpon this refusal he was couÌ„celled to forbid the French to Trafficke into Spaine or Flanders The MarchaÌ„ts of the Towns of Traffike made great sute to haue it taken awaye and deliuered in reason that deserued consideration if the King had not had others of greater importance the which made him to continue constant although he in his own priuate receiued more preiudice then any other by the great dimynution of his Customes But he respected not this losse in regard of a greater good hauing found that the continuance of the Trafficke which the French made into Spaine into the Archdukes Countries would be more ruinous then profitable vnto theÌ„ for the great and insupportable impositions which they lay vpon the Marchandize that went in or out off their Estates An Ambassador fâ—om the King of Cusco at Valence The King of Spaine should haue pleased many if hee would haue made shewe of this discontent vppon this Interdiction But he had other thoughts And hauing had some speech with the Ambassador of the King of Cusco at Valence many beleeued that he would againe attempt Algier for that he caused him to be conducted by a Maister of the Campe an Ingener with great store of munition and wilde fire laden in three Frigats This Inhibition did nothing alter the Peace of Veruins as they desired which cannot carry their Hands but vpon the pomells of their Swordes their Feet but vppon a breath and their eyes but vpon a place of Battaile but a wise Prince doth neuer vndertake any Warre lightly considering that the time of frindship is more sweete then that of reuenge Treason discouered The other cause of offence was that hee did withdrawe the Kings subiects from their faith and loyalties and that he alwaies entertained some Traitors in â—rance Desbarraux the Kings Ambassador in Spaine
not flâ—e It is easie to perswade a miserable man to flâ—e who feares the paine of his wickednes and cannot endure the testimonie of his confâ—â—ence Hee fled but the euasion of the bodie was his ruine and to saue his head he lâ—st both body soule for the King hauing sent diuers Pâ—ouosts to pâ—uâ—sue him hauing bin ouertaken by him of Meaux at Fay The Traytor Loste drownes himsâ—lâ—e nâ—er vnto La Ferte vnde Iouarre vpon the way to Lorraine the which he tooke to get out of the Realme he cast himselfe into the riuer of Marne and so was drowned A iust reward for such a treachery A miserable dâ—spaire fâ—r him but happie for those who had lost the hope of their safety if â—e had had time to discouer their practises Tâ—e King was sorrie that he was not taken aliue from whome he might haue drawne some light for the good of his seruice But his master was so extremely greeueâ— that he wished a more exemplary Iustice for so great a disloyaltie Villerois letter to La Guiche the 29. of Aprill 1604. and a more peâ—fâ—ct knowledâ—e of the effects and of the complices of this treacherie Doubtles this was a great affliction vnto him the which he did not dissemble in his letters written to his friends thanking the Gouernor of Lions for that hee had kept good gard least this wretch should passe through his gouernment he sayd that hee was â—uch greeueâ— that this disloyal Traytor who had betrayed his King his Country and his Master had wilfully drowned himselfe for he deserued a more seuere and shamefull end in regard of the Kings seruice and his own particular Execution of a dead bodie The bodie of this wretch who had sold himselfe vnto the Spaniards was drawne in peeces by foure horses The punishment was without any fealing for him but it did torment the wicked with a shamefull feare and did trouble the good with a pittiles horror Soone after the King discouered a new practise against his seruice and the Daulphins The winds are inuisible but they that blow them to gather these clouds togither were well knowne and from what coast they came They were but sparkes of fire as soone quencht as kindled The King did write vnto some of his cheefe and principall seruants in these termes You must take it for a good signe that you heare so seldome from me by letter for it is a signe that all is well God be thanked as well for my person as for my affaires The Spaniards would willingly haue more matter oftener for they cannot desist from their ordinary practises to corrupt my seruants I haue of late discouered some newe desseigne in the which my Nephewe the Count of Auvergne and Seigneur of Entragues are named the which they haue willingly aduowed and confessed But I