was greatly troubled with diuers factions among the which the Kings part was reckoned the greater but experience shewed it was the weakest for Eudes kept them in awe The King who had the greatest interest thought least thereon being ill aduised by them who sought to abuse his simple and tractable disposition and to aduance themselues by his ruine Hee solicits Eudes in such sort as in the end he strips himselfe of all authoritie and resignes it into the Kings hands who knowes neither how to manage it nor how to auoyd his owne misfortune the which Eudes preuented whilest he liued It was not long before his death that he resigned al his authoritie of Regent vnto Charles as to the lawfull heire the which hee could not long keepe when hee was in possession thereof according to his soueraigne desire CHARLES the 3. called the simple 31. King CHARLES .3 KING OF FRANCE XXXI HEE was Crowned in the yeare 902. Eudes gouerning with him eight yeares from his coronation 902. Charles remayning alone after the death of his Regent in the yeare 902. raigned 27. yeares His raigne was miserable both in the beginning midest and ending He ratified the accord made with the Normans by Charles the Grosse and sealed it with the marriage of his sister Gilette with Rhou or Raoul hee is also called Rhoulon their chiefe Commander who hauing left the Pagan superstition and imbraced Christian religion purchased a great reputation in that Country whereof he was first called Duke But the Normans sute ceasing a more violent fire is kindled by confusion All breaks forth A league made against the King discouers it selfe and takes armes without shame or respect A memorable league of Robert against King Charles the 3. but being the breeding of the change of this second race We must obserue it very distinctly and seeke out the motiues thereof The League of Robert brother to Eudes 906 against king Charles the simple the first steppe to the change of this second Race The which laie smothered 53. yeares before it was fully discouered vnder Hugh Capet from the yeare 923. to 976. ROBERT Duke of Aniou that is to say gouernour by the death of his brother Eudes becomes the head of this League accompanied with many great men of France The motiue of this league The euent shewes that their intent was to reiect Charles the simple as vnworthy to raigne and to choose a newe King I doubt not but Robert affected the Crowne for himselfe but that is very likely that hee couered this his desseine with some goodly pretext The writers of that obscure age haue concealed the motiues but as by the effects we knowe the cause so by the euent of this League when it was strongest we may iudge of the intent They aduanced a Prince of the bloud for king causing Charles to quit the Crowne Charles 〈◊〉 from the Crowne disgracing him with the name of simple or foolish and delaring him incapable of so great a charge Who seeth not then the reason that during the minority of Charles the simple the diuersity of masters had bred infinit confusions in the state and that since his coronation things were nothing repaired although Eudes had resigned him the Regency They pretend it was necessary to furnish the realme with a more worthy Prince to giue an end to these miseries But that which cheefely mooued the vndertakers was their priuate interest the which they cloaked with the common-weale The humors of this insufficient King offended many too milde to some too seuere to others and ingratefull to such as had best serued him The commentary which hath beene added to the text of the Originall is not likely that Robert as brother to Eudes pretended the Crowne as heire vnto his brother beeing lawfully chosen by the States But wherevnto tends all this Eudes had leâ—t no suspition to pretend any interest vnto the Crowne hauing beene Regent after others and enioying it but by suffrance resigning it willingly or by constraint vnto the lawefull heire Truely the French mens carefull keeping of their Queenes wombe their acknowledging the childe borne after the fathers death for King their choosing of Regents their placing and displacing of one and the same Regent do plainely shewe both the efficacy of the Lawe and the resolute possession of the French the which they yeelded not easily to a man with so weake a title What then I should rather thinke that the peoples complaint tired with so long calamities Robert the head of the league and in â—â—mes was their colour to furnish the realme with a more wise and profitable guide and that they sought a Prince as in the ende they tooke Raoul King of Bourgongne the first Prince of the bloud of which League Robert was the ringleader as the first in dignity and most valiant in courage or the most rash in so dangerous an enterprise The memory of his brothers wise and peaceable gouernment and his owne valour opposite to the foolish and base disposition of Charles blemished with this name of simple for his folly and contemptible humors gaue a great Lustre to this enprise with those great intelligences he had within the realme and namely with the Normans his confident friends With this assurance hee armes boldly against Charles promising himselfe an vndoubted doubted victorie by the valour of his men and the basenes of his enemie Charles the simple awakes at this strange reuolt and distrusting his owne subiects who 〈◊〉 sees risen in armes to dispossesse him of his estate he flies to Henry the 3. Emperour and prepares al hee can to calme so great a storme As their armies approach Robert to haue some title to make a warre causeth himselfe to bee crowned King at Rheims Râ—bâ—rt câ—useth himselfe to be crowned King by Herué the Archbishop who died three dayes after this vnlawful Coronation The opinions are diuers but for my part I doe not hold that Robert caused himselfe to bee crowned with a better title then his brother Eudes who was neither crowned nor raigned as King but as Regent But all the French complayned that they needed a better King then Charles the simple who would loose the Crowne if it were not foreseene The erroâ—s of King Charles He had alreadie ratified the follie of Charles the grosse in continuing the vsurpation of Neustria to the Normans who with the Kings consent were seized thereon with the title of lawfull possession and moreouer they were much incensed that hee had put himselfe into the protection of the Emperour Henry to giue him a cause to inuest himselfe King of France as of late dayes the Germains had infranchised themselues from the French Monarchie by the diuision of brethren which had raigned and the minoritie of Charles who then commaunded This iealousie inflamed the hearts both of the one and the other and serued Robert for a shew meaning to fish in a troubled water Now they are in armes
discourse BY VVHAT MEANES AND DEGREES THE TOWNES SVBdued by the English returned to the obedience of this Crowne and how the English were chased out off this Realme From the yeare 1429. to 1454. after the ebbing and flowing of many actions and the accord of the Duke of Bourgongne with Charles long debated and in the ende obtained by the meanes of the Duke of Bourbon Paris yeeldes to the King The other Citties and Prouinces of this Realme one after another in diuers seasons and by diuers occasions returne to the King as to their head and expell the stranger who held the state TO THE REDVCTION OF PARIS ARE 7. YEARES TO THE FVLL RESTORING OF THE REALME 18. AND IN ALL 25. YEARES AFTER HIS CORONATION THis happy beginning of the Kings affaires seemed to bring with it a generall restoring of his whole Realme by the absolute obedience of all Townes and Prouinces But God which gouerns nature by seasons and giues not haruest when as they sâ—w the seede he doth likewise gouerne the society of mankind by degrees that the force of mans industry of it selfe may appeare vaine and nothing and not successefull but by his grace without whoÌ„ man can do nothing We haue hitherto seene into what distresse the preseruer of this estate hath drawne both the King and Realme but in the ende his prouidence shal appeare no lesse admirable in preseruing it The English seeke to crossâ— Câ—arles in his course The Duke of Bedford wonderfully discontented with his happy successe resolues to stop the course both by force and policie To this ende hee sends to Englâ—nd for succors both of men and money he leauies all he can in France and practiseth with the Duke of Bourgongne who was held of both parties to haue power to strike the lâ—st stroake in this equality of affaires So as finding himselfe sought vnto by them all he intertaines them all giuing Charles secretly to vnderstand that he was for him and yet he presently takes armes for the English The Bourguignons dispositioÌ„ A man wholy adicted to his affaires hauing â—â— other obiect but his owne greatnesse yet shall he effect no wonders beeing nowe so much sought vnto Charles parts from Rheims to obserue his enemies way he passeth by Soissons Chasteau Thierâ—y Prouins Coussy in Brye and comes to Crespy in Valois all these Townes shake off the English yoake to obey him Bedford was at Senlis with an armie of ten thousand men from thence he writes letters of defiance to Charles as to the vsurper of the realme He represents vnto him at large the compassion he had of