them in her presence Wherefore all the said Masters of Requests went joyntly to the Palace-Royal to acquaint the Queen with their grievances who sharply upbraided them with baseness taxt them with temerarity in opposing the King her Son's will and by her treating them thus did much mortifie them For there was not then any Faction on foot and this would hardly have held good had it been disturb'd at the beginning But the Duke of Orleans thinking it fit to apply Remedy to the Evil before it grew too contagious interposed himself and wrought with the Queen that she would permit them to exercise their places But they not being herewith content grew more insolent believing that many who did not openly applaud them would afterwards joyn with them in lessening the Cardinal's power which was envied by many and privately practised against as was suggested unto them by those who did but wait a time to give the blow They therefore continued their contumacy and not long after notwithstanding the King's inhibition the joyning of all the Bodies of Tribunals was decreed and met where Brousel Blammenil Charton and others spoke without any regard against the Court-government An Act of great Disobedience and contrary to all Laws and Practice all the Bodies not being accustomed to be called together nor to meet but by extraordinary order from the King But those who sought a propitious conjuncture of time to inhanse or exalt their pretended Authority by lessening that of the Kings being desirous to winde themselves into the Affairs of State laid hold of the pretence of wasting of the King's Finances and gave way to this fatal Union wherein they were applauded by many not onely for the novelty of the Act but out of hopes which other Male-contents and their idle followers conceived that they should be eased of their Grievances by the punishment of those who imploy'd the King's Moneys ill and that they should thereby have Peace which they said was retarded out of the Officers particular ends That which these Supream Companies did for no Appeal was to be had from their judgment was to send many Deputies who marched two and two through the City being invironed by an infinite company of people to shew the King that they were met to provide during his Majesty's Minority against the bad administration of his Finances from whence proceeded the Kingdoms ruine and the emptiness of the Exchequer fearing lest they might hereafter be blamed by his Majesty for carelessness when he should come to his Majority as they said Charles the Fifth had done who complained of the Parliament of those times for not having hindered the miss-spending of his Revenue in his Minority And to this purpose they chose some of their Deputies to meet in the Chamber called St. Lewis which is an extraordinary Congregation which meets onely upon urgent and grievous occasions which are unpleasing to the King for that therein things contrary to the Function of Parliament are treated of and where the Counsellours as well of Parliament as the Chamber of Accounts the great Council and of the Court of Aids sit The power of which Deputies when they are met together reaches no farther than to examine and give their opinions upon such things as they treat on which are afterwards to be reported to the Soveraign Courts wherein they are either approved or rejected These Broulieres continued on the Parliaments side by keeping together and by often meeting as on the Courts behalf in impeding them and crossing them till such time as the Court lost as much esteem as the Parliament got and till it was necessary for the King's Council to take away the Superintendency of the aforesaid Emery in that Office though it appeared necessary in that emergency of time he promising again to furnish moneys for some time to maintain that War He was ordered to retire from Paris to his Country-house in appearance of sacrificing him to the satisfaction of the people and to rid the Parliament of further trouble by preventing them in their Decrees which it was thought would be by them shortly thundered out against him This his deposing which was done contrary to the general belief served to provoke the Parliament and the Male-contents to yet higher thoughts whereinto upon like occasions humane insatiateness doth usually fall The Chambers therefore forbear not to meet nor the People to murmur they railed openly against the King's Ministers of State they cri'd out aloud against the Government they made it appear that instead of seeing that State restored Misery and Ruine did still increase though France was then more powerful and victorious than it had been known to be at any time before And in sequele of these giddy attempts which are the usual food of the petulant Vulgar it happened that Monsieur di Bachaumont Son to President Coigneux hearing his Father speak in the Parliament in behalf of the Court being one night at Supper in Monsieur di Paris his house Mareshal of the Field and discoursing there with divers Friends touching the present Commotions said jeastingly to his Companions with whom he began to sport throwing Oranges at one another That he had a designe to sling to some purpose at his Father's Opinion This jeast was taken notice of and thereupon when one declaimed boldly in pleading against any person of Quality men would say that he slung soundly that morning so passing from one Jeast to another he that railed most against the Government was called a good Slinger And this went through every ones mouth some months before there was any talk of the Faction called la Fronde or the Sling but the rise thereof was taken from the Boys who sometimes slung Stones under the new Bridge when the water was low whence the forenamed Bachaumont took occasion to say that he would sling at his Father's Opinion comparing the Whizze of a Sling to the force of Discourse in Rhetorick The chief men that declaiming in Parliament were first called by this Nick-name of Frondeurs which is as much as to say Slingers which grew as common as that of the Gueuses or Beggers did in Flanders whence so great disorders arose there afterwards were the Presidents of Novion Viola Blaumenil Charton the Counsellours of Browssel Longuille Coulon and divers others of a turbulent disposition and desirous of Innovation but in time some few fell from that Faction and finding their errours returned to their Duties from which the chief Lord President never budged who was a man of a settled and undaunted Spirit and who did always appear unconcern'd knowing how to make use of his Credit in Parliament in the Affairs whereof he was very expert for the service of the Court wherein he carried himself with much Integrity and Courage As all these things were a mighty prejudice to the King's Soveraignty and of very bad Example and a great scandal in Subjects who were bound to obey and the Cardinal being therewith sorely netled took a
August to the great Chamber and absolutely to forbid the Parliament in the King's Name to debate touching what was done But the King's Power was now too little esteemed the people were grown too head-strong and passionate the jollity of the Malecontents too much increased The Chancellour got into his Coach not regarding what danger he ran though he foresaw it and went to the publick ' Palace When he was come to the midst of the new Bridge he found all those ways full of armed people and the Chains drawn up yet he would pass on he took a further compass about by St. Augustino but finding the Chains drawn and the people in arms at St. Michaels Bridge as he endeavor'd to continue his Journey he was known and was pursued with Out-cries and impertinent Threats The Coach-man perceiving this that he might preserve him from some evident Disaster drove furiously into l'Hastelle de Suinas which by good luck had the Gate open The Chancellour went to the top of the house accompanied by his Brother the Bishop of Meaux and by his Daughter the Dutchess of Suille who would partake of danger with him They hid themselves in a Closet where they were not seen though many people past and repast by it crying out Where is the Chancellour where is this Traytor let us kill let us kill him He hearing these Threats which denounced assured death unto him you may imagine in what a case he was This mean while the news hereof came to the Parliament which was already met where a friend of the Chancellours represented the peoples shameful Riot detesting the Insolency and hoped that they would send to appease the Tumult but although he had many particular friends there and that they all appeared bound to serve him in so exorbitant a case yet not any one moved in his behalf so hated were the State-Governours grown At last Marshal Milleraye got on horse-back and going with some Souldiers of the Guard and some of his and the Chancellour's friends past without hindrance over the new Bridge and being come to St. Austins sent some Souldiers and Gentlemen to bring the Chancellour out of that Palace Monsieur d'Ortis a Lieutenant of the Guard went to the house took the Chancellour by the hand and brought him out of the Closet and put him into the Coach together with the Bishop of Meaux and Dutchess of Suilly and instead of going by Porta Nela returned by the new Bridge and the Marshal followed after the Coach on horse-back in Military order but as they past by the Brazen Horse the people made several shot at the Coach where the Chancellour was miraculusly preserv'd some being slain The Coach was shot thorough in many places and the Dutchess of Suilly received a slight hurt while with much generosity she thrust out her arm to defend her Father At last the Chancellour came to the Palace-Royal and was graciously received by both their Majesties The Regent could not praise him enough wondring how he had escaped The Chancellour answered That Loyalty and Obedience towards the Prince ought to be the onely Object of every man of Honour and that that had been his chiefest comfort in that danger he being to be held happy who dies gloriously in his Masters service The Tumult still increasing the City was still in greater disorder and the safety of the streets was provided for not onely with Chains but by Barricadoes in every place Every one brought somewhat to fortifie themselves On the King's side the Guards stood in Battel aray The people cri'd round about the Court that they would have Brousel set at liberty they threatned to burn and kill all but the King's person When it was known that the Chancellour was found and that he was gotten unhurt into the Palace-Royal it is not possible to believe how the incensed people raged about the streets They returned headlong to L'Hostelle de Luines and in great fury plunder'd it wherefore the more wealthy Citizens not thinking themselves safe from the licentious Tumultuaries made Barricadoes at the ends of every street and plac'd good Guards there as well in the Suburbs as in the City so as that year was afterwards called the year of Barricadoes Thus did this day pass over in Tumults Skirmishing and in making Barricadoes The Parliament amidst this confusion resolved to go the next morning to their Majesties and to desire that those that were imprisoned might be set free The Councellors marched on foot two by two the first President going with his Officers about him in the front and the other Presidents after The Rabble-rout followed in the reer armed bawling out That they would either have Brousselle set at liberty or they would put all to the Sword According to Custome they had Audience The first President spoke very efficaciously against those who had advised to imprison his Companions He told the Queen That Kings were the true Image of God on Earth That they ought to commiserate their People as Fathers do their Children and hear their just Intreaties That in Affairs wherein the Publick Good is concern'd good men ought to speak freely according to their Consciences and not according to Self-interest dissimulation and subterfuges being in such cases the ruine of Kingdoms That her Majesty ought not to suffer her self to be counselled contrary to the Publick Good since there is no falser Maxime than that which teacheth to exasperate the minds of Subjects That people in Arms ought always to be feared but dreaded when they are armed with blinde fury and void of discretion That as she was a merciful and gratious Princess he beseeched her in the name of all his Companions and in the Peoples name that she would give way to the releasing of his Fellow Members out of Prison which was the best way to calm an incensed people The Queen answered in a few words according to custome and then the Chancellour said That their Majesties would advise with their Council what to do in the business speedily touching giving satisfaction to their desires The Parliament-men returned from the Audience in the same order as they came and when they came to the Barricadoe before L'Hostel de Scomberg the people met them armed and in a furious manner demanding in a mutinous manner whether or no they had obtained Brousel's freedom and they answering that they could not absolutely say yes a Plebeian who was more Hair-brain'd than the rest held his naked Sword at the first Presidents breast and had him go back again to the Court and get Brousel set at liberty otherwise he and all his Fellow-Members should be cut in pieces The Presidents and Counsellours were hereat so affrighted as many of them ran away and hid themselves some one where some another but the first President not at all abasht returned presently to the Queen followed by those that tarried with him and told her That this was no time for delays That it was necessary to obviate the
that you will grant a place of safety to Madamoselle de Longueville where she may pay her piety to her Father This Resolution of Parliament which was the first thing that was done in favour of the Princes did much incourage the Enemies of the Kingdom to further their wisht for intent and being backt by the Assembly they betook themselves to endeavour rather the Cardinals ruine than the release of the imprisoned for though their projects were maskt over at first with the pretence of the Princes liberty which was approved of by many as what might impede greater disorders yet the Coadjutors secret meaning being by little and little to ingage the Parliament and Duke of Orleans in the behalf of the Princes and in prejudice of the Cardinal he did what he could to keep off the Cardinal and to bring the Princes to Paris under the judicature of Parliament because unless the Cardinals expulsion had preceded it might have impeded the Princes freedom or that if he had furthered it he might have been upon such conditions as he might have been arbitrator of the Government of the Court and of the whole Kingdom which was the groundwork of all his thoughts as we shall in all his actions observe so as it may be conceived that he had no solid reason for his hatred against the Cardinal but only the Cardinals glory and fortune The Queen who proceeded very considerately in all her Resolutions and who endeavoured nothing but the service of the King her Son sought to gain time hoping at last to make the Duke of Orleans see with what cunning the Coadjutor went about to abuse his natural goodness She defer'd answering the Commissioners eight days in which time she and her Counsel having dived into the Parliaments design she answered them that the Assembly had wont to advertise the King when they medled with any thing touching his Authority before they took any Resolution that they had done so the year 1562. upon the Letters which were sent them by the late Prince of Conde That the late commotions were an example of this when the Parliament would not resolve any thing upon the Duke of Orlean's Letters without knowing the Kings pleasure first therein that now they had altered their course having resolved upon the Petitions of the Princess of Conde and of Madamoselle Longueville and undertaken to make a Remonstrance for the Princes liberty not letting the King know that any such Petitions were presented them That though this was a business whereof the Parliament ought to take no cognizance since it depended soly upon the Kings Authority and that it could not be granted but by his mere goodness regard being had to what was contained in his Letters sent to the Parliament and to all the Sovereign Assemblies and received with applause by the People yet all this should not keep the King from giving the Princes their liberty which he was content they should have without delay provided that the Forces of Steney should cease and that Marishal Turenne would lay down his Arms and to the end that none that were of that party might have any pretence to retard the doing so the King offer'd pardon to all that had been or were yet of that party to which purpose he would order Letters to be sent presently to the Parliament and that as soon as Arms should be laid down the King would free the imprisoned Though some few who had other designs in their head were not well pleased with this yet the greatest part of the Parliament appeared satisfied and it was ordered that some should be sent to the King to make the keepers of the Seal expedite this Decree But whilst affairs past thus between the King and Parliament we must not omit what was done at the same time on behalf of the Princes The Princess Palatine and her friends seeing a general disposition to favour the Princes and an extraordinary aversion to the Cardinal she continued the Treaty which as hath been said was begun and at last concluded it with the Duke of Nemeurs who had both of them full power from Conde It was managed and ended by Croisy a Counsellor of Parliament and subscribed by the Duke Beaufort the Coadjutor President Viola Monsieur Arnaude and by Fosseuse every one ingaging for themselves The principal Articles contained an agreement how to obtain the Princes liberty by the Parliament and peoples means The Coadjutor insisted upon the means how to remove the Cardinal from about the King and that the Princes adherents should oblige themselves strictly thereunto And though some of Conde's Friends were for giving all satisfaction to the Cardinal to interest him in the Prince his liberty yet all were not of that same opinion least if it should be discovered that they should indeavour to pull down the Cardinal the Princes might be plunged into greater difficulties either by hazarding their lives or by losing the hopes they had of getting their liberty by agreeing with the Cardinal yet the Coadjutor insisting that he would do nothing but upon that condition and promising to ingage the Duke of Orleans therein they were forced to consent thereunto and that the Cardinal might not come to the knowledg of this they resolved to keep it from Beaufort left he might communicate it to the Dutchess of Monbason and she to others so as the Treaty being carried by Croisy to the Princess Palatine to subscribe and read it the Coadjutor handled the business so as that this Article was skipped in reading and that Beaufort did also subscribe it without perusal but pretending that the Original which was to remain with the Frondeurs might be delivered to him and that the Transcript might remain with the Princess Palatine whereby they might meet with the same inconvenience they resolved without her knowledg to put them both into the hands of Blanmevell sealed up making him give his word never to give them out but in the presence and by the consent of the Coadjutor and of the President Viola To this Treaty another was added some few days after between the Duke of Orleans the Palatiness and the Duke of Nemeurs wherein they ingaged themselves to use all their power for the Princes liberty And in the same Treaty a marriage between the Duke of Anguien eldest Son to the Prince of Conde and the Dutchess of Alanson second Daughter to Orleans was concluded with obligation that the Prince should not change any of the Kings Council nor place any others therein without consent of the said Orleans in it was also confirm'd the marriage between the Prince of Conty and the Dutchess of Chevereux wherein there were some rubs put by Conde's friends presaging what the consequences might be But the Coadjutor kept still firm saying this was the only means to win the Duke of Orleans his favour though it was known afterwards that he did not so passionately desire these marriages After these Treaties the Prince of Conde's