haue taken so good an order as no inconuenience shall happen The ninth of Iune the Pope created eighteene Cardinalls Creation of newe Cardinals not according to the passion of great Princes that had intreated him nor to the liking of his kins-men knowing that his Predecessors had conferred those dignities vpon vnworthy persons set Scarlet hatts vpon heads without vnderstanding and giuen Pasquin occasion to complaine that some approched neere vnto Saint Peters chaire that were more stoanes and had lesse braines then hee had The King had recommended many great Prelats of France to bee remembred at the first promotion to supply their places that were dead Among them that were newly created there were two French and two Spaniards The Spanish Ambassador made great instance to haue more and not to haue his Master equalled by the King of France The first in the list was Seraphin Oliuari Patriark of Alexandria by race an Italian but borne at Lions one of the most Iudicious Prelats of his age Only vertue aduanced him to this dignity and the King made great instance for him by Bethunes his Ambassador Ieames Dauy Bishop of Eureux receiued the like Honor by the Kings recommendations His seruices in reconcilyng the King with the Pope his Lerned writings and his knowledge in Diuinity did worthely purchase him this Honour The rest were all Italians except Bernard Maeziciouuschi Bishop of Cracouia a Polonian Cardinal Aldobrandin did also aduance Herminio his Secretary to this Honour of whome there is so much spoken in the discourse of the Warres of Sauoy Anselme Marzat a Capuchin of Monopoli was forcebly drawne into the number by the Popes expresse commandement hauing once refused this dignity and protesting with teares of the iniury that was done vnto Saint Francis and the strict-rules of his Order Of all the eighteene that were made Cardinalls Troubles bâ—twixâ— the Gâ—isâ—ns and the Count of Fuentes their was not any but this Capuchin but did affect it and many others that did expect it were disapointed There was some feare least the Controuersie betwixt the Count of Fuentes and the Grisons should drawe a ciuill Warre into Italie vnder the pretext of Religion The reason of this trouble grewe for that he would force the Grisons to breake the alliance they had made the last yeare with the Venetians and to make that which they had with France fruitlesse The King aduertised of these practises commanded de Vio his Ambassador to goe vnto Coire and to represent vnto that people the wrong they should doe vnto their reputations in forsaking the faith and obseruation of their Treaties De Vic discouers vnto the Grisons Out of the discours which de Vic did vse vnto them to perswade them to the keeping of their word these points were collected of the inuiolable firmenesse of their Word and oth There must be many acts of vertue to purchase and mainetayne a great and good reputation one onely action to the contrary doth ouerthrowe it and smothers the remembrance thereof It is gotten by many commendable and vertous actions but that which proceeds from Constancy and Generosity in the obseruation of promises is so much the more commendable for that it is grounded vpon Faith and Relligion which bee the two pillers that do assure and maintayne Estates Relligion one of the pillâ—rs of a State The Ancients haue sayd that Faith was the foundation of Iustice the Honour of Heauen and Earth without the which the World could not continue in Peace and they erected her Altar neere vnto that of thundring Iupiter to shewe that God is the reuenger of the breach of Faith And Relligion is so proper to Man and to the society of Men that as Man cannot be Man without it so there is no Nation howe barbarous soeuer that liues without some shadowe of Relligion As they haue the best part of essence and the sollemnity of Allyances and Confederations in the which God is called on as a witnesse and Iudge of their Intentions that doe promise and binde themselues so is hee greatly wronged in the breach of promises And therefore the commendations that
