Assault by the Duke of Espernon 201 Frejus taken by the Duke of Espernon 150 G. GArde des Sceaux du Vair 310 Gergeau taken by the King 114 De Gourgues first President of the Parliament of Bordeaux 418 His Letter to the Duke of Espernon 419 Which begets an open Rupture betwixt them 423 His Death and Character 459 Grillon 189 190 Guines surrender'd to the Arch-Duke of Austria 196 Guise Duke retires from Court and breaks into Rebellion 29 He approaches with his Army to Paris 42 Comes to Court 81 His Death 106 Guise Duke Son to the late Duke of Guise created Governour of Provence 174 He goes into Provence with an Army against the Duke of Espernon 175 H. HAM surrendred to the Arch-Duke of Austria 196 Harangue of the Duke of Espernon in the Hostel de Ville of Paris 259 Henry the third Proclaims War with the Hugonots 49 He forbids the Duke of Guise from coming to Paris 70 Who notwithstanding comes 71 He resolves to put the Duke of Guise to Death 105 Henry the Third retires to Chartres 72 Henry the Third together with the King of Navarre escape narrowly of being both taken at Tours 110 Henry the Third slâ—in at St. Clou 116 117 Henry the â—ourth turns Roman Catholick 160 Henry the Fourth comes to the Leaguer before Amiens 200 Henry the Fourths Expedition to Sedan 245 Henry the Fourth raises a mighty Army 250 Henry the Fourths Speech to the Queen in the Duke of Espernon 's Favour 251 Henry the Fourth slain by Ravillac 253 I. JAne Albret Queen of Navarre deny'd entrance into Lietoure by Monsieur de la Valette 3 4 La Iliere Governour of Loches 341 Joyeuse rises in favour 15 He is shot in the Face at the Siege of la Fere 23 Advanc'd to the Dignity of Duke and Peer of France 26 He is slain at the Battel of Coutras 65 Isle of Maran surpriz'd by the Duke of Espernon 394 K. KAtharine of Bourbon only Sister to Henry the Fourth Married to the Duke of Bar 203 King of Navarre advances to the relief of the D. of Espernon at Angoulesme 100 King of Sweeden wins the Battel of Lipsick 490 King of Navarre makes his escape from St. Germanes 9 He joyns Forces with Henry the Third of France 110 His First aversion to the Duke of Espernon augmented at the Siege of Estampes 114 115 L. LAfin's Character 206 Laon Besieg'd 230 League take up Arms 38 Their Exploits 41 They publish a Manifesto against the Duke of Espernon and his Brother 75 Lendrecis taken by the Duke de Candalle 583 Letter from the Queen Mother to the Duke of Espernon 323 Another 329 Another 330 Another 352 Letter from the King to the Q Mother ibid. Letter from the King to the Duke of Espernon 521 Letter from the Queen to the Duke of Espernon and from the Cardinal 608 Answer to the Cardinal 's 609 Letter from Lewis the Thirteenth to the Queen Mother after her escape from Blois 354 Letter from Lewis the Thirteenth to the Duke of Espernon 622 The Answer 623 Lewis the Thirteenth resolves to arrest the Duke of Espernon 311 Lewis the Thirteenth his Expedition into Italy 461 He falls sick at Lyons 478 Recovers 480 Limoges Rescu'd by the Duke of Espernon out of the hands of the League 125 Lorme 's Treachery 334 sequ Lorrain Duke makes War upon France 471 Luines the great Favourite 308 His Quarrel to the Duke of Espernon 310 His design to 〈◊〉 him 311 Prevented by the Duke's retiring 312 M. MAdaillan calumniates the Duke of Espernon 635 Madam the Kings Sister falls sick of the Small Pox at Poictiers 292 Marcelles attempted by the Duke of Esper non but in vain 153 Mareschal Byron sent Ambassadour into England 217 And into Switzerland 218 Mareschal Byron arrives at Fountain Bleau 222 He is beheaded 223 Mareschal d' Encre takes Arms against the Prince of Condé and his Faction 300 His Death 307 Mareschal de Themines his difference with the Duke of Espernon 421 They are reconcil'd 423 Marquis de la Valette Marries Madamoiselle de Vernevil Marquis de la Force revolts in Bearne 379 Marquis de la Valette like to be slain by a Mine 401 Marsillac slain at the Siege of Privas 284 Mascaron slain before Chartres 135 Match with the Infanta of Spain concluded 282 Matelet defeated attempting to relieve Callis 195 Maubeuge taken by the Duke de Candalle 583 Mauzac surrender'd to the D. of Esp. 144 Mayenne Duke goes with a great Army against the Queen Mother 356 He is slain by a Musket-shâ—t before Montauban 395 Minieux defeated and taken Prisoner by the Duke of Espernon 133 Miraculous escape 182 Mirebeau taken by the Spaniard 562 Moissac surrendred to the Duke of Espernon 144 Moncassin wounded at Tours 110 Monserrat describ'd 409 Monsieur de la Valette defeats part of the Forcin Army at Lizere 66 Monsieur Marries the Dutchess of Montpensier 439 Monsieur retires in discontent from Court 471 He returns 472 He retires again from Court 572 Monsieur retires into Flanders 484 He invades the Kingdom 〈◊〉 France 492 Monsieur de la Valette Brother to the Duke of Espernon slain at the Siege of Roquebrune 138 Montauban reliev'd by the Duke of Espernon 144 Surrendred 464 Montauron surrendred to Mercy to the D. of Espernon 145 Montereau Faut-Yonne taken by Petarr 115 Montmelian surrendred to the King's Army 208 Montmorency D. declares in favour of the Monsieur 492 He is taken Prisoner 497 He is brought to Tholouze in order to his Trial 498 The Duke of Espernon intercedes for him but in vain 499 He is beheaded 502 Montpellier besieg'd 410 Surrendred 414 Montpensier Duke Marries Katharine de Joyeuse 203 His Death 247 Money sent by the Queen Mother to the Duke of Espernon in order to her escape from the Castle of Blois 330 N. NEgrepolisse taken by assault 403 Nevers D. presents himself with a great Army before Metz 358 359 La Noue his attempt and Character 392 Noyon surrendred to the King 135 O. OAth Administred to the Queen Mother 320 Obeliske erected by the Duke of Espernon in the Church of St. Clou to the Memory of his Master Henry the third of France 269 Obsequies of the two Kings Henry the Third and Fourth of France perform'd at one and the same time 269 Office of Colonel General of France erected in Favour of the Duke of Espernon 37 P. PAris besieg'd 116 Parliament of Bordeaux draw up an Information against the Duke of Espernon 519 Peace with the Hugonots concluded 436 Peace betwixt the King and the Queen Mother concluded at Angoulesme 358 Peace concluded with the Prince of Condé 286 Peace between the Crowns of France and Spain concluded at Vervins 202 203 Peace concluded with Savoy 209 Pedro Medici wounded at the storming of Aglimant in Caramania 280 Perigueux Revolts but the Mutiny is appeas'd by Verthamont Intendant de la Justice 548 Peyroles deserts the Duke of Espernon 177 Philip Cospean his beginning
of Savoy that he was nothing startled at his other losses as supposing this City to be an inexpugnable Bulwark against whatever could be attempted against him A confidence wherein he found himself very much mistaken for the Duke of Espernon having the command of one quarter at this Siege as Biron and L' Esdiguieres had of the other two whilst they were on all hands busie in their approaches found opportunity sometimes to confer with the Count de Brandis Governour of the place interviews that being frequent and allow'd by the King wrought at last so good an effect that the Governour promis'd to surrender the City to the King if within a month the Duke of Savoy did not raise the Siege A Capitulation of that dangerous importance to the Duke that he labour'd by all possible ways during the limited term to perswade the Governour into a better resolution and had so wrought upon him what by entreaty promises and threats that he was grown infinitely wavering and uncertain what to do which notwithstanding the Duke of Espernon who had drawn the first plot of this great design happily brought it to perfection in the end he absolutely confirm'd by his perswasion the anxious Count in the terms of his first Treaty and thereupon receiv'd new Hostages from him by which dexterity he rendred himself the principal and most effectual instrument of his Majesties victories in that Country as also of the Peace which immediately follow'd the Surrender of this important City Whilst the King's Designs succeeded at this fortunate rate in this little Dukedom the Princes of Italy apprehending that after the ruine of the Duke of Savoy the sweetness and facility of that Conquest would tempt the King to advance further into the Country to seek new Victories were instant with the Pope to interpose his Authority with the King to dispose his Majesty to accept of satisfaction from the Duke of Savoy for what had past that an Accommodation might ensue to which his Holiness being enclin'd both by his own interests which could by no means admit of a War in Italy and by the importunity of the Princes of the Country he dispatch'd away Cardinal Aldobrandino his own Nephew to the King to be in his name the Mediator of this Peace as the Cardinal de Medicis had been before of that which had been concluded with Spain Never Prince came from that Country in a prouder Equipage nor with a more honourable train than did this Cardinal a Magnificence to which his Majesty being willing to hold proportion both in regard to his own greatness as also to express thereby a greater respect to the Pope to whom he was highly oblig'd in the person of a Kinsman so near and dear unto him he made choice of the Duke of Espernon amongst all the other Grandees of his Court to be the man should receive him and that because he both knew him to be a person very acceptable to the Holy Sea as also one who knew as well how to behave himself for his Masters honour as any whoever that was about his person Neither did the Duke deceive his Majesty in his choice he receiv'd the Cardinal at the head of the Army which before had been drawn up into Battalia for that purpose accompanied with the most sprightly and gay Nobility and Gentry of the Court conducting him with infinite demonstrations of Honour and Respect through the several divisions until he brought him into the presence of the King himself and though I must tell you by the way that the Duke 's imperious and haughty humour was naturally very averse to the humility of Complement and the submission of excessive Civilities yet when such an occasion as this oblig'd him to it no man of his time could perform such a Ceremony with a better grace and doubtless if at ordinary times he would have been more liberal of his courtesie and have added that to those other excellent qualities which made him admir'd by all he might have acquir'd thereby what Friends and Servants he had pleas'd Soon after the Legat's arrival the Peace of Savoy was concluded wherein a Prince whose interest it was to recover his own Dominions almost entirely over-run by the King 's Victorious Arms was now to redeem his own with what he had surreptitiously and contrary to the publick Faith snatch'd from the King during the disorders of his Kingdom and which his Majesty was now also ready to force from him as he had already done the greatest part of his own hereditary Territories in pursuit of that Quarrel So that the Duke of Savoy bought his Peace at a cheap rate through the Pope's timely mediation and all things were accommodated that were in dispute betwixt the King and him although his Majesty who very well knew what little trust was to be repos'd in the Faith of this Prince a man that would never keep his word when it was for his advantage to break it would by no means be perswaded to withdraw his Army out of his Dukedom till first the Articles of the Treaty were perform'd But it neither suiting with decency nor the dignity of his Majesties Royal Person himself to attend the execution of a thing already concluded he return'd into France leaving the command of his Army to the Count de Soissons offering at the same time the command of Lieutenant General to the Duke of Espernon who excus'd himself having taken up a resolution never to serve under less than the Person of a King as hitherto he had never done nor ever after did in the whole course of his life He therefore went back with the King whom he attended as far as Grenoble from whence when his Majesty departed for Lyons to consummate his Marriage he at the same time took his leave to return again into his Governments of Xaintonge and Angoumois The Duke's journey into that Country gave him opportunity to pass over into Gascony to view the Progress of his Building there of which he had laid the foundation at Cadillac in the year 1598. For the King after he had concluded the Peace with Spain from that time forwards not only wholly bent his own thoughts to the Embellishment of his Kingdom in which his principal design was first to Build his Houses and to Beautifie Paris with many great and noble Structures for at this time the Buildings of the Louvre Fountain-bleau and other Royal Palaces were begun as also the designs of the Pont-neuf the Place Royal with other proud and stately AEdifices were continued but would likewise that other men should fall in love with the same humour and whether it were that his Majesty had a mind his greatest Subjects should by his example employ themselves in the same designs or that he intended as some have suppos'd insensibly to drein their purses by this chargeable employment fearing perhaps that too great abundance of wealth might make them more apt to entertain thoughts
King The Duke of Espernoâ— stands out The Duke obstinate to leave the Army The Kâ—ng perswaded to cause the Duke to be stab'd The Duke goes to take his leave of the King The King 's angry Speech to the Duke The Remonstrances of the Duke's Friends to perswade him to stay The Duke fortifies the Castle of Angoulesme and the Cittadel of Xaintes The Dâ—ke rescues Limoges out of the hands of the League The Duâ—e 〈◊〉 St. Germâ—n which surrenâ—ers The Dâ—ke call'd back into Angoumois to suppress the Leaguers there The Dâ—ke relieves Bâ—urg Anno 1591. The birth of Henry de Foix and de la Valette the Duke of Espernon's eldest Son The birth of Bernard de Fâ—ix and de la Valetâ—e the Duke's second Son The Birth of Lewis Cardinal de la Valette the Duke's youngest Son Passages at Coâ—rt in the Duke's absence The King importun'd to hasten his Conversion The Dâ—ke of Espernon returns to Court D'Avila The Siege of Chartres The Duke goes into Picardy An attempt â—pon the Duke of Espernon by the Duke of Aumale Minieux routed by by the Duke and taken prisoner The Duke 's ill usage at Corbie The Duke shot into the mouth at Pierre Fonds The Duke returns to the King Chartres after an obstinate Siege surrendred to the King and soon after Noyon The Duke of Espernon retires into his own Government Anno 1592. The Duke prepares to return to the King Is hindred by the death of Mounsieur de la Valette hiâ— Brother Mounsieur de la Valette 's exploitâ— in Provence and 〈◊〉 Mounsiâ—ur de 〈◊〉 The Office of Admiral conferr'd upon St. Blancart The Duke demands of the King the Government of Provence The Forces the Duke carried with him into Provence And what he found there The Duke enforc'd to borrow mony The Duke departs from Angoulâ—sme The Duke relieves Villemuâ—â— The Dâ—ke relieves Mantaubon by the taking in several Castles from the League The Siege of Montauâ—on The Duke of Espâ—rnon's severâ—ty The Siege of Arles Arles surrendred The Sâ—ege of Aâ—tibe Aâ—bigné Antiâ—e taken by Assault The Surrender of Cannes Mounsieur de Thoâ— Anno 1593. The Duke reduces several revolted Towns The Dâ—ke makes an attempt first upon Aix aâ—d after upon Marseâ—â—es Forts built against Aix The Enâ—my endeavours by frequent sallies to hinder the Duke's Works A great sally made by the besieged An attempt upon Marselles The Dâ—ke returns to Aix The Duke 's miraculous escape The Inhabitants of Aix imagining the Duke slain make another sally The Duke in a new danger The Death of the Dutchess of Espernon Anno 1594. The Provencials Revolt from the Duke King Henry the IIII. turns Roman Catholick Mounsieur de Thou Designs oâ— the Count de Carces against the Duke Anno 1595. The King sends secret Orders to l' Esdiguieres and Colonel Alphonso d' Ornano The Duke is resolute to maintain himself in his Government The King resolves to remove the Dâ—ke from the Government of Provence Mounsieur de l' Esdiguieres enâ—ers with an Army into Provence against the Duke The Duke goes out to meet Mounsieur de l' Esdiguieres A true accompt of the Action The Duke'â— Victory fatal to Bezaudun The Duke at last is necessitated to an Accommodation The Duke goes over to Languedoc A remarkable Duel betwixt two of the Duke's Captains The Fort of Aix surpriz'd by Mounsieur l' Esdiguieres The Fort of Aix demolish'd Many other places revolt from the Duke The Duke returns into Provence The Duke of Guise made Governour of Provence The Duke of Guise and Mounsieur l' Esdiguieres go against the Dâ—ke of Espernon The Duke resolute to stand upon his deâ—ence The Duke abandoned by most of his friends The Duke of Espernon enters into a general mistrust of all his followers A Skirmish betwixt the Duke of Guise and the Duke of Espernon All things averse to the Duke in Provence A Plot against the Duke of Espernon's life A Quintal is an hundred weight The Duke 's wonderfâ—l escape Reflections upon the several dangers of the Duke of Espernon's life Anno 1596. The Duke of Espernon traduc'd by the Cardinal d' Ossâ—t Other Calumnies against the Duke The Duke of Espernon rejecting all offers from Savoy Spain and the Duke of Mayenne submits himself to the King The Duke of Espernon receiv'd into Favour A digression upon a remarkable passage * The man without fear The posture of Affairs at the Duke of Espernon's arrival at Court A design upon Calice A remarkable action of Campagâ—â—â— * Or younger Brother * Cardinal Bentivâ—gâ—â—o De Thou Anno 1597. The Pope sends his Legat into France An Assembly at Roan * He is call'd by Iean de Serres Heâ—nâ—nl 〈◊〉 The Duke of Espernon comes to the King at Amiens A surprize design'd upon Arras 〈◊〉 Anno 1598. The peace concluded 〈◊〉 Vervins The Marriage of the Duke of Montpensur with Katharine de Ioyeuse now Dutchess of Guise and Niece to the Duke of Espernon Anno 1599. The Duke of Savoy begins to practice with the Mareschal de Biron The Cardinal Aldobrandino sent by the Pope into France The Peace with Savoy concluded The Duke of Espernon leaves the Court to go into Angoumois and goes into Guienne Anno 1600. A dispute betwixt the the Duke and the Mareschald ' Ornane Anno 1601. The King reconciles the Duke and the Mareschal The birth of the Dolphin afterwards Lewis the XIII Anno 1602. The Conspiracy of Mâ—reschal Biron and the Duke's carriage in that business Birâ—n in this Journey betwixt Dijon and Montbelliâ—rd was for four hours together in private Conference with Wattevile the Duke of Savoy's Ageâ—t D Serres page 978. Mounsieur Crequy made Camp-Master to the Regiment of Guards Anno 1603. The state of Affairs at Court during the Peace The story of Pimentel The advancement of Philip Cospean Bishop of Lizieux by the Duke of Espernon's means Anno 1604. A neâ— qâ—arrel like to rise betwixt the Duke oâ— Espernon and the Mareschal d' Ornano A bold answer from the Duke to the King well receiv'd and turn'd to his advantage Anno 1605. The Duke's expedition into Limousin A dispute betwixt the Duke of Espernon and the Duke of Guise Another quarrel betwixt the Duke of Espernon and the Priâ—ce of Ioinville Anno 1606. The King makes anâ— expedition to Seâ—n wherein the command of tâ—e Vâ—nt-Guard is commitâ—ed to the Duke of Espernon Anno 1607. The deâ—th of the Duke of Montpâ—nsier Anno 1608. The death of Pere Ange de Ioyeuse the Duke's Brother-in-law Anno 1609. The Truce betwixt Spain and Holland concluded by the King's mediation Anno 1610. The King makes great preparation for War * De Serres says the King intended to leave the Constable and the Chancellor in thaâ— trust The Death of Henry the IIII. * Who were the Mareschal de Roquelaure the Mâ—rquis de la Force the Sieur de Liencourt and the Marquis de Mireâ—eau * De Sâ—rres says by a mistake
auspicious beginning that Caumont's favour began to appear neither did he on his part cultivate his springing fortune with an assiduity and diligence unbecoming his Spirit and Blood for whatever testimonies of favour and esteem the King daily discover'd to him there was nevertheless no occasion of action which he did not greedily embrace and for which he did not continually neglect all Court Interest preferring his Honour and Duty before all other Advantages of Fortune At his return from one of these expeditions he soon discern'd a coldness in his Majesty towards him and his Court Rivals who very well saw how precipitiously the Kings Affections were bent upon him had not fail'd on their part by their ill offices to weaken that interest during his absence with all the Art and Malice they had but his brave services having acquir'd his Masters Esteem he soon recovered his former possession of Grace and at last settled himself so firm in the Kings Bosom that the favour which had for a long time before been divided amongst many pretenders was at last establish'd without reservation in Ioyeuse and him though he had still the greatest share I have already observ'd what an effect Caumonts negotiation about the Affairs of Guienne had produc'd with the King and Queen neither was he so blind to his own interest as not to see it nor so negligent as not to improve it with all the industry he had Nor was his diligence less effectual with the Queen Mother who bore the greatest sway of Affairs than with the King himself she ever receiving him with great demonstration of Favour and Esteem which he to continue or to encrease contracted great Familiarities with some of the Maids of Honour of chiefest trust about her and from their Friendship receiv'd no few good Offices in this Foundation of his Fortune But neither these good Offices nor the Favour he was by their procurement seated in had yet produc'd any thing to his benefit 't is true he was look'd upon with an Eye of Favour the King would often speak to him and in all apparence he was in a hopeful way but still this was hitherto only apparence and he reap'd no other advantage by it until the Duke of Alenfon's expedition which was the first time he tasted of his Masters Bounty After the Treaty of Champigny which was a little before this time the King having design'd absolutely to disingage his Brother the Duke of Alenson from the Hugonot Party had to that purpose given him the command of an Army against them Upon which occasion Caumont fail'd not to prepare himself to make one which the King so well approv'd of that coming to take his leave his Majesty having first publickly commended his generous design order'd him twelve hundred Crowns of Gold out of his privy Purse to put him into a handsome posture A largess so seasonable as enabled him to put himself into a better equipage than otherwise he could conveniently have done and as he had a mind above his present Fortune he laid out all the Kings Bounty in Horses Arms and other Furniture but above all he bought himself the finest Tent that could possibly be seen The Rendezvous of the Army being appointed to be at Romorentin the King and Queen Mother being then at Blois would themselves see it and there dismiss the Duke of Alenson with all possible demonstration of Honour and Kindness Caumont fail'd not to Muster up his Equipage upon this occasion and for the better advantage caus'd his Tent to be set up in that part of the Camp that lay most in view of the Queens Lodgings to the end chiefly that her Maids of Honour might more conveniently see it The King who never fail'd as I have observ'd before to visit his Mother once a day as he was one day leaning with her in her Chamber Window took particular notice of this Tent which being for its fineness remarkable above the rest the King and Queen both fancied it to be Caumont's and the better to be satisfied sent one purposely to enquire at whose return finding it to be so indeed his gallantry was highly commended by them both Soon after coming to take his leave of the King and to receive his Commands he was dismist with so high testimonies of Affection as might for the future give him just occasion to hope for greater things These observations may perhaps seem light to some upon such a subject but since Fortune suffers nothing to be lost to happy men and that she is industrious to collect and improve the least of their actions to make them succeed to their advantage I thought it not altogether improper by her example to make mention of these passages which how inconsiderable soever in themselves have been nevertheless the steps and gradations by which this great man afterwards rose to such an eminence of Fortune The Duke of Alensons expedition succeeded according to the Kings desire he took la Charité and Issoire and the Army was in a condition to perform greater things had not the over-strict League and Friendship betwixt the Duke of Alenson and the Duke of Guise his Lieutenant General in this Employment begot a suspicion in the King To break then this Friendship the King began to hearken to overtures of Peace which although they were not presently concluded yet the meer proposition was pretense enough to call home the Duke of Alenson and to give Caumont opportunity to return to Court. At his coming back he was less favourably receiv'd than he had reason to expect through the jealousie of those who had been more industrious to improve the Kings Favour than he had been Yet could not this hinder him a new occasion of the Siege of Brouage presenting it self once more to expose and abandon his springing Favour to the malicious Offices of his Court-Concurrents He went to this Siege where he behav'd himself so well as he had done before at la Charit◠and Issoire that in all these expeditions he still won the great liking and approbation of his Generals who being just to his merit in the testimony of his actions confirm'd the King more and more in the opinion he had before conceiv'd of his Worth and Valour This esteem of Caumont took at last so deep root in this Princes Breast that it was no more in the power of Envy to shake it and he had him in so high consideration that he never us'd him with the least severity nor ever gave him the least injurious word an indulgence not common to his other Favourites who were often subject to very passionate language But the King in his noble nature was pleas'd to spare a heart which he had before observ'd was too stout to submit to Injuries what advantage soever might accrue by such a patience Of which now we are upon this discourse I shall give you an instance in this place although the thing happened not just at this time
valour and other eminent qualities they were Masters of endeavour'd to eclipse the Majesty of the King who being less enclin'd to oftentation liv'd a more retir'd life than they It was necessary to abate the growing greatness of those powerful and dangerous Subjects to effect which which was the chief and most important Affair of State the King first exhibited a publick and general prohibition to all sorts of people excepting the Queen his Mother and the Queen his Wife not to presume to ask any thing of his Majesty whether Money Offices or Commands reserving wholly to himself the disposition of all such things and that of his own voluntary grace and bounty and upon due consideration of the party's Merit And to the end that the over free access to his person might not give occasion to those he most suspected to exceed the limits of this prohibition he seconded that with another That no person of what quality soever should come into his Cabinet without he were call'd but from this general rule he made a particular exception for his Favourites whom he made free to enter at all hours like enough on purpose to nettle the House of Guise though they were not the only men offended at it almost all the great men about the Court being sensibly concern'd to be depriv'd of a priviledge that was now only reserv'd for five or six of his Majesties Creatures The Lords of the House of Guise being by this means excluded from all hope of encreasing their power by new acquisitions of trust the King began to contrive how he might gently withdraw what they already had out of their hands and carried it so that so often as there was any vacancy by the decease of any of their creatures he immediately conferr'd those places upon some of his own and if at any time any of their Partizans were content to take money for such charges as they were seis'd of the King would stick at nothing that might satisfie them to the end he might dispose places into secure and faithful hands The Duke of Ioyeuse by these two ways that is by the King's gift when a Government fell void or otherwise by Contract had obtain'd the Government of Normandy with Haure de Grace â—aen and other places the Government of Anjou for the Compte de Bouchage his Brother the Lieutenancy of Languedoc for his Father with many other important Governments and Places The Duke of Espernon had also the Government of Metz and the Messin Countrey that of Dauphine Boulogne Calice la Fere Loches the Citadel of Lions and some others As it was necessary for these two great ment to find out assured Friends and faithful Servants into whose hands they might safely commit so many several places of trust as the King's bounty had possest them of so was it the Duke of Espernon's care to provide himself of such persons and supposing he could find none who were likely to be more faithful to him than those of his own Kindred and Relation he to that purpose call'd the greatest part of them about his person His elder Brother had by his recommendation the Government of Dauphine in which employment he behav'd himself so well that he preserved that Province entire in his Majesties obedience during all the commotions of the League neither were his Services confin'd within the bounds of his Government he passed over several times into Provence and secur'd that Countrey against the attempts of the said League when assisted both by Spain and Savoy He also oppos'd the power of the Hugonots which was very considerable in both these Provinces so that France has to him only the obligation that Dauphinâ— is not now in the Savoyard's hands as well as the Marquisate of Saluzzo Montcasin the Dukes Cousin was put into Metz Cajan his Brother had the Regiment of Champagne and soon after the Lieutenancy of Xaintogne Angomois and the Countrey of Aulins And many other places were dispos'd into the hands of several men of trust and quality who depended upon the Duke But he had yet a Kinsman in Gascony to whom next to his Brother he had a particular regard above all others which was Roger afterwards Duke de Bellegarde Son to Mounsieur de Termes the Duke's Uncle by the Mothers side and Heir to the House of Bellegarde This young Gentleman being bred up according to his condition to all the exercises becoming a person of his Birth and Quality was by the Duke brought to Court where he continued the care of his Education in his own House keeping him still to his Exercises till he was grown excellent in them all but the Duke was not content to oblige him only in this he further employ'd his care and good Offices to place him in the Kings esteem wherein he succeeded perhaps beyond his own desire Bellegarde arriving to such a degree of Favour as grew at last suspected to the Duke himself Some years past over in these Court practices neither from the time of the Treaty of Peace with the King of Navarre in the Year 1580. until the beginning of the Year 1584. were there any Affairs of importance save those of the Cabinet The King constant to his first Maxims continually labour'd the ruine of the League and of the Hugonot Party neither was he in his own nature more inclin'd to advance those he had a kindness for than he was bent to weaken and depress those who were suspected to him The Duke of Guise the Cardinal his Brother their Relations and Confederates seeing all things directed to this end and not being able to endure the condition of private persons to which they saw the King endeavour'd to reduce them set on foot great practices both within and without the Kingdom and try'd all imaginable ways they thought might help to fortifie and secure themselves And as they had hitherto been proceeded against without violence so had they carried on their practices without noise but at last finding the King more openly labour'd their ruine which was already almost inevitable they would no longer forbear to unmask themselves nor to publish their long premeditated designs by an open Rupture In the beginning then of the Year 1585. the Duke of Guise retir'd himself to Ioinville and there receiv'd into his House the King of Spain's Deputies together with the Sieur de Meneville Attorney to the Cardinal of Bourbon who did all the business of the League in France Where also the Duke of Mayenne his Brother and divers others of his Partizans repair'd to him At which Assembly it was resolv'd to break out suddenly into open Arms upon such conditions as the Historians of that time have already declar'd and which is nothing to my business The King who was soon advertiz'd of this Conspiracy which was now no longer a secret to hinder it from taking any dangerous effect and in due time to provide for the safety of the Kingdom assembled together
