Julio Mazarin THE HISTORY OF THE MANAGEMENTS OF Cardinal JVLIO MAZARINE Chief Minister of State of the CROWN of FRANCE Written in Italian by Count Galeazzo Gualdo Priorate And Translated according to the Original In the which Are Related the Principal Successes Happened from the Beginning of His Management of Affairs till His Death Tom. I. Part I. LONDON Printed by H. L. and R. B. in the Year 1671. To their most Serene HIGHNESSES the Duke and Dutchess Regent of Modena and Regio c. CArdinal JULIO MAZARINE'S Government of Affairs hath deserved all the Applauses that Fame can give The World hath admired him as the Product of a Phoenix I have writ his History And as he hath been the Splendour of our times I think it proper to bring him to the Feet of your Highnesses of Este who are the most splendid Ornaments of all Italy In the Heroick Actions of so great a Minister your most Serene Highnesses may behold your own proper Glory take therefore as I most humbly supplicate this testimony of my observance with that benignity which is proper to the Greatness of your most Serene Family known for thousands of years to be the true Seminary of Heroes There is no room for Panegyricks in this short Dedication neither ought your Modesty to be wronged by my weak Pen with inferiour Praises to your unexpressible Merits and therefore with a most humble submission asking Pardon for this my boldness I rest Your most Serene Highnesses most humble and most obsequious Servant Galeazzo Gualdo Priorato TO THE Reader THE HISTORY of the Managements of Cardinal Julio Mazarine is a matter most proper and most curious for Posterity The Rules this man went by wil serve for a most profitable Example to whomsoever shall have the Fortune to pass thorough the degrees of the like Sphere Histories do mention many Statesmen with Applause and Veneration and the Managements of the late Cardinal Richlieu are Celebrated with more then humane Attributes as if Nature had given him the preeminence of all her Graces Without doubt Richlieu was a great Politician a great Minister of State and a man may truly say that for Humane Prudence France never had his equal He knew loved and had in so much esteem the vivacity of Mazarine that oftentimes he has been heard to say that this man by his ability and his fortune would surpass not only his Master but the most sublime Wits that have guided States and Monarchies Richlieu was not at all deceived for whoever compares their Actions shall not finde them equal Richlieu was a Frenchman Minister of State to a King in his Majority strengthned by Kindred Friends and Parties Mazarine an Italian Minister to a King in his Minority and to a Regent of an emulous and suspected Nation without Relations and no other friends but his own spritely Wit Richlieu was at the Helm when France was assisted by the Conjunctions of Swedeland Holland the Protestant Princes of Germany the Royal House of Savoy and many others and enjoyed an entire obedience of its subjects When England naturally emulous of the Greatness of France was embroiled by Intestine troubles and when there was a perfect Correspondency with Pope Urban VIII Mazarine governed in a time that Holland was reconciled to Spain that the major part of the Princes of the Empire had deserted the Cause the Swedes abated in their Power the English become formidable by their Victories In the heat of the Revolutions of the Kingdom Persecuted by the Princes of the blood by the major part of the Grandees by the Parliaments and by the People and under the Pontificate of Innocent X. little affecting his Person Richlieu acted with Rigour and with too high Pretensions ending his life in no good opinion with the King his Master disgusted with his vast Aims and left the Warre unquenched Mazarine deported himself with Affability and kindness and exercised Humanity more then Austerity He died in compleat favour with their Majesties who lamented his loss with tears and was he wailed by his very Enemies He gave his King a great Queen for his Wife and with her the Peace so longed for by the Kingdom with so great advantages and so much Reputation that the most Christian King Lewis XIV may rightly be instyled the Great being that France hath never had greater strength in Forces nor a greater King for Valour and all other Eminent Vertues The Reader will pardon the feebleness of my Pen if it hath not sufficiently expressed the merits of so great a man for his Actions having brought forth Effects above the order of Nature would require a Style Supernatural not to say Divine to celebrate them The HISTORY of the Managements of Cardinal MAZARINE Lib. I. HE was born in the Year 1602 at Piscina in Abruzzo the 14th day of July son of Peter Mazarine and Hortensia Buffalini In his Infancy he was instructed in the Rudiments of that tender Age and by little and little in all those Exercises befitting a Gentleman In the Jesuits Colledge at Rome he so cultivated his Understanding that the vivacity of his Wit and the sublimity of his elevated Mind shined forth even to Admiration He compleated his course in Philosophy at the Age of 17. maintaining Conclusions in the most subtile Points to the Wonder of all men His courageous heart began to be inflamed with desire of new things and to see and be informed of the Manners and Qualities of forein Nations for that purpose he accompanied Don Girolamo Colonna now a Cardinal into Spain and together with him studied the Law in the University of Alcalà and in a short time he became perfect in the Spanish Tongue While he was intent upon his Studies it hapned that his father being accused of a certain Homicide was in some trouble and having no other sons for Alexander the younger brother was become a Dominican so that he was obliged to return to assist his father in his troubles where he arrived with all diligence and bestirred himself in his Defence so efficaciously that he was clear'd from his accusations He had no sooner Accomplished the Age of 20 years when as his Heroick Genius excited him to the desire of Armes and being favoured by the House of Colonna he obtained to be chosen Captain Lieutenant of the Colonels Company in the Regiment of the Prince of Palestrina he led his Company to Milan where he came acquainted with Giovanni Francesco Sacchetti Commissary General of the Popes Souldiers sent to take possession of the Valtoline and in the management of divers smaller Affairs he made appear so much Ability that he was soon employed in matters of greater moment performing them to the entire satisfaction of those who employed him and of the parties with whom he Negotiated He made a Relation of the Occurrences in the Valtoline full of such exquisite Observations that Torquato Conti General of the Popes Forces sent them to his Holiness that perused them with
thousand Parisiens made them retire and from thence marching towards St. Denis where were 200 Swisses of the Kings Guards in Garrison and assailing those old and rotten walls they made themselves Masters of it taking those souldiers prisoners which were led to Paris in triumph But this City was soon recover'd by the Kings Forces commanded by the Sieur de Renville Colonel of Horse after which a Neutrality was granted to the Town of St. Denis upon condition that the Princes should also leave free the Passes of St. Cloud Neully Charenton and St. Maur. After these divers successes the Parliament assembled again and having heard the Relation made by the President Nesmond they determined to send him back to St. Germains to receive the Kings Answer which he had promised in three days But it being to the advantage of the Court to gain time Mazarine with great subtilty prolong'd the Resolutions keeping still the Treaties on foot not to put the people in despair and necessitate them when they should have no more hopes to declare for the Princes and for that cause the Duke d' Anville made divers journeys from Court to Paris on the Kings behalf managing dexterously the Treaty with the Princes who pressed more and more the Cardinals departure The Prince of Conde who by a particular gift of Nature was no less endowed with a most prudent faculty of discerning then with a marvellous and unparallel'd valor in Arms observing the instability of his Party grounded on uncertain and wavering designs he inclined to an agreement in any manner even without the removal of the Cardinal from the Ministry considering it better to treat with him who was of a sweet and gentle nature then others of a violent Genius as the Cardinal de Retz was reputed to be But the good intention of the Prince was diverted by his Kindred and Friends who declared that in such case they would forsake him and lastly by the Duke of Orleans sollicited thereunto by the Cardinal de Retz who was accused that for his private advantage he equally desired the ruine of the Prince and of Mazarine so that His Royal Highness vigorously opposed it and was cause that this Overture took no effect From S. Germain the Court removed to Melun for this City being upon the Sene and nearer to Estampes they might from hence with more ease send Supplies and Recruits to the Kings Camp stopping in the same time the Provisions which are wont to be brought down the River from those fertile Fields to Paris and here the King gave Order to Mareschal Turenne to endeavour what er'e came on 't to expugn Estampes and defeat the Army of the Princes who defending themselves bravely there followed many hot Skirmishes with no small slaughter of Souldiers and considerable Captains on either side wherefore the Princes perceiving that their Army would subsist a long time in Estampes sollicited the Spaniards that the Army of Duke Charles of Lorrain might advance to their succour The Ministers of Spain chearfully assenting to uphold the Party of the Princes and keep afoot the Civil War in France presently set themselves about it The Duke of Lorrain was wont every year to make a bargain with the Spaniards for the next Campania by which they obliged him for a certain summe of money to serve them with his Troops This year therefore 1652 they engaged him to pass into France to succour the Princes In pursuance of which accord he marched with his Army of 4000 Foot and about 5000 Horse with some Pieces of Artillery thorough Champagne towards the Sene to raise the Siege of Estampes leaving his Forces at Lagny he went to Paris where he was received with all the Honours wont to be given to a Prince of whom they stood in need At this news the Cardinal began to set his Wits at work and to give necessary Orders for securing the most important places He sought to gain Duke Charles by the mediation of the Dutchess of Chevreuse his Ally and of the same House She being a Lady of great sense and full of Intrigues making use of the natural jealousie wont to be betwixt the Princes of the Bloud and the Dukes of Lorrain and especially betwixt Conde and them who was much esteemed amongst the Spaniards she gave the Duke to understand that it would not turn to his benefit to assist them The Duke was convinc'd by her Reasons and inclin'd to imbrace her counsel so he could find a sufficient pretext to disingage himself from the Spaniards to whom he had promised to succour Estampes Mazarine sent the Marquess de Chasteauneuf to negotiate secretly with the Duke and they agreed together that to disingage his word and to keep himself from the blame he might incur he should raise the Siege of Estampes and the morning following that Turenne should retire from thence the Duke promis'd to retreat to the Frontier of the Kingdom to make a shew that it was not by compact but by reason of the State of the Kings Army that obliged him to take this course to which purpose they should furnish him with all necessary provisions The Princes knew him by his Conduct and by the difficulty he made in passing the Sene that he had intelligence with the Court wherefore they went to find him at his Camp and oblige him to pass the River but he represented to them that they ought to rest satisfied if so be he raised the Siege of Estampes and having some hopes that the Court would take the same resolution it was not necessary to engage himself further The Prince of Conde gave him to understand it was a small matter to cause the Siege to be raised if he did not give them the opportunity to put their Troops in safety because they could no longer subsist in a ruinated place so that after many Discourses the Duke permitted himself to be engaged before he was aware to give in writing a Declaration to the Princes by which he obliged himself to stay yet some days in the same Post upon the River Sene that in the mean while the Princes might withdraw their Troops from Estampes and come nearer Paris The Kings Army being retired from the Siege of Estampes and the Court seeing he failed in performing the private Treaty concluded with Chasteauneuf the Mareschal de Turenne by advice of Mazarine moved his Camp with expedition toward Corbeil with design to fight the Lorrainers before they should pass the River to joyn with the Princes Forces and they faced the Enemy so opportunely that being surprised and astonished doubting they should be engaged in fight they presently retired taking the advantage of the high Hills of Ville nieufve and S. George and putting themselves under covert of a little River that dischargeth it self into the Sene. The Kings Party advancing towards Corbeil took several prisoners which obliged Duke Charles to desire the Sieur de Beaulieu who was present with him to procure the fulfilling of the
of the Disturbances of the Kingdom hath been the taking up of Arms the Union of the Princes with the Spaniards the introducing them into His Majesties Fortresses and the ruines and desolations caused by the Souldiers of the Princes and by consequence the peace can never be re-established till the Hostilities be forborn their Arms laid down the Spaniards driven out of the Kingdom and the Leagues made with them intirely broken It is therefore necessary for all these reasons that the Princes do agree upon the time the manner and the security for performance of the Conditions that they seem to have accepted And although His Majesty may in reason insist as well for the conservation of his Dignity as for Interest of State to have all the said Conditions performed by the Princes before he advance a step further on his part yet nevertheless the King persisting in his Declaration gives his Word again upon their continued instances to permit the Cardinal to retire so soon as the Duke of Orleans and the Prince shall agree not in general and obscure Declarations but clearly and in good form as is wont to be practised in occurrences of that importance and in the manner as above-mentioned for putting in execution the Articles included in His Majesties Answer of the 16th of June last past there being no likelihood that onely general Declarations inserted in a Register are of sufficient force to annul the Princes Treaty concluded and ratified with Spain for the performance of which he seemed very much concern'd and from which there is no probability he will depart if the Spaniards continue to make good their promise in sending Souldiers and Money and when he really should have a mind to break off the said Treaty he must necessarily give notice of it to the Spaniards to the end that they forbear to execute their Promise That which the King desires therefore of the Prince is that he agree of the time and manner how to declare to the Ministers of Spain that he intends to be no longer engaged with them And this His Majesty finds himself obliged the more earnestly to insist on knowing by divers Letters intercepted which were shewn and verified to the Deputies that the said Prince after the Declaration made in Parlement hath sollicited the Spanish Generals as he still continues to do that they will enter into France with all their Forces and it is very hard to believe that his intention is to establish Peace in the Kingdom which he gives out to depend on the Cardinals removal making use of the Spanish Forces for the obtaining thereof That nothing can be more for the interest and designes of the Ministers of Spain then to continue the divisions wherefore his Majesties pleasure is that the said Deputies do give notice of all this to the Duke of Orleans and the Prince to the end that they may know the Reasons for which they are obliged to send some one to Court in their name sufficiently impowered to declare more particularly their will for the real effecting every thing contain'd in the Articles and that in the mean time they remain at Court to expect the Answer and to be eye-Witnesses of His Majesties sincerity in condescending to whatever may conduce to settle the Kingdom in quiet the retarding of which can be imputed to none but the Princes if they refuse to agree to what hath been delivered with His Majesties accustomed Clemency which shines forth the more brightly and ought to be the more valu'd considering that he hath the absolute power to give Law to whom he please without condition The Court not well satisfied with the Pricâ—s for sending their â—â—pâ—ties to receive orders and adjust businesses which they had declar'd were agreed upon they used all art and diligence to inform the people that not the Cardinal but the pretension of the Princes was the sole obstacle of the Peace and the principal cause of all the miseries of the poor subjects not omitting by the help of their party and those servants who had stuck to them to keep Intelligence and put in practice all fit means for the establishment of the Royal Authority and for the ruine of the lawless and inconsistent party seeing moreover the little effect the Kings near approach to Paris had produced in all this time the great scarcity of Provisions which more and more incommoded them the Infection in the Royal Camp which destroyed many and the fear lest that the Spanish Army keeping along the Oyse should advance towards Pontoise a very important place at that time By the Council of the Cardinal His Majestie resolved the 16. of July to dislodge from St. Denis and go to Pontoise fix leagues distant the Cardianal continuing still in his Ministry by His Majesties express Command though he continually press'd for leave to depart All the Affairs therefore being regulated as he saw fit they were so well ordered that those good effects ensued which were seen afterwards but the Princes and their Favourers continually quarrelling at the doings of the Court taxing them that they studied only tricks to delude the people and had very little inclination for the Peace which depended on the sending away of the Cardinal they redoubled their detractions with so much heat malice that it is not to be imagined the conceits spread in publick and in private against the Cardinal and other Officers of Court continually slandered with opprobrious language The Court removing from St. Denis left there the Deputies with orders to expect what Answer his Majestie should think fit to return them since they had refused to follow him upon pretence that they had not their Equipage and that it was necessary they should return to Paris to exercise their charge The King lay at Pontoise and the Army in the adjacent places upon the River to watch the motion of the Spaniards who made excursions into those Territories to the great damage of the Inhabitants The News of the Kings and Armies departure from St. Denis being spread abroad it was divulged in Paris according to the nature of same which always makes things appear more then they are that the Deputies were detained prisoners wherefore the Prince of Conde with 400 Horse posted thither to inform himself of the business found there the Deputies at liberty and offered eo conduct them to Paris They excused themselves that they had engaged their word to Monsieur de Saintot to stay at St. Denys till further Order from the King but the Parlement meeting the day following and determining to call them back Oleans Conde and Beaufort went out again with above 2000 persons and bringing them to Paris conducted them to the Parlement with such universal applause as if they had return'd from some glorious conquest albeit the King by express Order had call'd them to Pontoise for Affairs of great concern that hapned unexpectedly after his departure from St. Denis Yet the Male-contents divulged that this was an
as to see what was most expedient to be done in this wavering condition of the inconstant people and tired out by the long continuance of these disturbances Mareschal Turenne a no less prudent then valiant Captain stood always vigilant to observe those moments which opportunely taken bring great advantage to those who know how to make use of them in Warre and being advertised of all that past after a short Conference with his Colleague the Mareshal de la Ferte Seneterre he resolved to get out of these streights and bring his Army into a securer place and more proper for their subsistence Having caused therefore the Baggage and Artillery to pass over the Sene October 4. in the night upon the Bridges of Boats which he had there at break of day he discamped with such order and silence that the Army was got over before they were discovered by the Enemies Sentinels There was no other General-Commander left in the other Camp but the Count de Tavannes who perceiving though late the March of Turenne caused presently to sound to Horse and put his Army in order to follow him and fight him But the Mareschal continuing his march under covert of the River quickly arrived at Corbeil a place held by the King where passing the Sene over the Stone-bridge very happily and to his great reputation he withdrew himself from all danger and encamped upon the River Marne between Meaux and Lagny getting provisions for his Army from all the neighbouring Country and observing the motion of the Enemy with so much advantage to His Majesties Interest that this action becoming a great and experienced Commander was acknowledged to be the saving of the Kings Party and one of the most celebrated acts of this Prince and true Master of the art of War This blow brought extraordinary confusion and astonishment to the Princes particularly to the Prince of Condé who shewed himself very much grieved at the negligence of his Officers reproching Tavannes as if he had lost his sense of Hearing saying If he had been well so favourable an occasion should never have escaped his hands but there being no help for things past and Fortune changing being weary of staying in the midst of Confusion and so many different Humours upon the 7th following the whole Army of the Princes drew up at the end of the Suburbs of S. Anthony and encamped near to the Castle of Vincennes to keep Paris in awe The King and Court were already come to Mantes to pass the Sene the Bridges of Poissy and Meulan being broken down and so to go forwards to S. Germain with intent to enter into Paris when Affairs should be brought to that pass to which they seemed to tend every day more and more The Parisiens were resolved to free themselves of these miseries before they were irrecoverable Wherefore following one anothers example and concurring in the same mind as Fortune abandon'd the Princes so they inclin'd more and more to the Kings side The Prince of Conde therefore perceiving that the tempest which threatned him was near at hand and began to provide for his own safety his Armies by withdrawing with all speed from Paris And because by his departure and the Kings return they foresaw the quiet of Paris and the recalling of Mazarine many strove to second the rising fortune of that Minister of State and even among the Princes own friends upon this turn of Fortune some changed their inclinations and in particular the Count de Chavigny Ever since the Cardinals return into France he had thoughts of closing with him considering that if his Enemies were not able to ruine him at a distance they would be less able to do it when he should appear at Court and be Master of all affairs Besides at this time the Coadjutor was made Cardinal his capital Enemy who might he feared be made chief Minister if Mazarine was kept out He resolved therefore to come to an agreement with Mazarine so as to oblige him and that his Authority might be limited He entered therefore upon a secret Treaty for adjusting the Prince with the Cardinal and replacing of Conde there seeming an apparent necessity of making use of him and that he might live quietly at Court they would find means that he should not only preserve his Fortune but increase it But as it is not always easie to walk streight between two Praecipices so in the end he found himself deceived in his Maxims on the one side while he thought himself secure on the other for whether it was that he was resolved to forsake the Prince as he was accused that he was not Loyal to his Interests or whether he would have necessitated him to make peace by persuading him that the Duke of Orleans would otherwise conclude it without him or whether indeed he preferred his own and the Courts Interest before the Princes he made the Abbot Fouquet believe to whom the Cardinal committed the management of this affair that if the Prince did not conclude the peace upon those terms which he thought reasonable he would so order it that the Duke of Orleans should quit his Party The Letter which Fouquet wrote to the Secretary Tillier to inform him of this was taken by one of the Prince's party and presently delivered into his hands who perceiving that his confidence was misplaced in Chavigny complain'd of it to persons who were not much Chavigny's Friends and that in terms injurious to his Reputation yet would not openly fall out with him The noise of this being divulged about Paris and increased by the malice of those who were engaged in the same disorders obliged Chavigny to justifie himself to the Prince at a Conference held between them from whence he came out so mortified and concerned for having dealt with a Prince after this manner from whom he had received such high Honours that returning to his house he threw himself in despair upon his bed and after a Feaver of six days encreased by the passions of his mind he died the 19th of October This was the end of Lion de Bouttilier Count de Chavigny in the 44th year of his age a person who for being related to the deceased Cardinal Richlieu was admitted into His Majesty's Council at 19 years old at 24 he was made Secretary of State and at 34 Minister of State had the care of the most important affairs of the Crown and after the death of Lewis XIII he was nominated Plenipotentiary for the Treaty of Munster a person of a quick Wit a haughty Spirit of a ready Judgment and covetous of Glory and Greatness to procure which he spared no Industry In the mean time the Parlement and the Assemblies at the Town-house met often upon the occurrent emergencies where all the well-wishers to the publick thought themselves obliged to deliver the poor Country people from the insolencies of the Souldiery and especially of the Lorrainers who destroyed and wasted every thing Upon
Boda Governour of the Town with his Tertia of French Foot and march'd himself to observe the motions of the Prince of Condy and the Spaniard who during this Leagure were joyn'd at Hayes d' Auvenes having been retarded in their Campagne both by their want of Horses as abovesaid and also by a Negotiation they had with a Citizen of Arras for the surprize of that City But the same Person held Intelligence likewise with the Cardinal as he had done with the Prince to gain money on both sides This Correspondence was began the Year before and continued till the Prince found himself deluded and cheated at several times of about 2000 Pistols The French having notice that the Spaniard had not yet their Forces united to engage the French Army which was then numerous and flourishing till they were reinforc'd which they most sollicitously endeavor'd by express Order from the Cardinal they advanc'd against the Prince with full resolution to attaque him But he had drawn up his Army betwixt two Woods behind a streight Pass by which means he prevented being fallen upon in a disadvantageous place as it might have hapned had it bin but one half houre longer before he had had the News of the French Army The Mareschals him in so good a posture return'd to their Posts and afterwards march'd towards Vervins passing thorough certain Villages not far from the Abby of Tougny they drew near to Vervens about Proussy and thence coasting by Guise they encamp'd at Riblemont to observe the motion of the enemy who being reinforc'd with the Lorrain Troops and other supplies from Flanders did principally design to make an Inroad into France upon presumption that at their first appearance many would declare for them The French Generals being inferiour in number were oblig'd for that reason to be more wary and circumspect and to have a care how they ran the risk of a Battel which if it went cross would be more dangerous in the consequences then in their present loss The Cardinals design was to protract time and to set the Affairs of the Kingdom to rights by the reduction of Bourdeaux to incapacitate the Prince to raise new troubles by the assistance or intelligence of his friends and to let the Spaniards at length see they were mistaken in the opinion they had conceived of that Juncture to ruine France and the confidence they had repos'd in the reputation and interest of the Prince in his own Countrey thâ—t being the principal mark to which all their Councils were directed it seeming unlikely to the Court of Spain that that Crown of it self with its States and Kingdoms so distant and depopulated should act any thing with advantage against France whilst it was entire and unanimous for this cause they spared no money but were many times lavish and profuse in their distributions to the discontented French who always deceived them with vain hopes and pretences endeavoring still to draw more of them into rebellion that by that means they might be able as it were to compel the French to a solid Peace to which his Catholick Majesty was seriously inclin'd but could not hope to obtain any other way But the effects did not answer Expectation for placing their hopes upon particular persons more sollicitous of their own then of other peoples advantage who propos'd only such things as might render themselves necessary to the Spanish affaires founding their principles upon this Maxime That to draw benefit from Princes they ought to make them expect more then they intended to perform forasmuch as their custom is when they are once delivered to regard them no longer who brought them out of their exigence Things being acted in this manner and hastned by the Spaniard in order to the approaching Campagne the Princes and Generals of the Armies held many Counsels what way they were to proceed The chief of of the Spanish Officers and particularly the Count de Fuensaldagna a person of great judgment propos'd to fall upon some of the most considerable of the King of France's Towns by the benefit of which they might be enabled to pass on and upon a solid foundation maintaine the War afterward in the Enemies Country Some propounded to ship 5 or 6000 men under the Command of the most expert Officers could be chosen and to send them into Guienne to reinforce the Princes Troops in that Province and support the courage of the Bourdelots thereby to sustein the War in those parts which was the strongest diversion could be given to the French Armes To that end it was proposed they should sit down before Bayon and the Princes repair thither with their Troops which would be more feasible in respect that Colonel Baltasser had made himself Master of Tarsas But the hopes that the Reliefe from Spain would be sufficient and having no Orders for dividing their Army in Flanders confuted all those Propositions The Count of Fuenseldagne was of opinion that laying all other things aside they should sit down before Arras whilst their Army was fresh and the Alarmes so hot in other parts of the Kingdom for which reason he look'd upon the Enterprise not so difficult as other people might imagine and that the Prince of Condy might consent he offered to give him Mouson But the Prince insisting upon his Intelligence in Paris prest hard and upon very good reason that drawing all their forces together they should pass the Soma march up to Paris and give their party in that City opportunity to rise while the Court growing jealous of them would be easily perswaded to quit the Town and that in these confusions their Army advancing to Mantes might possess themselves of all the Countrey about Pontoise Saint Lis and other adjacent Towns where recruiting themselves with the discontented party which in probability would throng to him daily they should reap extraordinary advantage and foment the Civil War in France This Proposition was in appearance plausible and so well represented by the Prince that the Council were of the same minde and esteemed that his opinion ought really to be followed as was seemingly desired by those who applauded his Actions with their tongue more then by their deeds But there were two considerable difficulties objected The first was that by the loss of Bellegard and Rhetel the minds of many people were much dejected so that there were but few of the opinion but the King of France would be stronger that Campagne then the Prince of Condy who had lost two such considerable places as it were under his Nose to the great diminution of his credit The other was that the French Army being come into the Field much stronger then was imagin'd it was dangerous to pass so many Rivers and put themselves into the Enemies Countrey without any place of Retreat in case of disaster whilst also the Spanish Army was attended by another though less numerous yet superiour in courage being all French bold and experienc'd besides 4000