diuers Prouinces and many men â—ol 2â— His cruell pracâ—ises to become great ibid. Horrible murther committed by Clouis ibid. The death of Clouis fol. â—1 His vertues and his vice ibid. The Estate of the Churâ—h ibid. The 6. raigne vnder the â—oure sonnes of Clouis Childebert Clodamir Clotaire Thierry Who raigned together 42. yeares as Kings of France but with particular titles vnder this generall but the eldest beares the name Childebert the 6. King of France HOrrible confusion among brethren fol. 23 Clodamir takes and is taken Crueltie of brethren ibid. Warre betwixt brethren fol. 24 A happie reconâ—ilement ibid. A good and happie warre ibid. Warre rashly vndertaken prooues vnfortunate fol. 25. Austrasia now called Lorraine ibid. A horrible punishment of a rebellious Sonne ibid. Clotaire 1. the 7. King of France PRinces ought not to thrust their subiects into despaire fol. 26 Cherebert 8. King of France DIuision of portions breâ—ds a diuision of harts fol. 28. Horrible confusions betwixt brethren and by their wiues One makes warre against another ibid. Sigâ—bert â—laine fol. 29 Chilperic 1. the 9. King of France THe father kils his sonne through the practises of a woman fol. 30 The husband puts away one wife and kils another ibid. He oppresseth his subiects and the punishment of his crimes ibid. Impietie the spring of all euill fol. 31 Clotaire 2. the 10. King of France THe efficacie of the law of State fol. 31 Notable subtiltie of a woman fol. 32 An imaginarie King ibid. A King in his cradle a Conqueror fol. 33 Tragicall practises of two women ibid. â—redâ—gonde dies with her victorie ibid. Brunâ—hault incenseth one brother against another â—ol 34. The husband against the wife ibid. The brother kils the brother ibid. Brunâ—hault murthers her sonne fol. 35 She is put to a horrible death ibid. Mildnesse fit to repaire a decayed estate fol. 36 The greatnesse of the seruant is a blemish to the master ibid. Too great facilitie hurtfull to an estate ibid. Dagobert 1. the 11. King of France HE forceth his subiects to obedience fol. 37 The Iewes banished France ibid. He was blamed for his adulterie ibid. Hee did great exploits of armes vnder the conduct of Pepin fol. 38 He preferred his younger sonne before the elder ibid. Clouis 2. the 12. King of France THe manners of the idle King fol. 38 The Maior of the Pallace gouernes the whole State â—ol 39 The brethrens portions and their good agreement ibid. The â—eligious life of Queene Baudour ibid. Clouis carefull to releeue the poore ibid. Clotaire 3. the 13. King of France CLotaire a cruell and a wicked King oppressed his subiects fol. 40 Childeric or Chilperic 2. the 14. King of France HE takes his brother and makes him a Monk fol. 41. He growes prowd and cruell The French hate him ibid. He is murthered by his subiects his Queene being with child fol. 42 Thierry 1. the 15. King of France OF a Monke he is made a King fol 42 He is taken prisoner by his subiect iâ—â—d A trecherous murther fâ—l 43 Ebroin Maior of the Pallace growes cruell and â—euengefull hee is murthered by a French Gâ—â—tleman ibâ—d Pepin Maior of the Pallace gouernes with gâ—eaâ— credit ibid. Clouis 3. the 16. King of France HE raigned foure yeares and died without memorie fol. 44 Childebert 2. the 17. King of France HE raigned 17. yeares and did nothing worthy to be spoken of fol. 45 Dagobert 2. the 18. King of France PEpin commanded in a manner absolutely 44. yeares â—ol 46 Princes must looke to whom they commit the charge of affaires ibid. Pepins behauiour during his Maioraltie fol. 47 He was incontinent Charles Martell his bastard ibid. Charles Martell chosen Mayor of the Pallace fol. 48. A second victorie to vse it well ibid. Chilperic 3. the 19. King of France A Prince of no valour simple and voluptuous fol. 49. Thierry 2. the 20. King of France CHarles Martâ—ll chosen Prince of the French â—ol 50. Multiplicitie of Masters a ruine to an Estate ibid. The Sarazens inuade France with 400000. men fol. 50. Martel encounters them and encourageth his men ibid. A memorable defeat of Abdâ—rame the Sarazen and his death fol. 52 The fidelitie of the Viennois to the Fâ—ench fol. 53. The courage of a Bishop ibid. New attempts of the League ibid. A new armie of Sarazens in France ibid. Languedoc seuerely punished by Martell fol. 54 Martel forceth the â—risons to be christened ibid. Childeric 5. the 21 King of France the last of that race THe disposition children and death of Martel fâ—â— 55 Pepin armes against the Sarazens and prescribes them a Law â—â—l 56 He repaires the ruines of the Sarazens ibid. The estate of the Church ibid. Pepin meanes to make himselfe King ibid. The Pope dispenced the French from their oath of obedience to Childeric fol. 57 Pepin the short the 23. King of France and the fiâ—st of the second race PEpin chosen King by the Parliament and Childeric reiected â—ol 60 Soueraigne causes of this change