the poore French people so long opprest with warres and doth challenge him to appoint a day and place to end this long miserie eyther by a peace or battaile A part ill acted by a Stranger for who could beleeue these protestations in the mouth of a Stranger against the heire of the Crowne Charles answers him by effects and offers himselfe to the combate the English armie was before Senlis being lodged in that renowmed Temple of victorie the antient monument of the valour of Philip Augustus The French armie was opposite against them without hedge or bush in a large Plaine The King called a Councell whether he should giue battaile Ioane the Virgin diswades King Charâ—es from fighting The Virgin held opinion they should not hazard these happy beginnings vpon a doubtfull combate being sufficient to staye the enemie in shewing him the Armie without striking So as these two Armies stood two dayes together in battaile looking one vpon another without mouing although many skirmishes seemed to offer occasion to drawe them to a generall fight In the end there was a confused charge of some fore-lorne hopes Picards and French but the battailes stood firme After this countenance Bedford takes his way to Paris to auoide the alterations which the Kings approche and prosperitie might breed Charles hauing receiued the obedience of Compeigne Senlis Creil Beauuois Pont Saint Maxence Choysi Gournay Remy Neufuille Mognay Chantely Sainctines and other places thereabouts with the homages of the Seigneuries of Mont-morency and Mouy he marcheth towards Paris The Bourguignon abuseth King Charles vpon promise made by the Bourguignon to be receiued by the Cittizens Being at Saint Denis he not onely findes Bedford in Armes without the Cittie but also the Cittie well garded by the Inhabitants Ioane the Virgin sore wounded and her men defeated so as the Virgin seeking to surprize Saint Honories ditche had like to haue beene taken being sore wounded and loosing a goodlie troope of her best and most resolute souldiars The inconsiderate desire which Charles had to winne the loue of the Duke of Bourgongne did much preiudice his affaires for all Picardy held him in great esteeme especially the great Townes of Amiens Abbeuille and S. Quintin but the respect he bare the Bouâ—guignon made him to neglect these occasions to his great hurt Hauing therefore found this passage to be very perilous he retires into Berry and the Duke of Bedford freed from the feare of his forces goes into Normandie where the Constable Richemont had surprised Eureux Aumâ—le Chasteau-gaillard and Audely places of importance in that Prouince But during these alterations the Duke of Bourgongne married with Isabell daughter to the King of Portugall adding this third wife to his two former deceased The Duchesse of Bedford was at this marriage not in regard of the feast but for her husbands affaires The Bourguignon conducts her to Paris with foure thousand armed men where he renewes the League more strongly somewhat shaken through the affaires of Iaqueline Duchesse of Hainault with his brother in lawe The Duke of Bourgongne makes the order of the Golden fleese There hee made the order of the Golden Fleese as if he had already conquered the Gardens of Hespâ—rides like a second Iason but hee determined to make violent warre against Charles the yeare following and returning into Picardie hee tooke Gournay and Choissy places lately subdued to the Crowne Melun Sens and Villeneufue le Roy gaue a happy beginning to this yeare yeelding to the Kings obedience but the losse of the Virgin Ioane and the taking of Pothon two of the greatest and most valiant heads of the Armie quailed all the ioye of these conquests The Tragedie was thus acted The Bourguignon hauing taken Choissy by force hee buies Soissons of the Captaine that commanded and so hee marcheth against Compiâ—gne with his armie 1430. with whom the Earles of Suffolke and Arondel ioyne with two thousand men The Virgin issues forth with a notable number of the best Souldiers to charge the besiegers Ioane the Virgin taken at Compeigne by the Bourguignon who being too farre ingaged in the fight alone was taken by the Bastard of Vendosme and presently brought to the Duke of Bourgongne Hee reioyced much at so notable a prize as hauing conquered all Charles his good fortunes and reserues
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
might easily desend it The could not enter but with the tide and wind and the foure first ships repulsed had fallen backe vpon the rest of the fleet and disordred them They must of necessitie fight neere vnto their land 1545. and fauoured by their Fortes and Canon had they not meanes to hinder the approach to the great preiudice of â—uâ— fleete and our ships bording and grapling the force of the current had driuen them on ground one vpon anotheâ— There was as little reason to fight at anchor the Cables might be cutt and this inconuenience auoided the danger was not lesse for the nature of the current is to turne the prowe so as our ships in steed of the prowe or the broad side must haue presented their poupe to the enemie Moreouer their anchors not â—ble to stay the ships sodenly by reason of the violent turning of the streame eyther the Anchor or Cable might breake and by consequence cast the ships on ground They therefore propound two things in counsell either to saile into Picardie to fortifie the Kings armie The French consult to take the Isle of VVight to fortifie it and to cut off all succours from Boullen or to fortifie the Isle of Wight Many reasons perswaded the most part to the last opinion for hauing the Iâ—le at their deuotion they might easily become Lords of Portsmouth one of the goodliest ports of England and forcing the enemy to maintaine a continuall armie both by land and sea to crosse the Conquerours desseins it would consume them in exceeding expences Moreouer they kept the passage of Spaine and Flanders and might in time till the Iland and make it yeeld victuals sufficient to maintaine men for the garde thereof Without doubt this was an oportunitie which hath not since happened to oppose a strong barre betwixt both the realmes But let vs say that he which holds both land and Sea within the palme of his hand would leaue this Iland in the power of her ancient and lawfull Lord. But howsoeuer the Admirall might easily haue left foure thousand men and foure thousand Pioners for the defence of the Iland as he did to â—ortifie the Kings armie before Boullen after the ouerthrow of the Cheualier d' Aux a Prouensall and Captaine of the Galleys of Normandie leauing his Fleet well manned As the Admirall lay at Anchor before Boullen a Westerne winde ariseth and makes him to seeke harbour vpon the coast of England Being at the Perrais and there kept by force of winde and a swolne sea the English fleete thinking to haue the aduantage imbarke speedily being a hundred good ships and come with full sailes against our men hauing the winde in powpe The violence of the windes the greatnesse of the seas which might haue taken from our men the vse and seruice of their galleys gaue them hope of victorie On the other side the Admirall feared that the tempest would driue him to shoare or force him to weigh Anchor in disorder for that the bad wether would not suffer them to keepe together and with great danger to passe the straite at Calais or else to take his course towards Flanders and so they might stop his passage in his returne moreouer foule wether might stay him so long as hee should want victuals and in the meane time the enemie who to attend him at the passage would come to Boullen would disturbe the Kings Fortes that hee pretended to make the which he desired by all meanes to preuent And therefore following the aduice of his Captaines hee attends at Anchor the change of the tide The next day the winde and tide fauours him so as he desires to incounter the enemie The night passeth and at the breake of day the English armie appeares He followes them but was so becalmed as he could not aduance but with the tide Eyther seeke to gette the winde and coasting neere salute one another with the Canon Some ships are sunke and some men perish in the sea In the end the enemie seeing our men to haue gotte the winde set saile and take their course to the Isle of Wight hauing both winde and tide which carried them without disorder to their Port and the night approching ended the combate The enemie hauing recouered a safe Port the Admirall tooke his course towards New-hauen to refresh his Armie and to land many sicke men languishing in the shippes This was about the middest of August In the middest of August the King meant to execute his enterprise vpon Guines whereof we haue spoken His armie was of twelue thousand French twelue thousand Lansquenets sixe thousand Italians and foure thousand Legionaries a thousand or hundred men at armes and seuen or eight hundred light horse But the fort before Boullen was no more defensible then eight dayes after it was begun Fiâ—st not built vpon the point as it was appointed right against the Tower of Ordre but against base Foullen so as it could no way stoppe the entrie of the ships into the hauen The Marshall of Biez excused himselfe that they had giuen him to vnderstand he should find no water there