Inhabitants of San Tibeau a small Town with a very strong Castle lying upon the Sea betwixt Pallamos and Blanes whose Garrison suspecting nothing and not keeping strict Guards were easily surprized Affairs standing thus the Mareschal d' Hoquincourt taking his leave at Court hastned with all speed into Languedoc where having got together the Souldiers that were design'd to serve under his Command he march'd away to the Army before Girona Plessis Belliere having notice of his approach sent his Brother-in-law Monsieur de la Rabiliere to complement him and give him an account of what had passed in the Leagure He acquainted him likewise with their want of powder and how necessary it would be to cause that to be sent to the Camp which was expected at Narbon and in the mean time to endeavour to borrow a quantity of the Governours of Perpignan and Roses he advertiz'd him likewise that if he intended to storm Girona or continue the Siege it would be convenient to hasten the levies of the Catalonians which were raising in Rossillon to cause the Regiment of Swisses which remain'd at Locoman to advance as also the Queens Regiment the Regiments d' Anjou and Languedoc which refused to march with the rest by reason of the precedence to which the Regiment of Auvergne pretended and stayd at Constans under the Command of Tilly. The Mareschal did what Belliere had desired him he brought these Regiments along with him who renewed their pretensions to that height that he was forc'd to cause all the Officers of the Regiment of Auvergne to be secured till the Enterprise of Girona was over besides which he brought 3000 pound of Powder with him from Perpignan Plessis Belliere went out to meet him and brought him to the Camp the 27. of July He took upon him the Command of the Kings Armies in those parts Belliere fell sick of a Feaver which kept him in his bed several days The French resolving to put an end to the siege batter'd the walls made a breach and attempted to have carried it by assault but whether the breach was not wide enough or that the Parapets and Flankers were not well razed or whether the Souldiers commanded to the assault did not perform their duties not following their Officers They could not make their way through and desisted from their Enterprize in hopes that the besieged forwant of provision would yield of themselvs and indeed they were reduc'd to the utmost extremity when their supplies began to appear entring on the 24. of Septemb. at the most difficult side of the Town to pass with a great quantity of meal in Mailes The Swiss and the Queens Regiment seconded by the Regiment of Horse of Carvisson had the Guard of that quarter but these were no sooner charged by the Spaniards but they fled and gave them liberty to joyn with those who sally'd out of the City The Mareschal was gone to visit certain Posts where having News that the said Regiments were attack'd he repair'd thither with all diligence but arriving found his own men Flying and the enemy united Belliere at the Alarm made likewise to that quarter and meeting with the Mareschal he participated to him the Accident after convenient Consultation they resolv'd to abandon the Enterprize without losing more time Hoquincourt intreated Belliere to take care of their Retreat in order whereunto he sent his own Regiment of Foot and the Swisses to make good the Great Bridge to facilitate their passage over the River after which he caus'd the Army to march in good Order and passing the River they encamp'd at Madignan So soon as the Guards had quitted the Bridge the Spaniards took possession of it and whilest the French were march'd away the Constable of Castile sent 400 Horse over the River with some Musquetiers who placed themselves in the houses on the other side of the water They were no sooner over but the French faced about and charg'd them so briskly that they forc'd them back to the River and took most of them Prisoners This blow so cool'd the Spaniards that they pursued their enemy no further From Madignan Hoquincourt march'd to Barca And on the 26. of September came to Villeneufve d' Ampuries where he remain'd for some time to take up what corn was to be found in that Countrey and convey it to Roses causing each Company to carry six quarters of that measure along with them After this having nothing more to do in that Countrey of Lampurdam and not being able to maintain his Troops any longer there he order'd them to pass the Mountain Pertus the 28th following The Regiments of Anjou Languedoc Roquelaure Gramont and Harcourt were left in Roses On the 30th the rest of the Army arriv'd at Bouillon a Town upon the River Teich The Mareschal quartred his Troops in Rossiglion and those of Belliere in Conflans All these Forces remain'd in that little Countrey till the appearance of those from Guienne under the Command of the Marquess de Marinville upon whose Arrival in Rossillion Hoquincourt resolv'd to put Provisions into Roses He caus'd all things to be prepar'd to that effect and resolv'd to conduct them himself with all his chief Officers and such of his Army as could be spared from the posts which were necessary to be kept about Conflans On the 29. of October 1653. he passed the Mountaines and the next Morning put the said Convoy into Roses The French Army advancing eagerly against the Spaniards They were in an ill condition near Lousteneau but the French being a little slow in passing the Hills they had opportunity to retire The Marquess de Marinville who led the Van that day with the Troops of Guienne followed the enemy as far as Feguiers where the Spaniards taking the Garrison along with them The Inhabitants upon the sight of Marinville's Troops cry'd out Viva Francia Long live France The Garrison in Castillion retired likewise in all haste The 6. of November Belliere having the Van commanded out 100 Horse to discover the enemy who bringing intelligence of seven Squadrons of Spaniards on the other side of the River towards Servia Hoquincourt and Belliere being at that time together they march'd with all speed to the River bank and Belliere being acquainted with the Fordeable places by order of the Mareschal he pass'd over and put himself in pursuit of these Squadrons with so much expedition and so good success that he overtook them charg'd them and beat them as far as Bordilles one of their quarters where they endeavoured to rally by the assistance of those that were there but they were routed again and pursued to another of their Posts and from thence to their Head-quarters where meeting with fresh Troops they turned face and fought bravely for some time but having the disadvantage of the ground they were at length quite broken and dispers'd many slain and wounded and many Prisoners and all their baggage taken and plundred Of the French few were slain and wounded
much satisfaction and commendation of Mazarine who by his sweet carriage and by Gaming in which Fortune was very favourable to him he increased his acquaintance with great men and gained the good will and esteem of all that conversed with him The Pope afterwards being desirous to disburden himself of the charge of the Warre sent Giovanni Ginetti brother to the Cardinal of that name to the aforesaid General Conti and to Commissary Sacchetti with order to disband the Souldiers which being done Conti returned into Germany and the two Brothers Sacchetti retired to Fano where Cardinal Sacchetti was Bishop Mazarine being their great friend and familiar Acquaintance accompanied them The Cardinal was made Legate of Ferrara and Superintendent of the Military Forces of that Government Giovanni Francesco Sacchetti being bred a Soulider commanded the Militia and took Mazarine along with him in whom he confided above all others Giovanni Francesco afterward returning to Rome Mazarine went also along with him and endeavoured by all means to enter into the Service of Cardinal Antonio the Popes Nephew knowing how generous and obliging he was towards his Servants but he was hindered by the malice of those that envied his Endowments He strove likewise to put himself into the Court of Cardinal Francesco but there also he received little encouragement that Cardinal not being inclined to favour so Aspiring a Wit Perceiving therefore that he had no luck in that Court and having fail'd of making his Fortune by his Sword he returned again to his Studies declaring that Virtue although she be suppressed by Envy yet he is always Master who possesseth her nor can she be taken away by any thing but Death which levels all men In a years time he made a great progress in the study of the Laws improving still his Friendship with the Family of Sachetti In the mean while the war of Mantua brake out by the death of Duke Vincenzo last of that Line whereupon the Pope resolved to dispatch Giovanni Francesco Sachetti to Milan with whom likewise went Mazarine who quickly introduced himself into the management of those weighty publick Negotiations with intire satisfaction of Sachetti and of all that treated with him having a Genius so applicable to the humour of all Nations that when he negotiated with the Ministers of Spain he knew how to form himself to their garb and with the Frenchmen according to their mode but withall he had so pleasing a manner in his Discourse accompanied with so modest a Civility that every one was ambitious of his Conversation The occasion being come which I call Fortune that Sachetti was to depart for Rome by reason of his Indisposition and afterwards by the death of one of his Brothers the Superintendency of all those Affairs was by him in his absence left in the hands of Mazarine by which means he had a large Field to give proof of his Parts and Capacity advertizing continually the Court of Rome of what passed by Letters so well indited and relishing that the Pope greatly delighting in them resolved to continue him in his Service omitting to send any other in the place of Sachetti who was graced by His Holiness with the Government of his House which Place was vacant by the death of Sachetti his brother lately deceased The rumours of the War afterwards increasing Urban deliberated to send Cardinal Antonio his Nephew Apostolical Legate into Piemont and gave him Monsignor Panziroli for his Coadjutor with the Title of Nuntio who was afterward Cardinal and Secretary of State in the Pontificate of Innocent X. Mazarine having notice of this went in all haste to Bologna to inform the Cardinal of what had pass'd and from thence to Rome to give His Holiness a distinct Account of all those Negotiations with due Reflexions thereupon The Pope was highly satisfied with his acute Discourse and judged it necessary to make use of him as one who besides his being well instructed in all things had already acquired great credit and esteem amongst them with whom he had negotiated wherefore he dispatch'd him back to Cardinal Antonio ordering him to make use of his Service having found him capable of all Imployment He found the Cardinal still at Bologna and in a long Discourse together His Eminency rested so highly satisfied that immediately he sent him to Count Collalto the Emperours General who quatter'd at St. Benedetto in the Territories of Mantua He insinuated himself so far into the favour of the said Count that having dispatched Piccolomini for some Affair to Cardinal Antonio gave him to understand that he was so well satisfied with Mazarine that he would rather treat with him then with any other declaring himself not at all content with the austere manner of proceeding of the Nuntio Panzirolo In the mean time Don Gonzales de Cordoua Governour of Milan was gone with the Spanish Army to besiege Casal in Monferat but with ill success for that place being well fortified and well defended by Monsieur de Toiras held out so long till the French Army passing the Alpes it behoved the Spaniards to quit the Siege and retire The Catholick King much unsatisfied with Don Gonzales recalled him into Spain and sent thither Governour and Captain General Marquess Ambrosio Spinola the famous Souldier in the Warres of Flanders In the mean while the Pope and the Cardinal Legate efficaciously endeavour'd to divert the approaching ruine of Italy by seeking an Accommodation Mazarine was before all others employed and knowing how to lay hold on the occasion laboured to ingratiate himself with all parties and amongst the rest he captivated the good-will of Charles Emanuel the potent Duke of Savoy in such a manner that that wise Prince finding him capable of the most important Affairs desired him to make a Voyage into France to endeavour by his perspicacious Wit to prevail with Cardinal Richlieu to stop the French Army from passing over the Mountains Thereupon he went with leave of the Cardinal Legate and the Nuntio to Lions where Richlieu was already arrived with the French Army He had conference with his Eminence proposed divers Expedients and used all Art to stop him but all in vain This was the first time that ever Richlieu saw Mazarine and although his Proposals were little to his liking nevertheless he was extreamly pleased with his so pertinent manner of discourse affirming that he had found him far beyond what he expected so that in those few days Mazarine staid at Lions he so well knew how to deport himself with that great Minister of State that he ingrafted himself deeply in his favour But failing to serve the Duke as he heartily desired he endeavored at least to render him another service of no small moment which was to perswade Prince Thomas his son who was then at Chambery in Savoy to return into Piemont to avoid an open breach with the Crown of France which his Presence in those parts might occasion The Duke laboured by all means
with the assistance of the Spaniards and Imperialists to oppose the designes of the French Mazarine had his eye continually on the Liberty of Italy and on the Conservation of Mantua at that time besieged which was one of his principal Instructions and seeing the maintaining Duke Charles of Nevers in the possession of his Hereditary Countreys in Italy depended on the Protection of the French he advertised the Ministers of the most Christian King of the powerful Forces of the Confederate enemies that Cardinal Richlieu might opportunely provide against them and shun the approaching danger To this and to the easier Acquist of Pignerol Spinola's clashing with the Duke of Savoy and refusing to assist him in such manner as he desired did not a little conduce and was cause that he died afterward with discontent and that the Imperialists missed of obtaining their designes The Duke sent the Abbot Scaglia into Spain to represent to the Catholick King that Spinola giving ear to the Propositions of the Cardinal Legate for an Accommodation occasion'd all the ill success and that the French through his fault were got on this side the Mountains for which the King being full of indignation against Spinola in opposition to whom there wanted not the Suggestions and Arts of those that envied his Employment resolved to take from him all Authority and Command of the Army which through so great experience of his worth he had conferr'd upon him Mazarine continuing a Mediator between each party demean'd himself with such exquisite Sagacity and with so sweet a manner Negotiating sometimes with one sometimes with another that he rendred himself equally beloved and confided in by all and continuing by Play and Familiarity to acquire every ones Friendship he came at length to penetrate into the most hidden Caballs and to discover the most secret Designs He by this means seasonably advised the Duke of Mantua's General of the Surprisal the Imperiallists were plotting against that City on the side of the Mincio not over carefully guarded by the Besieged Spinola in the mean while had laid siege to Casal with a most flourishing Army and had begun very much to streighten it Mazarine brought on new Treaties and persuaded Spinola to condescend to some honourable and honest Accommodation He formed a Writing to the satisfaction of the Duke of Savoy of Spinola and of Colalto and immediately went to find the King of France at St. John di Moriana who staid there expecting the yielding up of Montmelian attaqu'd by his Forces and brought back from the King what he desired He returned into Piemont but in those few days of his absence the face of Affairs being changed by the surprize of Mantua as also by the death of the Duke of Savoy and that Spinola was far advanc'd in the siege of Casal his first Projects were confounded and he was forced to mould new ones with which he went back to the most Christian King at Paris by order of his Patron Cardinal Antonio He was received there with great Honour and demonstrations of high Esteem for his Person and obtained His Majesty's assent to the Agreement with which he hastened to find Vittorio Amadeo the new Duke of Savoy and Collalto He demonstrated to them the good inclination of the King to the accord and left them satisfied and inclined to the Peace But because Spinola longing to take Casal seemed likely to withdraw himself from the Treaty Mazarine went again to find him at the Camp and with convincing Reasons disposed him to the Agreement He requested that for the Honour of the King and himself the City and Castle of Casal might be deposited in his hands the French retaining still the Cittadel promising to resign up the said City and Castle within the term of 15 days and that Mantua should likewise be delivered up to that Duke for the performance of which he offered in Hostage his own Son The King of France condescended to the Proposals of Spinola and gave order to his Lieutenants Generals to conclude the Treaty but in the very point of effecting it the King of Spain sent an Express depriving Spinola of all Authority At which he was so much cast down and struck with grief that when Mazarine returned to give him an account of his Negotiation and how he had accomplished what Spinola had desired and proposed he could get no other Answer from him then these two words V. S. es hombre da bien pero jo tambien Your Lordship is an honest man and I am so too And thus walking to and fro and stamping he shewed himself to be agitated by a most fierce and secret grief Wherefore temporizing with artificial Excuses he gave no other Answer then the former words often reiterated Finally Cardinal Antonio resolving to see the end of it with the approbation of the Duke of Savoy and Collalto sent back Mazarine to Spinola who was sick in bed and prevailed so much that Spinola in the end not being able to resist the force of the Reasons produced by Mazarine broke out into a grievous lamentation in defence of his Honour saying M' hanno levato l' honore They have taken away my Honour Then calling one of his Servants he ordered the King of Spains Letter to be brought by which all his Power was taken from him and shewed it to Mazarine that he might know the true cause of his Irresolution and said again M' hanno levato l' honore They have taken away my Honour Afterwards turning himself to the other side of the bed with the Letter in his hand he aggravated his Misfortune and the injury done to his Reputation and the Merit of so many Services performed by him to the Crown of Spain for 40 years together The business being in this posture Mazarine by order of Cardinal Antonio entered upon new Negotiations and proposed a Suspension of Arms but Spinola being dead and the Marquess di Sante Croce entering upon his Command who found all things in disorder by the death of the General underwrit the Truce which was already subscribed to by the Duke of Savoy and Collalto In the mean while the French Army descended into Piemont to relieve Casal and each Party hoping to win by their Arms the business was in a ready way to be decided by them To that purpose the French Army advance within sight of the place The Legat made use of Mazarine also in this occasion who flying like Lightening now to one side now to the other behaved himself with such dexterity that in the very instant that both Armies were ranged in Battalia ready to engage he concluded the Peace to the general satisfaction of all and with so great applause for himself that by this action the way was open'd to those Grandeurs which afterwards he arrived at becoming in a manner absolute Moderator of the greatest Affairs of the World Upon putting the Peace in execution the Spaniards by their slow departure out of the Territories of
Monferat giving some apprehension to the French they presently conveyed several Troops into the Cittadel of Casal contrary to the Articles of the Stipulation whereat the Duke of Feria taking Alarm advanced part of the Army to fall upon the French in their disorderly return into Piemont Cardinal Antonio having advice thereof so order'd the matter that Mazarine not only gave notice to the chief Commanders of the French Army but likewise by gentle means delayed Galasso and Piccolomini who were advancing to fight them so that the French had time to retreat without any disturbance With new windings and Negotations he finally adjusted every thing and by his means the Peace was fully concluded at the Treaty at Chirasco in which Mazarine was the person that by the Popes order negotiated secretly with the Duke of Savoy and caused him to deliver up Pignerol to the King of France whereat the Spaniards took so great distaste that calling him Traytor made bitter complaints against him to the Pope and Cardinal Barbarine who ignorant of the private Orders given to Mazarine by His Holiness and believing that he had gone beyond those of his Patron began to favour the Spaniards complaints denied to give him Audience and sollicited the Pope that he would appoint that a Process might be drawn up against him The Pope to please the Cardinal his Nephew gives way to it but underhand encouraged Mazarine not to fear any thing who was shunn'd and murmurr'd against on all sides by the wicked and hollow-hearted Courtiers Truth lying hid and Lies taking place to please those on whom they had dependance At length being admitted to the Audience of Cardinal Barbarine with sweetness of language and much respect he lamented the wrong done him and the slender Acknowledgments he had received in recompence of all his pains and eminent services performed to the Holy Church and all Italy and so efficacious were his Reasons that the Cardinal was much mollified but as there was an Antipathy between their Genius and his malignant Enviers never ceasing to torment him the aversion he had conceived against him could never be eradicated out of his heart Mazarine in the mean time by his courteous carriage and affability made it his business to gain Friends and Acquaintance declaring that mens Fortunes did depend on their good Friends who are preserved by means of Services and Civilities the most proper Instruments to captivate mens Affections And therefore putting in practice this Maxime he began to gain the good will of many that were ambitious of his Friendship by which means having at last overcome all oppositions and abated the bitterness of Barbarine That Preferment was offered him both by this Cardinal and his brother Cardinal Antonio that at other times he had sought after and could never obtain and the Election being in his own power he chose rather to serve Cardinal Antonio then Francesco their Humours suiting better together for Antonio was of a magnanimous spirit and generous in the highest degree The Place he gave him was Vice-Treasurer with an Assignment of 800 Crowns a year but His Eminence afterwards having changed the Office of Treasurer to be Legat of Avignon declar'd him his Auditor setting a high value on him for those Affairs And a little after the Pope willing to give him some sign of his not-forgotten thankfulness made him his Houshold Chaplain and Vice-Legat of Avignon and afterward sent him Nuntio Extraordinary into France to sollicite the most Christian King for the Restitution of Lorrain to that Duke as also to endeavour to prevent the War which began to break out betwixt the two Crowns by the surprisal of Philipsbourg and afterward of Treves with the imprisonment of that Elector But before he went from Rome he married two of his Sisters Marguerit the Elder to Count Girolamo Martinozzi of Fano and Girolama the younger to Lorenzo Mancini both of them of ancient Families Monsignor Mazarine taking his Voyage towards France in the Quality of Apostolical Nuntio Extraordinary was kindly received and splendidly treated by all the Princes thorough whose Dominions he passed but especially he found an extraordinary kind Reception in the Royal Court of Savoy No sooner arrived at Paris but he revived his Friendship with his former Acquaintance and suddenly gained a Sympathetical correspondence with all the Statesmen and Grandees of that Court and particularly contracted an intimate Friendship with the Count de Chavigny principal Secretary of State Cardinal Richlieu's greatest Confident and most imployed by him The King the Queen and Richlieu himself esteemed him highly and the Cardinal was never better pleased then when any occasion offered it self to discourse with the Nuntio in whom he admired the Acuteness Eloquence and handsom way of representing of business Chancing once to fall sick the King himself honoured him with a Visit The Popes Mediation for Peace proving ineffectual by reason of the too high Pretensions of both Parties at the end of two years His Holiness recalled Mazarine who notwithstanding in his Nuntiature did not omit to perform many important Services for the Holy See He went directly to Avignon where he staid about six Moneths demeaning himself with seemly decorum and with all affability He finished and adjusted many things and did not neglect to cultivate a most intimate correspondence with Cardinal Richlieu oftentimes presenting him with divers choice things from Italy Finally having obtained leave to return to Rome he went by Sea and having given the Pope and the Cardinal Nephew an account of his Negotiations he was received by them with all demonstrations of Esteem The Pope who was a Prince of a deep understanding taking delight to discourse with a person of so lively a Wit enrich'd with the knowledge of the Affairs of the world admitted him often to Audience entertaining him for many hours together Cardinal Barbarine growing jealous of so great esteem and familiarity and not enduring that any one should insinuate himself so far in his Uncles favour rigorously forbid him his so frequent Visits and cajoling His Holiness with his Discourses by which he had wrought upon him to be content that Cardinal Antonio might be honoured by the most Christian King with the Protectorship of that Crown to the great disgust of the Spaniards and their Party who encreasing their disdain against Mazarine as the Contriver of this blow they began to study by what means they might lessen him and avoid those prejudices to their Interests which they did prognosticate by his professed Devotion to France Though he did not enjoy the good Graces of him that was prevalent in the Popes affections yet by his extraordinary ability he still maintained the Reputation he had merited for his good Services towards the Holy See and continued his Protection under Cardinal Antonio Some differences happening betwixt the House of Medici and Don Filippo Colonna by his Mediation they were composed And it was no small matter he did in hindering greater disorders