fol. 61 The estate of this second race ibid. Instruction for great men ibid. Pepin striues to win the French by good deeds ib. The Saxons rebell and are subdued ibid. Pepin prouides for the affaires of Italy â—oâ— 62 His wiâ—dome in vndertaking a warre ibid. Astolpho breaks his faith and besiegeth Rome ibid. Pepin confirmes his authoritie by a Parliament fol. 63 He makes a forraine warre to auoide a ciuill ibid. Ieffâ—râ—y of Guienne slaine by his seruant fol. 64 Pepin resignes the crowne to Charles ibid. His children his death and his Manners ibid. The estate of the Empire ibid. Italie made desolate by the Gothes and by the Lombards fâ—l 65 They are expelled by the French ibid. The beginning of Mahomets sect in the East ibid. The estate of the Church at Rome â—ol 66 Contention for Primacie A worthy speech of S. Gregory Dispute for Images At the first but a politicke inuention ibid. Estate of the ancient church Insolencie of Popes at this day â—ol 67 Charles the Great or Charlemaigne the 24. King of France PEpins children diuide the Realme fol. 68 Charles the patterne of a great King ibid. His manners his studies and his armes ibid. The successe of his raigne fol. 69 Carolomans iealousie against his brother ibid. Troubles at Rome 〈◊〉 deeds in 〈◊〉 of his 〈…〉 fol. 70 The Lâ—mbards dissimulation and his presumption in hanging of the Popes Secretaries ibid. Rebellion in Guienne by Hurault ibid. Instruction for Princes fol. 71 Caroloman dies ibid. Charlemagnes wiues and his children ibid. Carolomans widowe ioynes with the Lombards against him 〈◊〉 deeds 〈…〉 â—ntill he 〈◊〉 Empeâ—â—â— ibid. Didier king of the Lombards makes warre against the Pope fol. 72 Charles opposeth himselfe against the Lombard ibid. Charles makes warre with the aduice of his estates and deâ—eates the Lombard twise ibid. He takes Verona and is entertained at Rome fol. 73 Pauia taken and Didier in it ibid. A memorable warre in Germanie and
great troupes of men O light and inconstant people how easâ—y is it to moue thy affections and to make thee in an instant to applaud that partie which euen now thou diddest abhorre But let vs leaue them in this good humour and see what remedy the King had for these garboyles attending the succors the Duke of Milan sent him Lewis being after the battayle retyred from Corbeil to Paris flatters the peoples humours treates popularly with them erects a priuie Counsell of six Counsellors of the Court sixe Doctors of the Vniuersitie and sixe Burgesses to gouerne his affaires according to their aduice and direction he leaues sixe hundred Lances in Paris vnder the command of the bastard of Armaignac Earle of Cominge of Maister Gilles of Saint Simon Bayliffe of Senlis la Barde Craon Charles of Mares and Charles of Melun his LieutenaÌ„t in the said towne Then he goes into Normandy to assemble al the Nobility and men of warre he could from whence he sent the Earle of Eu to haue the commande of the war and of the Cittie followed with two hundred archers well in order The Earle being arriued he sends the Lord of Rambure to the Leagâ—rs offring to bee a mediator for their discontents vnto his maiestie but it was without effect The King hauing intelligence of the confederats trafficke with the Parisiens knowing that this people doth easily change their affections with the successe and foreseeing that this baâ—te of the commonweale would soone bewitch them displeased also that the Bishop had without his knowledge treated of an accord he hastens his returne accompained with the Earles of Maine and Ponthieure and the forces of Normandie And for the first fruits of loue to his subiects hee confirmed all the priuileges they inioyed in his fathers life he abolished all new impositions and retayned none but the ancient and ordinary farmes of marchandise that is sold by great Meanes to pacifie a people that wauer then did hee punish eyther with banishment or death such as had yeelded to the reception of the heads of the League into the Cittie He doth sharpely blame the Bishop and at the Instigation of the Cardinall of Albi to haue beene a dealer in his absence for his enemies with an inconstant and il-aduised people and hauing prouided for the surety of the Cittie hee prepares to offend and defend The Bourguignoâ— likewise vseth all force great and daylie skirmishes with the Parisiens Lewis his proding at Paris Newe succors to both parties sometimes chasing and sometimes chased And therevpon comes newe supplies to the Leaguers the