obtain'd the Kings permission but his Majesty very well perceiving that his Favourite was only a pretense the League made use of to cover their own ambition that it was the Royal Authority they aim'd at and that their design was only to remove so good a Servant with less difficulty to make themselves Maisters of Affairs the more obstinately they insisted upon that Article the more resolute his Majesty was to protect him The Duke very well inform'd that Villeroy was one of those who contributed most to his Persecution and seeing how publickly he profess'd to desire his ruine resented it with an Animosity proportionable to the Injury receiv'd which was the more violent by how much the offense came from a person he had never done any ill Office to and whom he had ever made it his business to oblige They were in this posture of unkindness on the one side and the other when happned the taking of the Cittadel of Lions before which time it was thought Villeroy had secretly treated of a Marriage betwixt Alincourt his Son and Mandelot's only Daughter not having dar'd publickly to do it by reason of the intelligence Mandelot held with those of the League but having upon this occasion taken up Mandelot's Interests against le Passage that is to say against the Duke himself le Passage being his creature he offer'd to undertake for Mandelot's fidelity to the King provided his Majesty would please to consent to the Marriage propos'd and settle upon Alincourt the Government of Lions in reversion in favour of the match which the King being reduc'd to the necessity of taking all men for friends who were not actually otherwise was sorc'd to allow of and to ratifie what he could not well impeach by that means trying to draw Mandelot over to him but the Duke exasperated to the last degree could no longer smother his passion nor dissemble his animosity against Villeroy but spoke freely and aloud to his disadvantage and of the Correspondence he held with the League which was the first effect of their open and declared Hatred The end of the first Book THE HISTORY Of the LIFE of the Duke of Espernon The Second Book AFter the Surrender or rather the Revolt of the many places already mentioned the Duke of Guise conceiving it necessary to press nearer the King the sooner and with less difficulty to obtain his ends order'd the General Rendezvous of his Army to be at Chalons Which place he made choice of for two Reasons first because by the nearness of it to Paris being but three little days Journey from thence his presence would be apt to fortifie the Citizens in their Devotion to him and secondly the number of his Confederates being so great and some of them of so great Authority in the City he could by their means continually infuse into the people such dispositions as might best serve his purpose hoping by this means either to incline the King to satisfie all his demands or at least to be able to raise such mutiny and confusion in the City as might give him opportunity at one time or another to effect that by fine Force he could not obtain by the more moderate ways of Addresses and Treaty Then it was that his Majesty perceiv'd the manifest peril his Person and his Affairs were in and then would he take up Arms for his own defense which he had no sooner resolv'd but that at the same time he saw it was too late and impossible to be done The Reiters which he had rais'd in Germany could not come to him the Duke of Lorain having deny'd them a passage through his Countrey and all the Forces within the Kingdom were either engag'd with the League or with the King of Navarre so that the King was left utterly naked of all defense save of those few Servants he had about his own person Nay even those who in the beginning of these troubles would with all their hearts have assisted him to punish to Duke whilst meerly in the condition of a Rebel durst not now he was grown to that formidable height and become the head of a strong Party attempt to succour a weak and disfurnish'd Prince against an armed and prevailing Subject The thoughts of War then being altogether fruitless and impossible in the posture the King then was he must of necessity have recourse to the Treaties of Peace to which resolution he was further necessitated by the King of Navarre's breaking into Arms at the same time which I should not however have mention'd for a second Motive his Majesty had to satisfie the League had this Prince pretended no further than simply to defend his own Fortune with those Forces he had already had in France for then his designs might have been favourable to the King and either have kept the Army of the League wholly imploy'd or at least have diverted their designs but he fearing at once to be opprest by the Union of two Catholick Armies had recourse to strangers for aid The King knew he had treated with the Queen of England and with the States of Holland who both of them assisted him with Men and Money and that all the Protestant Princes of Germany made extraordinary Provision to send him a powerful succour so that he now evidently saw he must in good earnest close with the League and joyn with one of the Factions to preserve himself from being a Prey to both The Queen Mother had for many years been employ'd Mediatrix in all the accomodations of Peace that had been concluded in France and it was commonly believed she was not then altogether without such an Interest in the Duke of Guise as might have establish'd this to the Kings satisfaction I never heard the Duke of Espernon say she was partial to that Faction and though he receiv'd several ill Offices from her in his declining Favour he notwithstanding ever retain'd a constant Respect for so great a Princess who was his Masters Mother and ever defended her Honour against all the calumnies of the time 'T is true he thought she was not altogether displeas'd that there should ever be a party on foot in France such as might oblige the King her Son to make use of her Counsels and Mediation her great and ambitious spirit ill digesting the calms of peace and worse enduring to be depriv'd of an employment in which she had ever been as successful as necessary Her therefore the King passionately entreated to labour an Accommodation with the Duke of Guise an Office she as chearfully undertook and two dayes after began her Journey towards Espernay where she had appointed the Duke to meet and whither he accordingly came together with the Cardinal of Bourbon In the first overtures she found a spirit puft up with success and wholly averse to Peace but when he had more deliberately consider'd that it was not yet time to weaken the King's Authority which he thought was absolutely at his
Louvre he made a vertue of necessity and to evade the danger that still encreas'd upon him walking out at the back Gate of the Tuilleries he presently took Horse in the Garden near to the Stables and attended only by sixteen Gentlemen retir'd with all possible diligence to Chartres The Duke of Espernon was no sooner advertiz'd of this disorder but that he presently hasted from Rouen where the news was first brought him to the King and as he did believe with very good reason that his Majesties Enemies would not satisfie themselves with what they had already done so he thought it fit to go well accompanied neither did he a little revive the Court at his arrival having above five hundred Gentlemen in his Train They who have undertaken the History of that time variously report the Duke's Reception at this place D' Avila says his entertainment was very cold and that the King looking upon him as his Enemies Pretense for all the mischiefs they did began to distaste him yet he says soon after with a kind of contradiction that his Majesty never went less in his affection to him nor in the confidence he repos'd in him from the first beginning of his Favour Others write that he was receiv'd with great demonstrations of Favour and Esteem of which both the one and the other say true observing the due order of that little space betwixt the Dukes Entertainment at his first arrival and that he receiv'd after he had been two hours in private Conference with the King It is most certain that this Prince afflicted with his Misfortunes and reduc'd more than ever to the necessity of dissimulation did not at first receive him with that excess of kindness he had formerly done and it is likewise true that apprehending at first sight some just reproach from the Duke 's passionate affection to his Service for that his Majesty had not put in execution what he had resolv'd upon at Fresne his Majesty put on an unusual gravity at his arrival But after he had talked with him and that the Duke who was too discreet at such a time to offer the least syllable that might afflict his Master had on the contrary rais'd his Spirits with new hopes he then opened his Bosom to him more than ever and having receiv'd his wonted good Counsels entertain'd again the joy and vigour which seem'd to have been stifled in his Misfortunes and began to meditate the means and that with good hopes of success of restoring his Affairs to their former Condition And then it was that he caress'd the Duke with his accustomed freedom honouring him in publick with as high demonstrations of Favour as ever It was at this Conference that the Duke gave his Majesty an accompt of his Voyage of the good condition wherein he had left his Government and what his Majesty might expect from thence How all things were so well dispos'd there that excepting Havre de Grace the League possess'd nothing in that Province and that even he who commanded there had given very good hopes of returning shortly to his Duty That the Sieur de Caraâ—ges Governour of Rouen formerly enclin'd to favour the League was made firm to his Majesties Service and that the people in general were as well disposâ—d as good Subjects could possibly be An Account so highly satisfactory to the King that he presently â—esolv'd upon a Journey into that Province it seeming to him neither decent nor suiting with his Honour to continue at Chartres where to make a longer stay would look as if he were there shut up and forbidden all the other parts of his Kingdom Neither was it without design that the Duke spoke so advantageously to the King of the Forces of Normandy And he could have wisht his Majesty had conceiv'd the same opinion of all his other Provinces to the end that growing confident of his own Power he might entertain the thoughts of Arms For he certainly believ'd that should his Majesty once undertake a War in good earnest it would succeed infinitely to his advantage that he would soon be in a condition to re-establish his neglected Authority and to make himself fear'd of all his Subjects But the King had already form'd other Designs and the Duke of Guise seeming to him so strongly supported that he could not depress him by open force without endangering at once himself and his Kingdom he thought it safer though less honourable to lull him asleep with the hopes of Peace than by open War to provoke his already approved Power The Duke of Guise also seeing the King escap'd out of his hands and that he could no more impose upon him those conditions he had propos'd to the Queen Mother during the Barricades was likewise not averse to an Accommodation So that both Parties concurring in the same disposition the business was quickly set on foot by the Queen Mother who as she had been of the first was now the Mediatrix of this Peace also She had continued at Paris after the King's departure and had not fail'd upon all occasions to possess the Duke of Guise that the King was willing to be reconcil'd to him and to forgive the Parisians upon their due Submission Whereupon the Duke the better to sound the King's intention herein order'd the Parliament to attend his Majesty at Chartres and there to offer him the first excuses for a fault which in its own nature admitted none But the Provost des Marchands going before and the Eschevins following after both the one and the other return'd with great satisfaction Which the Duke of Guise seeing and interpreting this flexibility in the King to an effect of Fear he reâ—assum'd his former hopes and again set on foot the same propositions which he had before so arrogantly insisted upon to wit that War should be proclaim'd against the King of Navarre that there should be Convocation of the States General and that the Duke of Espernon should be banish'd from Court with a privation of all his Offices Upon which last Article he chiefly insisted openly declaring that there could be no durable Peace nor no sincere reconciliation so long as he had so great an Enemy as the Duke in the Kings Bosom The Queen Mother as has been said before had long been jealous of the Duke of Espernon's Power with the King her Son neither indeed could she well brook any Favourites but those who stood immediately oblig'd to her for their Fortune an humour had made her so much the more impatient of the Duke's greatness because it was an advantage for which he was indebted to none but to his Masters bounty She had often therefore prest the King for his removal as the only means to satisfie the League had propounded several honourable Employments to colour his disgrace and not long before would have had him sent Ambassadour to Rome to justifie the King from the aspersions the League had cast upon him to the Holy Sea
but his Majesty who was as perfect in the Nature and Designs of the Queen his Mother as she was in his had still been constant to his Servants Protection and the Duke having been bred up in the School of so politick a Master had learn'd so much cunning as had hitherto ever rendred all those Artifices ineffectual by which she had so often and so industriously labour'd his Ruine But at last the Queen knowing how important the present occasion was to the Kings Repose embrac'd it with that fervour that in the end it procur'd the Dukes so long wish'd for removal She had the management of the Treaty in hand absolutely committed to her with the choice of any two of the King's Council to assist her of which such as she knew were affectionate to the Duke you may be sure msut have nothing to do in this business so that it was no hard matter all parties concurring in the same design to conclude his disgrace and in conclusion the King was plainly told that it was absolutely necessary for him to dismiss the Duke of Espernon if his Majesty intended to have that Peace he seem'd so passionately to desire To the same end there was then Printed a Manifest subscrib'd by the Cardinal of Bourbon as Head of the League wherein the whole Faction were very importunate for the Duke 's total Ruine together with Mounsieur de la Valette his Brother his bare removal from Court being now too little to satisfie their Malice the League in this sole point comprehending the suppression of the Hugonot Party of which they said the two Brothers were the Protectors with the King the redress of the people opprest to enrich them and the satisfaction of the great ones who might easily be contented with those Offices and Governments which the two Brothers now possest to their common prejudice The Duke who very well foresaw that he must either comply with the time or reduce the King to a necessity of taking up Arms to protect him which would have made him responsible to his Majesty for any sinister event that might happen chose the lesser evil and would rather alone undertake the defense of his own Fortune than be any ways the occasion of so great a mischief He saw the Kings mind perpetually fluctuating and continually alarm'd with the Counsels of his Enemies which in his Majesties astonishment grew still more and more prevalent with him he saw the powerful Faction of the League wholly Arm'd against his Person neither was there any who did not conclude his ruine inevitable in so dangerous a conjuncture should he be once though but a moment remov'd out of the King's Protection but he had courage enough to run the hazard and his undaunted Spirit notwithstanding he very well understood his danger made him resolute with his own single Interest to stand the shock of all his Adversaries I ought here to adde yet another Motive the Duke had to retire from Court a thing which will perhaps hardly be believ'd though it be precisely true but it merits a due place in the Duke's History as the noblest testimony of a generous heart and this it was The Duke had understood something of the King's intention to cut off the Duke of Guise by those ways by which it was afterwards effected at Blois and not being able to divert that resolution he chose rather to absent himself than to be present at an action he thought so unworthy of his Masters Authority and Greatness though it redounded to his own particular preservation 'T is true that in the first motions of the League he had advis'd the King to take up Arms to chastise him that he had afterwards counsell'd him to cut off his Head at the very Gate of the Louvre when the Duke came in contempt of his command to raise that Commotion in Paris and that he had offer'd himself to fight him hand to hand in Duel but he could by no means consent that his Majesty should commit an Act so unworthy of his Name And this in truth was as powerful a Motive as any to oblige him to retire There is great diversity of Opinions amongst the Historians of that time about this retirement of the Dukes whether or no it were franckly and of his own motion whether he were dismist with the King 's good Opinion and Favour or whether he went not away in a real disgrace which they severally report every man according to his particular passion But D' Avila much better inform'd in the Affairs of the Cabinet than the rest enclines to the more favourable opinion and says very truly that the Duke resolv'd upon this retirement of his own voluntary inclination and that to the King 's great grief who notwithstanding compell'd by the necessity of the conditions imposed upon him in the Articles of Peace consented to it And of this truth there are two evident proofs One the great familiarity and privacy the Duke had with the King some days before his departure and the same D'Avila records a very remarkable and a very true passage upon this occasion That the night preceding this separation the Abbot del Bene a great confident of the Duke's and a man in great esteem with the King for his excellent parts of which his Majesty made continual use in his Politicks a study in which he was strictly regular was shut up alone with the King in his Cabinet for many hours not so much as the Grooms of his Majesties Chamber permitted to come in all the while by which he conjectures and very rightly that his Conference was in order to some Instructions which were to be convey'd by the Abbot who was to accompany him in his retirement to the Duke for his future Conduct during the time of his absence And I have heard the Duke say that he never in all his life receiv'd so many Testimonies of his Masters Affection as he did at this time His Majesty being pleas'd not only to chalk him out what he would have him do and what he would have him avoid during his retirement but also adding a thousand Protestations that he would sooner abandon his Crown than his protection and that he had not consented to his departure but with a resolution to recall him speedily back to Court with greater Honour and to confer upon him greater advantages than he had ever yet done Commanding at the same time the Abbot del Bene not to stir from him to have a care of his Person and to be assisting to him with his Counsels in whatever Accidents might happen and in all the difficulties and dangers he well foresaw would by his Enemies be prepar'd against him The other proof that the Duke was dismist in a high state of Favour was this that his Majesty made him at his departure Generalissimo of his Armies in the Provinces of Anjou Maine Perche Poictou Xaintonge Angoumois and the Country of Aulnis with absolute Power
himself to look into the state of those Provinces newly committed to his charge where by establishing such order as he thought convenient by the dispatch of his Levies and by disposing his men into the most important places he prepar'd himself betimes to encounter such Accidents as the severity of the time was likely to produce Soon after the Duke's departure the King went his Journey into Normandy where the greatest Obstacle being now remov'd the Treaty of Peace went on without any further impediment and was presently after concluded the King who had already determin'd how to dispose of the Duke of Guise making no great difficulty to grant him what he was resolv'd he should not long enjoy The Peace concluded the Edict of Union was publish'd first at Rouen and then in all parts of the Kingdom after which they immediately fell to the raising of Arms for the utter suppression of the King of Navarre and his Party But above all things the King was careful to hasten the necessary Dispatches for the Convocation of the States General at Blois in the beginning of October next ensuing an Assembly equally desir'd by the King and the Duke of Guise but to different ends The Duke hoping there by the joynt suffrages of the several Orders of the Kingdom to see himself plac'd in that degree of height to which his great Spirit and vast Ambition had so long aspir'd and the King resolving there and at that time to quench his restless and inordinate Ambition in a torrent of his own Blood Thus do we often see the purposes of the greatest Politicians deluded who when they think they have brought their Designs by the most infallible Rules and Maxims of Humane Prudence to an almost certain Issue find themselves deceiv'd and usually meet with effects quite contrary to their expectation giving us to understand that we ought not to commit our actions to the blind conduct of our own frail and erroneous foresight but into the hands of Providence that governs all and that brings all things to their determinate end The Edict of Union being sworn the Duke of Eâ—pernon remov'd from Court and the King â—atisfied at least in apparence with the Duke of Guise's and the Parisians excuses the Duke confident in the Queen Mother who was of late become absolutely powerful with the KIng had nothing now to hinder his coming to Court so that upon his Majesties return out of Normandy he immediately repair'd to him and having found him at Chartres he there in person deliver'd the same Apologies he had not long before presented by the Mediation of others All which his Majesty received with a Dissimulation that was not only natural to him but that by a long Practice and by the continual traverses and difficulties of his Reign was grown to such a habit in him that it was no hard matter for him to put on any kind of Language or Behaviour on any occasion wherein he was most likely to be surpriz'd So that in outward shew the King was so well pleas'd with no Company as indeed it was almost all he had as with the Duke's his Relations and Confederates Amongst which the Cardinal of Bourbon who was now also come to Court was entertain'd with extraordinary marks of Favour and Respect neither was there any Commands or Offices Military or Civil granted to any but by their recommendation insomuch that some have thought the Duke of Guise by winning and submissive carriage had made some real impression upon the Kings Inclinations and that his Majesty was dispos'd really to love him as he had formerly done if he could have moderated his Ambition and would have laid aside those designs which rendred him suspected to him In a conjuncture so favourable to their Designs neither the Duke of Guise nor those of his Faction slept in their Business but with all possible industry still more and more labour'd the Duke of Espernon's total Ruine as a thing that imported most of all to the confirmation of that Authority and Trust to which they saw themselves by his removal already advanc'd So that the King being daily afflicted with a thousand Accusations against him and wearied by their importunities was at last so far overcome as to consent that many of his Offices should be taken away being not yet to be prevail'd upon for his absolute Ruine Whilst the Duke was present he continually by his good Services fortified his Masters mind against all impressions of calumny his Enemies could invent to the prejudice of his Fidelity and Honour and had ever triumph'd in his Majesties good Opinion over the Envy and Malice of his Detractors but he was no sooner remov'd out of his Eye than that Confidence began to stagger his detractors representing him for an Enemy to the Crown a Friend to the King of Navarre and one that seducing daily all the Garrisons in his Government to a Revolt was upon the point to Proclaim open War against the King himself In the mean time the Duke had very good Intelligence of all that pass'd at Court he very well knew that his Enemies made use of all imaginable ways to destroy him that the King was by them perpetually socilited against him and that consequently it concern'd him in common discretion to frustrate their Designs and to provide for his own safety in the strength of those places he possess'd Neither was he much surpriz'd at the unexpected news of what the King had consented to against him he was very well acquainted with the constitution of the Court and had very well foreseen what would certainly be attempted against him but he could hardly perswade himself that his Majesty could ever forget his Fidelity and good Services yet did he not for all that neglect his own preservation that he might live to do him one day more and better Service the only revenge this faithful honest Servant meditated for the ingratitude of his Master He fell therefore presently into Consultation with his Friends what course he were best to take a Debate wherein Opinions were very different some there were who advis'd him to return to Court representing that his presence would infallibly disperse all those shadows of mistrust which by his absence his Adversaries had had opportunity to possess the King's mind withal that his tried Fidelity would soon recover its former place in his Majesties Opinion and that then he would soon be in a condition to return the mischiefs had been intended against him upon the heads of the first contrivers Others there were who gave him counsel to put himself into Metz others to make immediately for Provence and some of those there to joyn with the King of Navarre That to that purpose he should first go into Angoumois whither he might suddenly and with great facility convey himself where he had a strong City to retire unto and where he would be in a Country very convenient to favour his Passage into Provence by the way of
spurr'd on by these considerations had laid Siege to Bourg and were by the favour of some of the Inhabitants of their Party receiv'd into the Town without any opposition but la Ioviziere a man of approved Valour who commanded in the Castle defended himself so well notwithstanding the ill condition of the place and the vigour of the Assailants who press'd hard upon him that he gave the Duke time to come to his Relief at whose first appearance the Enemy retir'd when the Duke having publickly commended the Governours Valour and the fidelity of some honest Inhabitants who had stuck stoutly to him in this occasion withdrew the Captain into his own Service for the testimony he had given of his Valour leaving Campagno after Colonel of the Regiment of Guards and since Governour of Boulogne with a good Garrison in his room as judging this place of that importance that it ought to have a person of no less Authority to defend it against any attempt from the Garrison of Blaye so near and so dangerous a Neighbour Yet did not the Duke keep it long in his possession for the King not long after commanding him to deliver it up to him he immediately obey'd though he had in a mannâ—r himself made a conquest of it Some say that the Mareschal de Matignon jealous of so considerable a neighbour as the Duke had earnestly importun'd the King to retrive this place out of his hands The Duke having by these successes settled all his Neighbours in peace whilst the rest of the Kingdom was in trouble it was but reasonable that he himself should share in that felicity wherein his Valour and Vigilancy had so fortunately establish'd others and of this he receiv'd the first and most happy fruits by the Blessing God was pleas'd to give his Marriage-Bed for having been already three years Married to Marguerite de Foix Countess of Candale without Issue the great and various agitations wherewith he had been continually exercis'd all that time scarce allowing him the leisure to live in company with his Wife at last this vertuous Lady in March 1591. was at Xaintes brought to Bed of Henry de Foix and de la Valette his eldest Son whom we have since seen Duke of Candale and whose Valour has manifested it self in most parts of Europe where he acquir'd the Reputation of one of the greatest Captains of his time To these Military Vertues he had yet the addition of so many other excellent qualities that it was hard to say which was to be most admir'd his Valour in War his Sweetness in Conversation or his Prudence and Dexterity in the Management and Conduct of the most weighty Affairs The year following 1592. the Duke was enrich'd with another Son Bernard de Foix and de la Valette who was boâ—â— at Angoulâ—sme and who is now the sole Heir of that illustrious Family a Prince whose Vertues would furnish me with sufficient matter for his praise did not his modesty impose my silence The third and last was Lewis Cardinal de la Valette born at Angoulesme the year following one whom the Court esteem'd and acknowledg'd for the greatest and most accomplish'd Courtier that had there been bred for many years He render d himself conspicuous in his profession whilst he continued in it by embellishing and adorning an excellent natural ingenuity with the choicest Flowers of Divine and Humane Learning and doubtless had he apply'd himself wholly to his Book might have gone equal to the most famous Church-men of this latter age but the heat of his Courage having tempted him out of the bounds of his Spiritual Profession he prov'd a better Captain than the chance of War would give him leave long to continue for the Wars of Italy wherein he serv'd the State with unparallel'd Diligence and greater Success than was to be expected from so few Forces as he commanded spurr'd on his untimely Fate as also his elder Brothers who both of them in less than four months space lost their lives in the same Army Whilst the Duke had been employing his Power and Person in these foremention'd exploits there had pass'd much important action about the Person of the King who after the Skirmish of Arques and the Battel of Yâ—ry was grown to such a height of Power and Reputation as had put him into a condition to undertake the Siege of Paris which doubtless he might then have taken if on the one side his Majesty had been less solicitous to preserve the City which would have been utterly destroy'd should his Army have entred by storm or on the other side the Citizens had been less obstinate in their defense but their despair fortifying and hardning them against their necessities which in truth were insupportable they gave the Duke of Mayenne time to fetch the Duke of Parma to their Relief which for some years prorogu'd the entire Victory his Majesty might then but for his Clemency have obtain'd After the raising of this Siege the King's Army being much decay'd by the length and ill success thereof all the Catholicks who had thus long serv'd his Majesty even his most particular Servants took the liberty highly to complain of his slow proceeding towards his intended Conversion as also the several Societies and Companies of the Kingdom generally sent their Deputies humbly to beseech his Majesty to put an end to that good work which would likewise put an end â—o all his own troubles and be the only means to preserve his Kingdom nay even the Court it self grew importunate in the same 〈◊〉 and were already laying the design of a third Party which would have involv'd the King in a new difficulty his Majesty had then no need of but to prevent all inconveniencies to stop mens mouths and to hinder all these Court-practices his Majesty saw it necessary to renew the War with new vigour and by some notable and important action to gain a reputation to his Party He took therefore a resolution to call all the Nobility he could win over to him about his person and that not so much to re-inforce his Army by their presence as to hinder them being at distance and in full liberty to dispose of themselves from joyning either with those Factions already form'd by his Enemies or such as were now even by those who had hitherto follow'd his Fortune forming against him Nevertheless his Majesty knowing very well that the major part of those who had separated themselves from him had done it meerly out of respect to Religion and that they would not easily be induc'd to return unless he first gave them some hopes as to that particular he sent to assure them that he desir'd nothing more ardently than to be instructed in the Catholick Religion to the end that with the satisfaction and safety of his Conscience he might make open profession of it to all the world Upon this assurance of his speedy Conversion which