were generally dis-satisfied The Warre being kindled the Fire seemed unextinguishable not only because it chiefly arose as the common report went from private passion and particular envy and the flames daily encreasing from those puffs of anger the discontents grew still higher which according to the Contingencies of Warre administred new matter of rancour But also on the Popes Account that he being the Common Father should with a constant resentment pretend a just title to disturb the quiet of Italy by armes when all Christendom groaning so long time under the weight of innumerable miseries thought they might expect from his Piety a paternal and serious application to compose the inveterate motions of War and not to excite new ones On the other side the interessed Confederates longing to abate the temporal power of the Ecclesiastical Princedom and to give a wholesom Admonishment to those that being destin'd by God to enjoy it for a season are oftentimes unmindful of returning again to their private condition were resolved to maintain with all perseverance the reputation of their Armes For this cause the mediation or the Spaniards and the Emperor for a pacification proved a long time ineffectual the King of France not omitting to interpose his his Authority for the service of her to whose Assistance his Ancestors had so often passed the Mountains dispatched by the Counsel and dictates of Mazarine the Marquess of Lionne to the Confederate Princes to whom he delivered his Message with such vigour and reputation that by his prudent Negotiations he ripened that fruit which Cardinal Bichi who was ordered by the King to manage the Treaty afterward had the good fortune to gather by the Conclusion of the Peace as acceptable and advantageous to the Barberines as afterward the memory of that War proved prejudicial to them The Cardinal likewise got no small reputation by composing the differences between the Kings of Swedeland and Denmark who were entring into a most cruel War He shewed himself also very constant in overcoming all the difficulties which hapned upon the Marriage of the Princess Maria Gonzago with Uladislao King of Poland brought to an end by his great Prudence While the Affairs of France went thus prosperously on and that all Europe had their eyes fixed on the greatness and power of that Crown admiring the Ascendant Fortune of the most Christian King with the same Reflexions wherewith heretofore were admired that of the most victorious Emperour Charles the Fifth on a sudden she saw her self overwhelmed by those Civil broils which have always been the most powerful mischiefs to depress her The first ground from whence these turbulent Revolutions arose was from the Treasurer Emery who was the Person that disposed the minds of the Parlementarians of Paris to Commotions by troubling them in their places hereby to raise money not without the opinion of many that he did this with an intent to overthrow the Cardinal who vigorously opposed such his dangerous Undertakings knowing the nature of the French to be most extremely violent for their particular benefit For this cause therefore the Parlement of Paris having declared against the Kings Government the Queen thought to destroy this growing Hydra by punishing three of her Heads giving order for the Imprisonment of the Counsellour Brussel and the Presidents Blamenil and Charton though Mazarine did greatly impugn it well perceiving that it was not yet time to stir the Humours when there was no likelihood to dissipate them and it succeeded just so as he foresaw for the People having taken Arms and chained the streets compell'd the Court to set free the prisoners and to turn out Emery to the great prejudice of the Royal Authority and to the emboldening of the Seditious to undertake new Villanies The Cardinal on this occasion maintained but it did not help him that by the rule of good Government they ought constantly to adhere to their resolutions once taken although they were not assumed with their due precautions it being always hurtful to Princes to recede from that which they have once pretended to be observed by their Subjects From the like beginnings the Alterations plotted by the restless minds of those who hoped to advance their private Fortunes greatly increased These disorders were fomented by the Coadjutor of Paris allured by the hopes of Mazarines ruine to enter into his place of Chief Minister being a person of an high spirit and very intelligent in the Affairs and by the Count de Chavigny likewise exasperated seeing himself by the Queens aversion to him not in that full Credit and Authority which he had in the Consultations in the time of Richlieu's Government So that all things being in a confusion and impossible to provide against the disorders without That flourishing and potent Kingdom at the height of its greatest glory became a Scene of most lamentable miseries losing in one Campania the fruits of many others purchased with so much sweat with so much bloud and with so great expence of money The Cardinal sought nevertheless to hinder what he could the growth of these disorders and knowing how dangerous it would be to France if England should declare for Spain as it was by all Arts endeavoured by the Spanish Agents he knew so wisely to manage the business that he frustrated the Enemy's design and preserved the friendship of the English though ever emulous and no well-willers to the French The Events that after these commotions rent in pieces the Regency and all France were infinite and deplorable for although Mazarine with all sweetness and gentleness did endeavour to smooth their minds by temporizing till the Kings Majority but the more he endeavoured by these means to appease the Animosities of the Seditious the more they were hardened in their insolence and by open violence opposed the Orders of the Regent whereupon by his advice the Queen resolved to remove from Paris with the King which she did on Twelveth-night 1649. For this cause the City was in a great commotion and the Court in a state to recover its due regard but hereupon their Animosities against the Cardinal grew higher suspecting him to be as indeed he was the Author of this Retreat whence the fury of the People and Parlement breaking out against him he was by the later order'd to depart within eight days The Court stoutly supporting the Cardinal resolved to block up Paris with the Army as it was forthwith done by the Prince of Conde who though he had his Brother his Sister and his Brother in Law on the Parlements side yet held himself always united with the Regent and Mazarine who failed not in the mean while accurately to watch how to compose the differences In this occasion Cardinal Mazarine made manifest the height of his Intellectuals the excellency of his Skill his Wit and his Craft joyning himself now with the one now with the other Party and finally crushing them both remained Conquerour in the field and obtained the
shew'd not the least alteration in his Countenance received the Prince with all demonstration of affection and sincere friendship and Conde complaining to him of the bruit spred thorough the City that he was not his true friend and sought his ruine Mazarine with the greatest protestations of sincerity and friendship assured him of the esteem he had for him and of his affectionate and loyal correspondence redoubling still his Asseverations that he never had the least thought of being against him and yet at the same time Mons de Lionne was writing the Order To entice the Duke of Longueville to transgress the Agreement made with his brothers in Law never to appear all three at the Council they made him believe that in the evening of the 18th of January 1650 the Affair concerning the Marquess of Beveron his great Confident would be debated so that for his care to favour his friend he forgot his own concern and notwithstanding that Mons Priolo his familiar Acquaintance advertiz'd him not to go to the Council yet would he not be persuaded so that all three came thither one after another though Conde and Conty were dissuaded by the Princess their Mother that very morning the Prince not apprehending any thing as well for the Cardinals demonstrations of his true friendship as for his confidence of the Abbot della Riviera who would have told him all supposing that the Duke of Orleans without his assent would have taken no such resolution and though it had been taken would have communicated it to the Abbot his bosom-friend They went together to wait on the Queen who feigning her self not very well was lain down to repose her self on her bed wherefore they suddenly withdrew and staying awhile in the Anti-chamber the Queen being alone with the King and sollicitous for what she knew must happen prayed the King to shut the door which he did The Princes going afterwards into the Gallery where the Council was held they found every one there but the Cardinal who was in his own Appartement discoursing with the Abbot della Riviera ignorant of this business after which he found himself openly in disgrace with the Duke of Orleans his Patron who likewise came not to Council as they had agreed for fear of what might happen abroad The Sieur de Cominges Lieutenant of the Queens Guards entered immediately into the Gallery with the Sieur de Guitault his Uncle and Croissy who told the Princes the Orders they had from the King to secure their persons They standing amazed at such news the Prince of Conde requested to speak a word with the Queen but being refused as also to speak with the Cardinal they were constrained to descend by the Back-stairs that leads to the Garden without the least noise or suspicion given to any although the Halls Chambers and Courts were full of the Princes friends and followers They were carried away in a Coach with a Guard of Horse to the Boys de Vincennes The Partizans of the Princes were exceedingly astonished at this news which was presently noised in the City the sign being given by discharging a Cannon that the prisoners were arrived at Vincennes whereupon the whole City was immediately in Arms the people believing that the Duke of Beaufort was likewise secured as the friends of the prisoners did artificially divulge to exasperate the people against Mazarine so that Beaufort was obliged that very night to ride thorough the City by Torch-light that he might be seen which pacified and much contented the people who rejoycing at the imprisonment of the Princes made Bonfires in several parts of the Town with such Acclamations as if the Kingdom had been redeemed from all misery and affliction and all blessed the Cardinal for so pious a resolution But the more reputation he gained by this act the more did he awaken their envy and incited the Frondeurs to contrive his destruction since they had obtained their intent in seeing the Prince of Conde's Party laid low pursuing still their former design of getting the sole management of Affairs in their own power After this there arose new disturbances in divers parts of the Kingdom stirred up by the Prince of Conde's Mother the Dutchess of Longueville and many other Princes and Noblemen of their Kindred and Friends in the Provinces under their Government and in Paris it self the favourers of the imprisoned being assembled in the House of the Princess Palatine consulted about the properest remedies to draw them out of prison The Coadjutor and Beaufort concurred with them in this Consultation on design to ruine also Mazarine and remain sole Masters The Cardinal finding himself more at liberty to act began to practise the ways how to arrive at his intent which was to destroy the Faction of la Fronda serving himself to that end with his wonted dissimulation excellently by him practised to make appear his reconciliation with the Duke of Beaufort seem candid and sincere who at that time was in the highest degree of Esteem and Veneration with the Parisiens and with design to make them diffident of him he went publickly to pay him a Visit unusual for him to do for which the Frondeurs murmured against the Duke calling him a Mazarine which much lessened his credit and esteem with the people and the Faction of la Fronda The Friends and kindered of the Princes ceased not at the same time to raise new commotions in the other parts of France so that the Tumults of Normandy Champagne and Burgundy were scarce appeased when as those of Guienne and chiefly of Bourdeaux began to break out Mazarine being no less agitated by the commotions of the Kingdom then by those in Paris where the people were more and more set on to Seditions he thought fit to cause the K to leave the City again under pretext to oppose the Preparations of the Spaniards who were united with the Male-contents on the Confines of Flanders Whereupon the Court went to Compeigne and because the Spaniards at this time had besieged Guise a place of great importance the Cardinal thought it convenient to go in person to the Army and attempt to relieve it which successfully he performed having encourage the Souldiers and Officers with money and many Presents distributed amongst the principal Commanders by which kind of dealing he kept the Souldiery always well-affected and faithful to the King and his own person Upon this good success the Cardinal took courage to go with the King to chastise the Rebels of Bourdeaux and drew the Duke of Orleans and all the Council to his Opinion This resolution displeased the Frondeurs for the advantages they foresaw the happy execution of this Enterprize might bring to the Court and to Mazarine and by consequence the damage and prejudice to their own Party Whereupon they began to divulge new calumnies against the Cardinal namely that this Progress was for no other purpose then to establish the Matrimony of his Nieces who after the
imprisonment of the Princes were taken out of the Monastery and brought to live in the Palace Royal with the Dukes of Mercure and Candale only son of the Duke of Espernon so that they plotted all they could to hinder the chastisement of those of Bourdeaux and to reconcile themselves to the Princes and to release them with design to fall altogether upon the Cardinal and having ruined him to fall upon the Princes and remain sole in the Government To this end they flattered the Dutchess of Chevreuse with hopes of marrying her daughter to the Prince of Conty and she being in great credit and esteem with the Duke of Orleans by her means they gained the good-will of that Duke and with various Artifices perswaded him to press the Queen that the Princes might be brought from Vincennes to the Bastile of which place the Councellour Brussel one of the chief of the Frondeurs being Governour they thought by this means to get the Princes into their custody and to unite themselves with them to confound the Cardinal or if they should be able to ruine the Cardinal of themselves then to detain the Princes still prisoners and keep the dominion in their own power They joyned themselves thereupon in a stricter union and diligently laboured to hinder the King from going into Guienne using innumerable devices to frustrate this intention of the Cardinal who for all that mock'd at all the tricks of his enemies and with more discerning and wise Counterplots deluded them Their endeavors to hinder the Voiage into Guienne not succeeding they found out another pretext to stir up the people giving out that Mazarine was the only Obstructer of the Peace and that they ought to consider of the means to force him to conclude it the the Duke of Beaufort with like pretexts endeavored to regain his credit with the people from which he was much fallen ever since the Cardinals Visit The Court at this time went into Guienne The Duke of Orleans remained in Paris in quality of Lieutenant General of the Crown The Cardinal though he found himself strong enough in forces to chastise the Bourdelese yet did not omit according to his wonted custom to seek by fair means and by treaty to quiet these differences knowing the ill consequences that follow the bloody remedies of Arms against ones own Subjects But the Bourdelese that were back'd by the Parliament of Paris by the Faction of the Princes by the Frondeurs and by the very Spaniards obstinately prepared themselves to a defence The Spaniards making advantage of this diversion recovered Piombino and Portolongone in Italy And in Flanders joyning with Mareschal Turenne they took Rhetel and la Chappelle over-running the Countrey within ten Leagues of Paris The Frondeurs rejoycing at this Progress of the enemy thought of nothing more then of the delivery of the Princes to counterballance the Cardinal hoping that the Obligation in freeing them from Prison would cancel the demerit of making them Prisoners None was more zealous to serve the Dutchess of Chevreuse then the Coadjutor who by means of Letters reciprocally convey'd to and from the Princes had gained a promise from the Prince of Conty to marry her Daughter Hereupon the Dutchess pressed the Duke of Orleans that he would likewise set his helping hand to their liberty But the Persuasions of Monsieur Tillier Secretary of State left by the King at Paris to assist the Duke of Orleans prevailing with the Duke and knowing the danger that if the Spaniards should advance as far as the Castle of Vincennes they might set the Princes at liberty consented that they should be remove to the Castle of Marcoussy to keep them still in the Kings Power The Spaniards making use of this favourable conjuncture for their interests thought to increase the animosities of the Parisiens by sending a Trumpet from the Arch-Duke with Letters to the Duke of Orleans inviting him to a Treaty for a General Peace with a shew of sincere intentions The Duke willingly lent an ear to this invitation hoping thereby to acquire no less glory abroad then credit and good-will amongst the French wherefore dispatching several Courriers to Court they to please him sent him Power and Authority to Treat the Cardinal not doubting but that quickly as it afterwards happened he should discover the Arts by which this Engine was levell'd The Princes friends in the mean time did not let slip this opportunity to instigate the people so much the more against Mazarine affixing several papers in divers parts of the City in the Mareschal de Turenne's name containing in substance that there being in the Cardinal as great a reluctancy to the peace as in the Archduke and the Spaniards there was a readiness and inclination for it they ought by no means to lose this opportunity of enjoying again so great a happiness aggravating withall the miseries and ruine that by the continuation of the war hovered over all France To this effect the Marquess de Bagni Apostolical Nuntio with the Count dâ— Avaux went to Soissons to confer with the Archduke about the first Overtures Where they not onely found none on the part of the Catholick King but also were slightly answered by Don Gabriel di Toledo that it behoved them to expect Orders from Spain whilest the Archduke made account he had been Plenipotentiary having made the invitation with such earnestness and importunity Those of Bourdeaux in the mean while were reduced to great streights by the assault made upon the Town by the Kings Army so that they inclined to an Accommodation nor did the Court shew much aversion thereunto for the apprehension they had of the commotions of Paris wherefore the King granted them a general Amnesty without giving ear to their importunities for the delivery of the Princes but giving them the satisfaction in the removal of the Duke of Espernon from that Government the rest remaining in the same state This Peace of Bourdeaux was received with unexpressible bitterness by the Frondeurs who jealous that the Cardinal would set the Princes at liberty without acquainting them they united themselves afresh with the Duke of Orleans and sought by all means to set him at odds with Mazarine whom they gave to understand that the Court should return Paris and this with intent to hinder him of those advantages that he might reap by the Voyage of Tholouse and Provence which was of the Cardinal for many weighty reasons who preferring the urging desire of the Duke of Orleans for the Kings return to Paris and the necessity of providing for the securing of the Princes in causing them to be transported to a safer place then Marcousy before any other consideration he brought back their Majesties towards Paris and they remained at Fountainbleau whither the Queen invited the Duke of Orleans to consult Affairs of great importance but in effect it was onely to win him to the removal of the Princes a thing dreaded by the Frondeurs who foreseeing
but that they ought not to pretend nor expect the execution of it without due precautions for the security of the State aggravating withall that all the suppositions brought in against the Cardinal were seditious lies and calumnies But the Regents exaggeration availed nothing for the delivery of the Princes and the removal of the Cardinal were decreed anew by the Parliament All the three Factions were at this time united against that of Mazarine who was upheld by the sole Authority of the King and Queen and Forces of the Kingdom and being in this streight his only Meditation was how to put in practice the laudable Maxime of temporizing The Court by reason of the general uniting of so many Seditious was necessitated to give way to so many contrivings in which the Dutchess of Chevreuse acted her part to the life stimulated by interest and by the ambition of the aforesaid Marriage for setting that aside she was the Cardinals intimate friend And feigning her self still so told him confidently that if he did withdraw himself for some short time he should by that means appease these first passions of the Duke of Orleans who returning to the Council the Queen would soon win him to her party and in few days he would be recalled again knowing the nature of the French that having obtained their desire they presently grow weary and change their minds The Cardinal suffering himself to be lulled asleep by the harmony of this Syren and not to put to hazard the publick Tranquillity resolved his Departure and went to impart it to the Queen advising her to stand firm in her resolution of keeping the Princes fast while he securing his own person should take away all pretext from the Male-contents to proceed further and leaving her many good Memorials for the service of the King and the State with a Letter from the Regent to the Sieur de Bar who had the custody of the Princes containing a precise Order to obey the Cardinal in every particular he went in all diligence towards Havre de Grace with design that if he could not handsomly secure the detaining of the Princes to cause them at least to acknowledge him the Author of their liberty and by this act to oblige them to a gratitude making the Count de Servient and Monsieur le Tillier partakers and actors in this and other secrets The evening before the 6th of February 1651 he got on Horseback with onely three persons and passed out by the gate of Richlieu without which he found divers Gentlemen to the number of 400 Horse that expected him and with these he went to St. Germaines whence he dispatched a Courrier to the Marquess de Lionne at Havre de Grace to understand the issue of his Negotiations and to Monsieur le Tillier putting him in mind to give way to the Princes delivery till he had adjusted what they had agreed upon amongst themselves which being come to the knowledge of the Marquess de Chasteauneuf he making use of it for his own benefit hoped by rendering himself the principal Author of the Princes liberty to delude the designs of the Cardinal who being advised of the streights to which the Queen was more and more reduced resolved no longer to defer the Princes releasment The 12th of February he hasted away to Havre de Grace where he was received with all demonstration of Honour and entering where the Princes were with much frankness uttered these words Jo porto per ordine della Regina la liberta a V. V. A. A. senza alcuna conditione I bring by the Queens Order your Highnesses liberty without any reserve yet adding S.M. vi prega però d'amar lo Statto il Re la di lei persona Her Majestie prays ye to love the State the King and her Person delivering all this in a posture of Respect and Reverence yet not unbeseeming his Quality and sweet manner of speech The Prince answered in name of them all with a chearful but grave countenance Noi si chiamamo obligati a S. M. della giustitia che ci rende serviremo sempre il Re la Regina We hold our selves obliged to her Majestie for the justice which she renders us we shall always serve the King the Queen and embracing the Cardinal ancora voi Signore and also you Sir The Prince of Conde resolved to dine before he went out wherefore the Princes the Cardinal Gramont Palleau Lionne and Goulas sate down to dinner entertaining one another with mutual familiarity in which was verified the saying of Caesar speaking of the French Humour After dinner the Cardinal had private Conference with the Prince and immediately going out of the Fort they entred into Mareschal de Gramonts Coach the Prince of Conde going in last placed himself in the Boot and hearing the Cardinal to with him a good Voiage did not answer him with the least shew of courtesie making the Coach drive on without saying any thing giving the Cardinal quickly to understand the requital he was to expect for the kind embracements with which he received him on the day of his imprisonment with Protestations of a sincere friendship when at the same instant he made the Marquess of Lionne write the order for his Arrest Upon the News that the Cardinal was gone from Paris the people were presently up in arms running tumultuously to the Palace Royal and suspecting that the King and Queen were also upon departure they placed 2000 men in Guard and the diffidence and impudence of the Frondeurs went so far that they placed Guards even at the Kings bed-fide who ever and anon opening the Curtains observed if he slept and if he were there The Cardinal being departed the Queen sent to invite the Duke of Orleans to the Council who under several pretences refused to come for fear lest the Queen should gain him and send for the Cardinal back who caused his Nieces also to be conducted out of Paris Mazarine's Enemies greatly fearing his return insisted that Orleans should receive a promise from the Queen that he should return no more about which the Parlement framed a most rigorous Decree by which they enjoyned him to depart the Kingdom within 15 days as likewise his Kindred and familiar Friends under a great Mulct to any that should receive them procuring this Order to be confirmed by all the Parlements of France The Cardinal lingered some time at Havre de Grace consulting with his friends to what part he should retire upon which occasion they that coveted his Charge reported that he staid there to make himself Master of that place Wherefore to take away all pretexts of their Exclamations and being daily more convinced of the ill will of the Prince of Condé who spake injuriously of his Person he resolved to depart with many Gentlemen his Friends who together with several Souldiers made up the number of near 100 Horse and travelling with great hardship and incommodity by reason of the sharp season
he went to Dorlans a Town in Picardy under the Government of the Sieur de Bar who was one of those that followed him being received with great honour and civility in all those Provinces He stayed there some time to resolve where he might best retire out of the Kingdom The Parisiens renewing their clamours to the Queen constrained her to write to the Cardinal that for the good of the State he would speedily go out of the Kingdom inducing her moreover to make a Declaration that all strangers though naturalized should not for the future be capable of being admitted into the Council of State some insisting that even the French Cardinals should be comprehended and this chiefly to keep off the Coadjutor from being Chief Minister of State to which he aspired together with the Cardinalship who was really more hated then loved being held to be a man very violent and hardy in his resolutions though he was doubtless one of the bravest Persons of France This Declaration was passed in Parliament but by reason of the contrariety of opinions in the particular of the French Cardinals according to the inclination of those Counsellors thought it passed also in this particular it was moderated and had not its full force and was put in execution only against Mazarine who staying still in France expecting his Pass-port from the Spaniard gave new occasion to his adversaries to murmur who induced the Queen again to sollicit his departure out of the Kingdom to which the Cardinal shewed himself most ready though his friends offered him 10000 fighting men to defend him against the persecution of his enemies and even the Spaniards themselves promised him all vigorous assistance with a Pension not inferiour to what he had in France The Cardinal rejected all most generously into whose Heart the French his Enemies with all their injurious dealings could never introduce the least sense of revenge to the damage of France since that the sense of gratitude towards their Majesties and his Cordial affection for those that were Loyal were too prevalent in his Noble Soul He departed therefore speedily from Dorlans from whence he wrote two very handsom Letters which were seen in Print on to the Queen and the other to the Count de Brienne at that time chief Secretary of State full of cordial expressions of his constant fidelity to their Majesties and of prudent counsel for the good of the State the tenour of which Letters moved a tender compassion in the minds of his Friends and inwardly convinced and staggered his Enemies From thence he went to Perone not without some inconvenience where he found his Nieces conducted thither in safety by the Abbot Ondedei He went with them to la Fere and thence to Rhetel from whence Generel Rosa with 300 Horse conducted him to Barleduc Where in sequence of the Honours done him in every place in this his Retirement by an express Courrier he received the most courteous proffers of the Elector of Colen who sent to invite him offering him his whole State to be at his service with all the kind expressions that could possibly be expected from a generous Prince and a true Friend For which having given to that Prince most affectionate thanks he proceeded on to Clermont by the assistance of the Mareschal de la Ferté Seneterre who in that Rencounter gave him many authentick proofs of a loyal and faithful friendship which he made more particularly appear in refusing to put the Town into the hands of two Gentlemen of the Prince of Conde's who had brought him the Kings Order the Mareschal excusing himself by telling them that he had too much cause to believe that that Order was extorted by violence and that therefore he would not give credit to it unless he were commanded by him that intrusted it with him which was as much as to say the Cardinal who understanding this notwithstanding the foresaid reflexions to shew how much a Kings Order ought to be respected prayed the Mareschal to obey it which immediately he did From Clermont he went to Sedan where once more by the importunity of his enemies receiving the Queens Orders to depart quite out of the Kingdom he went to Boullon in the State of Liege convoyed by Don Antonio Pimentelli Major General of the Spanish Army with 500 Horse the Spaniards themselves concurring to demonstrate to the world that they understood the Merits of the Cardinal and the Honours due to the Sacred Purple better then the French From Liege he continued his journey towards Aix la Chapelle and from thence he passed to Brul a place belonging to the Elector of Colen who sent immediately to complement him offering him all manner of courtesie and being Royally received in the Electoral Palace he was first visited by all the Cannons of the Archbishoprick of Colen the principal Gentlemen of the Country and afterward by the Elector himself who came expresly from Bona place of his residence The Cardinal went to return his Visit where he was received with all the Honours that could be done to the greatest Prince and came back to Brul infinitely obliged to the Elector for his civilities Here he fixed his abode and the concourse of all sorts of people that came to see him was such that that place seemed a great Court He was complemented here by Expresses from the King and Queen of Poland from the Queen of Swedeland from the Electors of the Empire and finally from most of the Princes of Europe who sent to offer him their Dominions to the great mortification of his enemies who the more they sought to abase him by their passionate resolutions the more they saw him honoured and extolled by all the world The Princes in the interim arriving at Paris and the Queen with the King remaining in a manner prisoners in the Palace Royal where they were begirt on all sides by the armed Parisiens all the concourse of the Cavaliers was at the Prince of Conde's and of the Ladies at the Dutchess of Longueville's so that there seemed to be no such thing as a King But although the Cardinal was absent in person yet he was virtually present applying himself continually with the greatest artifice to divide the minds of the Frondeurs from the Union of the Princes and the Dutchess of Chevreuse being the person that together with the Coadjutor governed the whole Caball he applied himself to those means that might draw her from the Prince's party or indeed make her their enemy for which he knew no better way then to frustrate the Match betwixt the Prince of Conty and her daughter Taking this business in hand he suggested to his Confidents at Paris such items which being by them punctually observed they made Conty believe that the Princess of Chevreuse was not of that Quality besitting his birth and they intimated to the Prince of Conde that if the Prince his brother should marry it would much prejudice the Revenue of his Family by the