Dukes of Bourbon and Nemours the Earle of Armaignaâ— and the Lord of Albret notwithstanding the former treaty with about six thousand men On the other side the King receiued from Francis Sforze Duke of Milan fiue hundred men at armes and three thousand foote commanded by Galeas his eldest son with this Counsell of State A Politâ—ck aduice That to diuide this company hee should yeeld to all conditions and onely preserue his men An aduice which Lewis shall cuningly put in practise speedily Thesâ— Milanois were imployed in Bourbonois vntill newes of the peace shall come The Earle thus fortified offers battaile but the King would not hazard any thing desiring to disperse this mistie cloud without effusioÌ„ of bloud And to annoye them of Conâ—â—â—ns Charenton he sends foure thousand frank-archers about foure hundred pioners supported by the Nobility of Normandie and some at armes who plant themselues vpon riuers side right against Conflans at the English port where they make a large and a long trench vnto the Cittie with a bulwark of wood and earth whereon they plant many peeces of artillery the which at the first driues the Duke of Calâ—brâ—a out of Charenton with great losse of his men and an extreame terror to the Earle of Charolois who lodged at Conflans in a house belonging to his Father Two Cannon shot passed through his Camber being at dinner and slewe his trompetor carrying a dish to his table This amazement makes him go downe with speed he fortifies his lodging pierceth the walles and plants a Cannon for a counterbatterie But they must dislodge these frank-archers preuent the losse they receyued from the other side of the water A bridge of boats at Charenson For the effecting of this he obtaines a truce for two dayes in which time he made a bridge of boats The bridge almost finished the franke-archers leaue their trenches carrie away their artillerie and retire to the suburbes into the Carthusians cloister A part of the Bourguignons army passeth the water they enter the suburbes of Saint Marceau and skirmish but with little losse on eyther side Herevpon our Captaines resolue to assaile the enemy in diuers parts A page sent by night giues them intelligence At the breake of day some horsemen charge home to the artillery and kil a Canoniere This was in shewe the effect of the pages aduertissement All arme they make barricadoes and stand firme The artillery thunders the Kings answers them They send forth two hundred horse to discouer who see a troupe issuing forth the Cittie to learne the cause of this tumult and moreouer a great number of Lâ—nces in conceit and so they report that all are come forth in battaile but the daye breaking they proue but thistells So this alarme turnes to laughter In the meane time they treate of peace but the demands of the Confederats were excessiue The Duke of Berry demands Normandie for his portion The Earle of Charolois the Townes of Somme lately redeemed For the better effectâ—ng hereof the two commanders conclude of an enteâ—uiew An enterview of the two heads The King mounts vp the water right against the Bourguignoâ—s armie accompanied with the Lords of Montauban Admirall Nantouillet Du Lau and few others The Earles of Charolois and S. Paul come to receiue him He then offers to giue his Brother the Prouinces of â—rie and Champaigne excepting Meaux Melun and Montereâ—u the which he would not accept He graunts the Charolois his desire disauowes Moruilliers in certaine speeches wherein he saith he had exceeded his charge and for the Earles sake he promiseth to giue the office of Constable to the Earle of S. Paul These entercourses of either side proue lamentable for the King Fatall for the King for besides that the Princes doe daily suborne more of his men then he can draw from them behold Pontoise is deliuered to the Britton by Sorbier commanding there vnder the Marshall Ioâ—câ—â—m and to finish so notable a treacherie he marcheth towards Meulan to the same intent but the inhabitants being aduertised he returnes without effect There growes an other vpâ—ore in Paris the Souldiers vaunt insolently The 〈◊〉 ready to mutine that the Cittizens goods are at their free disposition that they will take the Keyes of their houses from them and for a need will pull the cheines out of their streetes Herevpon the