they obtained from him in these words We do consent and approve that the Nobility do Assemble to give in their grievances in writing so asthey put them into our hands and that they comprehend not any thing therein which is not conformable to the orders and decrees of the States General and that when they shall have received satisfaction in their grievances they dissolve when we shall bid them Vpon these conditions we promise them our protection This was written and subscribed on the second of February 1651. They then sent to the Prince of Conde and to the other Princes to congratulate their liberty and Marquess Lordis President of the Nobility made an Encomiastical Oration to the Prince the act of Union was subscribed on the 21 th of February as it had been drawn up seventeen days before by all the Nobility of the Assembly except the elder Marquess Vieville who was won over to the Court upon hope of being made superintendant of the Finances The Princes were well satisfied with the Assemblies complement they then dispatched away Letters through all the Provinces to exhort all other Gentlemen to enter into their Union and continued the Assembly that they might advance their designs Count Fiesco did very much labour the Convocation of the States General as the only means to come by the wisht for general peace strove to keep the Clergy firm to their first intentions and accordingly Archbishop Ambrune and Bishop Cominges spoke boldly for this Convocation using examples and places of Scripture to draw all men to the same opinion In this interim the Parliament which did not like the Convocation of the States General as well for fear left their Authority might thereby be moderated and that the Sale of places might peradventure be thereby suppressed and confer'd upon better deserving men as also out of the innate jealousie which is commonly found between Parliaments and States the latter pretending to be superior in Authority and the other did maintaining that States can resolve nothing unless it be by them verified notwithstanding met And here Monsieur de Coqueley brought a request presented by the Procurator General wherein he blamed the Assembly of the Nobility for being met without the King's Authority and insisted upon the inhibiting thereof but whilst they were deliberating hereupon and that the first President moved that the first Authors thereof should be punished reading the Letters sent by the Assembly to the several Provinces wherein the Duke of Orleans was concerned by whose permission the Assembly met that Duke and the Prince of Conde were intreated to come to the Parliament to deliberate upon this weighty affair for the Assembly began to be in great vogue in the Provinces and there was danger that by continuing the Assembly new disorders might arise This mean while the Queen by agreement with the Duke of Orleans and the Prince of Conde sent on the 16 th of March to the Marishal de L' Hospitalle to inform the aforesaid meeting that it should break up and that as for their desire of having the States General called they should have it granted to meet on the first of October next at Tours The same was confirmed by the Duke of Orleans and the Captain of his Guard past his word that what had been said by the Marishal de L' Hospitalle in the name of the King and Queen should be punctually perform'd The like did the Cavaliere de Vieville by order from the Princes of Conde and County none of which were pleased with the calling of the States General as things too prejudicial to Regal Authority and to themselves in particular and therefore they sought by such excuses and promises to carry things on to the end that all might afterwards dissolve into nothing The Duke of Orleans instigated by the Coadjutor who partook of all his secret Councils became Protector of the Assembly of the Nobility the major part whereof depended upon him as being his intimate friends And the Coadjutor being very much troubled that even French Cardinals were by Decree of Parliament debar'd being of the Privy Council whereby he was deprived of his hope of becoming the chief Minister of State and of being Cardinal made the Duke of Orleans incourage the Clergy to joyn with the Nobility and to complain onto the Queen of the unjust proceedings of Parliament whereat the Court was not at all displeased seeing her adversaries at variance within themselves This Assembly of the Nobility was introduced when the King's Authority began to totter by reason of the hatred conceived against the Cardinal and it was begun by certain Bishops who were discontented at the Court proceedings and by certain Nobles who were not therewith well pleased only to make a noise and to make themselves of some consideration at first these Assemblies were held but by a few and in private houses The chief Authors of those of the Clergy were the Archbishop of Sens Brother to Marquess Termer the Bishops of Orleans Haghen and the old Bishop of Albi who were all three of the house of Bene and come to France from Florence the Bishop of Cominges and others the Marquess of Lourdis and of Vieville the Counts of Betumirs Fiesco Montresore Vrse Fourilles Montignack and others who were all without any charge and but little considered at Court they took their pretence from some ill usage of the Nobility in the Country of Vexin by the King's Officers about a suit touching some counterbar'd Salt brought in by the Soldiers and hid amongst their baggage in the March which the Army made towards the Frontiers some of them came to Paris to complain thereof and finding men displeased at the imprisonment of the Princes and laying hold of that pretence that Mazarine had told the Queen in full Council that the Nobility of France hated the King and that the Parliament would do as that of England had done they bethought themselves of calling the Assemblies by the Assent and Authority of the Duke of Orleans who was not altogether content with the Court. So as nothing but novelty was sought after whereby to win credit and get some Office or place in the King's Council The same whereof being spread over the whole Kingdom so numerous was the concourse of Prelates and of Cavaliers as they became formidable not only to the Court and Parliament but even to the Princes who had first protected the Assembly for they thought that the States General would moderate their power by taking away their Governments and places and that peradventure they would take the boldness of England for when the third Estate should concur and the States General should be met the Arbitrement of affairs would almost depend upon these Afterwards private houses proving too little for these Assemblies they were adjourned to the Covent of St. Francis and St. Augustine where in the great Halls thereof affairs were disposed of in good order But this being done without the King's
Kingdom That Marcouse and Vaubecourt should be given for Hostages on the Kings behalf and Count Linville and the General of the Artillery on the Dukes with promise that no Hostility should be committed in his march the treaty was thus stipulated by Turenne much to his glory which being concluded in the face of both Armies the Lorrainers began presently to march towards Bria Whilst things went thus in these parts the Parliament who now that Lorrain was come thought they had hit the nail on the head raising their pretensions still higher sent President Nesmond again to the Court to insist upon sending the Cardinal away the Commissioners being come to Melune made the Parliaments desire known adding that it was a small business for a King to deprive himself of a Servant whereby he was to regain the obedience of so many who had withdrawn themselves from it only out of that respect The King returned his answer in writing That having often heard the Remonstrances made by his Parliament wherein they still asserted their intentions to maintain regal Authority and that they would always contribute their chiefest power to the advantage of his service and that finding the wound did now begin to Gangrene without speedy remedy he desired that their Commissioners might meet with his Privy Council to the end that they might joyntly find some remedy for the threatning mischief and to keep his people from the apparent ruine whereinto they were ready to fall through the capricious unquietness and ambition of some sew and that his Majesty indeavoured nothing more than how to restore his Kingdom to its former splendor When Nesmond had read this answer he reply'd That the only way to satisfie all was to send away the Cardinal The King thus interrupted him and with a serious aspect said You have heard my pleasure no more words The Commissioners returned to Paris where they gave an exact account to their Companions of what had past Many were for accepting the propounded Conferences but Brussels with an appearing zeal to the common welfare was firm that there needed no other Conference or negotiation since all was reduced to one sole head which was the sending away the Cardinal who being the sole occasion of all resentments they must stand upon it for this being had all controversies would be ended And the more averse he found the King to part with him the more he prest it not for that he cared much for it but that knowing how difficult a business it would be he might nourish the diffidences and maintain discord For it was apparent that if the Parliament had believed that the King would have parted with the Cardinal and with that re-unite the Princes to his service he would never have pretended thereunto but would have underhand indeavoured his tarrying for it did not make for him that the Kings Authority should be the more fortified by the joyning of the Princes with his Majesty and that consequently the pretences of the Parliament should languish Brussels opinion being adhered unto it was decreed that the Commissioners without any delay should return again to the King and tell his Majesty that they had nothing to add nor to propose but the effectual dismissing of the Cardinal in conformity to the decrees and Declarations made by his Majesty and to the protestation made by the Princes who were ready to lay down Arms as soon as the Cardinal should be gon out of the Kingdom Letters written from the Queen of Sweeden to the Parliament were given to the Commissioners to be delivered to the King the content whereof was her offering her self to interpose as a friend and confederate to the Crown of France in agreeing all parties The Commissioners came to Melune the 12 th of Iune and had Audience two days after they represented the desolation of the State by the Cardinals return which they said was the only cause of all the disturbances of the Kingdom The business was referred to the Council of State and the answers examined the Cardinal renued his many former desires that he might be dismist saying it was not fit that the peace of the Kingdom should be confounded merely for him This the King denyed saying that he was master and was to be served by whom he pleased and that none but God could prescribe laws to him The next Sunday the Commissioners had Audience again wherein the King gave them a writing saying that thereby they should know his pleasure Monsieur Vrilliere read it and gave it to President Nesmond wherewith he went to Paris the contents of the Letter were these That the King did very much wonder seeing there were so many wise and well advised Subjects in the Parliament that they should not know the desire of dismissing the Cardinal was but a specious and nice pretence since the true cause of all the troubles appeared to be the interest and ambition of those who had took up Arms and waged War when the Cardinal was in Germany dismist from the Court and Government which made it clearly appear that the maladies of a State are not cured whilst pretences are stood upon the roots whereof produce as many mischiefs as by those pretences are desired to be cut off so there was no remedy that would do good but to pluck up the chiefest and deepest evil by the Root That if his Majesty should permit the Cardinal to withdraw himself into some forreign imployment with due respect to his honour how should he be secured that the Male-contents would be quieted since his departure in the beginning of the last year had rather augmented than moderated the troubles so as it was not to be hoped it should fall out otherwise when he should be gone again unless the cause which produced the effect were presently taken away That his Majesty did desire speedy and permanent quiet to his Subjects that they might not fall into the former inconveniences the rather for that he knew well that at the same time when the Princes declared they were ready to lay down Arms if the Cardinal were sent away they provided for the contrary by strengthning their party with Forreigners and by seducing other of his Majesties Subjects from their obedience that what the Duke of Orleans had said some days before to the Commonalty of Paris touching his having no power over the Duke of Lorrains men which he had boasted to have brought was not like to that which he had affirmed in Parliament that the treaty made with the Spaniards by the Prince of Conde mentioned not laying down of Arms if the Cardinal were sent away nor indeed could it be spoken of since he was in Germany when it was made That therefore the Princes were to give real and positive security for performing what they promised wherefore he desired to know whether they renounced all leagues and associations made with Forreigners and all particular treaties had and made with his Majesties Subjects against his Royal service
Paoletta nor the Grievances nor the Gabels the sole occasions which caused Disobedience for such burthens were quietly suffer'd and received without any innovation under the management of Richelieu who making use therein of the King's Power maintained them by severity and force as thinking Rigour to be a better way than Gentleness whereby to govern a Nation naturally as apt to forget Injuries as good turns But the proposal in the Edict of augmenting the number of the Masters of the Requests every of which Places were sold for more than 60000 Crowns was the true occasion of those troubles which interrupted the Prosperity of that Kingdom and hastened the Revolutions though under other reasons and motives which seemed to aim more at the publick good than at the private end of some particular men These Masters of the Requests are conspicuous persons who after having sat as Counsellours in Parliament are admitted into that Order They are admitted into the King's Privy Council they practise much in Court and are imployed in Embassies in Provinces and in Armies for Justice and for the Finances so as they usually prove men of Courage All men were troubled and scandalized at the increasing of this number the price being lessened thereby to those who were in the Places being considerable persons For nothing sways more with men than their particular Interest and Advantage They used therefore all means to keep the Cardinal from attempting this Novelty thinking that as he was the first Minister of State he was the first motioner or promoter thereof The Cardinal knew that to touch upon what concerned those of the Parliament was but a slippery business and therefore he did not in his heart approve entirely of the Proposal but the business of Moneys being urgent and the rest of his Majesty's Council not thinking to meet with any repugnancy in those who had such dependancy upon the favour of the Court and who desired to deserve those Employments which were wont to be confer'd by the King in Armies and in Provinces the Edict stood good in substance but was somewhat moderated by the Cardinal who was forc'd to yield to the common desires These Lords having acquainted the Cardinal with their Grievances they turn'd upon Emery and reproving him as the contriver of this Plot they bitterly threatned him but he stood constant to what he had propounded as thinking it most adequate to the necessity Emery was a man of great Wit and of a profound and lively Spirit He was brought into the Finances by Richelieu who sought to gratifie him for services which he had received from his Father Being found to be a man of a deep reach he met with Envy immediately but though he was accused by his Enemies of many faults he overcame all difficulties and got great experience in the Finances wherefore the Lord Bullion being Superintendent knowing his ready Wit and peradventure envying his Abilities he endeavour'd to keep him at a distance from the Employment and thought it better to fix him Embassador from the King in Savoy than to have him neer himself When Cardinal Mazarine entered upon the Affairs of France Emery made use of the acquaintance he had had with him in Avignon and in Piemont to which the great esteem which was held of his capacity and understanding in the Court being added he got at last to be Superintendent of the Finances where thirsting after greater Fortune it was said he aspired after more advantages and he was accused of having intended to shoulder out the Cardinal by fomenting them underhand who went about to discredit him with the Queen and that having these Objects before him he had leaned to the late Prince of Condè his Party and afterward to that of his Son befriending many persons who were well thought of at Court by whose means he ever and anon acquainted the King that it was true the Cardinal was of a refined Wit of a high Spirit and very understanding in forreign Affairs but that having never been vers'd in the Finances he wanted such Indowments as were requisite thereunto whence it arose that he went less in the esteem he had hitherto maintained himself with many who knew not the truth of the business Moreover some that they might render him odious to the Parliament and to the People gave out that he as being the prime Minister of State was the first Author of the abolition of the Paoletto and of creating new Masters of the Requests though he had always withstood them and that Emery was the onely occasioner of them being backt by the rest of the Council And they did this intending that the Parliament resenting this might make the Cardinal's conduct be ill thought of and that by his fall Emery thought to succeed him These suspitions were increased by some conversation which he held with Peter Brussel a Counsellour of the Great Chamber poorly spirited but popular and who instead of judging Processes was always busie in publick Affairs He willingly took upon him the Petitions of the Poor either out of real or feign'd Charity and he was hereunto incited by Peter Longuile a Counsellour of the same Chamber who spent all his talent in Intrigues and Cabals Brussel applying himself to Longuile's Genius though he were ignorant enough and not very capable of what he went about which made him be believed by those who knew not his true ends to be a well-minded man But being displeased with the Court and Cardinal for that his Son who was Ensigne to the Guard was denied a Lieutenants place that was vacant he set himself to beget an ill opinion of the Cardinal This mean while the Masters of the Requests fearing lest if any of them should die their Heirs might not succeed unto them in their Office by reason of the distaste which they had already given unto the Queen they publish'd a licentious Writing whereby they did reciprocally oblige themselves to pay for the Place of any that should die for the Heir of the deceased which was thought a very bold thing Nor did their designes cease here but finding themselves not able of themselves alone to make good their party they presented a Request in the name of the Publick for the union and joyning of the whole Parliament representing that it was necessary for repairing the Ruines of the Kingdom occasioned by the ill Administration of the Finances which were more imploy'd in the profit of a few particular men than for the use of the Crown from whence the peoples grievances did proceed by which appearances they made the people believe that their end was onely to exempt them from all Impositions The Queen being hereat highly displeased she made them be sharply reproved by Peter Segnier the Lord-chancellour a well-meaning Gentleman and of great Integrity telling them that such Assemblies were rash destructive to the State and disloyal And she expresly forbid them coming to the Council till they had revoked all their said Declarations and torn
fourth part of the Subsidies but more if the present state of Affairs would permit it That as for the King 's going out of Paris it was not to be wondered at since he went every year out of the Town about the same season to take the Air. For what concern'd Chavigny's Imprisonment the Parliament had no reason to be concern'd therein he being no Member of theirs and that he was detain'd for important reasons known onely to the King's Council To this the first President repli'd It was true he was no Member of theirs but that he had always in all his imployments been advantageous to them which made it be the more suspected The Prince of Condé retorting his Argument upon him said That this Argument made against him that alleadged it for if the memory of so many good services done by Chavigny were not able to excuse him it was the more probable that his faults were great Then stept out President Viola and said That if Chavigny had erred he should be proceeded against and punish'd by Law He said that there was but one Imprisonment lawfully permitted in France called La Conceirge du Palais and that if any other course were taken the publick liberty was injured The Duke of Orleans interrupted the Discourse saying That people of better condition than Chavigny had been imprisoned That the late Prince of Condé Father to this present Prince had been imprisoned in the Basteile without any notice taken by the Parliament The first President said All this was true and that it was not long since this abuse was introduced and that an Illegitimate Order ought not to pass for Law Thus the Deputies retired re infecta and adjourn'd their Meeting to the 29th of the said Month on which day they appeared again and the Prince of Condé assuming great Authority by his means almost all their Proposals were granted unless it were the freedom of the persons imprisoned which the Parliament pretended should be within the space of twenty four hours Whereupon the Queen was content that none should be imprison'd for State-affairs without Process for above six months but the Parliament not allowing so long a time took a middle way restraining the time to three months and said That the Queen could not make any Declaration thereupon but that they might take her word The rest were not herewith content President Blanmenil would not allow of three months saying That no king of France by any priviledge of the Crown can keep their Subjects Prisoners without Process at Law for that would be prejudicial to the Publick Safety and a hazarding of the Princes themselves and of the Crowns Officers since several means might be found in three months space to make away whom they lifted before they could be proved guilty before competent Iudges It was therefore said That either the King must have absolute liberty to imprison men as long as he would or but onely twenty four hours in which time no Prisoner could beput to death without evident signe of Violence or Tyranny All men whatsoever being herein concern'd it was decreed that no man should be kept Prisoner without Process at Law for above twenty four hours At the same time that this business was discussing in Parliament Francis Dutchess of Vendosme gave in a Petition to the House desiring that the Parliament as the Sanctuary of persecuted Princes would cause Process to be made in the behalf of the Duke her Husband and of the Duke her Son who had been deni'd to have their Process pleaded not onely for three or six months but for many years But this being a private business the Parliament received the Petition and said it should be argued when the more weighty publick Affairs should be over Finally after many meetings and debates in Parliament a Declaration was issued forth for the re-establishment of Justice and for a moderation of Grievances The abuse of Accounts was regulated the Tax of ten Millions of pounds Turnois was taken off The people were eased of seven Millions which was paid to Officers and Souldiers who assisted in gathering Taxes and Impositions The Officers of the Kingdoms Salaries were established The Tax of a Crown for every run of Wine that came into the City was taken away The price of Salt was lessened and two Millions upon what entered the Gates of Paris But the supream Authority of France being onely in the King's person and no Decrees made in Parliament being valid though for the publick benefit without the King's assent this Declaration was carried some days after to St. Germains to have its full Vigour given it but the Cardinal considering how prejudicial the lessening of above two Millions of Pistols yearly would be to the King's service and how much the King's Authority would be diminished by bereaving him of so great a part of his Revenues and of forgiving faults as it would have been if the Institution touching Imprisonment for but twenty four hours had been put in practise opposed himself thereunto with all his might shewing that if when the King had power to punish faults so many were committed it would be worse when his Majesty should be deprived of that power and that the power to punish made more for a Prince than the power to reward for people fear less to offend those they love than those they fear and rewards meet oftentimes with ingratitude when Punishment maintains Obedience But the Parliament's designe being to deprive the King of means of continuing War by keeping him from Money and so to force the Cardinal to agree unto a general Peace or otherwise to weaken him so as he could not any longer pursue the course of his Victories that they might have occasion to accuse him and deprive him of his Administration the King's Council was at last forc'd to give way unto it with such disadvantage to regal Authority as that from hence arose all the disorders which did afterwards trouble the tranquillity of that powerful Kingdom It is very certain that two members of Parliament expressing upon some occasion the like conceit to Cavelliere Luigi Contarini who mediated the general Peace he wisely answered That he liked it not for if the Cardinal should want moneys and consequently means to make War it was to be considered whether Spain would admit of Peace when France should be reduced to such weakness This so prejudicial Concession being granted which followed on the 28 of October contrary to the Cardinal's opinion Peace was published by means of the rest of the Council whereby the Princes purchased the peoples applause they having gotten their chief ends A while after Count Chavigny was released from Prison where he was so afraid of being poysoned as he eat but one Egge a day The King pardoned him to gratifie the Parliament and he was sent to a Castle of his own in Turenne The Court used this means with patience per force towards the Parliament so as it was easie to foresee that