hands of the Secretary of the Parlement the Circumstances of his Espousals with the Avouchment of them to be communicated to his Father the Duke of Vendosme that all the Decrees against the Cardinal his Domesticks and Kindred should be renewed and particularly against Madamoiselle Mancini who especially was prohibited to return into France and if she were there to depart within 8 days The Declaration that the King was to set forth against the Cardinal was likewise read and the Duke of Orleans made them adde The damage which ensued upon his hindering the General Peace as also for undertaking the War against Bourdeaux without his consent The Prince of Conde obtained to be added That his imprisonment was for no other cause but that he would not consent to the Marriage of the Cardinals two Nieces with the Dukes of Mercoeur and Candale Upon the retirement of Servient Tillier and Lionne the Regent saw it necessary to elect a new Council to which the Duke of Orleans assenting counselled thereunto by the Dutchess of Chevreuse and the Coadjutor who had pressed him a great while before they could prevail it was resolved on to call the Marquess de Chasteauneuf to exercise the charge of Chief Minister the Marquess of Vieville to be Superintendent of the Finances and to confirm the Chief President Keeper of the Seal and the Coadjutor was nominated to be Cardinal Chasteauneuf taking upon him the Management of Affairs began immediately to think upon those means that might hinder the Cardinals return which were to make the King to go into Berry and from thence towards Poictu for the further off he was the more difficult and impracticable it would be for the Cardinal to return as well for the Animosities of the Parlement as for the ill season of the year being to pass 14 Rivers and by keeping the King absent he should put the Duke of Orleans into the Government of Affairs which was his principal end These designs of Chasteauneuf being suspected by the Cardinals Confidents who discovering that there were but few in the Council which delivered their mind cordially the rest onely in appearance and to gratifie the Queen professed themselves good friends concluded that there was no better Expedient for their Majesties and for the Cardinal himself then to make use of their power and to get that by force which they could not obtain by reason and fair means To this intent the Abbot Ondedei by the Kings Order who with reiterated Letters had recall'd the Cardinal to Court hasted to Brules to let Mazarine understand the necessity of taking this course and to inform him really of what past assuring him of their Majesties good intentions for whose service it was absolutely necessary he should return to his Charge it being manifest that there was no person served them with more readiness and cordiality The Cardinal hearkened to what the Abbot delivered for having found him in all occasions of an ingenious free and sincere nature he much confided in him but he rested somwhat doubtful in his resolution for fear of making a greater alteration in Affairs and of giving new matter to the Male-contents and to his Enemies to raise pretexts for Seditions and Tumults to quiet which he thought it best to remain in exile with the loss of all he had gained hitherto But in the end the reasons alledged by the Abbot prevailing who with an equal zele to his hearty affection laboured to make him comprehend the necessity of his return he determined with his own mony to make without delay a Levy of four or five thousand Souldiers giving the command of them to the Mareschals at la Ferté Seneterre and d'Hoquincourt the Counts de Novailles and Broglio his intimate friends and persons of great integrity who took upon them the command and with all diligence applied themselves to serve him desiring earnestly to see him readmitted to his former State to his Enemies shame and reproach This being resolved on the Cardinal desired a Pass-port of the Spaniards to return to Bovillon which was by them delay'd foreseeing perhaps of what prejudice his return to Court might prove Wherefore departing suddenly from Brules instead of going to Juliers without drawing bit he rode to Duren a City belonging to the Duke of Newbourg from thence to Aix la Chapelle and so to Liege to Huy and lastly to Dinan whither the Counts of Novailles and Iroglio came to him to agree on the Levies for which he there disbursed the Moneys and in 40 days time that he staid there they raised their whole number of Souldiers Upon this news the Parlement renewed the Decree against the Cardinal laying to his charge that he had infringed their Order by levying of Souldiers to enter again into France and did what they could to hinder his return but he continuing at Dinan hastened with all diligence the new Levies that he might accompany them to reinforce the King and the time of his motion drawing nigh he renewed his request to the Spaniards for a Passport but it not appearing one night unexpectedly in 18 hours riding without drawing bit he came to Bovillon not without danger of being snapt by the Prince of Conde's Troops who watched diligently to intercept him skirting ever and anon the adjacent Campagne From hence he sent word to advertise the Spanish Commanders that he was gone and since they had not favoured him to with the desired Pass for himself desired that they would at least vouchsafe one for his Nieces which was immediately granted and with much Honour they were served and convey'd to Bovillon by Don Antonio Primentelli and from hence arose the good correspondence betwixt him and the Cardinal which afterward so much conduc'd to the Peace of the two Crowns to which the Elector of Colen contributed much by encouraging Mazarine to so pious and holy a work He went on to Sedan and determined as soon as might be to advance with his levied Souldiers and with those the Mareschal d' Hoquincourt had gathered who had Order from the King to joyn with him and with one Body to enter into France This novelty made a great noise in Paris but alarm'd most the Frondeurs the Parlement and the Dukes of Orleans and Beaufort who being surprised when they least imagined with clamorous complaints gave out that it was a thing not to be endured that the Court should so notoriously infringe their Promise and Word so often given and that the contempt was too remarkable to see themselves so palpably deluded The Parlement therefore decreed that in prosecution of the Judgment concluded four days before against the Cardinal to depute some with a Message to their Majesties to complain of what was acting on the Frontiers against their service by levying of Souldiers distributing of Mony and bruit of Mazarine's return all contrary to the Kings Declaration and his Royal Word for the maintaining of which they should beseech him with all earnestness that the
commotions likely suddenly to arise to the destruction of the Peace and the publick good might be avoided and the Duke of Orleans was intreated to joyn some of his with the said Deputies mutually to importune that the Cardinal might be kept at distance By a publick command they did prohibit all Cities Towns and all those who were in Authority on the Frontiers not to receive him nor give him any assistance upon pain of High Treason Though they reaped small benefit from these deliberations because every one laugh'd at it reputing it mere madness and folly to pretend to controle with scribling and papers where the Kings lawful power was predominant back'd with the strength of Arms nevertheless they were so intoxicated with a most sottish pretension of Authority and so instigated by their Passion that they persuaded themselves that an Order of Parlement was sufficient to bring the whole Kingdom under obedience and so passing from one absurdity to anothet to end this year 1651 the 29th of December in virtue of the aforesaid Declarations of the 7th and 9th of February the 11th of March the 2d and 8th of August last past and of those and some other Parlements against the Cardinal he was by the Parlement of Paris declared guilty of High Treason for returning to Sedan contrary to the Prohibition and for putting himself in a posture to return into France ordering moreover to finish the selling his Library and all the Furniture of his House with the Confiscation of all his Ecclesiastical Emoluments depositing 50000 Crowns to be given to him that should kill him or deliver him alive to Justice petitioning His Majesty in such case to give his Grace to the Assassine who if by his misfortune in giving the blow should not escape but be kill'd himself that his Heirs should be capable of the reward making their account that so great a recompence would invite some desperate Villain to take away his Life a thing never heard of and unworthy to be decreed nay not to be propos'd in a Catholick Parlement the bounds of whose Authority extended no further then to judge of Civil and Criminal causes and not in the least to interest themselves in the Affairs of State It was therefore looked upon with detestation that they should proceed to the condemnation of so conspicuous a Statesman so dear to the King and by His Majesty's Council known to be so advantageous to the good of France and adorned with the Dignity of Cardinal All Europe abhorr'd this Action and every good Catholick was scandaliz'd that the Life of a Prince of Holy Church should be expos'd to sale so acceptable to the King by whose express Order onely he acted And many foresaw that the Authors of these execrable doings though Humane Revenge should fail would find in their season no less then those English who condemn'd their King to death the chastisements of Heaven for the little respect that they bore not only to the Cardinal but also to the King and the Holy Church This Decree as far as could be guess'd pass'd not without the secret intelligence of the Count de Chavigny who believed by such means to hinder the Cardinals return supposing that if the Order had but issued out a little before he would not have enter'd again into the Kingdom The Count was the first that tasted Gods judgment dying a while after in despair conscious of betraying the Court and the Prince of Conde his greatest Confident in one and the same time All this was represented to the Court of Rome supposing that the Sacred College would not allow that such an Example should remain in the memory of the present Age much less be transferred to posterity without those remedies and punishments which belong to the Popes Authority But the Romanists considering that if the success should not answer the attempt the reputation and dignity of the Apostolical See would be too far engaged wherefore they passed it over palliating it with dissimulation for Mazarine had his back-friends in Rome as well as in France and the Pope himself was his Enemy These news coming to the Court they rejoyced at the seditious Parisiens and valued little their words and inconsiderable strength and had frequent Consultations about this business and although few pressed the return of Mazarine yet finding the King was resolved to have him near about him according to the Court custom where they flatter more the Fortune then the Person they began with an affected ostentation to shew that they desired as much some of them persuading the Queen to hasten his return constraining their own inclination that they might appear to be his most cordial friends But Prince Thomas being a little before come out of Piemont into France the Mareschal de Plessis Pralin the Sieurs de la Ferté and Seneterre the Count de Servient the Sieur de Lionne and other Noblemen of a clear Fidelity ingenuous Disposition and true Friends deliver'd their minds with affection and sincerity as also the Princess Palatine the Secretary Tillier recalled to Court by the means of the Marquess de Chasteauneuf and of the Mareschal de Villeroy which vexed those at heart who persuaded themselves that they might be useful in that charge and beheld with an evil eye that Mazarine's Affairs proceeded so smoothly on to his re-establishment They that chiefly opposed his return in the Council were the Marquess de Chasteauneuf who exercised the charge of first Minister of State and deliciously relished the Applauses and the Honours which to it paid Tribute as Rivers to the Sea but he vailed his thoughts with the pretext that yet the conjuncture of Affairs was not ripe for his return because the unseasonableness of it would colour the pretences of the Prince of Conde and of the other Male-contents with the face of Justice and would ferment new grievances and revolutions not only in Paris but in other parts of the Kingdom and said it would be better counsel to seek first to remove out of the way the Prince and his Party that he might return with more security The Proposition truly in it self look'd well and if at that time nothing had been innovated about Mazarine's coming back the Prince had been totally ruined the whole Kingdom standing firm for the King but when it was considered that if while the Cardinals return was delay'd the business of the Kingdom and the present state of Affairs should be mitigated and the Prince destroyed the reasons for his return as a necessary Minister would not have so much vigour as when it might be averred that the King had no person about him sufficient to undergo so weighty a Charge For this reason Chasteauneuf's Opinion did not take place and their counsel was imbraced who supported the Cardinals Interest alledging that his presence was of great importance for the better carrying on the Affairs besides the recruit of a Body of old Souldiers levied by him to hasten the depression
there issued out about 300 Inhabitants who were placed by the Prince to guard certain Posts One part of the Baggage enter'd by the Gate of the Temple and the other by that of S. Anthony The Prince gave the Orders for the favouring and securing their retreat and sent to Monsieur de Louviere Commander at that time of the Bastile in lieu of his father the Counsellour Brussel to cause the great Guns to be discharged upon the Kings Troops which being delay'd as a thing unbeseeming a Subject Madamoiselle came into the Bastile and mounting briskly upon the Wall with an Amazonian courage as if she her self had participated of the glory and danger commanded that in her presence the Artillery should be discharged against the Kings Army which was done accordingly Thereupon Order being given for the Retreat the Horse Foot and Canon march'd forthwith It was thought at the first discharge of the Bastile that it was against the Princes Troops the Parisiens having assured the Kings Ministers that they would not receive the Princes People but afterward perceiving that they shot against the Royallists and that the Inhabitants failing of their promise the Baggage was already safe and the Troops began to enter into the City those of the Kings Party were greatly astonished for the lost hopes of their assured Victory The Kings Generals were no less troubled as well for some reproofs of their slowness and negligence as to see themselves at the very point of their Victory defrauded of their Expectations so that they retreated again to S. Denis The Cardinal being very sad for the ill success of the Enterprise and for the mortal Wound his Nephew Mancini receiv'd of which he died in few days in which time the King with a demonstration of singular affection visited him often as also the afflicted Lady of S. Magrin The Forces of the Princes encamp'd themselves in the Fields of Yvry without the Suburbs of St. Marceau and in two days time sackt all the Villages and Houses for three Leagues about Madamoiselle in this occasion did another mad prank which was seconded by all Paris She stuck a handful of straw upon her head and passing thorow the streets cried that was the sign which they that were not Mazarines ought to wear In a moment not only all the Inhabitants but the strangers of every Nation and of all sorts even to the Religious Men and Ministers of forreign Princes were seen to follow this fashion to secure themselves from the violence and insolence the people used towards those that had not this distinction about them But this was a fore-running Presage of unhappy events to follow for straw-fire being the weakest and the easiest to be extinguisht portended that that Party should suddenly be dissolved like straw-fire into smoke In this manner ended the memorable Fight in the Suburbs of St. Anthony the second of July 1652 in which the quality of the slain and wounded was more considerable then the number The Prince of Conde not at all valuing his own life running now to one place now to another where the fight was most bloody and his men in greatest danger he perform'd the Office not only of a General but of a Common Souldier and oftentimes was at the Graves Mouth His Horse was slain under him he received several shot on his Armour his Cloaths pierc'd through in many places his Feather and Hair burnt and yet to the admiration of all he remain'd unhurt The Mareschal de Turenne behaved himself with no less valour who pressing on with great celerity on every side gave worthy proofs of his experience and skill and he was heard to say that he had received order to go and fight the Prince of Conde But wheresoever he charg'd the Enemy he always found the Prince at the Head of them All the other Generals and Captains behaved themselves bravely And for their extraordinary boldness and famous and courageous deeds of both Parties this was accounted amongst the noblest and worthiest Exploits that ever happened in any Age. The Prince of Conde being grown more confident upon the increased reputation of his Arms he tried to make them declare openly in favour of his Party seeing he wanted money and other necessary assistance to maintain the War But because till that time his pressing instances made to the Citizens had taken little effect who by Mazarines means were daily more and more gain'd to the Kings party he thought as it was famed abroad and the Parisiens themselves fear'd to constrain them by force to do what he desired A General Assembly of the Citizens being to be held in the Town-House at the Greve the 4th of July in the same year 1652 It was resolved by the Princes to make the common people fall upon that Assembly and by putting them in fear bring them to their will All the Officers of the Communalty being come together which might be about 400 of the chief of the City the Duke of Orleans sent the Mareschal of Estampes to the Mareschal de l' Hospital who presided in the Assembly as Governour of Paris to assure him that that morning there should happen no disorder and that he desired that laying aside publick affairs they would consult how to put the Parlement in safety and give time to their Deputies which were gone to Court promising to be himself within two houres at the Assemblie The Mareschal answer'd that it was fit that his Royal Highness should have all satisfaction The Assembly met the Duke came thither at half an houre past four in the afternoon at which time the Greve was full of armed seditious people with straw upon their heads an evident token of some extravagant disorder and a Prelude to the funest Tragedy that followed The Duke being entred into the Hall the Mareschal resigned his Chair to him placing himself upon the Prevost of the Merchands Bench. It is not amiss to observe that the Mareschal having received the Duke at the foot of the stairs seeing him adorned with his bunch of straw told him boldly What your Royal Highness then enters with the mark of sedition into the Kings House The Duke replied he had indeed received that straw but did not approve of it they went up the stairs and Orleans taking his place thank'd the City for granting a passage to his Troops asking them if in a like occurrence they would do it again The Prince appear'd there also and spake to the same purpose The Mareschals Answer was that they should always have the same inclination to their service and when they pleas'd to withdraw they would take it into their consideration in which Speech the Prevost of Merchands concurr'd In the mean time a Trumpet arrived with a Letter with a Seal in which the King ordered that the Assembly should be put off till the 8th of the same moneth The Mareschal caused it to be read and then asked the Princes and the rest of the Assembly if they were
in the mind to obey the Kings Orders The Princes without answering any thing retired judging their Party not strong enough to make them determine on the Union which they desired and coming out of the Parquet so is the Tribunal or place rail'd in where the Lords sit called to accompany the Duke and the Prince the Mareschal was presented by an impertinent fellow with a posie of straw with which sawciness being much incens'd turning himself briskly told him that if it were not for the respect he bore to his Royal Highness he would cause him presently to be thrown out at the window and hang'd upon a Gibbet The Princes going out said that place was full of Mazarines who had a mind to prolong and gain time which occasion'd so great a commotion that the Souldiers of the Princes and the seditious people fell to discharge against the windows and doors Some Officers of the Princes to give countenance to this business had appointed several Musquettiers with their Leaders who having attempted in vain to raise a tumult in some other parts of the City came at last to this place mingling themselves with the people One of the people that stood upon the steps of the Cross in the midst of the place happened in this time to be kill'd by a shot whether by chance or on purpose which much more increas'd their rage and fury every one beginning to cry the Mazarines had made that shot and therefore they ought to kill them all menacing those that were within the Town-house and in this hurly-burly many were heard to cry Union Union and away with the Mazarines and all running with the straw in their Hats like so many possess'd with Furies they began to commit the accustomed insolencies that the indiscretion and bestiality of the rabble are wont to inspire The City-Companies that guarded the Town-house fled presently away which emboldning the seditious more and more they ran to fetch wood from the next boats and set fire to the great Gate endeavouring to get in to commit all the insolencies that blind passion could prompt them to In this danger the Mareschal and divers others undauntedly resolved rather to perish gloriously then to submit and save their lives weakly and dishonorably wherefore they prepared for a generous defence The Mareschal ordered them to make a Barricade of great Pieces of Timber above stairs at the entrance of the great Hall that looks into the Court which was defendde and maintain'd bravely by the Mareschals Guards He gave order likewise to spare their powder till night and in the mean time they should defend themselves with the stones of the pavement but at the same instant the great Gate being burnt and fallen down the seditious assaulted the Barricade where Blancart Commissary of the Princes Army received a mortal wound of which he died a little after with him some other Souldiers of the Princes were also slain While this pass'd the Prince of Conde was at the Palace of Orleans where having notice that the business went contrary to his intention which was to put them in fear but not to carry it on to extremity he intended to transport himself presently upon the place and making them by his Presence to cease the assault oblige those within to acknowledge their lives and safety from him But the Duke to whom it seemed not perhaps convenient that the Prince should hazard his person amongst that mad rabble or whether he thought it not expedient he should gain the good-will of the Citizens by that generous action and himself to bear all the hatred detain'd him by force and in no wise would not permit him to go out of his house so that to his great discontent he was constrain'd to remain quiet Many in this while seeing the imminent danger and excited by fear desiring to get out of the Palace attempted to make their way thorow the thickest of the people several of them were kill'd but some had the good fortune to save themselves without hurt The Duke of Beaufort and the Marquess de la Bollay who were in a house near by issuing out call'd aloud to some of the Assembly by their names saying he came to bring Peace and free them from the danger they were in The Mareschal believing this to be only a trick to get out those of the Princes Party and leave the rest to the discretion of the peoples fury sent to ask him if there was safety and with a constant and stout mind declar'd that they would all have their lives or all perish together The Assault lasted from five a Clock in the Evening till ten at night at which time the Mareschal going to the Barricade found it abandon'd and his Guards retired upon the false report spread that he had made his escape The people thereupon entred sack'd every thing and stript all they met who were glad to part with their cloaths to save their lives The Mareschal not knowing how to get out without being discover'd took the opportunity to put himself among the people and so passed into the next Chamber He had given the Order of the Holy Ghost to one of his Pages to keep and chang'd Hats with him and having on a Coat of a dark colour stood in the midst of them that blaspheming and raging with madness sought him every where and by the Address of a friend of his that call'd him by another name he got safe out At last Madamoiselle being moved to pity for so great a Massacre with her wonted generosity though it was three houres within night went to the Town-house and took along with her the Duke of Beaufort where she quieted the tumult and caused those of the Assembly to pass out safe and unhurt to her great commendation The Confusions and Cruelties committed in this Action served only to put the Prince of Conde in the ill opinion of the Parisiens whence as the second of July was the day of Triumph and height of his glory in that City so the fourth following was the impulsive cause of his fall being the Parisiens could never be got to contribute any money nor to come to an open rupture with the Court complaining generally of the Princes who to abate the ill esteem and to disguise as much as they could the part they had which was very considerable in this deliberation they imprisoned two Complices of the sedition who were also executed The 6th of the same month the Assembly was called again to the Town-house but few went and for all the entreaties the Duke of Orleans made sending thither even his own Swisse Guards none appeared but some few dependents of the Princes The Prevost of Merchands sent to declare that he should come no more to the Councils nor publick Assemblies till the Kings Authority was re-established wherefore Orleans substituted the Counsellor Brussel in that Charge making him take his Oath in forme and the Mareschal de l' Hospital being no more to exercise