himselfe and that his oneâ—y hope must consisâ— in the mercy of God A hard sentence to a man that had so often commanded that euen in the last pangs they should not pronounce that cruell word of death the which he feared beyond the condition of man and preuented by all the remedies that might be inuented Yet behold he disposeth himselfe I haue said he hope that God will helpe me but withall hee addes yet happily I am not so sicke as you suppose Notwithstanding he felt the helpe of heauen for his speech was restored his vnderstanding good his memory perfect whereby he pronounced many prayers adding therevnto by his last Will Testament That de Cordes should giue ouer the enterprise they had concluded vpon Calais that they should suffer the Duke of Brittany to liue in peace without feare of suspect and likewise all the neighbors of the realme that vnder the shadow of a peace of fiue or sixe yeares the people might breath and the King his sonne grow in age Lewis dyes Finally on Saterday the 30. of August hee yeelds vp his soule quietly to God hauing liued 61. yeares and raigned three and twenty he made choise for his buriall at our Lady of Clery the place of his deuotion His dispositiâ—â— A cunning Prince wise painfull reuengefull vigilant industrious of a great memorie neuer hazarding that which by policie dissembling money or any other industrie he might obtaine vnquiet in his raigne vnquiet in his life and vnquiet in his death not able to resolue but in extremities Deuout but inclining to superstition A great oppresser of the people but to giue to the Churches to forraine pensioners and to purchase them deerely whom hee had fitte for his purpose as wee may easily perceiue by the discourse of his life Lewis was most continent He was continent beyond the ordinary of great and generous Princes and in truth greatly to be commended in that he had so vertuouslie conteined himselfe within the bounds of his professed vowe and neuer to haue knowne other women then his owne wife And if the 61. yeare the which hee alwayes apprehended as the fatall periode of his life for that none of his predecessors since Hugh Capet had passed that terme had not ended his life hee had reformed the State ordred iustice and releeued the people Happy in his death hauing changed a continuall toile into an eternall rest happy in that rest which wee hope for in heauen To haue left a Successor quiet of himselfe young but of great hope and chiefly for that he had seene the Church during his raigne freed from that long and inueterate three and twentie yeares Schisme which had so long turmoiled it Thus are we come to the end of this raigne but before we proceed we must succinctly vieâ— the Estate of the Church and Empire vnder his raigne seeing the course of our historie hath drawne vs on thereto without interruption Estate of the Church vnder Lewis Wee haue seene that by the renunciation of Foelix the 5. Nicholas the fift of that name remained in quiet possession of the Pontificall Sea The most memorable acts of his Papacie were the great Iubile which he did celebrate in the yeare 1450. where there was so great a concurse of people that aboue two hundred were smoothered going and comming out of the Churches besides an infinite number of people that perished in the riuer of Tyber through the fall of the bridge of Saint Ange. This Pope loued learning he gaue great pensions to learned men sent them into diuerse places to seeke out bookes which lay hidden in darkenesse by the negligence of the ancient or perished by the violence of the barbarous filling his Librarie at Vatican he caused many Greeke Authors to be translated into Latin He repaired many Churches and other buildings ruined at Rome inriching them with vessels of golde and siluer and crosses enriched with precious stones Finally grieued for the taking of Constantinople from the Christians he dyed of thought of a Feuer and the Gout or as some will say of poison the 25. of March 1455. Calixtus the 3. of that name a Spaniard of the age of 85. yeares before called Alphonsus Borgias Bishop of Valence and Cardinall of the foure Crownes succeeded by the consent of the whole Colledge commended for that in the first fruites of his Popedome he had according to a vowe he had made proclaimed a warre against Mahumet And to induce the Princes hee sent some notable Preachers in those dayes Iohn Capistran and Robert de la Lice friars to exhort Christians to relieue their breâ—hren detayned vnder the Turkes tyrannie and by ringing of the bell at noone day to inuite them to pray for those that fought for this quarrell yet blamed for that vnder colour of his Iâ—dulgences and pardons