certainly involve the Kingdom in a desperate confusion but the Duke of Espernon having consider'd that the Princes for the most part had neither mony nor credit at home nor no intelligence abroad few places to retire unto and fewer friends amongst the people whom the serenity of the present Government had rendred very well satisfied with their condition was of a quite contrary opinion He therefore advis'd the Queen Regent to cause them by the Regiments of French and Swisse Guards with such Horse as were ready at hand to be suddenly purâ—â—â—d assuring her that if the King would please to put himself into the head of this little Body he might with the greatest ease imaginable and without resistance suppress a faction that had inconsiderately engag'd in a Rebellion without other ground than the meer instigation of some mutinous spirits and no other support at all It was the same advice he had formerly given Henry the III. in the time of his favour and in the first commotions of the League which not having then been hearkened to had cost the King and the whole Kingdom so dear but the same Counsel had here the same success the wisdom of the Ministers of State could not give ear to an advice wherein they apprehended so great a danger so that for want of having observ'd what the presence of a King does in a Kingdom where the respect to the Sovereign Authority has ever been so inviolate as that it seems to be a quality inherent to that people they lost the most favourable opportunity to have secur'd the present peace and to have prevented the mischiefs that ensu'd could possibly have been wish'd An oversight that the Prince of Condé very well observing as I have heard him say himself he of that observation as we shall see hereafter made a great advantage for the King's Service in the Queen Mothers Affairs The advice of taking Arms being thus rejected the Duke of Espernon refus'd to have any hand in the insuing Treaty wherein he saw they were to purchase a Peace he neither thought honourable nor likely long to continue It was nevertheless soon concluded and the Princes having at this time found no disposition in the people to follow the humour of their priuate discontents nor being able of themselves to raise any considerable force made no great difficulty of selling a Peace they would undoubtedly have bought at any price had they once been made to feel the smart of War But for this they had great summes of mony that furnish'd them for another Rebellion with some other conditions as that there should be a Convocation of the Estates General for regulating such disorders as they said were introduc'd into the Kingdom And this was that call'd the Peace of Saint Menehou according to the Articles of which there follow'd after a Convocation of the Estates but not till the Declaration of the King's Majority had first been ratified in the Parliament of Paris that Act having been thought convenient to precede the Assembly to the end that whatever they should there conclude might be more authentick and admit of no dispute for the time to come During this Session of the Estates and in the sight as it were of all France which in the persons of their Deputies seem'd to be then present at Paris the Duke did an action which made a great bustle and noise in the beginning but that in the issue through the high consideration and esteem of his Authority and Vertue was pass'd over well enough I have already said when speaking of the erection of the Duke's command of Colonel General in Title of an Office of the Crown that the King annex'd thereto a Sovereign Justice or Court Martial over all the French Infantry In any difference betwixt Souldier and Souldier the Duke together with the Officers of that Body to which the Souldier did belong was absolute and sovereign Judge of the Offense but if the difference hapned to be betwixt a Souldier and a Citizen there he was to call some Officers of Justice together with the Officers of the Regiment to assist him Rules that being enter'd amongst the Statutes of the Crown are at this day part of the Law as they make up the most noble part of that brave command It hapned that at this time two Souldiers of the Regiment of Guards fighting a Duel in the Pré-au-Clercs a place within the Jurisdiction of the Abby of Saint Germans the one being slain the other was taken and delivered into the hands of the Prevost of Saint Germans who detain'd him in the Prison belonging to the Abby Whereupon the Duke conceiving this had been ignorantly done by the Officer who perhaps might not know how far in this case his Authority did extend sent the Prevost-Martial of the Regiment to the Bailiff to make him understand the right the Duke had to demand his Prisoner and withal civilly to entreat him to deliver him up that he might be brought to his Trial But this entreaty was answer'd with a surly and positive denial which being in the terms it was deliver'd carried back to the Duke made him infinitely impatient that the Laws establish'd in favour of his command should suffer so great a contempt neither could he on the other side submit to pursue all the due Forms by which he was by order of Law and Justice to retrive his man Thinking it therefore the most expedite way to make use of his own Authority in the case he commanded the Lieutenant of the Company of which the Prisoner was to take a Squadron along with him and by fair means or foul to bring him away which was accordingly executed and upon a second refusal the Prison of Saint Germans broke open and the Souldier carried away to be punish'd according to the rigour of the Law but by those nevertheless who were his proper and natural Judges Hereupon the Bailiff goes to the Parliament to complain of the contempt had been offer'd to the Court by a violence upon their inferiour Officers upon which complaint and an Indictment Viva voce preferr'd by the Bailiff himself the Parliament issued out a Warrant to apprehend the Lieutenant for executing his Colonels Order with a Citation of personal appearance against the Colonel himself A proceeding that as it could not certainly be approv'd by all surpriz'd and nettled the Duke to the last degree He complain'd of it to the King representing at the same time his reasons to justifie the Act and not being able to support the contempt he conceiv'd was cast upon his person by a body he had ever honour'd and sometimes oblig'd he would give the world an accompt it was no easie matter to serve a Process upon him That from the Parliament had been granted out the sixteenth of November and on the ninteenth the Duke went thither in person accompanied with five or six hundred Gentlemen besides whom there also crowded as many more young Souldiers of the
as true in his predictions as unhappy in prevailing with these good counsels his long experience suggested to him had advis'd that a sufficient Guard of Horse should be planted near to the Fort to beat back any that should dare to sally out of the Town to drive our men from their post He knew very well that the enemy had few or no Horse and that therefore they durst not without infinite danger hazard their Foot to come to us the space between being large enough to give our Cavalry room to come to charge and to cut them in pieces before they could come to the Fort that we kept and Calonge has since confess'd to me that had his counsel been follow'd he should never have dar'd to sally out it being not to be done without manifest ruine and that consequently within ten dayes he must have been necessitated to a surrender but this second advice was rejected as well as the first through the opposition of some who car'd not to overthrow the King's Affairs provided they could thereby discredit the Duke's conduct or traverse his designs All these over-sights of ours being taken notice of by Calonges he would no longer defer to re-possess himself of what had been taken from him especially considering that he could not otherwise preserve the place to render therefore his action more illustrious by the light and to put a greater infamy upon our confusion he sallied out at high noon at the head of five hundred Foot seven and twenty Cuirassiers fourteen Carabins and two Trumpets with which small party he fell so vigorously upon the Fort that it was abandoned to him with little or no resistance The noise of this sally at so unexpected an hour and the place where the action was performâ—d by its height expos'd to the view of the whole Army soon call'd all the King's Forces to the relief of their Friends insomuch that many Lords of very great quality and a great number of Gentlemen who hapned to be at that time in the King's Lodgings mounted upon little pad Nags most of them without Boots or other Arms than their Swords to signalize their Valour in the sight of their Prince who was himself spectator of the Action Of these the Duke of Fronsac a young Prince of great expectation was one the Duke of Montmorency another the Marquis de Beuuron Hocqueâ—ot Lieutenant of the Gendarmes to the Prince Cambalet Fabregues with many other Gentlemen of note of all which not one escap'd excepting the Duke of Montmorency and he with two thrusts of a Pike in his Breast so that this unfortunate succour serving only to augment our loss and to condemn those who had contradicted the Duke's opinion he receiv'd to his great grief a publick reparation which he could have been heartily glad to have fail'd of rather than it should have been purchas'd at the price of so much noble Blood and so notable a disadvantage to the Royal Armes Le Plessis Baussonniere Mareschal de Battaâ—le of the King's Armes bravely fighting escap'd in this first occasion though he was therein desperately engag'd but he was not so fortunate in another that â—ollow'd soon after at the storming a Half-moon where after having given his orders for the assault and put himself as his custom was in the head of the Assailants encouraging as well by his example as his voice those he led on to fight he lost an eye by a Musquet-shot which soon after occasion'd the loss of his life After so much blood spilt the difficulties of the Siege daily encreasing the Duke de Rohan was glad to make use of a juncture wherein his party had some little advantage to procure a more favourable Peace which was accordingly sign'd before Montpellier the 22 of October 1622. and Calonges surrendred up the place into his Majesties hands who if he had by his Courage won himself a great reputation in the Siege he obtain'd no less by his ingenuity in the handsome manner of his submission to the King The day after the Peace was concluded the King made his entry into the City when after his Majesty had taken order for the defense of the Town he took the way to Paris by Provâ—â—câ— Avignon Dauphiné and Lionnois so that the Duke of Espâ—â—â—on who never parted from him in all this Journey attended his Majesty into his old Government of Provence There had formerly been as you may have observ'd various dispositions towards the Duke in that Countrey as well friends as enemies but time which is the sovereign cure of all untoward passions had reconcil'd them all by this time to one sense All Animosities were now converted into a general esteem of his Vertue insomuch that I have not observ'd him to have a greater reputation in any Province of the Kingdom nor to be any where receiv'd with greater respect and applause All mischiefs whether publick or particular occasion'd by the former War were buried in oblivion and the people after having seen the King enquir'd aloud for the Duke of Espernon which his Majesty taking notice of fail'd not so often as he met a crowd upon the way to shew them the Duke they were so inquisitive after and when asking them some pleasant questions about their past disorders even their former miseries were at this time turn'd into delight The King at his departure out of Provence pass'd by Avignon where his Majesty was visited by the Duke of Savoy This Prince seeing almost none of the old Court save the Duke of Espernon for whom he had ever had a very great esteem though he had been notably disappointed by him in all his designs upon France as has been said before was particularly and infinitely civil to him He came very frequently to his Lodgings ever carrying himself with great familiarity and very obliging fashion living in the King of France his Court with as much liberty and freedom as he had been all the while in his own His aspect which was gracious open and full of Majesty giving evidences though under a very moderate stature of the great and generous soul he was really master of From Auignon his Majesty pass'd through Dauphiné where arriving about the end of the year he there found the Queens who by his order were thither come to attend him And here it was that the Duke of Espernon receiv'd a new honour in the person of the Marquis de la Valette his Son and which he preferr'd with good reason before all the rest he had hitherto receiv'd from his Majesties bounty The King had a little before as you have heard honour'd him with the Government of Guienne had by his Grace and bounty establish'd and confirm'd him in all the Offices and Dignities he had been invested withal as the rewards of his Service but now for the Crown of all his Favours the King would yet honour him with his Alliance and make him Father-in-law to Gabrielle a legitimated Daughter of
establish the order which for the future was to be observ'd in reference to this work the Duke was upon the matter oblig'd to make a Journey to Paris to examine the Accompts of his Agents there he therefore sent to the King to entreat his Majesty whilst the peace of the Kingdom and the good condition he had settled his Government in rendred his presence less necessary there to give him leave so to do His request was easily granted and he accordingly departed from Bordeaux in the latter end of November 1623. and came to Paris about the end of December following Some have suppos'd he did not so much desire this Journey for any thing that concern'd his Domestick Affairs as to see if any benefit was to be made of the Queen Mothers good inclinations towards him and to try the grateful return she made him to expect for the signal Services he had done her in the time of her disgrace She was of late years become all in all at Court and many of her Servants that had not so well merited from her as the Duke had done had receiv'd very great rewards but he could not perceive the same dispositions towards him nor discover the gratitude she had promis'd him when she was in the worst condition to express it on the contrary as if with her Fortune she had chang'd her Nature and as if by being become happy and powerful she had been no more the same Princess the Duke had so well serv'd when she was under persecution and had no power at all she no more remembred him she was oblig'd to have recompens'd by all sorts of benefit and favour The Duke came to Paris so well attended that of many years before there had not been seen any person of his condition enter the City with so numerous a Train Many persons of very eminent quality went out as far as Chastre to meet him and his coming was very remarkable by the solitude was observ'd in the Louvre where there scarce remain'd any save the King 's own Domestick Servants A thing his Majesty very well observ'd and was nothing displeas'd at it but on the contrary having that day taken notice of some Gentlemen in the Presence who had dependence upon the Duke he merrily said to them How comes it to pass you are not gone out to meet the Duke of Espernon he 'l talk with you for this when he comes So ready his Majesty was to cause that honour to be paid him that was justly his due He was receiv'd at his coming by the King and the Queens with very great kindness and falling to his business presently after his arrival Mauroy a Councellor of State and one of his Agents a man of great vertue and very good at business gave him up his Accompts exactly just and right but Valliech his old Secretary having employ'd some people under him who had either been not very careful or not very honest fell short above fifty thousand Livers which this good Master franckly forgave him his noble nature it should seem not being able to conâ—ent that even so great a fault as his negligence should ruine the Affairs of his own Family All his Accompts and the other Affairs that most requir'd his presence at Paris were in less than four months dispatch'd so that towards the latter end of April he began to think of his return into Guienne The Court was then at Compiegne whither the Duke went to receive the King's Commands supposing this should be the last leave he was to take and not expecting that his Age which was now very far advanc'd he being at this time near upon threescore and ten years old would permit him to make another Journey eight years after as he did in a marvellous health and vigour Whilst the Duke staid at Compiegne the King who would have been very glad to have the mis-understanding betwixt him and the Parliament compos'd caus'd d' Herbaut Secretary of State to treat with him about it wherein the Duke express'd himself very willing to an Accommodation and so far as to consent to the Act about the Couriers which was in his own presence by the Council determin'd in the Parliaments favour He was moreover satisfied with the Order the King sent to suspend the Election of the Maire of Libourne which was another main thing in dispute till his return into the Province But the first President was not so well dispos'd to peace he conceiv'd this Accommodation would infinitely lessen the Authority he had got amongst his Brethren during these controversies and therefore without any regard either to the King's Command or the Duke's Order precipitated the Election of the Maire whom the Duke found establish'd at his arrival from whence arose a new and higher quarrel than before So that if in truth the Duke was herein to be condemn'd for having in the beginning prosecuted things with too much heat the President cannot in my opinion be excus'd for thus urging them to the last extremes without ever yielding to such a reconciliation as might being timely apply'd have prevented the ensuing mischiefs The Duke having thus settled those of his Domestick Affairs that requir'd his presence at Paris and done his part to provide as well for the future quiet of his Government departed first from Compiegne and soon after from Paris to return into Guienne He would in this Journey take Espernon in his way that he might touch at Chartres in order to some Devotions Whither Cartier whom he had left at Court to solicit his Affairs in the place of Valliech dispatch'd an express Courier to him to let him know that Cardinal Richelieu was since his departure created prime Minister of State I was present when the Duke receiv'd this news at which he was the more surpriz'd forasmuch as he had discover'd nothing of that design in the time of his being at Court though he had been very frequent with the Queen Mother who had also constrain'd her self to dissemble a little forc'd shew of particularity and confidence in him by which he evidently saw he was not upon so good terms with her as they had a mind to make him believe he was he notwithstanding said no more at present but this That the Cardinal was indeed a man of great dexterity but that he would very much change the face of Affairs should he long continue at the Helme Upon the instant he according to his custom sent him a Complement upon his new promotion which doubtless was not very acceptable to the Cardinal there being scarce any space left at the top of the Letter and nothing more than Your very humble Servant subscrib'd at the bottom a style that he continued a great while and perhaps too long for the interest of his Affairs though it was indeed no other than what he ever us'd to all other Cardinals After having dispatch'd this Complement he continued his Journey towards Guienne
design to draw from the City a large Contribution he threatned the Citizens to destroy their Houses and Fruits in the Countrey of which he thought himself without contradiction the absolute Master if they did not speedily ransome them with a very considerable Summe As he himself press'd the City on the one side he had of another caus'd Verger Malagnet a Gentleman of his party to come ashore at a little point of Land in the River of Bordeaux that divides the Rivers of Garonne and Dordongne call'd Bec-Dambez hoping by that means to cut off the Commerce of those two Rivers from the City and by streightning it both by Land and by Water the sooner to perswade the Inhabitants to give him his demand This design which was not ill projected if it had been as well executed alarm'd both the Parliament and the people to such a degree that a greater confusion was hardly any where to be seen they knew not which way to turn them for their defense and though they had but too many Forces within themselves to defend their City from the threatned mischief yet had they no mind to examine their own strength that they might not be oblig'd to put them to the Test In this extremity the first President though upon no very good terms with the Duke notwithstanding the late Accommodation made no difficulty to have recourse to him to implore his Assistance for this time laying aside all Animosities and Aversions but it was only to assume them again when the Duke had deliver'd him from this fear as will hereafter appear At the first intelligence the Duke receiv'd of Soubize his landing in Medoc though he could not himself leave the work he had begun without infinite prejudice to the King's Service yet would he not omit his care to the preservation of the principal City in his Government He therefore in all haste dispatch'd away le Plessis to Bordeaux to advise with the Parliament what course was to be taken for the relief of the City and Countrey against Soubize his attempts giving him order withal to draw out part of the Garrison of Bergerac and to raise new Forces within his own Territories to serve himself withal upon this occasion writing moreover to his Friends and Servants in the Countrey to joyn with him and to Toiras who lay in the Isle of Ré entreating him to advance with all the men he could conveniently draw out of the Regiment of Champagne of which he had the Command Instructions that were so well observ'd by le Plessis and he so well seconded by the Parliament and Iuratts who were very ready to concur in an Affair that so much concern'd their common safety that all things were in a short time put into a very good Posture By which means the Duke without suffering himself to be diverted from the employment he had before Montauban not only frustrated the Enemies design but also extracted thence the opportunity of obtaining the honour of a second Victory Soubize being shamefully repuls'd his Forces routed the few that escap'd the Victors hands and with much ado recover'd their Ships leaving their Dead Arms Artillery and Baggage as infallible testimonies of a total Defeat The War was carried on in all places so much to the disadvanvantage of the Hugonot Party that the principal Heads and best Cities of their party apprehending a continuation of those evils they had already suffer'd thought fit to sue to the King for Peace Which was accordingly granted them but upon conditions far different from those they were us'd to insist upon in former times Rochelle if self not being in this Treaty able to obtain that they might be freed from the slavery of Fort-Loüis but on the contrary for an augmentation of their grief constrain'd by the Articles to admit of a Chief Justice set over them by the King oblig'd to slight all their new Fortifications to receive his Majesty with all due honor and respect so oft as he should please to honor them with his Presence and to keep no more Ships of War in their Haven The Rochellers would never have submitted to these hard Conditions had not the other Cities of their party and above all the rest Montauban positively declar'd they would no more expose themselves to those Miseries they had suffer'd in the burning up of their Countrey so that if we will consider the Duke's conduct throughout the whole business we shall find it more than a little conducing to the general Peace the King granted upon conditions so disadvantageous to his Hugonot Subjects But this Peace to the acceleration of which the Duke had so highly contributed begot a new War betwixt the Parliament and him and upon this following accompt The King's Declaration in favour of the Hugonots was by his Majesty sent to the Duke to cause it to be publish'd with express order nevertheless not to do it till after those of Montauban had accepted the Grace in all due forms of Submission which were the very words of the Dispatch dated the 18. of February 1626. But the first President having receiv'd a Copy of the same Declaration without ever acquainting the Duke who was come no further than Cadillac caus'd the Peace to be openly proclaim'd and that with so much precipitation that he would not forbear so long as till he could hear from Montauban to know whether they had there accepted the Peace or no. This impatience the Duke could not but interpret purposely put on to affront him 't is true that had no unkindness pass'd betwixt him and the President before the business was of it self so light that it might well enough have pass'd without any great notice taken but the preceding Differences giving him to understand that it must needs be done out of design he not only complain'd of it to those Friends he had in the Parliament but moreover writ about it to Court and gave the President plainly to understand that he would no more suffer such Contempts This proceeding of the first President 's was by no means approv'd at Court it was there look'd upon as an occasion of noise and bustle maliciously and unseasonably sought and for which he receiv'd a little rebuke but this spirit not much delighted with rest having met with another that was never tir'd out either in War or Business it was almost necessary that successive differences should continually arise betwixt them This at the last proceeded so far that the publick Peace was therein no little concern'd the Parliament pass'd many Acts and the Duke as many Ordinances to contradict those Acts. From Acts and Ordinances they proceeded to Invectives and from words to some untoward effects Some of the Presidents Servants were ill us'd and himself threatned whereupon the Palace was shut up and a cessation of Justice decreed The Duke's Friends and Servants fear'd to fall into the Parliaments hands and those who were affectionate to the Parliament were not
own Passion or Interest and in effect the great Succours that were drawn together upon Olome Sands and by which the Isle was preserv'd consisted principally of those Forces he sent away from Bordeaux Yet was not this the only thing wherein the Duke was highly serviceable upon this important occasion his instructions contributing as much at least to the taking of Rochelle as any other means whatsoever for it was he without all contradiction that gave the first advice for the bringing up a Cawsey to block up the Harbour and who rejected all the propositions of Pompeo Targone as frivolous and of no use and indeed the success of those floating Forts and Bridges contriv'd by this Italian Engineer proving such as the Duke had prophesied it would be they were fain when all was done to follow his advice A Copy of which advice I here present you as it was written by his own hand to the Duke of Angoulesme before the Cardinal came before Rochelle the Duke rather choosing it should seem to communicate his opinion to this Prince than to any other of the Commanders of the King's Army as he had his person in much greater esteem SIR I should have been glad of an occasion wherein by some signal Service rather than by fruitless and ill couch'd words to have manifefested my Affection to you But since my good Fortune will not so far gratifie my ambition I must content my self with what I have and make it the business of these lines to give you an assurance of the great obligation you have conferr'd upon me in sending Captain Marsillac with the Relation of the Relief my Lord the Duke of Orleans has happily put into the Fort St. Martin I doubt not Sir but your Wisdom has contributed much to this great performance the success whereof makes me believe that at his Majesties arrival the glory of chasing the English shamefully out of his Kingdom is assur'd and consequently that of reducing Rochelle to the last necessity of absolutely submitting to his obedience for the design of blocking it upon the Land-side by Forts and Redoubts with lines of communication is an infallible course it is indeed somewhat a tedious way but in a year or two at most the place must inevitably fall into the King's hands without loss of men and less expense of money but the Port must of necessity be shut up which is not to be done but by some solid materials and whosoever will undertake to do it by a floating Bridge will find himself mistaken at least my opinion tells me so for the impetuosity of the Winds and the force of the Tides will break whatever swims above water there being no stability in floating bodies to resist them Several other reasons might be given which would be too long for a Letter and besides it would be a great presumption in me to think my opinion ought to have any place amongst so many great and prudent persons as you are in the King's Army c. From Cadillac the 4 th of October 1628. The Duke of Angoulesme signified to him how much he approv'd of his opinion by the answer he sent him the 21. of the same month in these terms My Lord The new assurances you are pleas'd to give me of your affection together with your prudent advice have given me an equal satisfaction and desire to pursue the course you conceive most conducing to the happy issue of the Enterprize in hand I do assure you I am absolutely of your opinion and I think my self very fortunate in it but the diversity of Judgments amongst us producing variety of counsels I fear may be ruinous to a design the beginning whereof might otherwise promise a successful event c. And elsewhere he writes him word That he submits to his advice as to a thing that ought to stand for a Law and a Rule as well out of respect to the great Wisdom upon which all his opinions were grounded as to the perfect knowledge he had of all things that might prejudice or advance the design of Rochelle And in truth from the year 1621. that he had been employ'd before this place he had meditated nothing more than how to reduce it into his Majesties obedience So that I have seen in his hands at one time thirty several designs for the shutting up of the Port. Pompeo Targone as has been said came thither at that time to view the place and the Duke call'd in several other Engineers to advise about it but in the end concluded upon the Cawsey as the only thing that could possibly block up the Channel The sitting down before Rochelle soon stirr'd the whole Hugonot party into Commotion and although most of the other Cities of their Faction utterly disclaim'd having any hand in the English Invasion and seem'd to condemn Soubize for having call'd them in yet was there not one of them nevertheless that in the conclusion did not joyn with them or that refus'd to be involv'd in the ruine of that Rebellious City It was impossible the root of this Faction could be so violently shaken and the incorporate branches remain insensible of the motion so that the extremest members thereof foreseeing a certain and general ruine in the fall of Rochelle which was as it were the body where the soul of their Interest did inhabit they no sooner saw it threatned by these mighty preparations but that the common safety made them concur in the common defense and break into open Arms in all parts of the Kingdom In Languedoc the Sevennes and Guienne they were excited by the instigation of the Duke of Rohan Montauban follow'd the example of the rest and what Protestations soever the Inhabitants of that City had made to the Duke of Espernon that they would continue firm in their duty their destiny notwithstanding over-rul'd all those temperate resolutions and the hour was now come that the King's Victories must in spight of their own endeavours to oppose it establish them in a happier degree of Peace and Safety than till this time they had ever enjoy'd even in the greatest prosperity of their Affairs It was no fault of the Duke of Espernon's that they did not obtain this benefit better cheap and by better ways and that they were not at once both happy and innocent he often by Letters put them in mind of their duty and of the promises they had so faithfully made him to continue firm therein and for a final testimony of the zeal he had to their preservation sent to them one of the most powerful instruments he could possibly make choice of for so good a work And this was Morin a Councellor in the Chambre de l' Edict of Guienne a man of admirable Wit and great Eloquence to perswade them to their own good had they been capable to understand it and one the Duke conceiv'd the more proper for this imployment as being one of their