his Command of Governour of Paris that dignity was conferr'd on the Duke of Beaufort and this was the first effect of the foregoing violence and the first step the Princes mounted to arrive at their intents The Parlement being afterward convened and although none of the Presidents of the Morter appeared there they did not cease to give Counsel the Dean of the Parliament presiding by way of Supplement The Duke of Orleans propounded four things which he said was convenient should speedily be taken care of The first to take order about the-Provisions and particularly about bread which was risen to an exorbitant price The second the safety of the City and Parlement shewing great displeasure for the accident hapned at the Town-house The third to finde means to retain those that left the City amongst which were several Officers of the Parlement in contempt of the Decree which prohibited them to depart from their Companions and the fourth that it being a great while that the Deputies were kept at Court without being able to obtain an Answer they ought to resolve what was to be done upon these Points It was resolved that the Decrees of the fourth of the same month and others heretofore made concerning the ordering the Provisions should be punctually observed That the Officers should be prohibited to depart from Paris and the Counsellors invited to come and assist in their several Charges Messieurs de Lesne and de Gilbert Members of the Parlement had order to forme a Process against the Riot committed by the People at the Town-house three days before That no publick nor private meetings should be held upon pain of death And because the disorders of the Princes Souldiers were insupportable who sack'd all the neighboring Territory and rifled all that pass'd those High-ways it was likewise ordered to prosecute not only those who cut or sold the corne in the fields but those also that bought it or help'd to convey it away Besides these Decrees there followed likewise an Ecclesiastical Monitory against the Authors and Complices of firing the Town-house and nothing was forgot to soften the Parisiens who were generally offended there being few Citizens that in the late disorder were not concern'd either by alliance or friendship The Prince seeing the small hopes of subsisting only with his own forces and that there was need of speedy help he dispatch'd in all haste a Courier to the Baron de Batteville at S. Sebastian with advice of what had hapned and of the urgent necessity of assistance without which he could not long subsist Batteville sending the Letters into Spain they arrived so opportunely and that it was easie for the Spaniards to supply him with a sum of ready money to finish those enterprizes which without ready coyn they could not bring to pass This was the Arrival of the Plate Fleet from the Indies the 8. of July in this same year which delivered Spain from a mischief which without money could not have been avoided Conde sent also into Flanders to represent to the Ministers of Spain the state of his Affairs And they perceiving the Princes party after the retreat of the Duke of Lorrain not a little weakned and in danger to be suppress'd or forc'd to yield to an Agreement which would prove very prejudicial to their interest they fill'd the Prince with great hopes and large Promises resolving to strengthen his Faction with a recruit of six thousand men under the Command of Prince Ulderic of Wirtemberg General of the German Horse in Flanders to which purpose the Count de Fuensaldagna entring into the Fields and taking the common Rode betwixt the Rivers of Somme and Oyse came under Chauny where the Duke of Elboeuf Governour of Picardy was with many people gathered together out of the Neighbouring Countrey to hinder the Spaniards from advancing further into France but having no Provisions nor the place defenceable they yielded upon conditions that he and his Monsieur de Manicamp his Lieutenant General with some other of the chiefest Officers should march out all the rest remaining prisoners of Warr amongst which there were above a hundred Gentlemen Voluntiers and about 500 Souldiers Officers and some few Horse which were all taken Here the Spaniards stayed several days as well to enjoy the benefits of that fertile Country as to expect a better opportunity to advance towards Paris not judging it prudent Council to give further assistance to the Male-contents while the Treaty was on foot and nigh being concluded lest the Court should condescend ro the Pretences of the Princes wherefore they neglected to answer the hopes given to the Princes and Parlement levelling their aim not to fortifie them so thar they might by their strength make the Court ply to their demands the Ministers of the Catholick King considering that if it should so happen as there was likelihood in stead of adding new fewel to these Civil broyles they should at their own charge and ruine quite extinguish them The time thus passing away without any resolution on this side was spent likewise on the other without any considerable accident for from the 2. till the 20. of July the Kings Army about St. Denis and the Princes without the Suburbs of St. Victor lay quiet without any stirring all those days being spent in Treaties of Peace betwixt both parties The result of which was that the King finally declared that although he did ever believe and still thought that the instances made unto him to send away the Cardinal were only pretexts to colour other designes Nevertheless his Majestie wishing nothing more then the Quiet of the Kingdom he was content to gratifie the Cardinal granting him the favour oftentimes requested by him to retire from Court but yet not until all things necessary for re-establishing the Peace in France should be better settled to which effect his Majestie ordered the Deputies to advertise the Duke of Orleans and the Prince of Conde to send some on their part to discuss the essential points and they in the mean time remaining at Court to expect the resolution from Paris and because some doubt might arise if before or after the Ratification the Cardinal should be effectively withdrawn His Majesty declared he should depart immediately upon the Conclusion of the Treaty and before the Consummation This Affair was variously debated in Parlement The Duke of Orleans said the Answer was ambiguous and contrived to engage them to a Conference to spin out the business That if the Cardinal had really an intent to retire he ought not to have kept the Deputies of the Parlement 15 days for an Answer and in the Interim betake himself to violent resolutions as was that of the second of this Month in the Fauxbourgs of St. Anthony to destroy the Army and afterwards cut the throats of all the Parisiens If he intended to retire there was no need of any other Conference upon this subject for so soon as he should be out of the
Ammunition to the Troops that served under the Princes against His Majesty This Decree was read and published throughout Paris the 27. of September there was also fixed to all the corners of the principal streets a Manifesto of the Assembly made at the Palace-Royal the Contents of which were that His Majesties good Servants and Subjects there met together had no other design then to re-establish Peace in the City which could not otherwise be effected then by the Presence of its lawful Prince and by driving out the Strangers and Disturbers of the publick quiet To this Manifesto was annexed an Edict of the Kings made at Compeigne the seventeenth of the same moneth to this effect that His Majesty being informed of the Perseverance of the inhabitants of his good City of Paris in their right intentions for his service and for the publick good and of their readiness to employ all their power to reduce things to their former estate and to deliver themselves from the oppression they then suffered under by recovering their liberties under his obedience he granted leave to all the forementioned inhabitants and to every one of them in particular and ordered them in case of necessity to take armes to joyne themselves together to seize upon those places which they judged most fit to fall upon those who should oppose their design to imprison the seditious and in general to do whatsoever they should judge necessary and convenient to the re-establishing quietness and perfect obedience towards the King and to reduce the City to its Government according to ancient custome by lawful Magistrates under the Authority of His Majestie who granted them all ample and full power to this purpose In pursuance of these good intentions of the Citizens it was concluded at the Meeting of the six Companies of the Merchants to choose ten persons out of every one of these six Companies and to send them to Court to attest not only their services and fidelity to the King but also to supplicate His Majesty to return to Paris it being so universally desired by all his faithful Subjects The Assembly met again the 28. at the Palace-Royal where the aforesaid Resolution of the six Companies of Merchants being proposed they treated immediately of providing a Guard for the City that forein Forces might not be received in and other Troops that continually passed to and fro and to hinder the sending out of Victuals and Ammunition to the Camp of the Confederates and that they should send to the Colonels to put this order punctually in execution Their meeting at the Palace-Royal was put off till the return of the Deputies of the six Companies of Merchants from Court at which time they hoped to obtain the so much desired and longed for Peace He that was sent to Court before being returned brought with him a new peculiar Act of Oblivion granted by the King to the Inhabitants of Paris excluding the Parliament and the Princes as those who by perverse Interpretations had abused the former He brought also the Kings Letters to the Colonels containing after a fair Preamble express Order to keep strict Guard at the Gates not to let any of the Spanish Lorrain nor Princes Forces to enter nor suffer the carrying out of any sort of Provision for the Enemies Army to search through all quarters and houses where any Souldiers of the adverse party might be lodged and drive them presently out of the City so that by this means every one returning to his due obedience there might not remain any obstacle to his Majesties return assuring them that he would take particular notice of whatsoever they should perform in this juncture of Affairs The Princes and Parliament being advertised of the Assembly of the Message from the six Companies of the Merchants to the Court and of the Kings Letter to the Colonels the same day that they met upon the Duke of Beauforts Affairs concerning the duell with the Duke of Nemeurs they were all of them troubled and so much the more by reason that they had not received any Answer of the Letter written by the Duke of Orleans to the Queen although that the Duke d' Anville had given them notice it was well received and that they should have suddenly a favourable Answer They debated on the prejudice which might happen to their party if the publick and private Meetings and Assemblies of the Citizens tending to open sedition continued as they began and consulted how to remedy them but finding so many difficulties not to be surmounted they resolved to send le Sieur le Talon Advocate-General to the Court to renew the Treaty and decreed to prohibit the Assemblies the wearing of paper or straw in their Hats and they nominated le Sieur Meusnier and Lesné Commissaries to take information concerning those who had been the first Authors of the Meetings at the Palace-Royal and some were of opinion that they should send for le Sieur Prevost to the grand Chamber to give an account to the Parliament of his assisting at that Assembly but this advice was not followed most being of opinion that this business was too nice to be handled without serious consideration In the mean time the Sieur le Vieux and Pierre met the King at Mantes where he was then arrived from Compeigne by reason of the inconveniences which the Court began to suffer in that City and to be nearer Paris that by his Presence he might give more life to the Negotiations They produced their Commissions with all respectful and affectionate supplications testifying to his Majesty the good-will of the people towards his service and to the re-establishment of his Authority They were received graciously and returned to Paris the 28. of September with this following Answer That his Majestie was very well pleased that it was the resolution of the Communalty to establish the ancient Orders and to put every one in their due obedience and commended the decree made by them in conformity to his Commands not to suffer any sort of Provision Armes or Ammunition to be sent out to the Enemies Camp or to permit any Troops of the contrary party to come into the City That he was also well satisfied that Brussel had voluntarily laid down the Office of Provost of the Merchants which he had taken upon him contrary to the Laws and in prejudice of the lawful Possessor and as for the pretended Sheriffs who thought they might lawfully exercise their charge under pretence of leaving it so soon as they should know his Majesties pleasure they could not be ignorant that their Election was very much displeasing to him seeing that he had made it null and void by an Order of Parliament passed in his own Presence of which they had been sufficiently informed and therefore he had reason to take it ill that these pretended Sheriffs after such Advertisement given them of their errour should still continue audaciously to exercise those Offices and did therefore again
he ended this Answer with a demand which he made them to try their good intentions and as a business most necessary which was That the Inhabitants would re-establish in their Offices the Governour the Prevost of the Merchants and the Sheriffs who had been turned out Which being done his Majestie would presently send Orders to be observed in the Town-house assuring the six Companies of Merchants of his entire satisfaction good-will and Protection The Princes the Parliament and the whole Faction were very much disturbed at this Message and as they clearly saw that those of Paris had changed their minds and most earnestly sought for Peace which was not a little destructive to their designs they applied themselves with all industry to finde out means to overcome the Kings Army by force of Arms and make themselves Masters of the Field esteeming this the only way to maintain themselves in Paris while it remain'd deprived of that support which on all occasions it might deceive from the Kings troops But to return to Mazarine who arriving at Sedan and from thence Bovillon out of the Kingdom there wanted not persons who interposed for the adjusting at least of the Duke of Orleans with the Court. The Cardinal de Retz and the Marquess of Chasteauneuf promising to themselves that if once his Royal Highness should return to Court he might by degrees regain His Majesties favour and taking his place again in the Council they should not be left behind To this end with the consent of the Duke of Lorrain the Marquess of Saint Lambert was dispatch'd to the Court to begin the Negotiation But the Queen and the Kings Officers who were attent upon the return of Mazarine and their own security could in no wise consent that the Duke of Orleans a Confident of the Prince of Conde's and a Confederate of the Spaniards should meddle in the Government considering that if the Duke of Orleans with his followers and Adherents should insinuate themselves into the Affairs of the Kingdom there would be more danger then ever of diminishing the Kings Authority for the secure support whereof it is requisite that no Officer of State should depend upon any other then the King himself for these by diminishing the credit of others would endeavour to dispose of all things after their own fancies threatning whomsoever should oppose them to turn all things upside down again The Prince of Conde who was engaged with the Duke of Orleans by the Promise of Marriage between his Royal Highness his Daughter and the Duke of Anguien and thought he went hand in hand with him although he was left out of the Treaty might in time also have made his Peace with those advantages himself desired and the Duke of Orleans had promised Mazarine therefore making prudent reflexions upon considerations so nice who though far from the Court yet directed all things was very sensible how inconsiderate advice this must be that exposed the Government to the will and discretion of others which under an absolute Monarch will admit of no Companion These Affairs being thus on foot the Princes and the Parliament stood much upon the Point that the Act of Oblivion granted by the King did not contain a full abolition and pardon of what had been done in the last five years past nor was expressed in those termes which were desired viz. in general and without conditions but served only for the inhabitants of Paris with design that if they were once satisfied not to matter much the Princes and Parliament They urged therefore that the King ought to give full and irrevocable Authority to the Duke of Orleans to forme another without any exceptions to be ratified in the Parliament of Paris where the Counsellors gone to Pontoise ought to appear and this to be done in the Presence of the King himself for this cause the Parliament met often some Letters were writ by the Duke of Orleans the Duke d' Anville and the Marquess of St. Lambert negotiated with the Kings Council and many things were done the particular relation of which would be too tedeous But Cardinal Mazarine knowing how prejudicial this would be to the Kings Authority by his Advice the granting of Pass-ports was absolutely denied to those deputed by the Parliament already declared invalid holding firm to their first resolutions so that Affairs remained in the same posture as at first each party endeavouring to uphold their own opinions The third of October the Parliament in Paris being assembled to hear what News the Marquess of St. Lambert brought from the Court two Watermen were laid hold of who cried aloud God bless the King and Cardinal Mazarine and were seconded by many others they were led to the prison of Conciergery and Order given to draw up their Indictment as also against divers others who cried the same in several streets of Paris giving out that such kind of Fellows were set on by some that gave them money on purpose to move the people to sedition This News being brought to Court and besides that the Parliament continued to proceed against some of those who met at the Assembly in the Palace-Royal the King with the Advice of His Council passed a Decree upon the fifth of October by which he cancell'd and annull'd all the aforesaid pretended proceedings informations and orders published or to be published imposing severe penalties upon the Commissioners or Judges that should proceed any further commanding all the Inhabitants of Paris to execute His Majesties Orders and Commands In the mean time the Kings Army was at Villeneufue St. George much streightned and pressed hard upon by the Troops of the Princes and their Confederates who were superior in number and in danger either to be forced as they lay or set upon in their retreat seeing that for want of provisions and forage many both men and horses died This troubled the Court very much and above all Mazarine who was the cause that the Army put themselves in that place and doubted some sinister event the winning of the day consisting in keeping the Kings Army near Paris by which means those Practices were fomented which were managed by the Cardinals directions in that City in favour of the King The Princes who understood the importance of this business and that if the Kings Army should preserve themselves all their designs were ruined omitted nothing either to overcome them or reduce them by famine and sufferings to the utmost despair but the nearness and delights of Paris together with the sickness which hapned to the Prince of Conde Wirtemberg and many other of the Principal Commanders which may be truly attributed to an effect of the Divine Providence was the break-neck of their party but besides the sickness of these Princes the Dukes of Lorrain and Beaufort and most of the other Chief Officers with a considerable number of the best Souldiers were also in the City as well for the suspicion they had that the Citizens might rise
multitude naturally inclined to follow what flies them and flie from that which follows them He answered Nogent coldly and desired eight days time to consider of it for he could not nor would not do any thing without the Prince of Conde with whom he was bound in a strict League of Friendship The King being come to St. Clou hearing nothing of the Duke of Orleans his coming to meet him but rather that there was little appearance of it he sent the Duke d' Anville for the same purpose to him whereat the Duke was much perplexed with two great Considerations On the one side he was touched with remorse that he should deny his Affection and due respect to the King his Nephew on the other side his faith fair dealing with his friend the Prince of Conde would be called in question by all the world should he proceed in this perplexity therefore at last he resolved not to stir and it is thought that he took this resolution by the Counsel of Cardinal de Retz who promised to himself that if the Duke were resolved to stay in Paris he might make his party strong enough against the Court by the great number of people his dependents and followers but whether the Duke could not or would not enter upon this design the Proposition was rejected as shall be related A great number of Persons of the better sort besides all the Officers and Magistrates went out to meet the King and returned with him the same night to Paris His Majesty came in late by reason of his staying by the way expecting the Duke of Orleans his Answer not thinking it convenient to come into the City if the Duke did not go out or promise to do so the next Morning At the Gate of the Louvre the King was received by the Cardinal de Retz with a great number of Prelates and other Persons of Quality The Sieur de Sevin was sent the same Evening to the Duke in His Majestie 's Name to give him notice that he should retire to his dwelling at Lemours he made Answer with some resenting words They consulted again what expedient to take some insisted not to obey but that the Duke should defend himself in his Palace in St. Germains suburbs from whence it was no easie matter for the Kings Guards alone to drive him out for they judged that the People would never take Arms against the Kings Uncle especially seeing that a great number of the Parisiens were dependent upon him and on other Lords of his party amongst these was the Cardinal de Retz who was in favour with a great part of the people as well in respect that he was their Pastour as for his liberality in all things and chiefly to the poor He insisted that if the Inhabitants that were affectionate to their party were united with the help that they might receive from those of the Suburbs of Saint Germain they should be able to contest with the Court if in case they should set upon them and upon occasion they might call the Prince of Conde back again with the Army by which means it might so happen that their Majesties to avoid living in the midst of such confusions upon the confidence of the Inhabitants so much given to change would return to St Germains or else the business being brought to a Treaty and this Cardinal entring as Mediatour he should by this means set himself right again at Court and perhaps partake in the Management of Affairs of State which was thought to be the scope of all his Actions The Duke would not embrace this Counsel but resolved to obey and give way retiring the next Morning to Limours with the Dukes of Beaufort and Rohan and other Lords of his party Mademoiselle went to Fargeaux a house of hers near the Loire It was very fortunate for Mazarine that Orleans refused to agree for if after the Agreement he had remained at Paris the people would have thought that all this was brought about by his contriving whereby he would have increased his reputation with the Parisiens and maintained his former Authority so that Mazarine would not have dared to return to Court whilst there was a strong party in Paris against him and especially the Cardinal de Retz who for his generosity was more generally beloved then Mazarine who in his Actions shew'd somewhat of covetousness and was more sparing both in his expences and in gratifying his friends and servants The King therefore being absolutely restored to his full Authority and the Duke deprived of all obedience and a great way from Paris with all his Adherents those happy events which succeeded afterwards were more easily brought to pass The next Morning being the 23. all the Courts of Parliament met in the Gallery of the Louvre except those persons who had not received particular Letters from the King as the President le Bailleul son of the late Chancellour to the Queen and Surintendant of the Finances De Thou and Viole the Counsellours Brussell Genou Portail Brisac Croyssi Foquet Machault and Martineau At this Meeting they made four Declarations the first was for the reuniting of the two Parliaments the second the General Amnesty the third was a Prohibition to the Parliament not to meddle in any matters but civil and criminal according to the Laws and the fourth was to nominate those who were by the Kings ordet to retire viz. the forementioned and Counsellour Bitaut to whom a Letter had been sent by a mistake The Duke of Beaufort of Rohan of Rochefoucaut Frontailles le Bollay Penis the Domesticks of the Prince of Conde of the Dutchess of Longueville the Wives and Children of all those who were then in the service of the Princes and in the places which they held as well in Guienne as elsewhere had order to be gone from Paris and not to return upon any pretence soever without express leave from his Majesty these being the persons accused who always perverted the Parliament and made the people discontent and seditious there were also express orders made against all things contained in the third Declaration The same day the Queen of England and the Dutchess of Chevreuse went to visit the Dutchess of Orleans who remained in Paris by reason of her being great with Childe and the Dutchess of Chevreuse told her from the Queen that she had liberty to stay in her Palace The Dutchess was very much surprised at the Novelty of it and answered in modest expressions that she could not leave the Duke her husband and seeing that she could not take a journey any otherwise in the condition she was in she would be carried in mens arms and prepared for it but she received express Orders from the Duke to stay and not to hazard her life being so near her tâ—â—e which she did and was brought to bed of a Daughter a few days after Prince Thomas went also to visit her and assured her that it was never his opinion at
the Counsel that the Duke should withdraw from Court where if he had appeared he would have been received by their Majesties with extraordinary testimonies of their cordial affections But because it was not thought good that so great a Prince should be left under the notion of the Kings enemy the Wednesday following the Duke d' Anville was sent to Limours to treat with him where the King desiring that Cardinal Mazarine might be comprehended they could not agree the Duke continuing firm in his resolution never to be friends with him more nor to come to Court so long as he should have the management of Affairs but in every thing else he should be ready to give His Majestie all manner of satisfaction The Secretary Tellier and others of the Kings Ministers went some days after to try to gain him but the Duke that he might not seem mistaken in his deliberations would not yield to their reasons and having at length given notice of this to the Prince of Conde by the Sieur de Godovin Field-Mareschal whom he sent expressly to him and receiving Answer that the Prince was of the same opinion with the Duke of it was concluded in this manner that he was contented to live quietly at Blois that he would call back his Forces from the Prince of Conde's Army and unite them to the Kings upon condition that they might not be employed immediatly against the said Prince to whom by reason of the entire friendship that he professed to him he could not be wanting in what unfortunate estate soever he might be cast The Affairs of the Duke of Orleans being concluded in this manner he executed punctually all that was agreed upon and withdrew himself from the care of all worldly affairs applying himself to live quietly and free from all disturbance The Duke of Beaufort went to live at Vendosme and the rest of those who were exiled leaving Paris retired to their Countrey-houses very much grieved but especially when they saw Mazarine triumphant in their misfortunes The President Maison and Counsellour Vedeau proposed to assemble the Chambers of Inquest to treat vpon means how they might protect their Companions fallen into disgrace and gave out that they would rather renounce their places then support a grievance so prejudicial to the publick dignity But the greater part being of another opinion the Chambers met not and Maison being sent for to the Louvre received a sharp reprehension with some threathings which were afterward put in execution for he and Vedeau were also banishâ—d some of these were backward to quit Paris but it helped nothing being constrained to do it for fear of greater violence Only Brussel being old poor and without any Countrey-house did not stir from his in Paris where he remain'd privately saying boldly That he feared nothing because he was guilty of nothing that if the Court desired his life they might take it for he was now old enough and for a year or two more or less he cared very little seeing that the praises of good men have their birth from the bosom of death These expressions made deep impression in the hearts of many of the people whose spirits were not yet quieted and who had not forgot the good-will they had had for him nor their Prejudices against the Court. The Court took no notice of this and made as if they believed he were out of the Town being out of Commerce and sight of the people Brussel therefore remained private and retired in the City although he was banished by name Afterwards there was very good order taken for the Government of the City the security of Paris consisting in winning the affection of the people which succeeded happily by the help of him who governed in a time when by the weakness of the Court they might have expected great misfortunes it was no small marvel not to say a miracle to see in so short a time the fury and indignation of a multitude appeased of its own accord which boasted of nothing more then their firm and immutable resolutions of maintaining their own phrenzies to see the Meeting of the Fronda broken and dispersed the Parliament curbed the most audacious brought low and lastly the King triumphing more by the Power of Justice of his Innocence and Mildness then by the force of his Strength and Authority Whilst things pass in this manner at Paris many new disturbances broke out at Bourdeaux Those of the Faction called de l' Olmiere dismantled the Palace du Ha and committed many insolencies upon those of the Parlement so that there was great disorder amongst them The Parlement sought by all means to keep this Faction under but in vain seeing it was backed by the greater part of the common people Mazarine fail'd not also to use all industry to appease these disorders endeavouring to sow discord amongst them and to render them diffident of one another and in the end obtained his intent as shall be related The Spaniards in the mean-while engaged in the siege of Barcellona failed not to do their utmost for the gaining of that most important place The Cardinal though absent took care that the King gave necessary Orders for the relief of it and the Marquess de St. Andre Monbrun was commanded to march from Piemont into Catalonia with a good number of Horse and Foot which he did with all speed there ensued divers exploits The besieged making a Sally by night out of the gate of Trussana upon the 16. of July 1652. with design to drive the enemy further off assaulted and took the Fort upon the Mountain of Mongirick but not having furnished it with Provision and Ammunition it was attacqued again and retaken by the Spaniards giving good quarter St. Andrew Montbrun had relieved the Town if he had had money enough for Provisions to have put into it and for the maintaining his Army for having happily attaqued the line He entred in but was afterwards forced to retire for want of Provisions and the Horse mutinying by reason of the great hardships they endured the Spaniards took all the places which are beyond upon the Sea-Coast from Palamos to Barcelona and so deprived the besieged of that little which used to be brought in to them by night in small barks so that being reduced to the greatest extremities upon the eleventh of October the Mareschal de la Motte capitulated with Don John of Austria for the surrender and so that City returned again under the obedience of His Catholick Majesty Upon the 21 of October the same year neither the French nor the Savoyards being able to relieve Casal in Italy the Governour thereof Monsieur de St. Angel was constreined to surrender it upon Articles and to put the Citadel into the hands of the Duke of Mantua's Captains who put in a Garrison of his own souldiers laughing at them who imagined and even after the taking of it were so confident to maintain that the Spaniards should have