and that thesoldiars could not lodge for the violence of the winds Secondly hee relyed vppon his Ingeneur Anthonie Mellon an Italien Captaine who was held to be a man of experience and a good souldiar who being ignorant of his measures made the worke fruitles for two moneths The Marshal notwithstanding assures the King that within eight dayes the fort would be defensible but it was no more forward then at the first day And to couer this defect he lets the Captaines vnderstand that he is aduertised how the enemie assembled at Calis to come and succour Boullen by land holding it in danger to be farnished he was therefore resolued to passe the riuer and to abandon the fort And without imparting of any thing to the Lord of Estrue Marshall of the Campe who contradicted this desseine hee leaues three or foure thousand men in the fort and goes to lodge at Mont-Lambert within Canon short of the Towne to make head against the enemie and to fight with him if he came to succour the Towne But what lâ—kelyhood was there that the English being weaker in force and numbers would hazard a battaile and by land seeing that one shippe would carrie more victuals then a thousand carts come and victuall a Towne which daily he might refresh by sea without danger in sight of the enemie But in effect it was a great honour for the Marshall of Biez to see so many yong Princes subiect to his commaund and if Boullen had beene recouered he had lost the authoritie to command so goodly and mightie an armie The hope of a battaile made all the youth in Court post to Mont Lambert the Dukes of Anguien Neuers Aumale Thouars Lord of Tremouille the Earle of Laual and others who by continuall skirmishes sometimes with gaine sometimes with losse did trie their valours with the
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
his last hope vppon Bouuens to whome hee sends the countersigne without the which he was bound not to yeeld it This token was but counterfet D' Hostel played an other part he made this his colour to haue meanes to enter into the Cittadell A Countersigne carried to Bouuens and to giue this countersigne to Bouuens for his warrant and thereby to assure him that if he had meanes to hold good a moneth hee should disclame the signing of the ratification and make a shew of disobedience and hee should bee releeued D' Hostel went into the Cittadell and found that miserie would not suffer them to vant of resistance as they had done that things were no more in the Estate that Bouuens had represented them and that their neccessities were so extreame as there was no meanes to suffer them any longer beeing prest without by the Kings Army and within by cold and hunger which made the Duke more tractable to yeeld that which hee could not hold sending the ratification in the beginning of March and at the same time the Cittadell was deliuered into the Kings power Diuers opinions of the Peace The generall censures of this Peace were diuers The King was pleased that the pofit was apparent and assured for his Estates hauing for one Marquisate more Earles and Marquises then there are Gentlemen in the Marquisate of Saluces inlarging his frontiers aboue thirty Leagues and so restrayned the Dukes Estate on this side the Mountaines as hee hath left two third partes lost eight hundred Gentlemen and a fort which hee himselfe writing vnto Bovuens esteemed more then all the Marquisate with Prouinces as fertill as any bee in France It is true that the Honour to keepe that which was the cause of the Warre remayned to the Duke and by this meanes of a Peace hee hath no more neede of Spaniards nor of the Count of Fuentes Comodiâ—ies which the Duke got by the Peace who did him alwaise some Spanish affront and is free from all feare of the French who keâ—t Piedmont in awe while they had a retreate there The Duke who neuer went out of the gates of Thurin without six Companies of Horse and entertayned Garrisons which cost him more then the reuenues of the Countries exchanged may nowe sleepe and goe and come in safety This Moneth of March Louyse of Lorraine Dowager of France Widow to Henry the 3. The death of Queene Loâ—yse King of France and of Poland died her death was better known by the losse of such a light then by the mourning of her Heires or the Honour of her Funeralls for the Duke of Merâ—ure her Brother to whom she left her goods and the execution of her will was then in Hungary The Duchesse of Mercure attended on her vntill she died and layed her Body in the Couent of Saint Claire vntill shee might bee enterred with greater pompe She desired to bee layed in one Tombe with the King whose Body attendes vntill that the piety of the lyuing may remember the condition of the dead the which giues cause of amazement that the Earth which neuer fayles for the life of Princes should now want for their interment She was Daughter to Nicholas Earle of Vandemont Death of the Princesse of Coâ—â—e A most vertuous Princesse shewing in al her actions a singular piety and modestie The same yeare also Madam Francis of Orleans Princesse of Conde Mother to the Count of Soissons died in her house of Grenelles at Paris the Funerall Pompe was celebrated in the Abbey of Saint Germain de pres The Princesse of Conty dies About the end of this yeare the Princesse of Conty died of a great and languishing sickenesse as shee went to her house at Fonnestable in Perche to change the aire by the aduice of her Phisitions but shee changed her life The Duchesse â—â— Esquilâ—on leauing one onely Daughter the which the Count of Soissons married Afterwards the Duchesse of Eguillon died being Daughter to the Duke of Neuers deceased who left great cause of mourning to the Duke of Esquillon eldest Son to the Duke of Maine and the rather for that she died in child-bed the Child also with her The King in 40. daies had conquered all Sauoy with in 40. after hee married treated of a Peace made the Qâ—eene in case to be a Mother went in post from Lions and came to Paris which bare his long absence impatiently His returne gaue the world to vnderstand how quiet constant the affaires of France were that a King which went a 100. Leagues with 12. only in his traine was well assured of his subiects and feared not his neighbours The Qâ—een followed by smal iorneyes came to Fontainbleau where she stayd not long but came to Paris abouâ— S. Germains Faier her first lodging was at Gondies house her fiâ—st Gentleman of Honour beeing in the suburbes of S. Germaine The next was at Zameâ—s superintendant of her house then she came to the Lovure The Parisiens prepared themselues besought the King to giue them leaue to make her a stately entry but his Maiesty would haue the charges of this entry reserued for a more durable worke The Queene comes to Paris All the Princesses of the bloud with the chiefe Ladies of the Court and Citty presented themselues to kisse her hands and to do their duties vnto her Maiesty She made much of all that the King fauored and resolued to loue what hee Loued framing her will in such sort vnto his as she held his will for an vnwritten Lawe This yeare the Pope granted a Iubile and pardons to all the French that should goe vâ—sit the Church of Saint Croix in Orleans doing the workes of Christian charity An infinit number of people went thither from al parts of France the King and Queene went thether with the fiâ—st and gaue meanes to helpe to build this Church which had beene ruined during the furie of the fiâ—st ciuill warres The King layed the first stone of this building An act worthie of a Christian King the true successor of the pietie of S. Lewis his Predecessor But whilst he gaines pardons his enemies watch to surprise the best places of his Realme He was disarmed vnder the assurance of the Peace The armie of strangers was still whole togither and became fearefull to all Italie All the Princes were troubled therat and althovgh they bee not well vnited togither yet when there is any question of common danger they haue good correspondency At Rome they sayd it was for Geneua and that the Marquis of Aix was gone to intreate the Pope to fauour him with his blessing and to fortifie him with his meanes An enterprisâ— vpon Maâ—seilles Many other discourses were made touching this army but time discouered that it was entertayned for Marsâ—illes There is nothing â—o holy but money will violate nor so strong but it will force The Count of Fuentes vpon promise of great