of most of the Duke of Mantua's Cities and excepting Casal and Mantua it self were masters of the whole Dutchy The King justly incens'd at so great an injury offer'd to him in the person of his Ally might reasonably enough have reveng'd himself by the same way by which he had been offended but retaining it should seem a greater respect for the Duke of Savoy than he had done for him he dispatch'd an Ambassadour to him to complain That without denouncing of War and to the violation of their former Treaties he had taken Arms against a Prince whom as an Ally he was oblig'd in honour to protect advising him in the conclusion either to restore things to the condition wherein he had found them or to prepare himself to withstand the utmost power of his Arms which he was resolv'd to employ for the vindication of his own Honour and the protection of his Friends and Allies If the Duke of Savoy a Prince truly great in all things had not yet been more ambitious than he was great it had been no hard matter for him to have found out such a remedy as might easily have prevented the ensuing War but being big with the hope of taking Monferrat he was not to be perswaded to give over an Enterprize which he thought as good as certain to him He could not imagine that the King's Army tir'd out as it was with the incommodities of a tedious Siege could be in any condition of coming to trouble his designs neither did he believe that the King himself who had been expos'd to the same inconveniences his Army had suffer'd could be so soon able in his own person to undertake so troublesome a Journey which being presuppos'd nothing could have power to hinder his Affairs so that endeavouring to hold his Majesty in hand without giving his Ambassadour any positive answer or absolutely engaging his word he still continued his Usurpation The King impatient of this injury to his own person and more of the injustice done to the Duke of Mantua with a Resolution as generous in it self as the execution prov'd glorious to his Name concluded the following February to cross the Alpes and through all the difficulties of Snow and Ice to force his way to the defense of his Honour which in Italy was so highly engag'd An Expedition that the Duke of Savoy finding he could not with all his dexterity prevent he resolv'd by Arms to guard the Entry into his own Dukedom and to that end he caus'd the passage of Suze a pass nature her self had made inaccessible if any thing could be so to Valour to be strangely fortified but this strong Post the King made no difficulty to assault in which Service the Duke de la Valette Colonel of the Foot putting himself in the head of the Forlorn Hope drawn out of the Regiment of Guards first mounted the Enemies Works and shewing himself as much Superiour to his Followers in bravery as he was in Command in a few hours overcame all difficulties both of Mountains and men that oppos'd his way The Duke of Savoy after this defeat not knowing what to oppose against the King's victorious Arms since his best Forces when fortified in a Post of so great advantage had not been able to withstand them began to see his danger and to perceive he had no way left but by an Accommodation to defend himself from manifest and apparent ruine which made him sue to the King for Peace and obtain'd it upon condition the Duke should favour the passage of his Army to the relief of the Duke of Mantua so unjustly invaded An Accommodation with Savoy being thus concluded the Spaniard who despair'd of being able to make good his ground in the open Field against an Army that had with so great facility forc'd the Duke of Savoy's people in their own Trenches thought fit to accept of the same conditions and accordingly not only rose from before Casal but moreover restor'd all the places they had already taken in the Duke of Mantua's Dominions wisely choosing rather to give way to the King's Fortune than to run the hazard of a Battel the event whereof they fear'd would be fatal to them though this discretion only serv'd to defer for a time the Victories heaven had destin'd for us over that insolent and implacable Nation Doubtless had the King pleas'd to have made use of this occasion and the power he had to effect any design he would have undertaken he might at this time with great facility have given the Spanish Forces such a blow that they would not of many years after have been in any condition to have brav'd him again in Italy but his Majesty contenting himself with having rescu'd his Ally from the oppression of those two mighty Enemies would not in his own person seem to violate that Equity and Justice he had travell'd so far to defend If the Forein Princes had taken a wrong measure in the belief they had entertain'd of the length of the Siege of Rochelle the Duke of Rohan was no less mistaken in the Expedition of Italy wherein he doubted not his Majesty would meet with so many great and tedious difficulties that he hop'd himself who was the soul of his whole Party might in the mean time and in the interval of the King's absence infuse so much vigour into his declining cause as that they would be in a condition for some time at least to defend themselves He had therefore taken Arms in the Sevennes and with the assistance of the Cities of Montauban Nismes Millaut Castres Privas Vsetz and some others had got such a body of an Army together as therewith he hop'd to maintain himself in that little angle of the Kingdom and either presently to obtain some advantageous conditions or to expect a more favourable time for the reestablishment of his depressed party In the mean time he treated secretly with Spain from whence he had also obtain'd a promise of some supply of money but the King who had intelligence of his practice returning with the same celerity out of Italy into France in the most violent heats of Summer with which he had pass'd out of France into Italy in the greatest extremity of Winter presented himself before Privas one of the Rebel Cities in Iune which also at his first coming he carried by assault after which Aletz another of the same principles surrendred without any resistance The Duke of Rohan observing what a tâ—rror the taking of these two places had infus'd into his whole Faction and knowing on the other side that a Peace with Italy and England was already concluded began to apprehend at last he should be totally deserted by all his Confederates and Friends and left alone to bear the shock of his Majesties victorious Arms which made him in time seriously to apply himself to his mercy to avoid the severe effects of his Justice One of the most powerful motives that induc'd
an acknowledgement If the Duke was very well pleas'd to see himself in such a degree of reputation and esteem upon one of the most conspicuous Theatres of Europe he was no less afflicted at the ill news he daily receiv'd from his Government where their Corn Harvest had prov'd this year so thin that thereupon a great and deplorable Famine ensu'd throughout the whole Province of Guienne Neither did the Duke fail in this exigent to try all possible ways to relieve them for after having given order for the distribution of all the Grain that could be gather'd in his own Territories he moreover dealt with some Merchants of Paris who undertook that provided they might have Commission from the King out of Picardy and Britanny to make sufficient provision wherewithal to supply that Province They had no sooner made this proposition to the Duke but that he immediately dispatch'd away an express Courrier to the King to obtain that leave which was accordingly granted upon the return of which dispatch those who had so largely promis'd did indeed perform something but nothing near what they had made the Duke expect so that nothing could so divert the Judgment Almighty God was pleas'd to inflict upon this delicate part of France but that in less than six months space above forty thousand persons miserably dy'd for want of bread a number that had in all probability yet been much greater had the Duke's care to their preservation been less by which the evil was at least moderated though it could not be totally overcome In the mean time the King's health was so miraculously restor'd at Lyons that his Majesty resolv'd to return back to Paris during which Voyage 't is said the Cardinal employ'd all manner of industry and offer'd all sorts of submission to the Queen Mother to reconcile himself to her favour but all in vain she was still so implacably bent against him that the Peace of Italy being already concluded and consequently the time come wherein the King had promis'd her to remove the Cardinal they were no sooner arriv'd at Paris but that pursuing this Affair with the same vehemency she had begun and so as if she had already foreseen all those evils she justly had to fear she was importunately instant with the King for the accomplishment of his Royal Word What repugnancy soever the King might have to deprive himself of a Servant he had found very useful to him in the management of his Affairs yet the respect to a Mother and the obligation of Nature had so prevailing a power over his own interest and delight that the Order was at last sign'd for the Cardinal's removal when the King to avoid either the Ceremony or Complaints of a Favourites farewel return'd upon that and no other accompt to Versaille from whence he was come but a few days before Doubtless had the Queen Mother gone along with the King this little Journey she had made her self absolute Mistriss of Affairs and there had been an end of the Cardinal But she thinking the work already done though she had but begun it a common oversight and out of that belief stopping short in the heat of her persecution gave the Cardinal by that means leisure to reestablish himself with the King and totally to subvert the power that had been employ'd to his ruine Yet was it not by his own prudence and conduct that he was thus suddenly restor'd who on the contrary had set up his â—est and was content to submit to his Fortune by withdrawing himself from Court a resolution wherein he had been so precipitous that he went the very evening of his disgrace to lye at Pointoise from thence to continue his journey to Havre de Grace the place he had made choice of for his retirement His equipage was already prepar'd already he was by the most of his friends the first and most ordinary effect of disgrace slighted and forsaken and nothing but solitude remain'd in his House when the Cardinal de la Valette prompted by a design more generous in it self than advantageous to or perhaps expedient for the concerns of his own Family rousing up the subdu'd spirit of his dejected Friend made him by force of Arguments recollect himself and see his error He remonstrated to him as it is sufficiently known to all the Kingdom though so long as the Cardinal lived no one durft record it That he could not assume a more dangerous resolution than to think of retiring himself That such as had once rais'd their fortunes to that height to which his was now arriv'd had no steps left them by which again to descend That he had no way to maintain himself in the height he then was but by aspiring higher that therein the way before him was honourable and secure but that there was nothing but precipâ—ce behind him which upon the least motion of retiring would give him such a fall that he would never be able to rise again That he deceiv'd himself if he thought his adversaries would satisfie themselves with what they had already done it being plain that they must still apprehend the recovery of his power which would be so much the more formidable to them as he had been by them more justly provok'd That he was therefore to go boldly to the King whilst the memory of his Services was yet recent and whilst his enemies blinded with their good success had left a passage open to him through which he might at great ease and with great safety travel to the ruine of their designs That he would himself accompany him to run his share of the danger if any could be in the execution of what he did advise and that having made him a promise of his friendship he would preserve it inviolate to him in the one and the other Fortune What might not a friend have reasonably expected in acknowledgement of so prudent and so generous a counsel and that was crown'd with so favourable a success we shall nevertheless in a short time see a sad return of that seasonable kindness Cardinal Richelieu fortified by this advice instead of taking his way towards Havre de Grace went directly to Versaille where addressing himself to the King and being better acquainted than any with all the little Labyrinths of his Majesties humour he soon by the charms of his Eloquence overthrew whatever his Enemies thought they had establish'd by more powerful ways In the mean time the Queen Mother dreaming of nothing less than so sudden a change already reign'd in Paris behaving her self to all that came near her person like one who was now got to be the Sovereign Arbitress of all Affairs no more caring either to improve or retain her Interest with persons whose Service she conceiv'd for the future unnecessary to the support of her Power The Duke of Espernon hapned to his good Fortune to be one of these he had the day preceding the Thunder-clap against
the Duke his Father After having preserv'd Metz by disarming the Inhabitants The Duke of Mayenne refuses to accept the Peace and endeavours to engage the Duke of Espernon in his discontents Who refuses to stir The King goes into Guienne and Bearne The Duke of Espernon presents himself to the King and asks his pardon And is very well receiv'd The Duke receives a promise of his Majesties coming to his house at Cadillas Where he is maâ—nificently entertain'â— The King departs from Cadillac to go into Bearne And reduces that Province to their obedience Which nevertheless continueâ— but a short space Anno 1621. The Archbishop of Tholouzâ— made Cardinal The Duke's expedition into Bearâ—â— The Duke receives his Commission The Duke begins his Journey A great number of Gentlemen come in to follow the Duke of Espâ—rnon in this expedition The Maâ—quis de la Force sends to â—â—vert the Duke â—â—om comâ—ing into Bearne The sudden terror of the Bearnois As also of the Souldiery The Duke quiets Bearne in a very short time And at very little expense A generous act of the Dâ—ke of Espernâ—n The Duke of Espernon returns out of Bearne to the Siege of St. Ieâ—n de Angely The King 's great favour and justice to the Duke of Espernon at his return from his expedition of Bearne The Duke of Espernon applyeâ— himself to the Sâ—ege The Marquis de la Valette receives a Musquet-shot before St. Iean dâ— Aâ—gely St. Iean de Angely surrendred The Duke of Espâ—rnon preserves the Town of St. Iean de Angely from being sack'd by the Souldier The Duke of Espernon's employment before Râ—châ—â—le The Duke receives the command of the Army at Cognac He obtains of the King Monsieur d' Aâ—try now Chancellor of France for Intâ—ndant de Iustice in this expedition The Duke of Espernon takes up his Quarters before Rochelle Several actions before Rochelle betwixt the Duke of Espernon and the besieged The first propositions that were made to the Duke for the blocking up the Harbour of Râ—chelle The surprizal of the Isle of Maron by the Duke of Espernon The King's exploits in Guienne The death of the Duke de Luines Anno 1622. The Duke of Espernon goes to the King at Poictiers The Duke of Espernon sent to lay Sieâ—e to Râ—yan Royan taken to the Duke of Espernon's great â—onour Strange Wounds The march of the Kings Army into Guienne and their progress there The Duke of Espernon receives his Patent for the Government of Guienne A comparison betwixt the Dukes of Espernon and l' Esdiguieres with some reflections upon the different ways of their advancement The Duke resolves to attend the King's person in his expeditions The Duke of Espernon takes a Journy into Catalognia The Duke's reception in all the Cities through which he pass'd The Dâ—ke of Espernon returns out of Catalognia The Siege of Montpelliâ—r A prudent counsel of the Duke of Espernon which not being follow'd cost the lives of a great many very brave men Another prudent advice of the Duke of Espernon's rejected The Peace concluded before Montpelliâ—r The King returns towards Paris The King comes to Lyons where the Marriage is celebrated betwixt the Duke de la Valette and Mâ—dâ—moiselle de Verneüil Anno 1623. The Dâ—ke of Espernon goes â—owards Guienne The begiâ—ning of the ill intelligence betwixt the Duke and the first President de Goâ—rgues Which begets that betwixt the Duke and the Parliament The Duke arrives in Guienne The Duke's reception at Bordeaâ—x * Iuraâ—s de Bordeaux are the same with the Sheriffâ— in other Câ—ties A difference betwixt the Duke and the Mareschal de Themines the Kings Lieutenant in Guienne * Or chief Jurisdiction An Accommodation betwixt the Duke and the Mareschal Themines The Duke coâ—es to aâ— open rupâ—â—re with the first President Who engages the company in â—is quarrel The Duke settles his Domestick Affairs The Duke of Espâ—rnon goes to Court Arrives at Paris Anno 1624. A generous act of the Duke of Espernon The Duke goes from Paris Cardinal Richelieu created chief Minister of State New differences betwixt the Duke of Espernon and the Parliament of Bordeaux The Cardâ—nal Richelieu opposite to the Duke Anno 1625. A new War The Revolt of Montauban The Duke's Forces The Countrey about Montauban laid waste Those of the Religion make a vigorous resistance Soubizâ— endeavoâ—rs to divert the Duke The Peace concluded Anno 1626. A new breach betwixt the Duke and the Parliament of Bordeaux Which grows to a very great height Leon Brâ—lart sent to Bordeaux to labour an Accommodatâ—on Wherein he does not sâ—â—ceed The business is referr'd to the Council who make an Award prejudicial to both parties A disorder at Court The Marriage betwixt the Monsiâ—ur and the Dutchâ—ss of Montpâ—nsiâ—r 〈◊〉 Letter to the Dâ—ke of Espernonâ—â— â—er great Uâ—cle Anno 1627. The Duke appoâ—nts a Tilting at Bordeâ—ux The Shipwrack of the Portugal Carricks The Duke de Candâ—le the Duke of Espernon's eldest Son comes to tâ—e Solemnity The Birth of the Duke of Candale the Duke of Espernon's Gâ—andchild The death of the Dâ—tchess de la Vaâ—ette 〈…〉 New occaâ—â—ons of misunderstanding betwixt the Duke and Cardinal Richeliâ—u about the wrack of the Câ—rrick The Cardinals pretensions The Duke's Title The Duke offers â—o 〈◊〉 to a reference which is refus'd by the Cardinal Monsieur Servient employ'd in the business who reconcâ—les the difference * Sous a peny the Sous de Paris or Sol Marque is peny â—arthing English * 〈◊〉 my Aâ—thour calâ—'d the Duke de 〈◊〉 Our English Authors that as they must needs be better inform'd of the motives of this War are likely better to inform us give a far different accompt Vide Bakers Chronicle The English land in the Isle of Ré * Six thousand our Historians say The Cardinals Orders to oppose the English Le Plessis the Duke of Espernon's Domestick Servant has the command of a Regiment â—onâ—err'd upon him upon this occasion Anno 1628. The Duke of Espernon's Letter of advice to the Duke of Angoulesme The Duke of Angoulesme's answer The Commotion of the whole Hugonot Paâ—ty And of Montauban * Chambre de l' Edict and Chambre Me-partie is all one it being as has been said elsewhere a Court erected in favour of those of the Religion consisting the one half of Catholicks and the other of those of their own party The Prince of Condé made the Lieutenant General in Guienne and some other adjoyning Provinceâ— The Duke of Espernon opposes himself to the Duke of Rohan who was moving with an Army to the relief of Rochelle The Prince of Condé lays Siege to St. Afrique With ill success The Duke sent Monsieur Fabert to Court The Duke of Espernon falls â—â—ck The Duke recovers Rochelle surrendred to the King Anno 1629. The death of 〈◊〉 Chief President de Gourgues Spain and Savoy invade Mantua The King goes into Italy The Duke de la Valette forces le pas de
would have discover'd how highly he had resented had he not been prevented by Death the Arbiter of all Humane Controversies All he could at that time do to let them see he understood them to be no friends of his was to forbid his Sons to see them or to be presented by either of them to the Duke of Anjou desiring rather they should receive that favour from the Duke of Guise a Prince with whom he had acquir'd a great interest as having oftern serv'd under his Command but most signally at the Battel of Dreux where he fought at the head of the Reserve with which when all other hopes were lâ—st the Duke won that day and wholly routed the Enemies victorious Army To him therefore he commanded his Sons to address themselves for their access to the Duke an occasion the Duke of Guise embrac'd with so much fervour and presented them after that obliging manner with that honourable mention of the Fathers great Merit and the great hope of his Sons that they could not possibly have chosen out a man that could more handsomly more obligingly or with greater integrity have perform'd so important an Office The infinite civility of the Duke of Guise together with the singular and natural art he had to acquire men to him gain'd Caumont so absolutely to his service that it was with no little reluctancy that he afterwards withdrew himself from him which nevertheless he was shortly after enforc't to do the divers interests that sway'd the one and the other looking so several wayes that it was not possible longer to continue their intelligence Their friendship began to grow cold before it came to an open Rupture Caumont not having receiv'd from the Duke that support and assistance he promis'd to himself from so powerful and so sincere a frined as he took him to be But that which strook the main blow was this The death of Mounfieur de la Valette immediately following the Siege of Rochelle his several Employments lay vacant by his decease which made Caumont repair to Court in hopes by the Dukes favour at least to obtain the charge of Camp-Master to the Light Horse for his elder Brother neither of them yet presuming by reason of their youth to pretend to the Lieutenancy of Guienne which the Duke of Guise not only peremptorily refus'd to intermeddle in but withal carried on the interest of some other pretenders with so much vigour and efficacy that in fine he excluded both the Brothers from all their Fathers employments Upon which unexpected unkindness Caumont retir'd so much dissatisfied with the Duke that since that time neither his Brother nor he ever had any complacency for the house of Guise The Brothers after this repulse spent some time at home in order to a settlement of their own private affairs which the quietness of that time a general Peace being before concluded gave them leisure enough to do But Caumont was impatient of this Countrey life and seeing there was now no more employment for his Armes he put himself into an equipage to go to Court to try if he could by his own endeavours obtain that for himself which the memory of his Fathers great services had not power to retain to his forgotten Family It was about the end of the Year 1574. that he undertook this journey King Henry the Third being then newly return'd from Poland a Prince inâ—â—â—nitely enclin'd to Peace and to that Catharine de Medicis his Mother being also wearied out with the former troubles they bent their â—oynt endeavours to the continuing of Affairs in the same quiet posture they then were to the extinguishing of all old discontents and to the avoiding all possible occasions of new They knew very well that none had power to beget new mischiefs or to disturb the present Peace of the Kingdom except the Duke of Alanson or the King of Navarre both which they politickly made as it were prisoners to the Court by the vigilancy of Spies though without Guards or other visible marks of restraint The King of Navarre as he whose Courage and great Qualities were more to be suspected had the stricter eye upon him and although he profest himself a Catholick yet his Fortune and Confederates obliging him to the contrary Religion they were in a perpetual jealousie lest he should at one time or another embrace the Profession and Party of those with whom his nearest concerns and chiefest interests lay The Queen Mother one of the most experienc'd Princesses of her time and a Woman whose Prudence and subtlety extended to all the Arts of Government knowing as well how upon occasion to order the allurements of Peace as to guide and govern the more important Affairs in the Tumults of War being no stranger to the amorous inclinations of the King of Navarre by daily invitations to Playes Masques Revels and other entertainments made the Court continually to shine in all the lustre and temptation of Beauty if possible to divert the designs and to soften the Martial humour of this Prince in the more delicate delights of vacancy and peace which kind of life it may easily be imagin'd could not be unpleasant to a man so young and so enclin'd as the King then was The Court being now nothing but jollity the whole Nobility of France had nothing else to do but to divide themselves according to their several inclinations into the Parties and Factions of these two young Princes amongst which Caumonts particular liking and Affection to his person and great vertues having enclin'd him to the King of Navarres side he was by him receiv'd with so infinite respect and kindness that in a very short time he stood equal to the best in the highest degree of Favour and trust Of which the King could not give him a greater testimony than by discovering to him his intended escape from Court and by commending thereby so important a secret to his fidelity and assistance Our Histories have glanc'd at the grounds upon which the King took this resolution which he shortly after executed with great secresie and a very slender train For pretending to go hunt in the Parks of Saint Germains he thence with only four or five of his greatest confidents of which number Caumont was one made his escape I have often heard him say that he thought himself so oblig'd by that favour that he had never separated himself from that Prince had not he first separated himself from his obedience to the Church He accompanied him in his retirement as far as Alenson whither the King was no sooner come but that his Physician invited him to be God-father to one of his Children The Ceremony was performed in the Hugonot Congregation and after their Directory as it may be presum'd it was beforehand determined it should be Whereupon Caumont taking the usual liberty the King had ever till that time freely allow'd him converted all the passages of that Ceremony into Mirth
treachery And now was the Duke resolv'd to have clear'd all that Province when the disorders of his own Government call'd him back to look after his own immediate concerns We have already given a Narrative of the Enterprize of Angoulesme upon St. Laurence day and further an accompt of the Clemency the Duke shew'd to those who had treated him after so barbarous a manner of which there yet remain'd some who as they were most zealous for the League and as they had been most guilty of that sedition mistrusting by the Conscience of their own Crimes that the Duke could never heartily pardon and forget them chose rather leaving the security and peace of their own Houses to commit their safeties to the guard of their own Arms than to rely upon a promise they knew they could not expect in reason should be observ'd The Chavalier d' Aubeterre one of the principal sticklers for the League in that Province having put himself in the Head of these Mutineers and having gather'd together some other discontented people of the Country had of these compos'd a Body of Light Horse and some Companies of Foot with which in this time of the Duke's absence he committed a thousand Insolencies nay to that confidence were they grown of their own strength having committed such Riots whilst there was none to oppose them that they at last shut up themselves in the Castle of Villebois which they intended should serve them upon all occasions for a secure retreat a place indeed of very advantageous situation very proper for close Fight and that had all the Avenues unto it of so difficult access that Cannon without infinite labour was not to be brought up to force it In this place then they thought to remain in great security and being but three Leagues distant from Angoulesme did by their continual sallies very much incommodate that City The Duke call'd now home by their insolencies sent them presently a Summons to Surrender to which they return'd so haughty and so impudent an answer that he saw he must be forc'd to Besiege them as he soon after did and having though with infinite trouble planted two pieces of Cannon upon the Hill where the Castle stood he caus'd them immediately to begin to play The besieg'd endur'd above two hundred shot without shewing any countenance of fear but at last seeing a breach made which put them out of all hopes long to defend themselves their insolence was turn'd into apprehension and astonishment and their scornful language into terms of intreaty and humble supplication submissively bâ—gging as the utmost grace they could expect that they might be permitted to depart with the assurance of their lives to which the Duke would by no means consent nor receive them on other terms than upon discretion to which after many difficulties which they had good reason to make they were in the end constrain'd to submit Their Commander in Chief Lieutenant to the Chevalier d' Aubeterre call'd Maumont knowing very well that both by the Law of Arms and by the terms of the Capitulation he was to expect nothing but death tryâ—d to escape with the soonest by causing himself to be let down by Ropes into the Grasse of the Castle but being pursu'd and overtaken he died more honourably than he expected being dispatch'd by a Pistol-shot in his head As for his Complices the Duke separated those who had been concern'd in the Conspiracy of Angoulesme from the rest whom seeing to be men so obstinate in their malice as neither reason could reduce nor mercy reclaim he caus'd eighteen to be hang'd up before the Gates of the Castle and pardon'd all the rest It is but a very little while ago that an old man of fourscore and two years old told me this story wherein he himself had been no little concern'd as being one of those set apart for the Rope for having before made one in the business of Angoulesme but his good fortune reserving him for one of the last that was to die and the Marquise de Mezieres who was at that time Mistriss of the Castle of Villebois being then in the Country and by some of the poor man's Friends apply'd to that she would intercede for him she had so much time as to entreat and obtain his pardon and this was I think the only man of those former Offenders who escap'd that Execution neither indeed could such a mercy have been better plac'd than on a man who knew so well how to husband his life when it was once more his own as to preserve it almost an age after This Castle with the demean and territory belonging to it one of the fairest of that Country was soon after purchas'd by the Duke and since advanc'd into a Dutchy and Peerdom under the Title of the Dutchy de la Valette And I have often heard the Duke lament the ruines he was forc'd to make of this Castle being before a delicate Pile of Stone and very capacious but never after wholly repair'd there still remaining some monuments of the Rebellion as also of the punishment those desperate men suffer'd who were the Commoters of it This execution that would have appear'd more like an example of Cruelty than Justice had the Crimes of the Offenders been less or not repeated strook such a terror into the rest of that Party that they were not now so hasty to appear for a side they had seen so roughly handled so that the Duke did now not only enjoy the repose of his Government but gave sanctuary to many of the King's Party of the neighbouring Provinces who were overmatch'd or oppress'd by the League I have already told you the occasion that call'd him into Limousin and I shall now tell you of another of the same nature and of no less importance though it made not so great a noise in the world that call'd him into the Government of Guyenne The Mareschal de Matignon the King's Lieutenant in that Province had his hands so full in and about Bordeaux that the impossibility of his being present in all places where his presence was requir'd gave opportunity to Lussan the Governour of Blaye a man enclin'd to the League to lend some Gentlemen of that Party some Forces in order to the taking of Bourg two little Leagues distant only from Blaye This Town though of a very little circuit is notwithstanding of very advantageous situation for besides that it stands upon an eminence of very difficult access it absolutely commands the River of Dordongne as it also at least awes that of Garonne being not above a quarter of a League from the Bec d' Ambez where these two Rivers meet to make the Gironde It must therefore needs be of great advantage to the League to possess this place by which means Bordeaux would be absolutely depriv'd of the succour of two so considerable Rivers by which the City was continually and abundantly supply'd The Leaguers therefore