Arrival of this succour occasion'd the discovery of a notable Conspiracy in that Fortress against the Governour of it the Marquess de la Farre laid by his own familiar friends The Kings forces in Guienne began also to prosper according as those of Bourdeaux began to grow weak by the discord which Mazarine had sown among them The Duke of Candale being sent into this Province as hath been said to command the Kings Forces in the place of Count de Harcourt took the Castle of Poniols and secured Marmende and Aiguillon situated between Bourdeaux and Agen on this side the Garonne set upon and routed some Troops of the Prince seized upon Bastide and other places and by the directions of Mazarine secret Plots were carried on for reducing of Bourdeaux to the Kings obedience But because it was difficult to gain that important and powerful City by force of Armes therefore they made use of Art and Industry Father Faur a Franciscan who was afterwards made Bishop of Glandeves an understanding person and zealous for the Kings service and who had been successfully employed in bringing Paris to its duty proposed the holding of Intelligence in Bourdeaux it self by means of the Fathers of his Order to this effect Father Bertaut Guardian of Brode was sent to consult with Father Itier Superiour of the Franciscans Convent in Bourdeaux who carried with him divers Instructions for the advancement of this design according as they should have opportunity Bertaut being discovered by the Prince of Conty escaped out of his hands with much dexterity having under a dissembling confidence told him many lies to take away from him the true knowledge of their designs and of the Conspiratours But Father Itier was not at all moved at this for knowing himself to be greatly esteemed and loved by the Citizens he hope that in case his Practices were discovered he should be protected by them and the rather because he was assured that many of them were weary of groaning under the Tyranny of the Olmiere which proceeding in precipitous inconsiderate Progresses put their Countrey and Religion upon the point of being ruined by treating with the English to bring them into Guienne it was concluded therefore that there was no means more expedient and more sure them to gain some of the Heads of the Olmiere Mother Angelica Abbess of the Carmelite Nuns gave Father Ityer a fit occasion and discovered to him how that one of the Mothers of her Convent Sister to Villars had communicated to her the good disposition of her Brother to return to his obedience towards the King out of remorse of Conscience and the fear of a miserable end which he had deserved by his great wickedness and therefore he had desired his Sister that she together with the rest of her Companions would pray to God to give him grace to amend his life Father Ityer made no difficulty of confiding in the Nun and procured that she should confirm her Brother in his purpose Villars engaged to restore the City to its obedience if the King would grant a General Act of Oblivion and give him the Office of Procurator and Syndick of the Communalty and the summe of fourty thousand Crowns for himself and those who should be employed in this affair The Court consented to his demands being besought by the said Father they ordered that no injury should be done to the Princes or Princesses This design went forward well and had easily taken effect if Villars unconstant in his resolutions had not discovered the Conâ—piracy which hapned by the vain â—rating of the Sieur de Lenet who making as if he knew although â—ndeed he knew nothing of it at all that there was a new Intrigue carrying on in Bourdeaux in which were many who professed themselves of the Princes Party Villars believing that some of his Companions had revealed the secret to Lenet was in fear of being ruined and therefore sought to save himself by declaring the whole matter to the Prince of Conty saying that he had not engaged in this business but the better to discover it and then to give a more particular account of it to his Highness and that this was the reason that he did not disclose it to him before The Prince answered him that he was well satisfied touching his fidelity and charged him to continue his dissimulation and to observe the whole whole matter that he might learn the Names of the Complices and get sufficient proof against Father Ityer he bound Blerno and Giraut Goldsmiths under a solemn Oath to go and receive the money promised by the King of which there were 1500 Pistols consigned so that upon his examination and deposition Father Ityer was imprisoned and carried before a Counsel where Marsin was President with many of the Olmiere and Officers of the Army and here arose a Contest upon the Point that Laymen had not power to judge Churchmen but they did not long demurre upon it The Prince of Conde and Dutchess of Longueville commanded absolutely that they should not put him to death but that it was sufficient to keep him in prison Marsin and Lenet who sought to inrage people more caused some of the â—abble to cry out Tolle Tolle Cruâ—ifige c. At this rumour some of the Judges were much disorderâ—d and with disdainful countenanâ—es said We are no Jews and â—f you are not Christians you may go and search out some Pilates for we do not intend to dip our hands in innocent blood Marsin was much humbled and composed the difference causing him to be adjudged to an open pennace which Spectacle moved the whole City to Compassion and loaded the Princes party with blame and hatred for the Father being led through the streets with a thousand reproches and insolences from the Rascallity was not at the least disturb'd either at death which they threatned him or at the injuries they did him but walked along with as great an assurance as if he had been going to a glorious triumph This behavior of his so fearless and yet full of humility and patience did so move the Citizens that they were forced quickly to send him back to the prison from whence they had taken him and because they had taken from him the habit of his Order the Dutchess of Longueville detesting such wicked doing gave command that it should be restored to him again and to check the insolence of these people After this they imprisoned a Cousin of the said Fathers a Complice in all his Contrivances whom they put to a strange torture but as if it had been nothing he endured it with an incredible and marvellous constancy nor could they ever draw from him the least word concerning this matter The same morning that Father Ityer was taken the President Dasis Counsellour Bort and Counsellour Castelnaut were also attached and committed to the Castle du Ha and afterwards released upon their words D' Asis withdrew himself from these Intrigues and went
fail to act vigorously in Champagne to ease the Countrey of the enemies Troops where they lay quartered He went to the Army which was reinforced with divers troops took Barleduc and having passed the River of Aisne attached Chasteau-Porcien where the Sieur de Brisson commanded with a strong Garrison of old souldiers which rendred the place very considerable especially it being then the midst of Winter a season improper far Armies to lie in the field This difficulty was surmounted by the affectionate and accurat assistance of the Cardinal so that all labour and hardship seemed light to the souldiery who endured it with as great resolution as they served and followed him with affection In seven dayes he took Chasteau-Porcien had also taken Rhetel and Saint Menhaut if the season had been less sharp and if the Prince of Conde had not opportunely reinforced them with a great number of Souldiers wherfore the Cardinal gave over the thought of them and having put the army into winter quarters made towards Paris being often importuned by their Majesties He was met by the King himself and the Duke of Anjou two leagues out of the City His Majesty received him with extraordinary tenderness and affection took him into his own Coach and coming in at St. Denis Gate conducted him through a great throng of people to the Louvre The Cardinal took up his Lodgings there to be nearer as first Minister of State to His Majesty he was presently visited by the Body of the Town-house and by all the other Orders and Magistrates who declared their acknowledgment for many singular advantages received through his care and that all France was obliged to the conduct of so great a Minister expressing their joy for his happy return Though many thought that how much the more kind they were in outward appearance so much the more corrupted they were in reality there being no greater malice then that which is hid under the mask of dissimulation Yet I who have procured with much accurateness and long experience to instruct my self in the knowledge of â—he nature of those persons of whom I write can say to the glory of France not to have found any Nation less addicted to dissimulation then this which being free and frank of speech thinks little of what is to come and nothing of what is past Whosoever shall consider the contempts and abuses done in Paris to the name of the Cardinal in the month of September 1652. and shall compare them with the honours and welcome he received in the moneth of February 1653. will perceive that the Fine of fifty thousand Crowns which was set upon his head with all the reproches ignominies with which his reputation was wounded were nothing else but the effect of passion which being prudently dissembled by Mazarine served him afterwards to fortifie his right and good intentions and rendred him triumphant over his persecutions making his Ministry still more glorious The same Evening the King caused him to sup with him in the Apartment of the Mareschal de Villeroy and that night was signalized with a great number of Bonefires in the City the next morning as he came from Mass he cast a quantity of money amongst the people as he had done the day before in those places where he passed and after he had received the Visits of the chief of the Court and of other persons of all sorts and conditions he applied himself to the most important Affairs of the Crown On the 3. of February being the same day which he entred Paris he brought with him his three Nieces which were met out of the gate of St. Honoré by the Pincesse of Carignan Louise her daughter by the Mareschall de Guebrian's Lady by the Marchionesse of Ampous and many other ladies of quality These Ladies were lodged also in the Louvre in an apartment by themselves over the Queens Lodgings The King had not conferred any Office or Charge either Ecclesiastical or Secular since his Return although there were many vacant and a great number of Pretenders willing to stay for the Cardinal and give him the honour of confering them He was exactly informed of the deservings of each particular person so that keeping every one in hopes to receive rewards proportionably to their worth he rendred them more ready and zealous to the Kings service The King had passed the Edicts of the new Impositions and dispatched all other things which might sound less grateful in the ears of the people lest that doing them after the Cardinals return they should seem to be suggested by the Minister of State against whom they might renew the pretences of those fault which formerly though wrongfully they had laid to his change so that the Cardinal by His Majesties special favour having the disposal of the Benefices of the Church and divers other offices of the Court and Kingdom he began presently to distribute them to those he judged most deserving and most fit to be employed in His Majesties service detaining a considerable part vacant to keep those that remained at that time excluded in hopes and obedience knowing by experience that the French are as ready to serve when they hope to be recompensed as negligent to performe when they have obtained their desires He conferred the office of Superintendant of the Finances vacant by the death of the Marquis of Vieville upon the a count de Servient Minister of State who had deserved well of the Crown being very cordiall in the Kings service and grown aged in the course of many useful negotiations to whom he joined the Sieur de Fouquet Procurator General who was also made Minister of state a person of great worth for his constant fidelity towards the King whom in all things but particularly in the removall of the Parliament to Pontoise he had served with great zeale so that at this time there was two Super-intendants of the Finances in France as also a Chancellour and a Keeper of the Seal which though it seemed strange yet had been practised at other times and namely under the ministery of Cardinal Richelieu To these Superintendants were joyned four Intendants of the same Finances who were the Sieurs de Paget de Boisleve de Hausset and de Brisaciers besides this he gave good orders for the payment of the Kings revenues to the relief and satisfaction of the Farmers and Cardinal Antonio Barberin coming to Paris at this time the dignity of great Almoner of France was conferred upon him Vacant by the death of Cardinal Richilieu Archbishop of Lions This was done by Mazarin to make his gratitude the more conspicuous and to oblige him he conferred it on more streightly to the Crown esteeming his assistance in Rome necessary for the Interest of France since that Cardinal Francesco his brother had given som jealousie of his intentions having lately done some ill offices in his tart Letters to His Majestie touching the direction of the Government It was discours'd
Preparations for War the Cardinal in the first place caused several sums of money to be paid to the Colonels and Captains of the old Troops for their Recruits and Commissions to be given out for new Levies he thought it necessary likewise to entertain a Squadron of German Horse as Persons very proper for his Incampments and constant to the Party in which they engage to that end he dispatch'd the Count de Nantueil Monsieur Milet Monsieur Gontier Monsieur Gravelle and others into Germany with ready money as likewise the Counts de Grandprè and Beaujeu into the Countrey of Liege And because of the loss of Casal and the Preparations for War which the Spaniards made in the State of Milan where great Recruits were expected as well from Naples as Germany Piedmont was so dangerously threatned that the Duke of Savoy by his rieterated solicitations prest hard for considerable supplies or else to be permitted to enter into a Neutrality with Spain the Court of France dispatch'd into Piedmont 4500 Foot and 1500 Horse which arrived happily in the Month of May at Anone as an insorcement to the French Troops already in those parts under the Command of Count de Quincy till the Arrival of a Mareschal of France who was expected every day And because the Spaniard continued the Negotiations which were begun long before with the Duke of Savoy to gain him to their party or at least reduce him to a Neutrality by their advantageous Exhibitions to which a Minister of that Court appear'd to be inclin'd The King sent Monsieur de Plessis Besanzon his Lieutenant General with the Title of one of his Gentlemen to all the Princes of Italy to Negotiate about the present Affairs of those parts In execution therefore of his Orders Besanzon advanced with great diligence to Turin from whence Having assured the Duke that his Majesty would maintain the Treaty of Chirasco that he would defend Piedmont always protect that State and cause an Army with considerable Commanders to march immediately thither to that purpose he proceeded to Casal where he found the Duke of Mantua at that time and being receiv'd with the honours usually exhibited to the Kings Embassador he contracted his business into two Points One was that His Majesty should be satisfy'd about the interest of Casal and that that place should be put into a condition not to be surprized exchanged or fall any other way into the hands of the Spaniard The other was about the pretences the Ministers of Spain might make under the name of the said Duke of Mantua to Montferrat which was then in possession of Savoy forasmuch as His most Christian Majesty waâ— ready to deposit the sum contained in the Treaty of Chirasco for thâ— discharge of the House of Savo To these two Propositions the Duke replyâ—d That he esteem'd the coming of the said Monsieur du Plessis as a particular favour not doubting but he as a prudent person would apprehend the necessity which obliged him to possess himself of those places and be perswaded that by no accident whatever he should be alienated from that devotion which upon so many reasons and obligations his Highness profess'd to His most Christian Majesty so he hoped also on the Other side he would shew himself so courteous as to convince His said Majesty that he was resolved to hazard his own life and estate and the lives and estates of all his subjects before he would suffer the Spaniards or any other to make themselves Master of the said places That it might possibly be the money for the payment of the Garrison might come out of the Coffers of the King of Spain which yet was more then he knew but however he protested he receiv'd it as coming from the Empress his Aunt and her Sister under whose Authority that Treaty was concluded That whenever he should be repossess'd of that part of the estate which the House of Savoy with manifest injustice detein'd from him and might freely make use of those Rents as he had formerly done and as he had often protested against the Treaties which were never consented to by the House of Mantua as being too much to its prejudice he would maintain that Garrison himself without the assistance of any one and therefore he conceived in that respect it would have been more proper for him to have been sent to the Court of Savoy to have interpos'd his Majesties Authority there and caus'd them without further expostulation to have restor'd what so unjustly they detein'd then to address himself to his Highness who would be more ready to embrace ways of Amity and Peace then of Violence and War which he knew would disturb the quiet of all Italy so much desired and endeavoured by the House of Mantua which would clearly appear to whoever would impartially look back and consider who they were which did really interrupt it and at length he told him that he could not in reason accept of the sum he was offer'd seeing he had not only not consented to but oppos'd the aforesaid Treaties and besides the said sums would fall much short of what was due by reason of the advantages had been made of the rents of it since the House of Savoy had it in their hands Du Plessis had declar'd before both to the Duke and the Marquess de la Val his Highnesses prime Minister that they could not satisfie France any other way but by putting the affairs of Casal and Monferrat in the same condition they were in before his Highness made use of the Spaniards to cause the French to march out But perceiving by their Answers both by word of mouth and in writing that that instance was in vain and believing it would be sufficient for His Majesty considering the importance of the place if it were well fortified and provided with a Garrison independent on the Spaniards and able to keep them out upon any pretence whatsoever he propos'd that to satisfie those ends if it were possible That half the Garrison should consist of the subjects of the said Duke and the other half of Swisses raised in the Catholick Cantons That all of them should remain under the Command and Authority of his Highness That one half of them should be paid by His most Christian Majesty and the other half by the Princes and Potentates of Italy his Allies and such as were most interested in that Affair He considered this Expedient would be a great ease to the Dukes Treasures till a General Peace could be concluded betwixt the two Crowns upon such conditions as should be proper to draw his Highness out of the necessity in which he was at that time of taking money of the Spaniards which was a thing much to the dishonor of those who had so often defended that place against them and might at length produce inconveniences absolutely repugnant to the quiet and security of the said Duke and his subjects John Coexens Secretary to the Emperess
German Horse the remainder of the famous Waymers forces and supported by several strong Towns and Fortresses all firmly devoted to their King Nevertheless as there is nothing deludes the imagination more then a mans esteem of himself the Prince of Condy was so transported with an opinion of his Reputation in France he thought that sufficient to do his business without being troubled to fight for 't This opinion therefore was embrac'd contrary to the judgement of Fuensaldagne who for two secret reasons was really averse The first was that he believ'd the Princes designs were not upon good foundation and if they were it did not consist with the interest of Spain to advance them forasmuch as it was most certain if he reduc'd the Cardinal to any streight he would find some way or other to accommodate with him and then the Spaniard would run great hazard of having him engag'd against them and the troubles in France would cease of themselves The other was that it was not convenient for him to expose the whole Forces of Spain without a certainty of gaining some considerable place and with the hazard of some dangerous disgrace not daring to be too confident in the Prince who was a Frenchman or in the Duke of Lorrain who the Count of Fuensaldagne knew had his ears always open to any Proposition of advantage and might easily be gain'd by the Artifice of the Cardinal These two Reasons reflecting so nearly upon the Prince of Condy and the Duke of Lorrain could not be publickly urged in the Council and therefore the other opinion prevailing the Spanish Army marched towards Cambray from thence to Crevecoeur and came to Chastelet without interruption and so to Fonsomme where the River Somma arises which was but two Leagues distant from the French Camp The Spanish Army comprehending the Prince of Condy's and the Duke of Lorrain's forces consisted of 30000 effective men it was compos'd of Spaniards Italians Walloons Dutch Burgundians Flemins Irish and other Nations who by the diversity of their Languages and customs were the cause of great confusion in that Camp Their Train was very great both for Cannon Ammunition and Baggage Here the Prince of Condy made a halt for several days in the face of the French Camp passing the time in frequent but inconsiderable skirmishes with their Horse which with most exact diligence were kept scouting upon the Roads The Princes hopes were impregnated with strong conceit of his Party in Paris by whose assistance he thought his success would be in infallible but he reckon'd without his Host for the King being there and the Cardinal very watchful against the least insurrection there was not one person durst appear in the City nor one Officer of those which were banish'd who durst venture to come into Paris and head the Male-contents who wish'd the Prince well in their hearts though they durst not shew it his design vanishing in fumo He lost his Reputation among the Spanish Commanders who discover'd him to be without that interest and dependence which he was suppos'd to have in France and which his friends had promis'd upon their Parols Perplex'd therefore and in confusion about the resolution they were to take the Armies confronted one another for several days The Prince of Condy being stronger in number desir'd by all means to come to a general Engagement but the French unwilling to hazard themselves on so great a disadvantage endeavor'd by the benefit of their Incampments and the convenience of the Fortresses they had thereabouts to give impediment to their Progress and make them lose time This posture of affairs gave occasion to the discovery of the valour and conduct of two Captains Competitors at that time in point of Glory and Renown the disadvantage under which the Mareschal Turenne then lay in respect of the disparity of his Numbers making his Prudence in that Juncture more remarkable then his courage But the Cardinals designs proceeded at another rate his principal Object was to reduce Bourdeaux to its obedience he knew very well that to secure this part of the Kingdom would be the safety of the other His judgment was approved by the whole Council and resolution was taken to amuse the Prince on the Frontiers of Picardy or Champagnia till the Affairs in Guienne were dispatch'd where all things tended to a fortunate Conclusion though the means used in the management were not entirely successful The Marquess de Theubon who had defended with great courage and better fortune the Town of Villeneuf de Agenois against Count Harcourt disdaining that Count Marsin should arrogate to himself the glory of preserving that City for that during an inundation of waters which had forc'd the Kings Army further off he had put into it 200 Horse as also because by his Order the Houses of some of his Relations were plundred amongst which was that of Colonges and of the Marquess Dowager of Villefranca which said houses he had taken into protection he came to Bourdeaux to make his Complaint to the Prince of Conty who intreated him to lay aside his animosity at that time and not to think of revenging himself upon Marsin as he had publickly threatned but neiher that nor the giving him 500 Crowns by way of Reparation prevailing he dispatch'd a Messenger to Blaye to negotiate his Accommodation with the Duke of Saint Simon and Vandosme the last of which was newly arrived at that place the Dukes giving the Cardinal Advice thereof were required by all means to bring him off if it were possible and what other of that Party they could This business was of importance and in a fair way to succeed but the Advocate Literie being banish'd in the interim upon some suspitions though nothing was perfectly discover'd that design was for the present laid by Theubon was advised by his friends and by those that were true servants to the King to remain in Bourdeaux to make himself Head of that Party in the Town and never to reconcile himself to Marsin but to study a revenge for if he could be so happy as to kill him he would not only satisfie his private resentment but put a Conclusion to the War and perform an Action extreamly meritorious to the publick Nevertheless being too much taken notice of he departed the Town having first setled there a good correspondence and communicating his thoughts to the Duke of Candale they agreed that advancing the Fleet to Lermont he should endeavor to introduce the Army into the City by the assistance of the Sieurs Mousnier and du Sault both highly disgusted at the Princes Government and by the help of the Counsellor de Bordes exceedingly incensed for having been imprisoned by the Princes Order though he was presently releas'd and receiv'd with great courtesie These three persons were of the chief of the Frondeurs and of great Authority in the Town and therefore with their directions it was no hard matter to compass their design especially
from the walls so that in spight of all the impediment they gave them l' Estrades men made this Progress without any assistance from their Battery which by the negligence of the Cannoneers and quality of the Guns they were shot off but twice The besieged was so amazed at this so extraordinary boldness of the French and so dazled with the lustre of their Armes and the Gallantry of their clothes which were most gloriously trimm'd according to the new Mode at that time that they could not but admire and pay a respect to the very splendour of their Apparel Whereupon Don Joseph Osorio without further Consultation then for his own security capitulated on the third of June and on the 5th march'd out with 800 men with bag and baggage and two Pieces of Cannon but with the imputation of a base fellow and a Coward for by express Order of the King of Spain he was clap'd up afterward at Saint Sebastian though he insisted very much upon his want of Victuals and Ammunition This important Town being in five days time lost in this manner for the keeping of which the Spaniard had parted with great sums of money and fortifi'd and wall'd it about very strongly the Spanish Generals and Commanders were not only dismayed at this misfortune but the whole Princes party were sorely afflicted as knowing the loss of that Town was as it were the Prologue to their future ruine On the other side the Kings Army encouraged by their fortune and success were excited to greater attempts and resolv'd without any delay to fall upon Libourn so that while the Duke of Vendosm continued at Bourg to give out Orders there and dispatch the Artillery and such provisions as were necessary for so considerable an Enterprise Monsieur d' Estrades after two days repose advanc'd that way with 2200 Foot and four hundred Horse by the way he took the Castles of Chavignac and Laubardemont and on the 9th of July passed the River Liste his Foot at Guistres in Boats and his Horse a League higher fording the River at Goustres a Village belonging to the Princess of Conde The next day he took a view of Libourne and having setled his Quarters On the 11th at night the Duke of Vendosm arrived with the Cannon and Ammunition having got happily up the River Dordogne and pass'd all the Enemies fire which was not above Pistol-shot from them by the assistance of the Guns from the Galleys which Convoy'd them under the Command of the Sieur de la Monnery Commissary-General at Sea upon Arrival of the Cannon the Trenches were opened near the said River where the Duke took up his quarters The care of that Post was committed to the Count of Montesson Mareschal de Camp with the Regiment of Britain and a Battery of two Pieces of Cannon d' Estrades commanded the Approaches on the other side of the River Liste by the assistance of the Sieur de Saint Romein with the Regiment of Douglas and another Battery The besieged made a stout Sally on this side but being repuls'd as couragiously they thought it not convenient to sally any more The two Approaches were so vigorously carried on that on the second day the French possest themselves of two Half-Moons in one of which they took 17 prisoners not long after a breach being open'd on the Dukes side and the Mines ready to spring on Monsieur d' Estrades the 17. of July in the Morning the Town beat a Parly and desir'd the same Conditions had been given to Bourg but the French not thinking fit that Libourne should be equall'd with Bourg refus'd their Proposals at length it was concluded the French and Irish Souldiers should be Prisoners of War the Officers should have liberty to return to their own Houses and that twelve of them only should be allow'd to march away with their Baggage The Town being surrendred the Soldiers both Horse and Foot to the number of about 800 took up Arms voluntarily and listed themselves in the Kings service The Justice of the Kings Cause was most remarkably visible in the facility wherewith these two strong places were reduc'd by his Majesties forces Where the diligence and Conduct of his Officers were no less conspicuous especially in the taking of Libourne which though there were 800 select men in the Town was attaqu'd and taken by 2200 Foot and four hundred Horse The rest of the Troops being imploy'd part about the Posts of Castillon and Montreal and part in Parties sent out by the Generals Order upon advice received in a Letter of Marsins intercepted and disciphered importing that supplies were sending from Perigort and Quercy under the Command of his Lieutenants for that Place which being of great importance for the supporting of Bourdeaux was fortify'd and provided with all things necessary for a long Siege This second loss succeeding as it were upon the Neck of the former put the inhabitants of Bourdeaux into great apprehensions The Princes party began to lose much of their former reputation the people perceiving that instead of the promis'd releif they were to expect nothing now but misery and destruction The Townsmen had several Assemblies and having examin'd Affairs they found clearly that without present supplies there would be no possibility of holding out long and forasmuch as these supplies could not be expected any way but from Spain or England they dispatch'd their solicitations to the Court of Spain for their promis'd and seasonable relief nor did they forget their Addresses to Cromwell to implore his assistance to open a Passage into the River and preserve that City which might recompence his Compassion with so many advantages to the English Nation But the Spaniards who were willing enough to have gratify'd their desires wanted forces to give them any vigorous assistance in so many several places The English who were better able were not so well inclin'd for Cromwell being to establish the Authority he had usurped thought it not suitable to his interest to engage in any quarrel against France and besides the Cardinal ceas'd not in the mean time to puff him up with other thoughts of more advantage to his Person The Cardinal well-knowing that Expedition is the Mother of success and foreseeing that in time either the Spaniard might be strong enough or the English willing enough to attempt its relief sent Directions to the Generals to apply themselves with all imaginable industry to the reducing of Bourdeaux and therefore having taken Libourne the Royallists took up their Quarters as near the Town as they could to cut off all Communication with the Countrey The Duke of Vendosme kept the Castle of Lermont commanded all the Countrey betwixt the two Seas and with the Fleet block'd up the River The Duke of Candale with his Troops dispos'd into the principal Passes was Master of all the Avenues back'd by Caesars Fort the Town of Blanqufort and a strong quarter at Begle by which means he cut off all supplies on that