past the Ilands of Baleares they doubted no more that his desseâ—gne was for Alger it was giuen out that they should be assisted by eight or ten thousand horse-men of the Moores and some Christians But the Turkes who prepared themselues to receiue them would not bee in danger of their enemies and of their slaues knowing that as they could hope for no fauour of the one so the victory of them that serue them is alwaies cruell towards their Masters for this reason and to take from the Christians meanes to fauour this Army they retired into the Towne all that liued along the Sea-coast and did shut vp in Caues at Alger aboue ten thousand slaues tyed with doble Chaines and well garded This enterprise was iust and commendable and worthy of the first millitarie executions of a Prince which must beginne his raigne by some Act of great reputation The Spaniards in deede did promise much and sayd openly that their King would make knowne the affection hee bare vnto Christendome Besides the generall fruite which was expected this attempt made a great and profitable diuersion of the Turkes forces in fauour of the Arch-duke Ferdinand who was at the seege of Canisia Prince Doria the more to fauour this desseigne intreated the great Master of Malta in the behalfe of the King of Spaine to send some Galleys into the Leuant Seas to make some spoiles there to drawe on the Turkish Army and to aduertise him of his course The which was so happely executed as with fiue Galleyes they runne into Morea Beauregard a French Knight had the charge to plant a Petard to the port Chasteâ—uneuâ— called by the Turkâ—s Passana taken by the Galâ—ies of Malta in Morâ—a the 17. of August of Chasteauneuf whilest that Bouillon and Tiolierre also French Knights should giue the scaladoe on the other side Where they entred with such fury as the Turkes who were seauen or eight hundred men could not hinder them from forcing of the second port They tooke a hundred and foure score slaues cloyed eighteene peeces of Cannons spoyled and burnt the Towne and in foure houres spoyled the whole Country The Spanish fleete recouered the coast of Affrick as men were banded against it at Land so the Windes made Warre against it at Sea Prince Doria finding both Heauen Earth and Sea opposite to his desseigne commanded a retreate withoâ—t attempting any thing Prince of Parmas speech to Prince Doria The Prince of Parma desiring rather to fayle in iudgement then in courrage sayd vnto Prince Doria that hee should not suffer so great an Army to returne without attempting any thing the which had no other effect but to haue mooued a mighty enemy who to bee reuenged of a dead enterprise ready to be executed would resolue to inuade the King of Spaines Estates of all sides Prince Dorias anâ—swere The old man answered sodenly I knowe well my charge my haires are growne white in learning it Your excellency are to giue account vnto the King my Master but of a pike and I must answere for an army in the which if fortune hath fayled mee yet will I not that other partes requisite to my charge as courrage experience nor authority shall fayle mee or that they shall reproch mee to haue erred therein A goodly and a memorable answere to shew that a Pâ—ince howe great soeuer hee bee in an Army must onely studie to obey and followe and not lead or goe before the which belongs onely to the Generall So Prince Doria hauing dismissed his Army tooke his way to Genoa chosing rather to giue them subiect to murmur at his retreate then vainely to haue attempted an impossible enterprise 1602. The Popes Gallies stayed at Barcelona for the Duke of Parma who was gone into Spaine to kisse the Kings hands Those of the great Duke of Florence passed to Genoa and from thence to Liuorne Most of the men of Warre came to refresh themselueâ— in the Duchy of Milan wholy to ruine the Country But the Count of Fuentes found a new inuention to make this newe oppression sweete and supportable The poâ—lecy of the Count of Fuentes He vndertooke to make a passage for trafficke by Water betwixt Milan and Pauia and caused them to worke in the trenches to make the riuers betwixt the two Townes to meete The people seeing so great commodities that might recompence all their losses enduâ—eâ— their burthen patiently But the Count of Fuentes incountred many difficulties in this desseigne The Italian companies cast which made him to desist and the people to renewe their complaints when they saw themselues surcharged and that the souldiars come from the army of Algier liued in Lombardie according to their owne discretion He intreated the Duke of Sauoy to lodge the regiment of Barbo in the Marquisate of Saluces but knowing how hard it is to dislodge the Spaniard he excused himself Wisely vpon the miseries generall â—uine of all his Estates In the end these poore Italians beeing in Alexandria were cast The King of Spaines Officers tooke and foulded vp their Enseignes disarmed them and left them almost naked without any other pay then ten shillings of our Country money The want of money would not suffer them to do otherwise the King of Spaine being forced to furnish money to the Suisses and Germains and his treasure beeing almost exhaust through the great charges of this last Army at Sea The charge of the sea army was fiue 〈…〉 Crownes the which did not answere the opinion which all Europe had conceiued of so great a preparation Yet the occasion of well doing was goodly and fauorable The lanissayres were mutined against the great Turke and had stiâ—red vp the people for the disorder of his carriage his carelesnesse idlenesse and stupidity Things were in the worst termes that might bee and they talked of nothing but to choose a Prince that was more Martiall they drewe seauen of his greatest fauorits forth of the Serrailia â—orced him to consent that those heads should serue as an oblation to the people promising to haue more care of the administration of Iustice and the affaires of State Troubles at Constantinople The Citty was fiue or sixe daies togither in danger to bee sackt If ChristendoÌ„ had made vse of this diuisioÌ„ of the reuolts of Asia there had bin no doubt of the ruine of the Ottomans If the great Turke auoided the storme which he feared by the forces of Spaine Sigismond Battori Prince of Transiluania was quite defeated by theÌ„ of the Emperor What pâ—st in Transiluania He had drawne togither an army of eighteene thousand horse and 22 thousand foote to recouer his authority in Transiluania froÌ„ whence he had bin shamefully expelled He lodged himselfe vpon a Mountaine to giue Lawe vnto all the Country Sodenly when as this aduice was brought vnto Michel Vaâ—oide of Valachia and to Georg Basta Generall of heigh Hungary they let sleepe their priuate
of the Kings Soliciters had said That Biron had none before him to imitate that he could imitate none but himselfe and that he made himselfe inimitable to them that should come after him This Place I say shining with the beames of the Kings Iustice made him to remember the change of his condition the which made him somewhat to blush an accident which happens to the most assured These Scarlet Roabes do more amaze him then all the red Cassocks of Spaine or the most fierce in counters of his enemies Hee had no other place then that which was appointed for men accused being set vpon a stoole within the Barre but finding himselfe to â—arre off to heare or to be heard hee rose vp and carried his stoole neerer saying vnto the Chancellor Excuse mee my Lord I cannot heare you except you speake louder When the Duke of Alancon was examined before the King and in open Court he was set in the middest of the Hall vpon a lowe Stoole the Constable of Luxembourg the Duke of Nemours and the Chancellor of Poyet were set within the Barre like to the Duke of Biron He sat with his Cloake vnder his right arme holding his Hand sometimes by his side after a brauing manner the which notwithstanding did not become him ill hauing his Arme free to lift vp his Hand to Heauen and to strike his Breast when he would protest of his Loyalty to the Kings Seruice They would not haue allowed it in an other being expected that men accused should shew Humility outwardly and Feare inwardly In this Estate the Duke of Biron thought that in this great Senate hee should finde some one that would doe for him as Sempronius Gracchus had done for Scipio that hee would speake openly that he would neuer indure the Common weale should receiue that disgrace to see Scipio â—et in the Rancke and Habit of Men accused for Crimes He whome the Court had seene sit vpon the Flower-de Luce in recompence of the great seruices which he had done The Chancellor fitted his discourse in such sort as there was no occasion to call him by his name nor by those of his qualities Of many points that were in his Processe he collected fiue principall the rest consisted in presumptions whereof he made no accompt For that wee must neuer moue the opinion of the Iudges vpon a matter that is without proofe The first was to haue had Conference with one called Picoté borne at Orleans and â—led into Flanders Accusations of the Duke of Biron to haue intelligence with the Archduke and had giuen him a hundred and fifty Crownes for two Voyages to that effect The second was That hee had Treated with the Duke of Sauoy three dayes after his comming to Paris without the Kings permission offering him all Assistance and Seruice against all Men vpon hope of Marriage with his third Daughter The third that hee had had intelligence with the Duke of Sauoy in the taking of Bourg and other places giuing him aduice to Attempt against the Kings Army and against his owne person discouering many things of importance The fourth was That he would haue brought the King before S. Katherins Fort to bee slaine there and to that ende had written to the Gouernour giuing him some tokens whereby he should know his Maiestie The fift was That hee had sent la Fin to Treat with the Duke of Sauoy and the Count of Fuentes The Duke of Biron denyed all that hee had confessed at his first examination The Duke of Birons answer holding it no danger to suppresse the Truth when as Confession may