excellent Lady in the six and twentieth Year of her Age after having manifested an indifferency for life becoming her masculine Courage and Resignation unto Death worthy her great Piety and Vertue The Sieur du-Masses Lieutenant for the King under the Duke in that Government dispatch'd a Courier to the Duke to acquaint him with his loss as also with the Dutchess her dying request unto him who after having given publick testimonies of his affliction than which nothing could be greater he vow'd to observe what she expected from his fidelity to the last hour of his Life A promise that he as faithfully observ'd though in the space of fifty years that he surviv'd this excellent Lady he was offer'd many and great advantageous matches which he still refus'd ever professing that the respect he bore to his dead Ladies last request did and should with-hold him from embracing a new Wife and fâ—om embarquing in a new Fortune Fortune had hitherto so favour'd the Duke in almost all his Enterprizes that his Affairs had been carried on with great prosperity and success and the Provisions he had drawn from the Province or bought with his own mony had kept his Army in so good Discipline and Obedience that the Provencials had tasted very little of the incommodities of War Yet wanted there not some unquiet Spirits who enemies to the peoples peace as envious of the Duke 's good Fortune endeavour'd by all imaginable ways to debauch from him the respect and good will he had by his noble carriage acquir'd from the greater part of the Country and from the better sort of men perswading them that his severe and hasty humour proceeded from a purpose he had to usurp an absolute Authority over them and rendring his best intentions so suspected to the people as made them at last refuse to pay their accustomed Taxes It was by so much the easier to corrupt these undiscerning spirits by how much a certain emulation has ever been observ'd to be betwixt the Provencials and Gascons as seems to have been hereditary if not natural to those two people So that the Provencials not being able to endure the dominion of those with whom they had ever disputed the prize of Glory and Valour were easily tempted to shake off the yoke that either was or was pretended to be impos'd upon them After therefore as has been said they had denied the Duke those Contributions which until then they had willingly paid most of the Souldiers of the Country who were in his Army retir'd themselves and some of the chief Nobility pretended to favour at Court by accusing him of inordinate Ambition though all his endeavour to make himself considerable in Provence was only in order to his Majesties Service The Duke seeing things in this ill condition would by force have reduc'd them to their former posture but this remedy which was by no means proper for the constitution of that people ripping up the memory of the severe punishments he had in such cases inflicted upon several men in divers places serv'd only to make them desperate in their disobedience and to incenâ—e them to the last degree Thus did all those who had manifested an animosity against the Duke begin to apprehend falling into his power amongst which the Leaguers were in the greatest fear who as their obstinate Rebellion had made their fault much greater than theirs who like Souldiers had defended Montauron so did they fear a worse punishment if worse could be than had been inflicted upon them They saw their City of Aix reduc'd to the last extremity neither would those within stay till they could come to their Relief The Count de Carces a particular Enemy to the Duke besides the hatred that diversity of interest does usually beget above all things dreaded to fall into his hands so that Friends and Enemies those who pretended to be Royallists and Leaguers conspiring together to hinder the Duke's further advancement he saw almost in a moment all Provence in Mutiny and Insurrection The King had already publickly embrac'd the Catholick Religion of which he had made open profession at St. Dennis the five and twentieth day of Iuly this same year whose Conversion having taken away all manner of pretense from such as had declar'd they forsook his Majesties Service upon no other accompt than the Interest of Religion the Inhabitants of Aix conceiv'd they could now no longer continue in their Rebellion without manifesting to all the world that they were sway'd by other considerations than those they had already declar'd to which the Count de Carces making use of this time and occasion adding his perswasions one while representing to them their Duty to their Prince and another the severity they were to expect from the Duke of Espernon animated as he must of necessity be by the hatred they had in this Siege express'd against his Person he at last prevail'd with them to send away speedily to the King to assure his Majesty of their Fidelity and Obedience This was the first thing that discover'd a disunion in the League of which though the Duke of Mayenne highly complain'd to the Count de Carces reproaching him with weakness and charging him with all the miscarriages that should after happen to their Faction yet was he deaf to his reproaches and the fear of falling into the Duke's hands as he was upon the point to do the City of Aix not being able longer to hold out being more prevalent upon him than the respect of his Alliance he resolutely persisted in his first Design But the Count de Carces was not satisfied with hindering the Duke from making himself Master of the City of Aix only the hatred he implacably bore him proceeding yet further and to contrivances of more dangerous consequence against him There was none who did not believe the King had a jealousie of the Duke's Designs amongst whom the Count de Carces who understood it better than the rest easily perswaded himself that his Majesty would not suffer the Duke to encrease his Reputation and Power in Provence by the taking of Aix one of the most important places of that Province And he further knew the Duke would as hardly consent to have his Conquest so near effected forestall'd and the prey snatch'd out of his hands So that in this diversity of pretensions he doubted not but that the King's aversion to the Duke as also his mistrust of him would be infinitely encreas'd which in the end succeeded as he had foreseen and projected The Estates of the Country assembled at Aix appointed Deputies to go make a tender to the King of the obedience of their City provided his Majesty would please to protect them against the Duke of Espernon whose power they said was grown formidable and his insolence not to be endur'd 'T is true he had acted vigorously against them but they would not say That had he proceeded with greater moderation they would ever
have return'd to their obedience or departed from the Faction whose interest they had so precipitously and rebelliously embrac'd The Deputies found it no hard matter to obtain from the King what they desir'd as to the acceptation of their City which his Majesty was very glad should return into his obedience but for what concern'd the Duke of Espernon against whom their deputation was chiefly directed they could nothing prevail at this time not that they fail'd on their parts with their utmost endeavour and eloquence to render his Actions and fidelity suspected to set the Kings heart more and more against him But whether it were that his Majesty would not give credit to so partial and so passionate accusers or which is more likely that in the present posture of his Affairs not yet well settled he thought it not convenient to disoblige the Duke to such a degree he would by no means gratifie them in that part of their deputation that pointed at the Duke's removal from his Government He saw him powerful in the Country supported with great Relations and possess'd of many strong holds in which condition it had been dangerous to provoke him to the height wherefore he thought it best to choose a mean betwixt these extremes and to give the Deputies some satisfaction without touching the Duke's Authority in Provence excepting in the City of Aix only which at the Deputies request his Majesty would not absolutely leave at his discretion His Majeâ—ties Conversion had as yet produc'd no great advantage to nor no great alteration in his Affairs saving that he had thereby assur'd many good Catholicks to his Service who before were a little distracted in their Duty and suspended betwixt Loyalty and Religion But the League still remain'd in the same vigour and the Spaniards hopes were yet as great as ever to carry the Election of their Infanta to the Crown in the approaching Assembly of the counterfeit Estates of the League at Paris All propositions of Accommodation with the Duke of Mayenne had prov'd ineffectual who was the more inflexible to Peace by how much his Kindred and Confederates the Count de Carces excepted continued firm in their union which also of it self was not very likely soon to disâ—olve where there were so many pretenders to the Crown to which five or six of the Family at once aspir'd In this conjuncture of Affairs the King willing to make much of those few Servants hâ— had and principally of the Duke that he might win time to order him at a better advantage when the State should be settled in a better condition wholly referr'd all differences depending betwixt the Duke and the Provencials to the Constable de Montmorenâ—y's Arbitration A man of all others the most â—it to accommodate those Differences who being a near Ally and a passionate Friend to the Duke and his Interests could no ways stand â—uspected to him and who his Majesty knew would be well lik'd of by the Provencials a people the Constable by bordering upon them had had many opportunities several ways to oblige Neither did his Majesty altogether â—o trust to the Referree he had in publick honoured with that Office but that he at the same time sent private instructions to Mounsieur l' Esdâ—guieres and to Colonel Alphonso d' Ornano to have an eye to the Duke's Actions and in case they saw him obstinate to the taking the City of Aix or that the Constable should in his Arbitration be partial to him that then they should openly undertake the protection of that people and by all means assure to his Majesty the posâ—esâ—ion of that City Yet were not these orders how secretly soever deliver'd so closely carried but that the Duke had immediate knowledge thereof at which unexpected unkindness being infinitely surpriz'd and wounded to the quick to see his Services and good Intentions rewarded by so apparent a mistrust he took up Resolutions which though I shall by no means pretend to justifie yet that the condition and misfortune of the time may something serve to excuse There was scarce a great man of that Age that was not of opinion a man might lawfully defend his own Fortune even against his Prince an error with which the Duke also having been pre-possess'd and therein by a number of ill examples confirm'd he was resolv'd not to refer the Controversie about Aix nor the interest he had in Provence to arbitration but to maintain himself in that Interest and Authority with all the Force and Power he had which made l' Esdiguieres who was soon enform'd how little the Duke was dispos'd to submit to the King's order after having conferr'd with Seignior Alphonso and concluded about the course they were to take to retire into Dauphiné there to prepare himself to pass over with all expedition and with all the Force he could make into Provence Whilst these little contests in Provence had been thus carried on which had taken up some time the King's Affairs about his own Person were advanc'd into a much better condition The Deputies of Provence had been dispatch'd to Court in Ianuary at which time the League being at their height his Majesty thought it not convenient to give the Duke any publick discontent but from that time three months were now elaps'd for this hapned at the end of April in which time the King had found a way to possess himself of the City of Paris The possession of this great and populous City had drawn many others along with it into his Majesties Obedience and divers persons of great quality had follow'd the examples of those Cities the Spaniard now was possess'd of few or no Towns in the Kingdom and the League was so strangely declin'd as to be only now almost supported by the single Family of Lorain which was it self also upon the point to disunite so that the King being no longer necessitated to dissemble began now to require of the Duke a more absolute obedience than hitherto he had done when having rais'd him many enemies in the Country and appointed l' Esdiguieres and Ornano with great Forces to make head against him he did not now so much fear his revolt as formerly nor consequently so much care to disoblige him The Duke who by the commotions of the people by his Majesties positive command and by the preparations that were made against him very well saw what he was to expect would notwithstanding how great soever his danger seem'd to be rather choose to perish in Provence in the defense of his Honour and Command than to go to Court there to expose himself to the malicious Offices of his Enemies He very well saw the best he was there to expect was to be stript of his Government to which he conceiv'd he had a better Title than to any other member of his Fortune He had in the time of his Favour purg'd that Province of the Factions of the League and the Reform'd Religion
themselves renew'd the interrupted Treaty of Peace in order whereunto the Deputies of both Crowns being met at Vervins it was there to their common satisfaction happily concluded That which I observe to be most remarkable in this Peace is that the King what necessity soever there was upon him of regulating the disorders of his own Kingdom which were many a thing neuer to be well done in the confusions of War would notwithstanding never consent his Deputies should meet to Treat till first the King of Spain had given him assurance that all the places had been taken from him in this last War should be restor'd His Majesty choosing rather to expose his Person and Kingdom to the uncertain event of another War than that his Crown should suffer the lâ—ast prejudice by a Treaty of Peace 〈◊〉 although he had hitherto been the loser yet did â—is courage 〈◊〉 him hope so well of his Fortune as to believe he should in the end bring her over to his own side So brisk an Article as this at first dash and before the King would proceed to any further Treaty it is to be suppos'd would startle the Spanish Gravity and must reasonably meet with great difficulty as it did in the Councils of War and Privy Council of Spain it being evident that in this demand the King would impose upon them who were the Conquerors the same conditions he should have done had they been already overcome which made it suffer a long Debate though at last it was condescended to and that being granted no other difficulties were likely to arise so that this happy Peace was Concluded and Sign'd by the Commissioners on both sides the second of May 1598. By the Articles of this Treaty the King was to restore the County of Charolois to the King of Spain to be by him held of the Crown of France who in exchange restor'd the Towns of Calice Ardres Monthulin Dourlens la Capelle and le Catelet in Picardy and Blavet in Britanny which Articles were Ratifi'd and Sign'd by his Majesty the eleventh of Iune who in gayety of humour at so happy a conclusion told the Duke of Espernon That with one dash of his Pen he had done greater things than he could of a long time have perform'd with the best Swords of his Kingdom This Peace was no sooner concluded but that the Court put on a Face far different from that wherewith it had appearâ—d when shaded and overcast with the tumult and trouble of War and Business nothing now was to be seen but State and Lustre nor was any thing now thought on but Feasting and Mirth which also was much added to by the celebration of several Marriages which were at this time consummate betwixt some persons of the greatest quality of the Kingdom For Katharine the King 's only Sister was Married to the Duke of Bar Son to the Duke of Lorain and Henry of Bourbon Duke of Montpensier Married Katharine de â—oyeuse with many other Marriages betwixt Persons of great Quality that were also solemniz'd at the same time but it not being my design to meddle with those wherein the Duke of Espernon was not immediately concern'd I shall only insist upon that of the Duke of Montpensier who contracting himself to so near a Relation of the Duke's that he in a manner supply'd the place of a Father to her it will be necessary I should say something of the reasons and conclusion of this particular Match The King since the Duke's return from Provence had never exceeded to him the favour of meer justice he had it is true left him free in the enjoyment of his Offices his Estate and Degree without doing him any the least injury in any thing that was his just and immediate right But as to the rest his Majesty not being able to forget his formention'd discontents against him he thought he did him a signal favour in that he forbore to do him any publick disgrace In this condition the Duke who saw himself seated at Court in a station far inferiour to that wherein he had formerly been suffer'd not a little in his own bosom from the King's coldness and indifferency to him yet concealing his discontent with the true respect he ought to pay his Prince and Master he avoided at least all occasions the only refuge of a suspected Minister that might any way bring him into a greater disgrace Yet even in this condition his fortune would not forsake him who when all other means seem'd to be lost that could probably restore him to any degree of his former prosperity sprung him a new tide to his stranded greatness and such an one as not only lifted him off those sands wherein he was like to sink and perish but rais'd him again to such a reputation as was no little support to his declining name and power Katâ—arine de Ioyeuse whom I have already nam'd was only Daughter and Heir to the Count de Bouchage and Katharine de Nogaret and de la Valette the Duke of Espernon's Sister a young Lady that besides the advantages of her Birth and Beauty was also Miâ—trâ—â—â— of very great possessions having to her paternal Estate added that of the great Favourite the Duke of Ioyeuse as she also was in expectation of that of the Cardinal de Ioyeuse her Uncle which reckon'd altogether must needs make up so vast an estate as must without dispute entitle her the greatest Fortune of France The Duke of Montpensier likewise as born a Prince of the Blood was also in high consideration wherein the advantage of his Fortune concurr'd with the eminency of his Birth he having alone a greater Revenue than all the other Princes of the Blood to which his Valour Liberality and Courtesie with other good qualities he was Master of had rais'd him to a very great esteem with the King and made him no less a Favourite to the People so that he was not only the Aim and Ambition of the best Matches of France but stood also in the prospect of some Forein Princes Amongst these the Duke of Lorain proceeded so far as to offer him his Daughter who was afterwards Married to the Duke of Cleve's with eight hundred thousand Crowns to her Dowry a proposition that being debated in the Duke of Montpensier's Council was very much lik'd of by some of his Servants who advis'd him to prefer this Match to the other Inheretrix of the House of Ioyeuse the fortune of the last being part of it yet depending whereas the offers of the Duke of Lorain being present and effectual would very much advance his Affairs and establish his greatness at great liberty and ease I have been inform'd and that by a person of Quality who was consulted about this business that one main reason which induc'd this Prince to prefer Madamâ—iselle de Ioyeuse before the other was the consideration of the Duke of Espernoâ— because in marrying her he conceiv'd he should at the
same time espouse her Uncles Interests from whose Authority he promis'd to himself greater assistance and support than from any other Peer of the Kingdom A consideration that prevailing above all other with the Duke of Montpensier dispos'd him determinately to resolve upon this Match to which by a particular liâ—ing he was before enclin'd Wherefore having without further deliberation caus'd it by some Friends of his to be propos'd to the Duke of Espernon the motion was by him who took it for a great honour receiv'd with all imaginable respect and as readily consented to by which the Duke being encourag'd proceeded further to move it to the King himself not without some apprehension nevertheless that the aversion his Majesty daily discover'd to the Duke might raise some difficulties at the first overture of his design though his fear prov'd vain for his Majesty seeing it would be a Match of considerable advantage to his Kinsman and in his heart acknowledging the Duke of Espernon to be a Subject of great merit though for some private discontents not very acceptable to himself was not unwilling to oblige both the one and the other by giving his free consent By this Marriage the Duke of Espernon's Affairs were not a little improv'd and if on the one side he by the consideration of his desert had preferr'd his Niece before the Daughter of a Sovereign Prince she on the other side by a very good return was acquit of that obligation by introducing her Uncle into the relation and support of a great Prince of the Blood by whose means he was soon after honour'd with a very near alliance to the Royal Family The Feasting and other entertainments of the Court did not so wholly take up the King that his Majesty was not nevertheless very intent upon his Affairs he had a mind to see an end of the Treaty with Savoy which was not yet dispatch'd though it had been compriz'd in the Peace concluded betwixt the two Crowns at Vervins The Duke of Savoy had desir'd some respite to consider before he would Seal which having been granted to him and he not being able to perswade himself to the restitution of those places he had contrary to the publick Faith surpriz'd during the disorders of the State as by the Articles of the Treaty he had been oblig'd to do he had no mind to put a thing to Arbitration he was certain that way never to obtain and that he was likewise resolv'd never to part withal The Pope whom himself had nam'd Arbiter of all differences betwixt the King and him was so far disoblig'd by the diffidence he had manifested of his equal judgment which the Duke had cunningly published to that end that his Holiness had excus'd himself from intermedling any more betwixt them a thing that having fall'n out according to the Duke of Savoy's hearts desire he resolv'd now upon a Journey into France to try if by his submissions to the King his dexterity with his Ministers or his liberalities in his Court he could not procure or purchase that to which he could with no shew of equity otherwise pretend but all his policy prov'd vain and his hopes were deluded as they were like to be in a Court where the King himself was alone the greatest and wisest part of the Council he must first corrupt him or at least very much deceive him before he could perswade him to consent to any thing prejudicial to his Crown and Honour The Duke of Savoy then being able to effect nothing by artifice resolv'd at last upon returning into his own Dukedom yet that his Journey might not be altogether without fruit he first caus'd the Mareschal de Biron to be dealt withal a man whom he conceiv'd his many discontents had laid open to his temptation and him he first tasted by Lafin the same who had made himself a Mediator betwixt the Duke of Espernon and l'Esdiguieres in Provence and who therein had abus'd them both This fellow of a turbulent unquiet Spirit and one of those who had rather be doing mischief than not to be doing at all was of late wrigled into the Duke of Savoy's Favour and had tasted of his bounty by which he was qualified to offer from the Duke one of his Daughters to the Mareschal de Biron in Marriage and with her several Seigniories to be held in Sovereignty with the assistance of the Forces both of Spain and Savoy to maintain him in Burgundy A Province contiguous to their own Territories Allurements so fitted to Birons ambitious and mutinous nature that he lent a willing ear to those dangerous propositions and as some have believ'd engag'd himself without much Ceremony in the Treason which prov'd at last his dishonour and ruine This practice with Biron was the only thing the Duke of Savoy with all his policy effected in France which nevertheless he thought to be of such moment as made him afterwards refuse to give the King that satisfaction he had promis'd and so to build upon the confidence of Biron's revolt that having before his departure from Paris engag'd either to surrender to his Majesty the Marquisate of Saluzzo or la Bresse with other Dominions at his own choice in lieu thereof and within three months time to perform it he had now no more regard to his word neither would do the one nor the other which oblig'd the King to seek that satisfaction by force of Arms he could by no other means obtain as he evidently saw by the delays and equivocations of this subtle Prince His Majesty had before he resolv'd upon this expedition been sufficiently enform'd of what means had been us'd to corrupt the Mareschal de Biron but whether it were that he really believ'd the Mareschal had been deaf to all such propositions or that by the testimony of an entire confidence in his Loyalty this generous Prince would oblige a Subject to continue firm in his duty who by his brave Service had deserv'd so well of the Crown and to look back into his error before he was gone too far he gave him the Command of an Army against the Duke of Savoy himself with orders to enter by the way of his own Government of Burgundy into Bress in which employment Biron so well conceal'd his practice and so smartly pursu'd the War that no action of his confess'd the least intelligence with the Enemy L'Esdiguieres also who at the same time enter'd by the way of Dauphiné into Savoy by his Valour and conduct made so considerable advances into that Dutchy that betwixt them in few days all the Territories the Savoyard possess'd on this side the Alpes were over-run by the Royal Arms except Montmelian which was not but by Siege to be reduc'd It was in this occasion of Montmelian that the Duke of Esperpernon did the King a very signal service A place reputed so strong and that had been so fortified and furnish'd with all provisions of War by the Duke
and practices that might discompose the calm of Peace his Kingdom was now settled in but so it was that for one or both these reasons he engag'd the greatest part of his Nobility whom he knew to be monied men in vast designs of this kind amongst whom his Majesty conceiving the Duke of Espernon to be one the most at his ease he was so importunate with him as to cause a plot for Cadillac to be design'd in his own Presence order'd the charge of the whole to be cast up and made one of his own Architects to undertake for an hundred thousand Crowns to begin and perfect the work upon which assurance the Duke as has been said in the year 1598 began the foundation conceiving that such a summe as that he might without inconvenience spare to gratifie his Masters humour though time afterwards gave him to understand how hard a thing it is to contain a man's self within a determinate charge after he has once set his hand to so tempting a work as Building this Pile before it was finish'd having cost him above two millions of Livres 'T is very true and which seldom happens to undertakers of such vast designs that with this infinite expense he brought the greatest and most stately pile of Building the Royal Houses excepted in France very near to perfection the whole body of the Building being perfected before his death and nothing save some few Ornaments left to finish neither had he left those to his Successors had not the disgrace of being withdrawn from his Government which still afflicted him diverted his thoughts from the sole care of that design The Duke as has been said being come into Guienne to take a view of his Building arriv'd at the City of Bourdeaux in the beginning of August where he found the Mareschal d' Ornano but newly there establish'd Lieutenant for the King by the decease of the Mareschal de Matignon who died of an Apoplexy and where their old Animosities though great were nevertheless on both sides so well dissembled as not to hinder a mutual Civility betwixt them no more than these civilities could hinder past jealousies from breaking out upon the first occasion into a new and open rupture This Mareschal though an Alien born had yet by his Valour and Fidelity acquir'd so great a reputation in France as in the Reign of Henry the III. to be a great confident to that Prince to whom the Duke of Espernon having been a principal Favourite it is nothing strange that a man of inferiour credit should envy another in a higher degree of Favour neither if the Mareschal were prepossess'd with this antiquated jealousie was the Duke on his part insensible of the recent traverses he had in Provence receiv'd from him the greatest part of the disgraces he had met with in that Country having been laid in his way by the opposition of l' Esdiguieres and him all which put together it may easily be imagin'd were likely to beget no very good blood between them To this the Mareschal a man of an imperious and haughty temper and who only under a forc'd smoothness conceal'd a natural arrogance could with no patience endure a Superiour an humour that made him with great anxiety look upon the Honours which at the Duke's arrival at Burdeaux he receiv'd from the Parliament with the other Orders of the City and which were also continued to him by the Nobility at Cadillac who from all parts came in to do him Honour But if his impatience were great before it was rais'd up to the height when he knew the Duke who well enform'd of his dissatisfaction to make it yet more had invited all the Nobility and Gentry of the Country to Bordeaux to a publick running at the Ring a solemnity that being there to be kept where he was in Supreme Command the Duke knew would much more nettle and afflict him It is very true that the Duke might have forborn this Bravado to a man whom he knew to be so tender of his Honour as the Mareschal d' Ornano was and perhaps it was not well done to offer that to another he himself would never have endur'd from any man living in a place where he had commanded in Chief but having once engag'd in the business his great spirit whatever might succeed would by no means give him leave to desist especially when he knew the Mareschal was resolv'd by open force to oppose him This was that which made what was before only a private discontent to break out into open quarrel which grew so high that the Mareschal address'd himself to the Parliament where in the presence of them all he complain'd what a commotion the Duke went about to stir up amongst the people to the prejudice as he pretended of his Majesties Affairs acquainting them at the same time with his resolution to make his Garrison stand to their Arms to play his Cannon and in fine to do what in him lay with all the power and authority he had to break that appointment and to drive the Duke from the City This declaration from a man of his furious spirit as it very much troubled the whole Assembly so it gave the first President D' Affis one of the greatest men that Society ever had since its first institution and a particular friend of the Duke's having by him in his times of favour been rais'd to that dignity occasion to make use of his Eloquence in the best Arguments he could contrive to disswade the Mareschal from that determination but all in vain he had already given out his orders and summon'd the Gentry to come in to his assistance though not a man save only one call'd Ruat would appear a thing which though perfectly true appears almost incredible that a Governour of so great Authority and Repute should be able to procure no more than one single man to serve him against the Duke of Espernon in his own Government Neither were the people better dispos'd than the Nobility and Gentry to take Arms against the Duke all men on the contrary of any note both within and without the City so manifestly appearing for him that the Governour was forc'd to arm his Garrison of Corses and to call his Company of Gens-d ' Armes out of their Country Quarters into the Town which were yet apparently too weak to execute the Mareschal's design And this was in effect the main cause that hindred things from proceeding into a greater disorder the Duke satisfied with the advantage every one plainly saw he had over his Enemy being the more easily enclin'd to the Parliaments solicitations who had sent their second President Nesmond to him to entreat he would not persist in his first resolution at whose instance and being loath to disturb the Peace of his Country as also to expose the great number of Gentlemen of Quality who were about him against a Garrison in his own particular quarrel and having a greater
out with the continual disorders the excess of his clemency begat every day in his Kingdom he was resolv'd to take order once for all and by a severe and exemplary punishment to quiet the Rebellion some of Mounsieur de Boüillons Servants openly maintain'd after his departure out of the Kingdom in Perigord Quercy and Limousin The Mareschal de Boüillon was seiz'd of many very fair possessions and had many Friends and Servants in those Provinces where the Nobility Gentry and Commons being also naturally inclin'd to Arms it was no hard matter to perswade them into commotion The King had been given to understand that under the pretense of seeking protection only from the Protestant Princes of Germany and the Swisse Cantons the Mareschal endeavour'd to interest them in the Quarrel of those of the Religion in France by possessing them as it was said that since the King's Conversion their usage was far different from what it had formerly been and the liberty of Conscience far more restrain'd than it us'd to be Neither did his Majesty doubt but that all of his opinion in his Kingdom would easily be induc'd to follow the Duke of Boüillon's discontent who had acquir'd an absolute reputation among them He farther saw that many Catholicks made no scruple to joyn with him to the end they might re-enjoy the licence of War which would by no means be allow'd them in the better times of Peace He knew that great summes of mony were distributed for the raising of men which mony was suspected to come from Spain from whence all the intestine broils of his Kingdom had ever been countenanc'd and promoted Evil dispositions that being all joyn'd together were sufficient to produce great disorders in the State and to reduce the King in spite of his heart to the necessity of a Civil War His Majesty therefore thinking it very convenient to prevent all these disorders and to suffocate them in their Birth resolv'd to go in person to Limousin either by his Presence to appease or by his Authority to suppress the begun Commotions but to dispose them to their obedience if possible before his arrival to chastise some Offenders without drawing the Odium immediately upon himself and to reduce every one to his Duty he order'd the Duke of Espernon to go before with six Companies only of his Regiment of Guards and four Troops of Horse not doubting but with this little Body together with the Duke's Interest which was very considerable in those parts of which some places were under his own Government he would be able to give a better accompt of his Expedition than another perhaps could do with greater Forces And to the end that his Justice might accompany his Arms he joyn'd to the Duke Iean Iaques de Mesmes Segnieur de Roissy Master of Requests with Commission of Oyer and Terminer to sit upon the Life and Death of the Offenders This was he so famous for his Integrity and Valour that was afterwards Doyen to the Council of State where though the esteem every one had of his Vertue was very great yet was it no more than was due to his merit although afterwards in the progress of a long life he had this honour added to the rest he enjoy'd to see his name illustrated by a noble Posterity not any man scarce of his condition in the Kingdom having supply'd the State with so great and able Ministers The Duke having taken his leave of the King advanc'd into Limousin where he would have Crequy Camp-Master to the Regiment of Guards to command in person the Forces he took along with him and where the most turbulent spirits at his unexpected arrival which by his diligence had almost got the start of any intelligence of his coming mediâ—ated nothing less than their defense some of the most advis'd fearing to have to do with the Duke or de Roissy appeal'd to his Majesties mercy and by the acknowledgement of their offense obtain'd their Pardon others retir'd themselves to the Duke de Boüillon to Sedan the most imprudent or the most unfortunate only falling into the hands of Justice Of which five or six suffer'd death though many others were punish'd by more moderate ways so that before the King's arrival at Limoges all those Countries that before breath'd nothing but Sedition and Disorder were now so calm and still that his Majesty had nothing to do but by his Clemency to settle Rebels newly reclaim'd from their Disobedience in their Duty and to reward his faithful Subjects by the demonstrations of his Grace and Favour The end of the Fifth Book THE HISTORY Of the LIFE of the Duke of Espernon The Sixth Book THE Affairs of Limousin that had taken up the Duke of Espernon the whole year having been compos'd with the facility you have heard the King return'd again to Paris attended by the Duke who had now nothing left to do behind The antiquated enmity that so many years had been nourish'd betwixt the House of Guise and him continued still which was ready to discover it self upon every light occasion and almost as oft as they met to come to a bustle betwixt them In all which disputes the Duke notwithstanding that that Illustrious Family by the greatness of their Birth and by their Offices in the State by their vast possessions in the Kingdom and above all by the great number of generous Princes of which it was compos'd as also by the potency of their Alliances made up a great part of the Court would never give them the least ground but ever sustein'd their power with great Spirit and Vigour neither did he want such a number of Relations and Servants as might secure him from the apprehension of the greatness of any He had sometime before this had a brisk dispute with the Duke of Guise the King being at Lyons which proceeded so far that the Duke of Espernon by the hands of la Pierre one of the Duke's Gentlemen receiv'd a Challenge from him though the Quarrel had been so publick and the Duke of Guise was so narrowly watch'd by his Friends that he could not get out into the Field wherein the Duke of Espernon was better serv'd by his who permitted him to go out of the City with Gohas whom he took with him for his second but being call'd back by the King's Command who would himself compose their difference that Quarrel was soon at an end There hapned at this time another betwixt the Duke of Espernon and the Prince of Ioinville now Duke of Chevreuse and Brother to the Duke of Guise for this Prince having staid the Coach of a Woman of Quality at the outer Gate of the Louvre one night that the King had appointed a great Dancing at Court and the Duke coming out with the Duke of Montensier to go home the Ladies Coach so stopt the Gate that the Duke's could not possibly pass wherefore he commanded the Coachman to make way But the Duke of