side from whence they had been formerly reliev'd The Count Marin was sent to possess himself of the Forts of Testa and Certes But though the Cardinal was not insensible that force was the most secure way of reducing that Town to obedience yet considering very prudently it was like to be the longest he began to think of some other way to bring them to a voluntary submission to which end he sent particular instructions The House of Espernon by a long residence in those parts having made many creatures and gain'd much upon the affections of the people contributed exceedingly to the Duke of Candale renewing his Practices with the well-affected Citizens in the Town By the help therefore of their Friends and Confidents there being several others dispos'd also to peace they esteem'd it convenient to take such measures as were most likely to succeed The throng of Countrey-people which were retir'd into the Town increas'd their scarcities very much the corn was conceal'd very dexterously in particular houses the building or repairing of their Mills neglected and the other Machines laid as on purpose out of the way so that their meal failing and the Bakers unable to furnish Bread for such a number of people that coming in great multitudes to receive their distributions began to believe that their necessities would be great and that it was therefore time to think rather of the publick safety then of their private interest Besides this the care and Government of the Hospitals was utterly left off and the poor people sent to their doors who were suppos'd to be the most concern'd in the Continuation of the War and this was done that by their miserable clamours and importunitys they might be brought to consider that not being longer able to contend with those calamities their best way would be to moderate the Obstinacy which caused them The sight of these Troops of poor creatures sighing and begging at their gates who where esteem'd the authors of the War had a wonderfull influence to dispose them to peace whilest they began to feare least those very poor people of whom they had made use for raising those desturbances should fall uppon them and pillage their houses It was also proposed to the Religious orders to expose the Holy Sacrament in all the Churches of the Towne veiled with black to signify that God Almighty was displeas'd with and detested that Rebellion But the Counsellors of Parliament and the Princes suffer'd it to be expos'd in the great Church only to imply that they desired of God a General peace which was the pretence they made vse of to foole and delude the poor people In this kind of destraction they continued till Wednesday the 9th of July 1653. Upon which day after divers private conferences several Marchants mett publickly upon the Exchange and declared it was high time for them to shutt up their Shops seeing they were not like to have any more Trading during the Wars The Prince of Conty having private intelligence of these Murmurs made a publick Cavalcade thorow the City but went no further The next day a certain person call'd de Bas being by his Order apprehended for crying out Peace Peace before the Palace of Judicature all the Neighbouring quarter took up armes and demanded to have him released This de Bas had private Consultations with a conventual Minim call'd Friar Romein who holding correspondence with the Count d' Autenil shew'd a certain writing to several Citizens which he said was from the Prince of Conty wherin he gave them liberty to meet to give him advice of what passed relating to his party but this Affair had another intent for the Friers design was to discover by this means which were the Kings good and bad subjects and the good Citizens perceiving it they proceeded reservedly in communicating things of importance to the Friar The reputation therefore this de Bas had in the common opinion was the cause the Citizens were so obstreporous for his enlargement as to threaten a Commotion without immediate satisfaction The Prince of Conty and Marsin with the greatest part of the Nobility and Officers in the Town got on Horseback forthwith the City-Companies whose Captains for the most part were of the Faction of the Olmiere were commanded to their Arms but the Butchers led up by one Gilbert and Master Isaac arm'd with Musquetoons and other weapons cried out for Peace and that if any one had any particular disgust he should revenge himself with his own hands as he could and not endanger the Lives of the whole City A Hollander that had House and Family in the City told Marsin to his face that they knew how to die but not unreveng'd and that their deaths would not trouble them so they died free-men At this being all amazed it was concluded that all the Olmeisti should meet in the Town-house after dinner where several things were propos'd and the plurality of Voices concurr'd in this to assault the Citizens inhabiting the Quarter towards Rochel and the New-street and to bring down the great Guns against them The Prince of Conty was of a contrary opinion and thought it better to expect the judges and Consuls of the City who were coming to beg of him with great submission that he would not suffer the good Citizens of the Town to be abus'd and ruin'd in compliance with the Olmieri who were about him and had threatned to plunder their houses The Merchants appeared before him and intreated for Peace as the only probable way to prevent greater disorders The Prince reply'd That he would not subject any body by compulsion though it was easie for him to do it but if they would remain constant to the service of his Brother the Prince of Condy and himself he would protect them and their interest and by their unanimity all the difficulties would easily be overcome which their dissentions increased and rendred past Remedy and that he would advise with his Counsel what was best to be done in this Affair During these tumults at Bourdeaux the Count de Fiesco had his Dispatch at the Court of Spain and imbarking in a Frigat at St. Sebastian he arrived at the Port Testa di Bus where at his landing he found all the Citizens in Arms for the Kings and had much ado to escape but his Ship remain'd at the discretion of those Bores who took it and all that was in it making use of their Artillery against the Forts of la Teste de Bus and Sertes which were Garrison'd by the Princes Souldiers to keep open the passage for those that went and came from Spain To these Countrey-men the Count Marin joyn'd with 600 Foot with which recruit in five or six days both those Posts were taken The Count de Fiesco arriving at Bordeaux the twelfth of July went immediatly to the Town-house with the Prince of Conty where with great Rhetorick he magnify'd the power and greatness of the King of Spain and
Dance and not only disposed the mindes of the Inhabitants but observing what pass'd gave intelligence to Father Bertaut who follow'd the business whilst Ythier was sick Besides this another private Treaty was set on Foot with the Irish of that Garrison But the Governour not fully confiding in that Nation disgusted with those that had ordered them thither and not satisfied with those that had receiv'd them kept so vigilant an eye over them that having a suspition of some design he caus'd their Officers to be secur'd and disperst the Soldiers amongst his own companies he most trusted The Duke of Candale who was too Generous to approve of a victory obtain'd by Circumvention or treachery could not endure any such dishonorable ways but resolv'd to besiedge that City and reduce it with his Sword in his hand according to the more Glorious methods of War He had already caus'd the Artillery to be embarqu'd and dispatch'd the Marquess de Sovebeuf with part of his Troops commanded by the Marquess de Cavillac and the Count de St. Germain to invest it But the Citizens knowing how prejudicial it would be to expect a formal Siedge resolv'd after the example of the Bourdelots to betake themselves to their Arms and force the Guard of the Gates out of the hands of the Garrison The Governour having notice of their design and being at that time in Treaty about leaving the Countrey upon condition he might be permitted to march with his Troops to the Prince of Condy his Master he drew up all his men immediatly in the great Market-place and his head being a little hot with wine having been at a Wedding-dinner he went haftily accompanied only with his Page and one of the Consuls of the City to the house of Budan the Kings Attourney to demand the reason how they curst hold such private Assemblies without his cognizance and permission when he came there they repuls'd him very rudely and told him there was no such Assembly but he pressing on to enter by force some of the Attourneys friends discharg'd their Firelocks upon him so that he fell down dead in the place upon which the Inhabitants taking heart they issued into the streets arm'd crying out Viva il Ré e la Pace Long live the King and the Peace and dragging his body about in a most barbarous manner The Soldiers were in no small confusion upon this accident the Officers could not keep them together nor oppose them against the fury of the people they running from their colours some one way some another insomuch that the City remain'd entirely in the Citizens hands without further obstacle who immediately dispatch'd a Messenger to the Marquess de la Douze to desire a Passport for their Deputies to wait upon the Duke of Candale from whom they desired the benefit of the Amnesty and to return to their obedience to his Majesty as they accordingly did one of the most seditious amongst them being hang'd up several others banish'd and the Officers and Captains of the Quarters chang'd Villeneuf d' Agenois proud that they had resisted the Count de Harcourt and defeated his attempts emulating the fury of the Olmiera of Bourdeaux and in imitation of those inhabitants they listed several Companies boasting to defend their liberty To suppress their insolence the Kings forces under the Command of the Marquess d' Aubeterre approach'd the Town at the time when their grain being ripe with which that place does exceedingly abound the Inhabitants were preparing for Harvest so that the Citizens foreseeing the loss of their Revenues and that they could not live happily being deprived of their estates they preferr'd the fear of misery before the ambition of liberty and sent Deputies to the Prince of Conty supplicating him to send them succour or make their Peace But Bourdeaux having already capitulated and the Prince of Conty laid down his Arms and retir'd to Cadillac they began to treat with the Conte de Vaillac and afterwards with the Duke of Candale who sent thither la Ribere a Counsellour of State and Commissary of his Army with whom their Amnesty was concluded upon condition that their walls should be pull'd down their fortifications demolished and the Citizens who had bin too busie and pragmatical to pay 4000 Pistols besides to deliver 20 persons prisoners to be dispos'd of as the Duke pleas'd two of which were hang'd presently Dureteste also arrested by Order from the Count d' Estrade was executed at the same time Whilst the Duke of Vandosme and Candale were proceeding with great sweetness and Moderation towards the settlement of Affairs in Bourdeaux they omitted not to watch over the Actions of some perfidious persons who became more savage and brutal by how much the Generals repleat with all vertue used them with more then ordinary kindness and courtesie Sir George Cartret an English-man had intelligence that one Edwards sent by the Parliament of England lay privately in a certain place in the Town blowing up the coals of Rebellion which were not quite extinct but lay still glowing in the hearts of some seditious people About the same time a small Felucca was taken casually with Letters from Lenet to the said Edwards inviting him to a Counsel which was to be held aboard the Spanish Admiral Two Citizens of Bourdeaux were apprehended likewise with Letters from the said Lenet to several persons in the Town and particularly to certain Ladies By all these Discoveries it being sufficiently clear their design was to reunite with the Spaniards and to revive the hopes of the Frondeurs which were not yet quite extinguish'd the Dukes were more vigilant then before and applied themselves with all imagineable diligence to find out fit remedies for these wounds which were not yet well closed After the Procession of the 15. of August Espagnet was imprisoned and sent with a good Guard to the Castle of Angoulesme Passports were given to several persons suspected to contrive new troubles to remove elsewhere among which were the Counsellors du Duke de Manvesin and la Chese Some Troops were commanded towards Merau to be imbark'd if need were in the Kings Ships in order to the ingaging of the Spanish Fleet which was then at Anchor within sight of Royan a small Town but of great strength and importance having Xaintonge on its right hand and the Country of Medoc on its left Other Souldiers were sent into Xaintonge where the whole Countrey was in Armes apprehending the landing of the Spaniards in those parts And all Inconveniences were with such diligence prevented by the order of Mazarine that the Rebellion could by no wayes take Footing again nor disturb the peace and tranquillity of the Bourdelots Who being grown wise at their owne cost had found that the worth and excellency of good Orders is not to be discern'd without a sence and experience of disorders The HISTORY of the Managements of CARDINAL MAZARINE Part II. Lib. II. AFfairs going on in this manner in Guienne
with such advantage to the King and glory of the Cardinal whose fortune appear'd more and more favourable to him in all his Enterprizes In the other parts on the Frontiers of Flanders the Armies encamp'd themselves with different designes The Spaniards with the Prince of Condy trusting in the greatness of their force which consisted of 30000 fighting men extended their quarters and lay at large seeking to allure the French Army to a Battel because if they obtein'd the victory they hoped to advance to the very Gates of Paris to encourage those as were dispos'd to sedition to create new troubles before the Affairs in Guienne were compos'd to the advantage of the King and by forcing their way into the heart of the Countrey to fill the whole Kingdom with horrour and confusion The number of their Counsellors being great the opinions were various what course they were to steer to bring their designs to a happy issue For though the Prince of Condy stood firm in his opinion of marching to the Seine without engaging in any tedious Leagure yet the Spanish Captains were backward in concurring with the undaunted thoughts of this warlike Prince as being fearful to engage their Army in some desperate Affair or puff up the Prince with too much glory of whose instability as a French-man though their experience since has convinc'd them of his constancy it appear'd they were not a little jealous after various consultations upon the best and most seasonable expedient it was resolv'd all ways should be tried to force the Enemie to a battel and according to the event of that they might proceed afterwards to other resolutions With these designes the Army advanc'd facing the French for several days and parted only by the River Oyse The Mareshal de Turenne though in number inferiour to the Spanish Army out of the greatness of his courage would with all his heart have accepted of the Combate but his generous Spirit was restrain'd by the mature experience he had gain'd to his great glory in 22 Campaigne's in which though young he had always the Principal Command besides he was with-held by express orders from the Cardinal who considering very wisely that the fortune of the whole Kingdom depending upon that Army they ought not to expose their past labours their present condition and their future hopes to the hazard and uncertainty of a Battel with so much disadvantage wherefore in this case following the example of that politick Roman who by his cunctation and delays destroy'd the Army of the Carthaginians He contented himself to Alarm the Enemies Camp now in the slanck now in the Front now in the Rear and by forcing them somtimes to keep close somtimes to hasten somtimes to retard their March reduce them to a scarcity of provisions and finally to frustrate all the designes they had contrived against France But their being in the Mareschal Turenne no less then in the Prince of Condy an ardent and immense desire of glory he could not satisfie the fervour of his mind if in so conspicuous an occasion he gave not some proof or testimony of his valour He past the River therefore one day with 7 or 800 Horse and joyning with his main Guard which was kept on the other side he fell upon the Enimies Guards at the head of the Fens of Fonsomme and charg'd them so briskly that he beat them into their main Body took several Prisoners and return'd with great honour to his quarters In the mean time the King the Cardinal and the whole Court arriv'd at the Army the 24. of July where he was received with extraordinary applause there being drawn up in excellent Order an hundred Squadrons of Horse and 18 Battalions of Foot in all about 16000 old Souldiers well inured to the Warres with a great Number of experienc'd Officers and Reformadoes The Mareschal de Turenne being willing to entertain the King with the sight of a Skirmish very much desired by his Majesty who is naturally Martial He forded the Oyse with his light Horse Gens d' armes and about a Thousand other select Horse and fell again upon the same Guards of the enemie and beat them back The Prince of Condy being confident that upon the arrival of the King the French Generals would dispose themseves for a Battel he put his Troops in Order and stood firm observing their motion till the King was retreated and understanding afterward it was but a party of Horse he was much troubled he had not advanc'd and try'd his fortune in a charge The King remain'd all that day in the Camp animating every body with the Majesty of his presence and filling them with an impatient desire of signalizing themselves in his service He dined at the Mareschal Turenne's with a great number of his principal Officers who had the honour to be called by his Majestie to his own Table He supped with the Mareschal de la Ferte Seneterre in the same order and return'd to lodge in the Mareschal de Turenne's Quarters in the midst of the Army The Cardinal having given the Generals Orders and Instructions how they should regulate themselves that Campagne return'd with the King to Paris Two or three days after the Kings departure the Spanish Army quitted their Posts and took their March directly towards San Simon and at Serocourt pass'd over the Somme The French Army follow'd them by the way of la Fere and quarter'd at Chery and Maiau and pass'd the Oyse at the place where it formes it self into a little Island and a little above Verduel and Trauessy they drew into Battalia from whence they march-to Fargny where they encamp'd observing always the enemy that they might not have time to sit down before any place and entrench themselves which was their design after they found how difficult it was to draw the French to an engagement The Prince of Condy suspecting that Turenne would fall upon his Rear as he was passing St. Simon he march'd through with all speed and lodged within a league of Ham doubting he would attaque that most important place scituate upon the Somme betwixt St. Quintin and Peron This sudden motion obliged the French Generals to advance to Chauny a Town upon the Oyse and from thence to Noyon the chief City of a County upon the same River with a strong wall about it and well-peopled where they made a halt for some days while the Spaniards facing them the Prince of Condy pass'd with six thousand men at Magny and march'd from thence to Roye and approaching it in three several places he forced it to surrender Turenne hearing what had pass'd and suspecting he might surprize some of the Towns upon the Somme he advanc'd to Magny Condy designing against Corbie pretended to march with part of his Army towards Beauvais to draw the French Army from their Post and at the same time to invest Corbie Turenne who by long experience understood the Arts of the Prince and knew very well
nor by the Prince but by a third person Chosen to that purpose by them both The Duke of Lorrain pretending that by the ill Air of that place his Troops were grown sickly and died daily on a sudden without the least intimation to the Arch-Duke he March'd off with his Forces to the great wonder and astonishment of the other Generals for without his forces which made up the third part of the Army if the French should attempt the relief of the Town they might easily effect it and force them to raise the Siege not without great danger of a further disaster wherefore the Count de Fuensaldagne followed the said Duke who was already some leagues off and overtaking him at Mariambourg with much ado perswaded him back to the Leagure The first Salley the besieged made was upon those that were lodged on the Countrescarp towards the point of the Half-Moon by 60 choice men arm'd all of them with a kind of Syths upon strong staves with which having entred the work they cut all in pieces that were advanc'd the most forward after this Salley another Captain issued out with 45 men and two Granadeers and entring into another work advanc'd by the enemy against the Bulwark of Chene under the Pallisadoe to facilitate their passage into the ditch they put all they found within it to the sword Yet notwithstanding such brave opposition the Besiegers ceas'd not to double their strength advancing to the Wall of the Bulwarks to open a breach with their Mines come to an assault In the mean time the besieged made another Sally upon the Spanish quarter doing them great mischief and taking Prisoners a Lieutenant Colonel with a Spanish Captain The besiegers some few days after opening a way into the Foss they pass'd it by the help of two Bridges of Bavins and gave fire to their Mines under the aforesaid Bulwarks one of which prov'd ineffectual by the diligence of those that were within the other took effect at the Bulwark of Chene where the Governour received a wound in the Head by a Musquet-shot who notwithstanding caus'd himself to be carried up and down in a Chair where his Presence was most requisite Two breaches in the mean time were made in the front of these bulwarks and furiously assaulted by the Spaniards and as stoutly defended by the Garrison The same night the besiegers were repuls'd in another assault upon the half-Moon yet not so but that they lodg'd themselves at the point of it carried it afterward for they within not being able to defend it any longer thought best to abandon it especially there being no Port of Communication which made them doubt that if it hapned to be forc'd all those men would be lost of which they stood in need The Governor having taken a review of the remainder of his men fit for service and finding they amounted not to 300 and seeing the breaches open in the bulwarks and another Battery began upon the Courtin which had no defence without nor water in the Ditch That same night the enemy was ready for the assault he resolv'd to capitulate which was concluded on the 30th of September and on the first of October he march'd out with 220 Souldiers with honourable conditions and was convoy'd to Charleville This Town was deliver'd into the hands of the Prince of Condy garrison'd by his souldiers and the Government of it given to the Duke d' Anguien his son which gave some resentment to such as were truly for the interest of his Majesty of Spain who discoursing politickly among themselves said that they had lost Mouson and not gain'd Rocroy for it remaining in the Princes hands would serve rather to foment his pretensions and facilitate his reconcilement with the Court of France then to augment his affection to the service of Spain Rocroy being taken the Spanish Army remain'd there for some days to demolish their lines of Circumvallation and make up the breaches and finding themselves much weakned and harrass'd with that siege they retired into the countrey about Avennes to refresh themselves the Prince remaining at Rocroy being fallen ill of a quartane Ague The Mareschal de Turenne having taken Mouson as hath been related left in it a Garrison of 600 Foot with the Regiment of the Count de Grand Pre giving him the Command of it and passing the Mose march'd directly towards Meziers and whilst he lay there he had News of the Surrender of Rocroy At the same time the Count de Novalles advanc'd to Vervins with 1500 men and having taken it Mareschal Turenne March't to Aubigny to observe more narrowly the motion of the Enemy and obstruct their attempting of any other place and here he rested for some days Whilst he was at Meziers he sent the Marquess d' Uxelles with 1200 men towards the Castle of Bousancy which not being capable of relief from the Garrisons of Stenay and the adjacent Towns by reason they were watch'd with a Party of Horse under the Count de St. Maur it surrendred before the Cannon came up The King was come from Paris the first day of September and after a short stay at Amiens removed to Soissons the 30. of the said month and thence to Laon in order to the relieving of Rocroy which he had a design to have attempted and to that purpose the Duke of Elbeuf was call'd out of Picardy who with 3000 men lay quartered in those parts to which the King joyn'd the greatest part of his Guards but the Surrender hapning before all the Preparations were ready those thoughts were laid aside and chang'd into another resolution taken up by the Cardinal with great undauntedness and courage He judged it very convenient for the King to go to Amiens whilst Affairs were in that posture to cajole the Duke of Chaunes out of that City and Cittadel who had insinuated himself into the possession of that place after the death of his Brother and as was doubted would keep it contrary to the desire of the Kings Counsel and thought the said Duke having a considerable estate in France and his mind well compos'd to the service of the King was suppos'd to have no other intent but to create a jealousie in the Court thereby to addvance his fortune which Arts are no where practised so much as in France nevertheless it was judg'd no ill piece of policy to secure themselves against the least suspicion of a person who by the Variation of his mind might contribute so largely to the prejudice of his Soveraign And though the said Duke had sent to the Court the Letters which were writ him by the Prince of Condy full of invitations and promises if he would engage on his side yet the Cardinal look'd upon it as a Seasonable piece of service to make sure of that important place considering how unstable the minds of men are and particularly of that Nation in whose brains there always boyls a certain vivacity more turbulent