by this Declaration which here I give thee That thou together with the other Dukes Peers Princes Lords and their Adherents are guilty of High Treason for not having come unto him as he commanded you within three days and because it may be that this his Declaration came not to you nor your Confederates knowledge His Majesty by the advice of his Mother the Queen Regent hath commanded me to tell thee that he grants thee and thy Adherents four days space more to begin from this day to come to his Royal Court. And to the end that neither thou nor the rest may have any excuse to continue longer in disobedience His Majesty by the advice of his Mother the Queen Regent hath commanded me to tell thee that he giveâ— thee full and free security for thy Person Places Goods and Governmentâ— as also to all the Princes Dukes Peers and Lords thy Adherents in case thou and they come to him within the prefixed time Whereof if thou faiâ—est I am commanded to tell thee and them that you shall all incur the punishments therein contained All these Instructions were signed and sealed by the Secretary of State Guinegaude and the King's Declaration was of the same tenour The Herauld appeared at the Gate of St. Honoré accompanied by the Engineer Petite who was purposely come from Paris to the Court and came before the Sentinels at Sun-rising where he sounded a Call demanding to speak with the Captain of the Guards of whom he demanded entrance which was denied him and the Captain sent news hereof to the Parliament Prince of Conty and to the Commonalty The Houses were met and having tarried till three hours after Dinner they resolved not to receive the Herauld nor the Kings Letters supposing that they imported little of satisfaction But they returned him answer That they durst not receive him nor listen unto him out of respect and obedience since it belonged not but to Soveraigns with Soveraigns though the ancient stile of my King and thy Master cannot be used to a Soveraign but to a Subject Adding that they had chosen Deputies to make their submissions known to their Majesties if they might have Pasports sent them To this Petite answered That it was contrary to all Respect and Obedience to refuse admittance to those that were sent by the King and that the Herauld had no other Orders but to execute his Commissions Here he again demanded to be let in and that his Majesties Letters might be received which being again denied he founded a second Call and was again refused Monsieur Fournier being come thither in the name of the City and Monsieur di Maison on the behalf of the Prince of Conty to tell him that the City nor the Prince could return no other answer than what the Parliament had done The mean while night came on and the Herauld sounded the third Call and expounding his Commission aloud by word of Mouth left his Letters upon the Barricado and returned towards St. Germains When he was gone the Packets were taken and carried to the Corps de guard Whereupon two Letters were written one to the Chancellor another to Monsieur Tilliere wherein they were desired in the Parliaments name to get a Pasport for those that were appointed from the King to represent unto his Majesty that their refusing to hear the Herauld was not an effect of disobedience but of reverence due from faithful Subjects who professing themselves to be such could not admit of an Herauld which was usually sent from an Enemy to an Enemy and not from a Patron to his Vassals wherefore the said Deputies would wait upon his Majesty to receive his Commands The resolution was well received for after some dispute in the Kings Council the Queen granted Pasports to Monsieur Tallon Monsieur Emilliand and to Bignon the King's Advocate who going to St. Germains had the means to introduce a fortunate Treaty Two reasons made the Queen willing to confer of Peace the one by this means to moderate the Parisians bitterness in general by the sweetness of the Word Peace to foment the effects of those that desired it and to withdraw themselves from a greater danger as was insinuated unto her Majesty by the Cardinal thinking it did not misbecome her Princely Piety to pardon the Errours of Subjects The other out of the continual jealousie she had of the Prince of Condé by reason of the great sway he bore with the Army and by the dislike which he daily won in the Court and council where he was so firm to his own opinion as few durst oppose him though in some things they thought their own opinions better because their Fortunes lay in France where Condé was a Prince of the Blood But the Cardinal who had no establishment in France save what was grounded upon her Majesties great goodness was looked upon by Condé as an obstacle to all those pretences which might prejudice his Patron Wherefore it became him to be in continual apprehension of some change of minde in him in respect of his Brother Sister and Brother-in-law who were all of the contrary party Treaties of Peace were still kept on foot by the Pope's and by the Venetian's Agents and some hopes seemed to be revived therein Cardinal Mazarine sent Monsieur Brancart to Brussels on the 17 th of Ianuary 1649 to invite Count Pignoranda to an Interview as was desired by the said Count some moneths before Pignoranda accepted the motion seemed willing and till he could put himself in order sent Don Iuan Friquet to advertise the Cardinal of his coming Friquet came to St. Germains and began the business The Cardinal stood still upon generals not permitting Pignoranda to stir from Brussels but wisht him that if he did not confide in Friquet he would write to him and send some other Confident to him who might freely acquaint him with the Kings intentions and notwithstanding the objection that was made against Friquet for not having sufficient plenipotentiary-Plenipotentiary-power he should be received by the Cardinal and the King's minde should be sincerely communicated to him Whilst Affairs went thus the siege of Paris continued and the Generals to keep themselves from being reduced to extremity sought for all necessary Provisions To which purpose Prince Marsilliack went out with some Troops to back a Convoy of Victuals which was brought by Marquiss Noirsmonstere from the Brie by the Valley of Grobois the 19 th of February which was assaulted by Count Grance with the Kings Forces which were under him at Lagny But when Marsilliack was come to succour the Convoy the Kings men forbore attempting any thing against the Marquiss who had warily placed himself in an advantageous place and made towards Marsilliack who marched along the open fields and charged him And Grance's veterane Forces having the better of the unexperienced Parisians Marsilliack was presently abandoned by six of the first Squadrons had his Horse slain under him was Wounded and
taken Prisoner by the Kings Forces who whilst they strove whose prisoner he should be Count Rosan came in with five Squadrons and charged the Kings men so briskly as Marsilliack making use of this confusion freed himself from these Foot and though he were on foot and wounded took a Horse from a Souldier and got away with Count Mà tha Grance being reinforced in this skirmish by some of his own Squadrons fell so furiously upon the Enemy as he routed them immediately Roson was mortally Wounded and taken Prisoner together with divers other Officers and as many as were not slain Whereupon Grance marched into la Brie sackt the Castles of Lasegny Sercon and Villemenon and assaulted the very Town of Brie which was begirt with an ancient Wall and defended by the Inhabitants but he forced them to surrender the Town The said deputed persons were brought before the Queen as she sat in the midst of the Council where having done their due reverence Tallon told her how a Herauld had appeared at the Gate of St. Honoré just as the Parliament was sate to speak with the Assembly from her Majesty Whereat all the Councellors being surprised they knew not what to think of it but that it was to try her Subjects fidelity and to see whether they would treat with the King their Master in another manner than Vassals do when they receive his Commands That they therefore thought they had not disobeyed knowing that Heraulds are not sent but to Enemies or equals wherefore they pretending to continue the glorious Title of most humble Subjects thought it the lesser evil to dismiss him and to take the course which they had taken Wherefore they presented themselves before her Majesty with sorrowful Souls and humble Hearts to intreat her to accept of her Parliaments excuse who had not heard her Herauld for fear of offending her Royal Dignity or prejudicing her Soveraignty of the preservation whereof they had a greater care than all the World besides by which refusal she might finde the obedience of devoted Subjects and the innocency of their Councils which aimed at nothing but the preservation of Regal Authority against the power of the Enemies of France concluding that if she had sent him as to Soveraign personages she might see their respects and that they acknowledge their happiness consisted onely in their obedience To assure her Majesty whereof was the express cause of this their coming But if she sent him as to criminal people they were come to submit themselves to her Will and to be punisht by her The Queen heard these words with her wonted goodness and afterwards commanded the Chancellor to assure them that she was satisfied with the Declaration which they had made but that she could not be fully content unless their Words were accompanied by Effects and they might then assure themselves of her good will toward them and of her care for preservation of the Persons and the Fortune of all of them without exception The Duke of Orleans added That he wondred exceedingly why the Parliament did not readily render obedience to the Queen being in all reason obliged to do it and since they might promise themselves all fair dealing both in general and particular from their Majesties Clemency Condé spoke to the same purpose adding That the Queen aimed at nothing but the good of the State and the preservation of the Regal Authority and the welfare of every particular person These men returning to Paris made their report unto the Parliament whereupon they no sooner began to treat but Don Ieusippe Arnolsini was brought in to disturb it who was sent from Brussels by the Arch-Duke on the 24 th of February to Paris incognito with Letters of Credence which he presented to the Prince of Conâ—y whilst he was in private conference in L'Hostelle d'Elbâ—â—ufe with the Dukes of Beaufort and Bulliâ—n the Marshal de la Motte the Coadjutor the Presidents Conieux Navion Viola and Brousel the Counsellor The onâ— of these Letters was sealed and sent to the Prince of Conty The other was sent open to the Parliament He was privately treated with by Saraâ—ine Secretary to the Prince of Conty to finde out what he would â—e at the Spaniards by him made specious proâ—fers to advance onely as the Princes and Heads of that party should please and that they desired nothing but to free Paris and to procure a general Peace This was the Hood that caught the Prince of Conty for he thought iâ— a glorious thing if the Kingdom might be restored to Peace at the first unsheathing of Swords He therefore dispatcht away the Marquiss of Noirsmonstere Monsieur Laigne Monsieur Roussiere and Briqâ—igny who was stopt at Quinteyns The sum of Arnolfini's business was that the Arch-Duke would advance the Spanish Troops and those of Lorain to free Paris for which the Spaniards required a cautionary Town La Motte propounded Corbie but with small hopes of getting it out of his Brothers hands who was Governour thereof and was firm for the King There were better hopes in the Treaties between the Dutchess of Monbason and the Marquiss of Oquincourt who being in love with her it was hoped that she might get Peronne from him but neither did this hit For Oquincourt's affection to the King and his honour prevailed over his love to Monbason besides that this Proposal was refused by the Parliament who thought it unbecoming them to assigne over a Town of France to the Enemies of France whilst they were in treaty of a general Peace which would prove a perpetual reproach to the Loyalty which they professed to bear unto their King There was nothing therefore done in it more than that Arnolfini was heard in the Parliament where he appeared and explained the Arch-Duke's Letter and then gave in his Commission the Contents whereof was That he was sent by his Master the Arch-Duke to the Parliament where he could not think but he should be welcome since he brought the offer of Peace which was by all Christendom so much desired and so necessary for the quiet of the two Crowns That it was true that Cardinal Mazarine would not make Peace two years ago though he might have done it upon very advantageous terms for France But that after the King went from Paris the Cardinal propounded an Agreement with Spain upon very large terms saying that his chief motive therein was to chastise the Parliament-Rebels and to reduce them to reason But that the Catholick King did not think these exhibitions fair nor safe at this conjuncture of time thinking that it would be a shame for him to make use of such means so to oppress the Capital City of the Kingdom That his Majesty thought it not safe to treat with one who was condemned by Parliament as an Enemy to the King and Kingdom since the Parliament is to register and authenticate the Treaties of Peace But that as his King would make no other advantage of this conjuncture than an
Citizens which increased the rashness of the rest his Coach being cut in pieces and he had been made Prisoner as he returned to Agen where he spoke with Espernon had he not being advertised by a Friend of his gone by the way of Libourn The Parliament raised a great sum of Money to pay the debt which they had contracted during the War which being repugnant to the Kings Authority the aforesaid Vie and Advocate Constante as they came from Bourdeaux to the Court the Marquiss Chasteauneuse reproached them for it But they not withstanding got favourable answers as shall be said hereafter and which had been abundantly advantagious for them had not the Frondeurs who were impatient of their good fortune prefer'd a rash War before Peace granted them with such indulgency Before we enter upon the relation of the Troubles which hapned in the year 1649 we will relate the Divisions and Factions of the Court which arising from a weak and almost unknown beginning grew to such a height as pass'd all due conveniency The first Faction was that of the Queen-Mother's or rather of Cardinal Mazarine's for the Court minded nothing but how to uphold this State-Minister of an uncorrupted Loyalty totally bent to maintain the Kings Authority against the too great power of the Princes of the Bloud and of others which is suspitious in an absolute Empire such as is that of France The end of these was to keep the Duke of Espernon in the Government of Guienne intending to keep those Subjects in obedience and to stave off all Novelties which might arise from another Governour whom they might affect and who might depend upon them It was thought to be a lesser evil to fall into a troublesome War than to abandon the King's Authority to the Will of a proud and contumatious people and for their pleasure to turn away that faithful Officer To foment the Provencialists underhand and to insist in not having the Count of Alets any longer for their Governour as being too neer a kin to Condé to the end that by bereaving him of that leaning-stock his power might be the less To keep the Duke of Orleans still in good correspondency with the Regent and jealous of Conde's greatness by the means of the Abbot della Riviere who was promised to be made Cardinal To seek out all means to moderate the Duke of Beaufort's anger by the Dutchess of Monbason's means winning her over by promise of Honour and Advantage to the end that by recovering him into his duty they might do the like to the Parisians by whom he was seconded To cross the Parliaments pernitious designes To ballance Condé his vast thoughts To cool their heat who were set upon Interest and Ambition and finally to maintain Regal Authority and to win time till the King came of years whereby all their pretences who were desirous to better their Fortunes were rendred plausible The second Faction was that of the Duke of Orleans which was chiefly guided by the Abbot della Riviere in whom he did totally confide though he were hated by the Dutchess Margueret his Wife and by Madamoselle Their ends were to unite themselves to the Queen hoping to marry Madamoselle to the King as they were held in hope by the Court as well as was the Dutchess who intended that the King should marry her eldest Daughter And the Dukes Family being Rival to that of Condé they endeavour'd to lessen the Credit and Crandezza thereof This contrariety proceeded in part from the jealousies which use to be between great Ladies as were those of the Family of Orleans and those of Condé's and Longueville's Family And to these Factions did several Princesses and Ladies of great Quality and many highly qualified Lords adhere The third Faction was that of the Prince of Condé Prince of Conty and of the Duke and Dutchess of Longueville whose ends were so to fortifie themselves with Governments of Provinces and strong Towns during the Kings yet two years remaining Minority as that when the King should be become of years they might be able of themselves to resist and withstand any opposition which might be made against them It is known that the Grandezza of the Princes of the Bloud hath always been suspected by the absolute and independent Dominion of a Monarch as had been observed in the times of the precedent Kings by the imprisonment of almost all the Princes of Condé and lately under the Administration of Cardinal Richlieu who during the time of his supream Authority became Arbitrator of the Lives and deaths of the most conspicuous men of the Kingdom To this was added their being able to keep Cardinal Mazarine from establishing himself in his Employment by Marriage and Governments and though he should be still in the Administration to keep him low and weak as well because that no other French Subject of haughty thoughts might succeed him as that wanting a considerable Leaning-stock he might be the more exposed to depend totally on them The fourth Faction was that of the Frondeurs whereof the Duke of Beaufort and the Coadjutor were the chief Heads and it was fomented by the Dutchess of Chevereux and the Dutchess of Monbason by divers Presidents and Councellors of Parliament and by almost all the people of Paris Their designe was to lessen the Cardinals Authority to increase their own and to make their Faction powerful The Coadjutor was in high hopes hereof being thereunto perswaded by the example of his Progenitors who had had the administration in the Regency of other Queens who had been Forreiners which not being to be done whilst the Cardinal was at the Helm they sought out pretences how to colour their calumnies wherewith they aspers'd him and flattered the people with hopes of bettering their condition the Parliament and people proceeding by these means infused distrust into the Parisians comforted those of Bourdeaux and seeking how to disorder affairs resolved to put all things into confusion so as the King being bound to dismiss the Cardinal they might effect their intents Not to omit touching upon what the Forces of these four Factions were That of the Cardinal was fortified by the Kings Authority by the obedience of all the Provinces of the Kingdom except those that were governed by Princes of the adverse party by all the Veterane Troops by all the strong holds by the Officers of the Crown by all the Courtiers and Nobless of the Crown who reverence nothing but the name of King The Duke of Orleans party aimed at nothing but at the Grandezza of the Abbot de la Riviere who being named by the King to be a Cardinal at the first election of Cardinals did nothing but caress the Court and Cardinal to keep them from altering their mindes And though the Court intended him not that honour left the Duke of Orleans might have a Favourite of equal dignity with the Queens Favourite yet it proceeded dextrously to gain the advantage of