had already spread it self not only throughout the Louvre but also over all Paris at which the Queen being beyond all imagination afflicted and dissolving her self into tears without any other thought than how to humour and satisfie her own grief the Duke of Espernon came into her Chamber and after some expressions of sorrow which as a true Frenchman a good Subject and an oblig'd Servant he could not forbear for the loss of so good a Master he there told her That he did not come to her Majesty in hope to stop the current of her tears the cause of her sorrow being too great to admit of any present consolation but that she would ever have leisure enough to weep when perhaps she might not always have opportunity to provide for the Fortune of her Children and the Safety of the Kingdom which in effect were one and the same thing That her Majesty might better judge than any what envy the King's prosperity had drawn upon him from all the neighbouring Princes and how much it was to be fear'd lest his own Servants no longer now restrain'd by the presence of this great Prince might in hope of novelty be debauch'd from their duty if some good and prudent order for the settlement of Affairs were not suddenly taken That to keep things in the quiet posture they then were her Majesty must speedily and in the first place secure the Domestick Peace of the Kingdom by continuing Paâ—is in the serenity and calm of obedience it then was That the single strength of the Kingdom if united and in good intelligence within it self was of it self sufficient to frustrate the designs of any that should attempt any thing against the Crown of France That for his own part who had taken upon him the boldness to give her Majesty this first advice he there from his heart made her an humble tender of his Life his Fortune and his Friends to do her Service that therefore she was only to command what she would please should be done and that he would perish or cause her Royal will to be obey'd The Queen awak'd by so prudent a Counsel and fortified by the resolution of so generous and so considerable a Subject told him That she wholly reserr'd all things to his Vigilancy and Conduct to be order'd as he should in his wisdom think most fit wherein she recommended to his Fidelity the care of her Children much more than any concern of her own and that she should rest very well satisfied with whatever he should do knowing as she very well did his prudence and affection to be equally so great that nothing was to be added to them The Duke without losing more time went immediately out of the Louvre where the first thing he did in order to the Queens commands was to bid the Officers of the Regiment of Guards to put their men suddenly into Arms. This great body consisting of four thousand effective men and those of the best and the best Disciplin'd in Europe did not a little awe the Parisians from leaping over the bounds of their Duty a strength that as it was absolutely at the Duke's command so did he upon this occasion know so well how to dispose it into the most convenient Quarters of the Town that without all doubt it was by vertue of those Forces he secur'd the peace of that Seditious City and kept the multitude from tumult and insurrection Arquien whom as has been said the King had put into the Cittadel of Metz in the year 1604. was Lieutenant Colonel to the Regiment of Guards and consequently in the absence of Crequy who was Camp-Master to the said Regiment and who was already gone up to the Army with the greatest part of the Nobility of the Court was under the Authority of the Duke to command it Him therefore the Duke speedily sent for to have given him orders but he was no where to be found for from the instant that the King's death was certain imagining the Duke would infalliby take the advantage of the time and his own Authority to remove him from Metz he had taken post to put himself into the Cittadel hoping there he should be able to maintain his ground But the Duke who in the care of publick affairs did not altogether neglect his own which his Affection and Fidelity to the Crown rendred one and the same with the other judged by Arquiens absence what his design might be dispatch'd Mun de Sarlaboust Captain to one of the Companies of the Guards immediately after him if possible to prevent him or at least to follow him so close that he might arrive at Metz before Arquien could have time to practice any thing to his disadvantage The Duke had in Metz besides the ordinary Garrison of eight Companies of which he had compos'd a Regiment call'd the Old Garrison two Companies of the Regiment of Guards commanded by Tilladet and Fromigieres since Grand Prior of Tholouze all which were so absolutely at his devotion and their Captains so link'd to his Interests their Fortunes wholly depending upon his Favour as they had been rais'd by his bounty that not a man of them but was ready upon all occasions to be absolutely commanded by him To this he was confident of the Inhabitants good affection towards him who by the moderation of his Government and by the protection with which he had sheltred them from Sobole's Insolence were wholly acquir'd unto him which interests joyn'd together made the Duke confident he should not want Forces sufficient to hinder Arquien from being receiv'd into the Cittadel if Mun could get thither before him or even there to force him should he happen to put himself into it before his Orders could arrive And indeed all things succeeded to his desire as shall in its due place be declar'd But we must first return to Paris which at this time was the Scene of the most and the most important Affairs The Regiment of Guards being in the absence of Arquien drawn together by Saint Coulombe the eldest Captain the Duke sent them order to advance which being done he appointed part thereof for the Guard of the Louvre with the Regiment of Swisse which he extending the Authority the Queen had given him as French Guards over that Nation also had likewise commanded into Arms The other part were dispos'd upon the Pont-Neuf towards la rüe Dauphine and upon the principal avenues that lead to the Convent des Augustins He further intreated Mounsieur de Liancourt Governour of Paris speedily to assemble the Prevosâ— des Marchands and the Eschevins in the Hostel de Ville offering him withal a sufficient Guard to secure them as accordingly he he sent five hundred of the Regiment of Guards under the command of Captain Dnoüet who remain'd there two days together upon Duty These Orders being given the Duke himself mounted on Horseback went towards the Pont-Neuf to go to the Cloistre Nostre dame
posture after which he told them that his Sword was yet in the Scabbard his own words but that if before he went thence there was not order taken for the security of the City and Kingdom by declaring the Queen Regent he foresaw to his great grief he must be compell'd to draw it against the Enemies of the Crown and to fill the City with Blâ—od and Confusion That he knew there were some amongst them who would ask respite to deliberate upon the things propos'd but that he must tell them beforehand nothing was so dangerous as delay That in many great occurrences it was wisdom not to be too precipitous and to proceed slowly and by degrees to a final determination but that here it was quite otherwise it being necessary in this Crisis of Affairs to cut off all difficulties and immediately to resolve upon the thing propounded That what might to day be concluded without danger could not be done to morrow without Blood and Slaughter and indeed what pretense could any man have to ask respiâ—e in this case what was requir'd of them out of the rule of Equity and nature To whom was the King's Fortune more properly to be intrusted than to her who brought him into the world or to whose care the safety of the Kingdom than to her who for the space of ten years had with the late King been a Coadjutrix in raising it to that degree of height and reputation wherein it now stood He told them that the Queen was a Princess for whom his Majesty from the hour of his Marriage had never had any reservation in his most weighty and most â—ecret Affairs That he had made her his Companion in all his Expeditions That he had already deputed the Regency of the Kingdom during his absence into her hands a preordination after which he could not believe any one would dare to contradict the Judgment of a Prince so great in himself and so solicitous of the good and welfare of his Kingdom That therefore the most effectual means to preserve the Peace and Tranquillity wherein France had been happy many years was to concur in the King's Judgment and to justifie his Election That the discontents which govern'd in the minds of many men of very eminent condition were very well known to all That those persons it might easily be believ'd wanted no adherents That the impatient humour of the French in hopes to make their advantage of any disorder in the State would be apt to create more Mutineers if things were not settled in due season That there was no time so fruitful in Sedition nor so proper for mischief as when mutinous spirits were in suspense whom to obey That if ever this evil disposition was to be fear'd it was chiefly now when all the Forces of the Kingdom were on foot That they would doubtless soon be practis'd on all hands so that if by the prudence of that Assembly such temptations were not prevented those noble Troops design'd for the enlargement of the Borders of France and for the glory of the French name would by an unhappy and a sad revolution be seen to employ their Arms to the ruine of their own Country That they were therefore to take time whilst things remain'd yet inviolate and capable of the best impressions to mould them into the best form which depended upon their immediate Election That he had put the Regiment of Guards all the King's Servants and his own particular Friends into Arms that they might at convenient liberty and security deliberate of what he then propos'd that he knew very well what he now advis'd them to was without President but that he hop'd an Act of so great utility and importance to the publick good would one day obtain the Authority of Example and add to the Dignity and Reputation of that Honourable Body a priviledge by so much the more their due by how much they had never till then possess'd it That they did not need to apprehend herein their Authority should be prostituted to Arbitration or be disputed by any but that how high and generous soever their results might be they should infallibly be executed and that he and all his Friends were ready to lose their lives or to cause them to be inviolably obey'd The Duke's Oration being ended the whole Assembly remain'd in a profound silence and being equally astonish'd at the Accident had hapned and surpriz'd at the Proposition was made not a man on the sudden durst either by word or action express his thoughts only President Harlay in few words Gave the Duke thanks for the affection he had manifested to the Service of the Kingdom and to the Honour of that Assembly exhorting him to persevere in a passion so worthy of his Vertue and so becoming the place and honour he possess'd amongst them Whereupon the Duke perceiving their silence still to continue and unwilling to give them occasion to complain that by his presence he had extorted from them a resolution contrary to their sense and opinion he retir'd himself But at his departure that they might understand there was something of necessity in the case he told them aloud That what he had propounded was the best course they could take and that they were therefore absolutely and suddenly to resolve upon it Upon which last words the Sieur de la Guesle the Attorny General taking hold began in a short Speech to break the Ice by representing to the Assembly That though what had been propounded by the Duke of Espernon seem'd by the respect wherewith it had been deliver'd to be a thing wherein they were free to determine yet that what he had last said imply'd a kind of necessity but a necessity by so much the more just and honourable by how much the Peace of the Kingdom would not only be secur'd thereby but also a great advantage to their Body would certainly accrue That it was therefore in his opinion better immediately and voluntarily to declare the Regency to be in the Queen than to stay till their consent should be wrested from them upon compulsion and perhaps in a season when they should have no thanks for their labour Which being said the whole Assembly forthwith concluded upon the business by that Act not only securing the Peace of the Kingdom but also introducing a great example to pitch upon the same and an equally salutiferous resolution in our days when out great Queen Anne of Austria was settled in the Regency by virtue of the same Election I have often heard the Duke discourse of this Transaction wherein though he acknowledg'd his proceeding to be by an unusual and something an irregular way Yet that the Queens Regency being as yet not authorized by the Suffrages of any of the Princes of the Blood whose arrival also should it have been expected would probably have put all things into Confusion he thought it necessary to have it ratified by the consent of the people
was busie about the preparation for these solemnities the Prince of Condé and the Count de Soissons suddenly withdrew from Court whose retirement together with some discontent those of the Religion made shew of at the same time gave great apprehension that matters were likely to come to a speedy rupture but the wisdom of the Queens Council having apply'd seasonable remedies to this disorder if they did not absolutely take away the effect of what they fear'd they at least deferr'd deferr'd it so that the publick Peace was for this time secur'd The Queen caus'd the Princes to be treated with who were at last content to return to Court and to sign the conditions of the Marriage and those of the Religion having by this little disorder procur'd some inconsiderable concessions referr'd to a fitter opportunity the design they had to interrupt the main work which they conceiv'd would be infinitely prejudicial to their Interest and Safety I cannot in this place forbear another digression from my Subject to speak of the acquisition the Duke made at this time of one of the principal Servants he ever had in his Family and one whose merit made him afterwards very eminent at Court where he obtain'd no little Favour and Esteem with the King himself and this was the Sieur de Marsillac a Gentleman of as great valour and as graceful a presence as any whatsoever of his time This man had formerly had a dependence upon Balagny call'd the Brave of the Court whom Balagny had taken out of the Regiment of Guards where he trail'd a Pike to put him upon one of the boldest and most honourable Actions a Gentleman of his condition could possibly undertake and that was to carry a Challenge to the Duke of Eguillon since Duke of Mayenne This business hapned in the Reign of Henry the great who did not condemn him for it and though it was the first of this nature that perhaps had ever been known in France gave notwithstanding the Duke of Mayenne his Father no satisfaction therein what complaints soever he could make I have heard Marsillac himself tell the story He adventur'd a poor younger Brother as he was to go execute his Commission even in the Duke d' Eguillon's own Bed-Chamber whose generosity and freedom he could never sufficiently commend he doing him the honour to go out with him alone to give his friend satisfaction without other caution than his own bare word though he could by no means prevail with him to let him be further concern'd in the Quarrel being resolute to end the dispute without a Second the only thing whereof he could complain in the Duke's behaviour towards him though he gave him at the same time as much reason to magnifie the extraordinary and noble care he took to conceal the action from the Duke of Mayenne his Fathers knowledge He was in the house when the Challenge was brought and has often been heard to say that had he known his temerity he would have caus'd Marsillac to have been tost out of the Windows to have taught him what it was to bring a Message of that nature to a Prince from a private Gentleman and doubtless he would have been as good as his word he was so highly incens'd at the affront which perhaps serv'd for an example shortly after to the Baron of Luz in his challenge to the Chevalier de Guise As for Marsillac after the death of Balagny who was kill'd in a Quarrel being entertain'd into the Duke of Espernon's Service he obtain'd under him in the command of his Guard which he bestowed upon him so high a reputation and esteem that he was at last desir'd by the King where his Majesty gave him a Company in his own Guards and his deserts were infallibly raising him to a much higher fortune if at the same time the King express'd the greatest esteem and affection for him he had not at the Siege of Privas receiv'd a Musquetâ—shot in his head which as it determin'd his hopes was also the reward of all his Service We here with a new year enter upon a new disorder of which the immoderate greatness of Conchini was either the effectual or at least the pretended cause and doubtless his favour and insolence were rais'd to that excess as rendred him intolerable either of which are sufficiently odious in whomsoever they happen to befound but being united in him pull'd upon him the hatred or â—nvy of all sorts of men The most part of the great ones seeing themselves excluded from all knowledge of Affairs neither is it possible to satisfie all who will pretend to that priviledge cast their eyes upon the Prince of Condé to interest him in their discontents and the Hugonot Faction not being able without great jealousie to see the Marriage accomplish'd was no less ready than those Grandees to break into open arms The one and the other then being in such a disposition had joyntly by the negotiation of the Duke of Boüillon recourse to the Prince of Condé perswading him to oppose himself to Conchini's greatness to demand punishment for those evils of which he had been the cause and a Reformation in the State the old and common pretense of all such as would infest the publick peace The Prince had ever since the death of the Count de Soissons been in high consideration not only by reason of his quality as first but also as it were sole Prince of the Blood to which his admirable endowments rendred him no less conspicuous than did the preeminence of his Birth He was knowing dexterous and intelligent in all sorts of business beyond what could be expected from his age notwithstanding all which great qualities something yet being wanting that some conceiv'd was requir'd in a person of his eminent condition they had not allow'd him that share in the management of Affairs he either merited or at least desir'd an injury that he very much resneting and moreover animated by the perswasions not of the Duke de Boüillon only but also by the Dukes of Longueville Mayenne Nevers and Luxeâ—bourg who had every one a particular pretext for his defection made him suddenly depart from Court and retire himself to Mezieres in Champagne from whence should he be smartly laid to he might conveniently retreat to Sedan To this place he was follow'd by all the other discontented Lords as for the Duke of Vendosme who had likewise promis'd to do the same not being able to get clear of the Court so soon as he intended having been detain'd prisoner in a Chamber of the Louvre he nevertheless finding means to deceive his Guards escap'd soon after to his Government of Bretagne where he did what he could to fortifie the Faction by the interest he had in that Province This great number of discontents put the Court into strange disorder the old Ministers of State who had seen nothing of a Civil War for many years apprehending this would
this return of the King to Paris the Duke of Guise was made General of the Army which had hitherto serv'd under the Mareschal de Bois-Dauphin and the Duke of Espernon had also the absolute Authority of their Majesties Conduct conferr'd upon him who for fear of distasting the Duke of Guise would never till then pretend to any command an undertaking wherein he so acquitted himself as might give him reasonable expectation of a grateful return But who can promise to himself any fruits of his services especially at Court where the best are usually rewarded with hatred or envy nor had the Duke 's a better acknowledgment when having perform'd all that could be expected from a Loyal Subject and a brave Gentleman and that their Majesties by his vigilancy and valour were once settled in safety there was nothing more thought of than how to revenge the Mareschal d' Encre even at the price of so good and so faithful a Servant The first evidence the Duke met withal of any manifest disgrace was upon the occasion of a vacancy that hapned in the Company of la Courbe one of the Captains in the Regiment of Guards a Gentleman that having serv'd long and with great Reputation in that Command and hapning to die in this Journey and his Son a young and hopeful Cavalier having before his Fathers death been admitted Ensign to that Company the Duke who had been a great lover of the Father whose brave and late Services seem'd likewise to plead in behalf of the Son had mov'd their Majesties in his Favour that that Command might be conferr'd upon him Since the death of the late King nor of long before had the Duke ever appear'd zealous in any request he had not without any great difficulty obtain'd neither had he less but more reason now than ever to expect the same favour his recent Services having been of that importance to the Kings Affairs all which nevertheless being either not regarded or forgot and the design had before been concluded to disoblige him prevailing above the merits of the Father the pretenders Right and the Duke's Interest who interceded for him la Besne Lieutenant to the same Company was preferr'd before young la Courbe how displeas'd soever the Duke seem'd to be at that Election Yet did he not resent this ill usage so high as to leave the Court satisfying himself at present with manifesting his discontents bymany and publick complaints though in vain the Court now no more caring to offend him but on the contrary taking this occasion to exclude him from the Council where his candid and unbyass'd opinions did nothing relish with such as would have all things give way to their own private interests and doubtless had he at this time in the least bandied with his enemies they would immediately have attempted upon his person that the Mareschal d' Encre and his Wife might by so powerful an opposes be no longer travers'd in their designs The Duke's Affairs were in this posture when their Majesties having first recover'd Poictiers and afterwards Chastellerant where the Peace concluded at Loudun was sign'd arriv'd in the end at Tours neither did the Duke there fail how ill soever he saw himself entertain'd continually to pay all due reverence to the Queen when coming one day into her Chamber with a great many other Lords and Gentlemen one of the beams that supported the floor suddenly broke insomuch that all that side of the Room fell down with a sudden ruine overwhelming all those that stood upon it to their exceeding great peril Many persons of very eminent quality were engag'd in the danger of this fall amongst whom the Count de Soissons then very young was one as also the Duke Bassompierre Villeroy and some others The Duke being always very well attended his Servants suddenly leap'd into the midst of the ruines to relieve him where though himself was dangerously engag'd and very much hurt in several places especially in one shoulder he nevertheless call'd out to his Friends to run and save the Count himself also assisting as much as in him â—ay to disingage him from the rubbish and to put him out of danger by the Window of a low Parlour being much more solicitous of this Prince's safety than his own who being by his own and his Servants diligence secur'd he afterwards disingag'd himself from the ruines and wounded as has been said was convey'd to his own Lodgings The Queen Mother who by good fortune had escap'd the danger that part of the Chamber where she sate being supported by the more faithful strength of the other Beam that remain'd entire sent very graciously to visit all the persons of Quality who had receiv'd any hurt by this accident the Duke only who was design'd for the worst usage excepted It is not to be doubted but that the Duke must needs highly resent so manifest a preterition by which he evidently perceiv'd they intended to make him sensible of his disgrace so that fearing should he continue at Court after so clear a testimony of disfavour something of a ruder nature might be put upon him he forthwith resolv'd to retire himself as he did but with high and publick complaints of the injustice was done him and of the unworthy recompense he received for all his Service He spent two days before his departure in visiting and taking leave of his friends forbearing nevertheless that Ceremony to all he conceiv'd not to be such in what degree of favour soever they might be at Court he either having never understood or having never been willing to learn those mean Court Maxims that oblige men to dissemble their resentments and to give thanks for injuries receiv'd declaring on the contrary to all the world that he went away with the dissatisfaction an honest man ought to have for the loss of his time and service Notwithstanding at last taking his leave of their Majesties he was by the King and Queen very civilly dismist though the Queen Mother receiv'd his last complements with the usual coldness she had already begun to discover upon several occasions After this manner the Duke retir'd back to Angoulesme his old and ordinary refuge in all his disgraces whilst their Majesties continued their Journey to Paris where they arriv'd in Iune and whither the Prince of Condé also imagining he had by the Treaty of Loudon establish'd his Affairs in so sure a condition that it was not in the power of event to work any alteration to his disadvantage came presently after but he soon found that nothing is more unstable than a power how great soever that depends meerly upon its own strength the sole name of a King though a Child and the publick administration managed by a man hateful to all being sufficient to arrest him in the very arms of all his Confederates and even in the City of Paris where he believ'd his person through the affections of the people in greater
great Ministers of the Kingdom and that therefore she conceived she could not erre in following the advice of so mighty a Prince and in committing her self to the conduct of so faithful a Servant From Loches the 25th of Feb. 1619. The King had no sooner receiv'd this Letter but that the Favourites began to study an answer which though it were in shew respective enough to the Queen was yet full of threats towards the Duke Wherein after his Majesty had express'd to the Queen his astonishment at the violence the Duke of Espernon had committed upon her person he went on with great heat to declare That of all others he could never have suspected an offense of that nature believing there had not been that man in the world who in a profound and inviolate peace had had the impudence which were the express terms of the Letter not only to execute but even to meditate a resolution to attempt upon the liberty of the Mother of his King From whence his Majesty proceeding to menaces of the most severe and exemplary punishment he in the end justified those about his person from the ill usage whereof she complain'd as having been done by his own order and that with as much favour and respect as any Son of a much inferiour Birth could pay to a Mother declaring withal that he was resolv'd to take Arms thereby to put her in full possession of that liberty her enemies had taken from her and to cause the honour and respect to be paid her which was due to her person The rest was committed to the Count de Bethune who was sent away with this dispatch and who was to reside with the Queen to treat with her about an Accommodation a Treaty his Majesty immediately set on foot not thinking it fit till that way had first been try'd to commence a War wherein the Queen his Mother would be head of the adverse party A respect that did not long continue Whilst Bethune with this Commission took the way to Angoulesme the Queen Mother who departed from Loches the same day that she sent her Letter to Court was there arriv'd It was upon the first of March 1619. that she enter'd the City where she was no sooner come but that she dispatch'd away to all parts to dispose those who had promis'd to engage in her quarrel to declare now in her favour Most of the Grandees of the Kingdom were at this time retir'd from Court and almost all dissatisfied with the present Government yet whether it were as I have said that seeing the Duke of Espernon had already so engross'd the entire honour of the Action they could not in reason expect to share with him who had alone executed the most glorious and dangerous part of the design or that they had been taken off by the Favourites promises who in this juncture had not neglected to prevent the effect of their discontents however it was they were glad to do their own work at the Duke's expense and as they had had no hand in the action would not in the least appear in the Queens behalf The Duke of Espernon therefore with such Friends and Servants as he had must alone stand the brunt of the Royal Arms and undergo the utmost effect of his Majesties indignation The Queen 't is true granted out several Commissions and disburst some money not considerable for Leavies all which though it signified little to the work yet had she betwixt five and six thousand foot and betwixt eight and nine hundred Horse that were rais'd in the Duke's Governments by his own interest He had from the beginning of the Queens Regency made provision of Arms for ten thousand Foot and six hundred Horse which were now taken out and of so great use that could the Friends he had in Guienne have assisted him according to their affections he had upon his own accompt rais'd a very considerable Army But the Duke of Mayenne who was Governour of that Province having in this occasion been prepossess'd by the Favourite by whom the command of the Army that was to go against the Queen was conferr'd upon him it was not likely he should suffer those Troops to go out of his Government which were to be employ'd against him yet did not the Duke fail however of a very considerable succour from thence so great an affection and esteem they had for him in that Countrey the Marquis de Montferrant and Foncaude Brothers the Count de Calonges and some other Gentlemen of quality all considerations laid apart exposing themselves freely to the persecutions of the Court and the displeasure of a powerful Governour to pay that duty they ow'd and had sworn to the Duke of Espernon though having opportunity to draw away their men by Files only and that with great difficulty and danger they could not serve him so effectually as they desir'd Is the Queen found her self thus weak in the place where she was in person her party was in no better a condition in other parts of the Kingdom The Duke of Boüillon himself of whom the Marquis de la Valette thought himself secure refuâ—ing so much as to declare for the Queen who having long expected what the first success of Arms and the issue of the Queens Declarations would be and seeing neither the one nor the other which novelty often renders vigorous and considerable had produc'd any signal effect he was content to sit neuter and to attend the event by whose example some other persons of condition who had engag'd to take Arms in Champagne â—icardie and the neighbouring Provinces and that had been made to believe the Duke of Boüillon would head them refus'd likewise to stir all the most zealous and affectionate to the Queens Service could do being to come in in their own persons which signified no great matter Of which number were the Marquis de Môny Breauté Bourbonne Bethancourt and some others The Marquis de Themines came in also of another side though the Mareschal his Father was on the contrary party but it was only to command the Queens Guards of which he was Captain so that in effect the whole weight of the business lay still upon the Duke of Espernon The Favourites were in a far better condition who after they had on all sides prepossess'd the minds of the great ones and perverted the inclinations they might have had in favour of the Queen Mother had powerfully arm'd themselves rather indeed against the Duke than her The Duke of Mayenne was in the head of ten thousand Foot and twelve hundred Horse for the most part old Souldiers ready to enter into Angoumois The Count de Schomberg the Kings Lieutenant under the Duke in Limousin had receiv'd order to make Leavies to impede those the Duke was making in that Countrey which having done he soon employ'd them in an Enterprize of greater noise than moment though very disadvantageous to the Queens Interest