to a battel on which depended their hopes Grancè sent out the Marquess of Monpesat his Lieutenant General who had the Command of the Rear to possess himself of the most advantageous ground and having drawn up the rest of his Army himself in a large field reaching to the Neighbouring Hills He advanc'd with 4 Squadrons to descry the enemy and having discover'd that Caracene began to pass his men over upon a Bridge of Boats followed by the Infantry under the Conduct of Don Vincenzo Monsuri and that the Horse foorded the River a little beneath led by the Duke de Sesto General of the Gens d' Arms and Count Geleazzo Trotti General of the Neapolitan Cavalry He thought it best not to give the Spaniards time to finish their Passage but by possessing himself first of the Field to necessitate them either to retire or to engage upon disadvantageous termes he caused therefore his main body to advance with all possible speed Caracene not being able to prevent the French by reason of the slowness of his men in passing the River and the loss of two houres time in staying for the Bridge resolv'd to expect them under the Advantage of the Posts where he was and because he had not time to draw into the Plain and the ground being somewhat strait on that side the Tanaro accommodating himself as well as he could both as to his time and his ground he drew his Horse into Squadrons behind his Infantry Thence he possess'd himself immediately of two Cottages placing there the Tertia's of Don Luigi Benaudes and Don Inigo de Velandia and in the space betwixt the two Houses the Regiments of Don Giuseppe Velasco Don Diego d' Arragon and of Beltin with design to have united them by a branch of a Trench which for want of time could not be perfected The Mareschal observing the posture of the enemy and perceiving that by the advancing of his Van he might put the Spanish Camp into some disorder by the advantage of the hill though without Musquet-shot and provided only with two little Field-Pieces he drew his Army into two lines with all possible expedition The Marquess of Monpesat had the Command of the right Wing consisting of the Regiments of Navarre Perault Aiguebonne the Kings Swiss-Guards the Squadron of the Mareschals Guards the Regiments of Orleans Feron of Prince Maurice of Savoy Marcoussè Ferues and Epinchat The left Wing was commanded by the Marquess de Vardes with the Regiment of Foot of Orleans Lionnois and Quincè and of Horse there were the Regiments of St. Andrè Brigy and Villefranche on the left hand of which stood all the Companies of Voluntiers the Cavalry of Savoy under the Command of their General the Marquess de Monte of Verona to whom were joyned the Infantry of the Regiment of Monpesat and Villa Lieutenant-General of the Savoy Horse In the second line stood the Regiment of Saux as a Reserve to the Regiment of Navarr with the Regiment of Carignan de Sault and on the left the Regiment of Grancè sustein'd the Regiments of Orleans and Lyennois having with them in the same line the Guards of Savoy the French Gens d' Armes with the Regiments of Ris Deoncly and Saint Agnan In this Order the French advanc'd and with great fury charg'd three Companies of light Horse and some parties of Foot which appearing upon the top of the Hills were repulsed as far as the Battalions of Benavides Velandia and Beltin by whom the French were received so couragiously both with Pike and Musquet which flanked them thorow several holes of the Cottages that Monpesat finding it impossible to advance further made a stand The French resolv'd to possess themselves of a little Church or Chappel towards the River about some 20 paces distant from the little Houses where Caracene had placed two Files of Spanish and Italian Musquetiers with Orders if they were attaqu'd to retire to a body of his drawn up hard by compos'd of the Tertia's of Don Carlo d' Este Don Giusippe Brancaccio Danel Assy Count di Santi lana and some foreign souldiers of the State of Milan Grancè caus'd the said Chappel to be Assaulted by 200 Foot seconded by some Horse which was immediately taken the Musquetiers retiring according to their Orders to their main Body which stood firm in their Post He sent out after them his Company of Gens d' Armes who advanc'd within 30 Paces of the Trenches on the Spanish left wing and as the same time he made a brisk charge with his Foot hoping that if he could disorder the Enemies Battalion the French Horse might fall in and put them to an absolute rout but meeting with a certain torrent of Waters which in that place falls into the Tanaro the Horse were forc'd to stop their carreer In the mean time the Troops of Savoy made their charge betwixt the River and the right Wing of the Spaniards which was the most open place where at the first volley of the Enemies Masketiers the Marquess Monte a person of great Conduct and experience and of great same for several valiant Exploits was shot in the Head and died immediatly The Marquess Villa had a slight wound in the Arme and was afterwards made General in the place of the said Monte the Count de Medavid son of the Mareschal and the Sieur de Boussy Mareschal di Battaglia and several other Officers were hurt Whereupon Grancè observing the resoluteness of the Spaniards animated by the presence of their General Caracene who according to the example of an excellent Captain kept still in the front among his first Files thrusting himself forward where the danger was greatest commanded up his second line with two small peices one of which was disabled at the first shot by the breaking of the Carriage the French continued shooting with the other but to so little purpose That being repuls'd in all places at length about Sun-set their fury beginning to abate for want of Artillery and Amunition it being observ'd that the Swissers for want of leaden Bullets had shot away most of their Pewter-buttons off their doublets they retreated to the Hill where and the next Morning took their March towards Montemagno and Granai There were slain of the French in this Engagement besides the Marquess de Monte 4 Captains and several other Officers with a considerable number of common souldiers which was not precisely known and above 100 wounded amongst which several Officers The Spaniards lost but few Souldiers and few or no Officers but several were wounded and among the rest the Marquess de Caracene was slightly hurt with a Musket-shot After this Fight the French Army remained 17 days at Mountemagno and neither the one nor the other being in a condition to undertake any considerable Enterprize all the rest of that Campagne was spent in Marches and Counter-Marches from one place to another The French to keep themselves in the Territories of Milan and to subsist
Spaniards pretended afterwards by reason the Duke of Lorrain would not give his consent The next day the Guienne Troops consisting of 12 Regiments of Horse and 10 of Foot all old and well-disciplin'd souldiers arriv'd at the Camp so that the Army being recruited with these and other forces from Germany the Prince of Condy was out of hopes of making any further attempt to relieve it without an entire Army and that with evident danger of being forc'd to a battel which was at that time much desired by the French but not by the Spanish Commanders who would have hazarded too much Wherefore they proceeded very deliberately in seconding the bold Counsels of the Prince of Condy especially the dispute being for a Town belonging to the said Prince so that the more forward he was to engage the more averse they were from venturing their souldiers for another mans advantage besides the Lorrainers pretended they had done enough that Summer and would retire to their VVinter-quarters Upon the Arrival of du Plessis Praslin the siege was carried on with more vigour then before and the Town as bravely defended by Mental with frequent Salleys and reciprocal damages and he would have done much better had not one of his Magazines of Ammunition been fired by a Cannon-shot or some other accident for it was diversly reported The night before the 6th of November the French storm'd the Half-Moon before the Porte du Bois and opened a way into the ditch but the besieged sallying out upon them they not only interrupted their works but took d' Ortis a Lieutenant of a Company in the Kings Guards prisoner and sharply handling several other Officers and Souldiers amongst which Pontet a Captain in the same Guards was wounded The 16th at night they sallied again upon the Guard of Nancre who had then the Command in the Approaches but were repuls'd as they were afterwards in another Sally upon the Trenches guarded by the Regiment of Guards and again two days after they were worsted by Carmon a Captain in the said Regiment but with the loss of la Garde a Lieutenant-Colonel in the Regiment of Burgundy The next day Damon the Serjeant Major of the Town was slain in the ditch as he was viewing which was to convey his men with most security to attaque the enemies works Castelneau in the mean time caus'd a work to be assaulted called the Ferra cavalli and having taken it he descended into the ditch where he prepared a Gallery to shelter their Mines which he happily accomplish'd after he had beat back the besieged and slain several of their men in two considerable Sallies On the other side the Regiments of Uxelles and Dampierre took the Half-Moon on the right hand of the Breach so that the French standing ready to storm on the one side and the Mine ready on the other to blow up the Bastion they within the Garrison wanting Powder the Governour beat a Parley offering to surrender upon good Conditions if they were not reliev'd in 8 days but this was refus'd by the Mareschal who went on with his Works so fast that on the 24. of November 1653. Montal was constrain'd to deliver up the Town marching away to Rocroy on the 27. onely with their Armes and Baggage followed by a few French the most part of those that served under him accepting of the Amnesty entred either into the Kings Pay or retired to their Houses amongst which the Marquess de Forz and others invited by his Majesties clemency and finding by experience that the subjects truest felicity consists in their entire duty to their lawful Sovereign laying aside all bitterness and animosity return'd to their obedience The taking of St. Menehaud concluded the Campagne for that year which in the beginning was likely to have proved very troublesom and dangerous the Kings interest as well for the inequality of their Forces in those parts as for the diversion in Guienne where at that time the Power of the Princes was much greater then the Kings so that by how much the difficulty was the greater to obstruct the progress of the enemy by so much the more did it redound to the Honour of the Cardinal and valour of the Captains who knew how to Mannage their Affaires to the best advantage for having put so happy an end to so many disasters and Misfortunes it was but reasonable to expect the Continuation of their success Seeing the malignity of times can never be so great but at length by the Constant force of policy and prudence it may be overcome The Conquest of this place freed the Neighbouring Country from the Contributions which they most vigorously exacted towards their maintenance During this siege the Cardinal with great vigilance had an eye over all and gave out such Orders as were most convenient for the good Government of the Kingdom He dispatch'd Messengers into Provence with directions for the Galleys to put in all necessary Provision of Victuals into Roses apprehending that after the happy relief of Girona the Spaniards would attempt that place He sent the Captain of his Guards to Brisac to compleat the Negotiations with the Count de Harcourt and put that strong Town once more into the Hands of his Majestie To the turbulent and unquiet spirits of Bourdeaux he apply'd such suitable remedies as made them not only relish the sweetness of Peace but abhor and nauseate their former confusions At length having issued out Orders for disposing the Souldiers into their Winter-quarters upon the Frontiers with the least grievance to the subject as was possible he return'd with the King to Paris where his Majesty made his entry in great triumph and was received with incredible applause and with such admiration of the Cardinals Management that his name became venerable and was immortalized by the very Tongues of those who had formerly traduc'd him By order likewise of the Cardinal Count Harcourt was treated withal for the accommodating his Affairs and to draw him out of Brisac upon a jealousie that he might treat with some foreign Prince and endanger that important place but the business was interrupted upon the very point of Conclusion for whilst he seemed content with the Government of Anjou and the Town of la Fere in lieu of his Government of Alsatia being mischievously informed of a design of seizing the Prince of Armagnac his eldest son who was following his studies in Paris he caus'd him to steal away secretly and come to him to Brisac whereupon the whole Negotiation ceased and their jealousies and diffidences revived It was the general opinion that Count Harcourt being a Person of valour and having such Fortresses in his hand would push on his Affairs to the highest pitch the better to capitulate and make his advantage for his reestablishment at Court but they were mistaken in their Account he had too noble a mind to engage in any Action that might reflect upon his fidelity contenting himself to pay the Garrison and
the same time Charleroy having received his Arrears the Garrison was changed and Monsieur de Besemaux Captain of the Cardinals Guards was made Governour with whom were left several other Officers entirely depending on the King This Affair having succeeded as the Cardinal contrary to the opinion of many of the Council had presaged contributed much to his reputation and rendred his merits more considerable to the Crown The Cardinal after all this assured the Duke d' Elbeuf that being thorowly informed of the sincerity of Count Harcourt he had the same kindness for him as formerly that seeing he had submitted himself so ingenuously he would take an opportunity that he should have absolute satisfaction The Court remain'd very well pleas'd with the Respect and Generosity of the Count in that Action but those who were emulous of his glory and with several suggestions had wounded his reputation were much astonish'd and confus'd The Duke d' Anville who not many dayes before had been banish'd the Court was recall'd and receiv'd into favour again both by the King and the Cardinal The displeasure was grounded upon this that having promised to resign his Government of Limousin which was design'd for the Mareschal de Turenne in recompence of his services perform'd for the Crown by the instigation of the Arch-bishop of Burges d' Anville seemed unwilling to give his Consent whereupon to Court having engaged their word to Turenne thought themselves obliged to make it good as well to satisfie him who otherwise might have thought himself eluded as to signifie his Majesties resentment to the Duke but he acknowledging his fault and having perform'd what he promis'd was restor'd again to Court Whilst the Mareschal de Hoquincourt was preparing for his journey into Catalonia the States of Languedoc that Winter were held at Pezenas a Town and Castle seated upon the Confluence of the two Rivers the Peyne and the Eraut the Marquess de Plessis Belliere residing there and finding the humour of those people by the infelicity of the times more dispos'd to Factions and Cabals then to pay their Contributions to the King he used all possible means to reduce them to their obedience and at last perceiving the said States resolved to contribute nothing unless the Troops were drawn out of that Province and knowing that the Provisions of Oats for the Horse and other Necessaries for the Camp were to be made out of the Benevolences of that Country which would amount to a very little if nothing was given by the States and by consequence the Army would be uncapable of doing any thing considerable He offered to take the Field if any reasonable Contribution would be made towards the subsistence of the Army to which the States were well enough inclined He considered moreover that the time of the year was far spent That supplies of men were coming to the Spaniards out of Italy That the Enemy were drawing together and made Provision of Cannon Powder Ladders and other Necessaries of Warre at Castillon in order to the besieging of Roses wherefore concluding it would be too late to relieve it if their Line of Circumvallation should be finished before his Arrival it was necessary to provide against it in time He departed from Pezenas the 25. of May and advanc'd to Rigean and Rivesalta where he made some stay to get his Troops together and to see what the final resolution of the States would be Above all he consider'd the importance of conserving Rossilion about which the Cardinal had writ to him and recommended that Province particularly to his care He rendezvouz'd his Army at Baulori from whence he marched the 16. of July to pass the Mountain of Pertus his whole Number consisted of 2500 Horse and 4000 Foot all expert and veterane souldiers The Spaniards Army was a Regiment of Foot more in number then the French and was commanded by the Baron Saback the Constable of Castile and the Marquess Serra so that it was probably judged they would have opposed the French at that Pass but they only put a Guard into the Tower of Longuiera purposing that whilst these had stopp'd them to come in opportunely and defend the entrance but contrary to all expectation the Tower yielded at the sight of two small field-peeces which the French had brought with them from Rossillion here they stay'd a day attending the coming up of their Baggage and Rear-Guard thence they advanc'd into the Plain beyond Oustelnau Plessis Belliere divided his Army into two Battalia's upon intelligence that the enemy would expect him about Castillon who the more to engage their men to keep the Field had set fire on their Forts before Roses and drawn out the Garrison from Teguiers The French March'd in good Order directly towards the Spaniards leaving Teguiers on their right hand Their Vanguard discover'd the Spaniards drawn up in Battalia behind Castillon under the shelter of the Town a great Moor and several Canals and Ditches but as soon as they saw Night approaching and that the French Rearguard was at hand Their Horse which had faced the enemy till their Foot and baggage March'd off began to face about and retire under the benefit of the Night leaving only 1200 Men in Castillon to hinder the advance of the French The Marquess de Plessis Belliere call'd a Council of War to consider whether they should follow the Enemy or not and iâ— was concluded in the Negative because in a Country full of difficult and strait passes as that was it was impossible to force the Enemy to fight unless he had a mind to it himself Besides their provision of Victuals was not yet come up to the Army and they should be necessitated in a short time to return for want of it to the great prejudice of their reputation amongst those people accustomed to judg of things according to their outward appearance and it concern'd the French to preserve their friendship It was resolv'd on therefore to take Castillon before they procdeded any further and to advance fair and softly and not engage in long Marches that they should not afterwards be able to prosecute To this purpose two Pieces of Cannon were sent for from Roses and having taken a view of the Town they began presently to open the Trenches which were in a short time advanc'd to the very brim of the Ditch notwithstanding the perpetual firing from the walls Castillion has a Rampart about it lin'd with stone made curtain-wise with a small dry ditch the Garrison were Irish and Neapolitans commanded by Colonel Milon who being made Head of the people of Naples to their late Revolutions deserted their Party and entred himself into the Spanish service in which he behav'd himself with much reputation The Besieged made no Salleys as having no works to shelter them without but they threw such quantities of stones that the Assailants were obliged to raise a Gallery in the Ditch to get to the wall with more security which being
finished and a Mine ready to spring under a Corner of one of the Towers the Garrison knowing themselves not able to hold out capitulated and surrendred upon honourable terms with obligation to return into Spain by the way of Fonterabbia which was a long way about The French found in the Town six Pieces of Cannon and 5000 pound of Powder which came very seasonably to them having ventured upon that Enterprize very ill provided Ammunition During this siege Plessis Belliere sent the Marquess de Bellefonds with part of his troops to attaque Empouries the Tower Medes and some other small places all of them yielding upon the same Conditions as those to Castillon The French before they entred into Catalonia knowing the Irish not to be over-well satisfied with the Spaniards they invited them to their party made them very advantageous Offers which were accepted with a promise to come over to them with seven Regiments upon the first opportunity presented While the French were before Chastillon it was signified to the Irish that were within to perform their Promise but they reply'd that they could not abandon the Spaniards like Cowards While they were in that Town they would defend it like persons of honour but when the siege was over they would perform their word as they did presently after so soon as they came into Rossilion where taking their leave of their Neapolitan Camerades they march'd into Danphine where they took up their quarters and by degrees were followed by many more of that Nation So soon as the Spaniards were march'd out of Chattillon Plessis Belliere renew'd his Orders already given to all the Neighboring-Villages after the taking of Barcelona compelling them to bring in Provisions to Roses he commanded them likewise to throw down the works the Spaniards had made about Roses and Chattillon committing the care of it to the Governour who remain'd in the place with a Regiment of Foot and another of Horse but he neglecting to put these Orders in execution was punish'd severely Having intelligence afterwards that the Enemy was retired to Girona and entrenched there he suddenly took his March that way with resolution to engage them but finding it not feasible he march'd along by the River Fer putting himself at the Head of his Scouts the better to observe the posture of the enemy Here he discover'd that their Horse-Guard which they kept at the Great Bridge was retiring towards Girona whereupon the foremost Squadrons of the French left the said Bridge of their left hand and descending along the River side till they came past the town they found the Spanish Horse at forrage on the other side of the River who immediately drew themselves up into Squadrons and the rest of the troops marching out of Girona with their Cannon they drew up into Battalia without the trenches and here whilst the Scouts were skirmishing together from one side of the River to the other those who went closing up placed themselves directly before the Spanish Army whose Commanders perceiving the design of the enemy they retired immediately within their lines which were very large strong and deep with a well contrived bank and flanked with four or five Stone-houses well-lined with Musquetiers These fortifications made exactly according to the Rules of Art began at the walls of an Hospital in the Suburbs and ended at a little Brook that was not fordeable In the mean time the Night approach'd most part of the Souldiers wanted powder and the Waggons which carried that little they had were not come up this notwithstanding the Souldiers express'd great desire to fight wherefore not to deny them this satisfaction any longer Plessis Belliere took all his Horse along with him with 700 Foot and causing every one of them to take a faggot on his back he past the River on the left hand not far from the Town and Bellefonds did the same about 50 Paces below him There were other troublesome Passes betwixt the River and the Spanish Camp so that it was Midnight before their Forelorn could arrive there where they found the Trenches stuck with lighted Matches and approaching perceived the enemy was gone Plessis Belliere sent out several small parties for intelligence which way they were gone who having sought them all night to no purpose in the Morning they descried them upon the Mountain behind the City The French had left their Baggage on the other side of the River with some few Foot to secure it and attend the coming of their Cannon the Spaniards perceiving it caus'd their Horse to march down from the Mountain passing thorow the Town with design to have plundred it but they reckon'd without their Host for no sooner were they observ'd to march that way but the French immediately sent seven or eight Squadrons over the River who constrain'd them to quit their design and betake themselves again to the Mountain after which the Baggage and Cannon past over the River with the rest of the Foot So soon as their Ammunition arrived which was expected from Narbon the French encamp'd in the open Field within half Cannon-shot of the Mountain and the town so that if the enemie drew down their Foot to defend Girona in that case they resolved to attaque the Mountain and if they stirr'd not they should be able to attaque and take the Town at a cheaper rate Girona is a great City situate upon the side of a Mountain encompass'd with a wall and flanked with some little Towers The Houses of the Town serve as a Parapet on that side next the River Fer which washes it on the right side so that it would have been no hard matter to have taken it had there not been an Army to defend it The French were Masters of the Field their Convoys came to them without any danger and in every skirmish which were very frequent the Spaniards were still worsted Belliere endeavor'd by all ways to debauch the Spanish Souldiers who both Horse and Foot came over to them in such numbers that the Officers themselves were forc'd to be a Guard to their own Souldiers the Irish had promis'd to come in entire Companies to the French service The Town began to be straitned for want of Provisions Their Horse already for some days had nothing to sustain them but what Grass they could gather upon the Parapetts of the Wall The Spanish Generals perceiving their troops daily decreasing to preserve themselves on the Mountain they had built three Forts And design'd as was collected by some intercepted Letters to send away part of their Horse to Barcellona as well to give them some refreshment from their sufferings in the Siege as that they might joyn with the Constable of Castile who was preparing an Army to releive Girona The French hereupon were constrain'd to very hard duty in so much that they kept their Horses Sadled Night and Day Whilst the Siedge went on in this manner Plessis Belliere had gain'd an intelligence with the
they should make in France also with the assistance of his forces He complain'd of these things very earnestly urging that Condy might be obliged at least to deliver him one of the Towns in his Possession belonging to Lorrain or otherwise that he might equally participate of the Conquests that should be made with the help of his Army Declaring openly that if they would not consent to one of these Proposition neither would he assist them with his Troops in any Enterprize to be undertaken for the sole profit of the Prince of Condy. Upon these suspicions and jealousies the Spaniard began to think of a remedy for so manifest a danger both present and to come that which imported most was to oppose the French and to pacifie the Elector of Colen with whom it was not convenient at that time to have any dispute Hereupon it was propos'd to the Duke That with his own Troops the Prince of Condy's and some of the Spanish he should make head against the French and the Electors forces the Prince of Condy being unable for that expedition as being sick at that time at Rocroy but the Duke refus'd it nor would so much as stir out of Brussels he was desir'd at least to consign them his Troops but he denied that also which increased their jealousie more and more and gave them greater cause to suspect him It was already three years that the Count of Fuensaldagne had received private Orders from the Court of Spain to secure the Person of Duke when he should see a fit time to effect it but as the success of an Affair which drew so many consequences after it was uncertain and the Count not being able to promise himself whether this Act would be approved or disapproved by the Counsel of Spain when it was done though the King of Spain had every day new Reasons to confirm his resolution without seeking further pretences He address'd himself to the prime Minister to be excus'd from that Commission but could not be dispensed withal On the contrary his Orders were renewed to take the time he should judge most convenient without participating with the Arch-Duke giving him withal the Letter that his Majesty had writ him concerning that Affair and perswaded him to give order about it The Election of the time gave no small trouble to the Count in respect the Dukes comportment rendred the execution of his Orders every day more necessary To secure his Person and not lose his Troops was very difficult For the better execution of his design the Count with great dexterity had gain'd certain of the Dukes chief Officers but without the least discovery of his Plot he made sure of several who promised to stand by him in whatever he attempted The late occasion the Duke gave was of very great importance for the furtherance of this Affair for hereby they should not only pacifie the Elector but satisfie the Emperour who was already informed of all the Dukes Negotiations and had need of the Electors of Colen and Bavaria inseparable in respect of their Parentage and common interest On the one side the securing of the Dukes Person seemed to Fuensaldagne not very difficult he being in Brussels and at a distance from his Army but on the other he saw infinite discouragements for the French Army being within three leagues of Brussels and the Dukes troops united with the Prince of Condy's he knew not though the said Princes had been perpetual enemies how Condy might resent this resolution apprehending perhaps the same fortune himself The Dukes Troops were so near the French they might joyne with them in very few houres the Spanish Army were dispers'd in their Winter-quarters The Count consider'd likewise that the Duke was in good correspondence with the inhabitants of Brussels and that there were many Lorrainers in the town that the Arch-Duke perhaps would not have him taken in the manner as was to be wished for though he had but little friendship for the Duke and was entirely for the interest of the House of Austria yet he was a Prince of so tender a Conscience that he imparted every thing that gave him the least trouble to the Jesuits who being always intent upon the greatness and conservation of their Society would not concern themselves in any thing that might prove a stop or impediment to their common advantage All these Reasons both on the one side and the other kept the Count for three days together in great perplexity of thoughts thinking within himself without daring to communicate it with any one whether he had best conceal his Orders from the Arch-Duke or discover them to him but seeing that danger does always increase with delay he resolv'd to draw the Spanish Army together under pretence of opposing the Enemy and to secure anew the Dukes Troops by Regalio's and Presents of which the said Count was always very liberal He determin'd afterward to impart all to the Arch-Duke to shew him his Orders he had from the King and to present him his Majesties Letter His Imperial Highness concurr'd immediately and the execution of it was disposed in the ensuing manner First they drew 300 Horse about Brussels under another pretence and it was resolved that the Count de Garcies Camp-Master General should go with some particular persons to find out the Duke and conduct him to the Arch-Duke under colour that he must speak with him immediately about urgent Affairs Garcies went and found the Duke with a Father Confessor of the converted Courtizans in their little Church and acquainted him that the Arch-Duke desir'd to speak with him presently about some matters of great consequence that concern'd the interest of the Crown and that he stay'd for him at the Palace The Duke answered Parmi esser l' hora un poco tarda domuttina saro à servirlo I suppose it is too late now I shall wait on him in the morning The Count replied Tengo ordine de condur V.A. alla Corte prima che si faccia notte My Orders are to attend your Highness to the Court before it be night To which the Duke answer'd V. S. vada che la Seguiro If you please to go Sir I shall follow you Being arrived at the broad place before the Palace where the Courtiers use to walk the Count said to him V. A. prenda il cammino verso quell ' altro appartamento tenendo io ordine dal Re mio fignore d' arrestarla Your Highness please to walk towards that other Appartment for I have Orders from the King my Master to Arrest you The Duke stopt immediately and desired to be conducted to the Arch-Duke but was denied leading him hastily to the quarters prepared for him where he was honourably served and guarded by the principal Officers of the Army Assoon as he was entred the Palace the Count de Fuensaldagne sent word to the Burgo-Master to put the inhabitants in Armes and place Guards in all the streets that lead