there sent for him into his Room upon pretence of having something to confer with him about where he kept him till it was over As for the Queen she was dressed and lay upon the Bed in a withdrawing Room where being visited by the Prince of Condé's Mother she pretended to be sick and presently dismiss'd her This same Princess that very day had the two Princes her Sons and the Dutchess of Longueville her Daughter at Dinner with her and after Dinner advised the Prince of Condé to be careful of himself for that the Court intended to play him some trick He who thought all as open-hearted as himself and could not be perswaded that the Cardinal durst attempt any thing against him answered That he was well enough assured of the Court but that the Duke of Orleans failed him at the sollicitation of the Abbot de la Riviere his Favourite and saying this he turned unto the Prince of Conty and told him he desired to have him along with him that day to Council to mortifie La Riviere who had pretended to be in all things ruled by Conty But the Abbot was innocent of all the Duke of Orleans his Plots and was at that time out of favour with him The Princes of Condé and Conty being come to Court the Duke of Longueville was there also presently after them and coming up the great Stairs which was at the entrance into the Hall the Door was suddenly clapt to and all those shut out who did attend him at which time the Duke began to suspect what after followed and called to minde the good and faithful advice he had received from Priolo they went all three together to wait upon the Queen who being upon her Bed and seeming to be somewhat ill they presently retired out of her Chamber and being then all together mocking and jeasting at each other in the Anti Camera before they went into the Gallery before the Council-chamber the Queen who was something disturbed with the apprehension of what was to be done prayed the King who was alone with her in the Chamber to go softly to the Chamber-door and shut the same against them At last the Princes and Duke came into the Gallery where all the Council and Ministers of State were excepting onely the Cardinal who calling to Monsieur de Cominges Lieutenant of the Queens Guard told him 't was time to execute what her Majesty had commanded he thereupon gave notice of it to Monsieur Guitault his Uncle on the Father's side a Captain of the Guard who forthwith ordered Monsieur Croissy Alferes of his Troop to arrest the Duke of Longueville and Monsieur de Cominges to attacque the Prince of Conty at the same time as he should seize upon the Prince of Condé They therefore coming into the Gallery Guitaust addressed himself to the Prince of Condé and told him That he was troubled at the Orders he had received from the King and Queen to secure his person but that his Highness knew his part was to obey his Majesty's Commands The Prince either believing or desiring it should be thought he believed it was a Jeast turning to the rest of the Councellors there present said Here is a pretty trick Guitault saith he hath a Commission to arrest me Guitault replied Indeed I have an order so to do Whereupon the Prince shrugging up his Shoulders answered Why what have I done Have I not always served the King and Queen unto the utmost of my power Cominges and Croissy said the same thing unto the Prince of Conty and the Duke of Longueville in presence of the Chancellor who was desired by Condé to go and tell the Queen that he humbly begged the favour from her that he might speak a word unto her which he did that by that means he might draw neer unto a Window from whence he might call upon some of his followers to endeavour the rescue of him the Chancellor readily performed his request but returned with this answer That she was reposing her self upon the Bed and that he could not be admitted to speak with her He also prayed Count Servient to tell the Cardinal that he would willingly have spoken with him to assure him he was his Servant as he had many times before and very lately also assured him Servient went but returning found that Monsieur Guitault had before carried away the Prince for twenty of the Guard being commanded into the Gallery the Officers carried the Princes and Longueville down the back-stairs into the Garden which is divided by a Wall from the Court-Yard of the Palace all the Doors and Passages being exceeding well guarded by the Souldiers and the Stairs the King's Apartment and the Courts at the Louvre being full of persons of Honour Cavaliers and others who were friends unto the Princes 'T is a wonder how silently this matter was carried all things being wonderfully well ordered for preventing of the mischief which must have necessarily hapned had it been known to the well doing whereof the back Private Stairs did much contribute down which they carried the Princes into the Garden and through the little Door which opens upon the Cardinal Mazarine's Palace where one Squadron of the Guards is always posted The Princes were there put into a Coach with six Horses which going out at the Port Richlieu with onely Sixteen Troopers for their Guard which were commanded by the Count Miossan carried them privately cross the streets that go to Mount Marter St. Denis and St. Anthony along a very bad and myery way where the Coach broke and forced them to stay full two hours e're it was mended brought them at last to the Castle of St. Vincennes where they were put into the Dungeon which is a great Tower divided from the rest of the Castle by a Ditch and Wall The news thereof was presently sent by Guitault with all diligence to Paris Whilst the Princes were thus carrying away a Messenger was sent unto the President Perault who was Steward or Major Domo to the Prince of Condé a great Confident of his and one who under him had got a large Estate to let him know the Prince desired he would come to him to the Palace Perault said He wondered the Prince had not sent one of his own Servants for him But without saying more went presently and passing over Pont Neus was arrested by Monsieur de Guiet and carried Prisoner to his house where he was kept two days and then carried to the Castle St. Vincennes and his house searched to see what Papers they could finde and the Lieutenant Civile was ordered to take an Inventory of them Upon the first report of this news all the Lackeys Servants Coachmen and others who waited for them at the Court-gates ran about like Mad men some here some there and the same did the Noblemen Cavaliers and others of their Friends and Kindred so as upon the noise made in the streets and the running up and down
were imprisoned that this was plotted in all parts and that the thoughts of the Parliament of Paris and of others aimed all at this and that finally they themselves would not deny but that all their endeavours should tend to the same end as those who were bound to prefer this before all other interests This discourse wrought the effect which the Duke desired it wrought upon the Cardinal and did infuse such jealousie into the Frondeurs and Duke of Orleans as it made the Duke resolve to reunite himself with them and again to endeavour the Cardinals destruction The Queen nor the Cardinal were neither of them well pleased with Madamoselle for having always thought her well affected to the Court she upon this occasion appeared otherwise But this agreement did disturb other affairs for the hatred of the Parisians and the authority of the Duke of Orleans and Beaufort and of their adherents did thereby increase the more against the Cardinal whom they told that howsoever they would have the Court return speedily to Paris and that the journey to Tolouse and Provence should be put off to another time which was intended that the States General might be held there and to raise monies which they wanted much to provide for the occurrences of the Kingdom and particularly of Catalonia and for payment of the Servants of the Court who had not received any monies of a long time the Cardinal was minded that the King should go to Languedock and Provence before his return to Paris for besides that the People should thereby see the Kings Person which wins upon the peoples love there was some need of his Majesties presence in those Provinces as well to hold the States General in Languedock as to quiet the differences in Provence between the Count de Ales who was Governour of that Country and the Parliament but the Cardinal being told that for certain the Duke of Orleans did extreamly desire the King should return to Paris to take order for affairs there and to provide for the safe custody of the Princes who were not thought to be safe enough in the Castle of Mercousy he resolved to return to Paris where the Frondeurs grew daily more desirous to deprive him of the glory which he might have gotten with apeasing the uproars of Provence On the 5 th of October the King Queen and the whole Court entred into Burdeaux with above 4000. what Horse what Foot which were brought in not so much for the Kings safety as for his Grandezza whereat the Frondeurs were so terrified as many of them sought to hide themselves The Burdelois appeared mightily pleased with the King coming they lodged the King Queen Cardinal and Duke of Aniou in the Archbishops Palace Madamoselle d' Orleance in President Pontacks stately Palace and the Cardinals neeces were lodged in the Doyen The Court tarried ten days in Burdeaux and being solicited by the Duke of Orleans to return to Paris it marched thitherward The Court being come to Orleans instead of going streight to Paris went to Fountainbleau to take order for securing the Princes who on the 15 th of November were removed from the Castle of Mercousy and were convey'd to Haure de Grace conducted by Count Harcourt with 400. Horse and as many Foot and after Eleven days march they were shut up there being still under the Guard of Monsieur de Bar and of those whom he confided in After which the Queen was not affraid to return to Paris since the Prisoners were gone so far from thence and that they were now at her disposal The Frondeurs were much troubled thereat who with all the other Malecontents ceased not to exclaim against the Duke of Orleans that he had deluded them that the Cardinal did not desire the general peace nor the peoples ease but aimed only at his own private ends wherefore they altered their minds and began to commiserate the Princes not so much for their imprisonment as for the danger of their lives so as the Princess their Mother and all their Kindred and adherents began again to plot their freedom and though by the death of this Lady who died on the 2 d. of December it was thought the servour thereof would abate yet it proved otherwise and it turned rather to the advantage than to the prejudice of the imprisoned Princes for the Dutchess of Orleans and Madamoselle inclined more to the Princes party their envy and hatred ceasing which they bore for her too great Fasto and Intonatura There were two means to be used for getting the Princes liberty the one by closing with the Cardinal the other by joyning with the Frondeurs the Princesses would not by any means abase themselves so far as to receive help from the Frondeurs they rather inclined to lean towards the Cardinal and to agree with him But since the Court cared not much for the Frondeurs now that the Princes were secured and did mind nothing but aggrandizing the Kings Authority it was not judged fit to trust too much to Conde's sickle nature and that it would be better to expect a while so as the Princesses finding that their Husbands were not likely to get their freedom at least for some time by the Cardinals means they had recourse to the Duke of Orleans and to the Frondeurs and the Treaties were very privatly begun by the Princess Palatine who in the managing of this Affair behaved her self very discreetly for spinning on the time of Treaty as long as she could with the Frondeurs she was perswaded she might bring them over to the Queen and Cardinals party She therefore negotiated this with the Court equally affectionately and with equal Dexterity shewing them how much more worthy they would be of commendation by obliging the Princes to eternal gratitude by an act of singular clemency and confidence and that by persisting to be rigorous they would afford the Frondeurs occasion to merit this from the Princes and consequently to increase their pretentions with evident danger that being so strongly backt they might make way for more pernicious consequences but all this did nothing with the Cardinal who thought he could not now confide any longer and held it dangerous to bring the Princes back to the Court during the Kings Minority so the Palatiness was forced to advance the Treaty with the Frondeurs The Dutchess of Cheuereux with many others entred likewise into this new confederacy against the Cardinal under a publick pretence but with private ends and they strove to shew their Majesties how necessary it was for them to return to Paris but the Cardinal strongly opposed this shewing how dangerous it might prove to the Kings power and how unsafe to the Court to put themselves into the peoples hands and into a faction which having broken all the bonds of Duty they might expect all bold attempts from them and he moreover made it known that the Kingdoms peace consisting in the imprisonment of those that
read she said That all the relations that had been made to the Parliament were mere Calumnies suggested by the Coadjutor who had told them falsehoods that he pretended to too much and that he was of an unquiet spirit that he infused pernicious Counsel into the Duke of Orleans because he was not chosen Cardinal which he had been so bold as to desire threatning if otherwise be would set fire on the four quarters of the Kingdom She afterwards recounted what had past in Council the Tuesday before between the Duke of Orleans and the Cardinal she complain'd of the Duke having refused to let her come unto him under pretence that the people might commit some outrage upon her person which consideration she said should not at all have altered her Resolution but on the contrary if she should have perceived the people begin to stir she would have come out into the Streets being sure that her presence would suddenly have quieted all disorders for she very well knew what Reverence the Parisians bore to Royal Personages she added further that such affairs as these should be carried on mildly That Marishal Grammont was already gone and that therefore they needed not have any more meetings about that and she moreover told them that the King was growing out of his minority and sufficiently inform'd to distinguish between those who were seditiously given and those who were well affection'd of which number she said they were and that the King would one day remember them for it so she dismist them The Commissioenrs being returned to Parliament the first President related what the King had said and made the writing which was given him be read and which contained almost the same thing whereupon they began to consult and there was difference of opinions But at last Orlean's Authority prevailing the Frondeurs and tumultuous people whereof the Hall was full joyn'd in a Resolution of beseeching the Queen to send a letter away speedily for the freedom of the Princes and to send the Cardinal from Court grounding their pretence upon what the Duke had said that he would not go to the Council so long as the Cardinal was there And they further said That since there was a necessity that one of the two should retire it was fair and honest that his Highness the Kings Uncle and Lieutenant General of the State should tarry and that the other who was a Forrainer should be sent away this being decreed in the Assembly the first President was sent to acquaint the Queen with it and humbly to desire the Princes liberty Thus the Assembly ended and Orleans returned to his own house attended on by many of the Gentry and by a great number of the Populacy The next morning he sent for the Duke of Espernoâ—n and for Marishal Schomberg and told them That he being Lieutenant General of the Crown they were hereafter to come to him for orders touching their imployments the one being Colonel of the French Infantry the other of the Switzers they both answered That they knew very well what became them to do and the respect which they were to bear him but that whilst the King was present they were only to depend upon his Majesty the same day the Queen sent for the Dutchess of Orleans and for Madamoselle and discoursed with them above two hours but no good came of this conference for there were few who through either envy or emulation did not declame against the Cardinals greatness neither had the Dutchess of Anguien's indeavours better success who labour'd to take off Orleans from the sinister impressions which the Coadjutor had made in him of the Cardinal But though there was so great concourse of people about the Duke yet the Palace Royal was frequented by much Nobility and those of the greatest esteem who kept their due obedience to their Majesties Amongst which all the Marishals of France except de Estempes Duke Mercure who still was of the Queens party never waver'd from the friendship which he protest to the Cardinal and sent a challenge that very day to his Brother Beaufort but Marishal de Estre hindred their meeting Whilst things were in this posture both sides studied how to win the peoples affection wherein the whole affair did consist but they being born away by the desire of Novelty inclined rather to favour the male-contents than the Court which made the Frondeurs joyn the more closely to the Princes and to the Duke of Orleans It will not be much from the purpose upon this occasion to say something upon the Court interests which consisted wholly in the Kings and Queens Authority and in the Forces of the Kingdom which were firm in the same Resolution with the Cardinal never to set the Princes at liberty till the King being come to years of Majority might be able to divert those Plots which they had framed in his minority to the prejudice of his power for now they were in a safe place The Duke of Orleans together with his Wife and Daughter being joyn'd to Beaufort and the Frondeurs solicited the Parliament and the Parisians to concur in freeing the Princes to the end that the Cardinal's credit being lost their Authority might be the more considerable in the King's minority The Dutchess of Chevereux and the Coadjutors aim was the same She by reason of the Marriage agreed upon between the Prince of County and her only Daughter and the Coadjutor promising himself by this Alliance that the Dutchess was to have with the Prince of Conde to arrive at the Cardinals Cap since he had no such hopes from the Court Thus Paris being wholly set by the concurrance of so many Princes and people of quality upon pulling down the Cardinal nothing was seen in the Parliaments Palace but the concourse of people and of Cavalliers who publickly cri'd out for the Princes liberty and against the Cardinal So as instead of seeing the Court quieted after the favourable successes in Champagnia and the peace of Guienne it was on the contrary become fuller of confusion But the Cardinal not being aware of the correspondency which the imprisoned Princes had with their adherents was not much troubled thereat by reason of the assurance he received from La Bar who thought not to be deceived by his own people for the Prince of Conde won one of Bar's Servants who was appointed to attend him by whose means he received Letters corrupted the Guards and had notice of all things by the means of Physicians Chirurgions which visited him so as he sent and received advertisements without the knowledg of Bar or of the Cardinal Thus the Dutchess of Chevereux having made the Marriage sure and the Coadjutor having won the Duke of Orlean's favour they kept him always firm to them the Dutchess of Chevereux and the Princess Palatine carried all things with great dexterity and secresie and amidst all the tumultuous meetings that were made in Ianuary the first President did great
removed by the removing the cause some others of the Cardinals Domesticks taking offence at the strange proceeding of the Frondeurs and Male-contents said That he was to maintain himself by force and to asswage the tumor before it did more insistolize these said That the King was absolute Master and that the Subjects were to renounce not to censure the Kings actions that all the strong holds Soldiers Subjects and greatest part of the Nobles were for the King Wherefore they ought not to foregoe the Resolutions of suppressing of some ambitious Spirits who were incouraged only by the popular breath of Paris which being a populous City was subject to the fatality of wavering according to the fury of the rabble rout That the strength of the Duke of Orleans of the Frondeurs Parliament and people lay only in their opinion of the Courts weakness which the more reservedly it proceeded against them it made them the prouder and made one contumacious act a ladder whereby to climb up to greater so as to be feared they must appear not to fear that the people seeing a Masculine resolution put on would rather think of saving themselves than of precipitating themselves into a party which was not able to sustain them That the friends of the imprisoned Princes fearing that their lives might be indangered would forbear those attempts which might force the Court to use violence that friends would be incouraged and that it being in the Kings power to bestow all places and honours the desire of merit would prevail more with most men than the unquiet party That therefore they must be no longer in resolving for slow resolutions in such cases shewed weakness and fear which was the only reason of the rashness of the seditious nor did they forbear to say that absolute power might be used upon the Parliament Commissioners yea even to life if their associates should transgress the bounds of duty The Cardinal thought this advice was not to be contemned and had he accepted it it might peradventure have done the deed but the Cardinal though he wanted neither courage nor wit to have done it answered that since the business concerned only himself he would not ingage the Kings Authority in his defence against a Nation to which he intended glory and advantage not misery and troubles being confident that the Duke of Orleans the Parliament and people would at last clearly discern the cunning of those that were Enemies to quiet and that when this cloud should be once over the innocency of his actions would in time appear more clearly he therefore did only feel the pulse of the Provost de Merchants of the Sheriffs Field-Officers and Colonels and finding them readier to obey Orleans than the King he resolved to yield to the Popular violence believing that like an high going Sea it would grow calm when the winds should cease Nor would he indeavour to carry the King and Court out of Paris as well for that it would be very hard to do by reason of the strict guards that were kept in all the Streets as also that the Court being gone that powerful City would rest at the disposal of his Enemies which was the thing they would be at Being thus resolved to be gone he acquainted the Queen with it saying That if the Duke of Orleans and the Parliament would be satisfied with this things would go well the loss of his person not being to be considered if thereby the publick peace might be purchased But that if no good should accrue by his absence her Majesty might then believe there were some conceal'd plots against her service that she should therefore in such a case keep conceal'd and indeavour by all means to get the King out of Paris and that she should not by any means suffer her self to be perswaded to set the Princes at liberty for when he should be gone and that pretences should not thereby cease they were not to be set at liberty unless upon such conditions as that they should owe the Obligation only to the King's goodness and to no body besides He caused a Letter to be sent to La Bar subscribed by the Queens own hand with order to obey what she should command and to set the Princes at liberty if agreement were made with them or else to detain them till they might in time be set free with more safety things being thus setled he left the Abbate Vndedey with the Queen to have a care of what should occur and in the Evening upon the sixth of February he called for Count Brienne the first Secretary and acquainted him with his Resolution of being gone recommending the Kings interest unto him whose Authority he said was several ways plotted against and without more ado went down stairs got on Horse back and accompanied by only three went by the Rue St. Honore toward the gate de Conferance but hearing that many were run before to the Twilleries where Madamoselle d' Orleans then was for they had had some inckling of his departure he turned about and went by Porte Richelieu and got into the Fields where many of his friends waited for him he went towards St. Germans accompanied by the Counts of Harcourt and Palaw by the Marquesses of Ronserolles Brevall Plessis Belliere by Baron Camilliack and by many others of good condition who in all might make about four hundred Horse He staid at St. Germans and sent speedily to Monsieur Lyon who was gone before to Haure de Grace to negociate with the Princes to know what their intentions were touching agreements and to know of La Bar if coming thither with orders from the Regent he should be received and obey'd But Lyons negotiation proved imperfect by reason of the novelties which had hapned at Paris by which the Queen was compell'd to send orders for their Releasement without any manner of conditions She also sent Count Broglio to Tillier with a Letter acquainting him that the Council stood firm to their resolution of not setting the Princes at liberty till that acknowledging their obligation only from her they might have no occasion to reconcile themselves with the Frondeurs but neither did this hit for one of the Lords of the Privy Council acquainted Chasteauneuf that the Cardinal had conceal'd that the Princes should be set at liberty by none but him This man though he were then an open Enemy to Conde did notwithstanding consent to his liberty so to sweeten him and to let him see that he had forgot all former injuries wherefore it being given out that Mazarine was gone to free the Princes their Enemies fell to consider what prejudice might redound to them if Conde should come out meerly by means of the Cardinal wherefore that they might prevent him they began with great ardor to procure his liberty And Chasteauneuf caused President Perault a great friend of Conde's to be let loose out of the Bastile without order from the Queen but howsoever the Cardinal