The Abbey d' Vzerche in Limousin stood for the Queen where some of her party had fortified themselves and the Count de Schomberg sate down before it whereof the Duke of Espernon having intelligence he went in all haste to relieve them His diligence herein was notwithstanding fruitless for the playing of a Salsisse having put them out of all possible defense they were forc'd to surrender before he came Neither was the place any thing considerable though in the beginning of a War the first successes being of great importance the Duke would willingly have prevented this disaster which seeing he could not come time enough to do he set himself to repair that little loss by some signal advantage he might with great facility have obtain'd over the Count when he receiv'd intelligence from the Queen of the Duke of Mayenne's being entred with his Army into Angoumois Which Army though it was indeed a good one and the coming of it very well foreseen yet its greatness being made more formidable by report it is not imagin'd to what a degree the Queen and those about her were terrified with its approach The Duke had taken along with him for this expedition of Limousin but very few Forces but the life and soul of the Queens party consisting in his person and experience her Majesty dispatch'd away to him Post after Post with so much importunity that he was in the end constrain'd to quit all his designs in Limousin to return back to Angoulesme Before the Duke's return the Archbishop of Tholouze his Son who had staid behind to command those Forces had been left with the Queen having intelligence of the Duke of Mayenne's motion towards Cognac was jealous he might attempt something upon that little Town the situation whereof rendred it very considerable there being a stone Bridge over the River Charente though otherwise very weak in it self and without any fortification at all All which notwithstanding the Archbishop with two thousand men went and put himself into it with a resolution either to preserve it or dye So that the Duke of Mayenne advancing to view it was entertain'd with so brisk a charge that he had no hope of doing any good upon men so well prepar'd for their defense Not therefore to waste time to no purpose he went on and took up his quarters at Chasteu-Neuf within three Leagues of Angoulesme where the Duke of Espernon being now return'd presented himself and his Forces to oppose him so disposing them into places of most advantage that the Duke of Mayenne could make no further progress into the Countrey He made indeed some light Skirmishes but such as won no great reputation to the one side or the other whilst the Peace was in Treating by the Count de Bethune It was doubtless by no ordinary conduct that the Duke of Espernon with so few Forces as he had about him kept so considerable an Army as the King 's in play and to manage the several sorts of people he had with him with that dexterity as to keep them from Mutiny and Disorder Such as have been engag'd in parties where the Royal Name has been oppos'd against them and who have commanded men who have had no less to apprehend from the Sword of Justice than from those of the Enemy will easily conceive the Duke had never greater use of his Prudence and Valour than upon this occasion it being certain that had his Authority susser'd by the least accident of that kind he had infallibly been deserted by the greatest part and consequently expos'd to his enemies discretion If the King's Forces were thus powerful in Angoumois against the Duke they were every whit as considerable in the Messin Countrey against the Marquis de la Valette The Duke of Nevers had there an Army nothing inferiour to that of the Duke of Mayenne to which outward Force he had also added secret practices within the City and the Inhabitants whose affections were warp'd with the fortune of the Duke's Family which every one believ'd to be so depress'd as never to rise again were not the least part of the enemies power In which extremity which could hardly be greater the Marquis de la Valette having reinforc'd his Garrison which was faithful to him with some Leavies that came to him out of Lorraine where he found very good Friends he so secur'd the place that the Duke of Nevers from that time forwards lost all hopes of doing any good upon it It is not to be believ'd what good effects the conservation of Metz by the vigilancy and bravery of the Marquis de la Valette produc'd to the advantage of the Queen Mothers Affairs which was no sooner perceiv'd impossible to be taken from the Duke but that they began to think it unsafe to urge him to the last necessity lest an extreme despair might prompt him to desperate resolutions so that the Court began now to be more facile and flexible to the conclusion of a Peace the resolution whereof had hitherto been so highly debated and in so great suspense The Treaty of this Peace receiv'd it may be imagin'd many difficulties and delays when the Count de Bethune having open'd the first proposals in the beginning of March things were not fully concluded at the end of May. He had with his Commission receiv'd express instructions by all means if possible to perswade the Queen Mother to exclude the Duke of Espernon from the Articles of that Accommodation with power that being granted to promise her all the satisfaction she could her self desire wherein I have often heard the Duke highly commend not only the Queens constancy who would never hearken to that proposition but the Count de Bethune's generosity also who being himself a man of great worth and honour could never countenance so unhandsome an advice But what one of the King's Ministers commanded and authoriz'd by him and importun'd by the Duke's enemies was asham'd to insist upon was nevertheless with great eagerness pursu'd by a person he had very highly oblig'd It is of Rucellay I speak who ambitious and puft up with a vain opinion of himself and the Services he had perform'd for the Queen was impatient that any one should rival him in the Queens favour or take the freedom to oppose his Counsels And it will be imagin'd by such as have consider'd the former passages of the Duke's life he was not of an humour to be justled either in the one or the other by a man upon all accompts so inferiour to him This disparity therefore both in their persons and judgments which at first begot a coldness only in the Duke who was very unwilling having lov'd and esteem'd Rucellay at a very particular rate to withdraw his friendship totally from him proceeded at last as it commonly falls out in such cases to a final and absolute rupture betwixt them It was at this time and upon this occasion that I
Upon which occasion the Duke of Espernon though very much incommodated with the expense of this War maintain'd almost throughout at his cost and by his interest endeavour'd nevertheless all he could to turn the best side outward pouring out himself in so many magnificences as perhaps he never had in his most flourishing condition so fair an opportunity of shewing the greatness of his mind and fortune After having lodg'd the Princes of Savoy in the Palace belonging to the Bishop of Angoulesme furnish'd throughout with his own rich Hangings emboss'd with Silver and Gold he entertain'd them with the pleasure of hunting a Stag presenting them with two very beautiful Coursers he had supply'd them with for that Chace After which he treated them three several times with so much splendour and magnificence that it could hardly have been greater at Paris The Tables which were forty times cover'd were at every covering serv'd with five several Courses neither was the profusion less at the entertainment of the Cardinal de la Rochefoucault and Brantes wherein if the excess made the Duke's liberality highly esteem'd it gave no less reputation to that little Countrey which could of it self furnish all sorts of provision in so great abundance It was not by the Cardinal de la Rochefoucault alone that the Queen Mother was complemented from the King and assur'd of his good inclinations and affection to her Luines who had a desire so soon as was possible to allure her from Angoulesme sending moreover thither le Pere Berulle at that time General of the Congregation of the Oratory and since Cardinal to settle her mind in a full confidence and security This Father a man of great Vertue and no less Capacity was very acceptable to the Queen and in no less esteem with the Duke to whom he had another quality of it self sufficient to commend him which was his near relation to President Seguier the Duke's most intimate friend After this person had dispos'd the Queen so soon as she could to come to the King he afterwards treated at great liberty and freedom with the Duke in the behalf of the Favourite from whom he deliver'd him other Letters full of affectionate expressions promising him withal in his name all sorts of good Offices and Service to which the Duke having answer'd with the same civility the Queen was in all apparence likely to be very secure and the Duke very well us'd for the time to come whose discontents as they had been the occasion of the War their satisfaction ought in all probability to have settled the Peace of the Kingdom though notwithstanding this fair outside of Affairs we shall see things fall out quite contrary in the ensuing year But to go on with the Subject in hand the Duke seeing all things now perfectly reconcil'd conceiv'd it very fit for him to write to the King to excuse what was pass'd which he accordingly did and indeed in terms of very great submission and respect though nevertheless far from any meanness or so much as any acknowledgment of the least offense Wherein he represented to his Majesty that having obey'd the Queen his Mother whom he had ever known passionately solicitous of the Kingdoms prosperity he never so much as imagin'd that the reverence he should pay to a person so nearly related to him could be reputed for a Crime That although in the very act of taking Arms to which he found himself oblig'd by an inevitable necessity he might possibly have given his Majesty some distaste he nevertheless conceiv'd he had by his behaviour therein so amply justified his good intention that no impression ought to remain in his Royal Breast but what should be to his advantage That he could confidently say that without so much as ever reflecting upon his own grievances and disgrace he had govern'd his passion from resolutions that might evidently enough have succeeded wherein he had sufficiently manifested the Reverence he bore to his Majesties Name and Arms though in the hands of his own particular enemies That he call'd all good Frenchmen to the test whether ever his own interest or animosity had transported him to any action contrary to his duty and whether he had not ever preserv'd his fidelity unspotted and pure during all the disorders of this Kingdom That he had now remaining but a short time to live and that he should himself conclude he had already liv'd too long could he find himself guilty of the least thought contrary to his Majesties Service and his own Duty That his Conscience being clear in that particular he demanded no other recompense for his Services pass'd than only a little repose in his old age expecting an occasion wherein he might honourably dye for his Majesties Service which was the conclusion of his Letter Dated at Angoulesme the 7th of Iune 1619. The Archbishop of Tholouze his Son was dismiss'd away with this dispatch who had also another Letter for the Duke de Luines in answer to those the Duke had receiv'd before The Queen in the mean time was preparing for her departure but her equipage being not to be made ready so soon as was desir'd at Court where she was with great impatience expected the Duke de Monbazon Father-in-law to Luines had yet time to come kiss her Majesties hands which was nevertheless by giving her new and greater assurances of all the good usage she could desire to press her with the soonest to part from Angoulesme and to separate her self from the Duke In the beginning of August therefore according to the Favourites desire she departed from Angoulesme in which Voyage the Duke only attended her to the borders of his own Government not caring to engage himself nearer to a Court to which he was so lately reconcil'd where the Queen at his taking leave after many gracious expressions of the infinite obligation she had to him presented him with a Ring of very great value together with a request that he would continually wear it for her sake as he did almost to his death This Ring was a Diamond cut into a heart and is at this day reputed one of the finest and cleanest for its size in France and this was all the Recompense he receiv'd for his Service he had done the Queen and for above two hundred thousand Crowns he was out of purse upon that accompt which nevertheless was more than he expected in the condition she then was having propos'd to himself in the undertaking no other acknowledgment and reward than the honour to serve her effectually and well upon this occasion The Queen after her departure from Angoumois arriv'd in a few days at Cousieres in Touraine a house belonging to the Duke of Monbazon where Luines accompanied like a Favourite with many persons of very great quality came first to wait upon her complementing her with the greatest civility and respect imaginable as he was also very graciously receiv'd And here
delay to send you assuring my self you will look upon it as a very great Honour and good Fortune to one who is so near and dear unto you I think my self the more happy therein as I hope to be in a better capacity of letting you see the great esteem I have ever had of your friendship which I desire to preserve by manifesting how much I am Uncle Your very good Niece Marie From Nantes the 7 th of August 1626. There was a strange and sudden alteration in Madames style before her Marriage it had us'd to be Monsieur my Uncle and her Letters always ended with Your most humble and most affectionate Servant but one sole night had so rais'd her above her former condition though very illustrious before that there was now very little difference betwixt her style and that us'd by the Queen and Queen Mother neither was the Duke it may be suppos'd displeas'd to be so us'd and the advancement of so near a Relation being in part his own that which seem'd a little to lessen him in this new way of writing he conceiv'd to be amply recompens'd in the honour of this Alliance The Dutchess of Guise also accompanied this Letter of Madame her Daughter with another from her self wherein she made an excuse for not having written to the Duke before the Marriage as it had been her Duty to do Telling him they had met with so many difficulties in the business that she could never believe it would take effect till she saw it absolutely done which uncertainty had occasion'd that neglect The King presently after did him the same honour as also the two Queens the Monsieur himself with the rest of his new and illustrious Allies but before he receiv'd the honour of these last Complements the Duke had sent the Count de Maillé to Court to prevent them and with all humble respect to let them know how infinitely satisfied he was to see his Family by his Majesties Royal Bounty rais'd to such an eminent degree of honour as it was by this Marriage The Peace of the Kingdom the success of the Marriage of Madame and the news of the Dutchess de la Vallette's being great with child hapning almost at the same time had altogether so overcharg'd the Duke of Espernon with an excess of joy that it must of necessity overflow He would therefore communicate part of his own satisfaction to the publick and as all his Passions would ever break out after an extraordinary manner so this of so excessive a joy gave him a new occasion of shewing the world the largeness of his heart He therefore design'd a Tilting at Bordeaux wherein instead of the vain unprofitable and fabulous representations that are usually exhibited upon such occasions he would make the people with delight and in security to see the various faces of War and in the midst of peace would divert himself with the exercises of his own profession To this entertainment he invited all the persons of Quality of both Sexes in the Province and the Duke de la Valâ—tte came purposely from Metz to supply the Duke his Father's place in all these noble exercises wherein he acquitted himself so well that he was not the least Ornament of that great Solemnity As the expense of this Festival was exceeding great the Assembly continuing for above fifteen days together so Fortune would seem to contribute something to this profusion but she did only seem to do it when after having presented the Duke with Millions and brought them almost to his own door she rather chose to bury them in the Sea than to make good what she had so fairly promis'd It is of the wrack of the Carricks that I am about to speak which hapned at this time and having had a Relation of so remarkable an accident from the Master's Mate of that of those two great Vessels which perish'd upon the Coast of Medoc I ought not I conceive to pass by so memorable a misfortune and of which I am able to give so true an accompt After the Conquest the King of Spain had made of the Kingdom of Portugal the same Custom the Portugals had formerly paid to their natural Princes for the Liberty of their East India Trade devolv'd of course to the King of Spain but with this condition nevertheless that the Portugals should not be oblig'd to unlade their Merchandize in any other part of the Catholick King 's Dominions than that of Lisbon only for a Mark of the antient Right those of their Nation had ever had to that Traffick with the Indies This priviledge was the loss of those two Carricks they had set sail from Goa the fourth of March 1626 laden with Merchandize of very great price as Diamonds and other Stones Amber-gris Besoar Spices Drugs Silks and other rarities both of the Indies and the Kingdom of China to the value of above two Millions and a half of Gold at least in either bottom They had been mann'd out with above four hundred and fifty what Mariners and Souldiers besides several Gentlemen and other persons of condition that either by the curiosity of Travail or thirst of Gain had been tempted into those remote parts of the world All these together made up above six hundred persons and one might indeed more properly have call'd these prodigious Hulks which were each of them of two thousand Tun floating Cities rather than Ships built for Navigation they having in them all sorts of Artizans establish'd Markets Victuallers and almost all sorts and conditions of men with the same policy and civil Regiment that is usually observ'd in the greatest and most populous Cities These two great Vessels that seem'd to be Sovereigns of the Sea and that despising any thing of a Storm fear'd nothing but Quick sands Fire and Rocks after a prosperous Voyage were surpriz'd in the Road of Lisbon with foul weather and driven back to Coruna a very good Port upon the Coast of Galicia in Spain Where the storm continuing very long the Captains of the Carricks were by those of the Town importun'd to unlade their Goods in that Harbour and no more to expose so great Riches acquir'd with so much peril and pains to the dangers of the Sea but they were deaf to that motion and on the contrary highly insisting upon their priviledge the King of Spain at last gave way to their obstinacy commanding only the Admiral of the Portugal Navy Don Manuel de Menezes with six of the best Gallions of his Squadron to put to Sea and to Convoy them safe to Lisbon though this precaution only serv'd to augment his loss The Gallions came up to the Carricks to which the Admiral gave express order not to stir thence till a calmer season But what good Counsel can prevent Mischance the Carricks contrary to all order and advice upon the first little Truce of the Tempest which as it often falls out at Sea only retir'd to return
him to sue for this Peace was doubtless the blocking up of Montaâ—ban and the waste that now the third time by express order from the King was made round about that City The Duke of Rohan had plac'd his latest refuge in the strength of this place and had ever hop'd whilst it could maintain it self in a condition to sustain a tedious Siege that resistance would infallibly put him into a capacity of obtaining very good Conditions but the King who had foreseen this design writ to the Prince of Condé to joyn himself with the Duke of Espernon to whom he also writ at the same time to the same effect to deprive Montauban by destroying their Fruits of all possibility of subsistance and therein the Duke of Rohan of the assistance he promis'd to himself from thence in the last extremity of his declining Affairs The Prince would himself be the bearer of this Dispatch dated from Suze the 27 th of April and accordingly arriv'd at Bordeaux in the latter end of May where betwixt him and the Duke all things were soon concluded on for the execution of his Majesties Commands an Enterprize that although the Duke had neither competent Forces nor other means wherewithal to perform it that no order had been sent either for money to raise men to furnish ammunitions of War or to buy provisions for the support of the Army his affection to the Service notwithstanding supplying all other defects he soon put himself into a condition to second the Princes desires wherein he was indeed necessitated almost alone to undertake the business how difficult soever he knew it to be For the Prince being oblig'd by his Command to have an especial eye to the higher Languedoc his presence was there very requisite and almost continually requir'd but the Duke fail'd not for any other consideration according to his custom to acquit himself very exactly of his share of the work Whilst the Duke was in the heat of this execution the Peace was concluded with the Duke of Rohan in Iuly which all the other Cities of his Faction likewise accepted excepting Montauban which for some days stood out not that they did not desire it equally with the rest they had suffer'd too much and were reduc'd to too necessitous a condition to oppose their own quiet but the Duke whatsoever those of Montauban could pretend to wit That having suffer'd so much by his Arms they could not consent to allow him the honour of having subdu'd them very well understood that all those excuses were suggested to them by the Cardinal who ambitious to have the honour of totally suppressing that party attributed to himself did especially desire that this City which after the surrender of Rochelle was become the Metropolis of the Faction should be deliver'd up into his hands He had therefore acquainted the principal of the Inhabitants that it was from him alone they were to expect whatever advantages they could propose to themselves from this Accommodation and that it would therefore concern them to reserve themselves entirely for him to be the more worthy of his protection from whence they might derive a greater support than from all other powers upon earth The Duke nettled at this usage and unable in the interests of Honour to give place to any whomsoever retir'd himself to his House Cadillac with a resolution seeing the Cardinal would by his Authority ravish from him an honour he had by his Services so highly deâ—erv'd not to pay him so much as the civility of a Visit in his Government into which he was now coming to take possession of Montauban as if he had been the man had reduc'd it But the Cardinal whose design it was as has been said to engross to himself the whole reputation of this War thought nothing would so much illustrate his Triumph as to receive a Visit from the Duke of Espernon in one of the principal Cities of his own Government and conceiving such a Complement would pass in the opinion of all the world for an absolute testimony of an entire submission he was infinitely desirous to have him won to that complacency which being he could not handsomely try to do directly from himself he caus'd him to be very highly importun'd to that purpose by some of the Duke 's own peculiar friends who were at that time about his person These Gentlemen therefore and amongst others particularly Mareschal Bassompierre represented to the Duke that all this time an enterview betwixt the Cardinal and him was highly necessary to the good of his own Affairs without which he could not possibly avoid giving a mortal Affront to a man become absolute at Court by the ruine of a Faction which alone had hitherto serv'd for an allay to the excess of his power An advice that was so well seconded by le Plessis who of all others had the greatest sway with the Duke and fortified with so many powerful Arguments that at last he resolv'd upon this Visit. Yet do I very well remember with how great reluctancy it was and with how strange a violence upon his own humour and haughty spirit that he suffer'd himself to be overrul'd in this particular and how unwillingly he set out towards Montauban Though the Cardinal was very much press'd by his own Interests to go in all diligence after the King who had taken the way to Paris immediately upon the conclusion of the Treaty it is notwithstanding most certain that he waited two whole days together the Duke's coming to Montauban where when he came he receiv'd him with extraordinary kindness and respect and though many things had pass'd upon leveral occasions that might reasonably enough beget ill blood betwixt them the Cardinal by an excess of freedom and civility gave manifest testimonies that he retain'd no memory of any former unkindness but on the contrary protested that he would value the Duke's friendship preferrably to any other persons in the Kingdom which was his own expression and upon an intimation the Duke gave him that he had occasion to make a Journey to Court promis'd him that soo soon as he should see the King he would procure him leave so to do a thing which with all the importunities he could make the Duke had before not been able to obtain Neither did the Cardinal limit his offers here he assuring him moreover that he would serve him in all things and if he would give him leave supply the place of a fourth Son to him wherein he would contend with the other three which should pay him the greatest honour which were the express terms of his Complement The next day after his arrival the Cardinal treated him in his own Lodgings where he gave him the chief place of honour at the Table notwithstanding the Duke of Montmorency was there present omitting no civility that might beget a strict League of Friendship betwixt them so that it is most certain could the Duke have bow'd a little
Espernon as other people It cannot be imagin'd but that without all doubt this comparison must needs displease the Cardinal neither were the Duke's Servants and Friends to whom he related this passage at his coming home much better satisfied with it but the words were already out of his mouth and were no more to be recall'd Every one apprehended this liberty would draw upon him the hatred of him that was all powerful at Court yet did nothing at present appear so that if the Cardinal was really distasted at it he nevertheless deferr'd his revenge till a fitter season And indeed he had at this time something else to do than to stand upon a particular Quarrel with the Duke of Espernon so many other Affairs of very high concern falling upon him at once and at the same instant that perhaps in his life he never had so hard a Game to play The Queen Mother had long been very much dissatisfied with his proceeding and her ill will grown now to a greater degree than ever she could no longer forbear to profess an open and implacable hatred against him She could not endure that a man who was her Creature and rais'd by her bounty should get the start of her in the confidence of the King her Son wherein by all the reasons in the world she ought to be preferr'd and that made her directly oppose all his Counsels which how well soever they succeeded she still found matter enough to render them suspected to the King and to discredit them by sinister interpretations So great a power as this hitherto entire and fortified by all the considerations of duty and nature was not easily to be baffled by a Servant and who had no other support than the affection of his Master of it self mutable and uncertain so that the Cardinal seeing himself assaulted by so passionate and so powerful an Enemy might reasonably enough apprehend being crush'd to nothing under the weight of her Authority and Power but as mischiefs seldom come alone several Forein troubles also concurr'd with this disorder at home The Duke of Savoy was grown by this time sensible of the dishonourable peace he had concluded at Suze to which the loss of Montferrat stuck mainly in his stomack He had reckon'd himself sure of the conquest of this place and indeed had not the King interpos'd that Countrey had by this time been wholly in his possession He had therefore more firmly than ever confederated himself with the House of Austria to the end they might joyntly invade the Duke of Mantua the rumour of which preparation was already spread abroad and they were already in Arms in which condition this desolate Prince had no body to fly to for protection save only the King of France His interests that could not without infamy be abandoned put the Cardinals Affairs into very great danger who as on the one side he very well knew that Court divisions which are the issue of ease and rest are ordinarily smother'd in employment and of all other in that of War So he also saw that this War being to be undertaken by his Counsels to which the Queen Mother was directly opposite he should become responsible for the event and that the least disafter that should happen would infallibly be laid at his door Yet as if all these difficulties had been too few to perplex him another of no less importance fell out at the same time which was the discontent of the Monsieur and his sudden retirement from Court to which also another succeeded and that was the Duke of Lorain's taking Arms to joyn with the Emperour who having a design to possess us with some jealousie of our Frontier of Lorain thereby to give the Confederate Princes more leisure to make a Progress in Italy seem'd to threaten Metz by advancing that way with his Army and fortifying all the places upon that Frontier In this conflux of untoward accidents the Cardinal though he could work nothing upon the implacable spirit of the Queen Mother he found means nevertheless to appease the Monsieur and to bring him back to Court by obtaining for him from the King whatever he could either for himself or in the behalf of his friends demand or desire He sent moreover into Lorain to sound the Duke's intentions who for this time dissembling his designs protested he had taken Arms for no other end than to serve the King by opposing the Emperours designs who he said could attempt nothing upon his Countrey that must not infallibly redound to the prejudice of France So that by this means the Cardinal having either compos'd diverted or at least deferr'd part of those mischiefs that most immediately press'd upon him he would himself undertake the expedition of Italy whilst the King should totally reclaim the Monsieur his Brother and satisfie all his discontents by the performance of those things that had been promis'd to him The Cardinal was no sooner arriv'd in Savoy but that he sent to feel the pulse of that Duke whom finding still constant to his old State Maxims which was by fair words and large promises to amuse such as were likely to hinder his designs whilst he in the mean time was still intent upon his business he fell so briskly to work that having taken from him Pignerol and some other strong places the Savoyard was at last constrain'd to return again to his first Treaty The King awak'd by this good success of his Arms and unwilling the glory they seem'd to assure should derive to a Servant resolv'd upon a Journey into Italy to command his Army in his own person neither though the Cardinal was ambitious to the height was he at this time sorry he should come to eclipse his honour since he must leave Paris to do it where he knew all ill offices were perpetually done him The interest of his conservation therefore prevail'd here with the Cardinal over his insatiate thirst of Glory but the Queen Mother stifly oppos'd this Voyage by representing to the King the interests of his health and safety to which she forgot not to add the Cardinals inordinate ambition who she said car'd not to expose both the one and the other for his own particular vanity But all these remonstrances prov'd in the end too weak to prevail so that the appetite of Honour prevailing above all other considerations and his Majesty being not to be staid at home the Queen Mother to give the Cardinal less time to reestablish himself with the King who had after much importunityconsented at last to his banishment was resolv'd to follow the King her Son to Lyons to try if she could whilst he was in this good disposition obtain the effects of his promise The King then in April set forwards from Paris towards Italy the glorious success of which second Expedition making up one of the most illustrious parts of General History it ought not to be contracted within