hurt To the first the Duke of Biron answered That Picoté being his prisoner in the Franch County and knowing that hee was acquainted with Captaine la Fortune who was his friend he thought hee might imploy him for the reduction of the Towne of Seurre wherein he vsed such diligence as the place was assured for his Maiesties seruice that since this reduction hee had not seene Picoté but in Flanders when as hee went for the Confirmation of the Peace where he came vnto him with some others intreating him to be an Intercessor for them vnto the King that they might returne vnto their Goods and liue in their owne Houses promising him for recompence of his intercession two Sutes of Tapistry the which he reiected with some spleene for that they sought to buye his fauour and for that they desired from him an assurance for their returne he sent them to the Seigneur of Bellieure Sillery who knew what was fittest for them and the formes that were to be obserued for their returne That it was true that Picoté had receiued a hundred and fiftie Crownes of him buâ— not for any other respect but for the charges he had beene at in the reduction of Seurre hauing often intreated him and prest him by many letters to haue pittie on him as of one that was banished from his house and Countrie hauing borrowed this summe to beare his charges in this reduction That he had put it to account in certaine summes which he had dis bursed for the Kings seruice or that he neuer had any other busines or conference with him To the second hee answered that hee came to Paris fiâ—teene dayes after the Duke of Sauoyes arriuall there that La Fin who accused him caâ—e after him That it was true the King dyning at Conâ—â—ans and the Duke of Sauoy with him after dinner the King retyring into his wardrope he commanded the Count of Auuergne and him to entertaine the Duke of Sauoy That the Count of Soissons and the Duke of Montpensier comming into the chamber hee gaue them place and went into the wardrope tyed the Kings poynts gaue him drinke and presently after went to Paris That vpon some speech which Roncas the Dukes Secretary had with him touching the marriage of his Highnes third daughter hee acquainted the King therewith who hauing since giuen him to vnderstand by La Force that hee did not like thereof he had no more drempt of it And in token that hee had no intelligence with the Duke nor Wil to conspire with any of his the King hauing commanded him to accompany him in his returne and to shew him the strongest Townes in Bourgongne hee had excused himselfe beseeching his Maiestie to dispence with him fore-seeing that the Duke would not effect the Treatie and that hee should bee greeued to make warre against a Prince whome hee had accompanied and made good cheere vnto Aduising the Baron of Lux to conduct him through the weakest Townes and not to giue him any time to vew their fortifications To the third that hee had intelligence with the Duke of Sauoy in the conquest of the Countrie of Bresse giuing him aduise to attempt against the Kings army He answeres that if he had had intelligence with the Duke of Sauoy hee would not haue vndertaken Bourg against the Kings opinion being not assisted by any
whence the name of Austrich is properly deriued being then of a greater command then at this day for it conteined Hongarie Valachia Bohemia Transiluania Denmarke and Poland Then was our Monarchie great but all these nations haue either returned to their first beginnings or were seized on by new Lords It was very needful to shew the estate that we might obserue the declyning thereof with the motiues and seasons of these diuerse changes Thus the French Monarchie grew great by the happie valour of Charlemagne and his children grew in age and knowledge by the wise care of their father who framed them to affaires meaning first to make them succeed him in his vertues and then after in his dominions But man purposeth and God disposeth France Italie Germanie Spaine Hongarie made the Romaine Empire in the West Charles being master of these goodly Prouinces was in effect Emperour therof There wanted nothing but the sollemne declaration of this dignitie to haue the title as he inioyed the thing and to be autentically inuested by a free and publike declaration of his possession The prouideÌ„ce of God who gaue him the thing procured him the title by this means Leo was the Pope of Rome against whome was raised a strange sedition by Siluester and Campull 798 men of great credit in the Court of Rome Vpon a sollemne day of procession they seize vpon Leâ— The occasion why Chaâ—â—emagne was proclaymed Emperour before Saint Laurence Church they strip him of his Pontificall roabes cast him to the ground tread him vnder their feete bruse his â—ace with their fistes and hauing drawne him ignominiously through the dirt they cast him into pryson but he stayed not there being freed by a grome of his Chamber called Albin and hauing recouered Saint Peters Church hee intreated Vingise Duke of Spolete to free him from this miserable Captiuity Vingise fayled him not hee came to Rome and carried him to Spolete Being arriued there hee presently went into France to Charlemagne whome he found full of troubles yet Charles neglected all other affaires to assist Leo in his necessity So as hee came to Rome with a goodly army to succor the Pope where hee did speedily pacifie the confusions where-with Rome was afflicted punishing Leoes enemies according to Lawe They demanded audience the which Charles graunted them assembling the Clergie and people to heare and decide this scandalous controuersie But when as hee demanded their opinions the Prelates told him plainely that the Church of Rome could not be iudged by any other then by it selfe and that the Pope ought not to vndergo the censure of any man lyuing and that he himselfe ought to be iudge in his owne cause Charlemagne willingly leaues the iudgement seate and then Pope Leo mounted vp his throane where after hee had protested by oath to be innocent of those crimes wherewith his enemies had charged him he absolues himselfe and condemnes his enemies according to his Cannon The Pope is Iudge of all men and all things and not to be iudgeâ— by any Charlemagne being drawne to Rome vpon this occasion finds all disposed to declare him Emperour of the West seeing that with the price of his bloud opposing himselfe against the furies and incursions of barbarous nations hee had valiantly gotten possession of the Empire The beginning of the Empire of Charlemagne Acknowledged and installed Emperour by a free consent of the Romaine people in the yeare of grace 800. 800 THE Pope by this possession acknowledging Charles for true Emperour Charlemagne Crowned Emperour crownes him Emperour of Rome with a full consent of all the Romaine people which assisted at his Coronation crying with one generall voice happines long life victory to Charles Augustus Crowned the great and peaceable Emperour of the Romains alwaies happie and victorious This was in the yeare 800. on Christmas day the thirtith yeare of the raigne of Charles Italy hauing suffred a horrible confusion during the space of 33. yeares without Emperour without Lawes and without order The seat of the Romane Empire since Constantine the great remayned at Constantinople a Cittie of Thrace situate in a conuenient place â—or the gard of the Easterne Prouinces all the West being full of new guests who hauing expelled the Romaines the name authoritie and force of the Empire remained in the East where the State was in a strange confusion the mother being banded against her sonne and the people within themselues Constantine sonne to Leo the fourth was Emperour being gouerned from his infancie with the Empire by his mother Irene being come to the age of twentie yeares hee tooke vpon him the gouernment There was then a great diuision in the East continued from father to sonne for 80. yeares touching Images The Bishops would needes bring them into the Christian Church 801. The Emperours with the greatest part of the people opposed themselues This contention had his beginning vnder Philip Bardanes as wee haue sayd continued vnder Leo Isaurus and from him to his sonne Constantin surnamed Copronimus and of Leo the 4. sonne to the sayd Consâ—antin This disquieted all the East with infinit scandals The same fire continued in the minority of Constantin gouerned by his mother a woman of a violent spirit who hauing vndertaken the protection of Images held a Councell of many Bishops for the defence thereof but the people growing into a mutiny expelled them Constantinople by force where their assembly was held But this woman resolute to proceed assemble the same Councell at Nicea a Citty of Bithinia honored to haue harbored the first generall Councell vnder Constantin the great the first of that name where it was decreed that the Images of Saints should be planted in Christian Churches for deuotion Charlemagne did not alowe of this decree and eyther himselfe or some other by his command did write a small treatise against this Councell the which wee see at this day with this title A treaty of Charlemagnes touching Images against the Greeke Synode This cunning woman had made choise of the Citty of Nicea that the name of this ancient first Councell might honour this newe introduction with the pretext of antiquity for there are some that confound the first Councell of Nicea with the second and Constantin the 4. with the first Constantin continued in the hereditary hatred of his father and grand-father against Images so as beeing of age and in absolute possession of the Estate hee disanulled all these new decrees and caused the Images to be beaten downe in all places yet he made all shewes of respect vnto his mother yeelding vnto her a good part of his authority and command This respect was the cause of a horrible Tragedy for this womâ—â— transported for two causes both by reason of her newe opinion and for despight that shee had not the whole gouernment in herselfe growes so vnkind as shee resolues to dispossesse her sonne of the Empire and to seize on it her selfe Thus