in this whether they were to have the Queens permission or whether it was sufficient to have leave from the Lieutenant General that the Nobility had Assembled for three reasons for the liberty of the Princes for driving out the Cardinal and for the maintaining of the Nobilities priviledges which were lost by the bad Government of State Ministers That nobody could doubt but that the two first points were contrary to the Regents desire since the Princes had been imprisoned by her that therefore it was unnecessary to ask leave for the Assembling of the Nobility seeing it was contrary to her sense wherefore not being able to address themselves to her Majesty they had be taken themselves to the Lieutenant General who having given them leave to meet the occasion of taxing them for having taken upon them an unjust power ceased That those who sided with the Cardinal said this was a Criminal fact but that they could not shew any other way which was more innocent that they were shut up between two great extreams either to become guilty by complaining or to be opprest by holding their peace and to suffer that without remedy the honour of their Wives and Daughters their Goods their Houses and all they had should be exposed to the insolence and violation of Soldiers Marishals Task-masters and to the avarice of Officers and that their liberties and immunities should be opprest through the jealousie of those who had neither birth nor worth thatthe Kingdom of France was a free Kingdom and that the most noble and freest part thereof ought not to be forbidden lamenting and demanding justice against such excesses and their conclusion was that any thing might be done which was just and reasonable at last the Clergie and after them the Nobility did acquiesce upon the reiterated desires and perswasions of the Duke of Orleans and of the Prince of Conde and much the rather for that they had not met with such correspondences as they looked for from the meeting of the third order without which and contrary to the King's power the Clergy and Nobility could of themselves do nothing So all was husht up upon hopes of the next Assembling of the States General which Orleans and Conde did under their hand assure them of The Cardinal being gone from the confines of France Paris grew weary of keeping continual Guards at the gate for which the Soldiers had no pay wherefore those Guards were taken away so as the Court being at liberty to go into the City and Country the Princes party was thereby not a little weakned who confided much in Armed men Conde began to apprehend a second imprisonment which he feared as himself said more than death wherefore he grew more circumspect than usual The Court began to take courage and to think how to uphold the King's Authority and because the Cardinal at his departure counselled the Queen to recall Count Chavigny who was Conde's friend to keep him from thinking to return by some other means he was sent for back and the seals were taken away by the Queens direction from the Marquess of Chastauneuf who was suspected to be become a friend to the contrary party and were given to the first President Mole which made it be believed that the Queen did all by intelligence with the Prince who was a friend to Chavigny and Mole and an Enemy to Chasteauneuf the next day he took the wonted Oath and the Queen used him with honour and esteem whereat the Duke of Orleans was much amazed in whose House the Prince of Conde Duke Beaufort the Dutchess of Chevereux and of Moâ—bason met together with the Coadjutor and other conspicuous persons of that party and they discoursed long upon the Queens taking too much upon her contrary to their pretentions speaking openly that if the Duke of Orleans would suffer such shame he would incourage his Enemies who would grow the more haughty But because the Council differ'd in their opinions it will not be amiss to lay open the affections of the one and of the other because private interest is more minded in France than in any other Court or Nation and is prefer'd before any publick consideration The Duke of Orleans his Daughter Madamoselle Duke Beaufort and the Dutchess of Monbason minded only their own greatness The Prince of Conde and his adherents cared not much for this mutation as being adversaries to Chasteauneuf and friends to the first President the Dutchess of Chevereux and the Coadjutor as friends to Chasteauneuf were more incens'd against the Queen than all the rest the rather for that they thought they had been upon good terms with her Majesty Orleans broke forth into sore complaints against the Queen for making such alterations without his knowledg Duke Beaufort offer'd to make the people rise in his behalf when he should please Count Montresore a great friend to the Coadjutor said it was no longer time to dally that the people must forthwith take up Arms and force the first President to forgoe the Seals and afterwards go with the like fury to the Queens Court and do as occasion should serve it was thought that this being a violent proposal came from the Coadjutor who was of the same opinion but the Prince of Conde who held private intelligence with the Court declared he would not ingage himself in a War in the Streets of Paris as not being accustomed to fight with stones and that therefore he would leave the care thereof to others That he would be ready to obey the Duke of Orleans if he should so command him in going presently into Burgundy to raise men and make War wheresoever he should please Upon these speeches of so renown'd a man the diversity of opinions ceased and the Marishal de Estampes one that loved not troubles said it was now late and that the business might be defer'd till the next morning which was done The Coadjutor finding Conde to declare thus much intreated the Duke of Orleans to give him leave to withdraw himself from the intrigues of the Court and follow his study and seemed to continue a while thus resolved The Queen was somewhat troubled at the taking the Seals from Chasteauneuf and giving them to President Mole by reason of Orlean's so highly resenting it which the Frondeurs also did so as fearing some extravagancy though she did much protect the first President she was at last forc'd to forsake him and to take the Seals away from him and to deposite them in the Lord Chancellor's hands with promise under hand to the said President by Marishal Grammont that they should be restored unto him when the King should be of years yet was not he well pleased since the Queen had made him accept that place against his will not being able to protect him therein but he was more offended with Conde from whom for his past service he promis'd himself more fervent assistance wherein the Prince failed him to keep from breaking with the
the one of these two Provinces lay towards Spain and England the other seated amidst the Richest and most noble Provinces of France confining upon Flanders and not far from Germany that it was not to be imagined the first should be able to subsist by the backing of Spain and England because it was not to be believed that the Prince of Conde who by blood was so interessed in the Crown would be so foolish as to dismember the Kingdom of so noble a Province to throw it into the hands of the Spaniards who were natural Enemies to France or of the English who were proud foes nor were things so easily done as designed that it was not time for Spain to ingage in new enterprizes and that all the aid was in considerable which could come from England which was not sure to establish her new state by her own Forces much less to send them abroad to purchase new Enemies that reason of State might require that the power of France might be divided and weakned but that the English could not desire that by the lessning of this the power of Spain should be increased which as being apter to raise Naval Fleets ought consequently to be by them more feared that on the contrary Burgundy the Prince of Conde's Government confining upon Germany and joyning upon Flanders which is the Magazine of the Arms of the Spanish Monarchy would be more apt to foment the Male-contents in Paris when that City as there was now great likelihood should declare for their party And that the Princes passing over the Loire to Carita and joyning with Berry the Government of the same Prince and from thence with Poictou Limosin and Anjou all which Provinces were held by his friends and afterwards with Guienne it was to be feared that the Kingdom being cut through the very midst by such a knot the said Princes might not only be able to maintain themselves in Guienne but make good their party in Paris by the assistance of Neighboring Burgundy and by the Forces of Flanders and Spain reduce the King's Dignity to an inevitable precipice it being insidiated by so many seditious male-contents who by such an opportunity might compass their pernitious Machinations That therefore his opinion was that this change might be permitted and that to moderate the great opinion which the Gascoigns have of Conde they should be suffered to see him for that men are apt to worship a great Warrier more when they hear of his prowess in War than when betaking himself to his quiet he falls into those licentious courses as are usual to the military profession and oftentimes those Flowers which are most pleasing to the eye do most nauseate the Nose And the mean while the King's power breaking out in his Majority would like the Sun dissipate those clouds which do darken the luster of this Kingdom and obfuscate the splendor which other Planets exhal'd from thence and the Crown will re-assume that happy motion which hath hitherto accompanied it Wrought upon by these reasons all of them did unanimously concur to the permutation of these two Governments the which being obtained by the Prince made him also pretend to change Champagnia but the Government of Guienne not appearing so prejudicial for the aforesaid reasons as that of Provence it would not be listned to The Cardinal without whose allowance this change was made blamed the resolution weighing that if it made not much for the Prince his interest he would not have pursued it so hotly writ that he thought it would prove too prejudicial unless it were granted him for some more secret and more important respects and for what concern'd Provence he exaggerated much against them who would so much as hearken to it and wish'd the Queen and Council to have a care of it and not to place so much power in the Prince of Conde for that the more power was given to him the more was the King's Authority lesned It had been much better for the Prince to have taken upon him the supream command of the Army as well for the Grandezza of the Kingdom as for his own glory and Reputation but he did not value it as well in respect of what hath already been touched upon as that he did not too much trust the Queen who was jealous of all his ways and therefore considering that putting himself into an Army composed of Veteran Soldiers who were all faithful to the King who reverenced nothing but his Majesties orders he imagined that he could have no other obedience from them but what did merely concern the service of France wherefore he refused that command which the Queen confer'd upon Marishal de Auniont This Army being provided of Officers who did all of them depend upon the Court was considerable both for number and valour but did not much that Summer for want of monies which was occasioned by the Kingdoms disorders lying only upon the Frontiers of Flanders as shall be said hereafter Whereat the Parliament being moved whose designs were to win upon the peoples affection seeming to be their defenders decreed on the 19 th of Iune that the order made before for remedying the unruliness of the Militia should be put in execution and nominated some Commissioners to that purpose who were to go whither they listed but all in vain for they wanted power to make themselves be obeyd the Soldiers making themselves merry with all their resolves which was not unpleasing to the Court whose concernments were Govern'd according to advice given ever and anon by the Cardinal who though he were at Brules in Germany was informed of all that was done at Court according to which the Councils were there regulated and the King did continually assure him by his Letters that he would by all means have him near his person though it should be with hazard of his Crown yet great secrecy was used in this correspondency the Court being at Paris for fear of being again beset with the City Guards if it should be known Amongst these irresolutions of the King's Council the Cardinal's friends sought to win over the Prince of Conde industriously imploying those therein who were known able to promote so slippery a business The Princess Palatine was desired to interpose her self in this accommodation but she being unwilling to break her word given to the Dutchess Chevereux touching the Marriage and to the Coadjutor touching his being Cardinal declared that she would be ready to do any thing that would not clash upon these two points by retracting from whence she might be taxed with breach of promise but the affairs in the treaty of Guienne altering upon the breach of Madamoselle Chevereux marriage opinions also altered and hence began all things to change The Princess Palatine did notwithstanding say by consent of the Dutchess of Longueville that if the Queen would be gracious to the Prince she would quit the Union whereunto she was now annext and would cordially joyn
That the liberty taken by those Forces to plunder his Majesties Subjects had caused many Soldiers to go from his Majesties Camp and to go into the other which did what they would that he had thought fit to acquaint them with all these things though the most of them were already sufficiently known believing that these publick proceedings of the Prince would prove that his secret designs could be no less dangerous nor could be no longer dissembled without abandoning the rudder of the State which God had put into his Majesties hands and which he was constantly resolved to maintain That without speedy remedying disorders the Enemies of France would never apply themselves to the so much desired general peace nor reform the abuses of the Kingdom without stopping the course thereof which his Majesty was resolved to do This writing being read the Prince of County who was present told the Queen that the Prince his Brother had done nothing but what he was able to justifie and that these were the impostures of his Enemies whilst things continued in this disorder Conde continued to visit the Counsellors to assure himself of their favours and indeavour'd to keep his friends well dispos'd to him in all parts and upon all occurrences The Queen on the contrary advising continually with her friends and making particularly use of Abbate Vndedey who did all he could for the service of the Queen and Cardinal found it was necessary to chuse new Counsellors to supply the places of those that were put out And the Duke of Orleans being of the same mind who was therein advised by the Dutchess of Chevereux and the Coadjutor it was resolved that assoon as the King should be of years the Marquess of Chasteauneuf should be made chief Minister of State that Marquess Vieville should be made superintendent of the Finances and that the first President should be confirmed Guarde de Seaux the first because he promised to use all his power in getting the Cardinal recalled though he failed therein afterwards as shall be said Vieville because President Maison who was superintendent of the Finances was thought to be too much concern'd in Conde but the Prince declaring that all this was prejudicial to the decrees of Parliament and to the King and destructive to the Princes of the Realm promised he would never consent to Chasteauneuf's return who would prove worse than the Cardinal saying that those that favor'd him were his implacable Enemies That the Dutchess of Chevereux and the Coadjutor were the chief Plotters saying that they and the three Barboni were Authors of the writing which was pretended against him he therefore desired his Royal Highness to maintain his interests as he would do his till death For what remain'd he absolutely declared that rather than to see the King put into the hands of his Enemies he would throw himself into the hands of the Spaniards and after so much freedome of words he bewail'd the unhappiness which threatned France and all good men wherefore the Coadjutor thinking that the Prince his words might work something with the Duke of Orleans he strove to keep the Duke in his former opinion A treaty was this mean while begun between Chasteauneuf Villeroy and Chavigny by the means of Counsellor Croisy and Monsieur de St. Romain whereby they had almost brought the Prince to consent to the establishment of the aforesaid Council provided that the Queen would speak to him therein But these Lords not daring to move the Queen to do so least she might suspect they held some intelligence with the Prince the Dutchess of Aiguillona and Count Brien were imploy'd to desire the â—ueen that she would suspend the business for a few days but she fearing that this was a new trick of Conde's to keep her from performing her word proceeded in the establishment which afforded afterward cause of new complaints This writing was followed by divers other pressings that the Prince his actions might be known to be such as did not become his duty and which were condemned for such when the Parliament met the Prince appeared waited upon by some of his followers but Orleans came not thither that day wherefore Conde intreated the Assembly to adjourn the handling of what was communicated to them at the Palace Royal as also the reading of the King's writing to the end that the Duke might be present at the reading of them pretending to justifie his actions wherein the Parliament was pleased to gratifie him and sent to invite Orleans to come thither but it was thought he would not come having heard that what was done against the Prince at Court was thought to have been done by his knowledg for that it was imagined the Queen would not have attempted it without holding intelligence with him but foreseeing that unless he were protected by Orleans his adversaries might undo him by what was alledged in that writing he again desired his presence in Parliament that he might not want such a prop in a business of such importance The Duke having excused himself for several reasons the second time the Prince desired him that at least he would give him a Declaration of what had past between his Highness and him the Duke could notwithstand the violence of these pressures which were seconded by President Viola but yielded thereunto rather inforced than willingly So as sending immediately for the Secretary without giving the Duke leave to repent he caused it to be written the 18 th of August the contents thereof being as followeth His Royal Highness declared that till after Seven a clock at night on Wednesday last Count Brien had not acquainted him with the Queens resolution of calling the Sovereign Assemblies together and those of the City to tell them that her Majesty had no intention to recall the Cardinal and that she would issue out all necessary Declarations to that effect and that she might say that the Prince had not been at the Palace Royal since he the Duke had brought him thither That the next day the Queen made him come into her Oratory and caused the aforesaid writing to be read unto him whereof he had had no knowledg wherein there were many things which might be gain-said and particularly touching his intelligence with Spain which he judged not fit to be read but that the Queen would absolutely have it done saying that it was necessary for her discharge the King being to be of years within Twenty days He moreover declared that the Prince had propounded unto the Queen and Council after Marquess Sillerey was sent to Brussels that there were two ways whereby to make the Spaniards go out of Stenay the one by a treaty the Spanish Agents having offered the said Sillerey so as a suspension of Arms might be had between them and the Towns of Luxemburg during that Campagne the which being by the Queen denied the Prince had told the Queen that he could not drive 500 Soldiers who were in the Town out