which were sold for fiue ducats a peece hee had gathered together and left to his successor a hundred and fifteene thousand ducats He died in Iuly 1458. Pius the 2. called Aeneas Siluius a Siennois a poore boy hauing atâ—eyned to much knowledge by his laborious studie obteyned the dignitie of Pope He had beene the Popes Secretarie at the Councell of Basâ—ll and by writing had iâ—pugned the authoritie of Eugenius the Scismatik and soone after was crowned Poet lauâ—eat by the Emperour Frederic the 3. and honoured by him with many Ambassages to diuerse Princes Nicholas the 5. made him Bishop of Triest and after of Sienne and Calixtus Cardinal But vppon his entrie to the Popedome he â—ought to suppresse two bookes which he had published for the approbation of the Councell of Basill and afterward laboured very ambâ—tiously to inlarge the Romaine sea for the encrease and preseruation whereof the historie saith he neither feared Kings nor Princes people The Ambitious proceeding of Pope Puis 2. nor Tirants A great enemie to King Lewis the XI whilest that he would not yeeld to the abolition of that Pragmatike Sanction who to crosse him in that yeere 64. did forbid to carâ—ie any money to Rome or to bring any bulls from thence renuing the same Edicts in the yeare 1478. But in the end he was so flattered by this Aeneas by his successor Sixtus the 4. as he renownced all the rights of the Pragmatick Sanction He had likewise proclaymed a voyage into Turkie by a Counsell assembled at Mantua But the Ambassadors of King Lewis and of René Duke of Aniou hauing laid open the rights which the house of Aniou had to the Realme of Naples and the wrong was done him vsurping it to the behoofe of Alphonso the bastard of Ferdinand whom this Pope had by his absolute authoritie put in possession of the Realme he grew so bitter against the French for Ferdinand as the sayd Ambassadors would not promise any thing in their masters name for this warre so as the assembly was dissolued the eight moneth without any good to Christendome An ambitious man austere to Princes a
great persecuter of the enemies of the Clergie curteous and officious to his friends busie for the enriching of the Church a great builder And finally as hee was readie to depart from Ancona to march in person against the Turke who was then entred Italie a Cotidian ague seized on him whereof hee dyed in the yeare 1464. Of him we reade thus much as Platina and Sabellicus doe report Preests are forbidden to marrie for a great reason but yet there is a greater for the which they should bee suffered In the second booke of the Councel and moreouer Paraduenture it should not be the worse if many Preests were married for many being Priests and married should bee saued the which in their barren Caelibat are damned Hee likewise would haue abolished some Nunneries of Saint Brigit and Saint Clare caâ—sed the Nunnes to come forth to the end saith Caelius secundus that vnder the habit of religion they should not hide their adulteries Paul the second borne at Venice before named Peter Barbo Cardinal of Saint Marc succeeded His first calling was marchandiseâ—punc but seeing an vnckle of his chosen Pope he applied himselfe somewhat to learning and was first created Arch-deacon of Boullen then Bishop of Ceruio after Cardinall and finally Pope The pride and pompe of Paulus the 2. A man of a good personage but arrogant proud so as Platina obserues that he first spake these wordes That the Pope carries within the circuite of his bosome all diuine and humane laws Exceeding all his Predecessors in attyre but aboue all in his mitre the which hee enriched with pearle and stones of an inestimable price shewing himselfe proudly vpon soâ—lemne dayes â—hus sumptuously attyred followed by his Cardinalls with scarlet hatâ—es the which hee did forbid all others to weare vpon greeuous â—â—nishments and mounted vppon mulets with footeclothes of the same colour grosse and dull witted louing neither learning â—or learned meÌ„ so as he declared them Heretiks that either in sport and earnest did pronâ—uÌ„ce this word Academy or Vniueâ—sity Couetous dissolute The Popes disposition voluptuous turbuleÌ„t giuen to coÌ„iuring the whole time of his raign he troubled Italie with combustions and homebred warres Finally they report little good of him but that he had beene pittifull to the poore and needy to haue preserued Rome from famine and reformed many Monasteries reducing them to a better discipline They say that