first motions put Charles in some hope of a better estate but behold a newe checke which cooles his courage At the same time that hee made his leauie in Scotland the Duke of Exeter prepared a great armie in England to releeue the Duke of Beford his brother that hee might haue meanes to contynue the warres in France There comes vnto him eight thousand archers and eighteene hundered men at armes For the imploying of these men Nâ—we forces â—aised in England he beseegeth Galardon taketh it at his first approch and without the losse of any houre hee plants himselfe before Yury and at the same instant all his forces come to him vnder the commande of the Earle of Salisburie The army being thus increased he presseth the seege Girault of Paliere held the Towne for the King The Duke of Bedford summons him to yeeld it â—iraud demandes respit to aduertise the King Charles was then at Tours well accompanied both of his subiects and forraine friends for after the defeat of Creuant foreseeing that the English would pursue the cause with more violence hee had prouided men to oppose against them The Marshall Du-glas Duke of Touraine by his newe pourchase â—ad brought him succors from Scotland The Vicont of Narbonne a goodlie troupe from Languedoc the which was the flower of the whole army The Duke of Alencon the Earles of Aumale Ventadour Tonerre Du-glas Moiry the Viconte of Mardonne the Lords of Fayette Tournon and other Noble men of Marke with their followers were readie to do their best endeauor So as hee had eighteene thousand fighting men The rendez-uous is in Perche and they were shortly to march to Yury The King stayes at Chastecudun The Constable of Bouâ—qhingam sends to vewe the enemies countenaÌ„ce The skouâ—s report the greatnesse of the English army and their dilligence at the seege who being discouered and pursued hardly escape They resolue that in steede of charging the English army they should beseege Vernueil a Towne obeying the English eyther to take it or to make a diuersion from Yury The first succeeded for our men approching to Vernueil with a victorious countenance and bragge as if the English army had beene defeated Vernueil yeelded to the French Yury yeelded Vernueil opens the gates without any question and yeelds to the Kings seruice But this shewe of victory cost our French men deâ—re who had done better to succour Yury then in loosing it to hazard their owne ruine as it happened afterwards Girault of Paliere hauing long and in vaine expected succors and doubled the prefixed time hee yeelds to the Duke of Bedford who hauing nowe no other impediment he resolues to fight with our army at his aduantage for the effecting whereof he had the better meanes by their long stay Hauing intelligence of the Estate of our Armie he resolued to drawe them to battaile knowing howe much it did import to send a victorious soldiar against one whome he hath vsually beaten Hee therefore sends a herauld to defie them giuing him charge to direct himselfe to the Duke of Touraine The Duke of Bedford sends a challenge to the French army a Scottish man being Marâ—shall of France To whome he saies The Duke of Bedford my maister commanded mee to tell you that he comes to drinke with you Du-glas answers him That he should be welcome but hee must make some hast for that diner was readie Vpon this brauado they go to Counsell The mischiefe was the army had no head hauing indeede too many A multitude of commanders and commaundements is a plague to all good order and especially in militarie discipline which consists wholy in authoritie Euery one had varied in his opinion Some were of aduice to attend the enemie A diuision among the heads of the French army others thought it fittest to take him at his worde without induring of these brauadoes Thus their diuided opinions diuided the armie and those which in shewe made the armie ouerthrew it Du-glas and Narbonne Du-glas sayed Seeing the army is well lodged hauing a good Towne to backe it to what ende should they runne rashly against a victorious enemie The Narbonnois replies To endure these brauadoes were to take away the hearts of the French Soldiars and to coole their courage without any reason and what greater indignities might a vanquished man beare The Duke of Alenâ—on and the Constable were of the first opinon but the contention grewe so great as the Viconte sayed That if the wiser had no minde to fight heewould go and defend the honor of France with the hazard of his life so being retyred to his quarter he coÌ„manded to sound a marche notwithstanding the Duke of Alensons intreatie to stay and march together On the other side the Duke of Touraine discontented at the Visconts choller keepes back the Scottes But necessitie drew forth the whole armie The French armie one Battaillon after another This disorder was the cause they could not choose a sit place of armes nor dispose of their Battaillons All were in grosse confusedly without any vantgard The chiefe of the armie were on foote They place two wings and to euerie wing a thousand horse The Italians had the right and the French the left In the â—ore-fronte of this battaile they planted foure hundred horse to beginne the skirmish The Duke of Bedford had oportunitie to dispose better of his armie The English armie he makes abode all on soote where he placeth his chiefe force and lodgeth there himselfe In the front of this body he placeth great store of Archers and euery Archer hath a stake stâ—câ—t in the ground to withstand the chaâ—ge of the horse Vpon either wing he plants the choise of his most resolute Archers Behind are his vnarmed people with the bagage the horses being tyed close together taile to taile with two cordes or wit hs but for their gard he left two thousand choise Archers In this order he attends the French whom he discouers comming a farre off resolute to fight with the countenance of conquerours They were long before they could set their troupes in order aâ—d ranne a full gallop to their death So as in these stirres and in their hast to fight they were out of breath before they came to blowes All the morning is spent in approches the two armies fronting one another a little after noone a signall is giuen to the battaile our aduenturers go to the charge to trie if they can force the grosse of the English armie The foure hundred Italian Lances lead by Cameran with one eye made the point and at the first charge beate back the English Archers that were in the front At the same instant our two wings of horse charge the English armie in flanke seeking to breake their ranckes The finy of the fight was violent on either side our men striuing to enter into the body of the English foote and the English labouring to withstand our men with a continuall
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
hee thought it dangeâ—ous to approach neere Milan by his slowe and fainte proceeding hee caused an irreparable losse and shame to his owne reputation and to his maisters For haâ—ing by his long delayes giuen the Duke of Bourbon leasure to enter into Milan with eight hundred Spaniards before the armie of the League could approche the Souldiars of Milan resumed courage charged the Artillerie in the night and so terrified the Duke as he presently reâ—ired his armie desiring rather sayd he to repaire the forepassed error then to peâ—sist in it seeing they had approched so neere Milan contrary to his opinion where expecting no resistance he knew that a longer aboade would wholy ruine the League He trembled for feare at the report of the Spanish forces and yet would make shew as though he had to deale with men made of snowe who without striking stroake would suffer him to reape the fruites of his pretended victorie So the Duke retired to Marignan being resolute not to dislodge vntil he were fortified with twelue thousand Suisses without doubt a hundred thousand men cannot assure a â—earfull minde It was a foule error at the beginning of a long and dangerous voyage The Impâ—rials freed from this armie repaired the Rampars and Bulwarkes of the Subuâ—bes disarmed the people thrust forth such as were suspect and lodged the Souldiers in the Câ—ttizens houses Who insulting ouer their hostes as in a Towne of conquest forced them to furnish victuals clothes and money abused their wiues and daughters compelled seruants to discouer their maisters wealth being hidden to conclude they pracâ—ised all actes of inhumanitie which licentiousnes doth commonly breed in