this new Commonwealth as for Piracies committed by the French upon divers of their Merchants Ships in the Mediterranean Sea and out of the natural emulation between those two Nations for it was easie for them to get a great many Irish Foot from the English for their King's service in Spain which were willingly granted them as well to weaken that Island by taking away many of their Soldiers which were almost all Catholicks as also thereby to ballance the power of France whereof England was very jealous And to back the Prince of Conde in Guienne after they had confederated with him they sent Baron Batteville with 13 Frigats and 6 fire Ships from St. Sebastian to Burdeaux carrying with them 1500 Foot monies and other warlike provisions who coming upon the Coast of St. Onge was there complemented in the Prince his name by Marquess Lusignan and on the 25 th of October a Spanish Brigantine entred Burdeaux with some men and monies who in the name of the King of Spain negotiated a good intelligence with the Burdelois to make them keep firm to Conde The Spaniards were first received into Talmont a Town upon Garomne and then into Bury to the number of 1200 commanded by Iuseppe Oxorio who was made Governour and fortified the Towns this was given as a cautionary Town to the Spaniards The King of Spain did also command Archduke Leopald in Flanders to foment the Princes in France as much as he could and to give over all other proceedings rather than to let slip so fair an opportunity of nourishing civil War in these two chief parts of France to wit Guienne and Champagnia The Queen was much troubled at these preparations knowing how prejudicial it would be to the Crown if the Spaniards and Rebell French should make a nest there whereby revolts might daily be made in the Kingdom she therefore wisely applyed all means to destroy it and since all the rest of the Kingdom was quiet and that only Burdeaux and some other few Towns in that Province stood for Conde without Veteran Soldiers with but little monies and provisions she was resolved to vanquish him before he should have fortified himself better and before the Spaniards should give him any more assistance She brought the Council to resolve that the King should advance with his Army into Poictiers as was done but before they marched from Burges the King writ a Letter to Mazarine dated the 26 th of October the words whereof were these Cousin I have reason to believe that according to orders which were sent you you have raised the Troops which you were commanded to do and that they are already ready to march to my relief My desire is that it be suddenly done and that you come along with them to which purpose I have also written to Marishal de Oquincourt to advance with the Forces he hath raised in Picardy and Champagnia and by an order sent unto him have commanded all the Cities and Towns within my Kingdom to give them quarter and to all my Officers and Subjects to be assistant to them in their march I am confident out of the affection and loyalty which you have always born to my service that you will do this it being my will and so Cousin God have you in his protection He also writ to Marishal de Oquincourt to raise as many men as he could in Picardy and Champagnia to joyn with the Cardinal and that they should come joyntly in to his succor Things being thus ordered the King Queen Duke of Anjou and all the Court went with their Forces on the 25 th of October towards Poictiers the greatest Town in France next Paris but not much peopled it is the Metropolis of Poictou seated in the heart of France very strongly partly on a plain partly on a hill watered by the River Cleive and inclosed within Ponds and Marishes which render it almost inaccessible it is not far from Rochel and because Marishal de Estres had not the Command of this Army who being Lieutenant General of Vallois and Laonois was gone thither to keep them in obedience during the King's absence Count Paluau was last Commander in chief in St. Amand near Montrond to continue the Siege slowly the Court being unprovided of men and monies for so many enterprises at one and the same time Count Harcourt being design'd General of the Army and Governour of Guienne followed the Court to Poictiers from whence the King writ to the Duke of Orleans complaining grievously of the Prince his proceedings saying that by his procurement the Spanish Fleet was in the mouth of the Garomne and that many of his Subjects forewent their obedience that it being therefore necessary for his Majesty to go into those parts he gave him notice of it to the end that he might know he was resolved to keep his Subjects from being injured by the Prince who having forgotten his word solemnly given and confirm'd by oath that he would never have any dependance upon the Crowns Enemies nor receive any assistance from them could not but expect punishment from God for failing in his duty and alliegance to his King The Prince having this mean while secured Agen the second City of Gascony and Marquess St. Luke having fortified Montauban and Cohors with men and monies he left Marsine to command the Forces in those parts and he himself accompanied by Duke Rochefaucolt and Prince Taranto resolved to go to Xantes where staying upon Charente he pretended to keep the War from Burdeaux whose Inhabitants dreaded the King's neighborhood very much reflecting upon what had been done before but it being hard to maintain an Army without the conveniency of a City or some great Towns from whence Bread Munition and other provisions may be had before he went from Burdeaux he sent Prince Taranto Duke Richelieu and Count de Ognon with such as they had raised to take Xantes the Metropolis of St. Onge Monsieur Bassompeier Son to the Marishal of that name who was Bishop of that place strove to make the Inhabitants defend the Town but they considering the weakness of their old walls and the want of many other necessaries instead of taking up Arms accepted of an honourable composition offer'd by the Princes and received them into the Town where they made their head quarter and grounded their greatest security After the taking of Xantes the like of the Castle of Taleburg followed upon the same Charente wherefore the Prince bethought himself of taking Angalesme which hath a considerable Castle but not being sufficiently provided for such an enterprise he turn'd upon Cognack begirt with old weak walls but guarded with a great Garrison by Marquess Gionsack Governour thereof by which Conde would have secured that tract of Country which extends it self to the Rivers of Dordone and Garomne and would have kept the King's Forces from entring into Guienne and might have quartered in that rich and plentiful Country He left the taking
for about 20 days making only some small Skirmish At the same time the Castle of Dion which till then had held for Conde was after 12 days siege surrender'd to Espernoun The King had all this while deferred his Declaration against Conde hoping that being aware of his errour he would accept of the agreement managed by the Duke of Orleans who proceeding slowly therein the Court grew jealous that they held intelligence together and that though they seemed to oppose the Cardinals return yet they did in their hearts desire it that they might make good their pretences which were grown very low and to draw over the people to them but at last on the 16 th of November the said Declaration was sent to the Parliament of Paris and was presented by the first President which caused great noise in the City and chiefly in the Duke of Orleans his Court and amongst the Frondeurs the Declaration said That the Prince of Conde was become guilty of high Treason having taken up Arms against his Sovereign and against the State that he held confederacy with the Spaniard intending through his ambition to disturb the peace of the Kingdom The Prince of County Dutchess of Longueville Dukes of Nemeurs and Rochefaucolt with other of their friends and adherents were contained in the same Declaration The King's Declarations being to be registred in Parliament they could not refuse to do it seeing that Conde was in open War against the King it was therefore Registred but with a caution that the Prince might have a months space to return to his obedience but the Frondeurs not being content with the proceeding of Parliament and highly netled with the fame of the actions of the King's Forces in Guienne foreseeing thereby the Prince his ruine and therewith the like of their own faction on the beginning of December scattered abroad divers papers in the Streets of Paris inviting the people to meet in Tornon-street intending by sedition to cause the Parliament to make such Declarations as might divert the Court from their begun proceedings against the Princes And some of the most outragious getting into the midst of an insolent Rabble went first with them to L' Hostelle de Orleans exclaiming against the bad Government and then went to the first Presidents house who strongly defended the Courts cause and consequently the Cardinals for he was grown so hated by the Male-contents as upon this occasion and many others he was in danger of being hainously outraged but being a couragious Gentleman instead of hiding himself he came down into the yard to that tumultuous rout and did by his presence so appease their fury as it might be well seen these tumultuaries were set on more by others than by their own passion for when they saw him not they were inraged against him and when they saw him had not a word to say such force hath integrity and a masculine vertue to mollifie any unbridled insolency The Parliament being met the 9 th of the next month made another decree against the Cardinal upon advertisement that he raised men to re-enter France and began to think upon all means how to hinder his return but he staying still at Dinan solicited new leavies whereby to come and re-inforce the King and his time of departure growing near he renewed his desire of a pasport from the Spaniards but they feeding him only with words he stole away suddenly one night and without drawing bridle for eighteen hours went to Bovillion not without danger of being interrupted by the Spaniards who kept an eye upon him or by Conde's Forces who being quartered on the other side the River did ever and anon make excursions into the neighbouring parts He sent from thence to acquaint the Spanish Commanders that he vvas gone and that though they would not pleasure him with a pass he hoped they would favour his friends with one which was presently granted and they were with much honour conducted by Don Antonio Pimontel to Bovillion from whencegoing to Sedam he resolved to march forthwith with the 4000 men which he had raised into France together with the Forces of Marishal de Oquincourt which were sent unto him by the King When this news came to Paris it caused great rumour and the Frondeurs Parliament and Dukes of Orleans and Beaufort were more troubled than the rest who being surprised when they least thought of it said aloud that it was not to be thought the Court would have so apparently broken their word which was so faithfully given and that their scorn in being thus deluded was too apparent They therefore hereupon called together all the Chambers of Parliament and decreed that in prosecution of the judgment given by the Parliament four days before Commissioners should be sent to their Majesties to complain of what was done contrary to their Majestie 's service upon the Frontiers by raising men giving out of monies and by news of the Cardinals return which were all contrary to his Majesties Declaration and the Duke of Orleans was desired to send some from him to joyn with these Commissioners and to insist upon keeping the Cardinal from returning They afterwards by publick decree prohibited all Cities Towns and Governours upon those Frontiers to assist him upon pain of high Treason and though they got but little good by these Declarations at which all men laughed thinking it a madness in them to command where the King had all lawful power yet some of them were so bewitch'd by a foolish presumption of Authority as they believed an order of Parliament was sufficient to keep the whole Kingdom in obedience So proceeding from one inconvenience to another declared on the 29 th of December that the Cardinal had incur'd high Treason for having contrary to their prohibitions return'd to Sedam and being ready to return to France They ordered also that his Library and all his Moveables should be sold and all his Rents and Benefices were confiscated and voted 50000 Crowns to be given to any body that would kill him or bring him alive into the hands of justice desiring his Majesty in such case to grant a pardon to the Murtherer who if through misfortune he should be slain in doing it they declared the 50000 Crowns should be given to his Heirs This infamous and scandalous decree by what was known afterwards was made by the private intelligence of Count Chavigny who by this means thought to keep the Cardinal from returning The Court of Rome was acquainted with all this it being believed that the Sacred Colledge would not suffer such an example to remain in memory of man and that such remedies might be found for it as depend upon the Pope's Authority but it being considered that if they shouâ—d fail in their attempt the Apostolick dignity might be too far ingaged it was past over nor did the Cardinal want Enemies as well in Rome as in France This mean while Marishal de Oquincourt following the King's orders
had appointed the Rendevouz of the Forces which he had raised in Champagnia and Picardy to be about Laon to joyn with the Cardinal and those that he had raised to come with him into France so as the appointment being made to meet about Dormans and Esperney upon the Marne on the beginning of Ianuary the Marishal went from Peroune on the 18 th of December and accompanied by many other Nobles he past through Han and Fera and coming to Nisis he found there 2000 what Foot what Horse and divers other Regiments wherewith he marched the next day towards the River Aisue passing over the Bridge Arcy and la Merne and staid at Troisy expecting the Cardinal who having left his alliances at Sedam marched towards Esperney whither he came the second of Ianuary with about 5000 choice men and he was met there by several other Forces and three pieces of Canon Oquincourt met the Cardinal at Esperney where it was concluded that Oquincourt should advance with 1000 Horse and possess himself of the passes of the Rivers Aube and Senna which he did then passing over the Aube without any obstacle near Auglure and la Senna at Mery he met with the Foot and Horse Regiments of Monsieur St. Moore Where hearing that the Duke of Orleans had sent out four Companies of the Langnedock Brigade to Pont sur Iona Oquincourt advanced with 1000 Horse indeavouring to get to that Town before the Enemy should be aware of his march On the 9 th of Ianuary he was upon Albā where being informed that two of the Counsellors of the Parliament of Paris Bytant and Cowdrey Genies were come thither to break the Bridge and to raise the Country against the Cardinal he made a party of his men ford over the River to discry some Horse with whom they skirmished and slew some of them and took Bitant Prisoner but Coudrey escaped to Sens. The Marishal being come to the head of the Bridge which the Towns-men broke down he acquainted them with the Kings orders and speaking with Monsieur Morandiere who commanded Orleans his Forces and had orders to resist him he caused some of his Horse-men to light who fell so couragiously upon the Bridge as Morandiere articled to return to his Master leaving the pass free to the Cardinal it was thought that he had secret orders from the Princes not to hinder him though he could for finding their business grow desperate since the whole Kingdom inclined to the King they knew nothing could keep them from ruine but some new pretence whereby to justifie their cause and keep the Subjects from assisting their Sovereign and that therefore they did not all they were able to oppose their march But because Marishal Turenne having honourably disingaged himself of the Spaniards service and had refused all the offers made by Conde and was reconciled to the King Conde gave the command of his Forces in Flanders to the Duke of Nemeurs who in the beginning of the year 1652 went privately from Burdeaux giving it out that he went by Sea into Flanders but came first to Paris by bie-ways where the Duke of Orleans seemed to be very well pleased as having need of opportune succour and he was received with extraordinary applause by the Parisians and because the Coadjutor thought to make the Duke of Orleans foment a third party of French Male-contents and Enemies to the Cardinal he used all his industry to effect it to the end that making the Queen affraid that the Duke might adhere more narrowly to Conde he thought she might be necessitated to keep the Cardinal away for ever in which case the Duke by joyning with the Court interest and strengthning himself by the Lorrain Forces he should also undo Conde for ever But Count Chavigny with other of the Prince his friends held the Duke of Orleans stedfast they made him see that he could not subsist but by joyning with the Prince Nemeurs stipulated the agreement in the Prince his name with the Duke the contents whereof were the keeping the Cardinal away and a general peace The news being known in Paris and the orders given by the King contrary to his former Declarations it is not to be said how incensed those were who were of a contrary spirit but all they could do was to make a noise in Paris for the Kings power prevailed in the Kingdom And though the Cardinal was withstood in one place he was fomented in another The Parliament of Britanny being desired by that of Paris to make the like decree with them in favour of the Princes against the Cardinal did order on the contrary that proceedings against him should be suspended till the Prince should perform his duty and till the Spanish Forces should be gone out of the Kingdom but though the rancor of the Parliament of Paris and of the Frondeurs could not be greater than it was yet could not the Parisians be brought to disburss monies for the raising of men and to provide against the threatning occurrances but were always readier to lay on their mouths than to lay out their monies the noise continued still in the Palace The first week of Ianuary the Parliament ordered the Cardinals moveables to be sold and not to make good the Kings Declarations against the Prince till that against the Cardinal were effected Wherefore the Cardinal must be gone out of the Kingdom again ere the Parliament would pass the said verification to which purpose they made many resolves which were great in appearance but weak in substance and some Deputations were sent unto the King The Court spoke ambiguously and spun out business at length hoping the time would alay the bitterness of turbulent spirits The Queen sent Monsieur Rovigny to exhort the Duke of Orleans earnestly to remove from Paris so to take away the apprehensions which were had of him but it did no good The Parliament added to their instructions given to their Deputies which they sent unto the King that they should press Bitaut's Releasement and that Marishal Milleray should not be made a Duke till he had given satisfaction to the Parliament of Rheims in Britanny and moreover that no Duke Marishal of France or other Officer should execute their function afterwards till the Cardinal were withdrawn from the Kingdom which was thought was done to take away the great credit which he had in disposing of the Offices of the Crown and making those his friends whom he had preferred thereunto But the Nobility made small account of this the more incens'd the Parliament grew against the Court the less did they value any of its decrees since they might be anull'd by the King's Authority And therefore those who sounded affairs to the bottome found it was best to keep the paths of obedience and not walk in the crooked ways of precipice therefore the Princess Palatine who at first was Conde's friend grew a great confident to the Queen and Cardinal The Queen sent for her to