hauing one day read certaine poesies made against him and his daughter he began to greeue and to blame the rigour of the law made by his predecessors who did forbid Priests to marrie so as seeing himselfe a scorne to the people hee resolued to giue Priests liberty to marry but an Apoplexie tooke him sodeinly out of this world the 25. of Iuly 1471. leauing a rich treasure In trueth They gather goods saith the Oracle and know not who shall enioy them Some impute this sodaine death to the Author of the Magicke arte the which he practised Sixtus the 4. borne at Sauonne and named Francis of Ruere Generall of the Grey Friars and Cardinall of S. Sixte Legat of Auignon was installed by the election of the Colledge in the Pontificall chaire Liberall and charitable to his owne beyond the bounds of true zeale for in their fauour he gaue Indulgences and pardons prodigally and granted many other things against all right and reason so saieth the Historie Amongst the rest he aduanced Peter of Ruere to a Cardinalship a monstrous man in his expences who in two moneths deuoured in vanities dissolution and loosenesse aboue two hundred thousand Crownes besides the debts wherewith he charged his heires He repaired many decayed Churches and Monasteries built new and gaue them great reuenews He restored the Abreuiataires which was a Colledge of learned men and studious in diuine and humane lawes Poets Orators Historiens c. first instituted by Pius the 2. then abolished by Paul the 2. his successor Then did he institute anew the Bullistes people fitter to get money then for any other thing and nine Notaries of the Apostolick treasure appointing them certaine reuenues which offices were sold in the beginning for fiue hundred crownes and since for two or three thousand crownes so well could they sell their marchandise Sixtus made many vniust warres against Ferdinand King of Naples for that against the Popes lâ—king he had succoured his sonne in law Hercules of Este Dâ—ke of Ferrare besieged by the Venetians Against the Venetians whom he did excoÌ„municate Against the Florentins excommunicated likewise with an interdiction of fire and water But by the intercession threats of the King the succours the Venetians gaue to the Florentinâ— against the Pope who had incensed Ferdinand King of Sicile Alphonsus Duke of Calabria and Frederick Duke of Vrbin Captaine generall for the Church to make warre against them he absolued them Then being sick of a Feuer hauing newes that a peace was made betwixt the Venetians and other Potentates of Italy hee dyed sodenly There flourished vnder him Iohn of Mont le Roy a great Mathematician Ralph Agricola Pomponius Lâ—tus Ambrose Calepin learned men in humanitie Let it suffice to haue noted such Popes as haue raigned vnder our Lewis and now let vs see that which concernes the Empire â—hat great Iohn Huniades a firme and â—ound rampier for the Christians against the Turkes The estate of the Empire had left two sonnes Ladislaus Matthias They had for an hereditarie enemy Vlrike Earle of Cilie neere kinsman and a fauorite to Ladislaus King of Hongarie and Bohemia sonne to Albert of Austria borne after his fathers death Ladislaus the eldest complaining one day to Vlriâ—e of the slanders wherewith he wrongfully charged him to King Ladislaus they passed from words to blowes so as he slue Vlrick for the which the King of Hungarie caused him to bee publickely beheaded and lead Mâ—tâ—hias the yonger prisoner to Prague in Bohemia to put him to death farre from the â—iew of the Nobility of Hongarie to whom the memory of Huniades was wonderfull deeâ—e and precious But as Ladislaus prepared for his mariage at Prague to be sonne in lawe tâ— Charles the 7. behold a blacke and deadly poison sodenly choaâ—es vp the ioy which that new alliance had concâ—iued After whose death there did arise great quarrels for the succession Some Noblemen of Hungarie wished the Emperour Fredericâ— the third for their Kiâ—g the greatest part preferred Matthias both for that he was of 〈◊〉 nation as for the happy memory of his father Iohn The election being made Matthias is set at libertie by George Boiebrac the new King of Bohemia hee demands the Crowne Frederick armes himselfe with a constitution which he had receiued from Elizabeth mother to Ladislaus deceased when he sent him her â—onne to bring vp Vpon refusall they go to armes but the Germaine Princes pacified this quarrell concluding Warre for the Crowne of Hongary That Matthias should pay