this nation being a Conquerour The mâ—serable estate of Milan Being thus oppressed they repaire to the Duke of Bourbon being newly arriued and â—ith pittifull complaints teares and lamentations they beseech him to ease their miseries The Duke after he had imputed the causes of these insolencies to the wâ—nt of pay for the armie promised to lodge them else where so as they would prouide thirtie thousand crownes for the maintenance of one moneth and the better to countenance his promisse he wished In case that euer any extortion were committed that hee might be slaine with a Harguebuse at the first enterpâ—ise he should be at A prayer which we shall soone see take effect The money was gathered but the people finding no fruits of his promise the pittiâ—â—ll estate of the multitude being spoiled nothing mollifying the cruell insolencie of these barbarous souldiars many not knowing to whom to haue recourse cast themselues headlong from the toppes of their houses many hanged themselues many ended both their â—iues and miseries by other horrible and strange manners of voluntarâ—e torments Francis Sfoâ—ce was at this instant ready to yeeld vp the Castâ—e when as the confederates The seconâ—â—iege of Mâ—lâ—n fortified with fiue thousand Suisses newly arriued drew the Duke of Vrbin a second time before Milan but this was to make a second discouerie of his indiscretion and cowardise for being still ready to number his Souldiars possessed with a strange feare and seeking rather meanes to flie then to fight Sforce prest by famine and want of courage in the Duke of Vrbin The Castle of Milâ—n yeelded yeelded vp the Castle of Milan to the Duke of Bourbon the 24. of Iuly and retyred himselfe to the confederates who put Laude into his hands Then the Kings armie arriued lead by Michell Antonie Marquis of Saluces consisting of foure hundred men at armes fiue hundred light horse and foure thousand Gascons and within fewe dayes after the twelue thousand Suisses leuied in the Kings name incouraged the Dâ—ke of Vrbin to returne towards Milan where leauing part of his men at Armes the Popes troupes and the foresayd Suisses hee went with the Venetian foote to fortifie Malateste Baillon who with three hundred men at armes three hundred light horse and eight thousand foote besieged Cremona Câ—emona takeÌ„ by the confederates and so prest it as they yeelded by composition the which was likewise deliuered vnto Sforce Euery one hath his turne saith the Prouerbe The Pope had beene the principall Author of the Kings sending the Duke of Albanie into the estate of Naples and now hee sollicits his confederates againe to inuade the realme supposing things could not succced happily if the Emperour were no where else encountred but in the Dâ—chie of Milan But whilest hee seekes to fire or burne his neighbours house it falles vpon his owne head Ill counsell is commonly dangerous to the giuer All these warres had beene plotted in the Councell at Rome was it not reason he should reape what he had sowne The Pope vrged his confederates to send a part of their sea forces into the Realme of Naples which consisted of foure Gallions and sixteene Gallies for the King thirteene Gallies for the Venetians and eleuen for the Pope ouer all the which Peter of Nauarre was appointed Generall at the Kings instance notwithstanding the Popes pursute in â—â—uour of Andrew Dory whoÌ„ he had enterntained The Colonnes vnable to resist such forces did cunningly strike saile and to busie the Pope vntill the Vicerois returne from Spaine with the armie at sea they did capitulate with them the 22. of August To retire their troupes to Naples with the which they did molest the territories of the Church The Colonnes capitulate with the Pope and on the other side the Pope should remit all offences past and reuoke the monitory which he had published against Cardinall Colonne This reconciliation made the Pope in a manner to dismisse all the horse and foote which he maintained vppon the territories of the Church against the Colonnes and to disperse the rest into Townes about Rome growing cold in his desseine to inuade Naples The Colonnes cared not to wrong the Pope with the preiudice of their honour but hauing no meanes to make open warre against him Rome surpriseâ— they straine all their wittes to circumuent him by fraud Fayning therefore to suppresse Agnane defended by tâ—o hundred men in the Popes name they flie with all speed to Rome the twentith of September with eight hundred horse and three thousand foot they seize vppon three gates sacke the Popes pallace and the ornaments of S. Peters Church There were present in person Ascanius Colonne Don Hugues de Moncade Vespasian son to Prosper Colonne the mediator of the accord and who had plighted his faith for himselfe and tâ—e rest Cardinall Pompee Colonne so farre transported saith the Originall with ambition and fury as hauing conspired to put the Pope cruelly to death he had resolued to force the Cardinalls to make choise of himselfe and to install him in the seat being vacant The Pope in the beginning grewe resolute like vnto Boniface the 8. when hee â—as surprised by Sarre Colonne but in the ende coniured by the Cardinalls that were about him he retyred himselfe into the Castle of S. Angelo where Don
light horse choise men bred vp in the former warres and siâ—â—e thousand fâ—ot The Admirall therefore to bee assured of Anthonie de Leue demaunds free passage for the foâ—esaid pensioners I will answered Leue giue them assurance so as they come for the Leagâ—e of Italie A sufficient answeâ—e to begin the warre whereof the â—ing would by no meanes be the first author During this time the Emperour made his entrie iâ—to Rome An entrie which by the ruine amongst other buildings of that ancient temple of Peace The Emperours enâ—â—ie into 〈◊〉 gâ—ue the most 〈◊〉 occasion to iudge that his entrie was not with an intent to confirme a peace as hee gaue hope by his speeches but contrariwise to deface all memorie thereof Hiâ— actions did afterwards confirme many in this opinion for after Charles his fiâ—st parle with the Pope the Bishop of Mascon and Velly Ambassadors for Frâ—â—ce the one to the Pope the other to the Emperour learned from the Popes oâ—n mouth who said he would remaine a Neuter as a common father to maintaine Iâ—stiâ—e and yet oppose against the obstinacie of him that would not yeeld to reasâ—â— that the Emperour would neuer condiscend to giue Milâ—n to the Duke of Orâ—eans This was the chiefe point and either partie growing obstinate vpon the effect of this clause what accord could bee expected This holy father was little affected to the house of Medicis and therefore would hardly haue beene pleased to see a daughter of that house Duchesse of Milâ—n To conclude the Emperour did submit his instalement to the Popes liking and the Pope did promise verbally to yeeld vnto it if the Emperour would consent yet did hee freely shew that the Emperour entertayned this practise of purpose to abuse the King whilest that hee should fortifie himselfe with alliances men and money and yet as it â—ere giuing scope to both parties I thinke sayd the Pope to the French Ambassâ—dors replying that this condition fayling the King their master would neuer come to any conclusion that things cannot passe without a breach for that the Emperour neiâ—her will nor can giue Milan without the consent of some who in my opinion will neueâ— yeeld These were the Venetians whome the Emperour did coldly intreate to like of â—â—is clause but in effect to contradict it and all in generall would haue no Duke of Milâ—n who might at any time vnite this goodly estate to the Crowne of France for â—aid they the Duke of Angoulesme being inuested in the Duchie of Milan although he depends on the King his father yet marrying one of the Emperours Neeces â—hee offered him the widow of Sforce his wife would be of the Emperours faction and so matters should remaine in suspence whereas the Duke of Orleans besides many other obstacles must bee onely at the King his fathers deuotion aâ—d aâ— husband to the Neece of Pope Leo and of Clement would not ceasse to pretend an interest in the estates of Florence and Vrbin and consequently by new and pretended quarrels trouble the quiet of Italie In tâ—e end the Emperour in a speech made to the Pope in the presence of all Cardiâ—alls and many Ambassadors as well to shew said hee his good meaning and how much hee desired the peace of Christendome as to hee cleered hereafter beâ—â—â—e God and men hee offered againe three conditions to the King The first to giue the Duchie of Milan to one of his children so as thereby hee might confirme a good and durable peace maintayning notwithstanding that it could not be so long as the King continued obstinate in fauour of the Duke 1529. of Orleans The second was to fight with the King hand to hand with like armes and hostages in an Island vpon a bridge or boate or any other place of safetie to auoide greater effusion of bloud being reasonable that they by whome such great combustions did growe should decide their quarrels in person A Spanish bragge But vpon condition that the victor should giue his forces to the holie Father to maintayne the celebration of a Councell to reduce them that were rebelled and sequestred from the Church and