To this end Captain la Roche was sent to discover nearer hand the depth of the Enemies Designs who soon perceiv'd by the Works they had begun at Socoa that they had no thoughts of making any further progress into the Country that Winter Having therefore at his return given his Masters this assurance upon his Report which they found afterwards to be very true they continued on their way towards Bordeaux The Spaniards on the other side applying themselves to their Fortifications labour'd more successfully than they imagin'd to the Glory which was reserv'd for the Duke de la Valette in their Defeat the ensuing year and having in the mean time lost all hopes of advancing further into the Country by force of Arms fell to Caballs and practices to seduce the Inhabitants of Labourt over to their side They promis'd them Peace freedom Security and all other advantages they could desire if they would cohabit with them they offer'd Protection to all such as would continue Neuters in their own Houses but they threatned no little punishments to those who should retire into France All which Artifice nevertheless prevail'd nothing with the Biscains there being not so much as any one Family that did not prefer a voluntary Exile before any Benefit or Immunity that could derive from the bounty of invading Neighbours So that if they were in the beginning condemn'd by some for having manifested too little heat at the Enemies first coming in every one in the end applauded their Fidelity who would rather choose to abandon their Country and Fortunes than to enjoy them in the greatest quiet and security under the usurpation of a Forein and invasive Power As it was evident enough both by the number of the Enemy and the good condition wherein they had had the leisure to fortifie themselves that it was impossible to attempt any thing against them but by means proportionable to the greatnes of their Forces the Duke sate still at Bordeaux in expectation of Orders from Court for their future proceeding But they waited not long Haumont which was the Gentleman they had dispatch'd thither returning to Bordeaux almost as soon as they furnish'd with several very favourable Dispatches wherein after the King had highly magnified the Duke of Espernon's Conduct who by so little means had preserv'd that Frontier his Majesty proceeded to let him know he infinitely desir'd the Enemy might be disoblig'd from the places they had already possess'd promising in order thereunto Men Provisions Ammunition a Train of Artillery and what was necessary to the execution of so great a design All this notwithstanding remain'd in terms of a bare promise only without ever coming to the least effect nay there was not so much money to be had as would serve for the raising of two Regiments of Foot and four Troops of Horse though the Duke had not so much as one Souldier in the Province a Summe which though it amounted not to above fifty thousand Livers yet the Exchequers of the several Provinces and the King 's other Bancks being totally exhausted there was a necessity for the Duke to advance it out of his own private Stock which he also was willing to do and though it went something hard with him had much rather in this urgency of his Majesties Affairs lay out the money of his own private Revenue for of two years he had not touch'd one peny of the King's than that the Country the Enemy had invaded should be left unto them which also was not to be preserv'd but by the opposition of some considerable Forces While the Frontier of Bayonne found work enough for the two Dukes the Royal Arms were employ'd for the recovery of Corbie that being almost the only place of importance the Enemy had made a Conquest of with all their long aud mighty preparation In the beginning of this Siege there was scarce any who did not believe the Fortune of the Cardinal depended upon the event of that Enterprize and that should the King happen to be baffled before it his Majesty weary of maintaining the Quarrels of his Minister for such were all the Wars of Europe at that time time reputed at so vast an expence of Treasure and with so much disquiet to his Kingdom would infallibly sacrifice him to the Animosities of Strangers and the Discontents of the Great Ones of his own people who equally desir'd his Ruine But the success of this Leaguer more speedy and fortunate than was to be expected having reconcil'd the Cardinal to the Kings opinion and astonish'd all those who had prophesied an alteration in his Fortune every one was strook with admiration at a prosperity so beyond all example insomuch that even those who had most thirsted after his Ruine were the first to congratulate him for the good success 'T is said that of those there were some who that they might with greater Elegancy shrowd themselves from any jealousie the Cardinal might entertain against them made no difficulty to prostitute their own Fidelity and Honour in discovering the Secrets either of their Masters or Friends to him who was their common Enemy It was by that sort of people as is believ'd that the Cardinal had intelligence of a Plot wherein the Monsieur and the Count de Soissons had conspir'd against him with whom the Duke de la Valette was also deliver'd to him for one who had a great hand in this Affair and it is most certain that from thence the Cardinal laid the design to persecute his Families and his own particular Fortune to the last extreme so that from that time forward there was neither bound nor moderation in the implacable Hatred he conceiv'd against him upon this very account How far the Duke de la Valette's Resentments might transport him towards the Cardinal I cannot tell but I am well enough inform'd in the ill usage he receiv'd from him as well in the person of the Duke his Father as his own to be bold to say that hâ— had all the râ—ason in the world to be offended to a very high degree but this Affair having been as has been said either the occâ—sion or at least the pretence of all the great Persecutions of this Family it will not perhaps be impertinent to take things from the beginning that they may be the better understood The Duke de la Valette being as we have observ'd entred into the Alliance of Cardinal Richelieu had examples enough of several persons of very great Quality before his eyes to make him stoop to extraordinary Applications and respects towards him but nothing could ever induce him to bend below the terms of decency and his own condition so that he only paid him what respect was due and nothing more a way of living that by no means satisfied the Cardinal who would exact from all conditions of men a Reverence without all reserve A vanity of his that although the Duke de la Valette
his Disease he dy'd environ'd by three of his Children several Divines and all his Domestick Servants the last whereof having with unparallel'd Care and Diligence attended him all the time of his Sickness continued still the same Services and Respect till they brought him to his Grave He was entred into the fourscore and eighth year of his Age by which long series of time he had had the advantage of seeing himself the most Ancient Duke and Peer of France the most Ancient Officer of the Crown the most Ancient General of an Army the most Ancient Governour of a Province the most Ancient Knight of the Order the most Ancient Counsellor of State and the Oldest Man of Condition almost of his Time The End of the Twelfth and Last Book of the Life of the Duke of Espernon FINIS Some Books Printed for Henry Brome at the Gun at the West End of St. Pauls Mr. Simpson's Division Viol in three Parts in Folio His Compendium of Musick in five Parts Octavo Bishop Saundersons Five Cases of Conscience Octavo Sir Kenelme Digby's Receipts in Physick and Chyrurgery Also his Cabinet opened for making Metheglin Sydar Cherry-Wine with Directions for Cookery Preserving Conserving and Candying Octavo The Complete Body of the Art Military both for Horse and Foot with the Art of Gunnery By Richard Elton L. C. and Thomas Rudd Chief Engineer to King Charles the First Folio Scarronnides or Virgil Travestié a Mock Poem Octavo Mr. A. Bromes Poems and Songs Octavo Dr. Browns Vulgar Errors and Urne Burial Quarto The Dukes Extraction * D' Avila * Mr. De Thoâ— D' Aâ—bignâ— Remarkable exploits of Iohn de la Valette the Dâ—â—e's Father Anno 157â— The first Exploit of Iean Louis called Caumont Anno 1573. Anno 1574. Caumonts first Jâ—urney to Court Anno 1575. 1576. The memoires of Queen Mar. Aubigné Caumont withdraws himself from the King of Navarre Câ—umont's second journey to Court and the beginning of his Favour Anno 1577. The King 's first Bounty to Caumont Caumont follows the Duke of Alenson in the War He goes to the Siege of Brouage His return from the Siege of Brouage to Court Anno 1578. Anno 1579. Caumont's Embassy to Savoy St. Luc's disgrace Anno 1580. Auâ—igâ—é Aubigné Câ—umont's high Favoâ—r Anno 1581. A proposition of Marriage for the Duke of Espernon The journal of Henry the third Anno 1582. The two Favourites made Dukes and Peers of 〈◊〉 Anno 1583. The state of Affairs at Court and the Kings condâ—ct The Duke advances his own Relations Anno 1584. The first commotion of the League Anno 1585. The King sends the Duke of Espernon to treat with the King of Navarre D' Aâ—â—igné The League makes the Duke of Espâ—rnon's Voyage a Pretense to stir up the people The Duke of Guise attempts to win the Duke of Espernon to his side by giving him his Daughter The second pretense of the League The Office of Colonel General of France erected The Duke of Guise's complaints The League takes up Arms. The description of the City of Metz and iâ—s importance * 〈…〉 Sheriff The Progress of the League The Rupture betwixt the Duke of Espernon and Villeroy The Duke of Guise approaches with his Army near Paris The Queen Mother sent to Treat of a Peace The Treaty concluded at Nemours The War begun by the King against the Hugonots Chambres Mi-parties were Courts of Justice establish'd in divers Cities of France in favour of the Hugonots of which Religâ—on the one half were and the other half Catholicks The Duke of Espernon sent with an Army into Provence Anno 1586. New discontents betwâ—xt the Duke Mounsieur de Villâ—râ—y The entry of the Reiters into France and the Kings prudent conduct in this War * Arrierebans which upon examination I find to be in effect the same thing with our Train-bands Mâ—smoires de la Ligue Anno 1587. The Marriage betwixt the Duke of Espernon and Marguerite de Foix and de Candalle Aâ—â—igné Thoâ— Bemâ—â— The Dâ—ke's Estate at hâ—s Marriâ—ge The Reiters enter into France The Duke Beats up a Qâ—arter of the German Horse De 〈◊〉 de Liguâ— The Reiters come to Composition and retire The loss of the Battel of Coutras The Duke of Espernon gratified with all the Offices vacant by the Death of the Duke of Ioyeuse As also those of Bellegarde kill'd at that Battel Des Memoires de la Ligue Mounsieur de la Valette Defâ—â—â—â— part of the Foreâ—gn Army De â—hou * The same who in D' Avila is called Alphonso Corso Anno 1588. D' Avila A Conspiracy of the sixteen upon the Kings Person Du journal de Henry III. * D' Avila says but seven De Sâ—rres says eight The Barricades The King retires to Chartres The Duke of Espernon's arrival at Chartrâ—s Contradictions amongst the Historians about the Duke's Reception at Court The League Print a Manifest against the Duke of Espernon and his Brother The Duke resolves to give way to the time and to retire Several opinions upon the Dukes retirement The Dâ—ke reâ—â—â—â— into his Governments The Dâ—ke of Guise comes to Court * De Guez was Balâ—â—c's Father The Duke publishes an Answer to the Manifest of the League The Duke arrives at Angouâ—esme The King commands the Inhaâ—itants of the City not to receive the Duke But too late Anno 1558. The Conspiracy of Aâ—goulesâ—â—e against the Duke of Espernon * In whâ—ch Lâ—bel the Duke of Espernon was compared to Pierce Gaveston as Iâ—an de Serres reports * An Alâ—rm Bell which it is the custom in France to ring upon any Tâ—mult or Insurrection The end of the Action The King of Nâ—varre endeavours to draw the Duke over to his Party The Duke excuses himself The King of Navarre tries again to perswade the Duke but in vain The Affairs of the Court during the Duke's absence The Duke of Guise in suspense whether or no he should pursue his Designs The Duke of Guise confirm'd â—n his first resolutions The King resolves upon his death New Ministers chosen after the Duke of Guise's Death The Duke call'd back to Court Anno 1589. Some actions of the Duke during his retirement The Dâ—ke's Forces A generous act of the Duke D' Avilaâ— Mâ—â—â—sieur 〈◊〉 Thoâ— The Duke re-inforc'd by new Supplies The Command of the Rear-guard reserv'd for the Dâ—ke of Espernon The Duke's arrival at the Army and his favourable reception Mâ—unsiâ—â—â— de 〈◊〉 He enters into higher favour than ever The King 's generous Resolution The King marches from Tours to Paris The King of Navarre's first aversion for the Duke of Espernon Encrease at the Siege of Estampes The taking of Montâ—reaâ— faut-yonne The Surrender of Pontoise The Siege of Paris and the death of Henry the Third Several Propositions about the new King amongst the Chiefs of the Army The Lords Catholick send his Majesty their Resolution His Majesties Answer The major part of the Catholick Lords submit to the
the Duke of Monbazon â—eceiv'd the â—â—ab in the right sleeve of his Doâ—blet The Duke of Espernon's signal services to the State after the Death of the King What ways the Duke proceeded in to cause the Queen Mother to be declâ—r'd Regent * Oâ— Lord Mayor of Paris * Sheriffs * 〈…〉 The Duke goes to the Hostel de Ville The Duke goes to the Augustins where he advises the Parliament to declare the Qâ—een Regent The reasons that mov'd the Duke to press the Queen Mother should be declared Regent The return of the Count de Soissons to Court The Duke of Espernon's Authority re-establish'd in Metz. The Prince of Condé returns to Court where he appears displeas'd at the Duke of Espernon The state of Affairs at Court during the Queens Regency Anno 1611. The beginning of the Princes discontent Anno 1612. The favours the Duke receiv'd from the Queen upon the feuds betwixt him and tâ—e Princes The Education of the Dukes three Sons * Meaâ—â—ng that 〈◊〉 Coloneâ— The Marriage of the Count d◠〈◊〉 the Dukâ—â—eldest Son The Count de Candale's Voyage into the Levant The Mareschal d' Encre seeks the Duke of Espernon's Alliance and is rejected Anno 1613. A Challenge carried by Marsillac from Balagni to the Duke of Eguillon Anno 1614. New disorders in the Kingdom The Duke 〈…〉 Not followed to the great disadvantage of the Royal Affairs Anno 1615. The Commotion of the Princes to hinder the Marriage with Spain The Duâ—e of Espernon's Service upon this occasion The Duke of Espernon falls desperately sick Queen Anne of Austria arrives at Bordeaux The beginning of the Duke of Espernon's disgrace The Duâ—e in great danger The Duke of Espernon retires from Court The Prince of Condé confin'd The Mâ—reschal d' Encre takes arms against the Prince of Condé's Parâ—â—zâ—ns Anno 1616. Anno 1617. The Duke of Espernon's pretense for the taking of Arms. What advantage accru'd to the King by the Duke of Espernon's Enterprize upon Rochâ—le The Du makes a great Funeral for his Mother The death of the Mareschal d' Encre slain by a shot in the Lâ—uvrâ—â— The Duke of Espernon goes to Court Anno 1618. A Rupture betwixt the Duke of Espernon and the Duke de Lâ—â—nes * Or Lord Keeper The King resolves to Arreâ—â— the Dâ—ke of Espernon The Dâ—ke of Espernon leaves the Court. The Duke takes his way towards Metz. The Treatyâ— for the Queen Mothers escape from Bloiâ— set on fooâ— at this time A pleasant Story * Selette that for which we have no word because no such thing it signifying a low stool on which Criminals in France are plac'd to be examin'd The Queen Mother attempts to recover her liberty The Qâ—een 〈◊〉 her 〈◊〉 to the Dâ—ke of 〈◊〉 A Character of Rucellay * Clerc de Id Chamâ—re a kind of Secretary The extraordinary precaution of the Duke de Luines to make himself sure of the Queen Mother fruitless Râ—cellary arrives at Sedan and treats with the Duke of Boüillon who refuses to engage in the business The Duke of Boüillon advises the Queen Mother to treat with the Duke of Espernon Rucellay sends Vincentio Ludâ—vici to the Duke of Espernâ—n The Duke of Espernon receives a Letter from the Queen Mother by Vincentio Ludâ—vici And hearkens to the Proposition Bâ—t without engaging himself at this time Rucellay takes himself the Treaty in hand Rucellay with much difficulty admitted into the Treaty Resolutions taken betwixt the Dâ—ke of Espernon and Rucellay Mony sent to Metz by the Queen The Duke resolves to go serve the Queen A second Letter from the Queen in the same style with the first Some difficulties arise about the execution of the design The Dâ—ke of Espernon's preparation and the policy he made use of to cover his design Anno 1619. The Archbishop of Tholouze afterwards Cardinal de la Valette departs from Metz before the Duke his 〈◊〉 The whole design in great danger to be ruin'd through the infidelity of one of Rucâ—llay's Servants The Dâ—ke's prudent conduct in the manner of his departure from Metz. Memoires de Monsieur de Rohan The Duke goes out of Metz. The news of the Duke of Espernon's motion carried to Court An Encounter by the way Another Encounter with the Duke of Guise miss'd bâ—t a few hoâ—rs The Duke and his party in a great confusion * Or Cuirassiers Le Plessis takes a journey to discover how Affairs stood An unexpected and important Encounter upon the way Lâ— Plessis câ—ming to Blois is secretly admitted into the Queens Chamber Preparation for the Qâ—eens escape The Duke of 〈◊〉 hears from the Queen The Queen prepares for her escape * Exempts des Gardes are old Souldiers of the Royal Guards who as a recompense for their long Services are priviledg'd and exempt from Duty Taxes and Imposts common to the rest of the people The Queen goes out of the window of her Cabâ—â—et The Queen Mother is receiv'd by the Duke of Espernon The Queen Mother arrives at Lâ—ches The Queen begins to fall to her business and in the first place endeavours to justifie her escape The Queen Mothers Letter to King The King's answer to the Queen Mother The Count de Bethune sent to the Queen to treâ—t with her The Qâ—een prepares for a War The whole burden whereof falls upon the Duke of â—spernon The Favourites powerfully arm themselves * A fire Engine cover'd with Leather like unto but much bigger than a The Duke of Mayenne enters with his Army into Angoumâ—is The Duke of Nevers with a great Army against the Mâ—rquis de la Valette at Metz. The Marquis de la Valette defends Metz And by that preserves the whole Party The Peace concluded The Qâ—een Mothers generous proceeding as also the Count de Bethune's A breach betwixt the Duke and Rucellay The Bishop of Lucon since Cardinal de Richelieâ— comes to Angâ—ulesme The reason of Rucellay's retiring from Aâ—goulesme Several â—â—orders in the Queen Mothers Court Richelieu slain by the Marquis de Themines The conditions of the Peace A conspiracy against the Queen Mother at Angoulesme discover'd * viz. The Wrack The Queen Mother complemenâ—ed from Court And the Duke of Espernon The Duke of Espernon's magnificence The Duke of Espernon sends a dispatch to the King by the Archbishop of Tholouze The Queen Mother departs from Angoulesme to go towards the King The Queens parting with the Duke her complements and Present The King and Queen Mother come to an enterview From whence she departs dissatisfied The Queen Mother dispos'd to a new War The Queen Mother reengages the Duke of Espernon in her quarrel Anno 1620. The Duke de Luinâ—s endeavours to gain him first by la Croix le Bleré And afterwards by Tâ—iras But in vain The Qâ—een Mothers second War The Qâ—eens affairs have ill succeâ—s The Qâ—een accepts a Peace without condiâ—ion The Duke of Espernon laâ—s down his Arms. And the Marquis de la Valette by the command of
Regiment of Guards into the Palace insomuch that all the Base-Court Galleries and the very Hall it self was full of them The Duke pretended he went to present himself in obedience to the Process had been issued out against him though no one could believe he went in such a posture with any intent of submission So that the Parliament advertiz'd of his coming with so great a Train and not knowing his design nor to what his passion might transport him suddenly adjourn'd retiring every man his own way before their usual time As it is hard to govern a confus'd and unruly multitude a sort of young hair-brain'd fellows who attended the Duke offer'd some indignities and affronts to some of the inferiour Officers of the Court and being most of them in Boots purposely intangled their Spurs in the Ushers and Proctors Gowns thinking thereby the more to oblige the Duke as they appear'd more sensible of his offense An insolence that infinitely aggravated the business which without that had been foul enough of it self A great complaint whereof was made against the Duke as responsible for all that hapned at the Palace every one believing that in the design he had to brave the Parliament all things were done by his order which had pass'd in his presence If the Duke had manifested a resentment of the injury he had receiv'd from the Parliament the Parliament express'd no less for what the Duke had done to the contempt of their Dignity yet did they make no complaint thereof to the King but remaining in a profound silence the truest sign of a violent affliction order'd a cessation of Justice with a determinate resolution never to meet again till first a publick and solemn reparation should be made This business proceeding to such a height put the King and Queen into a very great confusion they thought it neither convenient nor safe in this juncture of Affairs which seem'd to threaten some sudden mischief to disoblige the Duke of Espernon neither did they think it an easie matter to perswade him to pay the Parliament any great submissions who on the other side would in such a case as this accept of no ordinary satisfaction At last the King sent the Duke de Vantadour to the Palace to tell the Parliament from him That by their Body his person being represented all the injury they pretended to have receiv'd from the Duke of Espernon reflected immediately upon him That his Majesty also took it to himself to whom it did belong to vindicate his own Honour which he should be sufficiently able to do without any necessity upon them of espousing his Quarrel but that because the business had made some noise that might perhaps have given some offense to the publick he therefore desir'd they should receive a publick satisfaction and such a one as should satisfie the world of the great respect he had to Justice That in order thereunto it was his pleasure the Prisoner should be return'd to the same place from whence he had been taken and by the same person by whom he had been fetch'd away and as for what concern'd the Duke who protested he had no intention to offend the Parliament in what he had done he should be desir'd in his own person to make the same protestation before them Things being thus order'd the Duke of Espernon the nine and twentieth of the same month went to the Palace when though with no extraordinary Train about his person so many nevertheless of his Friends had convey'd themselves into the Palace as were sufficient to make head against his Enemies should they by taking advantage of the place or by pretending to do a right to the Assembly have attempted any thing against him Being come into the great Chamber and having taken his accustomed seat he speaking with his hat on in few words Remonstrated That having never had other intent than to pay all due respect to an Assembly in which he had had the honour for many years to have some place he could not but admire they should interpret what was an effect of that due honour and respect for a premeditated offense That he was not altogether so unthrifty of his own Interest as to offer an injury to them which he could not but know would rebound upon himself That he had for two and thirty years past been a Member of that Honourable Body during all which time there had not been perhaps a man of his condition more passionate for their Service than himself in the Kingdom That he had set down amongst the good fortunes of his life the opportunity he had happily met withal of expressing his good Affection to the Dignity of that Assembly when after the death of Henry the Great of Glorious Memory he had first advis'd them to make use of their own Authority in providing for the Regency of the Kingdom That he had tendred them his Service upon that occasion which had not been altogether ineffectual to the putting them in possession of a priviledge which would doubtless be taken notice of in ages yet to come That if any indiscreet persons had made use of his name either for the pretense of their insolencies or in the prosecution of their own private revenge he seriously demanded their Justice as the person most concern'd in the offense That he very well knew his enemies would lay hold of that occasion to make him appear in all the fault but that he did humbly beseech them to judge more favourably of his intentions and that all things past might be forgot concluding his speech with these very words That he diâ— intreat to be excus'd if in a rude and unpolish'd discourse he had not given that satisfaction he could have wish'd to their Learned Ears who having been all his life a Captain of Foot had ever made it more his study to do than to speak well To which the first President Verdun after having gather'd the Votes of the Assembly return'd this Answer That since the King was graciously pleas'd to incline more to Clemency than Rigour the Court by his Majesties express Command and in consideration of his many brave Services as also willing to make the best interpretation of what had pass'd accepted of his excuse hoping thereby for the future to engage both himself and his Sons to pay those Services to the King and Kingdom to which they were in gratitude oblig'd and to that Court the Honour and respect was due unto them Of which he never after fail'd neither at the hour of his death was there any person of his condition in the Kingdom who had more friends than he in that honourable Assembly nor that had more reason upon several occasions to magnifie their Justice The end of the Sixth Book THE HISTORY Of the LIFE of the Duke of Espernon The Seventh Book SOon after the forementioned dispute betwixt the Parliament and the Duke the Assembly of Estates broke up which instead of the happy
Reformation was expected to ensue was immediately follow'd by a War upon which the Council after having long waver'd in the uncertainty of the Peace so lately and so dearly bought saw it necessary at last to resolve The discontents of the Prince of Condé was again the cause of this as it had been of the late Commotion and those discontents again founded upon the greatness of Conchini now advanc'd to the honour of Mareschal of France The Mareschal therefore finding the Prince had conceiv'd an implacable animosity against him and very well foreseeing that unless he freed himself from the difficulties he would eternally strew in his way he could never raise himself to that pitch of greatness to which he did aspire he resolv'd to come to a publick Rupture with him and to remove him from the King's Presence by a War that should for a sufficient time secure himself from those obstacles he was otherwise certain to receive from so powerful an Enemy The Prince was already retir'd in great discontent from Court having as before taken the way of Champagne that he might be near Sedan his surest refuge should he be overmatch'd by the Royal Power where after Conchini had long amus'd him with the hope of some advantageouâ— Accommodation he at one blow cut him off that expectation by causing a Summons to be sent him to be in readiness to attend the King in his Progress into Guienne whither his Majesty was resolv'd shortly to take a Journey for the consummation of his Marriage an Affair that having ever been oppos'd by the Prince he very well understood the meaning of that Summons and now plainly saw how he was to trust in the strength of his own Arms. He had ever since the last breach been so solicitous to continue his intelligence and to maintain the League he had contracted with the Lords of his Party the precedent year that it was no hard matter for him to engage them in this nâ—w Quarrel the Dukes of Longuâ—ville Mayenne Vendosme and Nevers declar'd highly in his favour and the Duke of Boüillon whose interest carried the whole Hugonot Faction along with it did the same so that all things were apparently dispos'd for an intestine War in all the best Provinces of the Kingdom So many discontented persons and those so considerable in themselves put the Court into no little disorder the Kings Journey in order to his Marriage had been resolv'd upon and the time with the Spanish Agents concluded which was every where so publickly known that the Honour of the King and the Queen Mother was not a little concern'd in the consummation of a thing to which they were so solemnly engag'd but there was scarce any who durst undertake to overcome the difficulties were prepar'd to hinder that great Affair For after the retirement of all the forenam'd Princes there was not any remain'd at Court except the Dukes of Guise and Espernon who were capable of serving the King in so dangerous an occasion and of these the Duke of Guise though in shew well enough with the Queen stood nevertheless so suspected to her that she durst not trust an Army in his hands lest by joyning with the discontented Princes whereof the greater part were his Kindred or nearly ally'd to him his Majesties Person might be left wholly to their discretion and although she had not the same jealousie of the Duke of Espernon no body doubting his Fidelity yet could not that command be conferr'd upon him without giving offense to the Duke of Guise In this anxiety then how she might satisfie them both the Duke of Espernon went one day to attend the Queen where he made it his humble request to her Majesty she would not in the least consider his particular satisfaction in this occurrence Telling her he should ever be very well satisfied provided their Majesties were serv'd as they ought to be That he did hope they would and that he was doing something in order to securing their Journey so far as Bordeaux wherein he nevertheless pretended to no other Command than barely to ride in the head of those Friends which he should make ready for that Service That perhaps a greater Authority might give distaste to some who at this time were by no means to be disoblig'd That for what concern'd the Princes a good Army interpos'd betwixt them and Paris under the command of some man of Quality and Experience would be sufficient and that for any thing could be apprehended from those of the Religion whose greatest strength were in Poitou Xaintongue and Rochelle upon the way to Bordeaux he himself would undertake his Governments in those parts giving him sufficient power so to do The Queen Mother by this assurance being confirm'd in her first design â— told the Duke that she absolutely resign'd the King's Person and her own to his care and protection that she therefore desir'd him to order all things as should seem to him the most convenient as she absolutely left them to his Valour and Wisdom A Commission the Duke had no sooner receiv'd but that seeing himself authorized so to do he caus'd the King's departure the seventeenth of August to be proclaim'd perswading the Queen to confer the Command of the Army which was to attend the Princes motion upon the Mareschal de Bois-Dauphin advising her Majesty further and in the first place to provide for the security of Paris that the Princes Servants who had great Authority in the City might raise no commotion there in their Majesties absence After therefore that had been taken order for by the securing of some eminent and suspected persons the Court departed from Paris happily arriving in a few days at Poictiers and had not Madam the King's Sister fallen sick of the Small Pox delayed their Journey their Majesties had been upon their return before the Princes could have got their Forces together but that unhappy accident having constrain'd them to stay near two months at Poictiers gave their Enemies leisure to put them into great apprehensions which was also the only harm they received from this insurrection At the same City of Poictiers there hapned another disorder at this time wherein had not the Duke of Espernon who was principally concern'd in the Affair rendred himself unusually tractable another obstacle to that Progress had infallibly ensu'd The Duke of Guise from the time of his Marriage with the Dutchess of Montpensier had pretended to the Wardship of Madamoiselle her Daughter who was Inheritrix to such a Fortune as might reasonably induce any man to covet the management of so brave an Estate which nevertheless he could not obtain without the consent of the Duke who was great Uncle to the young Princess and he having very good reason to believe the Duke of Guise did in this claim more consider his own interest than that of the Dutchess of Montpensier his Niece would never gratifie him in that particular But the Duke of Guise conceiving