and do nothing whilst the Line was fought for that all lives should be saved that Tallon la Coste Ballet and Marselly who were come thither from Dunkirk to serve the Prince should injoy the same articles but as for the Officers and their places they should be at the King's disposal to whom Count Paluau would write in their behalf that those that came out should be convoy'd to the Princes Camp near Paris and that Pasports should be given to those that would return to their own homes That an Inventory should be made of all the Prince his goods part whereof should be safely convey'd to Chasteaureux and delivered to the Governour thereof and that the rest which could not be convey'd should remain in the hands of the Prince his Agent who was to have leave to tarry there and have a care of them that Monsieur Hautaeville should keep in his place of Farmer as all the rest of Conde's Farmers in Berry The Prince hearing in what danger this important place was sent Count Briole from his Camp on the 19 th of August with 500 choice Horse ordering him to pass over the Loire suddenly in Boats over against Sully and to joyn with the Marquess Levy and Count Colligny in Berry with 300 Horse Briole past over the Loire but not finding his friends so provided as he was made to be believe and the line not to be mastered he retreated speedily to Paris for Count Maipas marching towards him with 800 of Turenne's Horse traced him but Briole got safe to the Prince his Camp and Montrond according to articles remain'd in the King's hands The Kings affairs beginning to better and all wise men knowing that affairs would at last prove favourable to the King the Lord Chancellor being sent for by his Majesty went to Court who by leave from the King had staid in Paris as a private Gentleman but the Princes desiring to Authorise and give Reputation to the new Council Orleans sent to him to come and assist therein as had been intimated to him by Parliament threatning that in case of refusal he should be forced to come upon worser terms the Chancellor being thus necessitated to come to that Council did undauntedly and with such wariness behave himself as not at all wavering from the King's service but moderating those who were swai'd by passion and interest did by his wisdom much advantage the Court-affairs but though it was known he did the King good service there yet it was not thought fit that the unlawful Authority usurped by Male-contents should be authenticated by one that was honoured with so conspicuous a charge he was therefore sent for back by a Capuchine Fryar whom he presently obeyed going out of Paris in a Priests habit and came to their Majesties the Third of September at Campaign where he was very much welcomed but the seals remained with the first President A novelty worth the relating happened in Brisack for the better knowledg whereof we must take the business a little higher and search the beginning In the beginning of the year 1650 did Monsieur Eclack Governour of Brisack dye a man of great fidelity and honour Monsieur Charlevois who commanded a Regiment of Ten Companies there and was the Kings Lieutenant sent the Major of his Regiment to acquaint the Court with it and assured their Majesties that no novelty should succede in the Fort till they should send another Governour which he did believing that the Court would send none But about the end of next February the King chose Monsieur Tiliadet Camp-master and Governour of Beaupames to be Governour of Brisack which when Charlevois heard who hoped to have been chief Commander there himself he treated with Colonel Eclack Nephew to the dead Governour who Commanded a Brigade of Germans in that Town by which treaty they bound themselves to joyn together and not to admit of any Governour They forthwith sent Monsieur de Blois le Shelle one of Charlevois Captains and Cousins to tell Tillier the Secretary of State and Tilliadet that he should not be received into that Government the Cardinal who about the same time was with the Court in Burgundy hearing this sent Messieurs Bausant Fruart and Millet to Brisack to wish Charlevois to obey the King and to receive Tilliadet and writ to the Marishalless Guebrian who had great power with Charlevois to will him to obey Charlevois listned to these Gentlemen and to the Marishals Wife and resolved to receive the said Governour upon promise that he would not innovate any thing in the Garrison and that he would keep his Brigade in the same condition it was in which was granted him by Letter from the King Colonel Eclack finding that Charlevois had confer'd with the said Gentlemen contrary to agreement was displeased Charlevois that he might be of greater power in that Fort perswaded Eclack to go to the Switzers for which he had a Thousand pound sterling paid him Soon after Tilliadet went from Paris and came to Brisack in May Charlevois received him with all the Regalities due to a Governour they lived Four or Five Moneths very well together At last Tiliadet proposing to reduce Charlevoi's Brigade from Ten to Five Companies intending to put the other Five into his own Brigade and so to be stronger than he Charlevois laughed at the proposal and shewed the King's promise that no innovation should be made but Tilliadet persisting in his design Charlevois acquainted his friends at Court wishing them to acquaint the Cardinal therewith Charlevois who thought the Cardinals pleasure had been not to innovate any thing though the truth is he intended to reduce them from a Thousand to 750 Foot and to add the overplus to Tilliadet's Brigade so to keep them equal took courage and declared he would not yield to the Governours desire whilst things went thus the Cardinal withdrew from Court wherefore Charlevois suspecting that Tilliadet might conspire his ruine by making him be detain'd by the first Troops that should come into Alsatia resolved to secure himself from surprize and acquainted his friends with it who were at Court desiring them to preserve his concernments with the Queen assuring her of his fidelity and desiring her to withdraw Tilliadet Her Majesty finding that Charlevois his Authority in Brisack was greater than Tiliadets resolved to remove the Governour as she did to Besanzon in Burgundy but Charlevois knowing that some Officers of his Brigade adhered to Tilliadets interest put them out of the Fort together with some of Tilliadets particular friends and kindred amongst which his Nephew the Baron of Serigliack Wherefore the Queen knowing that Charlevois was a Creature of Marishal Guebrians Wife wished her to admonish him of the respect and loyalty Loyalty he ought unto the King which she did sending Monsieur Rotra to him to acquaint him with their Majesties minds Charlevois seeming to correspond to the good opinion which was had of him writ to the Queen that he would
duty by submitting to his Majestie 's Authority These good Successes in Guienne were seconded by other Accidents which were of great advantage to the King's Party for the Newes came That on the 28th of February there had been a great Fight at Sea between the English and the Hollanders wherein each Party taking themselves to have the better and the loss of Ships being almost equal the Victory remained undecided And this Engagement of the English in a Warr against the Hollanders hidâ—red them from being able to embrace those resolutions against France which otherwise they might have done by assisting those of Bourdeaux to the great prejudice of the Crown of France which would have run great hazard being attacked on the one side by the powerful Forces of the King of Spain and on the other by Intestine Broyls if at the same time it had been also assaulted by the English But the good Fortune of France subordinate unto the Will of God which disposeth all things according to the order of his Providence preserved in that conjuncture this most Christian Kingdom from receiving prejudice by that Nation different in Religion and Customes which at that time met with the fairest opportunity that might be to have wrought her ends it being governed then by a violent party had she not undertaken Enterprises different from what was expected and being confounded within her self had not given leisure to the King's Authority to gather strength and to destroy the force of those who being disobedient themselves endeavoured by their Cabal to bring all the rest into confusion This was by the Warr with Holland of which I shall onely touch the principal Motives because I would not with long digressions break off the thred of that Narration I have prescribed unto my self After the Parliament of England had made it self Master of that whole Kingdom and overcome with its Victorious Arms the Realms of Scotland and of Ireland they cast about how to maintain themselves in Arms with Forrainers having no Enemy at home because in times of quiet Factions use to arise and Armies weaken which brings ruine to Commonwealths especially in the beginning of a new Government when their minds are wavering between the hopes of settlement and fears of falling It happened then that no just cause appearing for a breach with France they took a fair pretence for a Warr with the Hollander as being those who having gained a considerable reputation at Sea seemed to eclipse the lustre of the long feared and unresistible force of the English on that Element These Jealousies between them besides the natural Emulation usual amongst bordering States were heightned by the art and industry of the neighbouring Crowns who observing with a jealous Eye two Common-wealths by their sides grown powerful by Warr and Violence could not but suspect from them some of those inconveniencies which are usually offered by those who are strongly provided with Sea Forces The cause of difference was the Herring Fishing about the Orcades Islands on the North of Scotland and Members of Great Britain to which the Hollanders send yearly a vast number of Ships and draw from it an excessive Profit The English pretended That the Hollanders possession of this Fishing was an effect onely of the negligence of their Kings accompanied with so great a loss unto the Commonwealth by the Hollanders usurpation and therefore not to be longer suffered by a Nation that before Holland was so much as known enjoyed without contest the principal Dominion of the Ocean To this the States-General pleaded That their Right was sufficiently established by their long continued possession and Prescription This was the Motive upon which either party beginning first to raise Forces at Sea the one for recovery of this loss and the other for the preserving of it fell afterwards to an open breach with so great a prejudice to both parties whose principal subsistence and strength depended upon Trade that the same being hereby interrupted produced all the effects of a miserable and destructive Warr but principally to Holland which being straitned by the smallness of their Territory upon Land had no means of subsisting but by the Sea To these Reasons which were derived from profit and interest of State were added others touching the punctilio of Reputation The English pretending themselves to have been slighted by the Hollanders upon several occasions and principally in the killing of their Ambassadour at the Hague who was against the Law of Nations assassinated there by some English of the King's Party And the Hollanders who by their fresh and frequent Victories obtained against the Power of the King of Spain had already gained so great a Reputation that they were generally much esteemed and feared and had besides concluded so advantageous a Peace with his Catholick Majesty not daigning to give way unto the threats of England wherein the wounds of their Intestine Broyls were yet fresh bleeding took little care to satisfie the Parliament therein but sent to Sea a numerous Fleet and either Party falling to Acts of Hostility many Merchants Ships were lost on either side And their Fleets who were above 100 Sayl strong on either side meeting at last there passed the said Battle and many other Fights at Sea with loss on both sides but in such manner as each Party pretending to have the Victory it could not be well told which side had got it the loss consisting only in that of one or two Ships more or less than the Relations which were published and therefore each Party failed not to put to Sea afresh with an intention of fighting for it the Hollanders notwithstanding were very sensible of the loss of Van Trump their General a Person of great Valour and extraordinary Experience at Sea And we may well believe that as there is no comparison between the Greatness and Power of England and Holland which is far inferior to it in richess in extent of Land and Bodies of men so without doubt the English would have prevailed had they not been distracted by new intestine Broyls and Troubles The Court of France therefore considering how fit it was to make use of this favourable conjuncture of time to assure themselves of Guienne and Bourdeaux a City so disposed to risings resolved to make all fitting preparations for the reducing of them and therefore besides the Fleet sent into the Garonne as hath been said and the advance of Souldiers from all parts into the Province the Cardinal Mazarine continued the Treaties of Agreement with several Parties to see if he could give an end rather by Composition than Arms unto that War which being against Subjects renders the Victory weak and languishing whereof reserving the Account to the next Book I will resume the Relation of what was done during this time in Champagne where all persons being encouraged by the arrival of the Cardinal's Army and the Recruits sent from him after the taking of Barleduc and passing of the River Aisne
to the new Town of the Ampuries where he sojourned some time to amass together all the Corn found there and carry it to Roses as he did making every Company carry six Quarters of their Country measure After this having nothing more to do in the Countrey of Lampourdam the Troops not being able longer to maintain themselves there they made them pass the hill of Pertus upon the 28th of September and leaving the Regiments of Anjou Languedoc Roquelaâ—re Grammont and Harcourt in Roses they came unto Boulon a place upon the River Tiech the 30th day from whence the Mareschal sent his own men to quarter in Rossillon and those of Plessis Belliere in Conflans All these Troops stayed in that little Country till the arrival of those of Guienne Commanded by the Mareschal Marinville and assoon as they were entred into Rossillon Oquincourt resolved to pass a Convoy into Rosa. He caused all things to be prepared for that purpose and himself would have the conduct of it together with all the General Officers and the whole Militia excepting only such as were thought necessary to be left for guarding of some Posts were to be maintained in Conflans Upon the 29th of October he passed the Mountain and the next morning made the said Convoy enter into Rosa and the French Army advancing met the Spaniards near Loustelnaâ— in a bad posture but because 't was necessary to make haste that the Foot might pass the Mountain they had the means to retire the Marquess Marinville who that day had the Van with his Troops of Guienne followed them to Figuieres from whence the Spaniards drew the Garrison and the Inhabitants assoon as they saw Mariâ—ville's Troops cried Vive le France the Garrison which also was in Castillon retired from thence in great disorder Upon the 6th of November Plessis Belliere having the Vantguard commanded out 100 Horse to get Intelligence of the Enemies condition by whom having notice that they had discovered seven Squadrons of Spaniards beyond the River towards Servia Oquincourt being then with Belliere they marched forthwith to the River side where Belliere being acquainted with the Fords by the Mareschal's Order passed and marched after them with so much swiftness and good success that he came up to them and fell upon their Rear skirmishing with them till they came into Bourdilles one of their Quarters where they thought to make a stand being seconded by those who were at that time in the Quarter but being driven from it and beaten unto another of their Quarters and thence to Saltâ— which was their general Quarter they made another stand by the assistance of the Troops there but with the same ill success they had at first being intirely routed and defeated many being killed upon the place and a number wounded and taken Prisoners all their Baggage of the value of above 10000 Crowns lost and their whole Army disordered and in confusion the French having only some few Souldiers hurt and two Brothers of the Villavoir's Prisoners who engaged themselves too far into a Troop of Officers who were retreating â—owards Girone After this Noble and Famous Action the French Troops lodged without disturbance in the same Quarters the Spaniards had taken up for themselves and enlarged themselves something farther that they might maintain themselves with more convenience and for the longer time till the arrival of Monsienâ— Picoy who was expected from Court with the King's Orders for the French Armies Winter Quarters and they staid thus about two Moneths in Lâ—mpoâ—rdam the Spaniards not daring after the said Rout to offer them the least disturbance until at last about the 20th of December Picoy came with the Winter Quarters at which time the Mareschal held a Councel where it was resolved to send the Army into Quarters Rosa was in the mean time furnished with all sorts of Victuals and they transported thither whatsoever they could find in Laâ—poâ—rdam The 27th of December the French Army repassed the Mountain and entring into Rossillon the Mareschal gave Order to Plessis Belliere for quartering of his Troops who having appointed them their Quarters and sent them thither took leave of the Mareschal to go to Court according to his Majestie 's permission given him for so doing and the Mareschal remained there to place the Souldiers in their Quarters and to make all such Provisions as he thought fiâ— to be done according to the Discipline of War Whilst these things were in Action the Cardinal Mazarine was thinking upon the means which might be fittest for gaining of the discontented Spirits rather by the way of gentleness than rigour and yet neglected not to make Provisions as well of Mony as Forces for continuance of the War the Recruits of the old Troops and raising new was not hard because the Cardinal's Credit prevailing with the men of War beyond all other Interest they imployed themselves with affection and diligence therein that they might thereby make demonstration of their gratitude and deserve his favour a thing whereof the Souldiery being infinitely obsequious and devoted to him was most ambitious by whose force he was after able to compass his designes which in spight of the contrary Opinion of those who envied him took good effect as will appear by that which follows The Cardinal 's principal aim was to calm the Intestine Broyls and re-unite the divided minds of all the French wisely considering that all France being at unity and in obedience to the King there was no Forreign Power whatsoever of Strangers was to be feared He applied therefore his utmost diligence by Treaties and Arms to reduce those of Guinne not neglecting the Designes entertained with several Inhabitants of Bourdeaux he gave Order that before all things they should block up the City from making use of the Garonne without which it could neither receive supplies nor continue its Commerce and being harrassed by the King's Forces 't would in a short time be forced to yield without stroke strucken The Duke of Vandosme therefore having with his Majesties Fleet stopt up the mouth of the River built Forts in the most important places and driven away the Prince's Forces from several Towns with the Land Forces it was resolved in Council to publish a new Proclamation of Grace to those Citizens letting them know That notwithstanding so many advantages as rendred the Enterprize in manner certain yet his Majestie 's clemency was so great that he was ready with open arms to receive them into his favour who had with so much ingratitude risen against him This Act of Grace was published and Registred in the Parliament which was adjourned to Agen upon occasion whereof many Assemblies were held wherein the most moderate Persons spoke with great sense in favour of the Country setting forth the prejudices it suffered and the dangers in which these Subjects were involved who upon the foundation of Forreign hopes build up a structure of Contumacie and Rebellion but the incentive of Ambition were too
safety was more to be considered then private interests The Provision for the Hospitals was also neglected and those Poor were sent unto their doors who were thought to be most interested in the continuance of the Warr which was so done that with their pitiful Out-cryes they might let them see 't was necessary not being able to resist longer against so great an extremity of Miseries to moderate their own particular obstinacy which had been the cause of bringing it upon them The fight of this Crowd of Poor and Beggars whispering at their doors who were looked on as the beginners of the Warr wrought very much towards the disposing of them unto Peace beginning now to fear that those very persons of whom they had made use to disturb the publick quiet would fall upon themselves and plunder their houses it was also proposed to the Religious That they would expose the Blessed Sacrament in their Churches covered with a black Vail to the end it should appear that God detested and abhorred this Warr. But the Prince's Councel and the Frondeurs having notice thereof caused it to be exposed in the Great Church and supplications to be made for a general Peace which was the pretence they made use of to abuse the ignorant multitude This Revolution lasted until Wednesday the 9th of Iuly on which day after many private Conferences several Merchants met in the Palace de la Bourse saying 'T was necessary to shut up Shop considering there could be no farther business done during the Warr. The Prince of Conty having notice of these Murmurings made a Cavalcade through the City but it passed no farther and the next day one du Bas having been seised on by his order for having cryed out Peace before the Palace of Justice all the Neighbouring Quarter took Arms and required his enlargement This du Bas plotted with a Conventual Frier Minim called Frier Romain who having made some intelligence with the Count d' Autel shewed unto several of the Citizens a Paper which he said was from the Prince of Conty whereby he gave him liberty to have meetings that he might give him notice of all things that might concern his Party but the matter was otherwise handled in regard the Frier had no design but to discover thereby who were good subjects and who were ill-affected to the King whereof Bas and others taking notice they were reserved and would not communicate any thing of importance to the Frier The good Repute du Bas had in the publick Vogue moved the Citizens to make that stirre and to demand his release threatning some novelty in case case they were not satisfied herein Conty and Marsin got to Horse together with the greatest part of the Nobility and Officers of the Army all the City Companies were commanded to take Arms the greatest part of whom had some of the Olmiera for their Captains but it so happened that the Butchers under Command of Gilbert and one Master Isaac armed with Musquets and other Arms cryed out for Peace and that if any had particular disgusts they should revenge themselves by their own Arms without ingaging therein the Lives of the whole City And a Hollander married in Bourdeaux told Marsin to his face That they knew how to dye but would not dye unrevenged and that being free they would not dye tamely Wherewithal being started they concluded that after Dinner all those of the Olmiera should meet in the Town-House There several Expedients were proposed and the plurality of voices agreed in this That the Citizens dwelling in the Quarter called de la Rochelle and the New Street should be assaulted and Cannon drawn up against them The Prince of Conty liked not the Advice and thought it better to expect the Judges and Consuls of the Exchange who with much submission came to Petition him That he would not suffer the good Citizens to be outraged nor comply with those of the Olmeira who were about him and made their boasts that they would plunder their houses The Merchants appeared and Petitioned for Peace That they might avoid greater disorders The Prince answered That he desired not to keep any in subjection by force which he could with case do but that if they were constant to his Brother the Prince of Conde and himself he would protect their Interests and by being united all those difficulties would be overcome which whilest they were at variance among themselves daily augmented and would cast them into inextricable difficulties but that he would consider with his Council what was fit to be resolved upon in this Conjuncture The Count de Fiesco was in this interim dispatched from the Court of Spain and imbarking himself upon a Frigat at St. Sebastians he was come unto the Port of the Teste de Busch there finding all the Countrey in Arms for the King he landed and had much ado to save himself leaving the Frigat to the discretion of those Countrymen by whom she was seised and all the persons in her made prisoners The great Guns in her were made use of to batter the Castle of the Teste de Busch and another place near thereunto called Sertes garrisoned by the Prince's Souldiers that they might keep open this Pass for those that went and returned from Biscay To these Countrey Forces were sent a Recruit of 600 Foot under the Command of the Count de Marin by whom these two Castles which much favoured the Spaniards landing were in five or six dayes taken Fiesco coming to Bourdeaux the 12th of Iuly went instantly with the Prince of Conty unto the Town-House and highly magnifying the Catholick King 's Power he assured those of the Olmiera Of a Speedy and Powerful supply of Men Money Shipping and all other manner of Provisions which he had seen himself all in good order and left under sayl in their course at the heighth of the Port of Passage so as the Wind blowing fair it could not be far behind Upon this News it was resolved to have a General Meeting of the Companies of the City where Fiesco made the same relation assuring them That this was no relation of a Gazet but an assured certainty himself having been present at Council and at the execution of the Orders which were thereupon given from the Court of Spain These Passages were by well-meaning men listened unto with horrour yet some Counsellers of Parliament being revived with these hopes said They ought not to proceed farther in the Proposals for Peace made by a Party of the Citizens for fear of abusing the Favours of his Catholick Majesty under whose protection all things would surely be concluded with an entire Liberty and Quiet But notwithstanding this the Presidial which is a Magistracy composed of above Thirty Counsellers and Officers of Note to whom belongs the ordinary administration of Justice next morning made a deputation unto the Prince of Conty desiring him that Peace might be concluded and that belief should not be given so lightly