to the suppression of Infidels and that the vanquished should assist the victor with all his power Requiring moreouer that this combate chancing the King should pawne the Duchie of Bourgoâ—gne and the Emperour that of Milan both to be adiudged to the victor The third was a protestation neuer to take armes but forced foreseeing that the war would be so cruell as the victorie would be of small profit to the victor and should but open a passage to the common enemie of our faith And to conclude hee added that what hee had propounded touching a peace proceeded not from any feare hauing neuer sought peace in losse but could well giue it to them that were vanquished But contrariwise three good and iust reasons gaue him an assured hope of victorie That he was not the beginner of this war That the King had begun it in a season of great aduantage for the Emperour That he found his subiects Captaines and soldiars so well disposed as if the Kings were like vnto them he would craue mercie with his hands and feete bound The second article of the three and the last being but bragges were by the Ambassadors as shal be noted hereafter concealed from the King The Pope requested them that without preiudice to the King they should suppresse what might incense his maiestie adding therevnto the explication which the Emperour himselfe did afterwards make of his words at the request of the French Ambassadors desirous to knowe if the Emperour had any meaning thereby to charge the King to haue done any thing preiudiciall to his honour or if his intention were to challenge him hee publikely declared That what he had spoken was but by way of aduice and proposition as being more fit and of lesse inconuenience then to expose the liues of so many thousands fighting for their quarrells to the mercie of armes to decide it betwixt them two with the perill of their owne blouds not meaning in any sort to taxe the King whom he knewe to bee a great Prince both in courage and person much lesse to defie him The Emperours protestation and in the presence of his holinesse without whose permission he would not attempt such an action So as the King answering onely to those articles whereof hee was aduertised fayled in these The Emperour hauing thus published his protestation tooke his leaue of the Pope who displeased in shew of the neere breach of peace resolued to be a Neuter not assisting eyther partie with councell or fauour concerning the warre In the meane time the Admirall hauing expresse commandement from the King and afterward reiterated by Iohn Cardinall of Lorraine sent by his maiestie to the Emperour not to attempt any thing whereby the Imperialls might frame any iust complaint had retired his army towards Saint Germaine with an intent to assure
but such as were ordinarily with him That the Gouernours of places who were then the Dukes subiects and now the Kings could witnes if there were any fauour vsed And if in making warre hee had any other obiect but the execution of his Maiesties commandements That if he had had any bad intent he had not yeelded vp Bourg so easily as he did To the fourth vppon the aduise giuen to the Gouernour of Saint Katherins Fort to kill the King He beseecheth his Maiestie to remember that hee alone did disswade and diuert him from going to vew the Fort giuing him to vnderstand that there were very good Gunners in the place and that he could not goe without great danger That vpon this aduise his Maiestie altered his purpose saying that if hee desired to see the place hee would bring him a plot of it the next day offering his Maiestie to take it with fiue hundred hargubuziers and that â—e himselfe would goe vnto the assault To the fift that he had treated with the Duke of Sauoy and the Count of Fuentes by the mediation of La Fin. He answered that being denied the keeping of the Cittadell of Bourg hee grew into that dispayre as he had desired to bee all couered with bloud being capable to say or to doe any thing At these words the Chancellor asked him with what bloud hee desired to bee couered with mine owne answered the Prisoner wishing to liue no longer after this refusall and I would haue ingaged my selfe in such sort among the enemies as I would haue dyed there or would haue returned all couered with bloud That for two moneths space he had written and spoken more then he ought but he had not omitted to doe well Hee added moreouer that La Fin had â—oe bewitched him with inchanted waters and by speaking Images as hee was forced to submit himselfe to his wil That he spake not vnto him but in secret vnknowne words calling him his Master his King his Prince his Lord. And scratching his left eare He spake execrable things against La Fin to moue the Court not to regard his accusation testimony Hee that had not seene the fact verefied by his owne letters would haue sayd it was Vlisses accusation forgâ—ng false letters from Priam to Palamedes He still fled to his pardon saying that hauing done nothing since the Kings clemency should remit his fault and that if he must implore it once more he had his Knees as supple as euer to doe it The Chancellor sayd vnto him that he had written a letter vnto la Fin since the Daulphins birtâ— by the which hee did aduertise him that seeing it had pleased God to send the King a Sonne he would no more dreame of those vanities desiring him to returne and if he had not imployed him he would not haue written This letter was produced to shewe the continuance of his bad desseignes whereof he made vse to iustefie himselfe and to shewe his repentance saying alwaies that hee had done well â—rooâ—e by writing of the conâ—â—nuâ—nce of his practises although hee had some thought of doing ill The Chancellor sayd vnto him that seeing he felt his coâ—science so cleere and knowing that hee had done nothing why did he not laie himselfe more open vnto the King who sought him with great affection at Fontainbleau to tell him the truth of that which hath beene since discouered by the processe Hee wauered at this demand saying that he did not thinke the King had knowne any thing of that which had passed betwixt him and la Fin for that hee had assured him by othes and fearefull curses that hee had sayd nothing that might hurt him That hauing conferred with a relligious man of the order of the Minimes to knowe if hauing past his word with an othe to la Fin neuer to discouer what had past betwixt them he might with a safe conscience say any thing He had answered him that seeing there was no more any intent to execute the things that were sworne betwixt them he ought not to reueale them That this resolution continued so constant in his minde that although the Arch-bishop of Bourges had visited him in prison and had giuen him many reasons to free him from these scruples yet hee held it an act vnworthy of a man to falsefie his oth and that it was onely fit for a Soule hardened with Atheisme the spring of all impiety to sweare with an intent to circumuent Here his speech fayled him with the violence of his greefe but recouering his spirits he spake these words My misfortune hath this consolation that my Iudges are not ignorant of the seruices which I haue done to the King and Realme and with what loyaltie I haue carried my selfe in the greatest and most important affaires to restore the King vnto the Realme and the Realme vnto the King to preserue the Lawes of State and to settle you in this place from the which the Saturnales of the League had expelled you This Bodie wherof you hold the life and death in the disposition of your Iustice hath no veine which hath not beene opened and which I would not willingly open for you This hand which did write the letters which are nowe produced against mee is the same which hath done the contrary to that which it hath written It is true I haue written I haue sayd and I haue spoken more then I ought but no man can shewe that I haue done ill And there is no Lawe that punisheth the lightnesse of a simple word or the motions of the thought with Death my words haue beene alwayes Feminine but the effects of my courage Masculine Choller and Despight haue made mee capable to say all and to do all but Reason would not suffer mee to doe any thing but what deserued Praise and Imitation I haue had bad desseignes but they neuer past my thougâ—t At the same instant they sprong vp they were smothered If I had beene desirous to nourish and make shewe of them I haue had great meanes and occasions I could haue done bad seruice to the King in England and in Suiserland There are aboue a hundred Gentlemen that can witnesse of my behauiour in the first Ambassage and for the second He shewâ—â— by what means he might hauâ— done ill I desire no other testimony but that of the Seigneurs Sillery and de Vic who know in what maner with what fidelity I imployed my selfe to reconcile and vnite so many wills disioyned with-drawne from the Kings alliance If you will consider howe I came and in what Estate I lefte the places of Bourgongne it wil- be impossible to haue any badde conceite of my desseignes They found not a man of Warre in my Gouernment I haue left the places without garrisons I haue giuen the Captaines no other commandement but to serue the King well and to doe that onely where vnto they are bound Euery man aduised mee not to