firm resolution to defend by all possible means the Authority of the Minor-King which was recommended to his trust and very well knowing what sad fruit might proceed from this seed employed first his most refined Judgment to keep it from increasing making use of milde ways spinning on the time till the conjuncture of Affairs might afford him opportunity to make use of more powerful means But this fair way doing no good the Malady grew more contagious which made him at last aware that without making use of Fire and Sword it would dayly take deeper root for the Courts Lenity was interpreted Weakness and the pride of some of these Gown-men who were blinded by Passion and by hope of bettering their condition by the mine of others grew to such a height that being cloy'd with living quietly they began to plot all the ways they could how to arrive at their desired end That they might therefore irritate the hatred and fury of the people they thought it necessary to appear Vindicators of their Grievances and to lay the fault upon those that govern'd Wherefore they began to allure them by hopes of a present good and by fear of an approching mischief attributing the continuing of War to the State-Ministers that they might thereby provide themselves of Moneys squeezed out of the poor Subjects So as an universal Impression being made by these colourable pretences whereby Affairs were carried on to open Sedition the King's Council thought it fit to lay aside all Lenity and to put on more vigorous and rigid Resolutions Wherefore they thought fit to make some of them an Example thereby to make others more respectful and obedient and because the famous Victory of Lens in Germany happened at the same time for which Te Deum was sung in the Cathedral Church the King and his Guards being present it was thought now a fit time to imprison Brousel Charton and President Blanmeneile who were thought worse minded than the rest since they could not do it otherwise without a great Army especially upon old Brousel who was protected by the people with whom he had won such credit as if he had been a New Cato The Cardinal dissented from this who looking more inwardly into the bottom of the business found it to be dangerous and exposed to great difficulties wherefore he thought it better to temporize till the next Campagnia being ended the Army might be free to be disposed of as occasion should require But Count Chavigny who in Cardinal Richelieu's time was one of the prime Ministers of State and was imployed in all Affairs of greatest Importance was not well pleased to be detain'd from his wonted Honors Wherefore seeking how to raise Rumours and to put the Court in a commotion that he might fish in troubled Waters and make the Cardinal run upon some Rock He perswaded the Queen that her Majesty was bound to make use of some valid Expedients before the Malady grew greater and by the Examples of her Husband the late King to make her self be feared She approving of Chavigny's Opinion wherein many others of the Privy Council did joyn obliged the Cardinal not to gainsay it saying That great Mischiefs required speedy and strong Remedies The Cardinal obeyed though contrary to his judgment but first he protested against it apart to her Majesty saying That the time was not yet fit and foretold her punctually of all that did afterwards fall out making her see that Chavigny's Councel aimed at somewhat else than her Majesties Service Which succeeding just as the Cardinal foretold was one of the chiefest reasons which made him be the better believed afterwards and made him be known to be as able for Government as he was passionately affected to make the King a great Monarch Which made the Queen confide so much in him as she raised him to the highest pitch of estimation afterwards and for the future did intirely credit his Councel The duty of the day being over and their Majesties being gone from Church Monsieur Cominges Lieutenant of the Queens Guard was sent with some Souldiers and an Officer to Brousel's house to acquaint him with the Order which he had from the King to conduct him where his Majesty had commanded him Brousel said he would obey and turning to his Children who were at Table with him said unto them I have purchas'd you some Honour by my Actions see that you preserve it Farewel I think not that I shall ever see you any more He went down stairs got into the Coach and the Guards holding their Pistols at his breast the Coach-man drove on space The Coach being come into the High-street where the Militia stood in order Cominges advanc'd towards the new Bridge and it was noised abroad by a Lacky of his who had never lost sight of the Coach that Brousel was carried away Prisoner in that Coach which breaking by chance between the publick Palace and the new Bridge Cominges making use of necessity made the President Dasts of Bordeos his Wife light out of her Coach which he met by chance and went therein along the River where but few people pass and came safe to St. Germains President Blanmenil was arrested in his own house and carried to the Castle of St. Vincent Charton hearing of this had the fortune to escape This News slew presently through the whole City where presently Clamour and Commotions arose the people crying out that the Common Safety was betray'd their Liberties injured that they were all threatned with eminent danger that the Court made publick thanksgiving for having committed outrage not onely against private persons but against the Publick Faith All men raged and like so many mad men fell to lamenting to protestations and to threats Some ran one way some another exciting all they met to rise They scoured all their Halberts and other Weapons all Trades-men ran in with their Axes Hammers Knives and with what came first to hand Women like those of former times ran up and down like so many Bacchinali inciting their Husbands and Friends to revenge their Injuries All the Streets were suddenly chain'd up all Shops were shut up The most couragious were confounded at the hearing of the peoples noise and fury The Parliament met that night highly displeased and agreed to meet the next morning and to demand their imprisoned Members from the Queen But the Court being in part satisfied with the success of what they had done and not at all moved at the begun Commotion prepared boldly to withstand the peoples violence and the Parliaments resolutions The Guards were increased All the Princes Lords and Gentlemen of the Court met at the Palais-Royal They consulted all that night touching what was best to be done in this confused Hurly-burly They resolved to stand to what they had done left they might seem to injure the King's Reputation by retracting it They therefore ordered that the Chancellour should go the next morning it being the 27th of
the Government of publick Affairs they lost the lawful right of judging what was particular At the same time when the Parliament began to treat apart the Princes began to Negotiate their Agreements separately every one according to their particular Interests pretending to be totally dis-engag'd from the Parliament whilst they saw that the Parliament which was the primum mobile of the War and with whom they had confederated endeavoured Peace The Frondeurs were very fierce for War till the Conference at Ruel where the chiefest of them were wrought upon Longueville by his Brother the President of Maisonsi Viola by the Prince of Condé Cogneux and others though they were in some sort engaged with the Arch-Duke The Prince of Conty and Dutchess of Longueville broke with the Coadjutor for that he being Beaufort's Confident and having drawn all the Frondeurs and people to dance after his Pipe he went about to blindfold them and make them serve his designes and his proper Interests and not that of their Families Thus during the time of Conference of Peace the Prince of Condé who desired to reunite them to himself and not to let slip so seasonable a conjuncture sent his Confident Monsieur di Mousay to complement them The Dutchess of Longueville confer'd long with Mousay upon the point of Reconciliation and bid him assure the Prince that she would carry her self to his satisfaction when Peace should be concluded After these Treaties though Conty had made his peace with the Court without Beaufort or the Coadjutor yet when they had discovered their discontents they forbore not to do all they could to make Conty stick to them He and the Dutchess his Sister were well inclined thereunto being otherwise unwilling to lose the fruit of their Declaration and that of the Duke of Longueville in favour of the Parisians which consisted in mitigating the peoples hatred of Condé thinking that thereby she might become more necessary to the Court and more considerable with her Brother who till then had not too great an esteem for her Some told Condé that the Court being in the posture it was in the true way to get advantage on both sides would be to let the Prince of Conty head the Frondeurs yet he who then scorned the Frondeurs and who hatred Beaufort particularly by reason of the great esteem the Parisians had of him resolved absolutely to severe Conty from their Interests and by little and little to destroy that Faction which being disperst he might afwards more easily pull down the Cardinal or make him comply totally with him The occasion of the Arch-Bishoprick of Liege which at this time was presented confirm'd him in this opinion believing that if he could procure that dignity for his Brother he might establish his House the better The Canons were divided many whereof had recourse for protection to France against the Elector of Culen who would have his Brother chosen Coadjutor That they might engage the King of France in their Interests they offered to chuse the Prince of Conty who fed his Brother with these hopes to make him abandon Paris and to bring him to Compeigne where the Court then was and where he acquainted the Cardinal with his designe he who received the testimony of his confidence whilst the War of Paris lasted could not but assist him but considering afterwards that it was not good to embroyl France in the affairs of Germany and against the House of Bavaria between whom there was good intelligence held seemed to proceed so reservedly in the affairs necessary to effect this designe that the mean while the Elector making his Agreement all the Princes hopes vanished which was thought to be one of the reasons of his complaints and his beginning to distrust the Cardinal These designes proving vain Conty and Longueville reconciled themselves to the Coadjutor and appeared outwardly to be good friends though jealousies remained inwardly between them for Conty could not depend upon any one The Duke of Bullion seemed somewhat distasted at these Negotiations between the Parliament and Court and their hopes in Paris being revived by the drawing down of the Spaniards Flemish Army he thought it strange that his concernments should be given over He therefore moved the Prince of Conty and the Dutchess of Longueville not to make the Agreement but to go with their Troops into Normandy and being assisted by the Spaniards to continue the War there hoping hereby to effect his designes and to make the Court grant his pretensions This Proposal being liked by the other Princes they thought to fall upon it but it was laid aside as well for the difficulty which would be found in executing it as for that Bullion made his peace otherwise by the Prince of Condé's means with whom he had still had good intelligence But the Duke of Longueville not being put by vertue of this Treaty into possession of his Towns nor into his Government of Normandy which was a new motive to him and Conty to put on any resolution rather than to abandon the Dukes Interest the Abbot de la Riviere by consent with Condé made a particular Agreement be propounded by Monsieur de Flamerin to the Prince of Conty whereby the Duke was to be re-possessed of all his Towns and Conty should have the Government of Danvilliers for his security if he would yield the name of Cardinal to la Riviere This Negotiation was managed and concluded by the Prince of Marsiliack with intention to let Longueville know that the Prince of Conty was cause of his re-establishment and thereby to joyn them closer together as also to keep la Riviere who was then in great favour with the Duke of Orleans stedfast to Conty's Interest who concurring in all things with his Sister Longueville intended so to establish themselves as they should not be defrauded of their pretensions when the King should be of age Thus was the agreement made between the King and Parliament whereupon the Cardinal seeing the Courts condition bettered declared that he would not now yield unto any of the Propositions formerly pretended unto by the Spaniards since he saw himself in a condition of being able to withstand them unless some new Emergencies should disturb him The Pope's zeal and the like of the Commonwealth of Venice to facilitate Peace in all parts made the Arch-bishop of Tarzo who was Nuntio and Pietro Basadona the Venetian Embassador in Spain to provide against the Evils which the affairs of Paris made them apprehend wherefore they intreated his Catholick Majesty to command his Plenipotentiaries that notwithstanding the novelties that were risen they should not defer nor obstruct the making of Peace They obtained their desires and the Catholick King ordered that the Treaties should be drawn to an end and yielded to all things that were fair and honest The Nuntio Bagin and the Embassador Morosini informed the King of France immediately of this generous act and gave notice to Count Pignoranda
that Count Brienne had signified to them that if he should think fit to return to Munster the Court of France would send a person of quality thither with plenipotentiary-Plenipotentiary-power That if he would not go thither himself he should send some other with sufficient power and that at the same time others should be dispatched away from the Court of France And that if he himself should please to come to any place upon the Frontier the Cardinal's self would come thither and so a conclusion would sooner be made it being still to be understood that nothing should be altered which was agreed upon at the meeting at Munster Pignoranda answered He marvelled how the Regent had so suddenly altered Maximes varying from what Monsieur Vautort had both insinuated and exprest That this so great a change occasioned a just Scandal since France not making good what she as he said had promised but a few days before the King of Spain should be tied to grant those Articles which he had always held unreasonable Upon the 24 th of April the Nuntio and Morosini answered this dispatch and though Pignoranda would not hear of any Treaty they named Vervins Noyon or Crespy to be the places of meeting Adding that all things might easily be accommodated if the Count would speak with the Cardinal yet they declared in the close of the Letters That the French intended to treat onely upon the points which were undecided which the Spaniards did totally refuse saying That the Kings Agents being gone from Munster without having concluded any thing the meeting and Treaty was consequently dissolved so as all was to be recommenced That if France would agree to this the King of Spain's Deputies should go to any place that should be appointed within a Moneth or six Weeks for which time there should be Truce which the Arch-Duke should readily yield unto and that if the Cardinal would speak with the Count he would send him either alone or accompanied by others as he should be advertised The Nuntio and Morosini sought to promote the business and sent Secretary Lorenzo Paulucci to Brussels to sollicite what they were preparing in Writing Pignoranda was pleased hereat as well in respect of them who sent the Secretary as for the Commission he brought and the Spaniards giving out that they had discovered during the short time of his abode there that the French had no minde to make Peace Paulucci returned without doing any thing Soon after his return to Paris the Mediators writ to Pignoranda and to the Internuntio at Brussels three Letters of the 29 th of May the 27 th of Iune and 10 th of Iuly containing that the French persisted in the proposed Meeting and in the desire of Peace and propounded the building of a place of Enterview upon the confines of the two Dominions where the Meeting might be had And in the first Letter which was written to the Internuntio they mentioned that the French were fully resolved not to alter any thing that was digested at Munster intending to Treat onely upon such points as remained undecided The Spaniard accepted of the Meeting propounded by the Cardinal and of the building of the place for enterview and Pignoranda gave notice that as soon as this should be made he would send Don Antonio Brun who was the King of Spain's Embassador in Holland and Plenipotentiary in the Treaty of Peace and that he himself would advance the next week after towards the Frontiers that he might be the readier to agree unto what the Cardinal should resolve upon and the place for the building of the place for enterview was appointed to be between St. Quintâ—ins and Landrecie This readiness was commended by the Nuntio and by Morosini which they witnessed by Letters from Compaignie but whilst Pignoranda expected answer to what he had written the Cardinal sent Letters by a Trumpeter on the 26 th of Iuly desiring him to send him word to what place he might send a Friend to whom they might reciprocally communicate their mindes touching the principal points of the Treaty adding that he thought it would be convenient he should send a friend of his to him to the end that it might be conceived by hearing both parties whether businesses were in such a forwardness as that a speedy conclusion might be hoped for because if this were not done he thought this Meeting would be useless to the publick and troublesome to their own particular selves and that no time might be lost he thought it would be good to chuse a place upon the Frontier which he should like best for the Meeting and that he should send him a Pass by Monsieur di Lyone the Queens Secretary whom he had destined to that purpose The Cardinal did this for that he found that Pignorandâ— sought to engage him in this Conference not out of any desire he had to make Peace but that he might make the World believe afterward that the Cardinal had broken the Treaty of Peace for his own particular ends and that he might thereby draw upon him the Odium of the people by shewing him to be the occasion of all the War The Spaniards sent him a Pass for Lyone and at the same time that Pignoranda parted from Brussels he sent an Express to the Hague to acquaint the Embassador Brun with all this who came with great speed to Cambrey on the 13th of August whither Pignoranda was come four days before Lyone had audience as soon as he came to Cambrey whom Pignoranda asked What Propositions he had brought Who answered His Instructions were to know what the King of Spain ' s Pretensions were touching the points undecided at Munster Pignoranda found then that his designe was discovered and said They were not to talk any more of the Treaty of Munster for that the Civil War of France had altered the face of Affairs and that they were to begin the Treaty again Lyone repli'd That agreement was made between the King and the Parliament of Paris That all was quieted After a long Dispute Pignoranda demanded That France would abandon the Interests of the King of Portugal and likewise Catalonia That he would repossess Duke Charles of Lorain and restore the Spanish Towns that were taken and that then they would discourse upon other points Lyon was hereat confused and said There was little signes that he desired Peace since four Kingdoms were demanded before the Treaty should begin That to abandon Portugal and Catalonia was to make the King of Spain Master of them for it was certain they could not defend themselves without the aid of France That no mention was to be made of Lorain for that there was no Treaty between the King of Spain and that Duke whereby that Country was to be restored to the Duke He further added That if he intended to end the Treaty he must not dream of the weak condition which he fancied to himself that France was in for that